International Admissions

Mr. Taylor Neece
Assistant Vice President for Admissions

Mr. Joseph Gemignani
Director of International Admissions
Phone 951.343.4690
internationaladmissions@calbaptist.edu

International Graduate Admissions

Authorization

California Baptist University is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

When to Apply

Application and the completion of the file for a particular term must be made according to the following deadlines. The closing dates for receiving international student applications and all supporting documentation are earlier than for standard applications due to the additional time needed to process documents through SEVIS.

*Summer semester admission is not available for all programs.

Master’s Programs - Standard Admissions Requirements:

1. Official transcript from an accredited college or university reflecting completion of a baccalaureate degree.
2. 2.75 cumulative or last 60/90 unit GPA*
   • *Additional opportunities may be available for a student to overcome an unsatisfactory GPA
3. Written statement of purpose OR in-person/virtual program interview (student’s choice)
   • What are your educational goals? How will this program help meet those goals? What makes you a good fit for CBU?
   • 500 word maximum

Doctoral Programs - Standard Admissions Requirements:

1. Official transcript from an accredited college or university reflecting completion of a baccalaureate degree.
   • Official transcripts for master’s degree may be required for some doctoral programs.
2. 3.0 cumulative or last 60/90 unit GPA*
   • *Additional opportunities may be available for a student to overcome an unsatisfactory GPA
3. Written statement of purpose OR in-person/virtual program interview (student’s choice)
   • What are your educational goals? How will this program help meet those goals? What makes you a good fit for CBU?
   • 500 word maximum

Financial Documentation

Though an admission decision can be provided before financial documents are submitted, international students must submit proof of financial support before an I-20 will be issued. Documentation verifying the applicant’s ability to meet financial obligations (tuition, fees, books, room and board, personal expenses and health insurance) for the first year is required by the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Students must send the following items before an I-20 will be issued:

• The exact amount designated to the applicant for educational purposes.
• Completion of the Affidavit of Financial Support (Sponsor Form).

Language Proficiency

An applicant whose first language is not English and/or does not have a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction is required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting a recent test score from Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

California Baptist University reserves the right to require additional English language testing/classes after the student has arrived at the University if considered necessary.

Master’s Programs

The minimum score required to display English language proficiency for standard admission to a graduate program is 80 IBT TOEFL, 53 PTE Academic, or 6.0 IELTS with no individual area under 5.0. Please note if the applicant’s bachelor’s degree is from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction, additional verification of language level may be required. 

If the score is lower than 80 IBT TOEFL, 53 PTE Academic, or 6.0 IELTS with no individual area under 5.0, the applicant may be granted joint admission to the Intensive English Program (IEP) and a graduate program while taking required language courses to meet the minimum TOEFL/PTE Academic/IELTS requirement before beginning graduate program coursework. Joint admission is not available for all graduate programs.

In addition to proving English proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic all graduate-level students must also have completed ENG123: Intermediate Composition or its equivalent at an accredited institution. Students who have not met this requirement are required to complete ESL094: Academic Research for Graduate Students or its equivalent during the first semester of graduate studies, regardless of their language proficiency test scores.  

Doctoral Programs

The minimum score required to display English language proficiency for standard admission to a graduate program is 100 IBT TOEFL or 8.0 IELTS. Please note if the applicant’s bachelor’s degree is from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction, additional verification of language level may be required.

Student Status

Unconditional

Applicants who have met the unconditional status GPA requirement specified by each program, who have completed the required application, documents and fees, and have satisfied all other admission criteria, may be admitted standard status to the University with full graduate standing.

Conditional

Applicants who have a deficiency in any requirement may be admitted on a conditional basis. This includes applicants who have met the standard status requirements, except for English language proficiency. These students may be granted conditional status to the Intensive English Program (IEP) and graduate program. Students admitted under conditional status are limited to enrolling in IEP coursework. Students must submit an official qualifying TOEFL/IELTS score report prior to beginning graduate program coursework. Conditional status students, who need to complete undergraduate prerequisite courses, as outlined by the student’s admission conditions, may do so in combination with IEP coursework if the student’s language ability meets the undergraduate English language proficiency standard as determined by the IEP director/program personnel.

Denial

Denial may occur when an applicant does not qualify for admission in any one of the above categories. CBU reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant who is antagonistic with the philosophy and purpose of the University.

Intensive English Program (IEP)

Information on the Intensive English Program (IEP) course progression and ESL courses can be located in the Academic Programs section of the Undergraduate University catalog.