Academic Policies

Admissions requirements

Laurus College is committed to providing access to higher education for individuals who demonstrate the academic ability to succeed in a college environment.

General admission requirements

Prospective students must have evidence of a high school diploma, or its equivalent. When documentation of high school completion is unavailable and no information is available from another source such as the school district or state department of education, a student may provide alternative documentation, such as a military DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty that indicates that the student is a regular high school graduate or equivalent.

An appropriate third party will evaluate and translate into English (if applicable) any non-U.S.-issued documents, at an additional cost to the prospective student. Laurus College waives this additional cost for applicants who are either active or retired members of the U.S. military. Laurus College does not accept Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) students.

Prospective students must also demonstrate the ability to be successful in an online learning environment and meet the technology requirements for participation in the program. Laurus College conducts a preliminary assessment of the student’s system capabilities and of the student’s ability to succeed in a distance education environment by way of their participation in an admissions interview using the same technology platform through which Laurus College delivers courses.

In compliance with Civil Rights legislation, Laurus College admits students without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, marital status, color, age, disability, or any other factor prohibited by law. Laurus College does not discriminate in its educational programs, placement procedures, or employment practices.

Admission process

To apply for admission, prospective students should start by contacting the college to schedule an appointment with an admissions representative. All prospective students must complete a personal interview with one of the school’s admissions representatives and submit an application. The Registrar and Evaluations Team are responsible for determining if an applicant has met all admission requirements of the catalog.

The Registrar must receive all official transcripts from prior institutions of higher education before the end of the student’s first term of enrollment. Laurus College will notify the prospective student in writing if they do not meet the admissions criteria.

Before courses start, prospective students meet with an Academic Excellence Specialist (AES) and Information Technology (IT) to complete academic excellence and online support workshops. Accepted students attend New Student Orientation before courses start. Students who are military veterans take an orientation geared specifically for their success.

Prospective students wishing to use federal financial aid are required to meet with Student Financial Services to discuss funding options.

Admission decisions

Laurus College reviews all applications on a rolling basis. Applicants receive admission decisions once Laurus College receives and evaluates all required materials. Laurus College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant who does not meet the stated admission requirements or whose academic record does not indicate a likelihood of success in the program.

Transfer admissions

Laurus College welcomes transfer students who have completed postsecondary coursework at other accredited institutions. The following conditions apply:

• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on all transferable college-level coursework.
• A maximum of 75% of required credits may be transferred into a bachelor’s program, and a maximum of 50% of required credits may be transferred into an associate program.
• Transferrable courses must have a grade of “C-” or “70%” or better.

English language proficiency

Applicants with secondary or previous education in a foreign country must demonstrate English language proficiency, either by submitting an acceptable passing score on an English Language Proficiency Examination or by proof that the language of instruction for the secondary or postsecondary credentialing institution was English. Laurus College may complete transcript evaluations on unofficial transcripts; however, official documentation must be received and verified before admission may be granted and the applicant may enroll.

Accepted minimum scores: 57 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT) or 61 on the Internet-Based Test (iBT); 6.0 on the International English Language Test (IELTS); 44 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report; 95 on the Duolingo English Test; 53 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET); 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE); 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE); or 785 on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC).

Special admissions categories

International students. International students must meet the same admissions criteria as domestic students, in addition to providing documentation for visa status and proof of English proficiency. For any academic credits earned at an international institution that a student wants considered for transfer credit, official transcripts must be fully translated into the English equivalent and sent directly to the school for evaluation, by a company approved by — but not affiliated with — Laurus College. Please note that all Laurus College courses are taught in English, and Laurus College does not offer visa services.

F-1 visa-seeking (on-site) students. Students attending Laurus College on an F-1 Student Visa must enroll in courses at an on-site location and physically attend all classes there. The F-1 Visa requires students to take all final examinations on-site to comply with their visa requirements. On-site students receive additional support, which may include guest lectures, supplemental lab activities, and access to other resources; these services are available to any student attending classes in residence or via the virtual classroom.

