Incoming Exchange Students
Partner Universities
The Missouri School of Journalism welcomes applications for study abroad terms from our international partners
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Application Deadlines
In order to ensure timely issuance of necessary immigration (visa) documents, complete application materials are required by the following deadlines:
University of Missouri Academic Calendar
Click here to view the University of Missouri's official academic calendar with beginning and end of semester dates and semester holidays.
Application Materials
In order to be considered for admission to study abroad at the Missouri School of Journalism, interested students must provide the following original documents to the study abroad office at their home university:
Eligibility
All applicants must be recommended by their home university. Additionally, applicants must evidence the equivalent of a U.S. GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to be considered for acceptance. If submission of IELTS or TOEFL is required, applicants must evidence appropriate scores for admission to the Missouri School of Journalism:
Course Selections
The U.S. higher education assigns credit hours to courses. Typically, one class is equal to three credit hours. Exchange students can enroll in 12 credit hours of coursework per semester at the University of Missouri through agreement with partner universities. Of those 12 credit hours, exchange students must take at least 6 but no more than 9 credit hours of journalism classes. Students can request undergraduate classes for their studies at MU. Courses are classified according to the following numerical system:
Graduate exchange students from Sciences Po and Waseda University may be eligible to enroll in graduate-level classes at the University of Missouri. Exchange students from all other programs must select undergraduate-level courses.
Exchange students are required to enroll in at least one non-journalism course (3 credit hours) per semester. Non-journalism courses include studies in psychology, art, political science, history, etc. In order to enroll in these courses, students must have met all necessary prerequisite courses.
When completing the Course Selection Form, applicants should refer to course options online. Class schedules can be viewed under the "Guest Access" by selecting the term in which they plan to attend. When browsing the catalog for courses, students should be sure to search for that class to be certain that it will be offered during their term at MU.
The Course Request document is used to create a preliminary schedule of classes for exchange students. This schedule is created prior to arrival at the University of Missouri. While every attempt is made to enroll students in the courses they request, specific course registration is the purview of the academic department which has governance over any specific class. Course enrollment requires approval of appropriate faculty, and may require the submission of additional supporting documents such as samples of students' work or portfolios.
Costs
Estimated costs per semester: These are costs not covered by the exchange agreement.
Although the exchange agreement covers most educational fees at MU, some schools and colleges charge supplemental fees for courses in their area to cover the cost of labs, specialized equipment, and other academic needs. Exchange students enrolling in these courses will be responsible for paying such fees and should budget accordingly.
Updated information pertaining to fees for specific coursework can be viewed by visiting the University of Missouri Cashier's Office website.
Housing
The International Programs Office with the Missouri School of Journalism will pre-arrange housing in residence halls for students who desire to live on campus. Demand for student housing is quite rigorous. International students are typically housed in the Defoe-Graham or Hawthorn Residence Halls, as they remain open throughout holidays and breaks, and are centrally located on the University campus.Those who wish to live in private apartments must arrange housing independently. Information about living options in both the residence halls and the community can be provided to exchange university partners upon request. Students participating in the Buenos Aires or Washington DC Internship Programs are required to use university housing which is included in the program fee.
Those students who submit a housing application and deposit by the necessary deadline are guaranteed housing. Students should return all requested housing documents as quickly as possible. Additionally, students should include:
Health Insurance
To ensure that all students have adequate coverage to pay for medical expenses, all international students will be billed for the MU's Mandatory Health Insurance Plan upon arrival. There are no exceptions.Enrollment in the plan is automatic. Information regarding the mandatory health insurance can be found on the University of Missouri page of the Aetna website.
Preparing for Visa
Traveling to the United States to continue your education is an exciting prospect. We also know that you have many questions and a lot to accomplish before you arrive. Below is a checklist of things to do while preparing to come to The States.Scheduling the Visa Interview:
Preparing for the Visa Interview:
The Day of the Visa Interview:
Bring the following documents to the interview:
Arrival Information
Students should plan to arrive on the suggested arrival date. International Student Orientations will begin shortly following that date. Please refer to the information provided in your admission packet for specific dates on which you should prepare to arrive. The following information may be helpful as you prepare to travel.
