Admissions

Print this Page

Admissions Policies

Alaska Pacific University seeks to provide a clear, consistent application process through the implementation of and adherence to the policies and procedures noted herein. Deviation from these policies and procedures may only be made with the permission of the Director of Admissions or Academic Dean. Requests for exceptions to policies and procedures must be made in writing to the Office of Admissions.

Admission Categories

Full Admission
Full admission status is granted to students who have completed an application per the guidelines set for the degree of interest and, therefore, gained admission to a program by meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements noted in this catalog. Financial assistance (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) may be disbursed to students who have been fully admitted.

Provisional Admission (Undergraduate)
Provisional Admission status may be granted to any applicant who has demonstrated admissibility, but lacks only one final official document needed to complete the application process (i.e. final transcript, test scores, or letter of recommendation). Students granted provisional admission may register for and attend classes, but financial assistance may not be disbursed until full admission is granted. Applicants who receive provisional admission must complete the application process by the first census date during the term for which they have applied. Those applicants who have registered for classes and who do not complete the application process prior to the first census date during the term for which they applied will be prevented from further registration until full admission is granted. Applicants who do not register or complete the application process will have their application withdrawn after the final census date during the term for which they have applied.

Provisional Admission (Graduate)
Provisional admission status is assigned to graduate students who have been admitted but still need to complete program prerequisites or remedial work while enrolled at the University. This status, and the limits and requirements thereof, is granted at the discretion of the program director. Students granted provisional admission must meet the specific requirements outlined in the provisional admission statement in order to gain full admission. Failure to meet these requirements may result in a final decision of admission denial. Provisional admission does not qualify for federal financial aid.

Wait-Listed
Wait Listed status is assigned to those applicants who meet academic standards of the University, but due to circumstances such as capacity and timeliness of application submission, need to be placed on a wait list for possible consideration at a later date. Such an assignment will be determined as soon as possible and the applicant will be notified in writing of any changes to status.

Denial of Admission
Applicants may be denied admission if application materials submitted do not meet the minimum standards as outlined in this catalog. Students who are denied admission may submit an official appeal to the Director of Admissions. Upon review of the appeal, a decision may be made by the Director in consultation with the Academic Dean and/or Enrollment Advisory Committee. The applicant will be notified of the decision in writing as soon as possible.

Deferred Admissions
Fully-admitted, degree-seeking students may defer their start date for a period of up to one year. This request must be made in writing and submitted to the Office of Admissions prior to the beginning of the term for which the student has been admitted. The one-year period begins with the start date indicated on the original application form. Applicants who do not submit a request for deferral in writing, and prior to the withdrawal of their application, who then wish to enroll at a later date must re-apply for admission.

General Undergraduate Admissions

Alaska Pacific University strives to maintain small class sizes while at the same time ensuring student success through a careful review of application materials and credentials. Some programs recommend that applicants have a strong background in math, the sciences, and/or writing and consideration thereof may factor into an admission decision. For specific program requirements, please see the section of this catalog pertaining to your degree of interest.

Applications for admission may be submitted at any time prior to the published deadline for any future term. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be assessed a $25 non-refundable fee before processing. No applications will be accepted after the late deadline.

Admission Application Deadlines

To meet the deadlines below, an online or paper application must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than the close of business on the date specified. Additional materials, such as transcripts and test scores, may be submitted anytime thereafter, though an application may not be considered complete until all required materials have been received. Applicants who are currently engaged in high school or postsecondary coursework at another institution may submit official “in-progress” transcripts to be considered for provisional admission. A final transcript showing grades for all courses will still be required before full admission may be granted.

Students who have enrolled for courses, but who have yet to complete their application prior to the census date of the semester for which they have enrolled will be subject to registration and financial aid holds. APU will not withdraw an application for a student who displays active course registration at the census date. See the master calendar for census dates.

Fall Semester
Priority Deadline: May 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed May 2)
Late Deadline: August 1

Spring Semester
Priority Deadline: November 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed Nov. 2)
Late Deadline: December 1

Summer Semester
Late Deadline: May 1 (no late fees assessed for Summer applications)

Admission Requirements & Standards for First Year Students

New students with no previous college experience or transfer students who have earned fewer than 30 transferrable credits are considered first year students.

