Admissions and Registration

Undergraduate Admissions Information

Applications may be completed online at www.alliant.edu/admissions/apply-now.php or obtained by contacting either of these campuses:

Alliant International University
10455 Pomerado Road
San Diego, CA 92131-1799
Telephone: (866) U-ALLIANT
FAX: (858) 635-4355
E-mail: admissions@alliant.edu

Alliant International University – Mexico
Hamburgo #115, Colonia Juarez
Mexico City, Mexico C.P.   06600
E-mail: admissions@alliantmexico.edu

All applicants are expected to satisfy procedures and criteria for admission to Alliant and to submit acceptable certified documents, which verify that they have satisfactorily completed all admission requirements. Students who meet all requirements will be considered for acceptance to the University.

Deadlines for Applications

The Admissions Processing Center and the respective Offices of Admissions process applications for admission on a year-round basis.

All applicants must complete the Application for Admission and submit it to:

Admissions Processing Center
10455 Pomerado Road
San Diego, CA 92131-1799
Telephone: (866) U-ALLIANT
FAX: (858) 635-4555
Email: admissions@alliant.edu

Fees

There is an application fee for undergraduate programs, which is non-refundable.

Transcripts

All applicants must have all previously attended colleges send official transcripts directly to the Alliant Admissions Processing Center. Student grade reports are not accepted in lieu of a transcript. Mailed or hand delivered sealed records that are addressed to the Alliant Admissions Processing Center should bear the official seal or certification and an appropriate signature from the issuing institution. Transcripts (records of studies) issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation together with a copy of the record(s) from which the translation was made. Academic records from non-American system institutions are evaluated according to the guidelines published by NAFSA (National Association of Foreign Student Advisors), AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) and other recognized organizations. Documents submitted to the University in support of a student’s application become the property of the University. The documents cannot be returned or forwarded.

Financial Guarantee Request for International Applicants

International applicants to Alliant’s programs in the United States are required to provide evidence of financial support for their studies. International applicants must file the original International Student Financial Certification Form provided with the application packet. This financial guarantee form must be signed by the sponsor, if applicable, and certified by a bank official. A bank statement is also required from all parties who are sponsoring the student. This should be submitted with the application packet.

U.S. immigration law prohibits waiver of the financial guarantee. The financial guarantee certifies that sufficient funds are available for a student (and dependents) for study at the University for at least one academic year; and, barring unforeseen circumstances, adequate funding will be available from the same or equally dependable sources for subsequent years for the full course of study. Without this certified information, the I-20 form or IAP-66 form cannot be issued. The financial guarantee must be current within six months of the student’s start date at the University. Students must also submit copies of their valid passports.

English Language Proficiency

All international students must provide evidence of English language proficiency. 

High school transcripts of students who have graduated from an English Medium Secondary School will be reviewed to determine if an interview by an Alliant English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor is needed to evaluate their English skills. The interview will determine whether or not the student must take the Alliant English Proficiency Examination.   Academic performance at Alliant may reveal the necessity for further English language study by a student.

Student Meets English Proficiency Requirements for Enrollment in Degree Courses

Student provides evidence of English proficiency by one of the following:

• English is the official language of student’s home country
• Student graduated from U.S. university with AA, AS, BA, BS, MA, or MS degree
• Transfer with Freshman Composition grade of B or higher from a U.S. college or university
• Minimum TWE score of 5
• Minimum TOEFL score require for all programs (except TESOL program): 550 paper; 213 computer; 80 Internet-based (6.0 IELTS score)
• TESOL program minimum TOEFL requirements: 575 paper; 5 TWE; 233 computer; 80 Internet-based (Master’s); 83 Internet-based (EdD) with minimum writing score of 22; 6.5 IELTS score TESOL (EdD only):  Must also take the Writing and Critical Analysis test.  Based on results, student may be required to take further language instruction (such as ILE 5010, Graduate Communication Skills)

Student Does NOT meet English Proficiency Requirements for Enrollment in Degree Courses

Some academic programs may allow students who do not meet the English proficiency criteria to be enrolled.  Please check with the specific academic program of interest to determine if this option is available.  In these cases, the student must contact the International Language Education and Culture Center (ILEC) for language proficiency testing upon arrival.

Based on the results of the Alliant English Placement Test (EPT), students may be required to take one or more prerequisite, non-degree credit ESL courses for one or more semesters.  Students at the highest level of ESL courses will be allowed to enroll concurrently in academic degree courses upon approval of the ILEC director and the student’s academic advisor.  Academic performance at Alliant may reveal the necessity for further English language study by a student.  The University reserves the right to make the final determination of a student’s English proficiency level in all cases.

The University policy on repeating ESL courses is as follows:

A student will be allowed to enroll for the same level ESL course three times. A student who receives “No Credit” for the same course three times will not be eligible to continue in the ESL program. In addition, a student who receives “No Credit” in an ESL course may be restricted in the number of degree courses he/she is allowed to take in concurrence with ESL courses.

All ESL courses are three units. A full-time ESL course load is four classes per semester. A student who has less than a full ESL course load may take a combination of ESL and academic classes as follows:

• 3 ESL courses and 1 academic course
   
• 2 ESL courses and 2 academic courses
   
• 1 ESL course and 3 academic courses

During the first-time enrollment in an ESL level 6 course, a student may have the option of receiving the grades “CR” or “NC” in the degree program courses. Pass/Fail forms must be obtained from the academic advisors, approved by the instructor and submitted to the Registrar’s Office during the first week of registration. If a student must repeat an ESL level 6 course, the CR or NC grading option is not available.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement for undergraduate admission to Alliant is a cumulative 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Examinations

International applicants must submit official results of the college entrance exam used in the applicant’s home country’s educational system. (Applicants from countries that do not have post secondary entrance requirements/exams are exempt from this requirement.)

