Dec 01, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

International Student Admissions


The Application Process All international students interested in applying to UCM must do so directly through the International Student Services (ISS) office. All questions regarding international admissions should be forwarded to ISS at 660-543-4092 or intladmit@ucmo.edu.

Applicants should apply online at giss.admissions.ucmo.edu/apply. International students are strongly encouraged to submit their online application and required supporting materials as early as possible. Individuals whose applications are complete before the deadlines listed below are given priority for processing.

Fall application deadlines:

  • Students coming from their home county: June 1st
  • F1 transfer students and other visa types: July 1st

Spring application deadlines:

  • Students coming from their home county: October 1st
  • F1 transfer students and other visa types: November 1st

Summer application deadlines: (for the following programs: Intensive English Program, Computer Science BS, Computer Information Systems & Information Technology BS, Big Data and Analytics BS)

  • Students coming from their home county: March 1st
  • F1 transfer students and other visa types: April 1st

International undergraduate applicants must submit the following items:

  • Application for admission
  • $75 (US dollars) non-refundable application fee
  • Demonstration of English proficiency. Proficiency may be demonstrated by one of the following:
    • TOEFL exam score of 61 iBT*
    • IELTS Academic exam score 5.5*
    • Duoling score of 95
    • UCM English Proficiency Exam score of 61
    • International Baccalaureate English A (HL/SL) or English B (HL) grade of 5 + English B (SL) grade of 6+
    • An earned degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or higher or a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
    • Earned at least 24 semester hours of regular university credit from an accredited United States college or university.
    • Graduated from an international WASC-accredited high school.
    • Applicants whose native language is English and who are citizens of a country where English is the official language will be considered as having fulfilled the minimum English requirement.

*Score requirements subject to change, at-home versions of EP exams are accepted

  • Official Transcripts. All undergraduate applicants are required to upload unofficial transcripts to their student portal (created upon application submission) and submit official final transcripts to our office. These transcripts will be used for advisement purposes. Applicants with questions about credential evaluation requirements should contact the International Student Services office directly via email: intladmit@ucmo.edu
  • Declaration of Financial Support. This document is required to demonstrate sufficient financial support. This document is found on the UCM website and is also emailed to applicants as a part of the application process.
  • Official Bank Statement/Certification. This document is required as verification that adequate funds are currently and subsequently available to students in support of their tuition and living expenses while a student at UCM. 
  • The Declaration of Financial Support and Bank Statement should be sent to the International Student Services office at ISSS@ucmo.edu.

Submitting Official Test Scores: TOEFL scores must be submitted by Educational Testing Services (ETS) directly to the University of Central Missouri’s Testing Center (testingservices@ucmo.edu). The ETS code for the University of Central Missouri is 6090. IELTS scores should also be sent electronically to UCM. The IELTS School Organization code for the University of Central Missouri is 136009. Duolingo scores should be sent to the University of Central Missouri.  After submitting your English Proficiency score, please fill out the required form with Testing Services.  IB English course scores or WASC accreditation will be evaluated upon receiving your transcript. In cases where electronic submissions of test scores are not possible, official scores may be sent directly by mail to:

University of Central Missouri

Testing Services

JCKL 1250

Warrensburg, MO 64093

USA

GPA Requirement: A minimum high school, and undergraduate if credit received, cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher is required to be considered for admissions. Students must submit final official high school transcripts showing graduation, or other supporting documentation of a high school graduation equivalency. UCM does post and accept all undergraduate transfer grades (A-F). These grades are counted in a student’s cumulative GPA and are taken into consideration for academic standing calculations. 

Transfer Credit: Students who have testing credit (CLEP, AP, IB, etc.) applied to another school’s transcript will have to submit original test scores to UCM’s Testing Services Office (660-543-4919, JCKL 1250) for consideration for credit at UCM. UCM’s repeat policy, not the repeat policy of the transfer institution, will be applied to any course repeats. See details of the Repeat Enrollment in Courses policy in this catalog.

English Language Institute: The English Language Institute (ELI), whose Intensive English Program is accredited by the Commission of English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), offers intensive instruction in English and short-term programs for English language studies. For students who do not meet UCM’s English proficiency requirements, the Intensive English Program (IEP) provides courses to improve English language skills and become accustomed to a university setting in the United States. The courses are designed to help non-native speakers of English build on their existing language skills. The IEP offers courses at a variety of proficiency levels in reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, testing skills, American culture, and academic preparation. These courses are available for credit or may be taken as pass/fail, and do not count toward completion of an academic degree.  Full-time status for UCM’s Intensive English Program is 6 credit hours (20 contact hours) per 8-week session. 

Intensive English Program to Degree Option: International applicants who meet minimum UCM entry requirements but do not meet minimum English proficiency requirements for regular UCM admission may be granted conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students must maintain full-time enrollment in UCM’s Intensive English Program until the minimum TOEFL/IELTS requirement is met or the highest level of the Intensive English Program is successfully completed.  Full-time status for UCM’s Intensive English Program is 6 credit hours (20 contact hours) per 8-week session.  Institutional TOEFL/IELTS results earned at other institutions are not valid at UCM. International students not meeting minimum UCM English proficiency requirements are not permitted to enroll in regular classes.

Orientation: All international students admitted to UCM for the first time are required to arrive on campus on a set date (typically 8-10 days prior to the first day of classes) for orientation and evaluation sessions. During the orientation sessions, additional testing may be required for any international student whose native language is not English. Depending upon evaluation results, students may be required to enroll in the Intensive English Program or in prerequisites for English Composition (ENGL 1020). Students also participate in a virtual orientation session (usually 4 weeks before classes start) and before arrival to campus.

Health Insurance: All F1 and J1 Visa international students are required to participate in the Student Health Insurance Program.

Immunizations: All students at the University of Central Missouri must have proof of two Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations. All students living in University Housing must have proof of Meningitis vaccination after the age of 16. All students must be screened in the United States for tuberculosis infection. All vaccinations and tuberculosis screening can be obtained during the Health Screening portion of orientation. Other testing may be required depending on pandemic or endemic diseases in the U.S. or the student’s home country.

Financial Aid: Please note that international students do not typically qualify for US-based federal or state financial assistance unless designated as an eligible non-citizen or a permanent resident by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Documentation verifying the student’s citizenship status may be required by the UCM Office of Student Financial Services (660-543-8266, WDE 1100)) to determine the student’s eligibility for financial aid. Students admitted to UCM are eligible for scholarship consideration and/or continuation based upon meeting minimum criteria for Foundation Scholarships within the Scholarship Finder and/or the designated scholarship. More information regarding scholarships is available online at ucmo.edu/scholarships.