Application Instructions

Students

Please contact your home university study abroad office for more information on how to apply to study abroad at UMSL.

International Offices

Please contact the UMSL Study Abroad Coordinator before January 15 to determine how many placements are available for the following academic year. Then, nominate your student(s) to participate in the Exchange Student Program at UMSL before the deadline below.

Exchange partner coordinators should inquire before nominating any graduate level student. Admission for graduate students is contingent on approval by the Graduate School and Faculty Department. Additional materials are required.  This process takes a while so encourage your students to apply early. Students must be currently enrolled at your institution and be in good standing.

Nomination Deadline

• 15 March - for students for the following year: Academic Year and Fall
• 1 September - for students for the following year: Spring

Application Deadlines

• 15 April - Fall semester or Academic Year
• 1 October - Spring semester

English Proficiency Requirements

UMSL requires that incoming exchange students demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to participate in university-level academics. All applicants for whom English is a second language must present evidence of proficiency in the English Language. If a student comes from an English speaking university where courses are taught in English, this requirement can be waived.

Undergraduate

TOEFL minimum iBT score: 61 (PBT: 500, CB: 173)
IELTS minimum score: 5.5
Cambridge English C1 Advanced: 160
PTE-A: 44
Duolingo: 85

Graduate

All exchange students who will study a full academic year at UMSL and are not native speakers of English will be given information about taking an academic English proficiency placement test before arrival. Based on the placement test results, students may be required or recommended to take EAP courses during the semester. EAP classes count toward the exchange program enrollment.

Application Process

1. Apply to study abroad at your home university. Your home university will then nominate you to study abroad at UMSL.

2. Once your nomination has been approved by UMSL, you must complete an online application. An application will not be considered complete until all required documents are received. Materials must be in English or accompanied by an official English translation. There is no application fee.

3. Application information includes:

   • Application and questionnaires
   • Official transcripts*
   • Photocopy or scan of passport
   • Proof of English proficiency results*
   • Immigration documents (Financial Support Form and bank statements) You must provide an official document from your bank or your sponsor’s bank or your scholarship donor. The statement needs to be on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official. The document should certify that you or your sponsor hold an account and have the minimum dollar amount in that account. Financial documentation can be no older than six months.

1. • CV/resume
   • Statement of purpose
   • 2 letters of reference
   • Undergraduate AND Graduate official transcripts
   • Proof of bachelor's degree or equivalent (copy of diploma, etc.).
   • Note: A writing sample may be requested. Admission for graduate students is contingent on approval by the Graduate School and Faculty Department. This process takes a while so apply early!

It takes several weeks to process your application and to issue the immigration documents. Please be patient. 

*English Proficiency results and Official Transcripts: We will accept digital copies of official transcripts for undergraduate applications if sent by your home university coordinator or registrar. We cannot accept digital copies of transcripts sent by students. Graduate applicants must submit a hard copy of their TOEFL and transcript sent by their home university coordinator or registrar.

Cost Estimates

Proof of funding is required for admittance. 

Health Insurance

Exchange students will automatically be enrolled in the UMSL international student health insurance plan. Exchange students may submit proof of private insurance that meets the minimum requirements of the J-1 program to opt out of the UMSL international student health insurance. 

Please direct questions about insurance requirements to Jim Webb.

Transportation

Students may purchase a $25 metro transportation pass, which can be billed to their student account, this is a savings of over $200. More information on St. Louis public transit can be found on the Metrolink website.

Academics

Areas of study open to Exchange Students

Undergraduate

Accounting; area studies; anthropology; art & art history; astronomy; biochemistry; biology; biotechnology; black studies; business administration; languages; communication; education; economics; English; graphic design; history; interdisciplinary studies; international business; international relations; music; legal studies; philosophy; physics; political science; psychology; public administration; public law; social work; sociology; tropical ecology; urban studies; women's and gender studies;  writing

Graduate

Some graduate programs are open to graduate level exchange students while other departments may only have limited course selection available to exchange students. Exchange partner coordinators should inquire before nominating any graduate level student. Additional materials are required, and graduate applicants should apply as early as possible.

Areas not open to Exchange Students

Engineering, Optometry, Nursing

Credit hours covered by exchange

Exchange students receive a tuition and fee waiver scholarship that covers up to 15 credit hours of courses for undergraduates and up to 12 credit hours of courses for graduate students. 

Course descriptions

A searchable Schedule of Classes lists courses available each semester. Click on "View public searchable class schedule" for guest access.

The schedule for the academic upcoming year will not be posted until late March/early April. Please refer to the schedule for previous semesters to get an idea of what courses will likely be offered next year. Once classes have been confirmed, and students have been accepted to UMSL, they will be able to log in to their UMSL MyView account and search for specific classes by term.

The University Bulletin contains a complete list of all courses at UMSL. Not all courses listed in the Bulletin are offered each semester or year.

Language Courses

No preparatory language courses are available prior to the start of the semester, but you may enroll in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses during the semester. These classes are included under the exchange agreement.

Registration & Advising

Credit Hours

Undergraduate exchange students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours and may enroll in up to 15 credit hours. Students who wish to enroll in more than 15 undergraduate credit hours per semester will be required to pay any additional tuition and academic fees associated with the credit(s). Undergraduate students are eligible to pre-register up to 9 credit hours before arriving at UMSL.