Returning students. Prior students who have been away from Laurus College for more than one academic year must reapply for admission and provide updated transcripts and documentation if applicable.

Veterans and active-duty military. Laurus College honors the service of veterans and active-duty military members. These applicants must submit military transcripts (such as the Joint Services Transcript) and all previous college coursework for evaluation of academic credit. The college also accepts CLEP and DSST exam results for college credit. See Military & Veterans for benefits and your School Certifying Official.

Non-degree-seeking students. Students who wish to take courses without pursuing a degree must submit an application and proof of high school graduation or its equivalent. Laurus College limits the number of credits non-degree-seeking students may complete without enrolling in a degree program.

Provisional admittance

Laurus College may grant Provisional Admittance to applicants who meet all substantive admission criteria but have not yet submitted final documentation confirming high school completion. This status allows a student to begin studies and enroll in courses while the College awaits the required documentation.

Students admitted provisionally can enroll for a maximum of five (5) quarter credit hours. To transition to Full Admittance, the student must provide one of the following before exceeding this limit:

• A copy of a high school diploma or high school transcript with graduation date.
• A copy of a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or state-equivalent credential.
• An official transcript from an accredited college or university confirming the award of an associate degree or higher.

Where documentation of high school completion is unavailable and no information is available from another source such as the school district or state department of education, a student may provide alternative documentation, such as a Joint Services Transcript (JST), military DD Form 214 Certificate of Release, or Discharge from Active Duty that indicates that the student is a regular high school graduate or equivalent.

Failure to provide verifiable documentation before exceeding the five-quarter-credit-hour limit will result in the rescinding of the student’s admittance and administrative withdrawal from the College. Students are strongly encouraged to submit all required documentation as soon as possible to secure Full Admittance status.

Transfer of credit

Laurus College does not currently have any articulation or transfer agreements in place with other colleges or universities.

Credit transferred in to Laurus College

A maximum of 75% of required credits may be transferred into a bachelor’s program, and a maximum of 50% of required credits may be transferred into an associate program. Transferrable courses must carry a grade of “C-” or “70%” or better. Credit may also be awarded for military training (via the Joint Services Transcript) and for CLEP and DSST examinations. Official transcripts must reach the Registrar before the end of your first term.

Academic calendar

Laurus College operates on five-week terms — each term runs 35 days — so new students can start throughout the year. The published 2025–2026 academic calendar:

Holiday schedule

2025: Veteran’s Day (11/11/2025); Thanksgiving (11/27–11/28/2025); Christmas Holiday (12/24–12/25/2025).

2026: New Year’s Day (1/1/2026); Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday (1/19/2026); Memorial Day (5/25/2026); Juneteenth (6/19/2026); Independence Day — observed (7/3/2026); Labor Day (9/7/2026); Constitution Day (9/17/2026); Veteran’s Day (11/11/2026); Thanksgiving (11/26–11/27/2026); Christmas Holiday (12/24–12/25/2026).

Laurus College observes Constitution Day annually on September 17; however, the college still holds classes if this observance falls on a normal class meeting day.

Technology requirements

Students must have a minimum Internet connection of 5 Mbps (megabits per second); Laurus College recommends 25 Mbps to participate in distance education. Students must also have a workstation that meets the following minimum requirements:

• An Intel i5 or i7 (AVP/AP) processor or compatible
• 8 GB RAM (16 GB for IT and AVP/AP)
• 50 GB free space on the hard drive (100 GB for IT and AVP/AP)
• Open GL graphics card (VDM/DACA only)
• 3-button mouse
• Keyboard
• Video display (monitor)
• Windows 10 OS
• Chrome browser (or Internet Explorer v10 or higher)
• Webcam
• 1 available USB port for a headset (supplied by Laurus College)

All student computer workstations located at on-site locations meet or exceed these specifications. Laurus College provides students enrolled in a degree program with a laptop computer that meets the specifications above as part of their equipment package. Please be aware that students must meet specific requirements based on the program and funding source before a laptop is issued.

