Admission to The University

Master’s Transfer Requirements

SVU will evaluate graduate academic credit for course equivalences from institutions of higher learning and accredited by agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education.  Students must request that transcripts from the accredited institutions in which they have previously attended be sent to the Student Office for evaluation.  The procedure for course equivalence is defined in the Evaluation of Transfer Credits. SVU will accept a maximum of 6 credits transferred for the MSCS program.  All transfer course work require an overall grade point average of “B-“, 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.  Letter grades and GPA are not transferrable.

SVU has not entered into an articulation or transfer agreement with any other college or university. SVU does not currently enroll any students pursuant to a transfer or articulation agreement with another institution, nor does it have any transfer or articulation agreements with other institutions to accept credits from SVU.

Evaluation of Transfer Credits

The evaluation of academic credits will be performed by the Dean or Program Administrator.  The Dean will use the syllabi from the transferring institution and the SVU syllabi to determine course equivalency.  The Dean or Program Administrator will:

• Compare the course description of the syllabus of the transfer course with the course description of the syllabus of an equivalent course in SVU.
• Allow the maximum of 3 credits for a lecture course.
• Allow a lab course to be transferred only if the lab course has a lecture course that is transferred. The maximum number of credit is 1 for a lab course.
• After course equivalence is determined, only the credit is transferred. The grade from the transferred class is not used in the student’s cumulative GPA.

The student has the option to petition the transfer of credits by meeting with the Dean or Program Administrator during the student’s first trimester at SVU. The student must bring documentation (course syllabus) to support the challenge.  After the first trimester SVU will not accept petitions for re-evaluation of the transfer of credits.

Credit for Prior Experiential Learning

SVU does not recognize credit for prior experiential learning.

English Proficiency

Applicants of Silicon Valley University (SVU) whose native language is not English have to demonstrate an established level of English language proficiency through one of the following tests: the TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the academic format of the IELTS™ (International English Language Testing System), or the TOEIC® (Test of English for International Communication), etc.

The test must be recent; it should be within two years of the date applying. The original test scores are required to be submitted to SVU by applicants, either in person or by mail.

The following table explains the TOEFL®, IELTSTM, and TOEIC® requirements at SVU. Note that there is no separate essay score on the internet-based TOEFL® as essay scores are included in the writing score. Although the internet-based TOEFL® includes a speaking component, a minimum score on the speaking section is not required.

Applicants who have not taken the TOEFL®, IELTS™, or TOEIC® test, or those who have not passed the proficiency requirements stated above, will be required to take the TOEFL®, IELTS™, or TOEIC® at Test Centers. SVU does not provide English Language services or offer an English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

International applicants who have earned Bachelor’s or higher degrees from English-speaking accredited institutions in the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand do not have to submit TOEFL®/IELTS™/TOEIC® scores.

The TOEFL®/IELTS™/TOEIC® requirement may be waived on a case-by-case basis for students who have earned a degree from a foreign institution where the language of instruction was English. Documentation that the school’s language of instruction was English must be provided.

Instructions for Local/Resident Applicants

1. Submit the completed application form with attached $75 USD application fee and mail to the Admissions Office.
2. Request that one official transcript from each institution attended be sent to the Admissions Office. Applicants should allow those institutions about six weeks to process their request.  This material may be sent either separately or with the entire application package. To expedite the application, the admission office recommends that all materials should be sent together.

Instructions for International Applicants

1. Same as the instructions for local/resident applicants (above).
2. In addition to the instructions for local/resident applicants, international applicants must:
   1. Submit a Financial Support Statement to the Admissions Office. Recommendation for admission cannot be certified without this information.
   2. Submit official transcripts of records from all universities attended to the Admissions Office.
   3. Meet the minimum standards of the English proficiency requirement by taking the TOEFL®/IELTS™/TOEIC®

Notice: SVU does not provide visa services nor does it vouch for the status of students for purposes of a visa. The only language of instruction is English.

Additional Instructions for Applicants Whose Degree is from a Non-US Institution

Applicants must also provide:

1. Official certification of degrees and dates awarded, issued in the original language. Academic transcripts of records must have a seal and signature in ink from the institution’s authorized official, such as a registrar. Students holding foreign degrees must make arrangments with SVU administration to have prior credit hours evaluated for equivalency. Contact SVU for further information regarding this process.
2. Official documentation of all courses taken and grades received (transcripts of records) from each secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate institution attended. Transcripts of records should be issued in English or must be accompanied by notarized English translations.

Instructions for Submitting English Test Result

Original IELTS™ scores must be submitted by mail or in person to Silicon Valley University. TOEFL®/ TOEIC® scores may be sent directly to Silicon Valley University (TOEFL®/SAT institution code: 3600) or in person.  Information and applications for TOEFL®, IELTS™, or TOEIC® tests may be obtained by contacting:

TOEFL®

Educational Testing Service

P.O. Box 6151

Princeton, NJ 08541-6151

Website: www.ets.org/toefl

Email: TOEFL@ets.org

IELTS™ INTERNATIONAL

825 Colorado Boulevard, Suite 112

Los Angeles, CA 90041

Website: www.ielts.org

Email: IELTS@IELTSintl.org

TOEIC®

TOEIC Service International
TOEIC Testing Program
Educational Testing Service
Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08541 USA

Website: www.ets.org/toeic

Email: TOEIC@ets.org

The Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student will be prepared for and issued to the student after the application and all necessary documents have been received and thoroughly reviewed and the Office of Admissions has made a decision to accept the applicant as an SVU student.

Tuition and Fees

SVU reserves the right to increase or modify any listed fees, and fees are subject to change within one trimester’s notice. All SVU fees are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees.

Tuition for Master’s Program:  $425 per credit hour

Notice concerning transferability  of credits and credentials earned at Silicon Valley University

The transferability of credits you earn at SVU is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer.  Acceptance of degree(s) you earn in SVU is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer.  If the educational program that you earn at this institution is 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 this institution will meet your educational goals.  This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending SVU to determine if your degree(s) will transfer.