Admissions and Registration

Admissions

Applications may be completed online or by calling (866) U-ALLIANT. Students are also welcome to visit any of our campus locations .

As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this Academic Catalog prior to signing an Enrollment Agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an Enrollment Agreement. Alliant provides Gainful Employment Disclosures, which you must examine prior to signing the Enrollment Agreement as well.

Any applicant admitted to Alliant must sign and return all required documents as specified by the school or program to hold a place in the class. Any student who decides not to accept an offer of admission from an Alliant location is urged to notify Admissions as soon as possible so that his or her place can be offered to another applicant.

The application fee and other expenses can be found in the Expenses and Financial Aid  section of this Catalog. The application fee is non-refundable, however, students who experience extenuating circumstances may submit a written request for refund; refunds are not guaranteed.  

All applicants are expected to satisfy all procedures and criteria for admission to Alliant and to submit acceptable documents, which verify that they have satisfactorily completed all admission requirements. 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.

All applicants must have all documentation, excluding official transcripts, submitted at least one (1) week prior to the first day of classes/instruction. All accepted applicants must sign their Enrollment Agreements no later than the Thursday prior to the start date of the applicable semester/term.

An application will automatically be refused or rescinded without further recourse if any fraudulent, altered, or forged documents or information are submitted. The Office of Admissions may rescind an offer of admission to applicants who do not abide by any university, program, or other standards outlined in the Academic Catalog.

Deadlines for Applications

Students may apply at any time, though certain programs have deadlines for specific start dates. Contact Admissions directly at admissions@alliant.edu, call 866-U-ALLIANT or 858-635-4698 for the latest information on deadlines for each program. Not all programs are offered every semester or term, so please contact admissions to verify the next available start date for your program of choice.

Review & Decision Process

Applications and additional documents are reviewed by Admissions for completeness. Complete applications are then forwarded to the appropriate academic department and/or review committee for holistic candidate review and admissions decisions. Alliant reserves the right to admit students who do not meet all requirements based on a review by an Academic Admissions Committee. Final admissions decisions are made after the results of the interviews (if required) have been reviewed.

Some undergraduate and graduate programs require an interview. Interviews for invited finalists differ by program. 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 and administrators. Final admissions decisions are made after the results of the interviews (if required) have been reviewed.

All Alliant locations adhere to a resolution adopted by the Council of Graduate Schools and supported by the American Psychological Association (APA), Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology (COGDOP) and Northern California Society of Psychoanalytic Psychology (NCSPP) protecting applicants against premature decisions. Alliant allows all clinical 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.

Alliant reserves the right to modify admission requirements. The university also reserves the right to refuse or revoke admission to any applicant, if the university, in its sole discretion, determines that the applicant does not meet all standards and expectations of the program, school, or university.

There is no appeal process for admissions decisions. Applicants denied to one program or location may apply for another program or location. Applicants refused by the university cannot be reconsidered.

Reapplication

To reapply, a previous applicant must submit a new application and essay (if applicable). All previously submitted documentation is kept on file for one (1) year, however, applicants reapplying may be required to resubmit all application materials. All previous applicants are considered for admission only based on their new applications.

Applicants may attempt to gain admission to the same program up to three (3) times; however, no applicant is guaranteed multiple application reviews. Alliant will not accept further applications from individuals who fail to gain admittance after 3 attempts and/or 3 years.

Transferring to Another Alliant Program or Campus

Transfers between programs at Alliant may be accommodated. Applicants who are considering any transfer must contact the Admissions Office. Those who are accepted for transfer may need to take additional coursework required by the program to which they transfer.

Returning Alliant Graduates (Alumni)

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 Office of Admissions and a non-refundable application fee. All such applicants are expected to meet all admission, Academic Catalog, and university requirements for the new degree program.

Deferred Admission or Start Date

Deferred admission may be granted to admitted students for up to one (1) year. After 1 year, deferred applicants must reapply. Deferrals are not automatically granted. International students may not be deferred for more than 1 semester or 2 terms. Alliant reserves the right to defer student start dates as needed by the university. Applicants deferred by the university will be allowed to start their program at the next available start date or cancel their enrollment. 

Cancellation of Enrollment

Students have the right to cancel their Enrollment Agreement and obtain a refund of charges paid through attendance in the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later. “Enrollment” means the date the enrollment agreement is countersigned by the institution.  Cancellation will only occur when the student provides a written notice of cancellation within this timeframe.

Cancellation requests can be made by mail, email, or hand delivery. The written notice of cancellation, if sent by mail, is effective on the date of postmark. The written notice of cancellation need not take any particular form and, however expressed, it is effective if it shows that the student no longer wishes to be bound by the Enrollment Agreement. Alliant reserves the right to cancel the Enrollment Agreement if the applicant fails to meet any academic or institutional requirements.

