LUO Graduate Inquiry Booklet

W H AT

M ATTER S TO Y O U ?

BEC AUSE IT M AT T ER S TO US

WE WILL CHA MPION

YOU

YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT CONTINUING YOUR EDUCATION. And chances are, you’ve got two big questions:

HOW & WHY ?

AT LIBERTY, we can help with the how. We’re here to assist you with the details of your education — championing your time, your experience, and your commitments — so that you can get your degree and all the benefits that come with it.

But the why is up to you — whose life will change because of your education? A patient's? A student's?

A client's? Your child's? Often it’s the

people in our lives who challenge us to accomplish big goals, and who inspire us to be greater and to do more.

At Liberty, we Train Champions for Christ. That means our why is you.

We desire to champion people who want to make a difference through their jobs, their families, and their callings. Our how is giving you what you need to not only start but also finish your degree ...

SO THAT YOU CAN CHAMPION WHAT MATTERS TO YOU.

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DID YOU KNOW? Liberty has been paving the way in distance education for over 30 years.

Ranked in the

TOP 5

out of 2,100 colleges and universities

FOR ACADEMIC QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY, & ACCESSIBILITY.

These things are important to you, so we pushed hard for excellence in each one, and now BestColleges.com ranks us at the top of the list.

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WE WILL CHA MPION YO UR

EXPERIENCE

YOU'VE WORKED HARD TO GET WHERE YOU ARE. Make that work count toward your degree. Through our Experience Plus program, your former schooling, training, or on-the-job experience can help you get your degree faster.

RECEIVE CREDIT through our EXPERIENCE PLUS program for your:

Military training

Credit by examination

On-the-job training

Certificates or licenses in areas such as business, education, communication, health care, government, and religion.

Send us the transcripts from your former college(s)

OR

Let us order your transcripts for you

LUOnline.com/Transcript-Request

=

Receive a free, unofficial transfer consultation of your transcripts prior to admission

LUOnline.com/Transfer-Students

LUOnline.com/TransferCreditCalculator

TR ANSFER in up to 50% of a degree.

Some exceptions may apply.

LUOnline.com/ExperiencePlus See Appendix B on Page 26 for more information.

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DID YOU KNOW? You can identify courses that are transferable to Liberty through our Transfer Calculator.

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A FFORD ABILIT Y

WE WILL CHA MPION YO UR

INVESTMENT

L OW T UITION

Full-time rates starting as low as $206 per credit hour YOU WANT TO GET THE MOST FOR YOUR MONEY. At Liberty, we offer quality programs at an affordable price.

T UITION FREEZE

for the past years and counting and now we've lowered the prices of select programs (See Appendix A on Page 25 for new pricing.)

Forbes Magazine named Liberty

Tuition rates in the bottom third of leading online universities

Credit for standardized testing, military training, and work experience, as well as a free evaluation of past college credits

ONE OF THE TOP 25 LOW DEBT PRIVATE COLLEGES in the nation.

Loans, grants, and scholarships

Our students have

Online students visit campus for intensives, Homecoming, Commencement, and other events.

Easy payment plans

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Military discounts

Corporate Tuition Assistance

DID YOU KNOW? Liberty students who enroll full time each semester are more likely to complete their degrees.

LUOnline.com/FinancialAid

AMONG THE LOWEST MEDIAN FEDERAL LOAN DEBT based upon their earnings after graduation.

See Appendix C on Page 27 for more information.

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WE WILL CHA MPION YO UR

SERVICE

At Liberty, we appreciate everything you do for your community and our country. We’ll give you credit for your service through our Experience Plus program and evaluate your transfer credit.

If you are a service member, veteran, or a military spouse, you can benefit from the following:

Military graduate tuition rate – $275 per credit hour

College credit for military training

Scholarships

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL

25% Tuition Discount (Stackable with military discount) GI Bill® and Post-9/11 GI Bill® certification

LUOnline.com/Military 7

Military Tuition Assistance (active service members only)

See Appendix D on Page 29 for more information.

DID YOU KNOW? The Military Order of the Purple Heart named Liberty a Purple Heart University.

