International Student Admission

Central Michigan University welcomes applications from international students. Students interested in admission for undergraduate study should complete the International Student Application for Admission. Applications can be completed online at (https://apply.cmich.edu/Home/International). All other required documents should be sent directly to the Admissions Office for processing at least 3 months prior to the intended semester of enrollment. Students interested in admission to the English Language Institute (Pearce Hall 323, 989-774-1717) should complete the English Language Institute application. Additional information regarding required application materials for undergraduate and English Language Institute study is listed below.

University Admission for Undergraduate Studies

Complete and submit an International Student Application for Admission (https://apply.cmich.edu/Home/International) with the $40 application fee (credit card, check or money order written from a U.S. bank).
Submit official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended with English translations, if necessary.
Prospective international students who are not citizens or permanent residents of a TOEFL-exempt country must demonstrate proficiency in English. A list of TOEFL-exempt countries is available on the OGE website.

Prospective students may demonstrate proficiency by any one of the following methods:

a. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 PBT/79 IBT.

b. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5.

c. Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 53.

d. Michigan English Test (MET) score of 52.

e. International Baccalaureate (IB) grade of 5 in English at the Higher Level.

f. Advanced Placement (AP) score of 4 on the English Language or English Literature Exams.

g. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or General Certificate of Education (GSE) score of A or B on the English Language Exam.

h. SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score of 520 or ACT English score of 21.

i. ELS Language Center Program: Completion of Level 112 for regular admission.

j. ELI (CMU English Language Program): Successful completion of the required CMU ELI courses with confirmation by the ELI Office.

k. Graduate of a U.S. high school with at least three years of attendance.

l. Completion of courses that meet CMU’s requirements for Oral English (i.e. COM 101) and Writing Competency (i.e. ENG 101/103 and ENG 201).

m. Successful completion of a course of study (e.g. high school diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate degree) at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English.

n. Successful completion of 24+ graded, academic, postsecondary credits with a GPA of 2.50 at a recognized institution where the institution’s language of instruction is English.

Test scores are valid for two (2) years from the test date. When tests provide “best scores” in specific areas, CMU will use the composite score generated by using the highest from each section.

Students who believe that they can demonstrate proficiency by means other than those listed should contact the International Outreach and Recruitment Office for individual consideration.

Upon admission to CMU and when proof of financial support has been received, the Office of Graduate & International Recruitment will issue a Form I-20 to qualified students. The Office of Global Engagement will reach out to students to assist them in acquiring a student visa and arriving to campus. For more information on immigration requirements and regulations, please visit the Office of Global Engagement’s webpage.

International Bridge Program Admission

The Bridge Program at Central Michigan University is designed for international undergraduate students who need to improve their English proficiency prior to beginning coursework toward a CMU degree.

In the Bridge Program, you will work to meet your English proficiency requirements through CMU's English Language Institute. A placement test prior to registering for classes will help determine which classes can be taken.

How to apply

If you wish to participate in the Bridge Program in order to gain English proficiency and admission into CMU, please follow these steps to assure your application is complete. We encourage you to submit all documents directly to the Admissions Office at least three months prior to the semester for which you intend to begin classes. Your application will be reviewed once all documents have been received.

Submit an online application to the Undergraduate Bridge program and the accompanying $40 application fee. The fee may be paid by credit card (at the end of the online application), or by check/money order payable to Central Michigan University and written from a U.S. bank.

Official transcripts should be sent directly to the Admissions Office by all secondary and post-secondary institutions which you have attended. Transcripts must include English translations.

English Language Institute Admission

Complete and submit an English Language Institute (ELI) Application for Admission (https://apply.cmich.edu/Home/International) with the $40 application fee (credit card, check or money order written from a US bank).

English Language Institute students will take an English placement test upon arrival at the university to determine which English courses must be taken. Testing dates can be found on the ELI’s webpage (https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/chsbs/Centers/ELI/Pages/Placement_Test.aspx) After demonstrating English proficiency, as determined by the ELI policies, and if university admission requirements are satisfied, these students may be granted admission to the program of their choice.