2013-2014 Graduate Catalog

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International Admission

Admission requirements for UNDERGRADUATE International Students are found in the UNC Undergraduate catalog at: http://catalog.unco.edu or call 970/351-2831. You may also contact the Graduate School and International Admissions Office at 970/351-2831.

An international student is a student who is not a citizen of the United States or classified by United States Immigration and Immigration Service (USCIS) as a Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder). International applicants must meet English proficiency requirements as well as academic and financial requirements prior to being regularly admitted to the University. Application for admission for an individual holding refugee or asylee status is also processed in the Graduate School/International Admissions office. Legal Permanent Residents and undocumented applicants, if it is determined Intensive English Language training is needed, are also processed in the GSIA office. There are specific application requirements for students with any of the aforementioned statuses. Please contact the International Admissions Coordinator at +1(970) 351-2831 for assistance, or visit the Graduate School/International Admissions office website at www.unco.edu/grad.

All applications must be submitted 90 calendar days before the semester start date. Supporting materials and related credentials must be received by the Graduate School & International Admissions no later than 60 calendar days before the semester that the student wishes to enroll (see www.unco.edu/grad/international/howtoapply.html for deadlines). International applicants must take these steps to be considered for admission:

  1. Obtain and complete the appropriate International Application for Admission forms from the Graduate School and International Admissions website.
  2. Pay the non-refundable application fee.
  3. Submit financial documents verifying funding to support the cost of attending UNC for one academic year. See http://www.unco.edu/grad/international/index.html for acceptable documentation. 
  4. Submit official transcripts, mark sheets, diplomas and certificates from each high school, college or university attended. If they are not in English, submit a notarized English translation with each document.
  5. Photo quality copies of the bio page of your passport and your student visa (if you have one).
  6. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all doctoral programs and many masters programs. Check with your program area for further requirements. GRE scores must be sent from ETS directly to UNC (UNC School code is 4074). The scores must be no more than five years old. Your program may require other examinations; please check with the program. 
  7. International students who are not native speakers of English are required to provide evidence of English language proficiency by submitting official minimum scores of one of the following:
    1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
      1. Graduate program admissions are: 550 (paper-based), 80 (internet-based) – with cut scores no lower than: Listening (18), Reading (20), Speaking (18), and Writing (20)
    2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
      1. Graduate program admissions: 7.0  
    3. Pearson Test of English (PTE):
      1. Graduate program admissions: 54  
    4. Official transcripts showing completion of a college degree program from an accredited U.S. institution within the previous two years.

Students who do not provide sufficient English proficiency documentation will be admitted provisionally to UNC and will be assessed and may be required to participate in the Intensive English program (IEP). (See http://www.unco.edu/cie/iep.html for further information.) Academic programs on campus may have higher or additional English proficiency requirements including screening or testing for English proficiency. The applicant is responsible for determining whether the school has additional language requirements. Upon application approval, international applicants will be sent a letter of admission and the proper immigration forms will be issued.

Provisional Admission — English Language

International applicants whose academic record is sound but whose English language proficiency fails to meet the UNC minimum admission standard may be granted a provisional admission to UNC. However, as the provision for admission, they must first study Intensive English to demonstrate their proficiency. Based on their TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score at the time of admission, and their score on UNC’s Academic English Assessment, they will either start with English full-time, or they will qualify to take part-time English and part-time courses toward their degree. Students in the Intensive English Program register as full-time students at UNC but may not be released from provisional admission status until successful completion of the Intensive English Program. Students enrolled in this program will receive all the benefits and services provided to full-time students at UNC.

Intensive English Program — International

Qualification Criteria. A TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score is not required for international students to be considered for admission to the Intensive English Program at UNC. Students must have completed high school or the equivalent. Students need to submit a full UNC Intensive English Program application, official copies of their most recent transcripts, passport bio page, and financial documentation to the Graduate School & International Admissions Office to apply for admission to the Intensive English Program.

Classes Offered in the IEP. The mission of the Intensive English Program is to:

  • provide international students with English language instruction for academic purposes at appropriate levels in order to prepare students for academics at an American university

  • provide on-going language support in the form of language tutors

  • increase international students' understanding of intercultural communication

Core classes of speaking/listening, grammar, writing, and reading/vocabulary are offered at six levels of instruction. In addition, Graduate Oral Presentation and Graduate Research Writing target skills necessary for graduate students’ success. Skill courses also cover a variety of topics.

Length of the IEP. Students are placed into the appropriate level of the IEP based on their scores on the Academic English Assessment. Students are required to meet an 80% proficiency level in order to advance in the program. Each session lasts for 8 weeks. For more details about the program, see http://www.unco.edu/cie/iep.html.