Admissions Information | 2026-27 Academic Catalog

Meridian is committed to creating a pluralist learning community. The University always seeks a diverse group of students and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals. Our intention is to develop and nurture a learning community in which students and faculty can learn together in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Differences in age, economic status, race, ethnic background, religion, origin, gender, sexual orientation, physical challenge, political views, personal characteristics, and beliefs are all welcomed.

Applying to Meridian

Applications may be submitted to Meridian University at any time.

Eligibility Requirements

A Bachelor's degree is required for admission to Meridian's Graduate Programs.
- The GPA requirement for admittance: Minimum GPA for admission to all degree programs at Meridian is a 3.0. If you have earned below a 3.0 GPA on your official Bachelor's degree transcripts, please submit an addendum with your application outlining circumstances at the time. This can also be addressed in your personal statement.
Applicants who possess a Master's in Psychology (or related field) may apply for Advanced Standing status in the psychology PhD or PsyD degree programs.
All students are expected to be proficient in the English language as all instruction at Meridian University is offered in English (see the English Proficiency section on International Students)

Advanced Standing may be applied for by students who are applying to one of the psychology doctoral degree programs with a Master's degree in psychology or its equivalent. Equivalence is assessed at the time of admissions by the Admissions Committee. Students with an appropriate Master's degree may apply for Advanced Standing. Students should keep in mind that if they are accepted and applied for advanced standing, their acceptance may not reflect this depending on the committee's assessment. Meridian offers professional graduate degrees. As such, standards of professional conduct (such as those defined in the Student Code of Conduct) are expected to be met by all members of the University community, including applicants and students. Such standards apply to interactions between all constituencies (applicants, students, staff, and faculty) including email communications sent by applicants and students to the Admissions and Student Services Teams. Prospective students are notified when Meridian has received their completed application packet. Following a review of application materials, selected applicants are invited to an admissions interview. Admissions staff communicate the Admissions Committee’s acceptance decision to the applicant.

Degree Program Admissions Requirements

Completed online application and $50 application fee
Official academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions from which you earned 12 or more quarter units
Three letters of recommendation
Personal statement (5-7 pages)
Information Session Attendance

Certificate Program Admissions Requirements

Completed online application and $50 application fee
- Personal Statement (500 words) included as part of the application form
Official bachelor’s transcripts
Information Meeting Attendance

Optional Materials

Writing Sample (7 pages maximum)
Resume or CV

Admissions Criteria

The following criteria are utilized in assessing a prospective student at the time admissions:

Admissions Application.
Academic ability: Demonstrated and potential academic excellence. Undergraduate Degree work should demonstrate 3.0 GPA.
Intellectual vitality: Individual's overall excitement towards learning and interest in transformative learning.
Applicant's initiative in seeking out opportunities for enhancing their knowledge base.
Potential for leadership, as demonstrated through the applicant's personal character and professional competence.
Personal qualities and community/professional contributions.
Performance at interview(s).
Other qualifications and experience, as relevant.
Conduct demonstrating professionalism.

Transfer Credit

Meridian University encourages students to take courses in sequence whenever possible, due to the distinct and nested nature of Meridian’s master’s and doctoral programs. Given the emphasis on transformative learning and the student's depthful, lived experience of the conceptual content of the course, courses taken at other institutions will likely not be assessed as equivalent to a similar course offered in the Meridian curriculum. Transfer credits may be granted up to a maximum of 40 quarter credits for the PsyD, PhD, and EdD, and 12 quarter credits towards Master's degrees (MA in Psychology, MA in Counseling Psychology, MEd, MBA). PhD and PsyD students entering with Advanced Standing status may be granted transfer credit up to a maximum of 12 quarter credits. Meridian University does not offer academic credit for prior experiential learning. Eligibility criteria for transfer units include:

the course needs to have been taken at a state approved or regionally accredited institution and be listed on an official transcript.
the student must have received a grade of a “B” or higher in the course.
transfer credit can only be potentially available for graduate level coursework.

