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Admissions

International Student Applicants

The International Admission component of the Center for International Education assists academically eligible international students to apply for admission to the University, and advises them of CSULB's financial, immigration and English language requirements. Throughout the students' attendance, the International Student Services staff is involved in their registration, evaluation of transfer credit, changes of majors, and graduation checks. Students are also counseled regarding their field of study requirements, which vary at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

International (Foreign) Admission Requirements

CSULB encourages eligible international students to apply for undergraduate and graduate level studies. The CSU must assess the academic preparation of foreign students. For this purpose, international students include those who hold U.S. temporary visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other nonimmigrant classifications. Application requests and questions should be directed to International Admission (cie-admission@csulb.edu), located in the Center for International Education (BH 201).

The CSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of international students. Verification of English proficiency (see the section on the English Language Requirement for undergraduate applicants), financial resources, and academic performance are each important considerations for admission.

International students need to complete the International application on CSUMentor (www.csumentor.edu). The following documents are required:

  • 1. International application form;
  • 2. $55.00 application processing fee;
  • 3. Affidavit of support from financial sponsor;
  • 4. Bank statement/letter from financial sponsor;
  • 5. Proof of acceptable English proficiency;
  • 6. Official academic documents and certified English translations;
  • 7. ACT or SAT (required for student athletes and graduates of U.S. high schools);

Once all the documents are submitted to the International Admission Office, eligibility for admission will be determined based on English proficiency and academic history, as well as other considerations. Graduate applications will also be forwarded to the graduate departments for review. Once admitted, international students will receive pre‑arrival, arrival, and orientation information, and the appropriate immigration form and instructions on how to legally enter and/or remain in the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires that international students be aware of and follow DHS regulations to remain legally in the U.S. for the duration of their academic status. International students on "F" and "J" visas must be enrolled as full time students. Courses taken through the College of Continuing and Professional Education at CSULB or courses taken concurrently at other colleges may only count toward full time status when approved in advance of course registration by the Center for International Education. Questions about DHS policies may be directed to the Center for International Education.

TOEFL Requirement

All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English and who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full time where English is the principal language of instruction must present a minimum score (Paper: 500, iBT: 61) unless the applicant:

  • 1. has proof of at least three years attendance at a secondary level educational institution in a country where English was the principal language of instruction.* CSULB interprets "where English was the principal language of instruction" to mean that a school is located in a country where English is the native language (the daily medium of communication of the majority of residents is English), and that the students receive academic instruction in all subjects (except foreign language courses) at all levels of education in English, or
  • 2. completed at least 60 transferable units from accredited U.S. community colleges and/or universities and earned a grade of A, B, or C in English 100 or its equivalent*, or
  • 3. successfully completed Level 4 of CSULB's American Language Institute's Intensive English Language Program.*
  • 4. presents a minimum score of 6.0 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
  • 5. presents a minimum score of 43 on the Pearson Test of English.
  • 6. presents a minimum score of Pre-1 on the EIkEN Test.

Undergraduate applicants who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents of the U.S. and who are subject to the above TOEFL requirement may submit results from the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in lieu of TOEFL. A score of 954 on the ELPT is required of such applicants.

EXCEPTION: Applicants applying for Film and Electronic Arts, which requires a 550 TOEFL score, and Journalism, which requires a 600 TOEFL score, will not be waived from the TOEFL requirement.

*For this exemption to remain valid, once having met the exemption, the student must not have left the U.S.A. for more than two years to reside or study in a country where English is not the predominant language of business, education and day-to-day societal functions.

Insurance Requirement

Effective August 1, 1995, as a condition of receiving an I-20 or DS-2019 form, all F-1 and J-1 visa applicants must agree to obtain and maintain health insurance as a condition of registration and continued enrollment in the California State University. Such insurance must be in amounts as specified by the United States Department of State and NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The campus President or designee will determine which insurance policies meet these criteria. Further information may be obtained from the Center for International Education, Brotman Hall 201, (562) 985-4106.


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