/Institutions/Woodbury-University/json/2024-2025/Catalog-2024-2025-local.json

/Institutions/Woodbury-University/json/2024-2025/Catalog-2024-2025.json

Admissions

Sabrina Taylor-Encarnacion

Associate Vice President, Admissions

Elizabeth De La Cruz

Director of Admissions

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION POLICY

Woodbury University welcomes and encourages candidates for admission who are focused on studying in an environment emphasizing professional careers. The admissions committee carefully considers each applicant as a unique individual with special talents, strengths, and areas of challenge. Primary emphasis is placed on the applicant’s prior academic record. Writing samples, evidence of artistic and creative talents, standardized test scores, recommendations, a record of extracurricular activities, work experience, and personal interviews may also be considered in admission decisions.

Upon enrollment, Woodbury requires each student to have graduated from a regionally accredited secondary school. In the case of states that do not require regional accreditation for public schools, state accreditation is sufficient. High school equivalency certificates or GEDs may be considered on individual bases. When reviewing high school transcripts for admissions purposes, total GPA (unweighted, grades 9–12) is considered.

Applications for admission are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants with or without prior college experience may apply online for admission to fall or spring semesters by visiting woodbury.edu. After the priority application deadline, enrollment terms are not guaranteed.

PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINES

Spring semester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 1

Fall semester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .March 1

HOMESCHOOL APPLICANTS

Graduation from an accredited secondary school or an approved equivalent is required to enroll in any undergraduate program. For students attending homeschool programs that do not result in a state or regionally-recognized or equivalent high school diploma, equivalence may be established by completing the General Education Development (GED) examination or a comparable regional test such as the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) or HiSET. Students who are not able to take the GED, CHSPE, or HiSET may submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who have attended another high school or college, in addition to being homeschooled, must submit official transcripts from these schools. Homeschool students may send official interim homeschool transcripts during the admissions process but must arrange for final transcripts to be sent upon graduation.

REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFER ADMISSION

Students who are currently attending or who have previously attended a college or university are considered transfer applicants. A minimum of 24 semester units or 40 transferable quarter units are required to be considered a transfer student. Transferable units are college-level work that could transfer into a student’s program. These courses are identifiable as those courses that meet our transfer requirements (college-level, and with a “C” or better).

• Military courses: these are usually transferable and may be degree-applicable
• Credits from non-accredited institutions: These could be transferable and could be degree-applicable
• Foreign language Institute credits (military): These could be transferable and could be degree-applicable
• JST transcripts: These could be transferable and could be degree-applicable (these are likely the same as Military Courses)

Note: remedial courses are neither transferable nor degree-applicable.

Before enrollment, candidates must submit all required final documents. Applicants are expected to be in good academic standing at all previous institutions attended. Students must submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended. 

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

Transfer students applying for Architecture or Interior Design must submit portfolios. Advanced studio placement is not guaranteed. Your portfolio should demonstrate the level of placement you hope to achieve, including renderings using drafting software with which you are familiar.

SCHOOL OF MEDIA : CULTURE : DESIGN

All incoming freshman and transfers are asked to submit a portfolio and written statement if applying for any of the following programs: Animation + VFX, Filmmaking, Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, and Fashion Design. Students who are applying to Animation + VFX are required to submit additional portfolio work.

Detailed instructions can be found on Slideroom. Portfolios should be submitted online at https://woodburyuniversity.slideroom.com.

TRANSFER CREDIT INFORMATION

Woodbury University awards transfer credit earned at regionally accredited colleges and universities on a course-by-course basis. Courses are considered for transfer when a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher has been earned. Transfer credit is accepted only when the

course is applicable toward major, minor, general education, and/or elective requirements for the Woodbury University degree. Credit is not granted for coursework completed at an institution that does not have regional accreditation or specialized accreditation. An official notice of transfer credit will be issued by the Registrar’s Office. The VA will be notified of all transfer credit awarded to students receiving veterans’ benefits.