Transfer credits from other schools are reviewed at the student's request. Accepted students must submit all requests for transfer of credit to the Admissions Office prior to their first day of coursework. To request credit for coursework taken at other institutions, submit the syllabus for the course (the actual syllabus from when the course was taken) along with an accompanying letter that clearly spells out which Meridian course(s) the student is requesting transfer credit for. The assessment of prior coursework submitted for transfer can take up to 20-30 working days. Credit cannot be given for prior life experience; only courses taken in state approved or regionally accredited academic institutions can be considered for transfer credit. Prior coursework approved for transfer into the student’s record reduces the number of courses the student needs to take in their program. Meridian University does not accept credit earned through challenge examination and/or achievement tests. Meridian does not offer credit for experiential learning or independent study. The admissions committee does not offer suggestions for which Meridian course(s) the newly admitted student might want to request transfer credit given the nature of the program's transformative learning intent. It is the student's responsibility to make such requests, should they wish to do so. Note that transfer credit granted for prior courses taken at other colleges or universities does not reduce tuition. It is important to note that financial aid eligibility may be affected by the acceptance of transfer credit which results in a decrease in the number of enrolled credits. Consult with the Financial Aid Office about this at the time of request to determine eligibility. Note regarding Veterans Benefits: Students who are eligible for VA Benefits must submit all educational history for transfer credit review prior to utilizing VA aid. VA aid cannot be used to pay for courses for which the student has received transfer credit and has therefore completed the associated program requirement(s). Credit cannot be given for prior military training.

International Students

As an integral part of Meridian University’s commitment to promoting diversity, international students are welcome to apply for admission into Meridian’s graduate degree programs. Diversity enriches the educational experience by creating an inclusive and dynamic learning environment essential for creative inquiry.

Transcripts

Transcripts from schools located outside of the United States must be evaluated and/or translated by a professional agency such as Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE), Educational Perspectives, nfg (EP), World Education Services (WES), or Foundation for International Services Inc. (FIS). Transcripts in English may not require evaluation depending on country of origin and format. Evaluations must be received in sealed envelopes and may be mailed directly to the University's Los Angeles Campus (2450 Colorado Avenue, Suite 100E, Santa Monica, CA 90404) from the professional agency. Evaluations are accepted if sent directly from the professional agency to admissions@meridianuniversity.edu

English Proficiency

All courses at Meridian are conducted in English. Students whose native language is not English may be required to submit the results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). **See below for possible exceptions. For admission, students are required to receive a total score of at least 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based. **You may be eligible for an exception to submitting the English proficiency test score if any of the following are true (these are examples and are not guaranteed exemptions, and this list is not all-inclusive): if your previous degree is from a school that was taught in English, if you attended and graduated high school in the US, or if you have lived a significant amount of time in a country whose native language is English. If you think you qualify for an exception based on one of these scenarios, or for another reason, please reach out to the Admissions team and describe the situation that you think qualifies your English fluency as proficient. Additional information or documents for evaluation may be required. Meridian University does not offer English language services such as ESL instruction.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available from a variety of sources. Meridian encourages international students to research scholarships, grants, and loan options based on their specific circumstances and needs.

Sources of Aid

Meridian’s International Student Scholarship: available to students not eligible for Federal Student Aid (FSA) who reside outside the US.
External scholarships (see the resources noted under “International Scholarship Options” below)
The student’s home country federal student aid program

Financial Aid availability is limited and based on demonstrated financial need. Contact the Financial Services Team at financialservices@meridianuniversity.edu for more information.

The Financial Aid Process

International students start the financial aid process by completing the Institutional Financial Aid Application. After submitting this application, the Financial Services Team will coordinate with the student as to what aid may be available. During this process, students will demonstrate their financial need via the Meridian Financial Need Form, provided once the Scholarship and Grant application has been received and processed.

