ADMISSIONS

FRESHMAN STUDENT

A freshman student is a student entering the institution after completing high school requirements ( students with dual enrollment credits are classified as freshman). A student who has studied in another post-secondary college or university with less than twelve (12) transferrable credit hours with a grade point average (GPA) 2.5 will be classfied as a freshman.

Requirements for ACT/Waiver

Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) to be accepted. The final high school transcript must reflect a minimum 2.5 GPA or higher.

TRANSFER STUDENT

A transfer student is a student who has studied at another post-secondary college or university and earned greater than 12 transferable credit hours with a grade point average of 2.50.

TRANSFER ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• Previously attended institutions must be regionally accredited or accredited from a reputable non-governmental  (Evangelical Commission)  accrediting commission.
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum 12 transferable semester hours or 18 transferable quarter hours
• Good academic standing from last institution attend required.
• Students who transfer from another four-year institution or two-year college must submit in advance for acceptance transcripts of all previous work done on the college level. Such transcripts must be sent directly from the institution at which the work was completed.
• Students transferring from colleges and universities must have maintained a “C” average and be in good standing with the institution from which they are transferring. Students on academic probation or suspension are not in good standing, and, therefore, will not be accepted by OPISOP.
• Courses may transfer from accredited colleges and universities if the grade for that course earned at the offering institution meets the requirement of the program offering the degree being pursued at OPISOP. For example:
  • Only courses with grades of C or better may transfer for ENG 101/102 as a C or better is required in ENG 101/102 for all programs at OPISOP.
  • Only a grade of C or better is accepted for transfer of MTH 112 for all business programs, but a D or better is accepted for transfer of MTH 112 for social science programs.

Students should check the grade requirements for specific programs to determine if the grade earned at the offering institution is transferable to OPISOP.

TRANSCRIPT EVALUATION

Transfer credit is assessed for admissions purposes only. Once officially enrolled, the Office of the Registrar is responsible for articulating transfer credit. Please keep in mind, not all transferrable hours are degree applicable.

International Student

A student who is not a United States Citizen or resident alien. International Students who completed a bachelor degree out of the Country will apply through Graduate Studies.

In order to ensure that required long distance coordination may be completed in time to accommodate admissions for the desired term, admission applications must be received by the following deadlines:

The following information and materials must be in the Office of Admissions before an application for admission can be completely processed:

An official high school transcript (or equivalent) or leaving certificate transcript must be first sent to the World Education Services (www.wes.org) or a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation.

Freshman and Transfer Students

1. An official high school transcript (or equivalent) or learning certificate transcript must be first sent to the world education services (www.wes.org) or a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation (NACES) Credentials Evaluations Provided by NACES Members for evaluation of US equivalency and grade point determination.
2. OPISOP requires a minimum GPA 2.5 and currently waives test requirements( acceptance only) Test Scores are required for Scholarship eligibility.
3. Official results of the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper based score= 500 or above; computer based= 178 or above, and Internet based= 61 or above, or official results of the International English Testing (((IELTS) or a 5.5 or above unless English is spoken as a native language. If applicants has successfully completed one year’s college coursework in a English speaking country, the TOEFL or IELTS requirement may be waived.

Students’ requests for an I-20 should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the start of the program, but no more than 120 days prior to the start of the program.

In addition, international students must submit an official academic transcript accompanied by official/or notarized English translations. These documents must be sent directly from the institution(s) attended. Personal copies are not accepted.

All foreign (non-U.S.) transcripts must be translated and evaluated by the World Education Services (WES) or a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation. This review must provide conclusive evidence that the applicant is the recipient of a degree comparable to the American bachelor’s degree, which normally terminates 16 years of full-time study, four years of which are at the post-high school level.

The official transcripts must show all post-high school work attempted, including grades or marks in each course, examination grades and standing in examinations and classes, or whatever other credentials are available to give a clear description of the student’s academic accomplishments. Other requirements for international students include: 

1. A certified financial statement indicating the applicant’s ability to pay for the cost of education. An original/official bank statement no more than six months old at the time of registration must be submitted to the Graduate School in order to obtain the I-20 for the F-1 student visa. In certain cases, advance payment of tuition and fees may be required.
2. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Testing System (ELS) Certification Examination is required if the applicant’s first language is not English; the minimum score for admission on the TOEFL internet-based version is 500 (paper-based test) or 61 (internet-based test), and the 5.5 on the ELS Certification Examination.

The Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, administers these tests in testing centers all over the world. Further information about the test and testing dates may be obtained at www.ets.org or from the nearest U.S. Embassy, Consulate or United States Information Service, United States Educational Commission and foundations abroad and binational centers.

The institution reserves the right, even after the arrival and enrollment of students from another country, to make individual curricular adjustments whenever particular deficiencies or needs are found. Students may be required to take such courses without credit and at their own expense. This could also apply to additional coursework in English as a foreign language whenever necessary.

Re-Admit Student

A re-admit student is one who was not enrolled for two or more regular terms. These students must re-apply and pay the application fee of $30.00. Students who have not attended for one semester must re-apply to update information in Populi, no application fee is required.

Transfer/Re-Admit

A transfer/re-admit student is one who has attended another institution (s) after leaving the university and now wishes to re-enroll. These students must submit an official transcript for each institutution attended.

Students who are re-admitted to the institutution after a two-year absence will be governed by the Bulletin under which they are re-admitted.

Transient Student

A transient student is one who is currently enrolled at another university and wishes to enroll to take classes towards tehir degree to be transferred back to their institution.  These students must re-apply every semester. Students are not eligible to receive financial aid at more than one institution for any one term.

Official Letter of Good Standing

A letter of approval/good standing from the home institution is required. Send Official Letter of Good Standing to [email protected]

Veteran Student

We work hard to ensure that those who have dedicated their lives to the good of others can continue to succeed — in any field.

OPISOP is committed to investing in programs and student support services to assist our military students transition from military life to civilian life. A student veteran is any student who is a current or former member of the active-duty military, the National Guard, or Reserves, regardless of deployment status, combat experience, legal veteran status, or GI Bill use.

OPISOP military benefits are available to:

• Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard service members
• Veterans and Retirees
• Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
• Current Department of Defense employees

Your GI Bill® and military education benefits are designed to help you succeed both in military and civilian life — and we want to help you make the most of them.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

At OPISOP, you’ll find some of the most competitive pricing available for online programs, including graduate rates of $150 per credit hour. And if you also serve or have served as an emergency responder (in a civilian capacity) within the last 5 years, you can receive an additional 50% tuition discount!

Special (Non-Degree)

A special student is one who is not working towards a degree but wishes to enroll in the institutuion to take courses fro the credit hours. These students must reapply every semester and can only take a maximum of 30 hours.