Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Preston University authorized to issue degrees?
A. Preston University is officially licensed by the State of Alabama and is authorized to grant degrees at all levels.

Q. When was Preston University established?
A. Preston University was established in 1984. The first USA campus was established in 1994, and the world-wide headquarters in Montgomery, Alabama, USA was opened in 2006.

Q. Are Preston University degrees recognized in other countries or by other universities?
A. Employers in most countries around the world recognize Preston University degrees. However, foreign governments are under no obligation to declare recognition of Preston University degrees. Each university has its own policy concerning the recognition of credits earned at other universities. To determine recognition by other universities, students should contact the other schools regarding their specific policy concerning acceptance of credits earned at Preston University.

Q. Does Preston University offer credit for professional career experience?
A. Preston University may grant transfer credit for significant non-academic professional achievements such as professional licenses, documented professional training, CLEP or DANTES tests, etc. Such credit is determined using guidelines suggested by the Council for Adult Experiential Learning and the American Council on Education, and is available only for undergraduate and master degree-level programs.

Q. Does Preston offer distance learning programs and on-campus programs?
A. Yes, Preston University offers a broad selection of distance education programs, with the on-campus programs available through the network of affiliated campuses world-wide.

Q. Does Preston University accept credits earned at other universities? If so, how many?
A. Yes, it is possible to transfer credits earned at other recognized educational institutions. Only courses in which you have earned at least a grade of "passed" or a C grade or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) will be accepted. The number of credits accepted varies with the student's degree program.

Q. When can one start a distance education program?
A. There are no fixed start dates for distance education programs. You may start immediately upon acceptance for enrollment and payment of fees.

Q. How is the distance education program administered?
A. The student selects a specific curriculum to follow. The books and study materials are provided by the university and included in the cost of the program. The curriculum is comprised of a series of individual courses, which earn a specified number of semester credits. Most courses consist of ten modules. After completing each course, the student will submit the examination, research paper or project for that course for evaluation. When the appropriate number of credits has been earned, and all fees have been paid, the student is awarded his or her degree.

Q. How does Preston University's evaluation system work? Do I need to travel to take my final exams?
A. The performance appraisal methods for the different courses in your academic program vary. Some courses require case studies or reviews of related articles found in recent periodic literature, while other courses require you to complete an examination, a special project or a research paper. You will not be required to take any on-site exams in the USA. The course evaluation system does not require you to travel. You may complete most course work and required examinations in your own home.

Q. What type of testing must I take to be accepted for admission to Preston University?
A. Distance Education students whose spoken and written language is not English must score above 500 written or 175 computer-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prior to earning their degree. No other tests are required for admission to Preston University programs.

Q. What is the duration of the distance learning programs?
A. The distance learning programs are conducted at the student's individual pace, but may not exceed a defined time period associated with a specific program without prior permission from the Admissions Committee. It may take from one (1) to two (2) years to complete an associate degree program, two (2) to four (4) years to complete a bachelor degree program, and one (1) to two (2) years to complete a master degree program and two (2) to three (3) years for doctoral degree programs.

Q. Does Preston University offer financial assistance to international and domestic students?
A. Preston University offers both international and domestic distance learning students convenient monthly installment plans to match their budget. Students who pay in full at the beginning of their program receive a tuition discount. No other direct financial aid is available from the university.

Q. What is the language of instruction at Preston University?
A. The distance learning programs are generally delivered in English using English language textbooks. Under certain circumstances, courses may be completed in other languages convenient to both the student and the supervising professor.

Q. Can a student take Preston University programs in a foreign language?
A. Distance Education students wishing to study in a language other than English must gain approval from an approved Supervising Professor. The student and professor may then work together in the selected language. Students enrolled at Preston's affiliated campuses may receive instruction in their native language, but must complete at least 6 semester credits (90 contact hours) of college-level English language instruction prior to graduation from Preston degree programs.

