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Admissions Process

Advising Services | Student Support | Student Success

The easiest way to begin your adult, online or graduate admissions process is to contact an enrollment advisor to introduce you to your student success team, which offers support throughout the adult and graduate college admissions experience. At Ottawa University, your student success team consists of an enrollment advisor, academic advisor, and financial advisor to comprehensively address your college admissions process checklist. Each advisor is uniquely qualified to advise you on college admissions requirements, academic progress, and financial assistance. 

Your dream of earning your graduate degree is closer to becoming reality than you might think. And it all starts with a conversation with your enrollment advisor who will introduce you to the rest of your student success team (SST).

Your Life of Significance Begins Now

Whether you're completing a degree you began somewhere else or you're entering a graduate program, your college education is a major step toward career and personal fulfillment.  Selecting the right degree program is crucial.

At Ottawa University, we offer career-building majors in business, education and the liberal arts to give you the education necessary to succeed in your personal and professional life.  We're on your side with assistance you need to find the right degree program for your needs, and the help you need to succeed in and out of class.

Take the First Step!

The recommended admissions process includes:

  • Reach out to an enrollment advisor
  • Schedule a Professional College Advisory Session
  • Submit an admissions application (you can apply online)
  • Submit all official transcripts from prior institutions, including high school and college*

To complete the admissions process, submit all documents outlined above to your enrollment advisory today.
 

*NOTE: Transcripts sent from a student or hand-carried to campus will NOT be accepted as official. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ottawa University from the college, university or high school attended. Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission purposes only.

Undergraduate Students

Take advantage of your college credits and credentials! To start your admissions process, contact an Enrollment Advisor to review the admissions requirements, as well as your career ambitions, work experience, prior college credits, and other life experiences that you can apply toward your degree program completion. We have a generous transfer credit policy, transferring and accepting up to 80 hours toward a 124 hour degree program. You can contact an Enrollment Advisor by completing the request information form. An enrollment advisor will call you to set-up a Professional College Advisory Session.

Admissions Requirements

You will need to submit the following:

  • A completed application for admission (you can apply online and at our campus locations).
  • $50 (Undergraduate) or $75 (Graduate) application fee.
  • Official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended. Transcripts should be mailed to the campus registrar.*
  • You can be admitted conditionally with unofficial copies of transcripts.

To complete the admissions process, submit all documents outlined above to your enrollment advisor today.
 

*NOTE: Transcripts sent from a student or hand-carried to campus will NOT be accepted as official. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ottawa University from the college, university or high school attended. Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission purposes only.


Your enrollment advisors are conveniently located near you. Either request information or call us at 855-774-7714 today to get started.

Graduate Students

Are you interested in being promoted or pursuing a new career? A graduate degree from Ottawa University could prepare you for more responsibility and accelerate your lifetime earnings potential. Research demonstrates that a graduate degree can lead to $2.5 million in lifetime earnings on average vs. $1.2 million for just a high school graduate degree. Start investing in yourself and your future today.

To start your admissions process, contact an Enrollment Advisor to review the admissions requirements, as well as your career aims, college credits, and other professional achievements that you can apply toward your graduate degree program. You can contact an Enrollment Advisor by completing the request information form. An enrollment advisor will call you to set-up a Professional College Advisory Session.

Admissions Requirements

  • An admissions application (you can apply online)

  • $75 application fee (Waived for alumni)

  • Official Undergraduate Transcripts sent directly from school to school. (3.0 GPA — minimum requirement)*

    Official E-Transcripts can be sent directly from previous schools to: outranscripts@ottawa.edu.

    Mailed transcripts can be sent to:

    Ottawa University Residential Campus
    ATTN: Office of the Registrar
    1001 South Cedar St,  #1005
    Ottawa, KS  66067-3399

  • 300-500 Word Professional Essay: The essay should be centered on professional career development by addressing how past experiences have influenced current decisions to pursue higher education. Illustrate why the applicant is pursuing the specific degree program and concentration. The applicant should also demonstrate the ability to organize thoughts in writing and present them in a clear manner. APA format suggested.

  • Resume: Standard, current resume. Include any recognitions and awards. Must have three professional or academic references with relationship and contact information.

