Heritage University, because of its size, location, and emphasis on personalized education, considers each applicant on an individual basis. The University is interested in students who are motivated to learn, who have a genuine desire to attend Heritage University, and who show evidence of being able to benefit from the educational programs. The admissions procedure has been established to help gather information that is relevant to making a decision based on these criteria.
Acceptance to the University results from an overall assessment of background, rather than arbitrary standards for grades, test scores, courses taken, or achievements. Because the University is small and personalized, the administration, faculty, and staff are happy to take the time to explain the admissions process. Visitors are welcome and staff are available to answer questions.
FRESHMAN ADMISSION
A student who has graduated from an accredited high school with a satisfactory academic grade point average from that school is eligible for admission. The University also admits students who have successfully completed the General Educational Development (GED) test or its equivalent. While no specific high school subject matter is required for admission, the University recommends that prospective students complete three years of English, three years of history, one year of laboratory science, two years of mathematics, and four years of other academic subjects such as language, social science, etc. The high school graduate or G.E.D or equivalent applicant for admission submits the following documents to the Admissions Office:
1. A Heritage University admission application or a Washington State Application Form (available from high school counselors in Washington or from the Heritage University Admissions Office);
2. An official high school transcript or G.E.D. test scores or equivalent credentials, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), American College Test (ACT) or Washington Pre-College Test (WPCT) is recommended; After admittance, credit may be given for Advanced Placement (AP) grades; and
3. A Heritage University assessment for placement in English and mathematics.
All students are assigned
an academic advisor to assist in program planning. Students are encouraged to establish a strong working relationship with their advisors to enhance academic success.
INTERNATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENT ADMISSIONS
Students who are U.S. citizens or have permanent resident alien (green card) status are classified as domestic students; all others are classified as international students. An international student may not register for courses until full acceptance to Heritage University has been granted. For admission, submit to the Admissions Office the following documents:
1. A completed application for admission including an essay or writing sample. Graduate students submit a statement of purpose/expectation instead of the writing sample.
2. A certified transcript from high school or equivalent studies and from each college/university attended. These documents require a translated version in English. See further information in the following section.
3. A non-refundable application processing fee of $125.00 (U.S. funds).
4. A completed Heritage University “Confirmation of Financial Resources” reflecting a balance of $17,692 U.S. dollars available to the students.
5. Satisfactory proof of English proficiency by one of the following:
a) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 500 (173 computer based) for undergraduate and 550 (213 computer based) for graduate application.
b) Transcript from a U.S. school verifying completion of an English as a Second Language (ESL) Program reflecting satisfactory progress.
c) High school instruction taught in English and verified by a transcript.
6. Personal provision must be made for housing and transportation since Heritage University does not provide student housing and public transportation is not available in the area.
- An I-20 form is issued only when all the above materials have been submitted, evaluated, and the student is admitted. This document authorizes the student to request proper visa to study at Heritage University
- It is recommended students meet with the Admission Director and their academic advisor upon arrival.
- These requirements may change if required by U.S. federal authorities. Consult with the Admissions Office for latest information.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH FOREIGN CREDENTIALS
Students with foreign education credentials are required to have their transcript evaluated by an evaluation agency. The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) is the organization Heritage University recommends.
Students with foreign education credentials must submit the following documents to the Admissions Office:
- Heritage University application;
- An official transcript from the college/university attended, a high school transcript is also required of students who have earned less than 60 semester credits;
- An official copy of the transcript evaluation report; and
- Students seeking undergraduate admissions must take the Heritage University Assessment for placement.
Requesting an evaluation through AACRAO
AACRAO evaluation request forms are available through their web site at http://www.aacrao.org/internationa/individual or can be received by calling Heritage’s Admissions Office. AACRAO is not a department of Heritage University. All payments and communications regarding your transcript evaluation must be made directly with AACRAO.
To receive a transcript evaluation from AACRAO, complete the form and send it along with:
- Copiesof all official foreign educational records (in original language) with literal translations if the documents are not in English. Translations do not need to be certified, but must be literal (word for word) and the translator must sign the translated copy and include contact information.
- Payment of $190* is accepted by money order or credit card (American Express, MasterCard, or Visa). No personal checks are accepted. Appropriate fees must accompany the request form.
- Send materials to:
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
International Education Services
One DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 520
Washington, D.C. 20036-1135
A course by course evaluation is necessary to ensure that the proper university-level recognition is given. If the credentials presented are not recommended for university-level recognition (i.e., transfer credit), only a basic statement of comparability will be charged.
The normal processing time is 2 to 4 weeks.
*Fees are subject to change. For current fee information, please contact the Admissions Office at 509-865-8508 or by visiting www.aaccrao.org.
MASTER'S DEGREE STUDENT ADMISSION
Applicants with a baccalaureate, master, or doctorate degree from a regionally accredited college or university should send the following items to the Admissions Office for acceptance to the University:
1. A Graduate Application for Admission; indicate your Declaration of Major by checking one of the programs on the form. An application form may be obtained from the Admissions Office, Heritage web site – www.heritage.edu, or call (509) 865-8508.
2. A non-refundable application fee.
3. Official transcripts from each college/university attended.
Completion of this three-step application process is the initial step required for admission to the University as a graduate student. After receiving formal notification of admission to graduate school, an applicant may then meet with a graduate program chair in the College of Education and Psychology to: (a) seek final acceptance into a graduate program specialization; (b) develop a formalized course of study detailing required classes and the sequence of classes to be taken; and (c) register for classes.
