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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Is Preston University accredited by any of the accreditation associations certified by the U.S. Department of Education?
A. Preston University is not accredited by any of the private accreditation associations certified by the United States Department of Education. In the USA, accreditation is a fully voluntary, non-governmental process. All accredited institutions conform to the standards of the accrediting body, thus simplifying the evaluation and acceptance of credits among member schools. The U.S. Department of Education certifies selected accrediting associations to identify the member schools as acceptable for award of federal financial assistance. In the United States, post-secondary academic institutions have established private associations with the intention to create organizational and procedural standards to ensure consistent delivery of academic programs. These private associations of member schools administer the “accreditation” process in the U.S. Preston University, Los Angeles, California USA is a privately owned, for-profit institution, incorporated in the State of California, USA. Preston University awards associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees.
Q. When was Preston University established?
A. Preston University was established in 1984. The first USA campus was established in 1994, and the worldwide headquarters in Los Angeles, CA USA was opened in 2009.
Q. Are Preston University degrees recognized in other countries or by other universities?
A. Employers and governments around the world are under no obligation to declare recognition of Preston University degrees. If you are planning to seek employment with either you should inquire about their recognition policies prior to enrolling at Preston. Each university has its own policy concerning the recognition of credits earned at other universities. To determine recognition by other universities, students should contact the other schools regarding their specific policy concerning acceptance of credits earned at Preston University.
Q. Does Preston University offer credit for professional career experience?
A. Preston University grants transfer credit only for verified academic achievement. No credit is awarded for life experience, portfolio evaluation or for any other non-academic achievements.
Q. Does Preston offer distance learning programs?
A. Yes, Preston University offers a broad selection of distance education programs.
Q. Does Preston University accept credits earned at other universities? If so, how many?
A. Yes, it is possible to transfer credits earned at other recognized educational institutions. Only courses in which you have earned at least a grade of “passed” or a C grade or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) will be accepted. The number of credits accepted varies with the student’s degree program.
Q. When can one start a distance education program?
A. Academic courses begin at the start of each month. Upon acceptance of enrollment and payment of fees students may begin their programs at the start of the following month.
Q. How is the distance education program administered?
A. The student selects a specific curriculum to follow. The university sends the books and study materials to the students. The curriculum is comprised of a series of individual courses, which earn a specified number of semester credits. Most courses consist of ten modules. After completing each course, the student will submit the examination, research paper or project for that course for evaluation. When the appropriate number of credits has been earned, and all fees have been paid, the student is awarded his or her degree.
Q. How does Preston University’s evaluation system work? Do I need to travel to take my final exams?
A. The performance appraisal methods for the different courses in your academic program vary. Some courses require case studies or reviews of related articles found in recent periodic literature, while other courses require you to complete an examination, a special project or a research paper. You will not be required to take any on-site exams in the USA. The course evaluation system does not require you to travel. You may complete most course work and required examinations in your own home.
Q. What type of testing must I take to be accepted for admission to Preston University?
A. Distance Education students whose spoken and written language is not English must score above 500 written or 175 computer-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prior to earning their degree.
Q. What is the duration of the distance learning programs?
A. The distance learning programs are conducted at the student’s individual pace, but may not exceed a defined time period associated with a specific program without prior permission from the Admissions Committee. It may take from one (1) to four (4) years to complete an associate degree program, two (2) to six (6) years to complete a bachelor degree program, and one (1) to three (3) years to complete a master degree program and two (2) to six (6) years for doctoral degree programs, depending on the amount of transfer credit earned and the pace of studies convenient for the student.
Q. Does Preston University offer financial assistance to international and domestic students?
A. No direct financial aid is available from the university.
Q. What is the language of instruction at Preston University?
A. The distance learning programs are generally delivered in English using English language textbooks. Under certain circumstances, courses may be completed in other languages convenient to both the student and the supervising professor.
Q. Can a student take Preston University programs in a foreign language?
A. Distance Education students wishing to study in a language other than English must gain approval from an approved Supervising Professor. The student and professor may then work together in the selected language. Students may receive instruction in their native language, but must complete at least 6 semester credits of college-level English language instruction prior to graduation from Preston degree programs.
Q. Does Preston University issue academic transcripts?
A. Yes, Preston issues official academic transcripts after the student successfully completes all his or her courses. Records of academic progress are also kept, and interim transcripts may be issued to the student following completion of course work for any semester.
Q. Is the term “distance education” used in either the student’s transcripts or student’s diploma?
A. No, the term “distance education” is not used in either the student’s transcripts or on the diploma.
Q. Does Preston University notarize its diplomas? Can I have an apostille attached?
A. Preston University will attach an apostille or have its diplomas notarized when requested by the student. The student is responsible for payment to cover the notary, apostille or other certification cost.
Q. Who are the faculty of Preston University?
A. The university faculty consists of a wide variety of adjunct professors from reputed universities as well as Preston’s own professors. All professors have established credentials as teachers and have been selected for their range of both practical and academic experience.
Q. How do distance education students pay their application and tuition fees?
A. Both the application and course fees can be paid by check, money order, credit card or wire transfer.
Q. Do international distance education students need to send official transcripts and diplomas earned at other educational institutions?
A. Yes. All applicants for admission to Preston should request that official transcripts, translated into English and notarized, be sent directly to Preston University from the educational institution from which they earned their diplomas. The student must submit copies of all diplomas they have earned. These documents enable the Academic Committee to approve enrollment in programs and to assign transfer credit for previous academic achievements. If the educational institution cannot send official transcripts or diplomas, the student may submit photocopies of transcripts and degrees certified by a school official or attested by an appropriate government official. Since each degree program requires different documentation, we have included an Application Check Sheet to help you in submitting all the correct documents with your Application for Admission. To prevent delays in processing your application, be sure to submit all required documents in one complete package.
Q. Can I earn more than one degree from Preston University?
A. Certainly, in fact, a student could begin by earning an associate degree, then progress to the bachelor, master and doctorate degrees to reach his or her educational goals. Preston exists to help you reach your full potential and achieve your academic goals. We pledge to make your educational experience as efficient and rewarding as possible.
Q. How do students communicate with faculty and staff at Preston University?
A. Faculty and staff are available to assist students with their programs, advise about courses and curriculum and to help the students succeed. Communication may be accomplished in a number of ways.
Tel: 213-384-4500 or 877-384-4511 within the US
Fax: 213-384-4502
E-Mail: Admissions@Preston.edu
Postal Mail:
Preston University
3701 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 220
Los Angeles CA 90010 USA
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