Frequently Asked Questions
What types of programs do you offer?
Albizu University programs feature culturally sensitive curriculums, intensive clinical practicum and internship experiences, and community-oriented courses of study. Following are the degree and certificate programs that are offered at Albizu’s Miami campus. Note that associate’s degree, certificate, and online programs are not available to international students.
Psychology:
- Bachelor’s degree (General Psychology, Cross-Cultural Studies, Child Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, LGBTQ Studies, Case Management Studies)
- Master’s degree (Marriage And Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology)
- Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)
- Certificate (Autism, Forensic Psychology) – not offered to F-1 students
Education
- Associate’s degree (General Education) – not offered to F-1 students
- Bachelor’s degree (Elementary Education, Exceptional Student Education with a minor in Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- Master’s degree (Exceptional Student Education, TESOL)
- Certificate (Math Education, Science Education, Autism Spectrum Disorder) – not offered to F-1 students
Speech and Language
- Master’s degree (Speech and Language Pathology)
Criminal Justice:
- Bachelor’s degree
Human Services:
- Doctor of Philosophy
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL):
- Diploma
Visit the Academics page to see a full chart of the programs offered on the Miami campus, including links to extensive information on each program.
How long does it take to complete each program?
Listed below are the general timeframes for each program available to F-1 students, assuming you start in the first year of the program. If you are a transfer student, you may complete your AU program earlier, depending on the amount of credits you are able to transfer. For more information on credit transfers, please see the Transfer Students page.
- Bachelor’s degree (Education, Psychology, Criminal Justice): 4 years
- Master’s degree (Psychology): 2 years
- Master’s degree (Speech/Language Pathology): 3 years
- Master’s degree (Exceptional Student Education): 1 year
- Doctorate (Clinical Psychology): 4-5 years
- Doctorate (Human Services): 4.5 years maximum
Can I get work experience while I’m in the United States?
U.S. immigration regulations do not allow F-1 students to seek general employment while they are in the United States. However, there are still opportunities for you to gain practical experience in your field as part of your study abroad program. In some cases, you can get paid for that work.
Many Albizu University programs—particularly at the master’s and doctoral levels—include practical training as an important component of the course of studies. Please click here and follow the links for extensive information on each academic program, including practical training opportunities.
In addition, U.S. immigration regulations allow F-1 students to engage in temporary employment to gain practical experience in their fields, either as a component of their studies or following graduation. Click here for more information on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Clinical Practical Training (CPT) for international students.
How do international students apply to Albizu University?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has certified Albizu University to accept international applicants. Before students can enroll in one of our programs, they must comply with all U.S. immigration requirements, including submitting any necessary documentation.
You may apply to Albizu University as an international student in one of three ways:
- As a prospective student residing in your home country and applying for a program of study at our Miami campus
- As a prospective student residing in the United States on a visa other than a student visa who wants to remain in the United States to engage in a program of study
- As a student currently attending another U.S. college or university under an F-1 visa who wants to transfer to Albizu University
An admissions counselor is available to assist you with the application process. Click here to visit the How to Apply section of this website, where you’ll find information on contacting the Admissions Office.
What should international students know about visas?
Obtaining an F-1 student visa to study in the United States is a straightforward yet lengthy process that you should begin well in advance of your planned studies. Click here for a checklist of the documents you’ll need and links to more detailed information.
Do you have online classes and programs?
According to U.S. immigration regulations, students holding F-1 visas cannot pursue online degrees.
If you would like to pursue an Albizu University online degree program from your home country, please contact our admissions office using the online form you will find by clicking here. Select “Virtual Campus” as your Campus of Interest, and the online degree programs will appear in the Academic Program of Interest dropdown menu. Currently, we offer two online programs: M.S. in Industrial/Organizational PsychologyM.S. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Can I get a letter of recommendation from someone else if my teachers are not familiar with writing recommendations for American universities?
All students must submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher. The admissions committee is aware that some teachers are not accustomed to writing such letters and will use that understanding when evaluating instructor feedback.
How do international students finance their education?
International students are responsible for financing their education in the United States. In order to receive the documents you need to apply for your F-1 visa, you must prove to the AU Admissions Office that you are able to pay for your schooling and living expenses. Funding can come from your own resources or from another individual. International students have limited work opportunities, so you should not expect to work to pay expenses.
Click here for more information, including links to the required financial support forms.
What will my living expenses be?
Your living expenses will vary depending on the lifestyle you choose. Albizu University does not offer on-campus housing or a meal plan, so you will be responsible for finding a place to live and purchasing your own food and household supplies. Apartment rental costs vary by location and by the size of the unit, and food budgets vary according to whether you cook your own meals or eat out frequently.
The Economic Policy Institute, a respected nonprofit think tank in the United States, provides a cost-of-living calculator to help people determine how much they will need to live in specific areas around the country. Click here for more information, including a link to the calculator for the Miami area.