Graduate exchange students must enroll in a minimum of 9 credit hours and may enroll in up to 12 credit hours. Students who wish to enroll in more than 12 graduate credit hours per semester will be required to pay any additional tuition and academic fees associated with the credit(s). Graduate exchange students are eligible to pre-register up to 6 credit hours before arriving at UMSL (see acceptance packet for details).

Students may take one online course (3 credits). Students are responsible for additional fees associated with online courses. The tuition and fee waiver scholarship will covers the costs of tuition as part of the exchange agreement. It does not cover any personal expenses or housing, meal plans, insurance, or other fees. 

Academic Advising

When you are accepted as an exchange student, you will be assigned an academic advisor at UMSL. They will help register you for classes and can offer general guidance, but please remember that UMSL advisors do not know what the degree requirements are at your home university. Please work with your advisors at your home university to make sure you are taking appropriate courses for your degree program.

Undergraduate exchange students will be assigned to an advisor in the University Advising Center. Graduate exchange students will be advised by the academic department.

Course Registration

Preliminary course registration happens through your UMSL academic advisor. To register for classes before you arrive, please email your advisor the following:

• Your Student ID/Student Number, an introduction of yourself as an exchange student, and the number of semesters you will be attending UMSL.
• Class Number & Title, Sections, and Times of the classes you would like to take.
• You should also include some alternate course in case your first choice courses are not available.
• Special Notes:
  • UMSL advisors do not know degree requirements at your home university. Please work with your advisors at your home university to make sure you are taking courses to make progress toward your degree requirements at your home university.
  • The registration period is a very busy time for academic advisors. It may take 2-4 weeks for an advisor to respond. Please be kind & patient in all correspondence. 
  • Advisors do their best to register you for the courses you want, but they may have to make some changes if classes are closed or if there is a time conflict between classes. They can make one change to your schedule after you have registered. You will have to make any other changes after you arrive on campus.
  • After registering, you can check MyView for your course schedule If you are planning to register for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes, you will do this AFTER taking a placement exam during orientation. EAP classes are included in the exchange agreement of credit hours.
  • Graduate students may take undergraduate courses. Undergraduate students may not take graduate courses.

Transcripts

At the conclusion of the semester or year at UMSL, you must request that your official transcripts be sent to your home university. You may do this online, in person, or by fax through the Registrar's Office. Paper transcripts (mailed, or picked up) cost $10; electronic copies are $5 plus processing fees. Due to US privacy laws, only the student can request a transcript.

Housing

Information about on-campus housing can be found at the Residential Life and Housing website.

On-campus housing fills quickly, so apply early!

Students seeking a traditional American dormitory option can seek housing in Oak Hall. Students have a private bedroom in a 4-bedroom suite, with a shared bathroom. There are kitchens and other living spaces and amenities shared by all residents. Oak Hall residents are required to purchase a campus meal-plan.

Many international students enjoy staying in University Meadows, a privately-owned on-campus apartment complex. There are two and four bedroom apartments with a kitchen, shared or private bathrooms, and shared living space.

You may be required to sign a two-semester minimum contract. Students participating in exchange for one semester only should email the on-campus housing agency to inform them their program is limited to one semester. All housing questions should be sent to the housing agency directly. 

You may choose to find an apartment off-campus, but you should be willing to take public transportation. UMSL is unable to assist in the search for off-campus accommodation. 

Arrival in St. Louis

Please plan to arrive Friday-Sunday, one full week prior to the start of class. The mandatory Global Triton Welcome will begin Monday, with orientation sessions, immigration check-in, advising meetings, social activities, shopping trips and more taking place throughout the week prior to the start of classes. Official arrival dates and further details will be communicated to all accepted students.

We offer airport pickup services only on the official arrival dates for students living on-campus. You must submit the Airport Pick-Up Request form online and live on-campus to reserve the airport pickup services. If you are unable to arrive during the official arrival dates or do not submit the Airport Pick-Up Request form prior to the deadline you will be responsible for finding your own transportation from the airport to your living accommodations. 

As a courtesy to staff, please try to book flights with daytime arrivals. We understand this is not always possible and will work to accommodate evening and night arrivals if requests are made by the deadline. 

Mandatory Orientation

A one-week mandatory orientation session–Global Triton Welcome–is held before classes begin in the Fall and Spring semesters. All students must attend orientation.

Resources

Global Orientation Leaders

Alongside the UMSL Global staff, the team of Global Orientation Leaders–all current UMSL students–will serve as your guides and mentors during Global Triton Welcome. A Global Orientation Leader will assist with airport pickup services and getting your luggage to your dorm room or apartment. They will attend orientation sessions, meals and social activities during that week and are happy to serve as a resource to help you acclimate to UMSL!

Student Life

UMSL offers a variety of clubs and other student organizations that are all open to exchange students. More information is available on the Student Involvement website.

Campus events are posted on Triton Connect.

Recreation & Wellness Center

All students have free access to the amazing Recreation & Wellness Center on campus! More information on facilities and programs can be found at the Campus Recreation website.

Internships and employment

It is possible for exchange students to participate in an internship, but it must be unpaid and done for academic credit. Exchange students can also work on campus up to 20 hours each week. On-campus jobs can be found at the student employment website.