TRANSFER, POST-BACCALAUREATE, AND RESIDENCY TEACHING CERTIFICATE STUDENT ADMISSION
Transfer students or students with a baccalaureate degree should submit the following documents to the Admissions Office:
1. A Heritage University application form;
2. An official transcript from each regionally accredited college/university attended; a high school transcript is also required of students who have earned less than 60 semester credits.
3. A Heritage University placement assessment is required of students who have less than an A.A. degree. Exceptions are considered on an individual basis.
4. Students who have completed the appropriate Associate of Arts transfer degree from Washington community colleges are admitted with junior standing at Heritage. Transfer students must take HUM 305 at Heritage University.
5. Transfer credits are accepted from regionally accredited (or candidate) colleges and universities with the following restrictions:
a) Transfer credits must have a minimum grade of 1.70 (C-) on a 4.00 scale for undergraduates.
b) A maximum of 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of academic credit is accepted from junior and community colleges toward a four-year degree. (Occupational-vocational courses are not accepted although exceptions may be made if relevant to a particular major or consortium agreement.)
c) A maximum of 4 semester credits of physical education credit is accepted toward a four-year degree.
d) A maximum of 6 semester credits of traditional courses with a Pass grade is accepted. However, academic departments may have specific regulations regarding Pass courses.
e) Credits awarded through examination programs such as College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) are evaluated on an individual basis.
f) Heritage may grant credit for learning sponsored by business, industry, or government if the learning has been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) or by the Program on Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI) of New York.
g) Credit may be granted for educational experience from formal military service schools which have been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) and which are found in The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces.
h) Domestic and international students who have completed college credits in another country may be considered for freshman admission. Transfer credit is evaluated through a course-by-course analysis and may require review by an external entity with expertise in the field of foreign credential assessment. The acceptance of credit is based on factors such as the current status of the transfer study, applicability to the Heritage University program, and quality of grades.
Informal evaluations of transfer credit may be requested. Such evaluations are subject to change when all official transcripts are received and evaluated by the Registrar. The University reserves the right to evaluate all transfer credits in relation to its programs.
Heritage University reserves the right to accept or reject non-traditional means of obtaining credit depending on the relevance and application of such credits to the total degree program.
VETERANS ADMISSION
Veterans of the U.S. military service apply for admittance, as indicated above, to the University and for V.A. benefits simultaneously. The University may allow credit for military service activities which have educational content to students who present acceptable military records. Such records are submitted as part of admission credentials along with a request for evaluation.
Heritage University academic programs of study are approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s State Approving Agency (HECB/SAA) for enrollment of persons eligible to receive educational benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, U.S. Code.
ADMISSION STATUS AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
1. After all credentials have been reviewed, applicants are notified of their admission status and provided with the name of an advisor. The admission letter may require that applicants, such as those who are returning to school after a long absence, or traditional students with academic deficiencies, take a preparatory course to upgrade skills for success in college. Recommendations for such courses will be determined by the Heritage University assessment.
2. It is understood that admitted students accept all conditions and regulations of the University as provided in the catalog and the student handbook. It is the student's responsibility to obtain copies of the catalog and the handbook from the Student Service Center.
RE-ADMISSION UNDERGRADUATE
Former Heritage University undergraduate students who have been inactive for two years are classified as inactive and must apply for re-admittance by completing the regular admissions process. Returning students who have been inactive for two or more years graduate under the requirements listed in the catalog current at the time of re-entry.
RE-ADMISSION GRADUATE
Heritage University graduate students who have been inactive for two years are classified as inactive and must apply for re-admittance to the University by completing the regular admissions process. Returning students who have been inactive for two or more years graduate under the requirements listed in the catalog current at the time of re-entry.
Re-admission is also a requirement for any matriculated student that has finished a graduate course of study and returns to Heritage for another course of study, such as a certificate or an endorsement. Students seeking re-admittance need to reapply for admission and pay the current admission fee.
NON-MATRICULATED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Students who do not wish to pursue a program leading toward a degree or certificate may register for courses if space permits, if prerequisites are satisfied, and if students hold a high school diploma, a G.E.D. or its equivalent. Non-matriculants are not eligible for financial aid, veteran's benefits, academic advising and other services provided to matriculated (admitted) students. Non-matriculated undergraduate students may earn 12 credits at Heritage as a non-matriculated student.
Credits earned as a non-matriculant may not be applied to any degree or certificate unless the non-matriculant applies and is officially admitted to Heritage University. After admission, a maximum of only 12 credits that were earned at Heritage University before admission may be applied to an undergraduate degree.
NON-MATRICULATED GRADUATE STUDENTS
Students with a baccalaureate degree who do not wish to pursue a program leading toward a graduate degree or certificate may register for courses if prerequisites are satisfied. Non-matriculants are not eligible for financial aid or veteran’s benefits. Non-matriculated students may take only 8 semester credits.
Eight (8) graduate credits earned at Heritage University may be applied to a master's program when a non-matriculant is admitted to Heritage University as a graduate student.
In addition, graduate credits earned as a non-matriculant may not be applied to any degree or certificate unless the non-matriculant applies and is officially admitted to a Heritage University Graduate Program.
AUDITORS
Students who wish to take a course but without tests, credits, or grade may register to audit. Permission to audit is granted for lecture courses only, not for laboratory and studio courses, and on condition that space is available. The special fees for audit are detailed in the Financial Policies section of the catalog.