International Nonimmigrant Students

Qualifications for Admission 

1. Application must be made online at parku.force.com/ApplicationPortal/ERx_Forms__Portal_Login

2. Submit non-refundable application fee.
3. Submit the following required documents:
   • Official transcript(s) from previously attended secondary and/or post-secondary institution(s)
   • Proof of English Language Proficiency
   • Statement of Finances
   • Affidavit of Support form
   • Colored copy of passport
   • If transferring to Park University from a school within the United States, the applicant must also submit the following:
     • copy of visa
     • I-94
     • I-20/DS-2019
     • Transfer-In Form 10

Mail all required documents to:
Office of International Students
Park University
Campus Box 3
8700 NW River Park Drive
Parkville, MO 64152-3795

The priority deadline to submit international applications for the Parkville Daytime Campus, from outside of the United States is October 1 for the spring semester and April 1 for the fall semester.

International Non-Immigrant Students applying for admission to Park University must present evidence of high school graduation to complete application to the institution and be reviewed for admission. The official transcript from the secondary institution from which the student graduated is the accepted form of evidence of graduation. One (1) of the following alternatives to the official secondary institution transcript may be submitted as evidence of high school graduation:

• Official transcript(s) from a non-United States post-secondary institution(s)
• Official transcript(s) from an acceptable accredited  post-secondary United States institution(s) from which the student has earned a minimum total of 24 credit hours

English Proficiency Requirements

Park University requires all applicants whose primary language is not English to demonstrate English language proficiency as a condition of admission. This policy ensures that students are academically prepared to succeed in coursework delivered in English.

Exemptions

Applicants are exempt from submitting proof of English language proficiency if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. The applicant is a United States citizen from one of the fifty (50) U.S. states or Washington, D.C.

2. The applicant holds permanent residency in one of the fifty (50) U.S. states or Washington, D.C.

3. The applicant has completed at least three (3) years of full-time academic coursework in a country where English is an official language and the language of     instruction.

4. The applicant has earned a diploma or degree from an approved accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.

5. The applicant has completed 24 non-ESL credit hours in residence at an approved accredited U.S. institution.

6. The applicant has completed a post-secondary diploma from an institution where English is the principal language of instruction, with documentation                   confirming at least three (3) years of full-time enrollment.

Acceptable Evidence of English Proficiency

English language proficiency examination scores will be verified by the institution. Score reports that do not meet verification standards will not be accepted.  

• Duolingo English Test: scores may be accepted through the Duolingo institution verification process used by Park University to confirm score validity.

• TOEFL: official scores may be received and verified electronically by authorized administrators and admissions officers through the ETS Data Manager                 (ets.org).

• IELTS: administrators and admissions officers can directly access and verify IELTS scores through the official IELTS Results Service.

• iTEP: administrators and admissions officers can access iTEP exam scores instantly through a secure online portal.

• Pearson PTE: administrators and admissions officers can access PTE scores instantly through a secure score report website (SRW).

• For any other English proficiency examinations, scores must be submitted as official score reports issued directly from the testing agency to Park University.         (Score reports that are delivered to the student in any manner are not official and will not be accepted.) 

Applicants who do not qualify for an exemption must provide one of the following forms of evidence.

Standardized Test Scores

Minimum qualifying scores are as follows:

English Language Program Completion

Successful completion of one of the following approved intensive English programs:

• ELS: Level 112, English for Academic Purposes

• The Language Company: Level 9

Standardized College Admission Exams

• SAT (prior to March 2016): minimum composite score of 930, including 430 in Critical Reading and 440 in Math

• SAT (March 2016 and after): minimum Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sub-score of 310

• ACT: minimum composite score of 19, with minimum scores of 18 in Critical Reading and 16 in Math

English-Proficiency Exempt Countries

Applicants may satisfy English proficiency requirements through at least three (3) years of academic coursework completed in the following countries or territories where English is an official language and language of instruction:

Anguilla; Antigua & Barbuda; Australia; Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Bermuda; Botswana; Cameroon*; Canada*; Cayman Islands; Christmas Island; Dominica; Fiji; Gambia; Ghana; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; Kenya; Kiribati; Lesotho; Liberia; Malawi; Micronesia; Montserrat; Namibia; New Zealand; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Pitcairn; Sierra Leone; Singapore; Soloman Islands; South Africa; St. Helena; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Swailand; Trinidad & Tobago; Turks & Caicos Islands; Uganda; United Kingdom; British Virgin Islands; Zambia; Zimbabwe.

