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University Admissions Requirements

Temporary Policies

Program Modality and Transcript Disclosure

During the COVID-19 outbreak, West Coast University is adjusting some of its University admission requirements and course delivery methods.    

 

Program Modality

 

Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, the University has moved most of the on-ground courses into a distance education modality. However, as soon as the COVID-19 circumstances change, students will be expected to return on campus to complete their program on- site in the regular learning modality as approved by WSCUC and outlined in the university catalog. As the situation evolves, the University will continue to communicate to students the expected return date to their campus to complete their program on-site.    

Temporary Modification to the Add/Drop Policy

The Add/Drop period begins at the start of a term and ends on the second Tuesday. During this period, students may add or drop classes. Courses dropped during this period will not appear on students’ transcripts nor be included in evaluating Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students dropping all classes will be treated as a withdrawal from the University.

Please note, the University will automatically withdraw a student from any course(s) in which he or she is registered and for which attendance has not occurred by the end of the Add/Drop period.  Programs and courses may have specific attendance requirements that supersede this policy.  Students dropping a course(s) within the MSOT or DPT programs will be withdrawn from the University.  Please refer to the programmatic section of the catalog and to your programmatic handbook for more information.  

New students may be admitted during this period provided they attend at least one scheduled class during the Add/Drop period.  Students will not be admitted after the Add/Drop period without approval from the campus Executive Director and the applicable program Dean/Chair.  

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and limited availability of clinical sites, students may transfer between sections of the same course within the term after the add/drop period ends. Student may not transfer to a different course nor add a new course to their existing schedule.

Note:  For information regarding adjustments to institutional charges, please see the Refunds for Dropped Courses policy in the "Financial Aid > Withdrawal and Refund Policies" section of this catalog.  

Withdraw COVID-19 Grade Policy

The "WC" grade is a special withdrawal designation used during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Students who are unwilling or unable to complete a course as scheduled due to the COVID-19 virus may be issued a "WC" grade.  "WC" grades are not calculated into a student's Grade Point Average (GPA) or completion rate.  Additional information regarding this special designation can be obtained from the Registrar's Office.  

Accommodating Students Whose Enrollment is Disrupted by Coronavirus

WCU will make every reasonable effort to accommodate students and help them continue their education despite interruptions caused by COVID-19. Due to campus and clinical site closures, all academic programs were transitioned to online delivery effective March 17, 2020, and clinical partners displaced clinical rotations.  However, as soon as the COVID-19 circumstances change, students will be expected to return to campus to complete their didactic courses on- site in the regular learning modality and to resume scheduled clinical rotations as approved by WSCUC and outlined in the university catalog.  Under guidance posted by the Department of Education on 3/5/20, WCU may make exceptions to offer courses to students on a schedule that would otherwise be considered a non-standard term, if doing so enables those students to complete the term.  The Department of Consumer Affairs and the CA Board of Registered Nursing have approved waivers to permit students to complete required clinical practice hours through a combination of direct care hours (telenursing, volunteer service) and non-direct care hours (simulation, skills, and other virtual experiences).  However, the campuses have been challenged to meet the clinical hours, even with the waivers.

West Coast University – Ontario students have been displaced from direct care hours earlier in the term.  However, WCU was contacted by its health care partners to ask for assistance by allowing WCU-Ontario students to vaccinate frontline workers during the holiday break originally scheduled for the Fall II 2020 term,(December 21-January 3) and also the week prior to the Spring I 2021 term (January 18-24, 2021) for NURS498L-ext.  This permits the students to make up missed hours, stay on track to graduate, and serve the Inland Empire.  As a result, we have modified our normal academic calendar for the Fall II 2020 term and Spring 1 2021 term so that the clinical hours worked during this time frame can be appropriately included.

Undergraduate and Graduate University Admissions Requirements

A prospective student will qualify for admissions if the following requirements are met:

  1. Proof of High school graduation  or equivalent:
    1. A transcript of a high school diploma or its equivalent.         
  2. Meet all programmatic admissions criteria.
  3. Participate in an interview with a University Admissions Advisor.
  4. Submit a completed application for admission.
  5. Complete and execute an enrollment agreement. If the applicant is under the age of 18, enrollment documents must be signed by a parent or guardian.

