In addition to a baccalaureate degree, an applicant must satisfy the admission standards and prerequisites of the department in which the applicant plans to study. Prerequisites and requirements for the MBA degree and for study in the ESL program can be found in the appropriate sections.

Application for Admission
Requests for admission to graduate study at Southwest International University should be addressed to the Admissions Office, 1102 Fairview Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007. To initiate the admission procedure the individual must submit an application for admission and the $100 nonrefundable application fee.
Director for Admissions.
Steve Hatton, Ph.D.
An official transcript reflecting all previous college credit should be forwarded to the Graduate Admissions Office of Southwest International University by the registrar of the school from which the applicant graduated. In the event the student attended more than one college, an official transcript must be sent from each college attended. These credentials should be on file in the Admissions Office not later than one month prior to the date the applicant expects to register.

Upon receipt and approval of all credentials, the applicant will be forwarded an official letter of acceptance.Admission to graduate study is not admission to candidacy. Admission to candidacy is a deliberate action of the student's advisor, the dean of the student's college, and the vice president for academic affairs.

Unconditional Admission
Minimum university requirements for unconditional admission are an overall 2.75 grade point average (based on A equals 4.0) or an overall grade point average of 2.5 and a minimum score of 800 on the Graduate Record Exam Aptitude Test (V+Q).

Conditional Admission
Conditional admission may be granted to a student with an overall grade point average between 2.25 and 2.74 who has not taken the Graduate Record Exam, or who has not achieved the minimum acceptable score of 800 on that exam. Conditional admission may also be granted to a student with an overall grade point average of 2.0 to 2.24 if the student's experience is evaluated by the college in which the student seeks admission as indicating the likelihood of success.
Upon the completion of nine hours of graduate work a student admitted conditionally must have a 3.0 grade point average, or the student will be dropped from the graduate program. A graduate student dropped for academic reasons may reapply after having been out of the graduate program for one semester.

Unclassified Admission
An applicant holding a baccalaureate degree may be admitted as an unclassified graduate student if:
1. the student demonstrates promise but is not qualified for admission to a graduate program;
2. the student does not intend to complete a degree program at Southwest International University;
3. the student has no degree objective; or the student has files that are incomplete and cannot be processed for either conditional or unconditional admission.

International Student Admission
In addition to departmental, collegiate and general graduate study requirements, an international student must submit the following to the Admissions Office before an admission decision can be made:
1. A completed application for admission, including the $100 application fee.
2. An official transcript sent directly from the registrar of each college, or university attended. An official copy of the diploma or graduation certificate will also be required if a student received a degree and it is not indicated on the official transcript.
3. A statement of financial responsibility sent directly from the person and/or organization providing financial support. All international students must have adequate funds to finance their entire course of study. International students cannot depend on university employment when submitting documentation of financial support.
4. An official score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) mailed to the university from the testing service. A score of at least 525 is required, but all students who score lower may have their English language skills assessed by the Southwest International University ESL to determine what further work is needed to develop language proficiency. Assessment will take into consideration the TOEFL score, and written, oral and listening proficiency. After assessment a program of English courses may be recommended to the student.
5. A student who has successfully completed the advanced level of the Southwest International University English Language Institute, and has been recommended by the Director of the ESL program, and met all other specific program requirements will be allowed to enroll in the designated graduate program. Performance in ESL classes, TOEFL scores, and written and oral proficiency in the specific area of graduate study will form the basis for language proficiency assessment.
  NOTE: The academic department has final authority to determine adequacy of communication skills or the requirement of additional language support classes prior to enrollment in graduate classes.

Southwest International University reserves the right to advance or otherwise change the requirements regarding admission, to drop, add, or change the arrangement of courses, curricula, the requirements for retention, graduation degrees and other regulations of the university. Such regulations shall govern both old and new students and are effective when adopted.
 
Academic Related Information
SWIU's Schools now include:
School of Business Administration & Management
School of Education
School of Entertainment & Tourism
School of Engineering
School of Law
School of Mass Communication & Journalism
School of Naturopathic & Homeopathic Medicine
School of Nursing
School of Public Affairs & Administration
School of Sociology & Behavior Science

International Students Education Center responsible for general student affairs, academic matters, student services and program marketing.

