Requirements & Policies

American States University Requirements:

“Before beginning study; an applicant must have done either of the following:

1. Completed at least two years of college work, which college work shall be not less than one-half of the collegiate work acceptable for a bachelor’s degree granted upon the basis of a four-year period of study by a college or university approved by the examining committee.
2. Have attained in apparent intellectual ability the equivalent of at least two years of the college work by taking any examinations in such subject matters and achieving the scores thereon as are prescribed by the examining committee.”
3. Have completed the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) requirements as set forth in detail infra.

ASU Standards:

Applicants who have not completed at least two years of college work in accordance with Rule VII, Section 1 of the Rules Regulating Admission may satisfy the general education requirements of Rule VII by attaining certain scores on the following general examinations administered by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP):

1. English Composition (or) English Composition with Essay; and
2. Two of the following:

           Humanities

           Mathematics

           Natural Sciences

           Social Sciences and History

Effective July 1, 2001, the credit granting score for each examination is 50 or higher.  One should check with the College Board infra for any changes in eligibility made by the Board.

The current cost for each examination is approximately $46.00 but is constantly increased.

Applicants must register to take the examinations directly with CLEP, and request that score reports be submitted by CLEP to the Office of Admissions of the The State Bar of California and to West Coast School of Law. 

Copies of information brochures and registration forms are available at local colleges and universities, or by contacting:

The College Board

       P.O. Box 6600                                                                                      Princeton, NJ 08541-6600

1-800-257-9558

College Equivalency for Admission:

ASU recognizes the Associate of Arts Degree from all state and ter­ritory recognized institutions in the United States. In the absence of an Associate of Arts Degree, the institution recognizes sixty-semester (60) units of college work or its quarterly equivalent for admis­sion into its Juris Doctor of Law program. Thirty (30) of those semester units must be approved general education courses.  For those prospective students with sixty-semester (60) units of college, but without an Associate of Arts degree, it is recommended that you obtain an undergraduate evaluation from ASU prior to enrollment.

Accredited Bodies Recognized by the University:

1. Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools
2. The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
3. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
4. New England Association of Schools and Colleges
   1. Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
   2. Commission on Technical and Career Institutions
5. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
   1. Commission on Colleges
   2. Commission on Occupational Educational Institutions
6. Western Association of Schools and Colleges
   1. Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
   2. Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities

College Level Equivalency Program:

An applicant who meets the standards set by ASU as noted above, must also meet the additional standards set by the University which, with regard to the content of the college work used to qualify that applicant, must be taken in certain fields of undergraduate study.  [Under all of these requirements, students are required to have a minimum of 60 units of college credit (or allowable equivalent credit established by such programs as CLEP)]

Students seeking to establish sixty (60) credits of college-level work must—in order to meet the Academy’s standards—present proof that the following requirements for general education have been met:

The student has taken and completed at least thirty (30) units of general education comprised of at least one (1) course in each of the five (5) fields of study listed below:

1. Literature: English, American or world Literature
2. Social Science: Psychology or Sociology
3. History: a national history [preferably American]
4. Science: Natural science
5. Humanities: Ethnic Studies, Geography, Religion or Philosophy 

Thus, a qualified student will have completed at least five (5) courses in the above-listed fields as part of the sixty (60) college units required.

All semester units submitted for credit are to be averaged for grade point and the cumulative grade point must equal “C+” or better, 2.5 average or better if a “4.0” grading system is in use.

[Students seeking admission on the basis of successful completion of the College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP), must submit unofficial proof at time of application, but will not be admitted for study until official records are received directly by the Academy under seal.  Any admission by alternative means shall be subject to approval by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education and/or the Committee of Bar Examiners where required by either supervising body].  The Academy processes applications to conform to its policy of monthly enrollment. The student will then by officially notified of his or her status; and will receive an Evaluation and Acceptance Letter from the Academy.  This catalog sets forth the necessary course requirements that must be met by the individual student. 

To apply for admission, an applicant must submit a formal Application/Registration using American ASU’s official Application/Registration Admission form.  Payment of a $100.00 processing fee must be made with submission of the application/registration.  Application for enrollment may be made at any time, with new classes forming on the first of each month.

Official transcripts and records are required to complete application.  Unofficial transcripts will be permitted for provisional acceptance, but official transcripts must be in the student’s file no later than 90 days after enrollment.  Transcripts will be accepted from any college or university that is accredited under the guidelines of the United States Department of Education, any California state-approved institution recognized in good standing with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education [B.P.P.E.] and any international institution recognized by the legal authority of its country. Upon acceptance, a faculty mentor will be assigned and materials made available to the student for each course, which includes course outlines and/or syllabus. That process is repeated throughout the academic program, until completion of all courses and requirements.

Inactive and Withdrawals:

It is the responsibility of the student to inform ASU Administration of an intention to withdraw or to become inactive in a program.  Failure properly to inform the Dean of Administration of such intention can require a new application and additional fees upon notification of a request to continue or re-enter.  Withdrawal or a leave of absence from a course or program requires written notification to ASU and written concurrence of the University.

Students are required to maintain regular online and classroom attendance.  Failure to do so will render the student ineligible to receive credit for courses not fully attended.  The Committee of Bar Examiners will not allow a student deficient in accumulated; nor will the ASU refund tuition or fees to a student who fails to qualify because of unauthorized absences.  Unauthorized credit deficiencies can result in the student being dropped from a class or from the program entirely.

Transfer Credits:

1. Transfer of Credits earned in other education programs or institutions.

ASU has adopted a policy of accepting transfer students from any recognized institution of higher education who possess same or similar entrance requirements. The goal of ASU is to present and to instill a knowledge of and approach to study, which begins on the first day of the first class and continues class by class in a close relationship between student and teacher.  That goal of attaining a close and supportive relationship tailored to the abilities and goals of each student is advanced by accepting students who have earned credits elsewhere under different systems of legal education.

2. No Credit Allowed for Prior Learning Experience(s)

ASU does not award any credit or advanced standing based upon “prior learning experience(s)” whether such experience be “life” experience or gained in any other learning environment outside of a recognized college or university.

It is the view of the University that all knowledge accrued by mature students in the course of their life’s career will serve to prepare them better for a career in law, but general knowledge is not considered to be an adequate substitute for a comprehensive program of training.