Technical considerations

Laurus College provides laptops to ensure all students have access to the tools they need to succeed. However, certain programs — such as Audio Video Production (AVP) or Digital Arts and Computer Animation (DACA) — may have additional technical requirements. Students who choose to use their own devices alongside the college-provided laptop should ensure their personal computers meet the specifications required for their enrolled program. These program-specific technical requirements include hardware, software, and peripheral compatibility to support the specialized demands of these fields. For more detail, see the Technical Requirements section of the Student Handbook.

Student’s right to cancel

If you cancel the Enrollment Agreement, the school will refund any money you paid, less the $100 registration fee.

How to cancel

A cancellation request must be made in writing and sent directly to the Registrar of the College. The notice of cancellation is effective if it shows that you no longer wish to be bound by the Enrollment Agreement. Written notice of cancellation may be sent by email, mail, or hand delivery:

Office of the Registrar, Laurus College

421 East Betteravia Rd., Suite 100, Santa Maria, CA 93454

registrar@lauruscollege.edu

(805) 267-1690

If you send notice of cancellation by mail, it is effective when deposited in the mail, properly addressed with proper postage. If you send notice by email, it is effective when sent — however, you must confirm that the College received the email for the cancellation notice to be valid. Request a “read receipt” from the College. If you do not receive an email confirmation from the Registrar within 24 hours of submission, call the Registrar at (805) 267-1690.

Withdrawing after the cancellation period

A student may withdraw from Laurus College for any reason. The student is responsible for completing the College’s formal withdrawal procedures as outlined in the Withdrawal Policy of the Catalog. If a student registered via an online military portal, it is the student’s responsibility to withdraw via that same portal.

A withdrawal is considered to have occurred on the date the student officially submits the withdrawal form or otherwise notifies the College of their desire to withdraw, or on the date the College determines the student ceased attendance or failed to meet published academic policies and is administratively withdrawn — whichever comes first. This is the date of determination (DOD) used to compute the refund.

If a student is withdrawn for any reason, or drops a course within the period allowed in any given five-week term, the amount already paid is compared to the tuition of the completed portion of that term. Any amount paid in excess of the required amount is refunded; if the student has paid less than the required amount, the student is responsible for paying the difference.

Laurus College is subject to and must abide by the refund policies of any branch, agency, or department of the federal government with which it is associated or affiliated. In the event of a conflict between the College’s Institutional Refund Policy and the refund policy of an affiliated federal branch, agency, or department, the federal refund policy may supersede that of Laurus College. Laurus College is also obligated to comply with state regulations, including those of California and Nevada.

Refund policy

Laurus College is committed to processing all refunds in compliance with federal, state, accreditor, and institutional regulations. Refunds are calculated based on the student’s source of funding and the timing of withdrawal from the program. The College recognizes three primary funding categories for refund purposes:

1. Title IV federal financial aid
2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits
3. Cash payments and other non-federal funding sources

What is never refundable

A refund calculation is performed on all institutional charges except the following:

• Registration fee — a one-time, non-refundable fee of $100.00.
• Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) fee — this state-mandated fee is non-refundable.
• Required equipment package — the charge for the student equipment package (including laptop, software, and/or program-specific kits) is non-refundable once the equipment has been issued to and accepted by the student.

If a student withdraws after their initial one hundred quarter credits attempted in a bachelor’s program, the Continuing Enrollment Equipment Package is also non-refundable.

Title IV federal financial aid recipients

Refunds for Title IV financial aid recipients are calculated on a pro-rata basis for those who withdraw up to the 60% completion point of the payment period. After a student has completed more than 60% of the payment period, the College will not — outside the exceptions listed below — refund any institutional charges. Refunds are issued within 45 days of the date of withdrawal determination.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits

Tuition and fees paid directly to the College by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are subject to VA payment and refund regulations. When the VA makes payment directly to the College, any required adjustments (due to withdrawal or schedule change) are processed through the VA, and any tuition refund is returned to the VA, not the student. Students receiving both VA and Title IV aid are subject to the rules applicable to both programs, and institutional refunds apply only to charges paid through Title IV funds or by the student.

