ADMISSION
Admission Policy & Criteria
Admissions Information
All admissions materials, including program disclosures and enrollment agreements are presented in English, but all programs can be taught in students’ or faculty’s primary language. Each admissions representative conducts interviews with prospective enrollees in students’ or faculty’s primary language as a method to determine whether the prospective enrollees are proficient in their primary language. We can make any accommodations to present materials or instruct courses in each nationality language. If English is not the student’s primary language, and the student is unable to understand the terms and conditions, the student shall have the right to obtain a clear explanation of the terms and conditions and all cancellation and refund policies in his or her primary language from a qualified school officer upon request. All faculties can teach in their primary Language and Students can submit reports and dissertation in their primary Language.
University of Southwest America provides a flexible one hundred percent online learning environment designed for students who want to advance in their profession. Learn about our online doctoral, master’s, undergraduate, and certificate programs—and get answers to your questions about USWA and online learning—by speaking with an enrollment counselor.
As a USWA student, you’ll build the career-relevant and academic research skills and knowledge to advance your career and academic research with hundred percent online learning environments. Our faculty members are experts in their fields, and our classes and competency-based programs are built around industry and academic research standards and focus on real-world application, so you can apply what you learn in your course today in your career and academic research tomorrow.
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Admission Policy
An applicant for admission to a degree program must meet the minimum admission requirements for each program. Students with special circumstances and those who do not meet certain admission standards may be accepted on a conditional basis.
Admission to some programs may be granted to students who meet certain criteria. However, those who are admitted in this condition must complete the application process before the degree is granted. Admission standing is subject to cancellation or change if the admission credentials remain incomplete.
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Admissions Criteria
University is committed to training men and women for Christian leadership, both lay and clerical. Because of this commitment, we seek to admit persons whose motivation, character, and aptitude are congruent with this purpose. The application process is designed to help you and the university determines your readiness for study at the university. The admissions process is designed to help ensure that individuals who enter one of our programs will complete it.
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Statement of Nondiscrimination
University does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, gender, and national or ethnic origin in the according or making available of all the rights, privileges, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other university-administered programs generally open to students at the university.
In addition to this legal stance, University has a biblical stance regarding cultural diversity. The ultimate, eternal community of believers, according to Revelation 5:9, will be comprised of “every tribe, tongue, and people and nation.” The desire of the university is to enjoy this same diversity and unity of believers while training culturally sensitive ministers for effective service to the entire world.
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Diversity Policy
University does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, nationality, ethnic origin, socioeconomic class, gender, and/or physical and mental disabilities in the administration of its policies in education, admission, and hiring. However, the university is a private religious institution and maintains a specific religious belief in the enforcement of its administrative practices. University is committed to practicing the principles of equal opportunity and diversity based on biblical principles. The university strives to achieve and maintain a diverse community of students and its committees. University of Southwest America will continue to monitor the level of diversity in all the committees, subcommittees and advisory groups within the school. By encouraging community engagement in outreach, development and planning processes, University will undertake a strategic and systematic approach to involve individuals from diverse racial/ ethnic groups, ages, genders, abilities, socioeconomic classes, and interests.
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Ability to Benefit
University of Southwest America does not accept students under Ability to benefit determination.
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Transfer of Credit
University of Southwest America welcomes the transfer of course work from accredited institutions. (Some institutions include those that have been accredited by an agency that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or CHEA. Outside the U.S., a provincial or national authority such as the Ministry of Education usually approves some institutions.) In order to request this transfer, you should arrange for an official transcript (signed and sealed) to be mailed directly from the previous institution to University’s Registrar’s Office.
Credit is evaluated on a course-by-course basis, requiring that course descriptions and credit values be comparable. Only work earned with a grade of “C” or higher is transferable; however, grades from transfer credits do not compute into Grade Point Averages (GPA). Grade Point Averages are computed solely on courses completed at University of Southwest America.
Under exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the Academic Committee, transfer of credit may be possible from unaccredited institutions. The same procedures and requirements as previously noted apply. In addition, University takes steps to ensure that course work taken at the previous institution is comparable to the course work offered by University. These steps include one or more of the following:
* Demonstration of achievement by means of comprehensive examinations;
* Review of syllabi, faculty credentials, grading standards, and other relevant learning resources at the sending institution; and
* Analysis of historic experience regarding the success of transfers from the sending institution.
If a student wishes to apply transfer credit to his/her program, the transfer should be arranged immediately upon receiving your letter of acceptance, and before registering for courses at University of Southwest America.
Generally, fifty percent of the quarter hours in your undergraduate program must be completed at University in order to qualify for graduation. More than 6 units cannot be transferred into a graduate program at University. Depending upon the program and circumstances, the number of transferable credits may vary.