Enrollment Requirements
Bachelor Degree Program:
High School diploma or
6-year Junior College diploma or
Equivalent recognized qualifications
Those students whose primary language is not English must obtain a TOEFL score of 500 or above.
Master Degree Program:
4-year Senior College diploma or
University (Bachelor degree) diploma or
Equivalent recognized qualifications
Those students whose primary language is not English must obtain a TOEFL score of 550 or above.
Doctoral Degree Program:
University (Master degree) diploma or
Equivalent recognized qualifications
Those students whose primary language is not English must obtain a TOEFL score of 600 or above.

Enrollment Application
I. Obtain application for admissions form
II. Complete application form, and include the following documents:
1. I.D. – 1 copy
2. Highest earned qualification – 1 copy
3. Record of credits earned from all colleges/universities attended – 1 copy
4. 2 inch Color photo – 6 copies
5. Transcripts (English) – 1 copy
6. Government (Law) agency training certificates – 1 copy
7. Passport – 1 copy

SWIU Semester System
The University awards credit based on semester units. Most courses carry 4 semester units. A semester unit is traditionally defined as 15 contact hours of planned learning experiences such as study of course material, faculty-learner interaction, and completion of educational assignments and projects. Thus, for a 4-semester unit course the learner can expect to study at least 60 hours.

Program Length
The Bachelor's degree is a 130 semester unit program of study of four academic years normally requiring 30 four-unit courses plus a 10-unit thesis. The Master's degree is a 50 semester unit eight-course graduate program. The Doctoral degrees require 90 semester units beyond the Bachelor's including 10-semester units of project(s). The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) requires that 15 of these Doctoral semester units be in methodology research and analysis and 30 semester units be in the dissertation.

Grading System
Unless otherwise stated for a particular course or program, the University awards letter grades in recognition of academic performance in each course as follows:
A
Excellent
 
 
Good
 
 
Average
 
 
Poor
 
Fail
4.00 grade point semester units
A- 3.66 grade point semester units
B+ 3.33 grade point semester units
B 3.00 grade point semester units
B- 2.66 grade point semester units
C+ 2.33 grade point semester units
C 2.00 grade point semester units
C- 1.66 grade point semester units
D+ 1.33 grade point semester units
D 1.00 grade point semester units
D- 0.66 grade point semester units
F 0.00 grade point semester units
W Withdrawal The University will award a “W” grade upon the learner’s official withdrawal from the course, or when the university withdraws the learner from the course for lack of satisfactory academic progress.
I Incomplete If the course has not been completed within the allotted time, an “I” (Incomplete) will be awarded until the course is completed and a letter grade awarded.
S Satisfactory academic progress in the doctoral research, analysis and dissertation courses.
U Unsatisfactory academic progress in the doctoral research, analysis and dissertation courses. Learners who receive a “U” may not be allowed to continue with the program.
TR Credit for course satisfied by acceptable transfer credit.
All students are welcome to visit Southwest International University
Administrative and Research Center:1102 Fairview Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007, U.S.A
Tuition

Fees Structure
FEES AND CHARGES: The student is responsible for the following fees and charges:

Application Fee: $100. 00 (NONREFUNDABLE)
*This is a one-time fee paid only in Year 1
Tuition: Bachelor
Master
Doctorate 		$200.00 per credit unit
$250.00 per credit unit
$250.00 per credit unit 		130 credits = $26,000.00
50 credits = $12,500.00
90 credits = $22,500.00
Books and materials approximate cost: $2,000.00

Diplomas: Initial diploma: no charge
Transcripts: Initial transcript: no charge
 $250 additional
$250 additional
TO'I'AL CHARGES FOR BACHELOR DEGREE:
TOTAL CHARGES FOR MASTER DEGREE:
'I'OTAL CHARGES FOR DOCTORATE DEGREE:
$28,500.00
$15,000.00
$25,000.00


Tuition and Fees
This schedule reflects the tuition and fees in effect at the time of publication. Any changes will be shown on the Enrollment Agreement, which will be signed by both the learner and University and becomes the binding agreement between the parties.

