How to Apply

International applicants are considered for admission based on equivalent requirements but must also demonstrate English proficiency.

All students for whom English is not a first language are required to show English proficiency before beginning an academic program.

All international students must provide evidence of English language proficiency. Undergraduate applicants must have a score of 550 or higher (213 computer based, or a score of 79 or higher in the Internet Based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL scores must be current within the last two years.

English Proficiency may also be determined through the Cambridge Test of English Proficiency. A grade of C or better is required. Proficiency may also be based on International English Language Testing System (IETLS).

A minimum score of 6 (competent user) is required. Students from countries where English is the official language will be exempt from the USIU Africa English proficiency requirement unless their academic performance at USIU-Africa reveals the need for additional English language study.

Academic performance at USIU-Africa may reveal the necessity for further English language study by a student.

The University reserves the right to make the final determination of a student’s English proficiency level in all cases

Transfer evaluation will be based on higher education work completed where grades of C or better were earned. Applicants with less than 12 semester units completed will have their secondary school record also evaluated.

An overall minimum of a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average is recommended for applicants who have earned 16 or more quarter transferable units or 12 or more semester transferable units from another accredited or recognized institution. Records below 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) will be reviewed by the Academic Deans.

Official evaluation of undergraduate transfer credit is under the authority of the dean or designee of a school in consultation with the Admissions Office. All degree-seeking undergraduate applicants must submit official high school records (showing date of graduation) and college records.

The Academic & Student Affairs Division evaluates students’ previous academic work completed at the undergraduate level for possible credits to be applied to their degree programs at USIU Africa.

Allowable transfer credits are identified and documented by both the Admissions Office and the appropriate Dean’s Office. An official transcript must be received before final transfer work can be accepted.

Course descriptions may also be provided if requested. Degree requirements are determined by combining the transfer credits allowed and the required academic work to be successfully completed at USIU-Africa. Students can request a copy of the transfer evaluation from the Registrar’s Office

A maximum of 49% of credit earned may be accepted for transfer from accredited undergraduate institutions.

The 51% of all units toward a degree must be completed at USIU-Africa to comply with residency requirements.

USIU-Africa reserves the right to waive this requirement for USIU-Africa students participating in the International Student Exchange programs.

Once a student has matriculated at USIUAfrica, all further transfer credits must have prior approval of the Dean or designee.

NB: For the Bachelor of Pharmacy Program, the National Policy on transfer of credit, as Admission Requirements 36 United States International University-Africa | www.usiu.ac.ke HOME ACADEMICS developed by the Pharmacy & Poisons Board, shall apply.

Transfer credits may be accepted from US institutions of higher education that are accredited by one or more of the following agencies:

• Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Southern Association of Schools and Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

International students from government recognized institutions must submit original or certified transcripts, translated into English, showing courses completed, grades obtained, and length of program.

A syllabus or course description in English covering each course being considered for transfer credit should be submitted with the transcript to the Admissions Office.

Transcripts and syllabi documentation are evaluated for the minimum C grade equivalency requirement and subject matter content to determine the number of transfer credits allowable.

During the transfer credit evaluation process, academic work from other colleges and universities is compared to USIU-Africa courses within the appropriate degree program, and transfer credits are awarded on the basis of similar syllabi.

College and university courses completed elsewhere may be considered for transfer credits as electives even though the courses are not offered at USIU-Africa.

All undergraduate applicants to USIU-Africa must submit their high school results (official transcripts or official test results).

Transcripts should include records of all work taken and a date of graduation. In addition, applicants should have any college(s) previously attended send official transcripts directly to the USIU-Africa Admissions Office. Student grade reports are not accepted in lieu of a transcript.

Mailed or hand delivered sealed records that are addressed to the USIU- Africa Admissions Office should bear the official seal or certification and appropriate signature from the issuing institution.

Transcripts (records of studies) issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation together with a copy of the record(s) from which the translation was made.

Academic records from non-American system institutions are evaluated according to the guidelines published by NAFSA (National Association of Foreign Student Advisors), AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) and other recognized organizations where research data is helpful toward objectively reviewing application documents from international applicants.

Documents submitted to the University in support of a student’s application become the property of the University, and the documents cannot be returned or forwarded.

Applicants to USIU-Africa must submit official transcripts of credit from all previously attended institutions. All grades earned at other accredited institutions will be used to compute the grade point average for admission purposes.

The computed transfer credit grade point average from the other institution does not appear on the USIU-Africa permanent record.

Undergraduate students transferring to USIUAfrica from approved institutions may meet some
or all of the General Education requirements
by presenting credits earned in accredited
institutes with grades of C or better

Transfer credit is accepted from accredited institutions only if the grade received is C or better. Credit may be accepted where a D grade was received under one of two conditions:

• a next higher course in a sequence has been completed at another institution with a C grade or better (e.g., courses in mathematics, language);
• or a higher course in a sequence is completed at USIU-Africa with a C grade or better

The University is guided by the recommendations of the ACE (American Council on Education) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services regarding credit for U.S. Military Service toward the bachelor’s degree. Transfer credit will be assessed on a course-by-course basis.

To obtain credit for U.S. military service, the student must have matriculated, be enrolled at the University.

A maximum of 30 units of examination credit from all sources will be accepted by the University. A

Students who are not in continuous enrolment must apply for re-admission through the Admissions Office, unless they have obtained an approved Leave of Absence. (See section on Leave of Absence).

Students must submit an application and Ksh. 3000 or USD50 application fee.

Students who are re-admitted will be treated as new students and their transcripts will be evaluated by the dean or designee based on current curriculum and admission requirements.

Students who complete a degree, credential, or certificate program at USIU- Africa and wish to be considered for another program must submit an appropriate application to the Admissions Office and a non-refundable application-processing fee.

All such applicants are expected to meet all admission requirements for the new degree Admission Requirements 37 United States International University-Africa | www.usiu.ac.ke HOME ACADEMICS program.

Undergraduate students are required to sit for their placement tests in English, Computer Competency and Mathematics during their first semester of study. Students who fail to sit for these tests, or the remedial courses thereafter will be placed on academic hold and will subsequently be unable to register for any other courses in their programs.

Appeal Process

A graduate applicant who has been refused admission may appeal the decision, in writing, to the academic dean or designee.

The appeal, however, will not be considered unless new academic information or supporting documents are submitted.

The decision at this level is final. Special Status/Non-Degree Master’s Applicants Students who do not intend to earn a degree at USIU-Africa may apply to be Special Status NonDegree students.

A student who is classified as Special Status Non-Degree need not necessarily meet the admission requirements for a degree program, but may be requested to submit supporting documentation.

From this admission status, a student may apply for full admission to the University through the regular admission process. If the student becomes a degree seeking student, a maximum of one semester of work earned while in the Special Status Non-Degree category may be applied toward a degree program.

Special Status Non-Degree students are not eligible for financial aid. In cases where there is limited class space, degree-seeking students will have enrolment priority.

Applicants who wish to take academic courses, but not receive credit, may audit courses. Students auditing courses are not required to take exams and complete assignments. They will not receive grades or credit.

Students who wish to audit classes must:

• complete the “Audit or Special Status NonDegree” Application for Admission.
• receive an acceptance notification from the Admissions Office before attending classes,
• complete regular registration procedures, pay audit fees and any additional fees. Students who fail to maintain satisfactory attendance will receive a no credit grade.

Students who are not in continuous enrolment must apply for re-admission through the Admissions Office, unless they have obtained an approved Leave of Absence.

See section on leave of absence.

Students must submit an application and Ksh. 3,000 or USD50 application fee.