University of Southwest America has not entered into an articulation or transfer agreement with any other college or university.
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Notice Concerning Transferability of Credits and Credentials Earned At Our Institution
The transferability of credits you earn at University of Southwest America is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the degree or certificate, you earn in your program is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the credits, degree or certificate that you earn at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending Southwest University to determine if your credits, degree or certificate will transfer.
Registration for New Students
Whenever possible, the Registrar’s Office will register new students before the students arrive on campus. New students will receive a copy of their registration form during New Student Orientation, and will be able to make changes at that time.
New Student Orientation is scheduled during the days immediately preceding the start of the fall and spring quarters. (See the academic calendar at the front of the catalog). The Student Orientation is required for all new students. We will spend time acquainting you with major aspects of USWA’s academic program and general policies and procedures.
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Registration for Returning Students
All current students are expected to register for the next quarter on the dates designated by the Registrar; otherwise the Financial Office adds a late registration fee to the student’s account.
Registration is not complete until all necessary forms are filled out, submitted, and signed by the appropriate persons. A student who has not completed registration for the following quarter may not be allowed to take final exams, unless the student has notified the Registrar of his or her intent to withdraw at the end of the quarter.
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Readmission
If you are a former University of Southwest America student and you desire to be readmitted, contact the Admission Office to begin the process. You will be expected to pay any outstanding debt to the university in full. Depending upon how long you have been away from University and your status when you left, you may be required to provide new references or other elements of the Application Package. You may also be asked to meet with the Academic Dean, the Dean of Students Affairs, or other university officials.
If you are readmitted, we may ask you to attend certain portions of the New Student Orientation.
If you have been gone from University of Southwest America for one or more quarters, you will return under the curriculum and graduation requirements of the most recent catalog. This policy may also apply to students who do not maintain full-time enrollment (less than 9 quarter hours per term for undergraduates, or 6 quarter hours per term for graduate students).
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Admission Requirements
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Undergraduate course
1. Fill out the application form found on school webpage.
2. Personal statement (Childhood, vision, experiences and aspiring career path after graduation)
3. An original copy of high school or associate degree diploma (in English)
4. An original copy of high school or associate degree official transcript (in English)
5. Passport Copy
Graduate course
1. Fill out the application form found on school webpage
2. Personal statement (Childhood, vision, experiences and aspiring career path after graduation)
3. An original copy of undergraduate/graduate school diploma in English.
4. An original copy of undergraduate/graduate school official transcript
5. Passport Copy
Transfer admission
Required supporting documents are the same as regular admission.
Students who wish to transfer to same course/major have to take remaining credits or 12 credits in 2 quarters. For students who wish to transfer to a different course, 50% of the credits earned in the previous course will be recognized.
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Tuition Information & Fees
Tuition
Program Degree Amount
General Education N/A $200 per unit
Each School Bachelor $200 per unit
Master $300 per unit
Doctor $400 per unit
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General Fees
Application Fee N/A
Registration Fee N/A
Late Tuition Fee 10% of Tuition (15% after a month)
Add/Drop Fee $100
Mailing Fee $30 per address
Returned Check Fee $35 per check
Student Service Fee $100
Graduation Service Fee Associate $200 (TBA)
Undergraduate $300 (TBA)
Graduate $400 (TBA)
Certificate of Enrollment Fee $20 per copy and $30 per address
Official Transcript Fee $20 per copy and $30 per address
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Thesis & Dissertation Fee
Undergraduate $300 (TBA)
Master $500 (TBA)
Doctor $700 (TBA)
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Explanation of Fees
Application Fee
New students pay a small fee to cover the processing of their application. Non-refundable.
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Registration Fee
A fee is paid by all students once per quarter, to cover expenses associated with registration. Non-refundable.
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Late Registration Fee
On a designated date during the second half of each quarter, we conduct registration for the following quarter. Students need to meet with their academic advisor, and turn in the forms to the registrar. A student who does not make his/her appointments and properly submit all paperwork (including the textbook order form) for registration will be charged a late registration fee.
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Late Tuition Fee
If student does not pay the tuition by the tuition due day, student will be assessed a late payment charge based on the amount of his/her outstanding balance. An additional 10% of total tuition will be charged for the late tuition fee (5% for RN program), and 15% of total tuition will be charged after a month from the tuition due date. Failure to pay the outstanding balance may result in a hold on the student’s academic records.
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Add/Drop Fee
If, after the start of the quarter, you realize that you need to drop or add a course, you may do so within a certain period at the beginning of the quarter without additional charge. (See the calendar in the front of this catalog for the exact dates.) To add or drop a course after the stated period of the start of the quarter, students must pay the Add/Drop Fee for each time.