TRANSFER CREDIT FOR VOCATIONAL COURSES AND FROM INSTITUTIONS WITH SPECIALIZED ACCREDITATION

A maximum of 13 semester units of vocational courses from a regionally accredited institution(s) may be accepted for transfer and applied toward a Woodbury degree. General education requirements cannot be satisfied by the completion of vocational courses.

Woodbury will consider selected courses for transfer credit from institutions that hold specialized accreditation. Transfer credit will also be considered from institutions or organizations that have received recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE), the Commission on Recognition of Post-Secondary Accreditation (CORPA), the National Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS), or any combination of these organizations. To be considered for transfer credit, a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) or the equivalent must be earned. All transfer credit is subject to review and the discretion of Woodbury University.

Final decisions on the awarding of transfer credit are made by the Registrar’s Office.

GENERAL EDUCATION TRANSFER POLICY FOR STUDENTS WITH ASSOCIATE OF ARTS, ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE, OR BACHELOR’S DEGREE

Transfer students with an earned Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree in an academic major from a regionally accredited college in the United States or a degree from an international academic institution with English as the language of instruction that is equivalent to a U.S. degree may be considered to meet most of Woodbury University’s lower-division general education requirements.

Students with bachelor’s degrees from regionally accredited colleges or universities in the United States or from international academic institutions with English as the language of instruction equivalent to U.S. bachelor’s degrees may be considered to have fulfilled general education core requirements except academic writing. Specific requirements for general education support courses, major courses, and elective courses are only fulfilled by transfer equivalent courses when a grade of “C” (2.0) or better is earned.

Degrees/credits earned more than eight years before admission or readmission will be accepted to meet general education and University graduation requirements, as well as major requirements, at the discretion of the University.

TRANSFER EVALUATION SYSTEM

The Transfer Evaluation System (TES) is a tool applicants can use to see how course-work from other colleges and universities typically transfers to Woodbury University.

The list of courses in TES is not comprehensive; TES is continually updated with more courses and institutions. The information in TES is provided only as a guide. An official course-by-course evaluation of each student’s transfer credit will be completed after admission to Woodbury.

To access TES and transfer guides:

1. Visit https://woodbury.edu/transfer
2. Scroll down to the TES link or articulation by major section

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

Woodbury offers credit via examinations administered and sponsored by these recognized agencies within American higher education:

• Advanced Placement Examinations by the College Board (see subsequent section)
• International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examinations (scores of 5 or higher; see subsequent section)
• Courses evaluated and listed by the American Council on Education
• Excelsior College Exams or Regents College Exams (formerly called ACT-PEP); credit is awarded based on the recommendations of the American Council on Education
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP); 40th percentile for general area examinations is required, excluding the English Composition examination; “C” level or better is required on the subject area examinations.
• D.A.N.T.E.S.; “C” level or better is required on the subject examinations.

Scores must be sent directly by the agency to Woodbury University in order to be evaluated for credit.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATIONS

If a student took AP exams, their scores are required.

If a student does not want to submit their scores, they may opt to close their record with College Board and forego possibly receiving credit. Speak to an admissions counselor for more information.

Woodbury University accepts scores of 3, 4, and 5 on Advanced Placement (AP) examinations administered by the College Board and awards credit applicable to major, gen-eral education, and/or elective requirements within undergraduate degree programs. Credit is applied as follows:

 

