West Coast University Catalog
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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. The recent closure of secondary and post-secondary institutions is making it increasingly difficult to obtain transcripts; therefore, the University is extending its deadline for the acceptance of official transcripts.  

 

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.  

 

Proof of High School Graduation or Equivalency

 

Undergraduates applying for admission must provide verification of high school completion, equivalency or other documentation establishing their ability to do college level work. Students will be required to complete a Statement of High School Graduation or Equivalent to support this requirement until acceptable documentation is able to be obtained and submitted to the University (no later than 30 days from reopening of the institution that holds the required documentation). If it is found that the student did not meet this requirement, the individual would be dismissed, all state and federal Title IV funds would be returned, and the student would be financially responsible for all tuition charges incurred.  

 

Postsecondary Transcripts

 

All applicants are required to submit official postsecondary transcripts by the first day of the term in order to be admitted to the University. Students may be scheduled based on an unofficial transfer credit review for their first semester of courses. However, official transfer credit will not be awarded based on unofficial transcripts.

Financial aid packaging will be estimated without transfer credit unless/until official transcripts are received and evaluated. If transfer credits are posted after loan origination for the academic year, the transfer credits will be included when determining loan eligibility for the subsequent academic year. Students may request additional loan funds at any time by submitting a Loan Adjustment Request form to the Financial Aid office.

When official transcripts are able to be obtained and submitted (no later than 30 days from reopening of the institution that holds the required transcripts), and if it is found that the student did not meet the academic performance requirements as was demonstrated on the unofficial transcripts, the individual would be dismissed, all state and federal Title IV funds would be returned and the student would be financially responsible for all tuition charges incurred.

If a student is concurrently enrolled and attending course(s) applicable to his or her declared WCU major at another college or university on the first day of the student’s first WCU term, these credits in progress at the other institution may be considered for transfer into WCU once completed with a passing grade and official transcripts are received by the university.

Temporary Modification to Admission Requirements

Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak WCU has temporarily modified its admissions requirements. ATI TEAS/HESI AI entrance exam and composite score based on entrance examination and cumulative GPA requirements will not be required for entrance into BSN, LVN/LPN to BSN and BSDH programs.  However, students will be conditionally accepted and are required to take and pass ATI TEAS/HESI AI entrance exam in order to progress and to be allowed entrance into the program's core courses.  Students who do not meet this requirement will be dismissed from the university.  If the COVID-19 situation changes these conditionally accepted students could be offered an opportunity to take the ATI TEAS/HESI AI exam on campus prior to their start in order to be fully accepted into WCU if they are able to demonstrate the required exam proficiency for the program.  Please review the program specific admission requirements under Admissions section of the catalog for specific GPA and Composite scores requirements that incorporate ATI TEAS/HESI AI exam results.  

The changes outlined below are effective March 26, 2020 for the following start dates:

California campuses – June 15, 2020 and August 24, 2020

Texas and Florida – April 6, 2020 and June 15, 2020 and August 24, 2020 starts

Applicants for any starts not listed above will be required to take ATI TEAS/HESI AI on campus prior to being admitted into the program. 

All applicants are still required to:

  1. Submit a completed WCU application for admissions
  2. Participate in an admissions interview arranged by a University Admissions Advisor
  3. Complete an enrollment agreement (must be signed by a parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age)
  4. Submit WCU approved documentation of high school graduation or equivalent (Please Note: Foreign high school diplomas/credentials or their equivalent must have an official evaluation performed by an approved organization)
    1. Due to Covid-19 applicants will be required to complete a Statement of High School Graduation or Equivalent to support this requirement until acceptable documentation is able to be obtained and submitted to the University
    2. This requirement must be met no later than 30 days from reopening of the institution that holds the required documentation
    3. If it is found that the student did not meet this requirement, the individual would be dismissed, all state and federal Title IV funds would be returned, and the student would be financially responsible for all tuition charges incurred.
  5. Meet program specific entrance requirements
    1. BSN and LVN/LPN-BSN
      1. California: https://westcoastuniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/Spring-2020/West-Coast-University-Catalog/Undergraduate-Programs-of-Study/College-of-Nursing/Nursing-Admissions-Requirements-and-Program-Information
      2. Texas and Florida: https://westcoastuniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/Spring-2020/West-Coast-University-Catalog/Undergraduate-Programs-of-Study/College-of-Nursing/Nursing-Admissions-Requirements-and-Program-Information
    2. BSDH: https://westcoastuniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/Spring-2020/West-Coast-University-Catalog/Undergraduate-Programs-of-Study/Dental-Hygiene/Dental-Hygiene-BSDH-Bachelor-of-Science
  6. Submit all postsecondary transcripts:
    1. Applicants with 18 or more postsecondary credits, from institution recognized by an accreditation body approved by the U.S. Department of Education, will be evaluated on their cumulative grade point average.
    2. Applicants with fewer than 18 postsecondary credits, from institution recognized by an accreditation body approved by the U.S. Department of Education will be evaluated based on their high school cumulative grade point average.
  7. All applicants are required to submit official postsecondary transcripts by the first day of the term in order to be admitted to the University.
    1. Students may be scheduled based on an unofficial transfer credit review for their first semester of courses. However, official transfer credit will not be awarded based on unofficial transcripts.
    2. Financial aid packaging will be estimated without transfer credit unless/until official transcripts are received and evaluated. If transfer credits are posted after loan origination for the academic year, the transfer credits will be included when determining loan eligibility for the subsequent academic year. Students may request additional loan funds at any time by submitting a Loan Adjustment Request form to the Financial Aid office.
    3. When official transcripts are able to be obtained and submitted (no later than 30 days from reopening of the institution that holds the required transcripts), and if it is found that the student did not meet the academic performance requirements as was demonstrated on the unofficial transcripts, the individual would be dismissed, all state and federal Title IV funds would be returned and the student would be financially responsible for all tuition charges incurred.

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.  

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

 

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.

 

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.  


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.