Admissions

University of Western States welcomes application for admission from prospective students who are interested in our educational programs. Acceptance to the university will be offered to students who are considered desirable applicants under the terms of the selection criteria listed below.

Admission Criteria

UWS strives to admit students who are most likely to succeed in its educational programs and go on to pass licensure or certification exams, where applicable. The application process is designed to afford maximum opportunity for prospective students to present a comprehensive academic history and resume.

Qualification is based on an assessment of all available information including the applicant’s academic record. The university looks for achievement and consistency, especially in academic performance. Students’ formal and informal presentations of themselves through written materials, telephone interaction, campus visits and interviews are also important. It is expected that applicants make a logical and articulate connection between their employment, volunteer, academic and other experiences, and the desire to pursue an education at UWS. The university looks for informed thoughtfulness and commitment, as well as evidence that there is a good match between the character, expectations, and goals of the prospective student and those of UWS programs.

The admission application is available on the UWS website and includes a list of materials that must be submitted for official consideration of an applicant’s file. Applicants are urged to carefully review the selection criteria to ensure that they are making the best possible presentation of their qualifications.

Evaluation for admission begins when a complete application package has been received. Applicants will be evaluated based on an admissions committee review of credentials, personal interview, availability of space in the program and a completed background check with a verification report (see section entitled Background Checks). UWS reserves the right to deny admission for any reason other than those prohibited by law and to reconsider and retract any candidate’s acceptance prior to enrollment.

International Applicants

UWS encourages international students to apply for admission. Eligible candidates must meet all university and program-specific admission requirements as outlined in this catalog. Due to programmatic licensure requirements, some programs may be unable to admit international students.

Candidates whose education has been completed outside the U.S. or Canada must have their educational credentials evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) affiliated international education evaluation service. The preferred transcript evaluation service is International Education Evaluation (IEE). Results should be forwarded directly to the Office of Admissions.

Prospective students for whom English is not their native language must provide proof of adequate English language skills. UWS accepts official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson Test of English (PTE), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), PTE Academic, Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), Cambridge English B2, Duolingo English Test, or Successful completion of English Language Programs accredited by the Commission of English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) at any U.S. and/or overseas institution listed through the CEA website. This requirement does not apply to an applicant who either earned an undergraduate or graduate degree or who earned at least 60 credit hours from a university in which the language of instruction was English. The minimum scores for each test are in the table below:

Valid scores are required. TOEFL, PTE, IELTS, and Duolingo scores are valid for two years after the test date.

Additional individual assessment is made during the admission process regarding the applicant’s demonstrated competence in reading, writing, and speaking English. If questions arise regarding competency in language skills, further testing may be required before entrance.

Non-Degree Applicants

A student wishing to enroll in graduate courses as a non-degree student must complete an application, provide all transcripts from schools previously attended, have earned a bachelor’s degree or first professional degree, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.75. A student wishing to enroll in undergraduate courses as a non-degree student must complete an application, provide all transcripts from schools previously attended, and have a cumulative GPA of a 2.0. Admittance as a non-degree student does not guarantee admittance to a degree program within UWS. Non-Degree students are not eligible for financial aid. See Policy 1214 Non-Degree Seeking Students.

Application Deadline

Program-specific application information, such as deadlines, can be found by visiting the UWS application page.

Notification of Admission Decisions

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis when all necessary documents have been received by the Office of Admissions. The application review process generally takes two weeks upon receipt of all required application materials and completion of interview (if applicable), leading to one of these decisions:

• Full Acceptance: Admission decisions are communicated to applicants via an admission decision letter, sent by email. An acceptance letter may outline additional materials the applicant must submit by the end of their first term of enrollment. A student who has not submitted the required materials is placed on a hold that prevents registration for the student’s second term of enrollment, until the required materials are provided. Refer to Policy 2001 Admission Requirements.
• Denial: The information presented does not meet the published UWS admission criteria, including, but not limited to, the background check (see section entitled Background Checks for more information). Denied applicants may choose to update their credentials and submit a new application for a future term.

