Graduate Admission

Viterbo University welcomes applications for admission from all students who have prepared for a competitive graduate level collegiate program. Admission to Viterbo University is offered to those for whom academic and personal success seems likely. Each candidate is evaluated individually. Evidence of ability to complete college-level work is essential. All qualified students, regardless of sex, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin will be extended an offer of admission on a first come, first served basis as long as space remains available. Students will be evaluated for admission in accordance with the general admission criteria stated below, as well as specific requirements within each program.

General Admissions Criteria

Application to the graduate programs at Viterbo University is open to any person who has earned a bachelor’s degree, or where applicable a graduate degree, from an accredited institution. The school admits students determined to possess sufﬁcient academic aptitude and to function effectively in the program to which they are applying. Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to perform at the graduate level. Factors considered in admission may include: GPA from undergraduate and any graduate schools; graduate level standardized test scores when required; successful work history after completion of the baccalaureate degree; essays; and, letters of recommendation from academic professors or supervisors from professional or volunteer experiences. Generally, an undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission to the school’s graduate programs. Some programs will require a professional interview. All programs review applications holistically based upon submitted application materials, and final admissions decisions reside with the program.

Each program has a unique set of application requirements, which may include completion of specific pre-enrollment coursework. Detailed requirements are located in the program section of the catalog. Required undergraduate courses must be completed prior to enrollment, with a grade earned of ‘C’ or better (please note the required coursework by program).

Based on the evaluation of these materials selected candidates may be offered admission, or for programs that require a professional interview, invited to interview for further consideration of their application.

Viterbo University reserves the right to deny or place conditions on the admission, re-enrollment, or continued enrollment of any applicant, former student, or current student, who in the judgment of the university officials has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress, would be disruptive of the orderly process of the college’s programs, would interfere with the rights and privileges of other students or employees, is not prepared to benefit from the course of study offered, or places a risk to the safety or well-being of the campus community. The university may consider criminal, juvenile, and disciplinary history in admission and enrollment decisions. Information submitted to Viterbo University must be true, complete, and accurate. Withholding any pertinent information may result in denial of admission or dismissal.

For Applicants with Acts, Crimes, or Offenses That May Prohibit or Restrict Admission

Applicants for admission or re-admission with criminal or disciplinary records must disclose information about their prior records. Failure of the applicant to accurately and completely provide information and records may result in denial of admission, revocation of admission, or discipline, up to and including permanent dismissal from the university. Information to be disclosed includes criminal felonies, misdemeanors, pending criminal charges or other pertinent offenses or violations.

Certain affiliates associated with Viterbo require that students placed in their facility for clinical/internship/field placement experiences clear a criminal background check prior to placement. Students whose background check reveals criminal history may be prevented access to the clinical site, and as a result, the student will not have sufficient clinical experience to successfully complete the program. Additionally, licensing boards for certain professions including health care occupations may deny the individual the opportunity to sit for an examination if an applicant has a criminal history.

Fully qualified applicants for criminal and community justice, nutrition and dietetics, education, nursing, social work, and some other programs may be subject to a criminal background check conducted by an approved outsourced agency, at the student's expense, at the point of admission to Viterbo University in addition to the point of admission into a professional coursework sequence.

Procedure

A review committee will evaluate the application, the criminal history disclosure form and all explanatory materials, of any student who indicates any of the aforementioned convictions, charges, records, etc. Prior to making a decision on admission or re-enrollment, the review committee may request additional materials from the applicant, including requesting the student pay for an approved criminal background check, conduct a phone interview with the applicant, request that the applicant appear before the review board to discuss their application, etc.

The review committee may consult with academic departments regarding anticipated issues in finding clinical placements or sitting for licensing exams and will recommend admission or denial of admission in one of three ways: (1) admit or re-enroll the applicant without conditions, (2) admit or re-enroll the applicant with condition (e.g., restrictions on location or place, denial of option to live in university housing facilities, etc.), or (3) deny admission or re-enrollment of the applicant. Recommendations on admission or re-enrollment will be forwarded from the review committee to the appropriate university administrator who will formally admit or deny admission to the applicant based on the recommendation from the committee. The recommendation of the review committee is final and not subject to appeal. The review committee is typically comprised of the vice president for student affairs, the vice president for academic affairs and institutional effectiveness, the vice president for enrollment management, and the director of campus safety, or their respective designees.

Criminal Convictions Occurring After University Admission

Students are required to disclose in writing to the vice president for student affairs criminal convictions occurring since completing the application for admission. This policy applies to all Viterbo University incoming and current students.

Reentry and Readmission

Students who withdrew from a program prior to completion, or did not maintain continuous enrollment in the fall or spring semester, may apply for re-entry. Students may contact a graduate admissions counselor for more information on how to re-apply. Re-entry student information can be found on the Re-entry Admissions web page.

International Student Admission

http://www.viterbo.edu/international-student-admission

Applications from international students are welcome and actively sought. Scholastic achievement, use of the English language, and financial resources are given particular attention in reviewing applications to a graduate program from international students. International applications are processed in conjunction with the director of international admissions.

Non-degree-seeking Students

http://www.viterbo.edu/non-degree-seeking-student

Students desiring to audit or take selected courses for credit, but who do not expect to earn a degree or complete a program at Viterbo University, may be enrolled, at the discretion of the graduate program, for such courses as a non-degree-seeking student. Complete transcripts of college records may not need be submitted, but an earned bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent is required. Students may be admitted as a degree-seeking student at a later date although admission is not guaranteed.