Notice of cancellation must be provided to the Office of Admissions, Alliant International University, 10455 Pomerado Road, San Diego CA 92131, admissions@alliant.edu.

Transcript Requirements and Deadlines

All required official transcripts must be received no later than the end of the student’s first Add/Drop period. Any student who cannot meet this deadline will have their admission canceled and will be removed from all courses and withdrawn from the institution. Students who experience extenuating circumstances may submit a written request for an extension; extensions are not guaranteed.

Student grade reports are not accepted in lieu of a transcript. Official mailed, hand delivered sealed records, or approved e-transcripts that are addressed to Admissions 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 may be evaluated through a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member evaluator or may be reviewed by our international evaluation office.

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. Moreover, students needing copies of transcripts submitted from other schools attended must request these from the original schools. Copies will not be provided by Alliant.

English Language Proficiency

All courses taught on U.S. campuses, except those which are for learning an additional language, are offered in English. Applicants must meet Alliant’s English Proficiency requirements through documentation that:

1. High school equivalency was earned where the primary language of instruction/testing was in English;
2. Student graduated from a U.S. university where the primary language of instruction was in English;
3. Successfully completed an English Composition course with a grade of B or higher from a U.S. college or university;
4. Students whose transcript stipulates that the primary language of instruction for their school/program was English; or
5. Student achieved the minimum test scores required for their program:

Please contact TOEFL directly at www.toefl.org, to request an official score report. Alliant’s TOEFL code is 4039. Minimum test score requirements vary by degree level and can be more stringent by program. Alliant reserves the right to request a student to take additional English instruction as demonstrated by his/her academic performance.

Applicants not satisfying English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants who meet all other admissions requirements but do not meet the English Proficiency requirement are encouraged to consider the ESOL program. This program may take up to 12 months. Minimum test score requirements vary by degree level and can be more stringent by program. Students who achieve the appropriate test scores are eligible to apply to the applicable program(s):

International Applicants

Alliant welcomes applications from international students who meet all requirements.

For international students living abroad, applicants must:

1. Complete their application at least six (6) weeks prior to start;
2. Have a valid I-20/DS-2019 on file at least 30 days prior to start;
3. Have visa approved at least 2 weeks prior to start; and
4. Arrive in the country in between 30 days and the first day of applicable session/semester.

For international students living in the U.S. (transfer), applicants must:

1. Complete their application at least two (2) weeks prior to start; and
2. Have a valid I-20/DS-2019 on file and arrive no later than the first day of applicable session/semester.

While an admissions decision may be made on a copy of scanned or emailed official transcripts, all international students must submit official, translated transcripts upon arrival at the Alliant campus, during check in with the International Student Services Office, or during new student orientation. Failure to submit official transcripts for verification will prohibit further registration for courses at Alliant. Because academic degrees and coursework must be equivalent to those earned in the United States, international students must submit results from NACES member evaluator or Alliant’s internal evaluation team.

International students who intend to enter the United States to take courses 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 all immigration requirements. 

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. 

Alliant International University is approved to enroll non-immigrant students (F-1 student visa and J-1). Alliant does not provide visa services to international students or vouch for student immigration status. Students must be enrolled full-time to meet the F-1 visa full-time requirements. Refer to the Course Loads section for more information.

Alliant also requests that international applicants submit all updated contact information (phone, fax, email, etc.) with their application.

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 DS-2019 (formerly known as IAP-66 form) cannot be issued. The financial guarantee must be current within twelve months of the student’s start date at the University. Students must also submit copies of their valid passports.

Non-Matriculated Applicants

Students who do not intend to earn a degree, certificate, credential, or authorization at Alliant, or who have not yet fulfilled necessary requirements for admission into a degree program, may apply to be Non-Matriculated students. A student who is classified as a Non-Matriculated applicant does not need to meet the admission requirements for a degree program, but may be requested to submit supporting documentation.

An applicant seeking Non-Matriculated study should contact the Office of Admissions at the appropriate location for a Special Status Application. Information about registration procedures is available from Student Services. Some courses, including field placement, seminar, and dissertation experiences are not available to part-time, non-matriculated students.

Non-Matriculated students may apply for full admission to the University through the regular admission process. If the student becomes a matriculated student, a maximum of 12 semester units earned while in the Non-Matriculated category may be applied toward an undergraduate degree program, and a maximum of 9 semester units may be applied toward a graduate degree program.

Non-Matriculated students are generally 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 Non-Matriculated category.

