Students and Exchange Visitors

Application Information for International Students and Exchange Visitors

In order to matriculate and receive credit for coursework, internationals students enrolling in degree programs that require residency must hold either a valid F or J non-immigrant student visa.

Those who meet requirements for admission to a master’s degree program but do not wish to work toward degree completion may enroll as a special student and take courses for credit. Those who do not meet the requirements for admission to a master’s degree program may be admitted as an unclassified student. Unclassified students are admitted for a limited number of courses as determined by the academic and international student offices. Special students may be enrolled for an approved course of study over a specified time period determined by the Office of Academic Affairs.

English Language Learners (ELL) and students for whom English is not their first language are required to submit recent test scores, ordinarily taken within the last two years, from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). In most cases, students accepted to Columbia’s first-level master’s degree programs (MDiv, MAPT, and MA{TS}) submit a TOEFL score of 84 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT, iBT Home Edition, or Paper-delivered) with a minimum score of 21 in each of the skill sections. Student entering advanced degree programs (ThM, DMin, and DEdMin) typically submit a TOEFL score of 90 with a minimum of 22 in each of the skill sections. TOEFL scores should be submitted by TOEFL directly to Columbia (Institutional Code: 5118). All test fees are the responsibility of the applicant.

SCHOLARSHIP AND AID FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students are eligible for institutional scholarship awards and financial aid. Students must be prepared to cover the expenses involved while engaged in study at Columbia. Therefore, upon admission, and before the visa application process can begin, persons must complete a financial certification process to show proof of adequate financial resources to cover costs which include, but are not limited to, tuition, fees (e.g., activity, program, and graduation fees), textbooks, health insurance, travel, and living expenses for the entire period of study in the United States. The required form I-20/DS-2019, and other visa documents will not be issued until this financial information has been received and verified. Only students enrolling in degree programs that require U.S. residency shall be eligible to apply for F Visa support.

All international students and accompanying family members are required to carry health insurance which meets the standards of the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. No applicant should come to Atlanta until he or she has received a formal letter of admission to a degree program from the Offices of Admissions and Financial Aid and the required form I-20 or form DS-2019 from International Students & Scholar Services (isss@ctsnet.edu).

Prospective international applicants should contact the admissions office (admissionsstaff@ctsnet.edu) for application assistance and additional information.