A Division of Patten University
ADMISSIONS
Requirements & Policies
Elmwood Institute admits students of any race, color, religion, sex, age, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to the students of the Institution. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, disability, marital status, national and ethnic origin, nor any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, and other school administered programs.
Our admissions officers are available to answer your questions at (877) 351-9060, ext. 1007 or admissions@elmwoodinstitute.org.
Admission Requirements
Graduate Degree Requirement
To be admitted into a graduate degree program, you must hold a Bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, or its international equivalent. Three years work experience is recommended but not required. Official transcripts are required.
Elmwood Institute is dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience through a selective enrollment process. The institution carefully reviews each application to ensure a match between its program and the needs of its students. The aim of this process is to cultivate a community of learners who are committed to academic excellence and personal growth. As a result, Elmwood does not accept every applicant, but rather strives to build a diverse and motivated student body that will thrive within the school environment.
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent directly from previous colleges(s) or universities. Electronically-issued transcripts and other documentation can be sent to admissions@elmwoodinstitute.org. Paper-based transcripts and records should be sent to:
Elmwood Institute - Transcript Office
548 Market St PMB 98598
San Francisco, CA 94104-5401
An applicant who has completed university-level courses in a foreign country comparable to course credits in the American university system must have their educational credentials evaluated and sent to Elmwood Institute. The credit evaluation report must also include the original transcript. If the transcript is not in English a translation must be provided. Three credible providers of credential evaluations are:
World Education Services (WES – http://www.wes.org/)
Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE – http://www.ece.org/)
International Education Research Foundation (IERF – http://www.ierf.org/).
Applicant / Student Verification
Applicants are required to submit a government-issued photo ID as part of their application. The photo ID will be used so that student identity can be verified throughout the program.
Technology Requirements
In order to fulfill the requirements of the Elmwood course curriculum all students are required to have access to an internet-enabled device with a web-browser, an email account, a word-processing program, and a spreadsheet program.
English Proficiency
Elmwood Institute requires proof of English proficiency from students for whom English is not their native language. Students who have earned at least 30 credits from an internationally-recognized college or university in which English was the language of instruction may have this requirement waived. An average grade of C or higher is required for undergraduate admissions, while an average grade of B or higher is required for graduate admissions.
Website
Toefl iBT
Duolingo English Test
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
Admissions Policies
Advanced Standing (Transfer Credit)
Students may receive advanced standing or transfer credit for courses taken in other recognized public, private, or Government educational institutions. Approval for specific courses will be established individually on the basis of breadth, scope, organization, and quality of work offered in relationship to the courses required by Elmwood Institute. No more than 50% of the credits required for a Master's degree program may be fulfilled via transfer credit. Requests for advanced standing require an official transcript indicating comparable coursework with grades of a B or higher. Transfer credits that are recognized and accepted by Elmwood Institute will appear on the student's transcript but are not factored into the calculation of the student’s grade point average.
Elmwood will consider transfer credit earned at institutions of higher education outside of the United States that are recognized by the Ministry of Education or equivalent authorizing agency, provided that such credits have been earned through university-level coursework and are presented with equivalent grades of "A," "B," or "C." Such credit must be evaluated by an international transcript evaluation service unless they are earned at an institution which is accredited by a US Dept of Education or CHEA recognized accreditor. The Office of Admissions and/or the Office of the Registrar will make the final determination of the award and applicability of any international credit. A certified course-by-course evaluation from an organization recognized by Elmwood is required for all post-secondary level studies completed outside of the United States at institutions that are not accredited or if the transcript is not in English. GPA and degree equivalencies must be included with your course-by-course evaluation. All fees charged by translators or external evaluators must be paid by the student.
The recognized transcript evaluation organizations are:
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World Education Services (WES)
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Or any company recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
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Only grades of B or higher will be considered for graduate credit. Transfer credits that are recognized and accepted by Elwood Institute are not factored into the calculation of the student’s grade point average.
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No more than 50% of the credits required for a Master's degree program may be fulfilled via transfer credit.
If an applicant’s request for graduate-level transfer credit is denied, they may appeal the decision to the Elmwood Institute's Director of Education (keith@elmwoodinstitute.org). The appeal should include the name of the Elmwood course, the name of the institution, the previous course taken, and a detailed explanation, with supporting material, of why the applicant believes the course taken at another institution is similar in content to the Elmwood Institute course.
Application Deadline
Elmwood Institute offers students the opportunity to start their program at multiple intervals throughout the year. The graduate calendar consists of 12 terms per academic year. Once an application is submitted, students have 90 days to register for their first term. Students may receive an extension for this upon request.
Admission Decisions
Upon receipt of the admission's application and all necessary documentation, the Office of Admissions will send students a prompt written notification of the admission decision.
First Term Registration
A newly accepted student at Elmwood must enroll in their first class within 90 days of acceptance. A student is subject to unenrollment from the Institution if they do not meet this requirement.
Enrollment Prior to Admission
Students are eligible to register for a single term of courses while they complete the application process, including providing the institution any required documentation for admission.
Notice Regarding Transferability of Credits Earned at Elmwood Institute
The transferability of credits you earn at Elmwood Institute is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance or recognition of the certificate or degree you earn is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the credits, certificate or degree that you earn at Elmwood are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason, you should make certain that your attendance at Elmwood will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending Elmwood Institute to determine if your credits, certificate or degree will transfer or be recognized.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Applicants and prospective or current students with disabilities who require adjustments and/or auxiliary aids throughout the admissions process, and/or throughout their studies should contact the Director of Admissions and Student Achievement for assistance at admissions@elmwoodinstitute.org. It is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations and to provide current and supporting documentation from a medical doctor or clinician explaining the nature and limitations of their disability. The institution will work with the person to make reasonable accommodations and adjustments to enable him/her to fully participate in the admissions process and educational programs.