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Student Activity Fee
A fee is paid by all students once per quarter to cover expenses associated with student activities.
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Student Association Fee
A fee is required for all students. It covers funding for campus clubs, student organizations, and student advocacy efforts, and supports the general operation costs of the University of Southwest America Student Association.
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Student Service Fee
Required of all students, the Student Service Fee covers services which benefit students and which are complementary to the instructional program. The Fee supports various student services, such as counseling, library access, technology and equipment, student assessment processing, and educational and career support services.
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Graduation Service Fee
Upon graduation, candidates will need to submit the graduation check form with the fee. University of Southwest America will provide various services including the rental of your graduation robe. This fee offsets the university’s costs for graduation. It covers the cost of the student’s diploma, cap and gown, and all Commencement activities regardless of attendance.
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Transcript Fee / Certificate of Enrollment Fee
Throughout your career you will occasionally need “official” copies of your transcript or Certificate of Enrollment to be sent to employers or other universities. University of Southwest America will send an official transcript or Certificate of Enrollment upon your request and upon the receipt of the payment of the then-current transcript fee.
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Returned Check Charge
If payment is made by check and the check is returned for any reason, we will charge back the amount of the check plus the returned check charge.
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Thesis Fee
The Thesis fee is for review of thesis, dissertation or vision statement for each program’s student.
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Continuation Fee
An enrollment fee is paid by students who continuously need to enroll without taking courses before the completion of the graduation requirements. The Fee amount corresponds to 1 unit of tuition fee for each program.
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Payment Schedule
Tuition and Fees
All students must pay tuition and fees in full by the appropriate due date to participate in classes. If students fail to do so, the school may ban students from attending classes.
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Unpaid Accounts
Students who do not maintain current financial accounts with the university will be denied the privilege of classroom attendance beginning five days after the payment is due. Absences will be counted until the payment is made in full or until withdrawal is instituted.
A student whose account is not paid in full (including tuition and fees) by the end of the quarter will not be allowed to reenroll in the subsequent quarter.
USWA makes exceptions to this policy only with the approval of the President. In those cases where the university elects to make an exception, the student is required to sign and comply with an approved payment agreement. If the student withdraws from the university without paying the account in full, the payment plan becomes void and the university has the right to collect the unpaid amount immediately. Should the university find it necessary to use the services of a collection agency or attorney, the former student is responsible for all court costs, reasonable collection and litigation fees, up to 200 percent of the balance due.
A student will not be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies and receive grades, a certificate, diploma, degree, transcript, or letter of recommendation until all financial obligations have been satisfied in accordance with the university’s financial policies.
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Policies and Procedures regarding Financial Aid
University of Southwest America does not participate in Federal and State financial aid programs.
If a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund, and that, if the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the moneys not paid from federal student financial aid program funds.
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Tuition Refunds
If you find it necessary to withdraw from the university, you may be eligible for a refund for part of your tuition. (We do not give refunds for fees, nor audited courses.) In order to qualify for a refund, you must notify the Administration Office of your intent to withdraw. As part of the withdrawal procedure you must settle all accounts. If you do not follow the withdrawal procedure, you will receive a grade of “F” for all courses and will forfeit eligibility for any tuition refunds. Students who are dismissed or suspended from the university are not eligible for any refunds.
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Student Right to Cancel and Refund
Students who cancel their enrollment agreement and withdraw during a term may receive a refund of tuition based upon the date they withdraw. Fees are nonrefundable. Students who withdraw after enrollment and before the first class session of a term receive a 90 percent refund. Students who withdraw for first week after attendance period receive a 80 percent. Students who withdraw for second week receive a 60 percent. No refund is made after 20 percent (from the third week) of the attendance period.
Enrollment Time Weeks Refund
After Enrollment and Before the first class session of a term 0 90%
0%~6.67 % 1 80%
6.67%~13.33% 2 60%
After 20%~ 3 0%
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Student Tuition Recovery Fund
You must pay the state-imposed assessment for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) if all of the following applies to you: 1) You are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition either by cash, guaranteed student loans, or personal loans, and 2) Your total charges are not paid by any third-party payer such as an employer, government program or other payer unless you have a separate agreement to repay the third party.
You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if either of the following applies: 1) You are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program, or 2) Your total charges are paid by a third party, such as an employer, government program or other payer, and you have no separate agreement to repay the third party.”
The State of California created the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic losses suffered by students in educational programs who are California residents, or are enrolled in a residency programs attending certain schools regulated by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.