Placement Tests

Placement tests in English and mathematics are required for all entering undergraduate students who have not met the English or mathematics requirements for their degree.

Credit by Examination

A maximum of 27 units of examination credit from all sources will be accepted by the University. The last 30 units of course requirements may not be fulfilled by examination.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Alliant recognizes the academic challenge and motivation inherent in the International Baccalaureate Program. Such a program, satisfactorily completed, will be favorably considered in admissions decisions to Alliant. In addition, Alliant awards a student at least 3 credits for a score of 5, 6, 7 on a Standard level exam and at least 3 credits for a score of 4, 5, 6, 7 on a higher level exam. Where applicable, these units will be applied to the lower division academic requirements.

Advanced Placement Tests (AP)

Any student who has taken the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Tests in a secondary school or high school and who has earned satisfactory scores (three or higher) can be credited with up to 27 units of coursework and/or be placed in advanced courses. Advanced Placement Test Equivalents may be found in a chart on the last page of the Course Equivalents section of the catalog.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Satisfactory scores on the General and Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) may entitle a student to receive up to 27 units of academic credit. The Academic Advisor can provide detailed information on the tests available, fee schedules, and testing dates. For a listing of CLEP equivalents at Alliant, see the last page of the Course Equivalents  Scores should be sent to the Admissions Processing Center for evaluation.

Auditing Courses

Applicants, who wish to take academic courses, but not receive credit, may audit courses. Students auditing courses are not required to take exams and complete assignments. They will not receive letter grades or credit. Students who wish to audit classes must:

• Complete the Course Audit Application
   
• Pay application fees
   
• Obtain written permission from the program where the course is requested to be taken
   
• Receive an acceptance notification from the Office of Admissions before attending classes
   
• Complete regular registration procedures
   
• Pay audit fees and any additional fees.

Students who fail to maintain satisfactory attendance will receive a no-credit grade.

Applicants Who Are U.S. Veterans

Please see the Military and Veterans Affairs  section for more information.

Applicants for Re-Admission

Students who are not in continuous enrollment must apply for re-admission through the Office of Admissions. Continuous enrollment is defined as being officially registered and pursuing an academic program for two semesters, not including summer. Students who have not enrolled for two consecutive semesters must apply for re-admission unless they have obtained an approved leave of absence. Students must submit a Re-Admission application, an application fee (see Expenses and Financial Aid  for program fee schedule), and any new transcripts from schools attended since last enrolled at Alliant. Veteran’s returning from active duty are guaranteed readmission subject to specific conditions (See the  Military and Veterans  section for more information).

Students who are re-admitted will be treated as new students and their transcripts will be evaluated by the dean, academic department or designee based on current curriculum and admission requirements.

Returning Alliant Graduates

Students who complete a degree, credential, or certificate program at Alliant and wish to be considered for another program must submit an appropriate application to the Admissions Processing Center and a non-refundable application-processing fee. All such applicants are expected to meet all admission requirements for the new degree program.

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

First-Year Admission

(Mexico City campus only)

Applicants from Secondary Schools or High Schools

The minimum high school Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement for undergraduate admission to Alliant is a cumulative 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Secondary/High School Graduation and Equivalents

High school graduation is required for admission to Alliant. Alliant recognizes two equivalent ways of meeting the graduation requirement: General Educational Development (GED) certificate (applicant must have a minimum score of 410 on each of the five sections and an overall score of 450 or higher) or State High School Proficiency Examination (applicant must pass this examination).

Admissions Policy for Home-Schooled Students

Applications for Alliant International University’s degree programs are welcome from home-schooled students. All students who seek admission to Alliant from a home schooling program must supply the following:

• Certification of completion of a home schooling program, if available, or documentation of all coursework completed.
   
• Certificate or diploma from either a:
  
  
  1. Home School Agency,
      
  2. State Department of Education,
      
  3. Local school district, or
      
  4. Regional Superintendent of Schools
      
• Literature (if applicable) describing the affiliated home school agency.
   
• Students may be interviewed by an Admissions staff member.

Matriculation Deposit

Undergraduate applicants for fall are encouraged to submit the matriculation deposit by May 1st. Submitting the matriculation deposit of $100 will allow new students to reserve a space in the class. Matriculation deposits submitted after May 1st will be accepted on a space-available basis.  Matriculation deposits for undergraduate students are non-refundable.

Transfer Admission

Undergraduate students transferring to Alliant from approved institutions may meet some or all of the General Education requirements by presenting credit earned from transferable courses (defined below).

Students applying to the San Diego programs must have at least 45 transferable units and a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Official evaluation of undergraduate transfer credit is under the authority of the dean in consultation with the Office of Admissions.

Pursuant to guidelines from the Department of Education, a student may now self certify that they have received a High School diploma or GED prior to attending a post secondary institution. As stipulated in the regulations, if a student indicates on the FAFSA that he/she has a diploma or GED, Alliant International University is not required to have a copy of the diploma or GED as a condition of admissions. In the case of conflict of information, the University’s admissions office may determine that formal high school transcripts are required for admissions. Thus, the burden of proof is on the student to furnish official copies if requested by the admissions office as a condition of admissions. For students transferring credits from a previous educational institution, documentation that the student was enrolled and thus will transfer college credit is sufficient evidence for admission to Alliant International University. Degree requirements are determined by combining the transfer credits allowed and the academic work required to be successfully completed at Alliant. Students can request a copy of the transfer evaluation from the Office of Admissions or Registrar’s Office.