Q. Does Preston University issue academic transcripts?
A. Yes, Preston issues official academic transcripts after the student successfully completes all his or her courses. Records of academic progress are also kept, and interim transcripts may be issued to the student following completion of course work for any semester.

Q. Is the term "distance education" used in either the student's transcripts or student's diploma?
A. No, the term "distance education" is not used in either the student's transcripts or on the diploma.

Q. Does Preston University notarize its diplomas? Can I have an apostille attached?
A. Preston University will attach an apostille or have its diplomas notarized when requested by the student. The student is responsible for payment to cover the notary, apostille or other certification cost.

Q. Who are the faculty of Preston University?
A. The university faculty consists of a wide variety of adjunct professors from reputed universities as well as Preston's own professors. All professors have established credentials as teachers and have been selected for their range of both practical and academic experience.

Q. How do international distance education students pay their application and tuition fees?
A. Both the application and tuition fee can be paid by check, money order, credit card or wire transfer. If you are paying by credit card, you MUST send us a letter authorizing us to charge your card. The letter MUST also state the amount you are authorizing us to charge, your credit card type, number and date of expiration. If you are using a credit card to pay monthly installments on your tuition fee, the letter MUST also state the length of time you direct us to charge your card.

Q. Do international distance education students need to send official transcripts and diplomas earned at other educational institutions?
A. Yes. All applicants for admission to Preston should request that official transcripts, translated into English and notarized, be sent directly to Preston University from the educational institution from which they earned their diplomas. The student must submit copies of all diplomas they have earned. These documents enable the Academic Committee to approve enrollment in programs and to assign transfer credit for previous academic achievements. If official transcripts or diplomas cannot be sent by the educational institution, the student may submit photocopies of transcripts and degrees certified by a school official or attested by an appropriate government official. Since each degree program requires different documentation, we have included a Distance Education Applicant Check Sheet to help you in submitting all the correct documents with your Application for Admission. To prevent delays in processing your application, be sure to submit all required documents in one complete package.

Q. Can I earn more than one degree from Preston University?
A. Certainly, in fact, a student could begin by earning an associate degree, then progress to the bachelor, master and doctorate degrees to reach his or her educational goals. Preston exists to help you reach your full potential and achieve your academic goals. We pledge to make your educational experience as efficient and rewarding as possible.

Q. Can I earn a Preston University diploma by attending any of Preston's affiliated campuses?
A. Yes, provided all required documentation is submitted, all fees are paid and the requisite curriculum is satisfactorily completed.

Q. Does Preston University have other campuses?
A. Preston University has affiliated partners with campuses located in the various countries listed below.

2 campuses in Pakistan
3 campuses in India (New Delhi, Calcutta, and Hyderbad)
2 campuses in Spain (Tenerife and Algeciras)
2 campuses in Bangladesh (Dhaka and Chittagong)
1 campus in the UK
1 campus in Singapore
1 campus in Athens, Greece
1 campus in Lusaka, Zambia
1 campus in Istanbul, Turkey
1 campus in Ylivieska, Finland
1 campus in Kathmandu, Nepal
1 campus in Caracas, Venezuela
1 campus in Colombo, Sri Lanka
1 campus in Belgium/Netherlands
1 campus in Magdeburg, Germany
1 campus in Guatemala City, Guatemala
1 campus in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
1 campus in Ajman, United Arab Emirates
a growing number of campuses in China located across the country in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin, Jilin City, Hong Kong, Guongdong Province and other locations
Several locations in Malaysia, and Indonesia
Representatives operating in Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Canada

Q. How do students communicate with faculty and staff at Preston University?
A. Faculty and staff are available to assist students with their programs, advise about courses and curriculum and to help the students succeed. Communication may be accomplished in a number of ways.

Phone: (334) 422-4424 or,
within the USA: 1-866-460-0486

Fax: (307) 634-3091

E-Mail: PrestonMontgomery@Bresnan.net

Postal Mail:
Preston University
2520 Fairlane Drive, Ste. 360
Montgomery, AL 36116 USA