Application Process

Notes about the Application Process

• • • UoPeople is licensed, authorized, exempted or approved in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia.
    • UoPeople accepts for admissions consideration official college and university credentials that show graded coursework taken in pursuit of and/or the award of an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s and/or Doctoral degree.
    • Any document sent by an applicant and/or student in support of their application may be reviewed by relevant institutions, including the institution issuing the documentation and/or by approved UoPeople credential evaluation services. Applicants and/or students will be responsible for any additional fees required for third-party evaluation.

Individuals who wish to apply for admission follow this 2-step application process:

UoPeople Foundations Application Process – Step 1

Applicants must:

• • • Complete the online application that requests information about the individual and his/ her educational history
    • Pay the $60 non-refundable application fee
    • Show evidence of English Language proficiency depending on language of instruction (see below).

Applicants meeting these admission requirements are accepted to take up to a maximum of five (5) courses.^[6]

All applicants who start the online application are assigned an Admissions Advisor who is available to guide and support them throughout the entire admissions process. The Admissions Advisor is available to answer questions and provides encouragement to applicants as they complete the application requirements.

Demonstrating English Proficiency

Applicants who are not a native English speaker and apply to one of our English programs must demonstrate English proficiency before entering the degree program during Step 1 of the application process. Applicants at the undergraduate level who are interested to prove their English proficiency can do so in one of the following ways:

• • • Show evidence of having earned a degree from a college or university where English was the primary language of instruction; or
    • Provide an official transcript indicating completion of at least 30 semester credit hours with an average grade of “C” (2.00 on a 4.00-point scale) or higher at an accredited college or university where the language of instruction was English; or
    • Provide a score report that shows having met the minimum score requirement on one of the following English proficiency qualification exams:

 

English Proficiency Qualification	Minimum Score Required
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL*) Paper-based Test (PBT)	500
TOEFL* Internet-based Test (iBT)	61
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test	6.0
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic Test	44
EIKEN English Proficiency Exam	Pre-1
College Board Accuplacer ESL Exam Series	ESL Language Use 85 ESL Listening 80 ESL Reading 85 Sentence Meaning 90 ESL Writeplacer 4
Exams within the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)	B2
Duolingo English Proficiency Test	95
4-skill Michigan English Test (MET)	53
Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE)	650
Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE)	650

* To submit TOEFL scores, the institutional code for UoPeople is 4577.

English proficiency qualification test documentation may be submitted electronically by the issuing institution unless otherwise specified by the University. If submitted via regular post, documentation must be either original documents or notarized photocopies bearing original stamps and signatures from a notary public or the issuing institution. Meeting the minimum language proficiency requirements does not guarantee admission to the University. Applicants are welcome to contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@uopeople.edu with any questions regarding English proficiency requirements.

Students Unable to Provide Proof of English Proficiency

Applicants who cannot present evidence of meeting one of the qualifications listed above are referred to the English Second Language (ESL) program. The ESL program contains 8 different levels of proficiency (please read more in Chapter 10).

As part of the ESL program, an applicant may:

• choose to be placed into the highest level, level 8
• choose to determine his or her English level by registering and paying $49 for the Duolingo test via the online portal.
• choose to determine his or her English Level by submitting an existing document or test listed above under Demonstrating English Proficiency

Every applicant is provided with all 3 choices: submitting documents proving English proficiency, taking English level test, or taking ESL level 8 course. After a decision is made and an applicant is placed into a certain English level (exempt and right into UoPeople Foundations, or one of the ESL course levels).

If a student is placed in one of the ESL courses, he or she needs to complete all required courses, one by one, until they complete course number 8.
A grade of a “C” or better is considered a passing grade for courses 1-7. Students may repeat courses 1-7 up to 3 times each. If unsuccessful in passing courses 1-7 on the third try, students will be dismissed without appeal. A student dismissed for failing an English course may request for reinstatement to the University no sooner than five academic terms later.
Once he or she completes course level 8 and obtains the required grade, the student can begin taking courses in UoPeople Foundations.

A final course grade of a “CB-” or better and at least a 50% on the final exam is considered a passing grade for course 8 or ENGL 0101 English Composition 1. Both conditions must be met to show proficiency. Students may repeat course number 8 (ENGL 0008 Intermediate English 2 (EAP)) twice.

If unsuccessful in passing course level 8 on the second try, students will be dismissed without appeal. A student dismissed for failing an English course may request for reinstatement to the University no sooner than five academic terms later.

