Graduate Admissions

Admission Requirements

An applicant to the Graduate Programs (Master’s degree Level) must have completed at least an appropriate Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an institution evaluated by a member of Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE), or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services(NACES) recommending U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalency. CALUMS does not admit Ability-To- Benefit (ABT)students.

 Applicants for Master of Business Administration (MBA) must provide proof that they have completed a Bachelor’s degree in a business related area. Applicants who completed their bachelor’s degrees in a non-business field or students with insufficient background in statistics, economics, and business management are required to complete program prerequisite courses as determined by the Academic Dean.

 Applicants for Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS) must provide proof that they have completed a Bachelor’s degree in a computer information systems related area. Applicants who completed their Bachelor’s degrees in a non-related field or students with insufficient background in management and computer information systems are required to complete program prerequisite courses as determined by the Academic Dean.

The school does not require standardized or national examinations or other entrance tests for admission into graduate-level degree programs.

Admission Procedures

Applicants applying for the Graduate Programs must submit the following:

1. Completed CALUMS application. The application form is available at the Admissions Office and can also be downloaded online at www.calums.edu.
2. Official transcripts of the appropriate bachelor’s degree and a copy of its corresponding diploma/degree certificate
3. One (1) Letter of Recommendation from an active member of the academe or business professional with credentials
4. Proof of English Language Proficiency if applicable
5. Photo Identification (valid passport or state issued identification, driver’s license with photo and date of birth)
6. Application fee of $100 (Application fee is non-refundable)

In addition to the admission requirements and procedures above, international students must submit the following documents:

• A foreign credential evaluation report

Students with high school or college diploma and transcripts that are not in English are required to have their diploma and transcripts translated and evaluated by an approved authority at students’ expense. CalUMS only accepts credential evaluations completed by a credential evaluation organization that is a member of the NACES or AICE.

• Financial Statement that shows adequate funds to support tuition, living expenses and other fees for completion of the program for the student’s first-year study (if international student)

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Applicants must pass the English proficiency examination of CALUMS to be admitted to the graduate programs at CALUMS. The following applicants may be exempted from the English proficiency requirement:

(a) those who completed their high school education in the United States from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;
(b) those who completed at least one (1) year of college-level education in the United States from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;
(c) those who completed their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees from an accredited university in the United States, Canada (except Quebec), Commonwealth Caribbean (Antigua, Barbuda, Belize, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Vis, St, Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago), Nigeria, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand;
(d) those who completed their post-secondary education from an institution located in a country where English is the main language of instruction as evaluated and determined by the CALUMS Admissions Office;
(e) those with current (not older than 2 years) TOEFL iBT score of at least 61, or its IELTS, ITEP or Duolingo equivalents;
(f) those who completed a post-secondary level ESL course; or
(g) those who passed the CALUMS English Proficiency Aptitude Test (EPAT) with a minimum score of 70.

Admission Evaluation

Once an application and all supporting documents have been received by the Admissions Office, the application package will be reviewed and evaluated on an individual basis. The applicant may be asked to provide additional evidence of academic proficiency. The admission decisions are based upon the academic and professional background of the student, as well as competitive and programmatic factors. Processing time is approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks. 

After admission evaluation is finalized, the student will be notified of the admission decision in writing.

Post-Admission Procedure

Once a student is admitted to a program, he or she will be assigned to an academic advisor who will advise the student in academic planning. Orientation for new students is held within a week prior to the beginning of each academic quarter. All students receive information regarding student services, student expectations, student rights and responsibilities, student conduct policies, library services, and learning resource services.

 International Student: The Admissions Office will issue the letter of acceptance along with the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form) to the student who has completed all the admissions requirements and procedures of the program.

Students who have been issued an I-20 Form must report to the University within seven (7) days after arriving in the U.S. or the I-20 will be voided.

Transfer Credit Policy

Up to 16 quarter units of coursework can be accepted for transfer credits from another institution. At least 24 quarter units must be completed in residence at the University. Deviations and substitutions for the requirements must be approved by the Academic Dean prior to the start of classes.