Admissions

General Information
Application Process
Transfer Students
Veterans

General Information

The SCU Admissions Process

SCU seeks students whose academic talent and commitment to excellence promise future achievement in their chosen areas of major study. The program faculty selects students primarily on the basis of their academic credentials, admissions essays, and the admissions interview (where applicable). Admissions interviews are evaluated by members of the faculty. Faculty members are looking for candidates with strong academic backgrounds and compelling reasons for pursuing their chosen areas of major study. Specific admissions details are available in the program’s admissions information section.

“SCU’s location in Southern California is ideal for everything we’re about. It is a culture, here, of lifestyle medicine; people who are active, they’re within driving distance of the mountains and in the same day they can be on a beach.”

SCU Viewbook

The Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Viewbook, available here for online viewing, or downloading, highlights the SCU experience, the success of our graduates, and our growing portfolio of academic programs.

Virtual Experiences at SCU

We know it’s not always possible to come to SCU’s campus. Fortunately, we offer a variety of ways to tour our buildings and spaces, interact with current students, ask questions of staff, or attend an information session no matter where you are. Check out our virtual experiences to make connections and learn what it is like to be part of a university committed to transforming and redefining healthcare and healthcare education.

Southern California University of Health Sciences admits students of any race, color, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at SCU. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the classes for each program are full (with the exception of the Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program and the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling). Where applicable, an in-person or telephone admissions interview may be required. Those scheduled for admissions interviews will receive an email notification and confirmation. No admissions decisions will be confirmed until the admissions interview is complete.

Application Process

SCU’s Application Process

Admissions Guide

This list will provide general guidance related to admissions. Visit your specific program of interest to view the admission requirements of your program.

Completed Application Form

Apply online by clicking here.

Statement of Motivation

All essays must be typed with correct spelling and grammar, one-page single-spaced or two-page double-spaced (minimum) length, and include the following areas:

A personal history and an indication of why you are pursuing the selected degree program.
Your understanding of the field.
A summary of your academic background and strengths and how they have prepared you for your future career.

High School Gradues & Equivalency

SCU may request that your official high school transcript or equivalent be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. This generally applies to students enrolling in undergraduate degrees and certificates. Official certification of the California High School Proficiency Examination will also satisfy this requirement. SCU recognizes homeschooling as a viable educational alternative; however, homeschooled applicants will be required to submit a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). High school equivalency diplomas are issued by states to eligible applicants who pass the qualifying examinations. Specific age eligibility and required proof thereof are required. SCU adheres to the regulations governing eligibility established by the California State Education Department and will accept a GED from qualified applicants.

College Gradues & Current Students

Request that each college or university you have attended send transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions. All applicants who have attended foreign institutions whose highest degree is from a foreign high school, college, or university must have their credentials evaluated to demonstrate that the courses or degree earned meet the admissions standards. The University will accept evaluations by an agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website.

Currently Enrolled SCU Students Admissions

Currently enrolled SCU students seeking to enter a new program of study must apply formally by submitting an online application. An admissions interview may be required depending on program requirements. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to review a student’s enrollment record to assist with admissions decisions.

Formerly Enrolled SCU Students Admissions

Formerly enrolled SCU students who are not on an active leave of absence for over a year and who plan to apply for readmission must submit an online application for admission.

An admissions interview may be required for returning students.

If another institution of higher learning was attended after leaving SCU, official transcripts must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to review a student’s enrollment record to assist with admissions decisions.

The SCU statute of limitations policy limits the amount of time allowed to elapse between a student’s original enrollment in a program of study and completion of that program (see Academic Catalog).

Applicants with Disabilities Admissions

SCU seeks to facilitate the full participation of disabled applicants in the application and admissions interview process. SCU makes reasonable accommodations or adjustments for qualified individuals with known disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

SCU will not make pre-admission inquiries as to whether or not a student has a disability; however, applicants with documented disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the application and admissions interview process must notify the Office of Admissions in writing to the address below. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

International Applicants

Request that each college or university you have attended send transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions. All applicants who have attended foreign institutions must submit an International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) “course by course” evaluation. The University will accept evaluations by an agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website which includes translation through World Education Services (WES), (212) 966-6311. *Canadian students are NOT required to have this evaluation; they can have their transcripts sent directly from their university to SCU (with the exception of Quebec schools that do not provide English transcripts).

Learn more about being an International Student at SCU

Veterans

SCU is committed to supporting students that are veterans in service to our country. The university is involved with several government-sponsored programs to repay veterans for their service and sacrifice and to help ensure their opportunity to receive a valuable education in a variety of disciplines of integrated healthcare. SCU supports student veterans through its participation in several successful programs sponsored by the VA. Visit our veterans’ page Veterans | SCU.

Applicants and Students with Criminal Background

The University offers both professional programs and programs not leading to specific professions. Background checks are not required as criteria for admission. However, certain professional programs leading to licensure or certification may ask for a criminal history after admission, including before matriculation and prior to placement or participation in clinical and other educational sites. Based upon the result of the criminal history check, admission may be rescinded, disciplinary action may be taken, and/or access to clinical or other educational sites may be prevented which may make the student unable to meet the clinical hour or other program requirements necessary to successfully complete the program.

Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time. Further, professional associations may deny membership to individuals with a criminal history and employers may deny or restrict employment, practice privileges, job duties, and practice locations to individuals with a criminal history.

Statement of Nondiscrimination

In compliance with federal, state, and local government requirements, Southern California University of Health Sciences does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition (as determined under California employment laws), or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or qualified disabled veteran in the administration of its educational programs, school-administered programs, publications or in its employment practices.

The Physician Assistant program requires a $1,000 non-refundable deposit and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy California program requires a $500 non-refundable deposit. The following programs are subject to a $250 non-refundable deposit: all Doctoral and Masters degree programs if not previously mentioned. The following programs are subject to a $50 non-refundable deposit: all undergraduate degree and certificate programs. Deposit payment amounts and requirements are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website. For the most updated information, please contact SCU’s Office of Admissions at Admissions@scuhs.edu.

Transfer Students

Transfer credit for prior coursework is granted by the student’s program of study. In addition to meeting University requirements and standards for transfer credit, applicants must fulfill the requirements for their program of study. The following guidelines apply to transfer credit for prior coursework:

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Credit may be granted only if the course or courses closely matches the University course for which transfer credit is sought.
Courses must have been taken within the last ten years. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
Courses with a grade below “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) are not eligible for transfer credit.
Transfer credit is limited to 75% of the required credits. Some programs may have stricter limits.
Some programs have additional requirements or may not allow transfer credit for certain courses; see program section for additional details.

GRADUATE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Credit may be granted only if the course or courses closely matches the University course for which transfer credit is sought.
Courses must have been taken within the last five years. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. For example, some programs may waive the five-year requirement based upon a competency exam, licensure, or other standards.
Courses with a grade below “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) are not eligible for transfer credit. Some programs may require a higher grade for course(s) to be granted transfer credit.
Capstone courses and comprehensive exams cannot be transferred under any circumstances.
Graduate programs have additional requirements or may not allow transfer credit; see program section for additional details.

INTERNATIONAL CREDIT

If the credit was earned from an institution outside of the United States, students must submit a course-by-course evaluation with letter grades from a National Association of Credential Evaluations Service (NACES) member organization showing transfer credit equivalency to a course offered in the United States Canadian students are not required to have their college transcripts evaluated by NACES if their college provides transcripts in English and are sent directly to SCU.

Transfer Credit for Prior Learning Assessment

Some academic programs may offer or accept prior learning examinations to allow students to waive certain courses or to facilitate the award of transfer credit. When accepted, credit is only granted for courses pertaining to a degree or certificate program offered through the University. Examples may include credit for prior learning through examination offered by national testing programs such as College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) or other American Council on Education (ACE) Credit Recommendation, or credit for prior demonstration of subject mastery through the passage of professional competency examinations such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), and other tests of a similar nature. The program may require demonstration of appropriate level of mastery.

The University exercises due diligence in determining which credit transfer or course waivers to award after careful review of individual transcripts; final determination rests with the Program Dean or Director without appeal.

Veterans

SCU accepted veterans programs or covered programs are listed below.

CHAPTER 30 (MGIB-AD) – Montgomery GI Bill® for Active Duty
CHAPTER 1606 (MGIB-SR) – Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve
CHAPTER 31 (VR&E) – Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment*
CHAPTER 32 (VEAP ) – Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program
CHAPTER 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill®
CHAPTER 35 (DEA) – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

* Vocational Rehabilitation can be used based on the approval of your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

SCU is Military Friendly

SCU is pleased to be named to the 2018-2019 Military Friendly® Schools list. For more than a decade, Military Friendly® ratings have set the standard for companies and colleges demonstrating positive employment and education outcomes for veterans and their families. For more information about the Military Friendly designation visit the Military Friendly website.

Yellow Ribbon Program

SCU is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program), which is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree-granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate.

The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and the VA will match the same amount as the institution. Institutions that voluntarily enter into a Yellow Ribbon Agreement with the VA choose the amount of tuition that will be contributed. The VA will match that amount and issue payment directly to the institution. SCU’s participation level ensures coverage of all your tuition for the year, not already provided for by the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® on a first-come, first-served basis.

Am I Eligible?

Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive this funding. Therefore, you may be eligible if:

You served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months;
You were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001;
You are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® based on a veteran’s service under the eligibility criteria listed above.

In order to receive your benefits, you must submit a copy of your DD214 and the VA Certificate of Eligibility to the Financial Aid office. You will be notified by the Financial Aid office if your application has been approved.

Click here to download the SCU Yellow Ribbon Certification Request.

For more information concerning the Yellow Ribbon Program visit:
http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/yellow_ribbon.asp

“GI Bill^®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More
information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S.
government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Transfer Credit for Military Training

Evaluation of military training for college credit will be based in accordance with the Guide for Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services published by the American Council on Education. Credit for military service will be granted only for courses applicable to a degree or certificate program offered by the University. Military students may submit the following transcripts for consideration:

Army – Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript (AARTS)
Navy/Marine – Sailors-Marine Corps American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART)
Air Force – Community College of the Air Force transcript
Coast Guard – Coast Guard Institute transcript
DD Form 214
DD Form 295

Start Making a Difference in Healthcare Today

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