Arabic Language Proficiency

Applicants who apply to our Arabic program must be proficient in Arabic and able to study in Arabic.

Confirming Your Spot

Applicants must save their spot by signing an Introductory (Foundations) Course Agreement within seven days of being informed of their admission. Accepted applicants are required to sign and submit an Introductory (Foundations) Course Agreement with the University. Applicants who fail to sign their  Introductory (Foundations) Course Agreement within the required timeframe will be assumed to have declined the offer to study at UoPeople.

Students who wish to defer their start date after signing the Introductory (Foundations) Course Agreement may email their Admissions Advisor up to one week before the start of the term. Admissions deferrals are allowed for up to one term only. Special circumstances requiring deferral for longer than one term will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

NOTE: A student will only be enrolled in the University if he or she completes an application for admission, meets all of the requirements for admission, and executes an Enrollment Agreement. There is no guarantee that a student who successfully completes the Introductory (Foundations) Courses will thereafter be able to enroll in the University.

A student who takes the Introductory (Foundations) Courses without being enrolled in the University will not be eligible to receive credits for such courses, and therefore, will not be able to transfer credits for such courses to another academic institution.

If a student who successfully completes the Introductory (Foundations) Courses is thereafter admitted to the University, then, upon executing an Enrollment Agreement and paying the assessment fees for the Introductory (Foundations) Courses (unless such fees are waived), the Introductory Courses may, with the approval of the University, be converted to Degree Courses and the student will then be able to receive credits for such courses.

Students in the Introductory (Foundations) Courses are required to read, and to the extent applicable to non-degree-seeking students: (a) comply with the University’s Code of Conduct and other policies, requirements and procedures; (b) conduct coursework with integrity, including submitting their own original work; (c) conduct themselves in a professional manner, treat all other students, faculty, volunteers and administrators with respect, and refrain from any behavior that may be deemed to be offensive, discriminatory, threatening, bullying or deliberate embarrassment or harassment of others; (d) refrain from engaging in deceptive, dishonest or fraudulent behavior, including encouraging or inducing another applicant or student to engage in such behavior; (e) comply with the instructions in the course syllabus and the reasonable directions of instructors; (f) participate actively in class, course and discussion forums; (g) submit assignments and coursework on time and as required; and (h) fulfill peer assessor responsibilities fairly, non-competitively and professionally. Students in the Introductory Courses should be aware that other students in the same courses may be enrolled in the University in a Degree-Seeking Program.

Applying to Be a Degree Student (DS) – Step 2

Minimum Requirements at UoPeople Foundations

Foundations courses are one of the undergraduate degree program admissions criteria. Foundations courses are not applicable to non-degree students in a Certificate Program. In their first term, newly admitted Foundations students will be placed in two courses: UNIV 1001 and an additional course that will be assigned according to the students’ major of interest, i.e. BA – BUS 1101, CS – CS 1111, HS – PSYC 1111. Please note, assigning courses that relate to the major of interest depends on how early students save their spot in a given term and general availability.

Newly admitted Foundations students in the Arabic programs will be placed in two courses: UNIVA 1001 and BA- BUSA 1101.
More information about these courses can be found under the “Prepare for School” Section on our website. Once students complete their first two Foundation courses, they will be able to select up to 3 more Foundations courses from the list below. For the Arabic programs please check Table 2.

Art History	AHIST 1401
Biology 1 for Health Studies Majors	BIOL 1121
Introduction to Biology	BIOL 1301
Basic Accounting	BUS 1102
Microeconomics	BUS 1103
Macroeconomics	BUS 1104
Programming 1	CS 1102
Introduction to Economics	ECON 1580
English Composition 2	ENGL 1102
World Literature	ENGL 1405
Introduction to Environmental Sciences	ENVS 1301
Greek and Roman Civilization	HIST 1421
College Algebra	MATH 1201
Introduction to Statistics	MATH 1280
Globalization	POLS 1503
Introduction to Psychology	PSYC 1504
Introduction to Sociology	SOC 1502

Table 2: Courses that are available in the Arabic programs only

Art History	AHIST 1401
Introduction to Biology	BIOLA 1301
Basic Accounting	BUS 1102
Microeconomics	BUS 1103
Macroeconomics	BUS 1104
Introduction to Economics	ECON 1580
Greek and Roman Civilization	HIST 1421
College Algebra	MATH 1201
Introduction to Statistics	MATH 1280
Globalization	POLS 1503
Introduction to Psychology	PSYC 1504
Arabic Composition 2	ARABC 1102
Introduction to Sociology	SOC 1502

Once students meet the degree program’s admissions criteria, including successfully completing the Foundations courses, they may enroll into their desired degree program. Once accepted into the desire program, in most cases, students will be granted credit for all completed UoPeople Foundations courses. Please note that Foundations students are not considered enrolled students in the University.

