Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog NOT CURRENT 
    
2018-2019 Catalog NOT CURRENT [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Acquisition


Student Acquisition Team

The Student Acquisition Team consists of Enrollment, Admissions, and Student Services. This team is responsible for providing preadmission, admission, and registration services to prospective students, current students, and alumni. These offices oversee, coordinate, and administer multifaceted activities and student-centered services that include recruitment programs, preadmission advisement, admissions and registrar functions, and alumni services. The staff value excellent customer service, timely and accurate communication, professionalism, and teamwork.

Admission to the University Degree Programs

University students are admitted on the basis of their academic abilities and professionalism. The Student Acquisition Team office coordinates the admissions activities for all degree-seeking students on all campuses in conjunction with the appropriate Program Director and the First Professional Admissions Committee or Post-Professional Admissions Committee. Students who wish to enroll in only the non-credit Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Seminars register through CPE Registrations.

Application for Admission

To be considered for admission, a candidate must submit the following:

  • Online application
    • A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university for the first professional programs.
    • A bachelor’s or masters degree for the Post Professional OTD and the transitional DPT programs.
    • A master’s degree for the EdD program. 
    • A bachelor’s degree in the MHS and MHA programs.
    • A bachelor’s degree in nursing for the MSN and DNP programs.
    • A bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences or Disorders (CSD)  or Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) or equivalent for MS-SLP including prerequisite coursework which includes a minimum of three credits completed in the following basic sciences,  no more than five (5) years old (recommended), completed with the grade of “C” or better (required):

      • Biology
      • Chemistry or Physics
      • Statistics
      • Behavioral or Social Science
  • MS-SLP: Students may apply for the MS-SLP program while enrolled in an undergraduate program or while completing prerequisite coursework. Students must submit a plan of study with the application indicating all remaining courses that will be completed prior to program enrollment. Leveling courses for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) or Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) include:
    • Speech Anatomy and Physiology
    • Audiology and Aural Rehabilitation (3 credits) or Audiology (3 credits) and Aural Rehabilitation (3 credits) or Fundamentals of Hearing (3 credits)
    • Normal Speech & Language Development
    • Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorder (if degree held is other than CSD or SLP)

 

  • Official transcripts must be submitted from each college or university previously attended. An official transcript is one sent directly to the Admissions Office by the Registrar of the issuing institution or one forwarded in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution.
    • Nursing candidates
  1. MSN: Applicants must submit transcripts showing degree conferral of an associates and/or bachelor’s in nursing. If select courses (usually science courses—see below) were taken at institutions other than the degree conferring institution, USAHS may request those transcripts be submitted as well.
  2. BSN-DNP: Applicants must submit transcripts showing degree conferral of an associates and/or bachelor’s in nursing. If select courses (usually science courses—see below) were taken at institutions other than the degree conferring institution, USAHS may request those transcripts be submitted as well.
  3. MSN-DNP: Applicants must submit transcripts showing degree conferral of a Master of Science in Nursing only.
  4. USAHS MSN-DNP: In order to streamline the admission of USAHS MSN graduates into the DNP program, an abbreviated application process has been developed. This abbreviated process will only be applicable if the USAHS MSN graduate applies for admission to the USAHS DNP program within one year from their MSN graduation date. Exceptions to this time limit will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director.     
                USAHS MSN graduates applying to the DNP Program will be required to submit the
                following:
  • Online application
  • An email endorsement from the student’s USAHS faculty advisor
  • An email from the registrar stating that the student is in good standing and expected to graduate on a specific date
  • Current curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Evidence of an unrestricted/unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license in the state of residence and/or the state where practica will be completed; nurses working in a federal facility, such as a Veterans Administration Medical Center, and completing their practica in that facility need to hold and RN license deemed appropriate by that facility
  • An official request to the USAHS Registrar to have the official transcripts from the USAHS MSN program added to the admissions appliction for the DNP program
                NOTE: If the applicant fails to graduate from the MSN program, admission to the DNP
                program would be rescinded.

 

 

Note: Applicants are not required to submit transcripts for non-degree related coursework certificates. Only transcripts that match the student’s academic history as noted on the application will be required.

