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International Student Requirements

Ӱ̳ and the Boler College of Business welcome applications from students around the world.

Please note that, per , individuals seeking student visas are not eligible to enroll in degree programs that are conducted 100% online and, depending on the type of visa, they may only be eligible for one online or distance learning course each term for on-campus degree programs. Further, we are not authorized to offer online programs outside of the United States. Please contact Graduate School Admissionsat gradadmit@jcu.edu if you have questions about these restrictions.

Application Requirements for Prospective Boler Graduate International Students:

Note: Your application will be reviewed by the graduate admissions committee and the appropriate Boler dean will communicate with the applicant concerning all admissions requirements and decisions.

To qualify unconditionally for admission to a Boler College of Business graduate program as an international student, you must hold, minimally, the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor’s degree with an equivalent 2.8 cumulative grade point average (based on a four-point system).

The following documents are required to process your application:

  • All international students applying directly to a Ӱ̳ graduate program must have each foreign transcript evaluated through an AACRAO approved, third-party evaluator. This must include the required course-by-course evaluation of all university degrees earned outside of the United States.
    • is our recommended agency for obtaining this evaluation.The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran) has created a custom application for Ӱ̳ applicants that will make sure you select the correct evaluation at a discounted rate ($170 for the evaluation).
    • We also accept evaluations from:
      • .
  • Official transcripts from all U.S. colleges or universities attended. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Ӱ̳ from the issuing institution. Transcripts submitted by the student are considered unofficial and cannot be used for admission.
  • Statement of Purpose: A 1-3-page, typewritten, single-spaced essay titled, “Graduate business education: Enabling me to achieve my personal goals and become a leader.”
  • Current Resume
  • 1 Letter of Recommendation:the letter should comment on your academic achievements, managerial capabilities, and potential to flourish in a graduate business program. One Letter of Recommendation is required however you may submit up to three. A college professor, work supervisor, church, or community leader will often provide the best recommendation.
  • Visa & Financial Guarantee: International applicants who wish to obtain an I-20 for an F-1 visa must include financial documentation (such as a certified bank statement dated within three (3) months of the semester of entry) showing the ability to finance tuition and living expenses while attending the Boler College of Business in addition to a financial guarantee statement.


Sending Official Transcripts, Evaluations & Documents from US Institutions

Official transcripts, evaluations, and documents must be sent directly from the issuing institution to Ӱ̳:

Graduate School Admissions
Ӱ̳
1 Ӱ̳ Blvd.
University Heights, OH 44119

Electronic submissions may be sent via secure delivery systems to:gsapp@jcu.edu

Transcripts submitted by the student are considered unofficial and may not be used for admission.

For international students who are currently in the United States, documentation of your current visa status must be submitted with your application. Proper documentation includes:

  • Copy of I-20 and I-94 if on an F-1 visa
  • Copy of visa stamp and I-94 if on another type of visa
  • Copy of Resident Alien card, front and back, if classified as a Resident Alien

Please note: All documents submitted become property of Ӱ̳ and cannot be returned.

The following documents are required to process your application:

  • Official Translations:Documents submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by official translations.
  • English Language Proficiency:Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate the necessary level of proficiency in the English language by taking the(TOEFL) or the(IELTS). A student from abroad whose native language is English, who has completed his or her work at a foreign university where English is the language of instruction, or who has graduated from an American institution is exempt from this testing requirement. Unofficial copies of the score report may be included in the application for initial review and evaluation; however, official test scores must be sent directly to Ӱ̳ from the issuing service.No notice of admission will be sent to an applicant, nor will an I-20 be issued, until this requirement has been met.
    • For theTOEFL, a minimum score of 79 on the IBT (internet-based test), 550 on the paper-based test, or 217 on the computer-based test is required. The Ӱ̳ code is 1342. Scores are valid for two years from the date that the test was taken.
    • For theIELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 is required. Scores are valid for two years from the date that the test was taken.
    • For students graduating from ana final score of 112 will be accepted in place of either exam.
  • Passport:A scanned copy of the photo page of your passport must be submitted. Please also indicate your country of birth and your country of citizenship. All documents become the property of Ӱ̳ and cannot be returned.
  • Sponsored Students:Documentation, typically in the form of a bank statement with a current date must be submitted. If the applicant is being sponsored by a third party, then the sponsor must provide a letter stating intentions to finance the applicant’s education, along with the sponsor’s financial documentation.
  • Tuition, Scholarships, Financial Aid:Tuition, room and board, and any associated fees for international students at Ӱ̳ is the same as for domestic students.

Students who lack the means to cover these costs are encouraged to explore the possibility of applying for external scholarships and loans. The headquartered in New York also maintains a good list of scholarship sources that are worth exploring.

Important: We do not offer full graduate scholarships other than the graduate assistantship which requires a separate application, due by February 15 for consideration of entry in the following fall semester.

Official scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are OPTIONAL. No code is required for the GMAT. Submit your GRE results with the Ӱ̳ code 1342.

GMAT/GRE is not required for admission; however, the scores may be required for consideration of some limited partial scholarships and graduate assistantships.

Additional Resources for International Students:

Housing Information for Cleveland, Ohio and surrounding areas may be found online:

Ӱ̳ offers a very limited number of on-campus housing for graduate students, available through the Office of Residence Life. Since undergraduate students have priority, there are very limited options.

There are also a number of apartment complexes surrounding Fairmount Circle, which are within walking distance to campus. These apartments are owned by the University and managed by the Coral Company. View their Fairmount Circle apartment listings on .

Global Cleveland attracts, welcomes, and connects international newcomers to economic and social opportunities in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. As an international student, you can get help from volunteers to get settled in Cleveland’s neighborhoods, schools, and jobs. Global Cleveland wants to get to know you and help you with your transition.

The Cleveland Foreign Consular Corps, formed in 1925, is comprised of honorary consuls, (usually American citizens), or career consuls, (citizens of the countries they represent paid by those countries for their full-time service). Both groups aid nationals living (or studying/visiting) in the Cleveland area.

Submit Your Application Today

Successful International Applicants Apply 1 Year Before Intended Start Date. If you have questions about the application process, contact us!