Please Note:

  • All foreign high school diplomas and post-secondary degrees must be submitted for an official United States equivalency evaluation. This assessment must be completed by a NACES, AACRAO, or AICE-approved organization.
  • Instruction at the University is delivered in English. Students must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English. The University does not offer English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction.
  • Programs which are primarily online are not open to enrollment by foreign applicants under a student visa.
  • All post-licensure students must complete their clinical hours in the state where they resided when signing the enrollment agreement or as approved by WCU.  If a student moves out of the approved state, they may no longer be eligible to complete hours and may not be able to graduate from their program of study.  

Admission to Programs with Prerequisite Requirements

West Coast University offers several programs that require prospective students to complete prerequisites prior to admission. Prospective students who meet all other requirements for admission, but who lack prerequisite coursework required for admission, may be admitted in order to complete that coursework. Individuals accepted under this clause should refer to the Financial Policies and Information Section of the Catalog for additional information about assistance options

Official Transcripts Policy

West Coast University requires that official transcripts meet the following criteria:

  • The transcripts have been received from the originating institution and show no signs of tampering.  AACRAO recommends the following checks for authenticity:
    • Envelope seal is intact in an official envelope or e-transcript was downloaded from a secured method
    • Transcript came directly from vendor or institution as evidenced by the institution logo and/or address
    • Postmark is appropriate to the institution or vendor
    • Postal cancellation mark is on the envelope
    • Security paper or special watermark is used
    • Transcripts have a recent date of issue (approximately six months)
    • Institutional certification is present
  • The transcript was opened and clearly marked as official by a staff member by the Registrar’s Office.
    • In the event that the Registrar’s Office is unavailable, transcripts may also be opened and marked official by the Program Dean, the Executive Director and/or their assignee.
  • Transcripts marked as ‘Issued to Student’ may only be opened and deemed official by the Registrar’s Office.Transcripts issued to students should still meet the criteria listed above (sealed envelope with identifying information, security paper, etc.)

The final decision of transcript authenticity will reside with Registrar’s Office.

Non-Degree Admissions

"Non-degree" status enables qualified students who are not seeking a degree from West Coast University, to enroll in any course without seeking formal admission.  This option is not available for those seeking to attend Dental Hygiene Courses.  

In order to be enrolled, the student must meet the following conditions:  

  1. Complete and submit the "non-degree student" application and sign enrollment documents. 
  2. Submit proof of a high school diploma or a GED.
  3. Meet the pre-requisite and/or program requirements to register for the course.  Students may only register in core courses with written permission from the program's Dean/Chair.  
Continuous enrollment in this status is contingent on meeting the following conditions:

  1. Maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in undergraduate courses and/or 3.0 GPA in graduate courses.
  2. No more than 20 credits earned in this status. 
  3. Abide by all institutional policies as outlined in the catalog or student handbook.  
In addition, applicants who have been dismissed or previously withdrawn from the university must obtain approval from the campus Academic Dean in order to apply for this status.  

Students in Default

The University may refuse admission to any applicant who is in default on a federal student loan or who owes a repayment of a federal grant.  


Admission to Programs with Prerequisite Requirements

West Coast University offers several programs that require prospective students to have completed prerequisite requirements prior to admission.  Prospective students who meet all other requirements for admission, but who lack prerequisite coursework required for admission may be admitted and enrolled in the program, however must complete prerequisite coursework prior to entering any core courses for their program. 

The following criteria will be used to determine if a prospective student, who has not completed all prerequisite course requirements is eligible for admission.

  1. Should the admissions criteria include a requirement to have earned a specified degree, the prospective student must have completed all coursework required to earn the degree and be scheduled for graduation in the required program as documented by an official transcript.
  2. Preparatory coursework may not be taken to improve a student’s cumulative grade point average in order to meet the admissions requirements of a program.
  3. Prospective students may choose to take preparatory courses at West Coast University or at another accredited institution, however, only those who take the courses at West Coast University are eligible for admission.
  4. Prior to registering for preparatory coursework, the student must have provided documentation to the Admissions department demonstrating that the student has met all other requirements for admission. 
    1. The student may not be admitted to or enrolled in any courses in the program for which the preparatory course is prerequisite until the preparatory coursework is successfully completed.
    2. All preparatory courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C+.
    3. All preparatory coursework must be completed within a calendar year.  

Individuals accepted under this clause should refer to the Financial Policies and Information Section of the Catalog for additional information about assistance options.  

A student who does not meet a program's published admission criteria, but possesses a high school diploma or equivalent, may be eligible to be admitted under the probationary admissions pathway. Please see the Program Dean for details.