Can you reassure me about adjusting to life in another country?
Study abroad is an amazing experience, full of adventure. But along with the excitement comes the stress of adapting to an unfamiliar environment. If you acknowledge the difficulties and prepare yourself for them, you’ll be able to approach this phase of your life with courage and enthusiasm. Click here for tips to help you get ready for your trip and successfully meet the first month’s challenges.
What is Albizu University’s learning culture?
At Albizu University, we recognize that not everyone’s learning style is the same. We welcome students who possess great excitement, enthusiasm, and curiosity and connect them with a diverse community of peers and with faculty who have real-world knowledge and experience. Together, our students and faculty work to explore solutions to the problems of today and of the future in countries around the world. Our small class sizes allow you to develop your creative skills and potential in any of our academic programs.
What is diversity like at Albizu University?
You’ll feel right at home at Albizu University. Our programs are designed for students of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds and provide a rich exposure to culturally diverse populations through both academic training and applied experiences. Albizu is ranked among the top minority-serving universities in the United States and does not discriminate in education or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, gender orientation, age, religion, lifestyle, national origin, or disability.
What is student life like at Albizu University?
Albizu University’s Office of Student Affairs is here to make your life on campus an enjoyable and memorable one. You will enjoy being a member of a cohesive campus community where you’ll be warmly greeted by name. Our year-round student life program offers numerous opportunities each semester to mingle with fellow students outside the classroom. You are also welcome to join any of the AU clubs and organizations that bring students together to explore special interests or contribute to the community.
Our campus is located in the metropolitan area of Miami, Florida, a city that serves as the gateway to the Caribbean and Central and South America. Considered the most multi-ethnic city in the United States, Miami is a vibrant, thriving metropolis that offers students an exciting life outside campus. Whether you enjoy people watching in world-famous South Beach, visiting museums, attending cultural events, or dining at the many ethnic restaurants, Miami offers endless opportunities.
Is Albizu University accessible to disabled students?
Yes, we are fully accessible. Please click here to see information specifically for students with disabilities.
What kind of support can I expect from student services?
The offices of Student Affairs, Finance, and the University Registrar are here to meet the needs of incoming and enrolled students.
The Office of Student Affairs assists with housing, accommodation for disabled students, student clubs and organizations, tutoring assistance, and other facets of student life. You can also count on us to be your advocate if you encounter challenging situations with other administrative or academic areas of the university. For more information on the many ways we can help you, see the Student Services section of this site.
The Finance Office will help you manage your student financial account as you pursue your academic goals.
The Office of the Registrarwill provide you with a variety of services during the course of your studies, including maintaining your academic records, issuing official academic transcripts, verifying grade reports and graduation eligibility, and coordinating class registration.
Do you offer academic and career services?
Our mission is to help you succeed in both your academic and your career objectives. The Office of Academic, Career, and Advisement Services works closely with AU’s academic programs to ensure that student services correlate with curricular offerings. On both campuses, qualified and friendly tutors have the knowledge and expertise to work with you on an individual or group basis in the following areas:
- Writing: APA style, research, preparing lesson plans, grammar
- Psychology: Theory, research methodology, psychometrics, physiology, test construction, qualifying examination preparation
- Mathematics: Statistics, algebra, geometry
Although we understand that career paths may vary from country to country, we will do our best to help you develop and explore your career options and empower you with the necessary skills to successfully enter the job market in your chosen field. Our free services include assistance with resumes, cover letters, and thank you letters and with interview preparation, including mock interviews. In addition, you will have access to a variety of tutorial seminars through our web portal, including:
- How to search for a job
- What can I do with my major?
- Filling out a job application
- Networking
- Mistakes to avoid in an interview
- Office etiquette
What is the history of Albizu University?
Albizu University was founded in Puerto Rico in 1966 with the specific objective of offering a master’s degree in clinical psychology. At the time, there were few mental health professionals in Puerto Rico and most of them received their professional education outside the country. When they returned home, they were confronted with the necessity of adapting their training to Puerto Rican sociocultural realities. A distinguished Puerto Rican psychologist, Carlos Albizu-Miranda, founded the university to meet the need for culturally sensitive professional training. In 1980, Dr. Albizu-Miranda established the Miami campus to extend the benefit of graduate psychology programs sensitive to cultural and ethnic issues to the continental United States.
Today, Albizu University is respected as an institution of higher education dedicated to academic excellence and research from a pluralistic and multidimensional perspective. We educate students to serve a highly complex and diverse society, with sensitivity to those most in need. We contribute to the improvement of the quality of our communities by training professionals with multicultural competencies. We distinguish ourselves through an educational philosophy based on a commitment to social responsibility, characteristic of all our programs and services.
Is Albizu University accredited?
Yes, we are fully accredited. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; the clinical psychology programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association; and the Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