Cash, private, or other non-federal funding

Students who pay tuition and fees through cash payments, private loans, employer assistance, or scholarships are subject to the College’s Tuition Refund Policy. Once the add/drop period has passed, tuition and fees become non-refundable, and students are responsible for the full cost of the enrolled term or course.

Sample refund calculation

A student enrolls in a degree program and is charged $4,000 in tuition and $200 in program fees for 10 credits over 10 weeks (two 5-week terms). The student pays the full $4,200.

The payment period is 10 weeks, representing 70 days. If the student stops attending at the end of the 4th week (28 days), the percentage of time elapsed in the payment period is 28/70, or 40%. The College would refund $2,400 in tuition ($4,000 × 60%) and $120 in program fees ($200 × 60%) — less the $100 registration fee, and less the equipment package, which is non-refundable once received by the student.

Under California law, if a student withdraws after 42 days (60% of the 70-day payment period), the College is not required to, and will not, refund tuition or fees.

Exceptions to the withdrawal policy

In exceptional circumstances, the College may consider a refund or partial adjustment on a case-by-case basis. All requests for a refund after the 60% completion point must be submitted in writing and accompanied by supporting documentation. Examples of sufficient reasons include, but are not limited to: serious medical emergencies or illness; death of a student or a student’s immediate family member; unexpected military service obligations; extreme financial hardship involving sudden, unforeseen loss; and other extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control.

Circumstances that do not qualify for a refund exception include, but are not limited to: misunderstanding of deadlines, policies, or procedures as published in the College Catalog, website, or course syllabi; misunderstanding of course requirements or prerequisites; dissatisfaction with course content, instruction, or academic progress; conflicts with personal, work, child care, or vacation schedules; changes in financial aid or scholarship eligibility; personal errors in judgment; lack of transportation; or incarceration.

Career services & employment

Employment and placement reporting

In accordance with California Education Code § 94929.5(a) and Title 5, California Code of Regulations § 74112, Laurus College reports completion and placement data for programs designed to lead to, or that make claims related to, particular employment outcomes. Laurus College maintains records and publishes, as required by law, information about:

• Program completion rates;
• Graduate employment rates (if applicable and verifiable under BPPE methodology); and
• Publicly available wage data corresponding to relevant CIP/SOC codes.

This information is published in each program’s School Performance Fact Sheet — see School Performance Fact Sheets.

Standard Occupational Classification codes

While Laurus College does not guarantee job placement, advancement, continued employment, or level of income or wage rate upon program/course completion or graduation, in compliance with 5 CCR § 74112(d)(3) the College has identified the job classifications that each degree or certificate program may prepare its graduates for, using the U.S. Department of Labor’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes. SOC codes for each program are listed in the College Catalog (PDF).

What we do provide

Laurus College does not operate a job-placement service and does not place graduates into jobs. Students attending an on-site location do have access to career advising and graduate placement assistance among the residential services offered there, and instructors bring professional experience that helps students understand industry expectations. None of that is a guarantee of employment, an offer of placement, or a substitute for your own job search.

Alumni services

Laurus College does not operate a formal alumni association or alumni services program, and does not offer alumni benefits, alumni career placement, or continuing alumni membership of any kind. Graduates are welcome to stay in touch with the college and are sometimes invited to share their stories — you can read some of them on our Alumni page — but participation is voluntary and confers no services or benefits.

Requests for transcripts, enrollment verification, or other records after graduation are handled by the Office of the Registrar. See Records, Registrar & transcripts.

Licensure

Some programs include coursework aligned to voluntary industry certification examinations — for example, courses in the technology programs align to CompTIA certification objectives. Industry certifications are awarded by third-party organizations, are separate from state licensure, and are not included in your tuition. Passing a certification examination is not a requirement for graduating from Laurus College, and Laurus College does not guarantee that any student will pass one.

If you intend to work in an occupation that requires a state license, contact the licensing board in the state where you intend to work before you enroll, to confirm what that board requires.