Revised: 27 January 2011. Copyright © 2011 The Curators of the University of Missouri | Contact the J-School
In order to ensure timely issuance of necessary immigration (visa) documents, complete application materials are required by the following deadlines:
- Semester 1 (Beginning in August): April 1
- Semester 2 (Beginning in January): October 1
University of Missouri Academic Calendar
Click here to view the University of Missouri's official academic calendar with beginning and end of semester dates and semester holidays.
Application Materials
In order to be considered for admission to study abroad at the Missouri School of Journalism, interested students must provide the following original documents to the study abroad office at their home university:
- International Student Application (Application fee is waived.)
- Affidavit of Support Form (For more information please visit these sites on financial documentation and financial support.
- Bank letter or statement verifying that the sponsor listed on the Affidavit of Support has sufficient funds to cover student expenses not included as part of the exchange agreement. (Approximately US $5,850/semester for the 2010-2011 academic year.)
- Official, sealed transcript of all university-level coursework.
- TOEFL or IELTS scores. (Waived for applicants from Australia, New Zealand, UK.)
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- One passport-sized photo.
- Housing Request Form (For on-campus housing, applicants must include a US $25 application fee and US $300 housing deposit.) Please visit the International Student Housing site for more information.
- Immunization Records (Must provide proof in English of immunization against mumps, measles and rubella. If students do not present evidence of the required immunizations, they will need to be immunized at the University Student Health Center upon arrival.)
- Course Request Form
Eligibility
All applicants must be recommended by their home university. Additionally, applicants must evidence the equivalent of a U.S. GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to be considered for acceptance. If submission of IELTS or TOEFL is required, applicants must evidence appropriate scores for admission to the Missouri School of Journalism:
- TOEFL-ibt: 100 or higher
- IELTSL: 7.0 or higher with no individual band score below 6.0
Course Selections
The U.S. higher education assigns credit hours to courses. Typically, one class is equal to three credit hours. Exchange students can enroll in 12 credit hours of coursework per semester at the University of Missouri through agreement with partner universities. Of those 12 credit hours, exchange students must take at least 6 but no more than 9 credit hours of journalism classes. Students can request undergraduate classes for their studies at MU. Courses are classified according to the following numerical system:
- Lower-division undergraduate classes: classes numbered 1000–2999
- Upper-division undergraduate classes: classes numbered 3000–4999
- Graduate-level classes: classes numbered 7000+
Graduate exchange students from Sciences Po and Waseda University may be eligible to enroll in graduate-level classes at the University of Missouri. Exchange students from all other programs must select undergraduate-level courses.
Exchange students are required to enroll in at least one non-journalism course (3 credit hours) per semester. Non-journalism courses include studies in psychology, art, political science, history, etc. In order to enroll in these courses, students must have met all necessary prerequisite courses.
When completing the Course Selection Form, applicants should refer to course options online. Class schedules can be viewed under the "Guest Access" by selecting the term in which they plan to attend. When browsing the catalog for courses, students should be sure to search for that class to be certain that it will be offered during their term at MU.
The Course Request document is used to create a preliminary schedule of classes for exchange students. This schedule is created prior to arrival at the University of Missouri. While every attempt is made to enroll students in the courses they request, specific course registration is the purview of the academic department which has governance over any specific class. Course enrollment requires approval of appropriate faculty, and may require the submission of additional supporting documents such as samples of students' work or portfolios.
Costs
Estimated costs per semester: These are costs not covered by the exchange agreement.
- Living Expenses: $5,513.00
- Mandatory Medical Insurance: $656.00
- Internship Program Fees: See specific program page for program costs (Washington D.C., New York, Buenos Aires, Brussels, London)
Although the exchange agreement covers most educational fees at MU, some schools and colleges charge supplemental fees for courses in their area to cover the cost of labs, specialized equipment, and other academic needs. Exchange students enrolling in these courses will be responsible for paying such fees and should budget accordingly.
