2018-2019 Graduate Bulletin > Policies and General Information > General Information > Admission > Special Admission Considerations

Special Admission Considerations

International Student Admission

International applications for admission require longer processing time than other applications. Prospective students should be certain to allow ample time for documents to be sent to Applications Processing and should recognize that notice of admission may take longer than expected to reach them. Also, certain programs have application deadlines, usually early in the year, and this should be taken into consideration when applying for admission.

Guidelines for International Applicants

1. International applicants: students living within the United States should apply 6 weeks prior to the registration period for the semester they plan to enroll. Students outside the United States should apply 6-12 months prior to the registration period for the semester they plan to enroll. Applications will be accepted after this date, but admission and the issue of an I-20 for international students who are outside the United States is not guaranteed in time to begin classes. International students who require an I-20 are not eligible for admission through Global Campus. Applicants who require an I-20 should apply through the Mt. Pleasant campus as an International Graduate Student. The I-20 is processed by the Office of International Affairs. An applicant who is a citizen of a country other than the United States must submit an International Graduate Student Application for Admission along with the required application fee. (U.S. citizens and international applicants who are permanent residents of the U.S. should submit a Domestic Application for Admission.) At the same time, the applicant must submit directly to Applications Processing one official copy of all diplomas and transcripts, as well as corresponding official English translations of non-English documents, from all post-secondary institutions attended. All transcripts and diploma copies become the property of CMU.
2. Many international students inquire about obtaining financial aid to assist with the expenses of a degree program. There is very little financial aid available to international students in the United States; most aid derives from U.S. government sources and is restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. A condition of acceptance for international students is that they provide evidence of their ability to pay all tuition and living expenses for each year of your degree program when applying for graduate study. The cost of one academic year (nine months) is available on the Graduate Studies website. These figures do not include initial travel expenses or any summer expenses, including tuition, fees, or living expenses. Proof of funding consists of a completed Financial Support Form and an original copy of a current bank statement. It is expected that international students will have this support and some students may be expected to pre-pay.
3. English Proficiency Standards:
   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A score of 500 PBT/61 IBT is required for conditional admission or 550 PBT/79 IBT for regular admission.
   2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Module: A score of 5.5 required for conditional admission or 6.5 for regular admission.
   3. Pearson Test of English, Academic Module: A score of 44 for conditional admission or 53 for regular admission.
   4. International Baccalaureate (IB): A grade of 5 in English at the Higher Level is required for regular admission.
   5. Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB): A score of 69 is required for conditional admission or 77 for regular admission.
   6. ELS Language Center Program: Completion of Level 112 for regular admission.
   7. ELI (CMU English Language Program): Successful ELI completion and recommendations for regular admission.
   8. English Language Programs: English Language Programs from outside CMU may be considered on an individual basis.
   9. English Language of Instruction (Received Baccalaureate Degree): Applicants whom have satisfactorily completed a baccalaureate degree where the language of instruction is English may also qualify for English Proficiency.
   10. English Language Proficiency Testing Exemptions (List of Exempt Countries): To view a list of English Language Proficiency Testing, Exempt Countries please go to https://www.cmich.edu/office_provost/InternationalAffairs/recruitment/Documents/TOEFL%20Exempt%20countries.pdf.
4. Conditional Admission: Students who are granted conditional admission will be required upon arrival to take an English proficiency test administered by CMU’s English Language Institute (ELI). The results of the test will be used to determine the number of courses they will be required to take through the ELI. Such conditionally admitted students will be allowed to take a restricted number of courses in their academic disciplines concurrently with the ELI courses and must complete all required ELI courses by the end of their first year at CMU. Once satisfactory proficiency in English has been demonstrated, as determined by ELI policies, these restrictions will be removed.
5. Bridge Admission: Applicants with no English proficiency scores or whose scores are below the minimum requirements for regular or conditional admission may be admitted as graduate students through the University International Bridge Program. Students admitted to the Bridge Program must take the ELI placement test upon arrival at the University. Based on the results of this test, students may be placed into the Intensive English Program, Dual Program, or no English language classes.

Admission of CMU Faculty and Staff

A faculty member, administrator, or staff member at CMU may not be admitted to a graduate degree or certificate program or earn a graduate degree or certificate in a program in his/her own department. A faculty member, administrator, or staff member at CMU may be admitted to a graduate degree or certificate program and earn a graduate degree or certificate in a program in his/her own college, provided that he/she has written permission from the dean of his/her college. The written permission will be retained in the student's file. A faculty member, administrator, or staff member may be admitted to a degree or certificate program that is outside his/her own college.

Admission of Global Campus Faculty Members and Administrators: Faculty members and administrators in Global Campus may pursue a graduate degree or certificate through Global Campus provided he or she is in compliance with the Academic Senate policy on Faculty Rank and Pursuit of a Graduate Degree and has permission from the Vice President of Research and Dean of Graduate Studies.