Application and Enrollment

Lionel’s admissions policy is oriented to adult learners, including members of the military, who have previously completed high school or undergraduate courses, military training, or earned credit by examination. For admission into an academic program, students must submit evidence of minimum required education dependent on program requirements, and a government-issued photo ID. Graduate degree-seeking students must submit an essay along with their application. This institution does not accept ability-to-benefit students.

Lionel University does not discriminate against and provides equal opportunity to, all qualified persons, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws.

Lionel Admissions Process

U.S. Residents

  • Step 1: Apply Online
    • Prospective undergraduate students complete an online application that can be accessed from the website, lionel.edu. Applicants indicate whether they will pursue a certificate or a degree. Applicants will report aid sources, transcripts, and desired start date. A copy of a government-issued photo ID must also be submitted. Students will self-certify their graduation from high school or the equivalent.
    • Prospective graduate students complete an online application that can be accessed from the website, lionel.edu. Applicants will report aid sources, transcripts, and desired start date. An essay is required as part of the application. Students must also submit an official transcript showing completion of a Bachelor's degree. A copy of a government-issued photo ID must also be submitted.
  • Step 2: Admissions Process
    • Lionel University Admissions Team reviews an applicant’s expressed goals and assists the applicant with the submission of any required documentation, including official transcripts. Once a prospective student is admitted into a program, he/she will be notified of acceptance via email.

  • Step 3: Transfer Credit Evaluation
    • Transfer credit is welcome and encouraged. Students who have completed past coursework or served in the military are invited to send official college and military transcripts to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation.
  • Step 4: Getting Started
    • Once program confirmation is complete and all required documents are submitted, the student will be registered for their first course(s) per Lionel University’s prescribed scheduling by the Office of the Registrar. Upon registration, the student is prompted to review and sign their enrollment agreement for the term.

International Students

  • Step 1: Apply Online
    • Prospective undergraduate students complete an online undergraduate program application that can be accessed from the website, lionel.edu. Applicants indicate whether they will pursue a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. A copy of a government-issued photo ID must also be submitted. Students will self-certify their graduation from high school or the equivalent.
    • Prospective graduate students complete an online graduate program application that can be accessed from the website, lionel.edu.  An essay is required as part of the application. Students must also submit an official transcript showing completion of a Bachelor's degree. A copy of a government-issued photo ID must also be submitted.
  • Step 2: Submit Academic Documentation
    • Prospective students send official copies of transcripts from secondary schools, colleges, and universities to Lionel University. Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Transcripts for comparable Lionel University undergraduate courses completed in a country other than the United States must be evaluated by an outside credential evaluation company before they are submitted to the University. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (www.naces.org) members are acceptable sources for foreign credential evaluation and translation services.
  • Step 3: Submit Evidence of English Proficiency
    • All instruction is in English. Lionel University does not provide English language services. International applicants whose native language is not English must submit evidence of English proficiency through one of the following exams:
      • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum score of 500 on the TOEFL PBT (paper-based test) or a minimum score of 61 on the TOEFL iBT (internet-based test)
      • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic exam: Minimum score of 6.0
      • Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 95
      • Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report: Minimum score of 44
      • The 4-Skill Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum score of 53
      • Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE): Minimum of 650/LP 
      • Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE): Minimum of 650/LP 
      • Evidence of an undergraduate degree completed at an accredited U.S. institution: International students who have completed undergraduate degrees from these institutions do not need to submit evidence of English proficiency.
      • Please Note: Lionel University’s school code for the TOEFL examination is 9518. For IELTS, simply search for Lionel University.
    • Lionel University programs are 100% distance education, with no residency requirements. No visa services are offered, and the institution cannot verify student residency status.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

  • Lionel University welcomes individuals who are not seeking a degree but wish to continue their education for college credit. Non-degree seeking students are individuals who may be taking coursework for personal enrichment, job enhancement, or certification. 
  • Non-degree seeking students may either enroll in individual courses or enroll into a certificate program. 
  • Non-degree seeking students must formally apply via one of the previously mentioned methods in order to register for undergraduate coursework.

US Military Students

Recruiting, Marketing & Advertising Policy

As the University meets its enrollment goals, the University will keep the educational interests of all prospective students and the University at the forefront of admissions and recruitment practices. As such, Lionel University will provide accurate information to assist all prospective students in making informed application and enrollment decisions. This includes information about University admissions, costs and other information that will allow students to determine whether a campus is a “good fit” for them. All admission counselors will abide by local, state and federal laws (e.g., confidentiality and incentive compensation) applicable to the outreach, recruitment and admission practices related to undergraduate outreach, recruitment and admissions will adhere to the guidelines explained in detail below. 

  1. Ban inducements, including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimis [defined as "an insignificant amount"] to any individual or entity, or its agents including third party lead generators or marketing firms other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws for the purpose of securing enrollments of potential students including service members or obtaining access to all federal funds.
     
  2. Refrain from providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including Department of Defense Tuition Assistance funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.
     
  3. Refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts including contacts (3 or more) by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing enrollments. Individual Responsible for Revision and Implementation: Dean of Admissions and the Director of Financial Aid.

 

Additionally, eligible Service members are directed to speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to being enrolled at Lionel University. This is to ensure that Service members understand their own eligibility for Tuition Assistance and their potential financial responsibility toward the school. If an eligible Service member decides to use TA, educational institutions will enroll him or her only after the TA is approved by the individual’s Service. Service members will be solely responsible for all tuition costs without this prior approval. This requirement does not prohibit Lionel University from pre-registering a Service member in a course in order to secure a slot in the course. If a school enrolls the Service member before the appropriate Service approves Military TA, then the Service member could be responsible for the tuition. All Military TA must be requested and approved prior to the start date of the course. The Military TA is approved on a course-by-course basis and only for the specific course(s) and class dates that a Service member requests. If a military student “self-identifies” their eligibility and the Service has not approved the funding, then the Service member will be solely responsible for all tuition costs, not the Service.

 

Withdrawals Due to Military Service/Notification of Military Service

The student must give written notice to the University as timely as possible of the United States military activation (either federal orders to active duty or state orders to activate National Guard Troops), a permanent change of station (PCS), deployment orders, training orders, or any other military orders that will interfere with the student’s ability to complete their course(s). (Timeliness will be determined by the facts in each case.)

Alternatively, at the time of re-admission, the student may submit an attestation of military service that necessitated the student’s absence from the school.


Withdrawal Due to Military Service

Students ordered to military service are permitted the option of either completing their course(s) at a later date without penalty or withdrawing from the course(s)
with a full refund of fees paid. If a student chooses to withdraw, the student’s record shall reflect that the withdrawal is due to active military service.

In certain circumstances, a student may request an extension and if approved, the student will have an additional thirty (30) days to complete all coursework. Extension requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are approved in instances where doing so supports the academic success of the student.

If the student decides to withdraw from the class, a grade if “I” will be earned and the class must be retaken upon return to the University. The “I” grade will not affect the student’s satisfactory academic progress.

University Accreditation

Lionel has an A+ BBB rating and is proud to be accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

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CA BPPE

Any questions a student may have regarding the Annual Report that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education Private Postsecondary Education at 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814, www.bppe.ca.gov, toll-free telephone number (888) 370-7589 or by fax (916) 263-1897.

Please note that our institution changed its name from International Sports Sciences Association to Lionel University in 2022. BPPE's published annual reports reflect school information that is two years prior to the current calendar year. Annual reports for periods prior to 2022 will reflect our former name. 

CA BPPE Annual Report

Approved Programs

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