Transfer evaluation will be based on higher education work completed in which grades of C or better were earned.

Transfer Credit Limits

A maximum of 90 semester units of credit earned may be accepted for transfer from recognized undergraduate institutions. The final 30 units toward a degree must be completed at Alliant to comply with residency requirements.

Once a student has matriculated at Alliant, any further transfer credits must have prior approval of the dean or designee.

In general, courses taken more than seven years prior to the start of term for which you are applying are not eligible for waiver or transfer. However, some exceptions may be possible for courses taken in certain content areas. Applicants may petition for an  exception by completing and filing an “Exception of an Academic Policy” form with their academic advisor. All exceptions must be approved by the program director (or equivalent) in the appropriate School  at the time of admission to Alliant. In making the decision to grant an exception, the program director (or equivalent) will consider such factors as the degree to which the course content or field of study has changed substantively in recent years as well as the applicant’s level of mastery of current course objectives. In addition, individual programs may offer options for demonstrating competency in courses which were taken more than seven years prior to application. Academic advisors will be able to provide details about this option.

Basis for Institutional Transfer Credit

Transfer credits (if earned within the United States) may be accepted from institutions of higher education that are accredited by one or more of the following agencies:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
   
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
   
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
   
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Schools
   
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
   
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

International students from government-recognized institutions must submit official, translated transcripts and results from a foreign educational credential evaluation service agency. The evaluations must contain degree equivalency, U.S. semester credit and grade equivalent for each course, and U.S. grade point average. A syllabus or course description, also translated into English, covering each course being considered for transfer credit should be submitted with the transcript to the Admissions Processing Center. Transcripts and syllabi documentation are evaluated for the minimum C grade equivalency requirement (see below) and subject matter content to determine the number of transfer credits allowed.

During the transfer credit evaluation process, academic work from other colleges and universities is compared to Alliant courses within the appropriate degree program and transfer credits are awarded on the basis of similar syllabi. College and university courses completed elsewhere may be considered for transfer credits as electives even though the courses are not offered at Alliant.

Alliant accepts the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certificate and CSU GE Breadth toward lower division general education requirements.

Grades Required for Transfer Credit

Undergraduate transfer credit can be accepted from accredited institutions only in the grade received is C or better. Credit may be accepted where a D grade was received if a next-higher course in a sequence has been completed, either at Alliant or at another institution, with a grade of C or better (e.g., course in mathematics, language, etc.)

Applicants to Alliant must submit official transcripts of credit from all previously attended institutions. All grades earned at other accredited institutions will be used to compute the grade point average for admission purposes. The computed transfer credit grade point average from the other institution(s) does not appear on the Alliant permanent record.

Correspondence and Extension Courses

Alliant does not offer correspondence courses and does not accept credit for such courses.

Undergraduate university-level extension courses completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher education can be considered for transfer credits at Alliant. The extension course must be similar in content to a regular course offered at the transferring institution and at Alliant. The student must have received a grade of “C” or better in the course. No more than 20 semester units of extension credit may be applied toward the undergraduate degree requirements at Alliant. Acceptance for extension courses are taken on a case by case basis.

Military Course Credit

Please see the Military and Veterans  section for more information.   

Variant Courses

Vocational or technical courses, remedial high school courses and other courses below collegiate level are not accepted at Alliant as transfer credits even if the courses were completed at an accredited institution of higher education.

Review Process

Applications and additional documents are reviewed by the Office of Admissions for completeness. The Office of Admissions reviews all applications and determines which candidates will be admitted.

An admitted student is expected to maintain the standard of academic performance upon which admission was based during the time between acceptance and enrollment. Official transcripts of all work completed between acceptance and enrollment must be furnished to Alliant prior to the end of the first term of enrollment.

Admission Status

An application will automatically be refused without further recourse if any fraudulent, altered, or forged documents or information are submitted. Students who meet all requirements will be considered for admission to the University but are not guaranteed admission. The Office of Admissions may rescind an offer of admission to applicants who do not abide by the standards of the Alliant Undergraduate Student Handbook, or if it is determined that application information is fraudulent, misleading or incorrect. There is no appeal process for admissions decisions. All Alliant admissions decisions are FINAL.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who have not submitted all of the required documents may be admitted on a conditional basis in some instances. Conditionally admitted students must present the required documents within the first term of study. Students who have remaining lower-division coursework to complete must do so within one year of initial enrollment date.  Failure to do so will prohibit further registration and eligibility for financial aid. International students cannot be admitted on conditional status.

Special Status/Non-Degree Applicants

Students who do not intend to earn a degree at Alliant, or who have not yet fulfilled necessary requirements for admission into a degree program, may apply to be Special Status Non-Degree students. A student who is classified as Special Status/Non-Degree need not necessarily meet the admission requirements for a degree program, but may be requested to submit supporting documentation.

From this admission status a student may apply for full admission to the University through the regular admission process. If the student becomes a degree-seeking student, a maximum of 12 semester units (undergraduate) earned while in the Special Status/Non-Degree category may be applied toward a degree program.

Special Status/Non-Degree students are not eligible for financial aid. In cases where class space is limited, degree-seeking students will have enrollment priority.

An I-20 will not be issued to international students for the Special Status Non-Degree category.

