International Admissions - Undergraduate

Effective January 6, 2015, the International Admissions section for undergraduate students has been revised.

West Coast University is authorized under federal law to enroll non immigrant students in its undergraduate programs. Programs which include courses which are offered in a blended instructional delivery format are not approved for the enrollment of international students.

International students must meet the same admissions requirements for the program as all other prospective students. To be considered for admission, prospective international students must be eligible to apply for a student visa (F-1) or must be resident in the United States in a temporary residency status that does not require a change of status in order to attend university. 

Instruction at the University is delivered in English. Students must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English. The College does not offer English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction.

Prior to admission an international prospective student must:

1. Be officially enrolled or accepted by the University.

2. Provide evidence of financial support.

3. Provide proof of English proficiency. English proficiency can be established by providing
documentation of one of the following:

  • Graduation from an American/International high school program where the curriculum is
    given in English.
  • Graduation from a high school in the United States as an exchange student.
  • Graduation from a high school in a country where English is the official language.
  • A passing score on the entrance exam required for admission to the program.

4. Have an I-20 form for attendance at the school. The I-20 form shall not be issued until all the
preceding
requirements have been met. International students who are in the United States and already have a student visa will be processed as a transfer in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

5. Other individuals already in the United States under a temporary status, which requires a change of status, must file an I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status) and pay the required fee to the United States Bureau of Customs and Immigration Services prior to admission.  If English is not the student’s primary language, and the student is unable to understand the terms and conditions of the Enrollment Agreement, the student shall have the right to obtain a clear explanation of the terms and conditions and all cancellation and refund policies in his or her primary language.

Prospective international students must provide the institution with a copy of student visa or approved Change of Status Form and I-94 entry/departure form. No international student shall start classes prior to providing these documents. Approval of a change of status may take 60 to 120 days.

International students may only be enrolled on a full-time residence basis. An international student may take no more than one online class per semester. Once an international student has enrolled, all changes in enrollment status, address, or program of study must be reported to the campus Registrar on an on-going basis and for each academic term.

Students on non-immigrant visas are also required to provide proof of health insurance coverage at the time of enrollment and to maintain an adequate level of health insurance coverage as a condition of continued enrollment.