RECEIVE CREDIT

for Training and Life Experience

LUOnline.com/ERP 8

WE WILL CHA MPION YO UR

EDUC ATION

YOU WANT A PROGRAM THAT’S RECOGNIZED FOR QUALITY. At Liberty, we are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), accreditation that is recognized nationwide — and all of our online programs are subject to the same rigorous accreditation process as our residential programs. Many of our online programs are also accredited or otherwise recognized by specialized professional and accrediting agencies.

Liberty University SACSCOC Accreditation Reaffirmed In December 2016, after a rigorous review, SACSCOC reaffirmed our full accreditation for the next 10 years, giving us an A-plus and listing no sanctions.

SACSCOC

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

Commission for the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Accounting (M.S.) Business Administration (M.B.A.) Information Systems (M.S.I.S.)

Master of Science in Exercise Science (M.S.)

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)

Commission on Sport Management Education (COSMA) Master of Science in Sport Management (M.S.)

Master of Education in School Counseling (M.Ed.) Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling: Counselor Education & Supervision (Ph.D.)

Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology (M.A.) Master of Arts in Music & Worship (M.A.) Master of Arts in Music Education (M.A.)

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Master of Education (M.Ed.) Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

“To have full accreditation from SACS, (with) no sanctions, for the next 10 years, that’s going to allow us to focus fully on our very big plans for the future.

This reaffirms that we are doing things the right way and meeting the highest standards required of universities.” Liberty President Jerry Falwell

Liberty.edu/Accreditation 9

DID YOU KNOW? BestMarketingDegrees.org ranks our M.B.A. in Marketing program among the top 5 most affordable.

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WE WILL CHA MPION YO UR

JOURNEY

YOU MAY WONDER IF YOU'LL BE DOING THIS ALL ON YOUR OWN. At Liberty, we're here to help every step of the way. You'll work hard, but you won't do it alone. Our knowledgeable team and user-friendly online resources will give you the support you need. Have questions about financial aid or registration? Need tools for research or help writing your résumé? We're just a phone call or click away.

Online Student Life is the place to get connected to our online and on-campus communities.

Webinars are available throughout the year covering various topics related to academic success.

The Student Advocate Office provides assistance for students facing obstacles that could impact the completion of their degrees.

The Office of Disability Academic Support partners with students and faculty to support those with documented disabilities.

ƒ(x) Tutor.com gives access to free tutoring from the comfort of your own home 24/7.

Admissions counselors, academic advisors, Financial Aid, Registrar's Office, and Student Accounts are dedicated to your success  (800) 424-9596.

The IT HelpDesk provides technical support.

Our on-campus library offers digital access.

The Career Center provides career and job-related assistance and resources.

The Hancock Welcome Center offers campus tours and is your point of contact for on-campus events.

The Online Writing Center offers tips, tools, and tutors to help sharpen your academic writing.

LUOnline.com/Contact-Us 11

DID YOU KNOW? Liberty's Jerry Falwell Library gives you access to over 750,000 electronic books and media items.

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WE WILL CHA MPION YO UR

GOALS

YOU HAVE DREAMS, and it’s our goal to give you the resources and knowledge you need to see those dreams fulfilled. We’re training champions because we want to see you impact the world for Christ. Liberty doesn’t just train qualified professionals — we train exceptional professionals who want to make a difference.

We offer graduate and postgraduate degrees in the following fields:

ACCOUNTING COUNSELING FINANCE HE ALTH SCIENCES NUR SING

BUSINESS

COMMUNIC ATION

DIVINIT Y GENER AL STUDIES L AW PROFESSIONAL WRITING

EDUC ATION GOVERNMENT MUSIC PS YCHOLOGY

VISUAL ARTS

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DID YOU KNOW? AffordableColleges.com ranks our program the #1 affordable option for a master's degree in human services.

See the 250+ degrees we offer in the most in-demand fields.

