Student Services

The Student Services programs of Amberton University have been designed to support and supplement the University’s formal academic programs. These services include academic advising, student account services, VA benefits, foreign students’ ICE needs, and copies of records. For additional information, refer to “Students’ Rights – Educational Records” and “Legal Notice of Non-Discrimination.” Contact the Vice President for Strategic Services with specific questions.

The Academic Advising System (Degree Plans)

The process of academic advising at Amberton University involves both technology and human assistance.  All students who enroll with Amberton University are provided academic advisors.  All new students should talk with an advisor prior to enrolling.  Any student, new or returning, seeking to enroll for more than twelve hours for the undergraduate student and more than nine hours for the graduate student must have prior approval.  While degree and course selection is the responsibility of the student, advisors are available to assist the student in interpreting data and considering options.

Amberton University has an on-line Academic Advising System (AAS) exclusively for its students.  The system is available on-line in the Student Portal, the CampusWeb system and through the Student Services Office, or a student may request a copy of his/her degree plan through the mail, by fax or e-mail. At the conclusion of each session, students are notified of their course grades and degree plans are updated on all University systems.

The on-line Academic Advising System for Amberton University gives students access to:

1. A Transfer of Credit Report that reports all courses accepted in transfer from other institutions and how those courses are equivalent to Amberton University courses.
2. A Course Inventory that reports all courses completed at Amberton University, total credits awarded, and grade-point average.
3. A Degree Plan that uses transfer information as well as work completed at Amberton University relative to a specific degree (identified by the student) to provide the student with information relative to courses completed and courses needed to complete the degree requirements.

In order for the system to work most efficiently, the student should do the following:

1. Verify that Amberton University has official copies of all academic transfer work.
2. Review on-line degree plan for selecting classes for the next session. Amberton University updates degree plans at the conclusion of each session and when transfer work is submitted and evaluated. Students needing assistance in interpreting data are encouraged to visit with an academic advisor.
3. Visit with an academic advisor and seek help interpreting academic records (degree plan, transfer work, courses completed) when necessary.
4. Use the system regularly to make sure degree requirements are being satisfied.

Financial Advising

The University’s philosophy is to keep educational costs affordable so students “pay as they go” and not incur long-term debts.  The University is an approved Title IV educational institution and can award financial aid to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing an approved degree program.  Please refer to the University’s Financial Aid Handbook for more information concerning financial aid policies and procedures.  For those students who have acceptable credit references, the University offers convenient payment plans allowing deferred payment options.  MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards are also accepted as payment of an account. Please speak with an Advisor and/or see the University’s web site for more payment options.  Amberton encourages students who secure Federal Direct Loans or Private Loans to use good judgment and borrow only as much as they need.

International Student Advising and Admission

Amberton University is authorized under federal and state laws to enroll qualified international students seeking bachelor or master degrees.  Primarily, Amberton University is designed for the mature, working adult who is an English-speaking citizen of the United States of America.  However, Amberton will allow international students (non-U.S. citizens/non-permanent residents) to enroll in academic programs if, after evaluation, it is determined that the University can provide for the special and unique needs often presented by these students.

The international student must submit his/her application for admission, transcripts, and any other supporting documents before admission can be considered.  Any international student who requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) forms must supply all required documents at the time of requesting admission.  (See Amberton’s International Student Required Documents List on the University’s web site.)  Students needing ICE forms may speak with an admission advisor for further information and guidance.  A processing fee is required of all non-U.S. citizens/non-permanent residents at the time of application for admission, regardless of ICE classification.

International students must fulfill the following admission requirements:

• Be over 21 years of age and fluent (reading, speaking, and writing with facility and smoothness) in the English language.*
• Submit Application for Admission along with a non-refundable processing fee, and all required ICE documents (see Amberton’s International Student Required Documents List on the University’s web site). Also, each session enrolled, the student will pay a fee to cover the costs of ICE reports.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended in the U.S.A. Students subject to ICE regulations must have been in attendance within the past 5 months and be “in-status” with ICE and SEVIS.
  • Undergraduate students must have a minimum of 30 semester hours of acceptable work from a U.S.A. accredited institution.
  • Graduate students must have a bachelor’s degree from a U.S.A. accredited institution or the equivalent. For degrees earned outside of the United States, evidence that the academic work completed is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree is required. Transcripts must be evaluated course by course by a NACES approved evaluation service, such as Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), World Education Services, Inc (WES ICAP evaluation) or Span Tran Educational Services (Divisional Course by Course) before evaluation and processing by Amberton University.
• No international student who is on probation at a S.A. college/university previously attended will be considered for admission to Amberton University. For undergraduate students, an overall GPA of at least 2.0 is required when seeking admission. The standard for graduate students is an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
• Because of course delivery restrictions, not all programs are available to F-1 students. Refer to the University’s web site (Programs and Courses. Admission Requirements; International Students) for more information or speak with an advisor.

*      The ability to read, write, speak, and understand English is vital for success at Amberton University. If applicant’s native language is not English and the applicant has been educated outside of the United States in a non-English speaking country, s/he must demonstrate English proficiency. Proficiency may be demonstrated by:

• Submitting an acceptable Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination score. At the time of enrollment, the test score must be less than two years old. Minimum test scores are as follows:

1. 1. 80 TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test)
   2. 550 TOEFL (Paper-based test)
   3. 215 TOEFL (Computer-based test)
   4. 6.5 IELTS Band

• A personal interview with Amberton University staff to determine applicant’s ability to communicate effectively in English. Professional experiences and work history may be considered when evaluating English proficiency.