Documents

1. Undergraduate application for admission
2. Official final high school transcript (must show date of graduation) or official GED score report
   1. Transcripts/score reports are considered official when received in an envelope that was sealed by the credit-awarding institution and arrive at APU unopened. Electronic transcripts are also accepted when sent directly to APU from the credit-awarding institution via a secured electronic transcript service. All official electronic documents must be sent to admissions@alaskapacific.edu.
3. Postsecondary transcripts from all institutions attended
   1. This requirement only applies to freshman transfers and/or students who earned college credit at another institution while in high school.
4. Official Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) score report(s)
   1. This requirement may be waived for applicants with an unweighted GPA of 3.85 or better (4.0 scale)

Standards

1. A cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher based on a 4.0 unweighted scale – and –
2. SAT composite (reading, writing, and math) score of 1020 – or –
3. ACT composite score of 22

Applicants who do not meet the published admissions standards may request an Admissions Appeal Form from the Office of Admissions following or in anticipation of a denial of admission. Appeals will be considered first by the Director of Admissions and may be forwarded to an academic department or committee for review. The applicant will be notified in writing once a decision has been made regarding their appeal.

Admission Requirements & Standards for Transfer Students

Students who have earned more than 30 transferrable credits are considered transfer students. Transferability of credits is determined by the Office of the Registrar during an official transfer credit evaluation. Transfer credit evaluations occur following the completion of the application process.

Documents

1. Undergraduate application for admission
2. Final transcripts from all institutions attended
   1. Transcripts are considered official when received in an envelope that was sealed by the credit-awarding institution and arrive at APU unopened. Electronic transcripts are also accepted when sent directly to APU from the credit-awarding institution via a secured electronic transcript service. All official electronic documents must be sent to admissions@alaskapacific.edu.

Standards

1. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale

Applicants who do not meet the published admissions standards may request an Admissions Appeal Form from the Office of Admissions. Appeals will be considered first by the Director of Admissions and may be forwarded to an academic department or committee for review. The applicant will be notified in writing once a decision has been made regarding their appeal.

Transfer credits will be assessed by the Office of the Registrar following completion of the application process. The completed evaluation will be emailed to the student and the assigned academic advisor.

Undergraduate Professional Studies Admissions

APU’s Professional Studies programs feature competency-based curriculum designed to meet the needs of working professionals seeking to earn or complete a degree. These programs include the following degrees: Business Administration (AA), Business Administration and Management (BA), Human Services (AA/BA), Accelerated Business Administration and Management/MBA

Admission Application Deadlines

To meet the deadlines below, an online or paper application must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than the close of business on the date specified. Additional materials, such as transcripts, may be submitted anytime thereafter, though an application may not be considered complete until all required materials have been received. Applicants who are currently engaged in high school or postsecondary coursework at another institution may submit official “in-progress” transcripts to be considered for early admission. A final transcript showing grades for all courses will be required before full admission may be granted. APU will not withdraw an application for a student who displays active course registration at the census date. See the master calendar for census dates.

Fall Semester Module I
Priority Deadline: May 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed May 2)
Late Deadline: August 1

Fall Semester Module II
Priority Deadline: September 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed Sept. 2)
Late Deadline: October 1

Spring Semester Module I
Priority Deadline: November 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed Nov. 2)
Late Deadline: December 1

Spring Semester Module II
Priority Deadline: February 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed Feb. 2)
Late Deadline: March 1

Summer Semester
Late Deadline: May 1 (no late fees assessed for Summer applications)

Admission Requirements & Standards

Documents

1. Professional Studies application for admission
2. Statement of Goals
   1. A 1-2 page essay that outlines your academic and professional goals. Include your thoughts on how the degree will help you accomplish your goals and the impact it may have on your family, community, or self.
3. Official final transcripts from all institutions attended.
   1. For students with less than 30 transferrable credits, an official high school transcript is required. Transcript must show date of graduation.
   2. Transcripts are considered official when received in an envelope that was sealed by the credit-awarding institution and arrive at APU unopened. Electronic transcripts are also accepted when sent directly to APU from the credit-awarding institution via a secured electronic transcript service. All official electronic documents must be sent to admissions@alaskapacific.edu.
4. Current resume or curricula vitae

Standards

1. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better
   1. For Accelerated Business Administration and Management/MBA, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission.
   2. Applicants for the Accelerated Business Administration and Management/MBA program must have earned 72 semester credit hours before applying for admission.