• • • Students who complete the first two courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher and who have submitted the official documentation may be accepted to begin studying towards a degree as early as the very next term.
    • Students who do not earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher in their first two courses may take up to a maximum of five courses in UoPeople Foundations. Individuals in this group must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher and submit the required documentation in order to be accepted to degree study.
    • Students who have completed five (5) courses in UoPeople Foundations and have not earned at a minimum 2.00 CGPA will be dismissed for not having the required CGPA will not be able to appeal their dismissal. The student will be able to return to UoPeople in accordance with the Academic Renewal Policy after 15 terms of being away from the University.
    • Students who have already met the CGPA requirements but have not sent the official documents as defined in the Admissions Policy, will be allowed to send their documents within three terms of completion of the last Foundations course taken. If the official documents are not sent within the three terms following completion of the Foundations courses, the student is dismissed. They will be able to return to UoPeople in accordance with the Re-enrollment/Reinstatement Policy and will need to submit the required documents before being allowed to register for additional courses.

Questions about applying to an undergraduate program offered by the University of the People should be directed to admissions@uopeople.edu for the English programs and admissions@ar.uopeople.edu for the Arabic programs.

While studying in UoPeople Foundations, students wishing to be admitted for study towards the degree submit proof of high school completion (see below). At their discretion, they may also submit official transcripts of any college work that they may have done.

Submission of Official Documents

Demonstrating High School Completion (or Equivalent)

• Applicants must submit a high school diploma or its functional equivalent. This requirement may be satisfied during your first term at UoPeople through the submission of:
  • 1. An official diploma (or transcript showing graduation) sent directly to UoPeople (either mailed or submitted online); or
    2. A color scan/photocopy of the original diploma (or transcript showing graduation)
    3. A black and white scan/photocopy of the original diploma (or transcript showing graduation) certified by a notary sent directly to UoPeople (either mailed or submitted online).

• Applicants unable to provide either of the documents listed above may be eligible to take an Ability to Benefit (ATB) Test during his or her Foundations studies. Individuals who receive a passing score, of at least 200 on the Verbal Skills section of the test, and at least 210 on the Quantitative Skills section of the test, may become degree students upon completion of all admissions requirements.

Applicants unclear about what qualifies as an official copy of their diploma and/or transcript are asked to email the Office of Admissions at admissions@uopeople.edu regarding the English programs and admissions@ar.uopeople.edu regarding the Arabic programs.

Applicants may also review a list of official functional equivalents that the Office of Admissions may accept for admissions considerations as proof of high school completion at https://uopeople.edu/files/admission_qualifications_equivalence_by_country.pdf.

English program applicants: Diplomas and transcripts must be submitted in English. Diplomas and transcripts that are not in English must be submitted together with an official notarized translation.

Arabic programs applicants: Diplomas and transcripts may be submitted in either English or Arabic. Diplomas and transcripts in any other language must be submitted with an official notarized translation in either English or Arabic.

In certain cases, the Office of Admissions may require applicants to present additional documentation.

All documents submitted for admissions consideration must be received by the Office of Admissions at UoPeople by Week 6 of the term prior to beginning studies as a Degree Student as specified in the Admissions Calendar shown below. Documents submitted become the property of University of the People and will not be returned to applicants.

Homeschooled Applicants

University of the People welcomes all individuals who meet the admissions criteria to apply, including homeschooled applicants. Homeschooled applicants must be 16 years old or older, provide notarized/official proof of high school completion, and meet the requirements for English language proficiency. They may also be asked to submit additional information about their academic preparation and high school curriculum.

Additionally, homeschooled applicants who were supervised by their school district or Education Department must send their official diploma or transcripts as part of Step 2 of the admissions pathway. Other homeschooled applicants must send an official GED diploma and transcript or the equivalent.

[6] Only coursework at the 1000-level and above is counted in this maximum