Professional Counseling and Substance Abuse Counseling applicants should also submit:

  • A two-page essay focused on professional career development. Address how your past experiences have influenced your decision to pursue higher education. Your essay should convey why you want to be in the counseling profession. It should also demonstrate the ability to organize thoughts in writing and present them in a clear manner.

  • Three (3) letters of recommendation (Master of Arts in Counseling students should contact their Enrollment Advisor for the appropriate reference form)

  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended

  • Official transcripts of all completed graduate-level coursework

The admissions committee evaluates all applications on the basis of academic background, work experience, recommendation letters, and your personal statement on career development. GMAT and GRE scores are not required.

Some Master's degree programs may have additional application requirements. If you are applying without a Bachelor's degree in a closely related field, some additional coursework may be required.

To complete the admissions process, submit all documents outlined above to your enrollment advisor and/or lead faculty today.

*NOTE: Transcripts sent from a student or hand-carried to campus will NOT be accepted as official. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ottawa University from the college, university or high school attended. Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission purposes only.

International Students

At Ottawa University, we have observed that international students like you energize and invigorate student interactions. You have global experiences and perspectives to bring to the classroom and coursework. We are thrilled you are interested in studying at Ottawa University. You will feel right at home, surrounded by hospitable and friendly faculty and students. When you attend Ottawa University, you can meet new student colleagues, benefit from national and local alumni, and tap into a vast network of over 5,000 international alumni.

Admissions Requirements

Requirements for International High School Students

  • A U.S.-Equivalent GPA of 2.5 or above (above-average grades in secondary school)
  • ​Successful completion of a high school or secondary school diploma or certificate

Requirements for International Graduate Students

  • A U.S.-Equivalent GPA of 3.0 or above
  • ​Successful completion of a bachelor's degree.

Requirements for International Transfer Students

  • A U.S.-Equivalent GPA of 2.0 or above (passing grades in college) for undergraduate program students or GPA of 3.0 or above for graduate students
  • A course completion rate (Earned-to-Attempted Percentage) of 70 percent

Requirements for International Executive Program Students

  • A U.S.-Equivalent GPA of 3.0 or above
  • ​Successful completion of a bachelor's degree; first master's preferred
  • Minimum of 3-5 years of corporate work experience
  • 3 letters of recommendation (academic or professional; must be written and signed by the recommenders themselves)

Requirements for All International Students

  • Meet program-specific admission criteria for at least one academic program
  • Submit an affidavit of financial support showing the ability to pay for one full year
  • Submit a maximum two-page, double-spaced essay describing your "Sense of Purpose at Ottawa University." Please organize your thoughts around one of the following three components using specific experiences from your life: Personal, Intellectual or Civic/Social
  • ​Verify English Proficiency. This can be established by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test. Countries not required to submit English proficiency scores include Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, England (Great Britain), Eritrea, Fiji, Ghana, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Montserrat, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Scotland, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago, The Turks & Caicos, US Virgin Islands, Wales, and Zimbabwe.
  • Copy of passport (F1 visa, most recent I-20 and I-94 if you are on F1 visa currently)

TOEFL scores required:

  • Minimum Total Score – 79
  • There is no minimum subsection scores for undergraduate students.
  • Graduate students must receive a minimum of a 20 on all subsection scores with the exception of speaking which must receive a minimum score of 22.

IELTS scores required:

  • Overall Score – 6.5
  • Minimum Subsection Scores - 5.5
  • Zoom interview required if any subsection score is below 6.0.

NOTE: If a student scores 5.0 or 5.5 and has an individual score below 5.0 (4.5 or below), the student will not be admissible to Ottawa University.

Duolingo English Test Scores Required:

  • Undergraduate students must achieve a minimum overall score of 105.
  • Graduate students must achieve a minimu overall score of 110.
  • Undergraduate and graduate students must achieve a minimum score of 95 for each subsection score.

Foreign Credential Evaluation

Students with foreign credentials who are applying to Ottawa University must have their credentials evaluated. Students must submit official copies of appropriate documents including front and back of each credential. Evaluations will not be conducted if official copies are not provided. If you have not taken any college-level courses outside the U.S., you only need to submit a certificate of graduation from a high school. This certificate does not need to be evaluated by a credential evaluator.