You may be eligible for STRF if you are a California resident or are enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following: 1) The school closed before the course of instruction was completed; 2) The school’s failure to pay refunds or charges on behalf of a student to a third party for license fees or any other purpose, or to provide equipment or materials for which a charge was collected within 180 days before the closure of the school; 3) The school’s failure to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federally guaranteed student loan program as required by law or to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the school prior to closure in excess of tuition and other costs; 4) There was a material failure to comply with the Act or this Division within 30 days before the school closed or, if the material failure began earlier than 30 days prior to closure, the period determined by the Bureau; 5) An inability after diligent efforts to prosecute, prove, and collect on a judgment against the institution for a violation of the Act.
Scholarships and Other Financial Aid
As part of your application packet you will receive a scholarship application. (You can also obtain this form from the Registrar’s Office.) By completing and submitting this form, you can apply for a number of scholarships provided by the university. A scholarship committee comprised of members of the administration, faculty, and staff matches the information supplied on your application with the criteria set.
The following list describes our available scholarships:
Southwest University Board Scholarship
USWA Board Scholarship is established by the Board of Directors of University of Southwest America.
Scholarship Criteria: The Scholarship is to be available to a student who is 1) a formal or current employee at University of Southwest America; 2) any relatives of University of Southwest America’s employee; or 3) dependent children and spouses of currently serving Christian pastors and missionaries.
Scholarship Amount: Maximum $5,000
Presidential Merit Scholarship
The Presidential Merit Scholarship was established to honor students who have exhibited or have the potential to exhibit extraordinary abilities and contributions.
Scholarship Criteria: Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.85. Multiple recipients are to be chosen by the Scholarship Committee and confirmed by the President of the University.
Scholarship Amount: Maximum $10,000
Dean’s Merit Scholarship
The Dean’s Merit Scholarship has been established to honor students who have exhibited or have the potential to exhibit exceptional talent and contribution in their major field.
Scholarship Criteria: Students must be pursuing a degree in University of Southwest America and must demonstrate exceptional talent and contribution at their major field. The recipient is to be chosen by the Dean of each school and the Scholarship Committee.
Scholarship Amount: Maximum $10,000
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
Graduate students who demonstrate exceptional talent and extensive professional experience may be eligible for teaching assistantships, which offer tuition assistance. The recipient is to be chosen by the Dean of each school and the Scholarship Committee.
Scholarship Amount: Maximum $3,000
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Accreditation
University of Southwest America(USWA) is a private, non-profit organization operating under a non-profit exemption verified by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (B.P.P.E.).
USWA, as an institution owned, controlled, and operated and maintained by a religious organization lawfully operating as a nonprofit Christian University, has met the exemption from regulation under the Act, pursuant to California Education Code (CEC) section 94874 (e).
USWA was founded in 2013 and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The degree program has received verification of religious exemption status by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (B.P.P.E.) under the Department of Consumer Affairs. The BPPE ensures that private institutions of postsecondary education are conducted lawfully.
University of Southwest America’s corporation number is C3626209 and was assigned Employer Identification Number and 501(C)(3) Tax-Exemption from IRS.
The California Business Search provides free online access to certain corporation, limited liability company, and limited partnership information, including the entity formation, registration, or conversion date, status, address, and name and address of the agent for service of process (http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/).
For more information about verification to operate a private post-secondary institution in California see the B.P.P.E. website (http://www.bppe.ca.gov/).
USWA at present is an unaccredited institution. A degree program that is unaccredited or a degree from an unaccredited institution is not recognized for employment positions, including, but not limited to, positions with the State of California. A student enrolled in an unaccredited institution is not eligible for federal financial aid programs. USWA does not participate in financial aid programs.
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Teaching Language and Method Policy
All admissions materials, including program disclosures and enrollment agreements are presented in English, but all programs can be taught in each nationality Language. Each admissions representative conducts interviews with prospective enrollees in each nationality Language as the method to determine that the prospective enrollee understands and can function in each nationality Language. We can make any accommodations to present materials or instruct courses in each nationality language. If English is not the student’s primary language, and the student is unable to understand the terms and conditions, the student shall have the right to obtain a clear explanation of the terms and conditions and all cancellation and refund policies in his or her primary language from a qualified school officer upon request. All faculties can teach their primary Language and Students can submit reports and dissertation their primary Language.
University of Southwest America provides a flexible one hundred percent online learning environment designed for students who want to advance in their profession. Learn about our online doctoral, master’s, MBA, undergraduate, and certificate programs—and get answers to your questions about USWA and online learning—by speaking with an enrollment counselor.
As a USWA student, you'll build the career-relevant and academic research skills and knowledge to advance your career and academic research with hundred percent online learning environment. Our faculty members are experts in their fields, and our classes and competency-based programs are built around industry and academic research standards and focus on real-world application, so you can apply what you learn in your course today in your career and academic research tomorrow.