Updated information pertaining to fees for specific coursework can be viewed by visiting the University of Missouri Cashier's Office website.
Housing
The International Programs Office with the Missouri School of Journalism will pre-arrange housing in residence halls for students who desire to live on campus. Demand for student housing is quite rigorous. International students are typically housed in the Defoe-Graham or Hawthorn Residence Halls, as they remain open throughout holidays and breaks, and are centrally located on the University campus.Those who wish to live in private apartments must arrange housing independently. Information about living options in both the residence halls and the community can be provided to exchange university partners upon request. Students participating in the Buenos Aires or Washington DC Internship Programs are required to use university housing which is included in the program fee.
Those students who submit a housing application and deposit by the necessary deadline are guaranteed housing. Students should return all requested housing documents as quickly as possible. Additionally, students should include:
- US $300 housing deposit
- US $25 housing application fee
Health Insurance
To ensure that all students have adequate coverage to pay for medical expenses, all international students will be billed for the MU's Mandatory Health Insurance Plan upon arrival. There are no exceptions.Enrollment in the plan is automatic. Information regarding the mandatory health insurance can be found on the University of Missouri page of the Aetna website.
Preparing for Visa
Traveling to the United States to continue your education is an exciting prospect. We also know that you have many questions and a lot to accomplish before you arrive. Below is a checklist of things to do while preparing to come to The States.Scheduling the Visa Interview:
- Review the U.S. visa application process and complete the application forms online.
- Students must complete the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application
- Complete the I-901 form and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online.
- This process will require your SEVIS number (printed on the upper right-hand corner of the DS-2019 form) and the University of Missouri school code: KANF00635000
- The process will also require your Exchange Visitor Program Number: P-1-00051
- Be sure to print the receipt of your payment.
- Schedule your visa interview appointment at the U.S. Consulate.
- You will need the SEVIS number located in the upper, right-hand corner of the Form DS-2019.
- Visa interview appointments fill quickly, so please schedule the interview as soon as possible. Remember, education visas are a priority at the U.S. consulate or embassy.
Preparing for the Visa Interview:
- If possible, contact the local EducationUSA Advising Office for counseling regarding the visa interview process.
- Carefully review the visa preparation section on the U.S. Department of State website.
- Know some facts about the City of Columbia that make it an attractive place to live and go to school.
- Visit the City of Columbia Visitor's Bureau
- View history and facts about the City of Columbia
The Day of the Visa Interview:
Bring the following documents to the interview:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of interview)
- DS-2019 Form
- Receipt for the paid SEVIS fee
- Visa application fee receipt
- Interview appointment letter
- Application forms (DS-160, etc.)
- Supporting bank/financial documents
- Degrees, diplomas, certificates or transcripts
- English proficiency test scores, if available (TOEFL, IELTS)
- 5cm by 5 cm photograph as specified above.
Arrival Information
Students should plan to arrive on the suggested arrival date. International Student Orientations will begin shortly following that date. Please refer to the information provided in your admission packet for specific dates on which you should prepare to arrive. The following information may be helpful as you prepare to travel.
- Visit the EducationUSA website. If possible, plan a visit with the local EducationUSA advising office for additional assistance and travel preparation.
- Make travel arrangements to Columbia. Direct air service can be booked into Columbia Regional Airport (COU). Alternatively, students may choose to fly to Lambert St. Louis International Airport (STL) or to Kansas City International Airport (MCI). Students arriving in either St. Louis or Kansas City can book shuttle service from the airport to Columbia through Mo-X.
- Students participating in the Buenos Aires Internship Program will be provided instructions regarding transportation from Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to student housing.
- Students participating in the Washington DC Internship Program should make arrangements for ground transportation from either Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Dulles International Airport (IAD) to WISH student housing.
- Submit your travel itinerary to the International Programs Office at the Missouri School of Journalism. Provide the following information:
- Arriving airport
- Arriving airline
- Final, arriving flight number
- Date and time of arrival
Revised: 27 January 2011. Copyright © 2011 The Curators of the University of Missouri | Contact the J-School