Students may wish to use an approved outside evaluator at their expense. Approved evaluators are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Reports include information about the credential awarded and the U.S. equivalency. For a complete list of approved evaluators, visit the NACES website at www.naces.org.

If you are interested in Ottawa University programs, please request a course-by-course evaluation for any college-level courses completed outside of the U.S. to be considered for transfer.


Scholarships

 

Application

International students interested in applying should click one of the links below:

*NOTE: Transcripts sent from a student or hand-carried to campus will NOT be accepted as official. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ottawa University from the college, university or high school attended. Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission purposes only.

Tribal Students

Ottawa University is privileged to carry on the legacy of providing education to Ottawa Tribe members that was begun by our Baptist and Tribal founders. Because of the special heritage you enjoy as part of the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, you are allowed to attend Ottawa University with a very favorable tuition rate. This is due in part to the renewal and expansion of the original agreement by Chancellor Kevin Eichner in 2008.

If you are a member of another tribe, we have deep experience and interest in our tribal heritage. We encourage you to reach out to an enrollment advisor and discuss why Ottawa University would be an ideal environment to complete your bachelor’s degree to start your master’s degree.

To get started, you will want to:

  • Contact your Tribal Higher Education Office to begin the process for tuition assistance or scholarships
  • Contact an Enrollment Advisor from Ottawa University about our programs
  • Decide on a program and begin the admissions process
  • Remain in contact with your Tribal Higher Education Office so that you are aware of financial assistance or scholarship options

Admissions Requirements

  • You will need to submit the following:
  • An admissions application (you can apply online)
  • A $50 (Undergraduate) or $75 (Graduate) application fee
  • All official transcripts from prior institutions, including high school*

To complete the admissions process, submit all documents outlined above to your enrollment advisor today.
 

*NOTE: Transcripts sent from a student or hand-carried to campus will NOT be accepted as official. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ottawa University from the college, university or high school attended. Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission purposes only.

Military-ROTC Students

We are committed to providing an exceptional higher education experience to America’s military personnel. By offering military benefits, we are extremely proud to assist you in your pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree. Our expertly trained advisors are here to assist you with academic and financial assistance through our military benefits, including:

  • Tuition Assistance for Qualifying Active Duty Personnel in ALL Armed Forces Branches
  • Montgomery GI Bill®
  • VA Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program
  • Post 9/11 GI Bill®
  • Veteran Benefit administration for programs that are transferrable to dependents, spouses, and children

In addition, your advisor will provide a free evaluation of military training and experience based on the American Council of Education (ACE) guide recommendations. This evaluation will be provided during a Professional College Advisor Session.

Military Friendly School

GOLD Military Friendly School rating for 2020-21

Ottawa University is a “Military Friendly” school, which offers you and your spouse:

  • On-site and online learning (or a combination of both)
  • Convenient 8-week terms with no outside study groups
  • Access to many accredited degree programs
  • Ability to transfer up to 80 college credits
  • Trained military enrollment and financial advisors
  • Active military service members and their spouses receive a military tuition rate of $250 per credit hour for undergraduate programs
  • Flexible Deployment Policy if activated and/or deployed while enrolled
  • Acceptance of DANTES and CLEP Credits
  • A dedicated VA certifying official to assist with VA benefit certification

To start your admissions process, contact an Enrollment Advisor to review the admissions requirements, as well as your career achievements, previous college credits, volunteer interests, and other life experiences that you can apply toward your degree program completion. You can contact an Enrollment Advisor by completing the request information form. An enrollment advisor will call you immediately to set-up a Professional College Advisory Session.

Admissions Requirements

You will need to submit the following:

  • A completed application for admission (you can apply online and at our campus locations).
  • Application Fee Waived (normally $50-$75).
  • Official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended. Transcripts should be mailed to the campus registrar.*
    • No previous college experience? Submit official documentation/self-certification of high school or GED completion instead.
  • You can be admitted conditionally with unofficial copies of transcripts.

To complete the admissions process, submit all documents outlined above to your enrollment advisor today.

*NOTE: Transcripts sent from a student or hand-carried to campus will NOT be accepted as official. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ottawa University from the college, university or high school attended. Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission purposes only.

 

‘‘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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill."

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