INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

WHY CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON?

California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) and the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) welcome international applicants from all over the world who want to study Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Software Engineering (an I-20, used to obtain an F-1 visa, cannot be issued for the online Software Engineering program). We have international students studying in all of our bachelor's and master's programs, and our faculty represent countries as diverse as Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, People's Republic of China, Poland, Taiwan, Turkey, and Yugoslavia.

Fullertonmap CSUF is located in a suburban city that is about an hour's drive southeast of Los Angeles. Orange County -the O.C.-is the ideal location for enjoying all that Southern California has to offer.

Orange County's diverse cultural makeup, exceptional educational opportunities, great weather and exciting cultural and entertainment attractions add up to Orange County consistently being ranked as one of the most livable places in the United States. The Mediterranean-type climate, with rainfall averaging 14 inches (36 centimeters) per year, means generally mild days with frequent morning fog during the summer. The average temperature is 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius).

Beautiful beaches create the most lasting image of Southern California. Orange County alone has 42 miles (68 kilometers) of coastline. If you prefer hiking and biking, Orange County has 100,000 acres (40,000 hectares) of preserved wilderness. Local ski resorts are within a one-hour drive.

Attractions within easy driving distance include Disneyland Resort, Universal Studios, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm and Sea World (discount tickets to these attractions are sold on campus). Many students take weekend trips to San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas or Mexico. There are also more than 100 stage theaters and 300 museums in the Orange County/Los Angeles area.

CSUF is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a nationally recognized regional accrediting agency. CSUF also holds accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Computer Sciences Accreditation Commission, and the Western Association of Graduate Schools.

SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The Office of International Education and Exchange (IEE) is dedicated to promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience within the multicultural campus community and with the world at large. The office provides information and assistance for international students attending CSUF. IEE provides information on academic policies, immigration and travel, scholarships, employment, and health insurance for international students. If you need assistance you can meet with an advisor during walk-in hours or you can set up an appointment.

As a new student at CSUF, you will attend a two day International Student Orientation at the beginning of the semester, where you will learn about campus and immigration policies, campus resources, and how to get involved in campus activities. You'll have the opportunity to take a campus tour, meet students, faculty, and staff, and attend a luncheon hosted by CSUF President Milton Gordon.

Concerned about making friends at CSUF? There is a weekly "International Coffee Break" during the fall and spring semesters, where you can meet students, staff, and faculty in a relaxed and informal social setting. You can join the American Family Friends program and meet Americans living near campus. You can also join one of the many student clubs in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit an application and pay the $55 application fee online at www.csumentor.edu. If you cannot access the application online you can print out a hard copy here. Mail the application and $55 check or money order (in US currency) made out to CSUF to:
Graduate and International Admissions
College of Engineering and Computer Science
California State University, Fullerton
P.O. Box 6870
Fullerton, California USA 92834-6870

Your application will be received faster and therefore processed more quickly if you apply and pay online. Your application cannot be processed until payment has been received.

WHEN TO APPLY

The College of Engineering and Computer Science admits students in the fall (August) and spring (January) semesters to all undergraduate and graduate programs with the exception of the Software Engineering program. The Master of Science in Software Engineering only accepts students for the fall semester. The application period for fall admission opens the previous October 1; the application period for spring admission opens the previous August 1.

Applications for Spring (January) 2008 and Fall (August) 2008 are currently being accepted. International students may still apply for Spring 2008, but please be aware that there is no guarantee that you will receive your I-20 in time to obtain an F-1 visa and arrive in the US for the beginning of the semester.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

In order to meet the minimum requirements for undergraduate (bachelor's degree) admission, international applicants who are graduates of secondary schools must have preparation equivalent to that required of eligible California high school graduates. You must have completed all requirements of the secondary school and have proof of your degree. Applications from international students who have completed a two-year program in an accredited institution of higher education, in good standing and with a good academic record, will be considered for undergraduate transfer status.