AP Examination	Applicable to	Units
Art History	Two Art History courses	6
Art, Studio: Drawing	Two unrestricted electives	6
Art, Studio: General	Two unrestricted electives	6
Biology	Two Natural Science courses	6
Chemistry	Two Natural Science courses	6
Chinese, Language & Culture	Two lower division general education electives	6
Computer Science, A	Credit varies by major	3
Computer Science, AB	Credit varies by major	6
English, Language & Composition	WRIT 113, First-Year Academic Writing	3
English, Literature & Composition	WRIT 113, First-Year Academic Writing	3
Environmental Science	ENVT 220, Environmental Studies	3
French, Language	Two lower division general education electives	6
German, Language	Two lower division general education electives	6
Government & Politics, U.S.	One Social Science course	3
Government & Politics, Comparative	One Social Science course	3
History, U.S.	Two Social Science courses	6
History, European	Two Social Science courses	6
Human Geography	One Social Science course	3
Italian, Language & Culture	Two lower division general education electives	6
Japanese, Language & Culture	Two lower division general education electives	6
Latin, Virgil	One Humanities course	3
Macroeconomics	ECON 203, Macroeconomics	3
Mathematics, Calculus AB	Two Mathematics courses	6
Mathematics, Calculus BC	Two Mathematics courses	6
Microeconomics	ECON 204, Microeconomics	3
Music Theory	One lower division general education elective	3
Physics B	PHYS 243, Physics for Architects	3
Physics C, Mechanics	One Natural Science course	3
Physics C, Electricity & Magnetism	One lower division general education elective	3
Psychology	PSYC 200, Introduction to Psychology	3
Spanish, Language	Two lower division general education electives	6
Spanish, Literature	Two Humanities courses	6
Statistics	MATH 226, Business Statistics	3

 

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATIONS

Woodbury University accepts scores of 5 or higher on International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. Credit is applied as follows:

 

Examination	Woodbury Course Equivalents	Credits
IB Biology	One Natural Science course with lab	3
IB Business Management (formerly Business and Management)	MGMT 100: Fundamentals of Business Enterprise	3
IB Chemistry	One Natural Science course with lab	3
IB Classical Greek	One Humanities course	3
IB Computer Science	Credit varies by major	3
IB Economics	ECON 203: Macroeconomics	3
IB English A: Language and Literature	WRIT 113: First-Year Academic Writing	3
IB Film	One Art History course	3
IB Geography	One Social Science course	3
IB Global Politics	One Social Science course	3
IB History (any region)	One Humanities course	3
IB Language A: Language and Literature (any language, except English) HL	One Humanities course	3
IB Language A: Literature (any language) HL	One Humanities course	3
IB Language B (any language) HL	One Humanities course	3
IB Latin	One Humanities course	3
IB Mathematics	MATH 249, College Algebra and MATH 251, Trigonometry	3
IB Mathematics, Further	One Mathematics course	3
IB Music	One Art History course	3
IB Philosophy	PHIL 201: Introduction to Philosophy	3
IB Physics	PHYS 243: Physics for Architects	3
IB Psychology	PSYC 200: Introduction to Psychology	3
IB Social and Cultural Anthropology	ANTH 220: Cultural Anthropology	3
IB Theatre Arts	One Art History course	3

 

PLACEMENT EXAMINATIONS

Information about placement exams can be found under the Woodbury Academic Journey in the section entitled “Academic Proficiencies and Placement.”

TRANSFER CREDIT FROM FOREIGN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

In order to determine transfer credit from foreign colleges and universities, official transcripts and an English translation, if needed, must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Recommendations by credentials evaluation services will be regarded as advisory only. Official evaluations are accepted from NACES-approved organizations. The Registrar’s Office of Woodbury University will make all final decisions on the awarding of credit.

ADMISSION OF PERMANENT RESIDENTS

The admission policies and requirements for persons who are permanent residents of the United States are the same as those for U.S. citizens.

ADMISSION OF NON-MATRICULATED STUDENTS

Students who wish to enroll in a course or courses without seeking a Woodbury University degree are considered non-matriculated applicants. A non-matriculated applicant is required to show proof that pre-requisite coursework and other academic requirements have been fulfilled.

ADMISSION TO BRIDGE PROGRAM

Applicants with unweighted cumulative GPAs between 2.25 and 2.49 will be considered for admission into our Bridge Program. This GPA range indicates that students can benefit from additional academic support and, in order for admission to be complete, students must meet the following requirements:

• Students who fall under the Bridge Program category (both freshman and transfer) must provide at least one letter of recommendation and one personal essay
• Fall semester enrollment
• Summer Bridge course enrollment
• Meeting with either the Associate VP of Academic Affairs (AVPAA) or a Woodbury University Financial Advisor Assignment of an Academic Peer Mentor
• Tutoring with the Writing Center
• Meeting with a Library Liaison once during the first semester
• Enrollment in either the PASS 100 (First Year Seminar) or PASS 200 (Transfer Seminar) course

Additional details can be found here: https://woodbury.edu/bridge-program/

A sufficient cohort must be attained for the Bridge Program to operate.