Veteran Advising

Amberton University has been approved by the Texas Education Agency to administer the Veterans’ Educational Benefits program. The Veterans’ Administration requires that each veteran receiving educational benefits be enrolled in courses that lead to a specific educational objective. A veteran may not receive benefits for courses that he/she has already received credit, for courses which are in excess of degree requirements, or for courses which do not apply to a degree. A customized financial cost worksheet and degree plan will be provided upon request.

For certification with Veterans Affairs, eligible students must complete the “Veterans Information Form” (available on the Amberton University website or in the Student Services Office) for each session that benefits are requested. It is the responsibility of the student receiving benefits to notify the Amberton University Veterans’ Official immediately if there are changes in his/her enrollment or personal information. In order to continue to be eligible for benefits, veteran students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. (See “Academic Performance of a Student” for further information regarding satisfactory academic progress.)

If necessary, Veterans can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid here.

Student Records

Student records, which consist of an Amberton University application, test scores (when appropriate), official transcripts, and copies of all University correspondence, will remain active for three years following the end of the last session enrolled. These files are then destroyed. Students who enroll after their records have been destroyed must reapply for admission and resubmit all records. Certain files may be retained longer to comply with state or federal law.

All educational records of students who apply for admission or enroll at Amberton University become and remain the sole and exclusive property of the University. Relative to these records, Amberton University adheres to the following policies:

• Amberton University will not produce a student directory and will not release any information on a present or former student who has submitted a written FERPA Nondisclosure Request. Information on a present or former student will not be released to independent parties without direct written consent from the student or required by law or statute.
• Amberton University will never provide or sell lists of students and their addresses to external agencies or businesses for commercial purposes.
• Each student’s record is considered confidential and will be made available to Amberton University personnel on a “need-to-know” basis only.
• A student may review his/her records in the presence of a University representative and may request copies of any information enclosed, except transcripts from other universities. (Copies provided at student’s expense.)

Transcript Service

The academic transcript is a copy of the official document on which are listed all Amberton University courses attempted, all grades assigned, and the degree status of the student. For a fee, a student may request a transcript from the Student Services Office in person and normally can receive a copy immediately, or the student may fax, mail, or email the request.  Official copies of records and transcripts from schools other than Amberton University must be requested by the student from the institutions where the course work was completed.

Please refer to the current Schedule of Classes or the University’s web site for the specific transcript fee.  Adequate notice of requests (a minimum of 24 hours) is required for transcript processing; however, during peak periods (i.e., registration and final examinations) there will be some delay.  Transcripts cannot be released unless the student has satisfied all admission, financial, and other obligations to the University.  Transcripts from other institutions provided by the student as a condition of admission become the property of Amberton University and will not be copied or returned to the student.

All academic records of all students forever remain the property of Amberton University and can be maintained or disposed of in whatever way the University chooses.  Amberton University is under no obligation to maintain an academic transcript for a student who has been declared delinquent for failure to honor his/her academic/financial responsibilities.  The academic transcript of a student declared delinquent will be expunged.  All obligations owed or deemed appropriate by the University must be satisfied before the University will consider restoration of expunged records.

Transcript Forms

New/Prospective Student Orientation

Several times during the year Amberton University conducts new/prospective student orientations. The programs are designed to orient the student to the facility, programs, library opportunities, University regulations and procedures, and academic advising (see current Schedule of Classes for dates of orientation sessions).

Employment Opportunities And Job Placement

As the majority of students attending Amberton University are employed full-time, the University does not sponsor job placement seminars or have an employment opportunities office. From time to time, the University receives notices of job openings from area businesses. These notices are posted in the student lounge. Additionally, students are encouraged to use the online services available when seeking career opportunities. Through electronic networking, students can search for employment locally as well as nationwide.

Disability and Accommodation Services

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Amberton University recognizes a student with a disability as anyone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. The Office for Strategic Services at Amberton University serves as the primary contact point for students with disabilities for new students seeking admission or current students requesting ADA accommodations after admission had been granted. Coordinated by the Vice President for Strategic Services, the OSS strives to help students with appropriate accommodations and support consistent with the mission of the University to provide equality education to working, adult students. A student requesting ADA accommodations is instructed to do so as a part of the admission process so that a determination can be made as to what accommodations are available prior to admission.

The OSS coordinates assistance for students with documented disabilities in cooperation with other University departments and in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Appropriate and current documentation provided by a professional with appropriate training and credentials related to the area of disability must be presented to the OSS before accommodations are authorized. The documentation provided guides the development of appropriate accommodations. Recommended accommodations needed in a postsecondary educational setting, as well as duration and rationale for specific recommendations, should be included in the submitted documentation. Amberton University recognizes the vital assistance provided by trained, documented service dogs and welcomes their presence on its campuses. However, Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are not allowed.

Upon receipt of sufficient documentation, the OSS will work with the student to determine what accommodations can be provided to meet the student’s needs. The OSS will then provide written confirmation of the accommodations to the student, faculty and other relevant individuals.

To apply for disability accommodations, contact:
Dr. Jo L. Loyd
Vice President for Strategic Services
13601 LBJ Fwy
Garland, TX 75041

(972) 279-6511 ext. 126
VPSS@Amberton.edu