What are the admission requirements for University of Phoenix?

Understanding the admission requirements for University of Phoenix is the first step in applying. Find out what’s required, how the process works and why the University takes an accessible approach to adult education.

The admission requirements for University of Phoenix may look a little different from those of traditional universities. That’s because UOPX caters to adult learners looking to develop career-relevant skills in a more flexible learning environment. Its admission requirements also reflect the University’s mission to remove barriers to education. The goal is to make education accessible and affordable to working adults — and that starts with the admission process. Here’s a closer look at the requirements for each offering.

Simply put, prospective students for bachelor’s and associate degree programs must meet the following criteria:

• Have a high school diploma (or a valid equivalent)
• Be a U.S. citizen, hold a valid visa or other legal status that allows pursuit of higher education in the U.S.
• Successfully take an English proficiency test (for non-native speakers only)
• Not have been expelled from a college, university or other institution for higher education
• Provide all official test scores and transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended
• Complete all required forms for admission

From there, applicants may encounter additional requirements depending on their state of residence and selected program. For example, to apply to the RN to BSN program, students must already hold an RN license.

Students seeking certificate programs or individual courses must meet all of the criteria undergraduate students do with the exception of the educational requirement. That varies by course and certificate program.

Candidates for a master’s program must meet the same criteria that undergraduate students do with the following exceptions:

• They must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university with institutional accreditation or hold a comparable degree from a recognized institution outside the United States.
• They must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) shown on a bachelor’s (or comparable undergraduate) degree posted transcript. Some Master of Science in Nursing programs require a GPA of 3.0.

Doctoral candidates must meet all of the above but also hold a master’s degree, have a minimum 3.0 GPA in their completed graduate degree program, be employed (or have been employed or have access to a work environment), have access to a research library and have signed all required forms.

At its heart, the process is about access — looking at who’s ready to begin, not who can outcompete others. That’s why admission requirements for University of Phoenix focus on the essentials of eligibility and do not require fees, essays or standardized test scores.

UOPX also supports prospective students through the admission process, such as by requesting official transcripts on the student’s behalf when possible and at no additional cost.

The admission requirements for University of Phoenix differ from other colleges because they are purposefully designed to be barrier-free. Built on an open-enrollment model, the University welcomes adults whose lives don’t follow a traditional college path — like working professionals, parents, military members and career changers ready for what’s next. Based on statistics from 2025, UOPX had an admissions rate of 97.66%, making the admission requirements for University of Phoenix extremely attainable. 

If you’re applying as an undergraduate, your high school GPA is not used to determine your admissibility. As long as you’ve completed high school or earned an equivalent credential, there is no GPA cutoff for admission.

Graduate programs do include GPA benchmarks, and they vary by program, but the process isn’t rigid. If your undergraduate academic record doesn’t quite meet the stated standard — especially if it’s from many years ago — you may still be able to begin through a provisional pathway. This allows students to demonstrate readiness through real coursework or work experience rather than being excluded based solely on past performance. 

Standardized tests are not part of the admission requirements for University of Phoenix. That means no required SAT or ACT scores for undergraduates and no required GRE or GMAT exams for graduate students. For adults who’ve been out of school for years — or even decades — that alone can make the idea of returning to college feel far more realistic.  

Arguably, one of the most appealing aspects of University of Phoenix is timing. You don’t have to wait for a semester to start or plan around a once-a-year application window. With start dates offered monthly, students can begin when it works best for their lives. That flexibility can be essential for adult learners juggling careers, families and finances. Instead of putting goals on hold, students can move from application to enrollment in weeks, not months.

If you’re ready to explore the admission requirements for University of Phoenix in more detail, the University makes it easy to find program-specific criteria, application steps and upcoming start dates online. Visit the University of Phoenix admission page to learn more, or complete the online application directly.