Application Process
Graduate Admissions
Meridian’s streamlined admissions application is submitted via the online application form. From there, each applicant works one-on-one with their Admissions Advisor to move through the University’s unique yet efficient process.
If you are unable to use the online application due to disability or otherwise, we are happy to print and mail it to you, for you to mail back.
The best way to connect with Meridian’s Admissions Team is via email, phone, or video conference.
How to Apply:
You may submit your admissions application online or by email (see the exception for this, noted above). You may submit your materials (letters of recommendation, personal statement, writing sample, resume) by uploading them to your online application at the time you first apply, or by emailing them to admissions@meridianuniversity.edu
Official transcripts and application materials may also be sent to the Bay Area Center:
Admissions Office Meridian University
47 Sixth Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Admissions Office Meridian University
47 Sixth Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Official transcripts and application materials may also be sent to the Bay Area Center.
What You Will Need to Apply
- Admissions Application
- Application Fee: $50 USD A non-refundable application fee of $50 USD is required to process your application at the time of submission.
- Official transcripts are required from all post-secondary institutions from which you earned 12 or more quarter units. Transcripts must be received in sealed envelopes and may be mailed directly to the University’s Bay Area Center (47 Sixth Street, Petaluma, CA 94952) from the academic institution. Electronic transcripts are accepted if sent directly from the academic institution.
- Three letters of recommendations are required as part of the application process and will need to be requested by the applicant. Letters are to be sent directly from the recommender to Meridian at admissions@meridianuniversity.edu, via an email identifying the sender's name, and should include a professional signature with title, address and phone number. Recommendations should be sought from individuals who can respond to your readiness to successfully complete Meridian's degree program. If possible, you should include recommendations from persons familiar with your academic and, if applicable, professional background. Recommendations forwarded by the applicant will not be accepted.
- Personal Statement (5-7 pages): Your personal statement should highlight the formative and significant experiences in your life, and how those experiences have influenced you in choosing to pursue your vocation or profession. Things to Consider when writing the Personal Statement: Consider how periods of life and career transition have contributed to your awareness. Consider what it is about you that will enable you to benefit from the degree program to which you are applying. As well, from your understanding of the University’s learning methodology involving transformative learning, consider how you might benefit from this kind of active, experiential learning model.
- Five to Seven double-spaced pages in length, in 12pt Times New Roman font. Note that the minimum of 5 FULL pages excludes the title and signature pages, and the maximum allowed is 7 pages
- Be sure to share formative and significant experiences of your life and how these have influenced you in choosing your program as a vocation and profession.
- Consider in your statement that periods of life and career transition contribute significantly to self awareness.
- What is it about you as a learner that will enable you to benefit from Meridian’s degree program?
- Work experiences you may have had which relate to your program of interest and the vision you have of your future as a professional.
If you feel that the personal statement does not sufficiently demonstrate your writing skills, you may wish to enclose an additional writing sample of not more than seven pages.
In addition to submitting application materials, it is necessary that applicants attend an Information Session prior to moving forward in the application process.
- Writing Sample (maximum of seven pages)
- Resume or CV
Admissions Interview
Once all of the required materials have been received, the Admissions Committee will review your application. If your application is selected to move forward, your Admissions Advisor will reach out to schedule your interview. They will keep you updated at each step of the process.
Admissions Interviews are conducted via a video call. Admissions Interviews are recorded for quality assurance and analysis purposes. Such recordings are securely and privately stored for a temporary period for reference by the University’s Admissions Committee. These recordings are not part of the applicant or student file and are retained and subsequently deleted in accordance with the University’s interview recording retention policies and procedures. By entering the interview video call, the applicant is consenting to this recording and confirms their understanding that it is not a part of their file at the University.
Admissions Requirements
- A Bachelor's degree is required for admission to Meridian's Graduate Programs.
- Applicants who possess a Master's in Psychology (or related field) may apply for Advanced Standing status in the psychology Ph.D. or Psy.D. 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)
- GPA requirement for admittance: Minimum GPA for admission to all degree programs at Meridian is a 3.0.
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.
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's curriculum is highly integrated and globally unique. Transfer credits from other schools are reviewed at the student's request. 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 (M.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Counseling Psychology, M.Ed., MBA). PhD and PsyD students entering with Advanced Standing status may be granted transfer credit up to a maximum of 12 quarter credits.
Only courses taken in state-approved or regionally accredited academic institutions can be considered for transfer credit.
Meridian University does not accept credit earned through challenge exams or achievement tests. As well, the University does not offer credit for prior life experience.
Given Meridian’s emphasis in courses delivered through a transformative learning model - as well as each academic program’s distinct curricular orientation - prior coursework taken elsewhere is usually not equivalent to the approach and methodology taught at Meridian.
Transcript Review
Faculty can provide a preliminary review of your transcript for potential transfer of credit against Meridian coursework. As this is a preliminary review, any courses assessed as likely being equivalent for transfer will be confirmed upon a subsequent review upon the student's admittance. Note that given the specialized nature and emphasis of Meridian's programs, prior coursework taken elsewhere is often not approved for transfer.
International Students
International transcripts created in languages other than English must be submitted as literal translations prior to admission and must be mailed for evaluation by a professional agency such as Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE), Educational Perspectives, nfg (EP), or World Education Services (WES).
World Education Services
Bowling Green Station, P.O. Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087
WES will issue a Basic Statement of Comparability or a course-by-course evaluation. WES should then send these directly to Meridian University. All other admissions documents must be submitted in English.
Educational Credentials Evaluators
101 W. Pleasant St., Suite 200
Milwaukee, WI 53212-3963
Educational Perspectives
PO Box A3462
Chicago, IL 60690-3462
Meridian University holds a policy of non-discrimination. All interested persons who meet the admissions criteria are encouraged to apply. All application materials, once submitted, become the property of Meridian University and will not be returned, reprinted, or photocopied.
Start Your Online Application
A complete admissions application and a non-refundable application fee of $50 USD are required to process your application at the time of submission. The fee is remitted at the time the application is submitted.
Submitting
Speak with an Admissions Advisor
Scheduling a voice or video call with an Admissions Advisor is a great place to begin. During the call you can ask questions about Meridian's academic structure, degree programs, and concentrations, as well as understand the admissions process and timeline.
schedule a call »San Francisco Bay Area Center
47 Sixth Street
Petaluma, California 94952
+1 (707) 765-1836
Los Angeles Campus
2450 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, California 90404
+1 (310) 876-2001
Athens Center
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Athens 10563, Greece
+30 21 1199 0060
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10405 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 16637734
Johannesburg Center
Atrium on 5th 9th Floor
5th St, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
+27 31 822 9032
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