Graduate Admissions Information

Applications may be completed online at www.alliant.edu/apply or obtained by contacting admissions@alliant.edu or by calling (866) U-ALLIANT or visiting any one of the following locations:

Fresno
5130 East Clinton Way
Fresno, CA 93727-2014
Telephone (559) 456 2777 x2255

Irvine
Jamboree Business Center
2855 Michelle Drive, Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92606
Telephone (949) 833-2651

Los Angeles
1000 South Fremont Avenue, Unit 5
Alhambra, CA 91803
Telephone (626) 284-2777

Sacramento
2030 W. El Camino Ave., Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833
Telephone (916) 565-2955

San Diego
10455 Pomerado Road
San Diego, CA 92131-1799
Telephone: (866) U-ALLIANT
TTY (800) 585-5087

San Francisco /Main Campus
One Beach Street, Suite 100
San Francisco, CA 94133-1221
Telephone (415) 955-2100

San Francisco Law School
20 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94102-5802
Telephone (415) 626-5550

Mexico City
Hamburgo #115, Colonia Juarez
Mexico City, Mexico C.P. 06600
E-mail: admissions@alliantmexico.edu

All applicants must complete the Application for Admission and submit it to:

Admissions Processing Center
10455 Pomerado Road
San Diego, CA 92131-1799
Telephone (866) U-ALLIANT
FAX: (858) 635-4555
E-mail: admissions@alliant.edu

All graduate applicants must satisfy procedures and criteria for admission to Alliant and must submit acceptable certified documents, which verify that they have satisfactorily completed all admission requirements. Students who meet all requirements will be considered for graduate admission to the University but are not guaranteed admission. The Office of Admissions may refuse admission or rescind an offer of admission to applicants who do not abide by the standards of the Graduate Student Handbook or if it is determined that application information is fraudulent, misleading or incorrect.

If Alliant become aware of any arrest(s) and/or convictions(s) on the record of a student (excluding traffic violations) who is seeking a training placement, the OPT staff, agent or representative will inform the training site of the arrest(s) and/conviction(s). Arrest(s) and/or conviction(s), dependent upon severity and nature, may compromise Alliant International University’s ability to place the student at the prospective - or alternative - training site and may compromise the student’s ability to obtain training hours necessary for the completion of academic requirements. Alliant International University has no authority nor bears any responsibility for ensuring placement at training sites for students with arrest(s) and/or conviction(s).

The University’s admissions criteria vary from program to program and are designed to measure the qualities and capabilities required of a professional in the field to which the student is applying as reflected in an applicant’s academic ability, academic preparation, and other personal and non-academic factors.

In addition to the School supplementary requirements for the program, the following are University-wide graduate admission requirements:

• Official transcripts of all college work taken (degrees and dates awarded must be posted)
   
• Submission of a personal narrative
   
• Recommendations
   
• Supplementary materials required by the School or Center program, may include, but are not limited to: essay or statement of purpose, resume, program specific application supplement, GPA calculation, assessment instruments (e.g., GRE, MAT, PRAXIS, MSAT), work samples and descriptions, and course descriptions.
   
• An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or its international equivalent prior to entry to Alliant
   
• Proof of graduation from secondary/high school or signed attestation on the Alliant application form or its equivalent (including month and year)

Advancement through an Alliant graduate program is based on demonstrated competencies. Thus, with respect to doctoral programs, admission does not constitute admission to doctoral candidacy. Students are evaluated by the faculty for advancement to the next year level at the end of the second year and at the completion of pre-candidacy requirements for those who have entered with credit for previous graduate work.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who have not submitted all of the required documents may be admitted on a conditional basis in some instances. Conditionally admitted graduate students must present the required documents within the first term of study. Failure to do so will prohibit further registration and eligibility for financial aid. International students cannot be admitted on conditional status.

Transfer Credit

Please see the Academic Policies  section for more information.

Psychology Doctoral Respecialization Programs

Doctoral respecialization programs are offered for holders of earned doctorates in psychology, or a closely related field, from accredited institutions who wish to specialize in clinical, organizational or health psychology. An applicant’s professional and academic experiences are evaluated by the program faculty on the basis of its curriculum requirements. Usually the program is completed in two to three years. Further information on this program is available from the individual locations. Applicants are encouraged to consult the appropriate section of the application material as an initial step.

All respecialization students seeking licensure are responsible for contacting the Board of Psychology or equivalent in the state in which psychology or other licensure shall be sought to be sure that their prior doctoral degree meets licensing requirements and to register with the Board so that training hours completed through Alliant International University can be counted toward postdoctoral hours required for licensure.

Writing Proficiency Assessment 

LA campus entering students are required to take a Writing Proficiency Assessment (WPA) as part of their New Student Orientation Program.  The WPA is a proactive measure the university utilizes in order to assess students’ ability to write effectively at both graduate - and professional levels by pinpointing problems in writing they may be challenged with during their studies and after they graduate. Therefore, the goal of the WPA is to evaluate in-coming students’ writing skills, identify areas (if any) that may become problematic, and create individual writing plans that will help students express their thoughts, beliefs, and opinions in writing both professionally and eloquently.  The WPA’s essay format allows students to demonstrate that they can synthesize ideas, paraphrase, and quote effectively—all skills that are expected of graduate students when they conduct research and write literature reviews. Students who do not complete the assessment successfully will engage in required free tutoring and will take the Writing Proficiency Assessment again at the end of the spring semester. Those who are not successful after the second administration will be referred to their program director for additional assessment of their writing proficiency.

Prerequisite Summer Courses

Each campus may offer a limited number of prerequisite courses during the summer. For example, students accepted into a graduate psychology program at Alliant who have neither a bachelor’s degree in psychology nor have scored competitively on the GRE Advanced Psychology subtest may be required to take certain prerequisite courses.