In order to meet the minimum requirements for graduate admission, international applicants must have completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree (equivalent to a US bachelor's degree) from an accredited institution of higher learning, be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended, and have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted. In order to apply you must have completed all requirements for your bachelor's degree and have proof of your degree. Graduate exams such as the GRE or GMAT are not required for any master's program in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

TRANSCRIPTS

For freshman (first year undergraduate) admission, an official transcript with grades for each semester and proof of degree is required from your secondary school. For transfer (third year undergraduate) admission, an official transcript is required for each university or college attended since secondary school (you do not need to send records from your secondary school). Transcripts and degree certificates issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Your application cannot be evaluated until proof of degree (for freshman) and grades for all semesters have been received.

For graduate admission, an official transcript with grades for each semester and proof of bachelor's degree is required from each university or college you have attended since secondary school. A transcript is required for all community college coursework even if the transfer credit is reflected on another transcript. A degree certificate showing proof that you have received your bachelor's degree is required if your transcript does not indicate that you have received your bachelor's degree. Transcripts and degree certificates issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Your application cannot be evaluated until proof of bachelor's degree and grades for all eight semesters have been received.

Please have all documents (transcripts, mark sheets, degree certificates) sent directly to the College of Engineering and Computer Science:
Graduate and International Admissions
College of Engineering and Computer Science
California State University, Fullerton
P.O. Box 6870
Fullerton, California 92834-6870
OR
Graduate and International Admissions
College of Engineering and Computer Science
California State University, Fullerton
800 N. State College Boulevard
CS 502
Fullerton, CA 92831

TOEFL

If your native language is not English you must submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores before your application can be processed. TOEFL scores are not required if you have attended for at least three years, full-time, an educational institution at the secondary level or above in the United States. You must submit TOEFL scores even if you are a US citizen or have been living and working in the United States for many years since you received your degree. The CSUF policy is based on where you attended school, not your citizenship or how long you have been in the United States. If you received instruction in English in a school outside of the United States you may be exempt from the TOEFL with a letter from your institution stating that the language of instruction was English. For example, if you received your bachelor's degree in Germany but all classes were taught in English and you have a document from your university stating that the language of instruction was English, you can request that the TOEFL be waived. Please submit the document from your university and a letter requesting a TOEFL waiver with your application package.

The minimum score for undergraduate applicants is 500 on the paper-based TOEFL exam, 173 on the computer-based TOEFL, or 61 on the internet-based TOEFL exam. The minimum score for graduate applicants is 550 on the paper-based exam, 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL exam. All applicants required to take the TOEFL must have their official TOEFL score report sent directly to CSUF from Educational Testing Service (ETS). The institution code for CSUF is 4589.

For more information about the TOEFL or to register, visit www.ets.org/toefl/. TOEFL bulletins and registration forms are also often available at American embassies and consulates, offices of the United States Information Service, United States educational commissions and foundations abroad, bi-national centers, and several private organizations.

CSUF also accepts IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores. The minimum score for undergraduate applicants is 6.5 and minimum score for graduate applicants is 7.0. For more information about IELTS, visit http://www.ielts.org/.

Students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL or IELTS requirement may be eligible to enroll in the American Language Program (ALP), where academic English instruction is provided to prepare students to become successful in a university degree program. Advanced students may take one or more university courses for credit. Conditional admission to CSUF through ALP is available for all undergraduate and graduate majors in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Please visit http://alp.fullerton.edu/programs/ca.asp or email alp@fullerton.edu for more information.

SAT or ACT

Freshman applicants who graduated from a secondary school outside of the United States are not required to take the SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test) or ACT (American College Test). International students who have attended or graduated from a United States high school are required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Transfer or graduate applicants do not need to take the SAT or ACT. Registration forms and dates for the SAT or ACT are available from high school or college counselors or from a CSU campus testing office. For more information and to register you can also visit www.collegeboard.com (SAT) or www.act.org (ACT).

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

International applicants who need a new or transfer I-20 must submit an International Student Financial Statement and Affidavit accompanied by a bank statement from their sponsor showing a minimum of $25,000. Students sponsored by an international organization or home government agency must include a letter of scholarship support specifying CSUF and your proposed degree and program of study. You cannot be issued an I-20 until you are admitted to CSUF and have submitted the required financial documents. If you have questions about the financial documents, please contact the Office of International Education and Exchange at ieei20@fullerton.edu or (714) 278-2787.

