Purpose
This policy sets out the College’s procedures and principles for the admission of international students to Columbia College.
Scope
This policy applies to all international students at Columbia College.
Policy
An international student is categorized as a foreign-born person who is not a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States, nor individuals who have been granted asylum or refugee status. Applicants who have applied for residency or citizenship must provide all application materials necessary to be considered for international admission until residency or citizenship has been granted. The College does not extend admission to undocumented persons. (Students who are currently granted classification as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are exceptions.)
International students seeking an I-20 Form from the College are eligible for undergraduate admission through the Main Day Campus or Denver Campus only. Housing contracts are only available for students applying to the traditional Main Day Campus in Columbia, MO. International students not seeking an I-20 from the College may apply for admission to any venue so long as the current visa status of the applicant allows for academic study while in the United States.
There are several other Visa types that are eligible for full-time study at the College. International applicants should contact the Recruiting & Admissions Division for enrollment eligibility information.
New International Freshman
International applicants are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must complete a full sequence of university-preparatory studies that would qualify for admission to post-secondary studies in their home country. In general, students who present a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average from university preparatory studies are considered for admission. This requirement is equivalent to the twelve-year program of elementary, middle, and high school in the United States.
International Transfer Students
Columbia College welcomes international students with academic credit from other institutions. In general, students who present a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average from previous university-level coursework are considered for admission. University-level coursework completed at approved, accredited international institutions will be considered for transfer credit on a course-by-course basis. Academic performance at international institutions will be converted to a 4.0 scale for U.S. equivalency.
International Student Admission Criteria
To be reviewed for admission to Columbia College, all documents must be received by the College no later than four weeks from the start of the fall semester and no later than five weeks from the start of the spring semester respectively. International students must complete the Admissions Procedures and demonstrate the appropriate college readiness indicated by their student applicant status or Location.
Though not required for admission, additional documents must be provided in order to prove eligibility to receive issue an I-20 to from Columbia College (at the approved locations). as part of the enrollment process. International students must submit the following:
- Official bank documents to provide evidence of adequate financial support (in U.S. dollars) for one year of study at the College
- SEVIS Supplement form
- Copy of valid passport
- Complete a Transfer Recommendation Form
Please note: Once admitted, international admits to the following locations (Denver) will be unable to register for courses until these documents have been received & approved by International Student Services. Depending on applicant status, specific documents will be required upon arrival.
Online & Nationwide Locations
To be reviewed for admission to the Online program or any of the approved Locations (Denver Campus only), international students must complete the Admissions Procedures and
- Provide proof of English Proficiency (as outlined in the English Proficiency Requirements policies) and
- Provide proof of college readiness by presenting any one of the following:
- Evidence of successful high school completion from an accredited & accepted institution by submission of an unofficial High School transcript* or
- Evidence of successful completion of the General Educational Development Test (GED), HiSET, or TASC or
- Evidence of a minimum of 6 credit hours of satisfactory college work from an accredited & accepted institution by submission of unofficial college transcript.* (Non-credit courses, developmental courses, career and/or trade school credit does not satisfy this requirement).
*All official transcripts must be provided within 90 days of enrollment for further registration eligibility. Official transcripts can be submitted electronically to EvalTrans@ccis.edu or mailed to Office of the Registrar, Columbia College, 1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216.
Main Campus Day Program
To be reviewed for admission to the Main Campus Day Program at Columbia College, international students must complete the Admissions Procedures and
- Provide proof of English Proficiency (as outlined in the English Proficiency Requirements policies)
- Meet New Freshmen, Transfer Freshman, & Transfer Student requirements for the Main Campus Day Program
- Includes evidence of successful completion of secondary school (high school equivalency) records from an accredited & accepted institution by submission of an unofficial High School transcript* in their native language and an official English translation (if needed).
*All official transcripts must be provided within 90 days of enrollment for further registration eligibility. Official transcripts can be submitted electronically to EvalTrans@ccis.edu or mailed to Office of the Registrar, Columbia College, 1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216.
English Proficiency Requirements
All applicants whose native language is not English (regardless of citizenship) as provided on their application must provide proof of English proficiency. F1 visa applicants, regardless if English is their native language as listed on the application, must provide proof of English proficiency. Review the English Proficiency Requirements policy.
Graduate Program
To be reviewed for admission to the any of the approved Locations (Main Campus Evening and Denver Campus only), international students must complete the Admissions Procedures AND
- Provide proof of English Proficiency (as outlined in the English Proficiency Requirements policies)
- Supplemental International Documents, including:
- Submit the SEVIS Supplement form.
- Submit official bank documents to provide evidence of adequate financial support (in U.S. dollars) for one year of study at the College.
- Copy of valid passport
- Complete a Transfer Recommendation Form* and furnish a copy of a valid visa, I-94, and I-20 from the last school attended if transferring to the College from an institution in the U.S.
* Students who have studied graduate-level work at international universities/colleges may petition to receive graduate transfer credit. International institutions will be checked for regional accreditation; if an institution does not have regional accreditation, then the institution will be evaluated per the Office of the Registrar international credentialing process (see Evaluation of Credit and Testing for additional information on the transfer process.)
Please note: Once admitted, international admits to the following locations (Main Campus Evening and Denver) will be unable to register for courses until these documents have been received & approved by International Student Services. Depending on applicant status, specific documents will be required upon arrival.
Because of the legal requirement that international students must take a specific proportion of their classes in a face-to-face setting, not all degree programs are available to international students. Please consult with the Director of International Student Services before deciding on a program.
The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant and to deny and/or rescind admission to any applicant who provides false or misleading information to the College.
Other Admission Policies
Proof of English proficiency is required for all international students and non-native English speakers (see English Proficiency Requirement Policy).