Further information on summer prerequisite course offerings and registration forms can be obtained on-line and from each campus’ Office of Admissions or Registrar’s Office.

Special Status/Non-Degree Applicants

An applicant seeking part-time, non-degree study should contact the Office of Admissions at the appropriate location for a Special Status Application form. Information about registration procedures is available from the campus Registrar’s Office. Many advanced doctoral level courses, including field placement, seminar and dissertation experiences are not available to part-time, non-degree students.

A student who is classified as Special Status/Non-Degree need not necessarily meet the admission requirements for a degree program, but may be requested to submit supporting documentation.

From this admission status a student may apply for full admission to the University through the regular admission process. If the student becomes a degree-seeking student, a maximum of 9 semester units of work earned while in the Special Status/Non-Degree category may be applied toward a degree program.

Special Status/Non-Degree students are not eligible for financial aid. In cases in which class space is limited, degree-seeking students will have enrollment priority. Some courses are not permitted to be taken by any Special Status/Non-Degree students.

Application Timelines

Applications are received and reviewed almost year-round. The University encourages applicants to submit applications as early as possible.

Check the admissions application or contact the Admissions Processing Center directly at admissions@alliant.edu or call 866-U-ALLIANT for the latest information on deadlines and timelines for each program.

Clinical Psychology - submitting a complete application by December 15 guarantees that you will be notified of your admissions decision by April 1.  Applications submitted after December 15 are welcome, but will be reviewed on a space available basis.  These are postmark deadlines; deadlines that fall on a postal holiday will be observed the following postal business day.

Couple and Family Therapy - the priority deadline for applications for the fall semester is January 15.  Applications submitted after January 15 are welcome, but will be reviewed on a space available basis.  These are postmark deadlines; deadlines that fall on a postal holiday will be observed the following postal business day.

All applications, supporting documents and fees must be postmarked by the appropriate deadline and mailed with the appropriate application fee to the Admissions Processing Center at 10455 Pomerado Road, San Diego CA 92131.

Campus and Program Choice

Application must be made using the appropriate Alliant application form and any supplemental forms required by the School  for that program. Applicants may only apply to one program on one campus at a time. However, applicants are able to choose other campuses with the same program to which they would like to apply if they are not admitted to their first-choice campus.

Multi-location applications within a specialty are made on a single application form. A multi-location applicant is considered for admission at the locations in the order of priority preference indicated on the application form. An applicant not admitted to a higher-choice location is then considered by the next choice location and so on. A multi-location applicant admitted to one location is not considered for admission at subsequent, lower-choice locations. A multi-location applicant may at any time forfeit consideration at one location and have the application forwarded to the next lower choice. However, having once forfeited consideration at a location, the applicant cannot be reconsidered there in the same year for that specific program.

Interviews

An interview for those applicants who are finalists in the admissions process is required for most graduate programs. Interviews for invited finalists are held beginning in January. Programs may be unable to review any applicant who cannot keep an interview appointment. Interviews may take place individually or in a group format. The interviewers may be Alliant faculty, administrators, students, or alumni.

Fees

Application fees can be located on the University website at www.alliant.edu.

The application fee is non-refundable, unless, at the time Alliant receives a late application, a location has already filled its entering class and is unable to consider the application. (See the Expenses and Financial Aid  section of this catalog for a complete listing of fees.)

Matriculation Deposit

An applicant admitted to Alliant must sign and return the Acceptance Agreement and submit a new student matriculation deposit to hold a place in the class. Graduate student matriculation deposits are non-refundable.

The Acceptance Agreement and deposit for graduate students are due two weeks after the date of the letter of notification for graduate students. Please note: clinical psychology applicants are not required to submit the Acceptance Agreement or the matriculation deposit prior to April 15th (postmarked deadline). If a response is not received by the specified date, the place will be offered to another applicant. A student who decides not to accept an offer of admission from an Alliant location is urged to notify the location in writing as soon as possible so that his or her place can be offered to another applicant.

Review Process

Applications and additional documents are reviewed for completeness by the Admissions Processing Center for completeness and then sent to the Office of Admissions at the applicant’s first-choice location. There, the designated faculty member(s) or review committee examine all applications and decide which of those candidates who meet the academic entry requirements should be interviewed. Final admissions decisions are made after the results of the interviews (if required) have been reviewed.

Notification of Decisions

Letters of notification for Clinical Psychology programs are mailed on April 1 to applicants who applied by the recommended deadlines to programs with application deadlines of February 1 or before. However, multi-location applicants who apply to, and are considered at, three or more locations may not receive notification from their third and fourth choice campuses until after late April. Applicants who choose to apply later than the deadlines for April 1 notification will be contacted as quickly as possible. Applicants to master’s programs or those with other deadlines should receive notification regarding admission within six weeks of submitting their complete applications.

All Alliant locations adhere to a resolution adopted by the Council of Graduate Schools and supported by APA, COGDOP and NCSPP protecting applicants against premature decisions. Thus, Alliant allows all doctoral applicants until at least April 15 to accept the University’s offer of admission. The reasons for an admission decision on an application are not shared with the applicant.

There is no appeal process for graduate admissions decisions. All Alliant admissions decisions are FINAL.

Deferred Admission

Admission is normally granted only for the current year. However, under special, documented circumstances, admitted students may be granted a one-year deferment. Petitions should be directed to the Office of Admissions and must be received by June 1. Those granted deferment must submit the matriculation fee upon deferral. Deferrals are not automatically granted.

