CTU Welcomes
International Students
Our Welcome
Welcome, international students! Even if you live half a world away, when you decide to pursue your degree at Colorado Technical University, you’re joining a global community of students—past and present—who have chosen to better their lives through education. And no matter whether you decide to pursue a degree program online or at one of our Colorado campuses, you’ll be able to stay connected to your classes, coursework, and even your fellow CTU classmates anytime, anywhere you’re connected to the Internet, thanks to the Virtual Campus and CTU Mobile platforms.
We're Here To Help
For international students, online degree programs can offer a convenient and practical alternative to the stress of trying to move and study abroad, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have your share of questions about the admissions process. That’s why we’ve designed the following pages—to help you make more sense of CTU’s international student admission requirements as well as help answer questions about financial aid, English proficiency requirements, international transfer student policies, and more. And if you can’t find the answers to your questions here in the international student section of our site, we encourage you to reach out to one of our International Admissions Advisors who will be happy to help you get the answers you’re looking for.
Our International Admissions Process Is Easy
-
Apply Now with a no-fee application
-
Submit an English proficiency assessment score
-
Complete a telephone interview with an International Admissions Advisor
-
Submit required documentation
Proof of high school graduation or equivalency, undergraduate transcripts, etc.
Before You Start Your Application
Before starting the international student college application process at CTU, you’ll need to ensure that you meet certain minimum TOEFL score requirements (these requirements vary depending upon whether you are an incoming undergraduate or graduate student). Official high school transcripts or proof of high school equivalency will also be required.
International students who do not speak English as a first language or who graduated from a non-English speaking school will be required to submit TOEFL scores. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exams measure your ability to use and comprehend English as it is used in the college or university setting and serve as documented proof of English proficiency.
See Proficiency RequirementsAre You An International Transfer Student?
International transfer students may be eligible to receive college credit at CTU for successful completion of post-secondary courses taken outside of the United States.1 In order to apply for transfer credit, the international institution(s) attended must be recognized by the education department/ministry of the country in which the institution operates, and the student must arrange for official transcripts to be submitted to CTU for evaluation. Additional details concerning international student admissions transfer credit policies can be found here.
International Student FAQs
The application can be accessed via the internet by clicking on one of the links below:
Academic Records
The required academic documents include:
- High School/Secondary transcripts
These records must list (at a minimum) the coursework taken in the last three years of secondary school and the marks/grades that you received in each course completed. - Proof of graduation (certificate or diploma). Please send the original language documents as well as English language translations. Translations must either be completed by the educational institution you attended or by a certified translation agency.
- If you have a College Degree
These records must list every course taken after completing high school/secondary school and the marks/grades that you received in each course taken. Please send the original language documents as well as English language translations. Translations must either be completed by the educational institution you attended or by a certified translation agency. - Transcript evaluations
Because CTU follows strict policies concerning academic integrity, students are required to have on file within one session of their program start date an evaluation from an approved credential evaluation service for all foreign educational credentials previously earned. See the university's catalog for details.
Proof of English proficiency
Non-native speakers of English need to submit proof of English proficiency (one or more of the following):
- Primary instruction of education in your country of origin is English.
- Passing score on TOEFL or IELTS.
- A grade of C or better in an intermediate ESL or college-level English course taken at an accredited English-speaking postsecondary institution.
- Graduation from an English-speaking secondary or postsecondary institution.
- Doctoral students must have received an acceptable score on one of the approved international testing options.
Proof of financial support
You will need to submit documents that give evidence of your ability to pay for your expenses while a student at Colorado Technical University. These documents are:
- Affidavit of Financial Support - this form is a signed statement from your financial sponsor(s) guaranteeing monetary support for your expenses.
- Bank statement/letter - each of your financial sponsors must show evidence from his/her bank that proves sufficient resources are available to meet your educational expenses. The amount of funds that your sponsors(s) are guaranteeing must equal or exceed the amount of your total first year expenses for tuition, fees, housing, food and other expenses.
OR
Students must also meet the admission requirements listed in the admissions section of the catalog and declare an academic major. Students may change this major at a later date, but an initial declaration allows students to set up an education plan with their advisors.
Processing of your admissions application is dependent on:
- submission of all required documents, and
- meeting the admissions requirements for the degree program you are applying for. It is VERY important to email your admissions advisor this information as soon as possible so that we can help you complete the enrollment process in a timely manner.
For those students who need to obtain a student visa (F-1) to study in the United States, we will send an Immigration and Naturalization (INS) I-20 form and instructions on how to obtain your student visa. The INS I-20 form will be used to present evidence to the American embassy that you have been accepted as a student at Colorado Technical University and that you are eligible for F-1 visa. For those students who are already in the US on a student or other type of visa, we will give you special instructions.
Students studying at one of our campuses in Colorado only:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined by the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) as alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with a school that is available for F-1 visa holders. CPT is a temporary, professional, full or part-time employment directly related to a student’s academic program. All work must be authorized and pre-approved by the Designated School Official before you can begin working.
CTU does not assist international students in finding a sponsor. Finding a sponsor is something you would need to secure on your own.
At this time, we only offer federal financial aid assistance to US citizens or eligible non-citizens.
CTU does not do business in the European Union (EU) and does not accept applications from EU residents seeking to enroll at the University.
Financial Aid
Federal and state financial aid is typically limited to U.S. citizens and certain eligible non-citizens who qualify, and CTU does not offer institutional grants or scholarships for international students. Therefore, international students must provide proof of financial resources sufficient to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses for at least three terms. Tuition costs vary by degree program; for example, the cost to pursue an online MBA for international students may be different than the cost to pursue another master’s-level degree program at CTU. For additional information about financial matters and alternative options for funding your education at CTU, please see our international student financial aid page.