* Students from Quebec and other Francophone educational systems may be required to submit proof of English language proficiency.

Institutional Review

English language proficiency examination scores are considered valid for two (2) years from the test date unless otherwise stated by the testing agency.

Park University reserves the right to require additional documentation or assessment of English proficiency when prior academic history, country of education, or other factors indicate that further review is necessary to support student success.

Post-Admission English Support and Placement

Admission based on minimum English language proficiency requirements does not guarantee that a student will be fully prepared for the linguistic demands of university-level coursework. Park University reserves the right to require additional language assessment, placement, and support after admission when a student’s classroom performance, writing, speaking, or comprehension indicates that further English language development is necessary for academic success.

Such interventions may include, but are not limited to:

• Participation in writing, reading, or academic communication support services;

• reduced academic course loads when language development needs warrant additional support time;

• required English language support services or coursework;

• faculty, advisor, or student success referrals for language assessment; and

• other structured interventions designed to support persistence and academic achievement.

International Non-Immigrant Students applying for admission to Park University must present evidence of Financial Capacity, i.e. a bank statement. If you hold, or intend to seek, an F-1 Student visa, you must provide financial documentation that has been issued within the last 6 months, and the funds shown must be in liquid assets (readily accessible). Bank statements may be in the country of origin’s currency, but must be equal to the required U.S. Dollar amount. If a student is sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM), the SACM Financial Guarantee must be addressed to Park University

International Non-Immigrant Students applying for admission to Park University must present an Affidavit of Support. The Affidavit of Support must verify the financial sponsor’s willingness to pay for tuition, registration fees, books, and living expenses (if applicable) for the duration of the student’s studies in the U.S.

Insurance for International Students

Enrollment in the Park University sponsored health insurance is mandatory for all F-1 visa holders and their dependents (F-2 visa holders). Government sponsored students whose sponsoring body provides health insurance coverage are exempted from purchasing sponsored insurance through Park University.

Undergraduate International Nonimmigrant Students

Park University has a distinguished group of 292 international students representing 51 countries. The Office of International Students (OIS) serves Park University’s international nonimmigrant student population from pre-admission through post-graduation. Newly arrived international students will attend a Check-In Session with OIS as well as an international student Orientation to provide education on visa regulations, help students acclimate to their new home, and assist with personal concerns such as culture shock. OIS provides ongoing social activities, individualized student advising, and continuous guidance regarding the Department of Homeland Security policies and benefits. The office also provides admission guidance for international nonimmigrant students

The Office of International Students advises one of the largest student clubs on campus, the World Student Union (WSU). Each month, WSU plans social activities for club members, which may include fundraisers, fun excursions in the city, community service projects. ISS sponsors various forums for students to share their culture — the Culture Hour, The Coming to America Series, International Education Week, Cultural Sharing Event, and more.

Contact Office of International Students:

• In person: Herr House, room 209
• By phone: (816) 584-6820
• By email: international@park.edu

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST

Graduate International Nonimmigrant Students

Park University welcomes applications for admission from international non-immigrant students from all countries. As a graduate international non-immigrant student, you may apply for graduate study as a first-time graduate applicant or as a graduate transfer-in student. You are a transfer student if you have attended a college or university and have earned a bachelor’s degree and are earning credits towards a graduate degree. Most programs at Park University do not require the graduate standard examination such as GMAT.

All new international students must pay a $2000 tuition deposit prior to initial course registration. Established payment method is required for each subsequent 8-week term and is due by the first day of each term.

All international non-immigrant applicants must have all required documents, application fee, financial documents, and meet all admission requirements in order for the Office of International Education (IE) to recommend your application for admission into a graduate program. Once a decision is made, Graduate admissions will notify IE office to process the acceptance or denial decision. If you are admitted for graduate study, IE will issue your Form I-20.

Questions regarding Form I-20 and visa issues should be directed to the IE at (816) 584-6820 or international@park.edu. Should you have any questions regarding academic admission requirements, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (816) 559-5625 or gradadmissions@park.edu.

International Graduate Admission: Change of Program/Major

Graduate students studying in the U.S. on an F-1 visa are expected to complete a minimum of one term of enrollment in the academic program to which they were admitted and for which the I-20 was issued. Graduate students who wish to change programs of study after arrival in the U.S. (whether to a different graduate program or an undergraduate program) may pursue a different program for a subsequent term, provided the student submits a new application and is admitted. Graduate students who have not yet arrived in the U.S. may apply to a different program. Admission to other academic programs is not guaranteed, and the start term may be contingent upon program requirements.