USAHS is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it does not, by itself, establish that every degree meets the separate requirements of a profession.
Programmatic accreditation matters especially in clinical fields. Physical therapy applicants should verify the status of the specific Doctor of Physical Therapy program with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Occupational therapy applicants should likewise check the relevant degree and campus with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Other health professions have their own accrediting and licensing requirements.
Institutional accreditation can affect eligibility for federal student aid and how another school reviews credits. Professional licensure, however, may depend on a program's accreditation, state rules, examinations, and other conditions. Students planning to practice outside California should review the university's state-by-state licensure disclosures before enrolling.
Admission to USAHS is program-specific and selective; it is not an open-admission route for first-time college students. Most applicants to its clinical graduate degrees need prior college study, and a bachelor's degree is typically required for entry to doctoral professional programs.
Applicants should expect to submit an application and official college transcripts. A program may also require prerequisite courses, a minimum GPA, a statement, recommendations, an interview, or documentation of experience in the field. Requirements for applicants educated outside the United States can include an evaluation of their academic records and evidence of English proficiency.
SAT and ACT scores are not the appropriate starting point for evaluating these graduate programs. Because requirements, start dates, and application procedures differ, applicants should use the admissions checklist for their intended degree and campus rather than assume that one USAHS policy applies to every program. Meeting published minimum qualifications does not ensure admission.
USAHS applicants should check the current fee shown in the application instructions for their particular program and application route before submitting. A single university-wide application charge should not be assumed for all graduate degrees.
Applicants who need a fee waiver should ask the admissions office or the application service administering their program whether one is offered, who qualifies, and whether approval must come before submission. An application fee is distinct from any later enrollment deposit or tuition charge.
ROTC is not an established part of USAHS's San Marcos academic offerings. Prospective students should not assume that the campus hosts Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC units or that enrollment at USAHS automatically permits participation through another university.
Students exploring a military career should ask the relevant ROTC host unit and USAHS whether cross-enrollment is permitted for their degree and schedule. ROTC participation, scholarships, and subsequent service obligations are governed by the military branch and the applicable agreement, not by admission to a health sciences program alone.
At USAHS, transferring generally means asking whether previous college coursework can satisfy admission prerequisites or count toward a particular graduate degree. It is not the same process as entering a conventional bachelor's program as a sophomore or junior.
Applicants should submit official transcripts from every relevant institution and identify courses they want evaluated. A program may require a minimum grade, recent completion of a science prerequisite, or a close match in course content. Prior clinical or graduate credits may face additional limits because professional curricula and accreditation requirements prescribe particular sequences and experiences.
An admissions decision does not itself guarantee transfer credit. Before committing, request a written, program-specific evaluation showing which prerequisites are satisfied, which credits apply to the degree, and how the decision affects the expected time to completion.
Students should not assume that USAHS offers a conventional semester- or year-long study-abroad option for its San Marcos clinical programs. Required laboratory work and supervised clinical experiences can make an extended absence difficult to fit into a professional curriculum.
International learning, service, or placement opportunities - if offered by a particular program - are different from a university-wide study-abroad exchange. Before relying on one, students should obtain written confirmation of academic approval, supervision, credit, insurance, costs, and whether the experience satisfies professional or licensing requirements.
Open admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
NoStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
NoData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.