Undergraduate Admissions Information

All undergraduate applicants must submit a completed application, the non-refundable application fee, proof of high school equivalency, and official transcripts of all qualifying requirements and degrees directly to Admissions. As noted above, all complete applications are then forwarded to the appropriate academic department and/or review committee for candidate review and admissions decisions. The minimum incoming GPA for undergraduate admission to Alliant is a cumulative 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. In some programs the Program Director will review applicants with cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.5.

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

Alliant recognizes equivalent ways of meeting the high school graduation requirement, including:

1. Earned a high school diploma;
2. Successfully completed a 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);
3. Passed an authorized test that the state recognizes as equivalent to a high school diploma;
4. Completed equivalency through home schooling as recognized by state law*;
5. Earned a US high school equivalent at an international high school**; or
6. Earned 24 or more semester credits from an accredited university.

*Home-schooled students must have completed all secondary school requirements through home schooling as defined by state law. All students who seek admission to Alliant from a home schooling program must supply the following:

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

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. If a passing grade is not attained, registration for ENG0999 and/or MTH0999 is required.

Ability-to-Benefit Students
Alliant does not currently accept ability-to-benefit (ATB) students. ATB students are defined as students who do not have a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or a recognized equivalent of that certificate.

Graduate and Credential Admissions Information

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 non-academic factors.

Graduate and Credential Admissions Requirements

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

1. Provide official transcripts verifying that the applicant has earned a Bachelor’s or higher degree and any other qualifying degrees (as needed) from a regionally accredited university; however, some programs may consider approved nationally accredited universities.

   1. Alliant will consider applications from candidates who have earned a bachelor’s degree outside the US from select international institutions. The University accepts bachelor’s degrees from countries within the Bologna Process signatory group and students from institutions in India with Division I and II bachelor’s degrees from colleges accredited by NAAC with a grade of “A” or better.

      The university also accepts bachelor’s degrees earned outside the US if that earned degree will allow students to enroll in a graduate-level degree in their home country and the degree is accredited nationally in the home country. To be eligible for graduate admission, any student’s bachelor’s program must be equivalent to and meet the standards of regionally accredited four-year degree programs in the United States, as evaluated by Alliant International University.

2. Provide official transcripts verifying that the applicant meets all prerequisite course requirements (as needed);
3. Submission of a personal narrative;
4. Recommendations (varies by program); and
5. Submission of additional documentation, if applicant fails to meet certain requirements (as needed).

Re-Admission and Re-Entry Applicants

Alliant reserves the right to deny re-entry or re-admission to applicants who violated any policy, procedure, or guideline outlined in the Academic Catalog, or in cases when it is deemed in the best interest of the University or the applicant to do so. Any applicant that withdraws, takes an Academic Absence, disengages from their normal coursework, or that experiences any break in continuous enrollment will experience a longer time to completion.

Students must submit a Re-entry Form. Re-entry is not guaranteed, and if the applicant is re-entered, he/she will return in the same Satisfactory Academic Progress status that was in effect on the date of withdrawal. If approved, the re-entry date must fall within 364 or less days from the student’s last date of attendance. Alliant reserves the right to deny re-entry to applicants.

The re-entry student will be required to complete all degree program requirements in effect at the time of withdrawal. Alliant reserves the right to alter, modify, improve, and cease offering program versions or programs as needed. In these cases, re-entered students may be required to meet updated degree requirements and apply to a new program or program version.

This applies to all academic programs in all instructional delivery modalities. All holds must be resolved prior to registering for courses. International students who have their I-20 terminated are subject to review by the International Student Services Office. Military students/Veterans returning from active duty are guaranteed re-entry subject to specific conditions (see the Military and Veterans Affairs  section for more information).

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

Re-admit applicants must meet all admission, Academic Catalog, university, and degree requirements in effect at the time of re-application. This applies to all academic programs in all instructional delivery modalities. All holds must be resolved prior to registering for courses.

International students who have their I-20 terminated are subject to review by the International Student Services Office. Military students/Veterans returning from active duty are guaranteed re-admission subject to specific conditions (see the Military and Veterans Affairs  section for more information).

1. Reasonable explanation for the student’s academic performance to date, which includes mitigating circumstances such as student injury/illness, death of a student’s family member, or other reasons resulting in undue hardship to the student;
2. Compelling evidence that they can demonstrate satisfactory academic progress and succeed in an academic program due to changed circumstances, experience, and/or successful completion of graduate-level credits during the period of absence; and
3. A plan for completion of the coursework required to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress during the following payment period.

Re-admission is not guaranteed to any applicant.