Applicants with unweighted cumulative GPAs between 2.5 and 2.74 will be considered for admission into our Transition Track. This GPA range indicates that students can benefit from additional academic support and, in order for admission to be complete, students must meet the following requirements:

• Fall/spring semester enrollment
• Meeting with either the Associate VP of Academic Affairs (AVPAA) or a Woodbury University Financial Advisor
• Assignment of an Academic Peer Mentor
• Tutoring with the Writing Center
• Meeting with a Library Liaison once during the first semester
• Enrollment in either the PASS 100 (First Year Seminar) or PASS 200 (Transfer Seminar) course

Additional details can be found here: https://woodbury.edu/transition-track/

CONDITIONAL ADMIT POLICY

Domestic Applicants

Conditional Admit statuses and letters can be issued for domestic freshman applicants with:

• Unofficial high school transcripts
• Unofficial GED or CHSPE scores
• Unofficial or pending college transcripts

Conditional Admit statuses and letters can be issued for domestic transfer applicants with:

• Unofficial college transcripts
• Unofficial or pending high school transcripts
• Unofficial or pending GED or CHSPE scores

International applicants

Conditional Admit statuses and letters can be issued for international applicants who are academically qualified but have not met the required English language proficiency requirement at the time of application. Those eligible:

• Will receive a conditional admission letter to Woodbury University after a full application review.
• Are required to attend and successfully pass an approved English Language Program (ELP).

The student is responsible for additional supporting documentation and fees required by the approved ELP. At any point in the ELP, if the student feels that they have reached a sufficient grasp of the English language and wishes to be fully admitted, they may opt to demonstrate proficiency via an English proficiency exam from our approved list. The I-20 for conditionally admitted students will be issued by the ELP.

DEFERMENT OF APPLICATION

Students may defer their applications for admission for up to one year from the original term for which they applied. Students must submit requests for deferment in writing, along with notification requesting admission for the new semester in which the student is interested and the reason for the deferment. During the deferment period, the Office of Admissions will retain all documents and fees submitted to date. If the applicant has not enrolled at Woodbury University within one year after submitting an original application, then all documentation and fees for that applicant will become invalid. The applicant will be required to submit new documentation and fees in order to be considered for future terms.

If admission requirements change during a deferral period, deferred applications will be re-evaluated for admission.

If additional coursework is completed during deferment period, the file will be reviewed for any changes in GPA or transfer credit. If GPA changes, file will be re-evaluated for scholarship awarding.

Academic Fresh Start Policy

What is Academic Fresh Start?

Your old grades don't have to count against you. If you apply for admission to Woodbury University as an undergraduate, you may be able to begin a new course of study with a clear academic record.

If you have credits for college courses taken 10 or more years prior to the planned enrollment date, those credits and grades can be waived under the "Academic Fresh Start" policy if you invoke it at the time of application. Note that we will still require the transcript to complete your file.

Please remember, this is an all-or-nothing option. You cannot pick and choose which courses to ignore and which courses to count. If you choose the "Academic Fresh Start" option, you will not receive any credit for any courses you took over 10 years ago. This means that courses taken previously:

• Cannot be used to fulfill new pre-requisite requirements
• Cannot be counted toward your new degree
• Will not be counted in any future GPA calculations or merit scholarship consideration

How does this affect your financial aid?

Academic Fresh Start clears only your academic record, not the number of semesters you have been in higher education. The maximum number of semesters for receiving federal Pell Grants is 12, which must include all of the time you have spent taking dual credit courses and community college courses, including those from over 10 years ago.