Admissions Catalog Provision:
During the admissions process, prospective students are provided with an electronic copy of the Academic Catalog via email. This Catalog contains descriptions of each academic program, curriculum format, dissertation, practicum, internship information, as well as general information about the University and relevant policies.
Admissions Application:
To ensure that space is available at the time of preferred entry into a degree program, it is recommended that applications be submitted at least 12 weeks before the start of their desired term. Programs may set additional limitations on when students may enter. NOTE: Prospective students may submit an initial application before all materials are formally collected and completed.
Application Fee:
A nonrefundable fee of $50 (U.S. dollars) is required with an application. Applicants may pay by check, money order, credit card, or via the online application portal.
Retention of Application Materials:
Application materials from accepted applicants who do not matriculate into a program will be retained in the Office of Admissions.
Conditional Acceptance:
Some applicants are accepted conditionally into a program, pending completion of prerequisite courses or receipt of the remaining required application materials. If prerequisite courses are needed, the applicant is required to submit an Action Plan provided by the Program Chair detailing how these requirements will be completed. This plan should accompany the applicant’s acceptance letter and must be returned to the Office of Admissions along with the Acceptance Form and deposit. Failure to adhere to the timetable of the Action Plan will result in academic probation, suspension, and ultimately administrative withdrawal from the program.
Appeal Process: Students may be requested by the Admissions team to undergo an appeal of their application in order to boost their candidacy. This process can involve submitting extra documentation (e.g., resume/Curriculum Vitae, statement of purpose, letter of recommendation, course-by-course review, etc.). Materials will be reviewed by a counselor and the Program Chair. Approval must be formally granted, in writing by the Chair, for students to continue through the admissions process. Please note that appeal approval is granted on a case-by-case basis.
Deferral of Entry:
Applicants who have been accepted into a program but wish to delay their enrollment must submit their acceptance form and deposit with written request to defer admission for up to one academic year. Students who wish to resume the application process one year or more after their initial submission must reapply to Sofia University. Applicable fees and terms must be honored at the time of reapplication.
Readmission Policy:
Withdrawn students are required to adhere to the following readmission policy regardless of when they withdrew from the University and regardless of the number of courses they have to complete and earn their degree.
- Applications for readmission are considered on the basis of the same criteria as those for new applicants in effect at the time of submission.
- Doctoral students who achieved candidacy but withdrew in good standing should contact the Program Chair to determine whether they need to complete additional coursework due to a change in the curriculum.
- Students who were asked to leave the University because of difficulties with satisfactory academic progress may be required to submit additional documentation demonstrating how they have resolved the issues that led to poor academic performance.
- Students who were withdrawn due to non-payment of tuition must resolve outstanding balances before a readmission decision will be made.
- Applications from permanently dismissed students will not be considered.
- Students who re-enter a program are subject to the graduation requirements in place at the time of re-entry.
Students who have withdrawn from one program and who wish to enroll in a different program should contact the Office of Admissions about their readmission. The following application materials are required for students seeking readmission:
- Completed application form and application fee
- Additional items requested by the Office of Admissions
- Applications for readmission will be considered under the same criteria as new applicants in effect at the time
Once all materials have been submitted to the Office of Admissions, the applicant’s file will be reviewed. Upon acceptance, the applicant is required to submit a nonrefundable acceptance deposit. Additionally, the student will be required to sign a new Enrollment Agreement with applicable terms and fees included.
Note: Students who re-enter the University will be subject to the graduation requirements for the program in place at the time of re-entry. Tuition is charged at the then-current published rate. Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Office of Admissions.
Admission Rejection Policy:
In the event that students do not meet the criteria for a given academic program of interest, or fail to meet admissions requirements, the Sofia University Admissions Office has the right to reject a student for admission.
State Authorization/Residence Policy:
Sofia University is authorized to deliver online education to students in select U.S. territories. The U.S. Department of Education requires that any institution offering online programs to students who reside outside of its home state must acquire authorization from the states in which students reside. Regulations vary from state to state and, as such, federal, state, and institutional policies may limit Sofia University’s authorization to deliver online education to students in certain states. Students must note that changing their location from a state where Sofia meets State requirements to a state where Sofia does not meet State requirements may have consequences including the inability to enroll or loss of eligibility for Title IV federal financial aid funds. Students must contact their counselor to discuss any change in location prior to relocation. Should a student relocate to a state in which Sofia University is not authorized to provide distance education, continued enrollment cannot be guaranteed. To view the current list of approved states for distance education, please consult the official Sofia University website.
English Proficiency Requirements:
Students must use the following criteria to determine their exemption status for taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Test of Written English (TWE), and the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) requirements.
If you meet at least one of the following requirements, you are exempt from TOEFL/TWE/OPI:
- Your native language is English.
- You have completed all secondary or postsecondary education in the United States, Canada, or other another English-speaking country.
- Attended a U.S. educational institution for 1 year or more and earned a degree or certificate with a 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) or higher.
- Attended an institution in a country where the native language is English for 1 year or more and earned a degree with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
- Attended an institution for a year or more and earned a degree with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher where the official language of the institution was English for ALL coursework.
*To prove that ALL courses were taught in English, students may provide one of the following:
- Verbiage in the official transcript verifying the program was taught in English.
- Verbiage in the transcript evaluation verifying the program was taught in English.
- Published information about the program on the school website – students need to provide it.
- Verification by the Registrar’s Office – an email must be directly sent by the school to Sofia Admissions.
*English scores cannot be older than two years at the time they are submitted to Sofia University
Courses taught in Chinese are exempt from the English proficiency requirements.
The following countries are exempt from TOEFL/TWE/OPI:
|
Antigua and Barbuda |
Cayman Islands |
Liberia |
Acceptable English Scores for Bachelor’s Degree Programs
|
Test |
Minimum score required for full admission |
How to submit your English score |
|---|---|---|
|
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based Test (IBT) |
61 |
Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code:9770 |
|
TOEFL Computer Based Test (CBT) |
173 |
Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code:9770 |
|
TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT) |
500 |
Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code:9770 |
|
6.0 |
Official English score sent by Test Center |
|
|
50 |
Official English score sent by Test Center |
|
|
3.5 |
Official English score sent by Test Center |
|
|
169 |
Official English score sent by Test Center |
|
|
105 |
Official English score sent by Test Center |
Acceptable English Scores for Master’s and Doctoral Degree Programs
|
Test |
Minimum score required for full admission |
How to submit your English score |
|---|---|---|
|
Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based Test (IBT) |
79 |
Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code: 9770 |
|
TOEFL Computer Based Test (CBT) |
212 |
Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code: 9770 |
|
TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT) |
548 |
Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code: 9770 |
|
6.5 |
Official English score sent by Test Center |
|
|
50 |
Official English score sent by Test Center |
|
|
4.0 |
Official English score sent by Test Center |
|
|
176 |
Official English score sent by Test Center |
|
|
110 |
Official English score sent by Test Center |