Re-Admission after Academic Dismissal

A student who is academically dismissed from their program for academic or other reasons, and have his/her appeal denied, may seek readmission to their original program of study by reapplying to the university.  Students interested in applying to another Alliant program must also (re)apply through the Re-Admission process.

NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDITS AND CREDENTIALS EARNED AT OUR INSTITUTION

The transferability of credits you earn at Alliant is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the degree or certificate you earn in the educational 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 Alliant are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all your coursework at that institution. For this reason, you should make certain that your attendance at Alliant will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending Alliant to determine if your credits, degree or certificate will transfer.

Registration

Students may only register for courses when they are officially confirmed and financially cleared by the University. Students are expected to register for all courses by the registration deadline, regardless of when the courses start within the semester/term. Registration after the Add/Drop period (first week of courses) will not be permitted.

Students may not attend any course in which they are not officially enrolled. Students will not receive credit for any course in which they are not officially registered.

Registration must be completed by the student or his/her legal agent. Registration procedures must be completed for students, and courses must be attended, in order for students to remain enrolled at the university. Information on registration dates and deadlines is available on the Academic Calendar.

All students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor prior to 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.

Administrative 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.

Adding and Dropping Courses (Add/Drop Period)

The Add/Drop period is the first week of any term or semester. The Add/Drop dates for each term/semester are published in the official Academic Calendar. Students may register for additional courses or remove courses from their course schedule during the Add/Drop period.

Students should confer with their Student Advisor and the Financial Aid Office prior to adding or dropping any course. International students must confer with the International Student Services Office before dropping courses, as it could impact their status. Students receiving veteran’s benefits should consult with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

A student may request to add or drop a course either online through the Alliant portal for designated programs, or by completing and submitting the Add/Drop Form prior to the Add/Drop deadline. Students may not add courses after the Add/Drop period.  Changes requested through the Add/Drop form are not official until the form has been approved and processed. Students who drop a course after the Add/Drop period may be entitled to a refund per the Tuition Refund policy  located in the Expenses and Financial Aid section.

Students who wish to drop all courses will be withdrawing from the university, and must follow all required Withdrawal Procedures.

Waitlist Policy

Academic departments determine which courses can be waitlisted. Students who are waitlisted for a course will be moved into the course by the Registrar’s Office as space becomes available based on the date and time the student entered the waitlist (i.e. first-come, first-served). Students will receive an email notification from the Registrar’s Office to their Alliant email account when they are added into a course from the waitlist.

If there is any issue preventing a student from being added into a waitlisted course (e.g. holds, schedule conflict, course overload, etc.), the Registrar’s Office will send an email notification to the student. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their Alliant email daily during the registration period to ensure they are aware of any important developments. Students have two (2) business days (48 hours) from receipt of the email to resolve the issue and respond, or they will be removed from the waitlist. Students may choose to reenter the waitlist, but their priority will be based on the new registration date and time.

Changing Sections of a Continuing Sequence

Some courses offered in a program’s curriculum are expected to be taken in sequence. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they are properly enrolled for the correct course/section for each session/semester. Should substantial reasons exist for changing enrollment in a sequential course, students must obtain permission from the current course instructor, the proposed new course instructor, and the Dean or designee prior to registration and the start of the applicable session/semester. This authorization must be presented in writing to the Student Advisor. Some courses do not allow for changes in sections.

Auditing Courses

Certain courses may be audited with prior permission by the Dean or designee. Students interested in auditing a course will not receive credit. Not all courses can be audited, students should check with their academic program to identify a course that can be audited.  These courses are not eligible for financial aid. Students auditing courses are not required to take exams and complete assignments. Those who attend all course meetings will receive an “AU” grade upon completion of the course instead of a standard letter grade or credit, while those who fail to attend all course meetings will receive a “NC” grade. Students who wish to audit classes must complete the Course Audit form with instructor approval and submit to their Student Advisor prior to the Add/Drop deadline for the course. Audited courses cannot be applied for credit to any degree program. Audited courses are not eligible for financial aid, please refer to the Expenses and Financial Aid  section for current audit fees.

Non-matriculated students who wish to audit classes must:

1. Complete the Course Audit Application
2. Pay application fees
3. Obtain written permission from the program in which the course is offered
4. Receive an acceptance notification from the Office of Admissions prior to attending classes
5. Complete regular registration procedures
6. Pay audit fees and any additional fees

Course Loads

No more than eighteen (18) units can be attempted by an undergraduate student in any one semester or 9 credits per session. Some credential and graduate programs also have maximum unit loads allowable per semester/session; for details please review the related Program page. Acceleration and/or a course load in excess of the normal graduate load must be approved by the appropriate Dean or designee. For additional information on course loads and ramifications for financial aid, please see the Expenses and Financial Aid  section.