2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog 
    
    May 25, 2024  
2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog

International (Foreign) Student Admission Requirements


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The CSU must assess the academic preparation of foreign students. For this purpose, “foreign students” include those who hold U.S. temporary visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other non-immigrant classifications. The CSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of “foreign 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.

Academic records from foreign institutions, if not in English, must be accompanied by certified English translations, and must be on file by the following deadlines:

International Student Application Deadlines

(subject to change):

Undergraduates/Second Bachelor Applicants:

  • Application Deadline for Fall Terms: May 1; 
  • Application Deadline for Spring Terms: October 1

Graduate Applicants

  • Application Deadline for Fall Terms: February 1
  • Application Deadline for Spring Terms: Refer to program website

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International Admission Procedure

Apply online on the Cal State Apply website. A non-refundable application fee of U.S. $70 is payable with online application. Submit the following application materials:

  • Certification of Financial Support
  • Official transcripts of academic records
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Photocopy of passport.
  • Student Consent for Release of Information Email to:
    international@humboldt.edu or mail your application materials to: Cal Poly Humboldt, Center for International Programs, 1 Harpst Street,  Arcata, CA 95521-8299, USA.

Forms and additional information are available on the International Programs website. Academic credentials will be evaluated only after receipt of all your application materials.

English Language Proficiency

All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English must present a minimum score of 71 internet-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a minimum score of 6.0 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. Graduate applicants are required to have a minimum score of 80 internet-based on the TOEFL, or a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS test. We accept other English language proficiency exams.  See English Language Proficiency, on the International Programs website for additional ways to meet the English language requirement for admission to Cal Poly Humboldt. Scores must not be more than two years old. A waiver of the English language proficiency requirement may be granted on an individual basis for students who present a minimum grade of ‘C’ or higher from a Community College or University general education English composition course, or for applicants who have graduated from an accredited four-year US high school and have completed three years of English college preparation coursework with grades of ‘B’ or higher. 

Estimated Expenses for International Students

Undergraduate international students are required to pay nonresident tuition of $396 per unit in addition to registration fees. All MBA students, international and American, must also pay a Professional Program Fee of $270 per unit ($666 total per unit for international students). International students must be enrolled full-time (12 units per semester for undergraduates; 9 units per semester for graduates).

Additionally, there are expenses for books and other school supplies, medical insurance, housing, food, and miscellaneous expenses. Please note you are required to prove your ability to provide the mandatory amount. Refer to the Cost Estimates for Academic Study on the International Programs website for more information.

All fees are subject to change upon approval by the California State University Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or campus President.

Certification of Financial Support

All international students must submit evidence of financial ability to meet minimum costs at Cal Poly Humboldt before admission can be granted and an I-20 or DS2019 issued.

You will be asked to provide a Certification of Financial Support reflecting sufficient financial resources to meet your educational and living expenses while at Cal Poly Humboldt. The Certification must be signed by you and, if appropriate, your sponsor.

A limited number of Graduate Assistantships and/or tuition waivers may be available through some graduate departments. Please consult with your specific graduate department for additional details.

Official Transcripts and Translations

International applicants must provide official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those sent in sealed envelopes directly from the issuing institution directly to the Center for International Programs to the attention of the International Admissions Coordinator. Copies of transcripts sent by applicants or any other source will be considered unofficial and will not be accepted.

Transcripts in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation. The translations must also be sent in a sealed envelope directly from the issuing institution translator directly to Cal Poly Humboldt.

All transcripts should reflect a detailed statement of the courses completed, the amount of time spent on each course, the grade earned, and an explanation of the grading system used. Any degree, certificate, or diploma awarded should be clearly indicated and included if possible.

For students from countries where schools issue only one original record to the student for all future use, you must submit copies of all required documents, each of which must have been compared with and certified as a true copy of the original document by an appropriate school or government official. You will be required to present the original document for verification to the International Admissions Coordinator prior to registration.

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Eligibility Requirements for International Students

Applicants for Bachelor’s Degrees

First-time freshmen are required to have, at a minimum, the equivalent to graduation from secondary school in their native country (GCE with 5 ‘O’ levels and 2 ‘A’ levels, Maturity Certificates, Abitur, etc.) which gives access to university study in their home country or graduation from a US high school. All applicants must possess an overall minimum 2.5 grade point average that will be calculated by the Center for International Programs. Applicants are required to submit one official transcript with the diploma/graduation certificate (if appropriate).

Lower-division transfer applicants (those students applying with less than 60 semester/ 90 quarter transferable units) must submit an official high school transcript with diploma/graduation certificate (if appropriate) showing the equivalent of high school graduation with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and official transcripts from all accredited colleges and/or universities attended with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 or higher on all transferable work.

Upper-division transfer applicants must submit official transcripts from all accredited colleges and/or universities attended with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 on at least 60 semester/90 quarter transferable units. In addition, applicants are expected to have completed a minimum of 30 units in general education, to include English composition, speech communication, critical thinking, and mathematics/quantitative reasoning with grades of C- or higher. Applicants who have completed coursework outside the US will be evaluated on an individual basis, and may also be asked to present secondary school records.

Second bachelor’s applicants must submit official transcripts from all accredited colleges and/or universities attended with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 or 2.75 on the last 60 semester/90 quarter units attempted and hold a valid bachelor’s and/or master’s degree or equivalent.

Applicants for Master’s Degrees

An international applicant may be admitted to a campus as an unclassified post-baccalaureate student if the applicant satisfies the requirements of each of the three following subdivisions:

The applicant has satisfied any one of the following three numbered conditions:

  1. The applicant has attained a grade point average of at least 2.50 in an acceptable earned baccalaureate degree,
  2. The applicant has attained a grade point average of at least 2.75 in the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units) attempted;
  3. The applicant holds an acceptable post-baccalaureate degree earned at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association;
  4. And the applicant was in good standing at the last institution of higher education attended.

Applicants to master’s programs are required to submit official transcripts from all accredited institutions attended. Master’s applicants are advised to contact their specific graduate department directly for additional requirements, documents, and application deadlines (for instance, applicants to some master’s program must submit official GRE test results, and nearly all departments require a statement of objectives and three letters of recommendation). Master’s applicants must satisfy admission requirements from both the major department and the Center for International Programs.

Medical Insurance

Health care in the United States can be very costly. The California State University system requires that all non-immigrant students obtain and maintain insurance coverage for health, medical evacuation, and repatriation prior to their enrollment at a CSU campus. All Cal Poly Humboldt international students will be automatically enrolled and charged for Health Insurance upon enrollment in courses.

Contact Information

Cal Poly Humboldt, Center for International Programs, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521-8299 USA 
Telephone: 1-707-826-4142
Email: international@humboldt.edu
International Programs website

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