LUOnline.com/Degrees 14

WE WILL CHA MPION YO UR

COMMITMENTS

YOU WANT A PROGRAM THAT FITS INTO YOUR SCHEDULE. With eight start dates per year, we have classes to fit your busy lifestyle. Online courses are offered in 16-week semesters — fall, spring, and summer — and broken down into eight-week sub-terms.

SPRING

FALL

A B

A

Aug.-Dec.

Aug.Oct.

C

D Sept.Nov.

Oct.Dec.

B

A

Jan.-May

Jan.March

C

D

SUMMER

MarchMay

B

MayJuly

Feb.April

May-Aug.

D Aug.

July-

100% online*

No set login times

Flexible schedule

For up-to-date information, please visit LUOnline.com/AcademicCalendar.

LUOnline.com/AcademicCalendar 15

DID YOU KNOW? Attending full time saves time and money when completing your degree.

*Some exclusions apply

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WE WILL CHA MPION YO UR

C AREER

YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL, and we want to help you get there. Our vision for you extends past graduation — we want to see you thrive in your chosen profession. We make sure you have access to the same career center our residential students use.

That means we'll help you perfect your résumé, sharpen your interview skills, and find career opportunities. We believe your success is our success. So to measure how we’re doing, we asked our alumni. Here’s what we found:

87%

were employed within 6 months of graduation

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95%

agree their overall experience with the professors in their program was beneficial

95%

agree their overall experience at Liberty was favorable

90%

would recommend Liberty University

DID YOU KNOW? Liberty has over 250,000 graduates impacting their families, communities, and the world for Christ.

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WE WILL CHA MPION YO UR

UNIVER SIT Y LIFE

WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY ONLINE AT LIBERTY, you'll be connected to our campus in Lynchburg, Virginia. We invite you to visit us for Homecoming, intensives, Commencement, and other special events.

If you can't make it to campus, get your Flames gear through the Liberty bookstore website, join our online campus community, or use online resources available through the Jerry Falwell Library.

Stream all of the Flames football action at Liberty.edu/Flames.

Discover ways to participate in our weekly Convocation at Liberty.edu/LUStages.

Approximately 85% of our graduates are online students.

Experience our beautiful campus firsthand by attending an intensive.

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DID YOU KNOW? Liberty has a 17:1 student-to-professor ratio.

LUOnline.com/OnlineStudentLife

The Jerry Falwell Library offers customized research tutorials at LUOnline.com/Research.

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WE WILL CHA MPION

YOU

Whose life will change because of your education? Yours? Your child's?

Your colleague's? Your client's? You're only a few steps away from beginning an unforgettable and worthwhile journey. Are you ready to get started?

See Appendix E on Page 31 for more information.

1

APPLY to Liberty University.

2

SUBMIT your transcripts from prior colleges.

3

START the financial aid process by completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

4

ENROLL in your first course(s).

5

COMPLETE Financial Check-In.

LUOnline.com/AdmissionProcess 21

DID YOU KNOW? We will process your admission decision within one business day of receipt of your admission requirements.

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WE WILL CHA MPION

YOU

At Liberty, you’re more than just a student. You have a passion, a calling, and real-life responsibilities. Our flexible course structure frees you to further your education without sacrificing other goals.

William Byron literally lives life in the fast lane. As a rookie in the NASCAR Cup series, he juggles a demanding racing schedule while working on his degree in business communications at Liberty.

“I am proud to represent Liberty University. Liberty provides a great opportunity to further your education whether it’s online, like I’m doing, or on campus. I understand how important it is to balance my education with the demands of my racing career, and that’s why this is the perfect partnership.”

- William Byron, Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration: Communications

© 2018 Hendrick Motorsports, LLC

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DID YOU KNOW? With our eight start dates per year, you can begin or continue your education anytime.

Liberty.edu/24 24

AP P ENDIX A : UPD ATED T UITION

A PPENDI X B : E X PERI ENCE PLUS

For the 2018-19 school year, we've lowered our tuition for the following programs:

Credit by Examination | LUOnline.com/CreditByExam ICE (Institutional Challenge Exam):

M.A.T./M.Ed. Pricing:

Make the most of what you already know through our ICE program, which offers tests in 30 subjects. Save money and earn up to 3 credits per exam.