Transfer credits will be assessed by the Office of the Registrar following completion of the application process. The completed evaluation will be emailed to the student and the assigned academic advisor.

Early Honors Program Admissions

The Early Honors Program (EHP) at APU is a full-time, dual-credit program for high school seniors seeking to get a head start on college. EHP students engage in actual college-level coursework, have the option to live on campus, and if successful, will graduate high school as college sophomores. Applicants admitted to the EHP may also be granted automatic full admission to the undergraduate program of their choice* upon the successful completion of the EHP.

*Requires that student meet regular admission requirements following the completion of the EHP and the submission of any necessary supplemental materials (i.e. statement of goals, test scores). An Admissions Counselor will help the student navigate the continuing enrollment process.

Admission Application Deadlines

To meet the deadlines below, an online or paper application must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than the close of business on the date specified. Additional materials, such as transcripts and test scores, may be submitted anytime thereafter, though an application may not be considered complete until all required materials have been received. APU will not withdraw an application for a student who displays active course registration at the census date. See the master calendar for census dates.

Fall Semester
Priority Deadline: May 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed May 2)
Late Deadline: June 1

Spring Semester
Priority Deadline: November 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed Nov. 2)
Late Deadline: December 1

Summer Semester
No applications are accepted for summer admission for the EHP.

Admissions Requirements & Standards

Documents

1. Early Honors Program application for admission
2. A personal essay or writing sample (see application)
3. Official “in-progress” high school transcript
   1. Transcripts are considered official when received in an envelope that was sealed by the credit-awarding institution and arrive at APU unopened. Electronic transcripts are also accepted when sent directly to APU from the credit-awarding institution via a secured electronic transcript service. All official electronic documents must be sent to admissions@alaskapacific.edu.

Standards

1. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
2. Applicants must be eligible for placement into Intermediate Algebra or beyond. 

Applicants who meet these standards may then be invited for an admissions interview. After successful completion of the interview phase, an admission decision will be issued in writing. 

International Admissions

For admission purposes, an applicant will be considered and processed as an international student if they intend to enter the US, or transfer from another institution therein, on an F-1 visa for the sole purpose of academic study at Alaska Pacific University. 

Admission Application Deadlines

To meet the deadlines below, an online or paper application must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than the close of business on the date specified. Additional materials, such as transcripts and test scores, may be submitted anytime thereafter, though an application may not be considered complete until all required materials have been received. APU cannot offer provisional or early admission to international students.  

Fall Semester
Priority Deadline: May 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed beginning May 2)
Late Deadline: June 1

Spring Semester
Priority Deadline: October 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed beginning October 2)
Late Deadline: November 1

Summer Semester
No applications are accepted for summer admission for international students.

Admission Requirements & Standards

Documents

1. Undergraduate or Graduate application for admission as appropriate for degree preference and eligibility
2. Supplemental Application for International Students
   1. This form requires submission of financial supporting documents and information pertaining to immigration status as required by the US Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Completion of this form requires signature confirmation through a public notary or other government official in the applicant’s home country prior to arriving in the US. This form will be sent to the email address provided on the original application.
3. Original/Official transcripts from all institutions attended within or without the US
   1. Documents must be received at APU in sealed envelopes directly from the issuing institution or the official government entity responsible for the administration of such records (i.e. Department of Education, Ministry of Education, etc.)
4. Foreign Credentials Evaluation and Translation
   1. All transcripts obtained from institutions outside the US must be evaluated by a third-party agency and an official evaluation report must be sent to APU directly from said agency. Alaska Pacific University highly recommends World Education Services (www.wes.org). Applicants who enlist WES for this service may have the requirement for original/official transcripts waived.
   2. If the original/official transcripts are not available in English from the government or issuing institution, an official, notarized translation is required. This service may be obtained from third-party evaluation agencies such as WES for an additional fee. APU will not translate foreign-language documents.
5. Test Scores
   1. All applicants must submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) that meet the following minimum requirements: 550 on the paper-based exam; 213 on the computer-based exam; 79 on the Internet-based exam. APU’s reporting code is 4201. No exceptions can be made for applicants who do not meet the minimum score requirement.
   2. Citizens of countries wherein English is an official language may be exempt from this requirement at the discretion of the Director of Admissions.
6. Additional documents as required by degree program (graduate/professional studies only). Contact an Admissions Counselor for details. 