More Information and Resources

Meridian’s Admissions and Financial Aid staff are available to walk students through the process of applying to Meridian internationally. Click here for more information on our Student Visa Services and I-20 details.

Home Country Student Aid Program

Canadian Student Loan Program

Residents of Canada can explore educational loans through the Canadian Student Loan Program. Applications are available through the Canadian provincial governments.

Students from Latin American and Caribbean Countries

The Organization of American States, through the Rowe Fund, offers interest-free loans to eligible students from Latin American and Caribbean countries to help them finance their studies or research at accredited universities in the United States. For more information visit www.oas.org/rowe.

External Scholarships

International Scholarship and Loan Options

General Information for International Students

Keep in mind that outside grants and scholarships are "free sources" of financial aid that do not have to be paid back. You should never be asked to pay for scholarship applications. Please be mindful and look out for financial aid scams.

Accreditation and Approval

As an accredited institution, Meridian University remains committed to higher education standards of quality, integrity, capacity, and effectiveness. Meridian’s degree programs are subject to review and approval by:

U. S. Department of Education (ED)
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
California Board of Psychology

“The WASC Senior College and University Commission (”the Commission”) is an institutional accrediting agency serving a diverse membership of public and private higher education institutions throughout California, Hawaii, and the Pacific as well as a limited number of institutions outside the U.S. Through its work of peer review, based on standards agreed to by the membership, the Commission encourages continuous institutional improvement and assures the membership and its constituencies, including the public, that accredited institutions are fulfilling their missions in service to their students and the public good.

The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as certifying institutional eligibility for federal funding in a number of programs, including student access to federal financial aid.”“The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is an institutional accrediting body that emphasizes academic quality and processes that ensure educational effectiveness throughout the institution. It accredits institutions rather than individual programs, including all institutional operations wherever located. In so doing, it reviews evidence of the institution’s capacity to achieve educational effectiveness—structures, processes, resources, procedures, and outcomes—as well as evidence of the academic quality of educational programs within the institution.”For standards of accreditation and information regarding the WSCUC, including information about policy and process for compliance complaints, visit: http://www.wascsenior.org, or contact WSCUC:WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500Alameda, CA 94501Telephone: (510) 748-9001Meridian University is a private institution, approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Note to All Prospective Students

“Any questions a student may have regarding this catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.”Physical Address:Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education1747 North Market Blvd., Suite 225Sacramento, CA 95834or Mailing Address:Bureau for Private Postsecondary EducationP.O. Box 980818West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818www.bppe.ca.govPhone (888) 370-7589or Fax (916) 263-1897“A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s internet website (www.bppe.ca.gov).”“As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement.”Meridian University does not provide dormitory facilities. Long-term housing is typically available in Petaluma, CA near the Bay Area Center for approximately $2,000 - $3,000 per month. Long-term housing is typically available in Santa Monica, CA near the Los Angeles Campus for approximately $2,000 - $4,000 per month. When classes are held at a retreat or conference center, lodging located reasonably near the facility is typically available for approximately $80-$120 per night. Students make their own housing arrangements independently. Meridian does not provide assistance to students in finding appropriate housing.Meridian University has never filed for bankruptcy petition, operated as a debtor in possession, or had a petition of bankruptcy filed against it under Federal law.

Notice Concerning Transferability of Credits and Credentials Earned at Our Institution

The transferability of credits you earn at Meridian University is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the degree, diploma, or certificate you earn in Psychology, Business, and/or Education is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the credits or degree, diploma, or certificate that you earn at this institution 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 this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending Meridian University to determine if your credits or degree, diploma, or certificate will transfer.Meridian has no formal agreement with any other institutions regarding transfer credits. Other institutions establish their own criteria for accepting transfer credit. Students may request to transfer credits from another institution per our Transfer of Credits policy.Meridian does not accept ability-to-benefit students.

Academic Calendar

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