Final Documents

The Acceptance Agreement, which accompanies the letter of admission, states any entry requirements that must still be met before being fully admitted that the student has not met. An applicant admitted to Alliant must sign and return the Acceptance Agreement and submit a matriculation deposit to hold a place in the class.

The Acceptance Agreement and deposit are due two weeks after the date of the letter of notification. If a response is not received by the date specified, the place will be offered to another applicant.

An admitted student is expected to maintain the standard of academic performance upon which admission was based during the time between acceptance and enrollment. Official transcripts of all work completed between acceptance and enrollment must be furnished to Alliant prior to fall registration in order for the student to enroll. Required degrees in progress at the time of application must be conferred prior to enrollment at Alliant and Alliant must receive an official transcript verifying degree conferral.

Applicants Who Are U.S. Veterans

Military students must satisfy the same admission requirements as all other applicants. 

Veteran’s Readmission Policy

Please see the Military and Veterans  section for more information regarding the readmission policy.  

Reapplication

To reapply, a previous applicant must submit a new application form and essay (if applicable). Transcripts, course descriptions, letters of recommendation and supervisor’s verification forms are generally kept on file for one year and may not need to be resubmitted by applicants reapplying for entry to the same program to which they previously applied. However, official transcripts of any additional coursework must be sent. Applicants from earlier years must submit all new materials. All previous applicants are considered for admission only on the basis of their new applications.

Applicants may attempt to gain admission to Alliant three times. They may apply in three separate years, to three separate specialties or degree programs, or a combination. Alliant will not accept further applications from individuals who fail to gain admittance after three attempts.

English Proficiency

Any graduate applicant who has not been residing in the U.S. or an English-speaking country since the age of 13 must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from the Educational Testing Service (ETS), even if the applicant is now a United States citizen or permanent resident. The following are requirements for English Proficiency:

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE) may be required for non-native speakers. Students whose native language is not English or who have not earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. higher education institution are required to show English proficiency by taking the TOEFL. Alliant International University requires a minimum TOEFL score of 80 for the internet based test, a score of 213 for the computer based test or a score of 550 for the paper based test. Alliant also requires a minimum score of 5 or higher on the TWE, if required. Please call 1-866-U-ALLIANT or check the admissions section of our website, www.alliant.edu/admissions. Please contact TOEFL directly at www.toefl.org, to request an official score report; Alliant’s TOEFL code is 4039.

Some academic programs may allow students who do not meet the English proficiency criteria to be enrolled.  Please check with the specific academic program of interest to determine if this option is available.

Please note that academic performance at Alliant may reveal the necessity for further English language study by any student. The University reserves the right to make the final determination of a student’s English proficiency in all cases.

International Students

Alliant welcomes applications from international students whose academic work and English proficiency are of the highest levels. Because academic degrees and coursework must be equivalent to those earned in the United States, international students must submit official, translated transcripts and results from an educational credential evaluation service agency. The evaluation must include degree equivalency to a 4 year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, U.S. semester credit and grade equivalent for each course, and U.S. grade point average. Any master’s level courses and/or degrees should also be included in the evaluation. To locate an agency, go to www.naces.org. Additional information, such as letters of recommendation, may be requested from international graduate students. English proficiency must be evidenced by the TOEFL (see above) and all international students must carry a full course load at Alliant.

International applicants to Alliant graduate programs in the United States are required to provide evidence of financial support for their studies. International applicants must file the original International Student Financial Certification Form, which is provided with the application packet. This financial guarantee must be signed by the sponsor, if applicable, and certified by a bank official. A bank statement is also requested. These materials should be submitted with the application packet.

U.S. immigration law prohibits waiver of the financial guarantee. The financial guarantee certifies that sufficient funds are available for a student (and dependents if applicable) for study at the University for at least one academic year; and, barring unforeseen circumstances, that adequate funding will be available from the same or equally dependable sources for subsequent years for the full course of study. Without this certified information, the I-20 form or IAP-66 form cannot be issued. The financial guarantee must be current within one year of the student’s start date at the University. Students must also submit copies of their valid passports.

International students who have been accepted to Alliant must transmit payment for a minimum of one full-time semester before an I-20 will be issued. This amount will be calculated using the tuition and fee schedule . In the event that a student is unable to attend Alliant, the advance payment will be refunded. 

International students who will be taking online courses from outside the United States with the intent to remain outside the United States during their studies, are not required to obtain a visa. International students may apply for part-time or full-time studies and will not be allowed to take any of these classes in the United States.   

International students who intend to enter the United States while taking online courses or to take classes on campus, will need to obtain an F-1 Student Visa for entry into the United States and course requirements may change depending on applicable immigration rules and regulations. International students are required to immediately notify Alliant of any change in immigration and/or residency status so that the appropriate steps can be taken to ensure compliance with immigration requirements.

Please Note: International applicants must submit application materials via regular postal service or express mail by the postmarked deadlines. However, because individuals living outside the United States often experience difficulty with application materials arriving in a timely manner, international applicants who have received a postcard requesting missing documents may fax those materials to the Admissions Processing Center at (858) 635-4564. Applicants must still submit original materials, as faxed materials are not considered official documents. Alliant also requests that international applicants who have a fax number submit that number with their application in the event that Alliant may need to contact the applicant quickly. Alliant also strongly urges international applicants to have an e-mail address available for use during the admissions process, since this expedites communication.

Registration

Students may only register for courses when they are officially admitted to the University. Students should register for all courses (including session 2 courses) by the registration deadline, regardless of when the courses actually start within the term.