Graduate Admissions

While applications are managed and processed by the Office of Admissions, final admission decisions for each graduate program at APU are made at the discretion of each graduate program director. For this purpose, the Office of Admissions will collect all necessary materials before forwarding an applicant file to the department for review. Once a decision is made, the applicant will be notified in writing by the Office of Admissions. 

Admissions Application Deadlines

All materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by the published deadline in order for an applicant to be considered for admission. Any exceptions to this policy must be granted by the academic department.  

Fall Semester
Priority Deadline: May 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed beginning May 2)
Late Deadline: August 1

MS in Counseling Psychology Only: February 15 (no late applications accepted)

Spring Semester
Priority Deadline: November 1 ($25 non-refundable fee assessed beginning Nov. 2)
Late Deadline: December 1

Summer Semester
Late Deadline: May 1 (no late fees assessed for Summer applications)

Doctorate in Psychology Only: October 15 (no late applications accepted) 

Admission Requirements & Standards

Documents

1. Graduate application for admission
2. Official final transcript from institution that awarded undergraduate and/or graduate degree(s)
   1. Transcripts are considered official when received in an envelope that was sealed by the credit-awarding institution and arrive at APU unopened. Electronic transcripts are also accepted when sent directly to APU from the credit-awarding institution via a secured electronic transcript service. All official electronic documents must be sent to admissions@alaskapacific.edu.
3. Official final transcript from all institutions where applicant has registered for or completed graduate-level coursework
   1. Transcripts are considered official when received in an envelope that was sealed by the credit-awarding institution and arrive at APU unopened. Electronic transcripts are also accepted when sent directly to APU from the credit-awarding institution via a secured electronic transcript service. All official electronic documents must be sent to admissions@alaskapacific.edu.
4. Supplemental documents as required by specific program of interest
   1. See “Admissions” section under each individual program in this catalog for further details. 

Standards

1. A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
2. Test scores as required by program of interest
   1. See “Admissions” section under each individual program in this catalog for further details. 

Applicants who do not meet the standard admissions requirements for any given degree program, and who are subsequently denied admission, may complete an Admissions Appeal Form. This form may be obtained from the Office of Admissions. Completed appeals forms must be sent to the Office of Admissions who will then forward to the appropriate academic department for review. Once a decision has been made, the applicant will be notified in writing.  

Non-Degree Seeking Admissions

Those wishing to attend a course at APU, but do not wish to pursue a degree, may do so by completing an application for Non-Degree Seeking admission. Students that attend as non-degree seeking are not eligible for scholarships or federal aid and will be charged by the credit at the Professional Studies tuition rate (plus all applicable lab fees) for undergraduate-level courses and at the Graduate Studies rate for graduate-level courses. Non-degree seeking students are limited to a lifetime maximum of 16 undergraduate credits or nine graduate credits. Registration beyond this limit will require admission to a degree program or an exception to policy. Students wishing to gain an exception to this policy may contact the Director of Admissions. Non-Degree Seeking students are not eligible for financial aid. 

Admission Application Deadlines

Applications for non-degree seeking admission may be submitted at any time. Students may register for courses only after the admission process has been completed.  

Admission Requirements

Documents

1. Non-degree seeking application for admission
   1. Available for both undergraduate and graduate courses.
2. $25 non-refundable application fee
3. Secondary Student Concurrent Enrollment Form
   1. Only required for NDS applicants who are or will be concurrently enrolled in high school at the time classes begin at APU. This form must be submitted each academic year during which the secondary student wishes to be concurrently enrolled at APU. 

Non-degree seeking students must maintain continual enrollment from semester-to-semester. After one semester without enrollment activity, admission will be withdrawn and the student will need to re-apply to regain access to registration. Applicants must meet pre-requisite requirements prior to course registration for courses that have listed pre-requisites. Satisfaction of pre-requisites may be made at the discretion of the faculty instructor, responsible academic department, and/or the Academic Dean.