International Graduate Applicants

International applicants must provide the following to complete an admissions application: 

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. To determine the exact amount that is required to be demonstrated for the I-20 requirement, please review our I-20 Financial Requirement page. 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).

When the above procedures have been completed, the applicant's file will be evaluated. Upon approval of admission and proof of financial support, a Form I-20 will be issued.

An applicant whose first language is not English and/or does not have a degree from an institution where English is the only language of instruction is required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting a recent test score from an approved English proficiency exam.

Degrees from the following countries are assumed to be instructed in English unless otherwise demonstrated: see GRAD Country List Addendum*

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 for standard admission to a graduate-level program is:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT): 83
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.0 (no band below 5.0)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: 58
• Duolingo English Test (DET): 125 (no subscore below 115)
• Michigan English Test (MET): 63 (no subscore below 55)

 

If the applicant's score is below the required minimum, they may be granted conditional admission to the Intensive English Program (IEP) and a graduate program, with required language coursework to meet the minimum proficiency standards before beginning full graduate-level coursework. Conditional admission with IEP is not available for all graduate programs.

In addition to demonstrating English proficiency, all graduate-level students must also have completed ENG123: Intermediate Composition (or its equivalent) at a regionally accredited institution. Students who have not met this requirement must successfully complete ESL094: Advanced Academic Research (or its equivalent) during their first semester of graduate studies, regardless of language proficiency test scores.

Doctoral Programs

The minimum score required for standard admission to a doctorate-level program is:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT): 100
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 8.0

GRAD Country List Addendum*

The following countries are assumed to provide university-level instruction exclusively in English (excluding foreign language courses). Applicants who have earned a degree from an institution in one of these countries are not required to submit an English proficiency exam unless otherwise specified:

• First-time Applicants: Request official, sealed transcripts from your college or university (reflecting completion or in-progress degree) and have them sent directly to the International Admissions Office. Electronic transcripts sent from a transcript service can be sent to international@calbaptist.edu.
• CBU Alumni: If you graduated from CBU, we will add your official transcript to your application.