Portfolio:

We recognize that adult learners have valuable experiences that have contributed to their learning. The portfolio offers a platform to receive college credit for classes in a variety of fields. We provide all the details, including the grading rubric on our website. Our Experience Plus coordinator will work with you to answer questions you have about the application and review process.

D.Min. Pricing

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AP P ENDIX C : FINANCIAL AID Financial Aid Options: •

FAFSA - Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA.ed.gov using Liberty's school code, 010392, in order to be considered for federal grants, work study, loans, or Liberty University scholarships. It's your first step to financial aid.

•

Grants | Liberty.edu/Grants • TEACH (The Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant • VTAG (Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant)

•

•

Loans | Liberty.edu/Loans • Federal Direct Loans • Federal Graduate PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) Loans • Private Loans

•

To help ease the burden of paying for college, we offer you the option of a monthly, interest-free payment plan to pay any remaining balance on your student account: • At Financial Check-In (FCI), you will have the option to select a payment plan.

• There will be a one-time $45 payment plan processing fee per semester.

• Monthly payments are automatically drafted from the bank account or credit/debit card provided during FCI.

Fall Payment Plan Options Start Month

Plan Options*

May

Option of 1-5 Monthly Payments

June

Option of 1-5 Monthly Payments

July

Option of 1-4 Monthly Payments

August

Option of 1-3 Monthly Payments

September

Option of 1-2 Monthly Payments

October

Scholarships | Liberty.edu/Scholarships

Payment Plan Options | Liberty.edu/PayPlans

Canadian Student Initiative

Liberty Advantage

Emergency Response Personnel

Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV)

Heroes Fund Scholarship

Word of Life Employees

International Mission Board (IMB)

West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists (WVCSB)

Corporate Tuition Assistance | LUOnline.com/CorpTA • Standard • Deferred Contact your employer for other potential opportunities.

•

Military Benefits (See Appendix D for more information about military benefits.)

1 Payment in Full

*Your account needs to be paid in full by the end of October.

Spring Payment Plan Options Start Month

Plan Options*

September

Option of 1-5 Monthly Payments

October

Option of 1-5 Monthly Payments

November

Option of 1-4 Monthly Payments

December

Option of 1-3 Monthly Payments

January

Option of 1-2 Monthly Payments

February

1 Payment in Full

*Your

Start Month

Plan Options*

February

Option of 1-3 Monthly Payments

March

Option of 1-3 Monthly Payments

April

Option of 1-2 Monthly Payments

May

1 Payment in Full

June

1 Payment in Full

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account needs to be paid in full by the end of February.

Summer Payment Plan Options

*Your account needs to be paid in full by the end of June.

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AP P ENDIX D : MILITARY BENEFITS | LUOnline.com/Military

Scholarships for Military Spouses and Dependents

Tuition Price: • •

Qualified online military students and military spouses receive discounted tuition.

The tuition rate for graduate online military students and military spouses is $275 per credit hour. This tuition rate applies to all graduate certificate and master's programs, as well as Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) programs.

Scholarships | Liberty.edu/MilitaryScholarships: Liberty University is dedicated to serving our military and veteran students. In order to show appreciation for their sacrifices, we offer several scholarship opportunities.

American Legion Legacy

Army Emergency Relief

Army Scholarships Foundation

Blinded Veterans Association

Children of Fallen Patriots

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Families of Freedom

Fisher House Foundation

Fry Scholarship (Marine-Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry)

General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant

Green to Gold Program

Hope for the Warriors Scholarship

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF)

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

National Military Family Association

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society's (NMCRS)

Pat Tillman Foundation

Student Veterans of America

Thanks USA

Troops to Teachers

VA-ACME Scholarship Program

Scholarships for Service Members/Veterans Green to Gold Program

Hill and Ponton Veteran's Scholarship

National Association of Veterans Programs Administration (NAVPA) Scholarship

ROTC Programs at Liberty University

Tuition Assistance | Liberty.edu/MilitaryTA

Tuition Assistance (TA) is a government benefit offered to current service members of all branches of the Armed Forces to assist with the cost of tuition. Some Department of Defense employees and military spouses may also be eligible to receive a form of TA. We have a knowledgeable team available to help you with your TA funding.