Students will not receive credit for any course in which they are not officially registered. Except in unusual circumstances, registration after the second week of classes will not be permitted. Students may not attend any class in which they are not officially enrolled.

Registration must be completed by the student or his/her legal agent. Registration procedures must be completed in order for students to be considered officially enrolled.

Registration Dates

Information on registration dates is available from the Registrar’s Office and on the website at http://www.alliant.edu/alliant-calendar/academic-calendar.php.  Transfer and returning students are urged to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor, if advisors are assigned for their program, prior to registration. The deadline for registration is four (4) weeks prior to the beginning of classes and is posted in the official Academic Calendar  New students are expected to attend orientation for registration procedures. The dates for orientation are published in the Academic Calendar 

Class Levels

Class levels for undergraduates are as follows:

Undergraduate:

First-Year: Those with fewer than 30 semester units of college credit.

Sophomores: Those with at least 30 semester units of college credit but fewer than 60 semester units of college credit.

Juniors: Those with 60 semester units of college credit but fewer than 90 semester units of college credit.

Seniors: Those with 90 or more semester units of college credit. A minimum of 120 semester units is required to graduate.

Credential Students: Those who have completed a baccalaureate degree and who have been admitted by the University to work on a credential program.

Note: Credential Students are not considered graduate students by the U.S. Department of Education.

Graduate:

Master’s Students: Those who have completed a baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) and who have been admitted by the University to work toward a master’s degree.

Doctoral Students: Those who have completed a baccalaureate degree and/or a master’s degree (or the equivalent) and who have been admitted by the University to work toward a doctoral degree.

Time to Degree

Undergraduate programs are normally completed in four years except for degree completer or transfer students.

Most master’s level programs require two years of study. Some are designed as a one year program.

The PsyD programs require at least four years to complete. Many clinical PsyD students may take an extra year to complete the internship, doctoral project requirements, or emphasis area courses. PhD programs normally require four to five years, although the majority of students need additional time for completion of their dissertations. A few programs at select locations offer an advanced standing option whereby students with master’s degrees may complete a doctorate in three to four years.

Doctoral students who have taken appropriate graduate coursework, or who have a closely related master’s degree, may petition to receive credit for some of their previous graduate work according to the policies of each program.

Maximum time limits for degrees are as follows:

 Course Loads

At the undergraduate level, while the minimum course load for an undergraduate to be considered full-time during a regular academic semester is 12 units, the normal full-time course load is 15 units. Students who attempt less than the normal load risk a delay in the completion of their degree requirements.

Acceleration and/or a course load in excess of the normal undergraduate load must be approved by the appropriate academic dean, or designee. Except in unusual circumstances, a 3.2 (undergraduate) cumulative grade point average is required before a student is permitted to enroll for units of credit which exceed the normal load. No more than eighteen units can be attempted by an undergraduate student in any one semester.

At the graduate level, the minimum course load for a graduate student to be considered full-time during a regular academic semester is 8 units. For half-time students, the minimum course load is normally 5 units. The normal full-time load during a regular academic semester is 15 units. Dissertation and internship courses for advanced graduate students may be half-time or full-time; these limits vary by program. Students should contact their School for complete information on the limits for full-time or half-time enrollment for their programs.

Acceleration and/or a course load in excess of the normal graduate load must be approved by the appropriate academic dean or program director. Some programs have maximum unit loads allowable per term. Students should contact their School for information on the maximum course loads allowable per term for their programs. For additional information on course loads and how they impact financial aid, please see the Expenses and Financial Aid  section of the catalog.

Repeated Courses

Students may repeat courses in order to improve their academic record. All grades earned at Alliant will remain on the student’s transcript and the higher grade earned when students repeat a course will be used to compute the grade point average. The record for any repeated course will show the original grade accompanied by a notation signifying that the repeated course is shown elsewhere on the transcript. In all instances, the same structured class must be completed. Repeated courses may not be taken by Independent Study or be taken on a Credit/No Credit basis. Courses must be repeated at Alliant. If a transferred course is repeated at Alliant, only the Alliant grade appears on the transcript. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Registrar’s Office that a repeated course has been completed.

A maximum of four courses may be repeated. No course may be taken more than twice (the original registration and one subsequent registration) without approval from the dean.

Dropping and Adding Courses

The add/drop period for each term (which includes the period in which to change from credit to auditing status) is published in the official Academic Calendar.

Students unsure of the process for adding a course to their schedules should confer with their academic advisor or the Registrar’s Office. Most continuing students may add courses online although they may also complete the appropriate form to be added to a class. Students who turn in an add form are not considered officially registered for any course until the paperwork has been completely processed.

Students who wish to drop courses from their schedules must follow the procedures outlined by the Registrar’s Office. If students are currently working with an academic advisor they should confer with their advisor prior to dropping a course. All students must complete the appropriate drop form unless they are eligible to drop courses online. International students with visa status must confer with the International Student Services Office before dropping courses. Domestic students with financial aid should confer with the Financial Aid Office before dropping courses. If a student stops attending a course without going through the official drop procedure, a grade of F or No Credit (as relevant) will be entered on the student’s permanent record and the student will not be eligible for any refund on tuition and fees.

Students who wish to drop all courses in which they originally enrolled for a term must follow the withdrawal procedures described below. Students who drop a course or withdraw from a course after the add/drop period may be entitled to a refund per the refund policies located in the Expenses and Financial Aid  section of the catalog.