  • The following science courses may trigger a request for transcript if not on transcript of the degree conferred for all MSN and BSN-DNP applicants:
    • Anatomy and physiology
    • Pathophysiology
    • Microbiology
    • Physical assessment
    • Pharmacology
  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 calculated on program prerequisites may be required; however, the grade trend of the applicant will be considered
  • GRE scores sent directly to the University by Educational Testing Service. For those who have earned a master’s degree previously, this requirement is waived. MHA, MHS, MSN, transitional DPT, and OTD, Post Professional applicants are also exempt from this requirement.
    • For MS-SLP applicants: GRE must not be older than 5 years. Recommended combined minimum GRE score of 294 for verbal and quantitative sections. Analytical writing score is also evaluated. Applicants must apply through CSDCAS; USAHS’ Institution Code is 2300. (Candidates who have earned a Masters degree are exempt from the GRE requirement). 
  • Additional requirements for domestic, international, foreign-educated students: International applicants from a country where English is not the primary language, who did not complete their undergraduate degree in English, or if deemed necessary by the Director of Admissions must provide an official TOEFL score report. The minimum internet-based TOEFL score requirement is 89 (including sectional minimums of 26 in speaking, 24 in writing, 21 in reading, and 18 in listening ). The date of the reported test must fall within 2 years of the application deadline.
  • References as required by the program
  • A comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen will be administered during the admissions process (first professional OT, PT, MS-SLP and MSN candidates only). The background checks are completed at the applicant’s expense.
  • Statement of purpose—if required by the program
  • Documentation of observation experience—if required by the program
  • Professional résumé or curriculum vitae—if required by the program
  • Copy of professional license—if required by the program
  • Writing sample - if required by the program
  • Observation hours: For MS-SLP applicants, a minimum of 25 observation hours in a speech therapy setting with an ASHA certified SLP is required. (Volunteer opportunities and work experiences do not meet the requirement.)

If the applicant completed his or her education in a foreign country, the applicant must submit an original copy of a degree credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). If the NACES-approved evaluation service includes a copy of the evaluated official transcripts with the evaluation, USAHS will consider these transcripts as official. The evaluation must indicate previous education at the minimum level of a baccalaureate degree earned at an accredited college or university in the United States. The following are among agencies approved for this purpose; additional evaluators can be found on www.naces.org:

World Education Services, Inc.
Bowling Green Station
PO Box 5087
64 Beaver Street, #146
New York, NY 10274-5087
www.wes.org
International Education Research
Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665
www.ierf.org
   
AACRAO International Education Services
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 520
Washington, DC 20036-1135
oies@aacrao.org
Joseph Silny & Associates, Inc.
International Education Consultants
7101 SW 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
www.jsilny.com

Note: The University follows a policy of not disclosing reasons for nonacceptance of a candidate.

International Students Applying for Admission

The full-time first professional physical therapy and occupational therapy programs in San Marcos, California, Austin, Texas, and St. Augustine, Florida, are approved by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to admit international students who require an F-1 student visa. The recently issued Executive Order entitled “Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Entry into the United States” addresses standards for immigrant, nonimmigrant, and refugee entry into the United States from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, Chad, North Korea and Venezuela (certain government officials). The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed this version of the Executive Order to go into effect immediately, which could impact a student traveling from these countries to the United States. With the exception of nationals of North Korea and Syria, students entering the United States on F Visas may be exempt from the ban. As the requirements of the Executive Order are subject to change, there is no guarantee that students from any of the banned countries will be able to enter the United States. Affected students are advised to contact immigration resources in their area for specific information on how the Executive Order may apply to their individual situation. If a student visa is not required for attendance, non-U.S. citizens may participate in all other degree programs. In addition to the items listed above, the following must be submitted prior to issuance of the I-20:

  • Financial statement/letter indicating commitment (from parents, government, etc.) to financially support tuition and living expenses for the duration of the degree program.

Records and Documents Submitted for Admission Processing

All documents submitted to the University in support of an Application for Admission become the permanent possession of the University and cannot be returned to the applicant under any circumstances. Students are, therefore, urged to make copies of important documentation and maintain their own files.