Admissions: FAQ

. Can a working professional or a housewife complete a UPR graduate program or course?

UPR online courses are designed so that students may access study materials, engage in forum discussions and complete assignments at any time of the day convenient to them. We expect working professionals and housewives to form the majority of our student population.

. I am a working executive. Can I pursue an UPR graduate program or courses on a part-time basis?

Yes, the UPR graduate programs and courses can be pursued on a part-time self-study basis. You can do self-study, engage in forum discussions, and complete assignments and research papers or projects at your convenience, within the time-constraints of the study-calendar. UPR online courses are designed flexibly to suit the needs of working executives.

. My job forces me to travel a lot. Can I pursue an UPR graduate program or courses?

The study materials for UPR courses are available both online and in DVD/CD form, containing video, audio and text material. These can all be studied wherever you have computer access. The predominant part of the study materials are the audio lectures, which can also be listened to on any audio playback system - during travel, housework or free time anywhere. For forum discussions, you will need some weekly access to the internet. This is usually widely available through cyber-cafés or business centers of hotels. Many working executives with high travel requirements take and complete UPR online graduate programs and courses.

. Does the UPR MA program help in regards to becoming a professional counselor?

UPR is not a professional school. UPR graduate programs are primarily geared towards the growth of knowledge and transformation of consciousness, leading to the acquisition of universal values and the integral development of the human being. Through the enhanced comprehension and self-reflective assimilation involved in UPR programs, students will be enabled to mobilize their latent potential and engage in a more effective and responsible way in whatever they have chosen as their field of work.

. Is this institution accredited?

Yes, UPR is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, a national agency for postsecondary accreditation authorized by the US Department of Education.

. Does this university qualify in regards to applying for student loan?

There are loan programs available for students of accredited universities. For more information, contact the Registrar.

. Can a student pay the total program cost $9650 distributed over 2 years or so, or does he/she have to pay the whole amount at the very beginning?

The student does not need to pay the total cost of the program while enrolling. Payment of fees is needed on a quarter basis, depending on the number of courses taken.

. Does the enrollment contract oblige the student to pay the entire program fee even if he/she decides to leave before taking all the courses?

No, there is no stipulation in the contract obliging the student to pay the total program cost. Fees need to be paid only for courses taken.

. For a Master's degree program at UPR, how many courses do I need to take?

For a Master's degree, a students needs 63 credit units. Each graduate level course at UPR fetches typically 3 credit units. Thus a student usually takes 20 graduate courses for a Master's degree and writes a Master's thesis, which counts for 3 credit units.

• What are the maximum and minimum lengths of time a student may get to finish the program?

A student may complete an UPR graduate program in a minimum period of one year; and a student may take a maximum period of 5 years to complete the program. See details under Completion Policies section.

• Do the courses need to be taken in a particular order?

UPR has four academic quarters in a year. Courses are distributed quarter-wise through the academic calendar. A course can be taken in any quarter in which it is offered.

• When can I enroll for an UPR program or course?

The UPR academic calendar is divided into four quarters - Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. A student may apply for enrolment to an UPR program or course in any one of these quarters. See the Degree Programs and Academic Calendar sections under Academics.

• Is every course offered every quarter?

No. Courses are distributed according to the annual academic calendar. See the section on Course Descriptions under Academics for details.

• Is the credit acquired here transferable to other institutions?

Credit acquired by students in accredited universities are considered for transfer by most universities. However, units you earn in our Masters of Arts programs may or may not be transferable to any other college or university, such issues must be resolved by the college or university in question. See the section on Transfer of Credits under Admissions: Requirements.

• Does the student need to have a Bachelors degree in order to enter into the MA program here?

Yes. To be admitted to an UPR Master's program, the student must have a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from a college or university accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of Education. See the section on Admission Requirements.

• What is the requirement for international students?

If the degree has been completed in another country, documentation must be provided that the institution offers degree programs equivalent to those approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Students who are not first-language English proficient must provide verification English proficiency in the form of a TOEFL test with a minimum score of 530. See the "Out of Country Students" section under Admissions Requirements.

• Does the program ever need any physical presence?

There is no mandatory requirement for physical presence for UPR distance graduate programs. However, extra-curricular educational events such as seminars, workshops and colloquia aligned with UPR courses and programs are hosted at UPR premises in Los Angeles, CA (see News and Events) and the UPR library is available for reference. See section on Library under Resources).

• Is there any facility for the students to come and study at the campus?

UPR has no residential facilities but the campus library is available for reference study. See the section on Library under Resources.

• What kind of interactions should a student expect with faculty members?

UPR academic courses are conducted online using the popular world wide web-based classroom management software system, Moodle. Students and faculty members engage in conversations using the forum feature for the specific class on this platform. Students may also email their professor. The course format also includes two mandatory one-hour teleconferences, when students can participate together in an audio conversation with their professor.

• Does the program fee $9650 include text books?

No. Textbooks may be purchased from UPR at a discount.

• What type of equipment does the student need in order to join the distance learning program?

To successfully take and complete UPR distance learning courses, the student needs to provide assurance of access to a personal computer with world wide web access and must have an email account and email access. See the section on Admission Requirements.

• If the student drops a course does he/she get the money back?

See the section on Withdrawal and Refund policy under Admissions: Tuition. UPR refund polices are in line with mandated state and national educational policies.

• Does the program have electives?

Presently, UPR programs have a few electives. UPR is in the process of expanding its curriculum through the addition of more electives.

• How do I get my undergraduate records to you and what do you require?

As part of the Admissions Application process, the student's undergraduate records need to be sent directly to UPR by the records office of the degree-granting institute or sealed official transcript(s) of undergraduate courses taken should be enclosed with the application by the student. See the section on Admissions Requirements.

• What Doctors Degree programs might I pursue after finishing a Masters Degree at UPR?

A UPR degree in either Consciousness Studies or Transformational Psychology is good preparation for Doctors Degree programs in Psychology, Mythological Studies or Philosophy. For example, Pacifica Graduate Institute - http://www.pacifica.edu is a WASC accredited University with highly compatible Doctors Degree Programs in Psychology and Mythological Studies.

The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology -
http://www.itp.edu is also a WASC accredited University with highly compatible Doctors Degree programs in clinical psychology for those wishing to pursue a professional practice. ITP even offers a Doctors Degree program in a distance learning format.

More broadly, UPR is nationally accredited by the DETC and its 2006 survey of DETC graduates showed that of those attempting to transfer credits and degrees, 70% were successful. Acceptance of degrees or credits from DETC – accredited institutions is largely determined by the policy of the “receiving organization,” e.g., a college registrar.