Licensure

To practice in a healthcare profession, each provider must fulfill the requirements of the licensing board of the jurisdiction in which the individual chooses to practice. In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education, University of Western States (UWS) provides information pertaining to professional licensure and certification for all relevant programs. Licensure requirements vary widely and are regulated by the laws and rules of each jurisdiction, which may change over time. Students should contact their state or provincial licensing board for information regarding licensure.

Background Checks

To help create a safe campus community for patients, students, employees, guests and others, University of Western States requires background investigation and verification reports. Students in most UWS programs are required to submit to a background investigation and verification report upon conditional acceptance to the program after their tuition deposit has been paid. All applicants and enrolled students are required to disclose any conviction, pending charges or indictments for crimes, and are required to disclose any notice by a governmental agency in any jurisdiction of exclusion or substantiated findings of perpetrating abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment. A failure to disclose or an attempt to falsify academic or official records may result in denial of admission or dismissal. Full admission to the university will be contingent upon the outcome of the background check. Applicants who are conditionally accepted to the university will be provisionally enrolled pending results of the background check (see following section regarding conditional acceptance). See Policy 1009 Student Background Investigation and Verification Reporting Requirement for additional information.

Tuition Deposits

When an offer of acceptance is made, applicants must confirm their intent of enrollment with the Office of Admissions. Most UWS degree programs and certificates require a non-refundable tuition deposit to secure a seat in the desired entering class.

The tuition deposit is applied toward the first term tuition. If the deposit is not received or arrangements are not made with the Office of Admissions by the stated deadline, the offer of acceptance may be withdrawn. Tuition deposits may be deferred once. If after one deferral the student does not enroll, the student must reapply and pay a new tuition deposit.

Deferment or Transfer of Entry Date

When an applicant is offered acceptance, it is for a specific entering class. Written requests to change enrollment to a different entry term should be submitted to the Office of Admissions and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Accepted students may defer their enrollment one time. If approved, the student will be required to pay a non-refundable deferment deposit that will be recorded as additional credit toward the student’s tuition for their first enrolled term. If after one deferral the student does not enroll, the student must reapply.

Readmission

Individuals must apply for readmission after they have withdrawn, taken an unauthorized absence, failed to return from an authorized withdrawal as agreed, failed to enroll for courses or been dismissed. Refer to Policy 2006 Readmission. Readmission decisions will be based on admission standards in effect at the time of reapplication, as well as the applicant’s previous performance at UWS.

Non-Degree Enrollment

Non-degree students may enroll in courses that have been approved by the program director or dean of the college. Enrollment as a non-degree student does not constitute a commitment by UWS to grant program admission at a later date. If subsequently admitted to the degree program, up to 16 non-degree credits earned at UWS may be applied toward the degree. Refer to Policy 1214 Non-Degree Seeking Students.

Articulation Agreements

UWS maintains articulation agreements with other colleges and universities. These agreements or memorandums of understanding are designed to facilitate enrollment for students who wish to pursue additional degrees at UWS in a manner that may enable students to save both time and money. Information on articulation agreements may be found on the UWS articulation page and through the Office of Admissions. Current articulation agreements include but may not be limited to:

Students seeking to transfer from any of these institutions must ensure that all course requirements are met by communicating with the chosen college or university prior to transferring.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

University of Western States (UWS) is committed to maintaining a working and educational environment that values the inherent worth and dignity of every person. As such, UWS offers equal opportunity to all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, national origin, religion, age, physical and mental disability, genetic information, family medical history, legal source of income, veteran status or other status protected by law for all UWS policies and programs. Refer to Policy 1013 Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination. In support of this commitment, the university prohibits all discrimination including harassment and retaliation based on such factors as race, religion, color, sex, age, citizenship status, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, disability, veteran status, marital status, legal source of income, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or any other status protected by law. All members of the university community are responsible for creating educational and work environments that respect diversity and that are free from discrimination. All members of the university community will cooperate with university officials charged with investigating allegations of policy violations. Refer to Policy 1004 Nondiscrimination and Anti-harassment.

Diversity

UWS strives to enroll a diverse student body to help ensure that the university, its programs, and related health professions are enriched through the participation of individuals from different racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. In addition, the board encourages the administration to hire qualified employees with a goal of increasing diversity and gender balance within university personnel. See the UWS Diversity and Inclusion page for more information.