The University reserves the right to change tuition and fees as it deems necessary; however, the learner who has enrolled in a program of study and has executed an Enrollment Agreement will not be subject to a tuition increase during the duration of that agreement. All subsequent agreements will reflect the tuition currently in effect.

Textbooks
Textbooks may be purchased from any source the student chooses.

Learner's Right to Cancel
A learner has the right to cancel the Enrollment Agreement and withdraw from the University at any time by notifying the University in writing. The date the notification is postmarked is the effective date of withdrawal.

Learners who withdraw will receive a W (withdrawal) grade for incomplete courses if it is determined that a grade A through F is not earned in the course.

Tuition Refund Policy
The student has a right to a full refund of' all charges less the amount of $100.00 Application Fee which, as disclosed to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF), is non-refundable. If a student at SWIU cancels on the first day of instruction, the student has to give 30 days written notice of said cancellation. Therefore, in no case will the student receive 100% of the tuition paid following the first day of instruction. On the other hand, SWIU employs a pro rata tuition return program which exceeds that of STRF which is set forth in the catalog and incorporated herein as if set forth in full. For example: If after 5 months the student wishes to withdraw and communicated same in writing; then the said student would be entitled to a 6 month or 50% return of all tuition fees paid. Student books and materials are purchased at outside locations and do not apply to this refund program. If payments are paid monthly, then the obligation to continue same ceases at: the conclusion of' the 30 day notice period. Refund checks will be dispersed within 30 days of the receipt of the student's Notice of Cancellation.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I contact the Office of Admissions if I have questions?

  • Your questions should be answered on this Web site, so please study it carefully. Another option is to search for the topic you need on the international section's
    site map. If you still need assistance, contact us at swiu@swiu.edu

2. How do I know what level to which I should apply?

  • Freshman: An applicant who has not attended a university or college. The applicant has completed his or her secondary education (equivalent to completing high school in the United States).
  • Graduate Applicant: An applicant who has earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from a recognized university or college.

3. How can I pay the application fee?

  • You can pay by credit card when you submit your application, or you can send a check or money order, payable in U.S. funds.

4. Does the SWIU offer financial assistance to students?

5. What credentials do I need to provide to the Office of Admissions?

  • Undergraduates:
    Submit your secondary records (high school) in the native language with a certified, literal (exact) English translation (if applicable). If the certificate/diploma was issued with completion of education, it too must be submitted in the native language with a certified, literal (exact) English translation.
  • Graduates:
    Submit your college records to the Office of Admissions and to the department. If you are attending a foreign university, you must submit transcripts and degree/diploma statement in the native language with a certified, literal (exact) English translation (if applicable). If you are attending a U.S. college/university, you must also submit those transcripts.

7. What exams are required?
TOEFL is required for all international students in which English is not an official language in their countries.

8. What type of housing is available for international students?

  • While on-campus housing is limited for everyone, there are many opportunities off campus.

9. What are the undergraduate and graduate majors?

  • Please check the programs at SWIU.

10. What kind of financial documents must I send?

  • You cannot be issued the I-20 until you complete and SWIU receives the Certificate of Financial Responsibility and provide financial confirmation statements from each of your sponsors. The bank statement(s) must cover the estimated total cost of your educational and living expenses.

11. How much will it cost to attend the SWIU?

  • The university requires proof of financial support for the first year of study: Graduate $40,710; Undergraduate $34,820. An additional $6,000 is required for your spouse and $2,500 for each child. These estimates are subject to change and do not include travel expenses. Make copies of the certificate of financial responsibility for your records and for use at the United States Consulate.

12. How can I check the status of my application?

  • Click the brown "Check Status" button from any admissions page, and remember to use your SWIU User ID and password.

13. When will I receive my I-20 once I have been admitted to the university?

Please contact International Student Services.