Withdrawal from All Classes

For students approved to withdraw from all classes after the add/drop period, a grade of W for each course will be entered on the student’s permanent record. Clearance from Financial Aid must be obtained prior to withdrawal. An administrative withdrawal fee is charged for withdrawal from all classes (although not for an approved leave of absence). To withdraw in good standing, students must meet all obligations to the University.

Students withdrawing completely from all classes should schedule an appointment with their academic advisor or Program Director, and must submit a Withdrawal Form. Students who stop attending the Institution, but do not submit the Withdrawal Form, will be Administratively Withdrawn from the University. In these cases, “Withdrawn” will be noted on the official transcript.

Cancellation of Registration

The University reserves the right to cancel the registration of any student who does not comply with Alliant rules, regulations, or policies including the nonpayment of tuition fees.

Cancellation of a Course

The University makes every reasonable effort to offer courses as announced. However, the University reserves the right to modify the class schedule or to cancel courses if necessary.

Waivers and Substitutions

If a course requirement is waived, another course must be substituted. A course waiver does not reduce the unit requirements for the degree program. No units are given for courses that are waived. Applications for course substitutions and waivers must be processed using the appropriate substitution/waiver form that is initiated by the student with the academic or program advisor and approved by the dean or program director in the school involved.

Change of Degree Program

A graduate student who wishes to change degree programs must re-apply to the new area of study. If accepted, the student will be required to pay a processing fee and complete requirements for the new degree program.

Dissertation Sequence Extension

Students are expected to complete their dissertation while enrolled in the dissertation sequence within their curriculum. If students exhaust the dissertation sequence units within their curriculum and do not complete their dissertation, they are expected to maintain continuous enrollment in the dissertation extension course (Fall and Spring semesters) until they have achieved dissertation clearance. Students must be enrolled in the dissertation extension course during the semester in which they file their dissertation for completion. The dissertation extension course is a 3-unit course at a flat fee.

Students registered in full and half time internship enroll in a single unit dissertation extension course at the per unit rate during the semesters they are enrolled in internship. Students who enroll in dissertation over the summer will enroll in the 1-unit summer dissertation course. Students may enroll in summer dissertation while still completing the dissertation sequence within their curriculum, but these units are in addition to the units outlined in their curriculum and are not counted toward the degree. Each course has a unique course number.

Continuous enrollment ensures that students continue their progress toward the completion of their dissertation, provides the mechanism for evaluation and monitoring in cases where progress is insufficient, and reflects the continued mentoring by the faculty Chair.

Three units of dissertation extension qualifies students for federal financial aid for a maximum of four semesters. International students can obtain a waiver to continue enrollment in the states with 3 units of dissertation extension. Dissertation clearance means not only successful defense, but completion of any required revisions or edits and submission of the dissertation in its final form to the University library. If a student clears their dissertation prior to the add/drop period they will not have to pay tuition for that semester. Unsatisfactory progress while in dissertation extension may reflect unsatisfactory program performance.

Degree Completion Verification

Only the University Registrar is authorized to issue confirmation documentation attesting to matters pertaining to a student’s academic work at the University. All degrees will be posted to the permanent record transcript at the end of the term in which the degree requirements are completed. Requirements are considered complete when relevant documents are received in the Registrar’s Office and, in the case of thesis/dissertation, the date filed in the library.

Dean’s List (Undergraduate)

The names of full time (12 units minimum) undergraduate students whose semester GPA’s are 3.5 or over will be included on the Dean’s List.

Honors (Undergraduate)

Graduating seniors who achieve the requisite cumulative grade point average and unit requirement during their undergraduate career will be entitled to graduate with honors, and the honors certification will be designated on their diplomas. The following honors categories are recognized by the University:

• Cum Laude 3.50-3.69;
   
• Magna Cum Laude 3.70-3.89; and
   
• Summa Cum Laude 3.90-4.00 GPA.

For undergraduates at the Mexico City campus, or students in the full four-year undergraduate program in San Diego, the cumulative grade point average is computed considering all coursework attempted at Alliant except those completed through credit-by-examination (e.g. CLEP). To be eligible for Cum Laude or Magna Cum Laude recognition a student must have completed at least 45 semester units at Alliant. To be eligible for the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, a student must have completed at least 60 semester units at Alliant.

For undergraduates in the Degree Completion Programs, the cumulative grade point average is computed on all coursework applied toward the bachelor’s degree. To be eligible for Cum Laude or Magna Cum Laude recognition a student must have completed at least 36 semester units at Alliant. To be eligible of the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, a student must have completed at least 45 semester units at Alliant.

Graduation

All graduating students must make a formal application for graduation by the deadline date listed in the Academic Calendar  or available from the Registrar’s Office.

Degrees are conferred upon completion of all academic requirements and commencement ceremonies are held in May or June on each campus. Completion of doctoral degree requirements is determined by the date the dissertation is accepted by the library (assuming all other requirements have been met), not the date a student completes the oral defense.

Completion of academic requirements for a degree is termed graduation. The ceremony celebrating this achievement is commencement. The commencement ceremonies are held in May or June on each campus. Doctoral students must complete their dissertation/doctoral project (pass final orals) by the first Friday in May to be eligible to participate in an Alliant commencement ceremony. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee graduation nor does it result in conferral of a degree.

A non-refundable graduation fee must be paid to Student Business Services by all degree candidates at the time of application. Students, who submit a graduation application but are not able to complete their degree requirements when anticipated, must submit a new application for the term in which they plan to graduate. For graduation fees, see the Academic and Administrative Fees .

Academic Policies Related to Registration

For information on grades, academic standing and advising, see the Academic Policies