GI Bill* | Liberty.edu/GIBill •

•

Liberty University is authorized by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs to certify students who qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty/Selected Reserves), Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, and Reserve Education Assistance Program, as well as those who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Vocational Rehabilitation.

We offer benefits for the categories below. If you are unsure of your eligibility or entitlement, please contact the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs at (888) 442-4551.

Ch. 30: Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty

Ch. 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill

Ch. 1606: Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserves

Ch. 31: VA Vocational Rehabilitation

Ch. 1607: Reserve Education Assistance Program

Ch. 35: Dependents' Education Assistance

* 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 Benefits.va.gov/GIBill.

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AP P ENDIX E : ONLINE ADMIS SION PR O CESS | LUOnline.com/AdmissionProcess Step 1 - Submit your application to Liberty University.

• • •

Apply to the program that meets your future career goals.

Applications can be submitted online by downloading an application to mail or by calling (800) 424-9596.

You may fax your application to (888) 301-3577, email your application to LUOverify@liberty.edu, or mail to the address below: Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Step 2 - Submit your self-certification form or transcripts from any prior colleges/universities.

• • • •

•

Once you have applied to a program, you will need to submit your transcripts for an admission decision.

You can fill out and submit the Transcript Request Form, and we will determine if we can request your official transcripts for you.

Military students needing an SOC agreement must send official transcripts.

Please keep in mind that transcript requirements differ depending on degree level: • Additional admission documents may be required by your specific program.

• Graduate Certificate Programs - You will need your official transcripts on file for an admission decision.

• Master's Degrees - You can receive an admission decision on unofficial transcripts; however, official transcripts

will be required after 60 days. Please note: Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes when a

transcript request form is also submitted.

• Postgraduate & Doctoral - You need your official transcripts on file for an admission decision.

You may fax, email, or mail your unofficial transcripts.

Step 4 - Enroll in your first courses.

• •

•

Once your FAFSA is complete, you are ready to enroll in your first class(es).

To get started: • Log into ASIST, select the "Student Tab," and then select "Registration."

• Once there, follow the prompts to register for courses.

• Make sure to consult your DCP and course guides to identify the best courses to start with.

If you would like assistance in registering for your first set of courses, simply call us at (800) 424-9596.

Step 5 - Complete Financial Check-In (FCI) and start your courses.

• • •

Once you are registered for classes, log into ASIST to complete FCI. Keep in mind: • Once you've have submitted your FAFSA, it can take 3-5 business days for processing your financial aid package.

• The sooner you complete FCI, the more payment plan options will be available.

Your professor will contact you the week before your classes begin with details to help you prepare for success. Log into Blackboard and be sure to complete your Course Requirements Checklist on the start date of courses.

Step 3 - Start the Financial Aid process.

• • • •

Get started setting up your financial aid by following the steps below and submitting the forms that apply to you.

Make sure you have your FAFSA completed prior to class registration.

Submit your FAFSA. • You can complete your FAFSA using your FSA ID username and password and with Liberty's school code,

010392. You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for financial aid.

Apply for financial aid.

See Appendix C for additional details about financial aid.

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Training Champions for Christ since 1971

APPLY TODAY LUOnline.com/Apply (800) 424-9596

Liberty University does not engage in unlawful discrimination or harassment because of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, or military veteran status in its educational programs and activities. Liberty University maintains its Christian mission and reserves its right to discriminate on the basis of religion to the extent that applicable law respects its right to act in furtherance of its religious objectives. The following persons have been designated to coordinate Liberty University’s compliance with certain anti-discrimination laws: Coordinator of LU Online Disability Academic Support at (434) 592-5417 or luoodas@liberty. edu; Director of Disability Academic Support (Residential) at (434) 582-2159 or odas@liberty.edu; Executive Director of Title IX at (434) 592-4999 or TitleIX@liberty.edu.