STUDENT VISAS

International applicants who are admitted to CSUF will be issued form I-20, which is used to obtain an F-1 student visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas. Students transferring from another U.S. institution will use form I-20 to apply for transfer authorization through the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The Office of International Education and Exchange will process your I-20 paperwork once you have been admitted. An I-20 cannot be issued if you have not submitted your International Student Financial Statement and other appropriate financial documents.

An I-20 cannot be issued for the Software Engineering master's program, since it is offered entirely online. Immigration policy (not CSUF policy) prohibits student visas for entirely online programs. If you are already in the US and need to transfer your I-20 to CSUF, you cannot do so for the Software Engineering program. You can be a student in the Software Engineering program from your home country.

IEE will send out your I-20 via regular postal mail to the address listed on your application. Please email to ieei20@fullerton.edu if you

Wish to pay for express mail service
Listed a US address on your application but are not living in the US and need a new I-20
Want a friend or family member to pick up your I-20 instead of it being mailed

HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

Effective August 1, 1995, as a condition of receiving an I-20 or IAP-66 form, all F-1 and J-1 visa applicants must agree to obtain and maintain health insurance as a condition of registration and continued enrollment in the California State University. Such insurance must be in amounts as specified by the United States Information Agency (USIA) and NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The campus president or designee shall determine which insurance policies meet these criteria. Further information may be obtained from the Office of International Education and Exchange.

STATUS

If you wish to check on the status of your application, please email ecsgrad@fullerton.edu. The email must include your first (given) and last (family) name, CWID (Campus Wide ID#), and name of program.

FEES

Visit the Student Financial Services page for fee information. The link to "Fee Information" on the left will give you information on Registration Fees (required for all students), Non-Resident Tuition (required for students who are not legal residents of California for residency purposes), and Required Course Fees (Distance Learning Fee required for the MSE program). Students on an F-1 visa must pay Non-Resident Tuition every semester. The MSE program is 6 units per semester; all other graduate programs can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis.

Scholarships available to students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science can be found at http://www.fullerton.edu/ecs/scholarships.htm. ECS has a limited number of Non-Resident Tuition waivers available to entering master's students. All international applications will be reviewed for a Non-Resident Fee Waiver; additional paperwork is not required. International students are not eligible for federal loans or grants. Information about scholarship opportunities outside of CSUF available to international students is available at http://www.fullerton.edu/international/finances/.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY MASTER'S DEGREE?

All of the master's programs require 30 units to receive your degree. There are many factors that affect how long it will take to receive your degree; the most important factors are how many courses you plan to take per semester and if you have any deficiency (prerequisite) courses to complete before beginning the required 30 units. For the graduate programs in Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering you may take 6 units per semester and be considered a full-time student (and maintain your F-1 visa status). The Software Engineering program consists of two courses per semester for five semesters (22 months), but an I-20, used to obtain an F-1 visa, cannot be issued for this online program.

CAN I BE ADMITTED IF I DON'T HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN THE SAME MAJOR?

Yes! You can still be admitted if you do not have an academic background in the field you are applying for. You will be assigned deficiency (prerequisite) courses by an advisor in the department. You can take these courses as a master's student at CSUF before beginning the 30 units required for the master's degree. The list of undergraduate prerequisite courses for Computer Science is available here. Prerequisite course information for Civil Engineering is available here. Prerequisite courses for Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are determined on an individual basis. The prerequisite for Software Engineering is CPSC 362. A resume is required to asses your work experience and the equivalence of CPSC 362; please send your resume to ecsgrad@fullerton.edu once you have submitted your application to Software Engineering.

CAN I TRANSFER COURSES I TOOK AT ANOTHER UNIVERSITY INTO THE MASTER'S PROGRAM?

You can request to apply a limited number of transfer courses towards unit requirements for a master's degree. The maximum number of units that can be transferred to a master's program is nine (9). More information can be found here.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

More information about admissions can be found at Admissions and Records, Graduate Studies and the Catalog .

QUESTIONS?

Contact Graduate and International Admissions for the College of Engineering and Computer Science at ecsgrad@fullerton.edu or (714) 278-7786. You may also fax to (714) 626-8086 or visit the office in CS 106 (campus map available at http://www.fullerton.edu/campusmap/ ).