Global Education Project FAQs

Eligibility Criteria to Apply

Are students required to provide their transcripts to study at UCA?

Yes, students must submit a complete transcript in English when they apply. We understand that they may not have the grades for the Spring semester (if applying for Fall) or their grades for Fall (if applying for Spring) and that is acceptable.
Graduate students should be prepared to have a letter from their home university Graduate Dean for taking graduate level courses in order to enroll in graduate level courses in UCA. Graduate students interested in participating in the Global Education Project can apply through the Center for Global Learning & Engagement (CGLE), but the applications are approved by the UCA Graduate School and the Graduate Program in which they seek to study.

Music students should submit their portfolio to CGLE before April 15th (if applying for fall semester), or October 30th (if applying for spring semester).

Which academic departments are GEP students allowed to study in?

Undergraduate students may study in any department on campus if they obtain a qualifying language proficiency score (TOEFL IBT: 61, IELTS: 6.0). Students who scored just below these scores may still be able to take academic courses at UCA. In some departments prerequisite classes may warrant students to receive a special permission to enroll in certain classes.

Students without a TOEFL or IELTS score may only study in the Intensive English Program (IEP).

Graduate student may take graduate level courses with approval from specific department at UCA and must meet the following English proficiency test requirements TOEFL IBT: 79 or IELTS: 6.5

Is it necessary for students to provide their English proficiency test results first?

If students plan to study only in the IEP, then they do not need to take an English proficiency test before applying.

Students who wish to take regular university courses must submit English proficiency scores

Are there any limits on the number of students allowed to apply for study at UCA?

Please check with your home university, UCA has an agreement with your university in which the number of students has been discussed.

J-1 (Visiting Student) Visa Questions

What documents are required to apply for a student visa?

Students must bring the following documents to the U.S. Consulate at the time of their visa interview:

Official Acceptance Letter from UCA
Form DS-2019 (provided by UCA)
Documentation of Financial Support
Receipt for the payment of the mandatory SEVIS fee

For additional information about obtaining a J-1 student visa, please check the website of U.S. Embassy in your country.

Is the SEVIS fee included in the fees paid to UCA?

No, the SEVIS fee is not included in the GEP price. Students are required to pay all visa and SEVIS application fees.

Tuition & Fees

What is included in the GEP price?

The price varies every year depending on the tuition and fee structure at UCA. Partner institutions are informed of the fee before applications open for the following semester. The program price includes:

Tuition and fees for the credit hours the student will take
International administration fee that contributes to events and activities on the campus
Mandatory health insurance
Housing fee
Unlimited meal plan in the university cafeteria and $200 Dining Dollars.
Airport transportation at beginning and end of semester

What is not included in the GEP price?

The program price does not include:

2 doses of MMR – $84 each dose
1 T-spot Test – $50
Choosing a private room (additional cost of about $700 to 800 per semester)
Insurance deductible ($100)
Books – varies
Travel expenses

MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccination is required by law. If students cannot provide documentation in English from a health care professional verifying that the student has received these shots, it is the student’s responsibility to pay for it. This cost is reimbursable through UCA’s Lewer Mark student health insurance.

Are the fees the same for all courses at UCA?

Tuition is charged on a per-credit hour basis. Most classes are 3 credit hours each (three hours of instruction per week).

Are textbooks included in the GEP price?

No. Textbooks must be purchased/rented separately. Depending on course selection, students can expect to pay $300.00 – $600.00 per semester for required textbooks. At the end of the semester, students can either keep their books or sell them back to the bookstore at a reduced price. Textbooks may also be rented at a reduced rate.

How many credit hours can a student take?

Students hold a J-1 visa must enroll in a minimum of twelve (12) undergraduate or nine (9) graduate credit hours each semester to fulfill the terms of their visa.

Any additional credits a GEP student choose to enroll in will result in additional charges. Please contact us for help in calculating tuition costs for any additional credit hours.

What does the international insurance cover? When does coverage begin and end?

The LewerMark health insurance pays for treatment of illnesses and accidents, including prescriptions, doctor and hospital visits, and repatriation of remains in case of death. There is a $100 deductible per semester, but it will pay any non-excluded expense after that. If the student needs a prescription for medication, they will have to pay for it, but we will assist them in filing the forms to be reimbursed for cost of the medication. This medical insurance does not cover eye glasses, contact lenses or dental care. There is a limitation on coverage of pre-existing medical conditions.

For students attending UCA in the fall, the coverage lasts from August 1 to December 31. For students attending UCA in the spring, the coverage lasts from January 1 to May 31. UCA has an excellent Student Health Center that is staffed by a doctor and nurse practitioners. They can handle the majority of treatment for students for free or at a very low cost. The Student Health Center is conveniently located on the campus and open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Are there additional costs for placement testing?

There is not a fee for English placement testing.

If students wish to enroll in regular undergraduate classes, they will be required to take the Accuplacer test in mathematics, reading, and writing. There is no fee for the first attempt.

It is the student’s responsibility to pay for the institutional TOEFL, TOEFL iBT or other tests during the semester.

When must students pay for their tuition and fees at UCA?

Payment is due on the day before the classes start day as indicated on the academic calendar. Due to possible changes in GEP students’ class schedules in the first week of classes the payment due date may be subject to change. The Center for Global Learning & Engagement will let the students know when they should pay their account balance.

Class Registration Procedure

Are there any courses taught in languages other than English?

With the exception of foreign language classes, all classes are taught in English.

What is the procedure for students to register for classes?

Students with a qualifying English test score are required to take the Accuplacer tests in math, reading, and writing first. These tests will be given on UCA campus during the Global Welcome after arrival. University transcripts in English language will be required as some higher level courses may have prerequisites. (We recommend that students enroll in courses beginning with the number “1” or “2”). Please understand that all students who want to take regular UCA courses must also provide English transcripts to the respective department to confirm that all preregistration requirements have been met.

Some departments may require a course syllabi in English to assess course contents. We suggest that students who plan to take academic classes have their courses syllabi (in English) from home university available.

Students who submit English proficiency test scores late (after July 1st for fall semester, or November1st for spring semester) should prepare to take IEP courses as some regular classes may fill early.

Students who plan to enroll in IEP classes will need to take the placement test in the first week of orientation. Students will be placed in appropriate courses according to their score.

Are students allowed to take fewer than twelve (12) credit hours?

No. Students must maintain a minimum of twelve (12) undergraduate or nine (9) graduate credit hours in order to maintain their J-1 visa status. Students who drop below the minimum course load will fall out of status, and WILL be subject to appropriate immigration regulations that may include deportation.

Room & Board

What are the residence halls like?

For a double room, each student will share a residence room with a roommate of the same gender. Each room is equipped with two single beds, two desks, two dressers and a closet. Bathrooms/showers are located in the hallways. Halls are composed of students of the same gender only. There is also a small kitchen on the first floor of each residence hall for student use.

Students who are 21 and over are encouraged to choose a UCA apartment. There is a living room and kitchen in each apartment. Normally, each bedroom in an apartment includes two beds, desks with chairs, and chest of drawers, and closets. All furniture is moveable. Cable TV service, internet access, and air conditioning/heating are also available at no extra charge.

Are the residence halls far from where classes are held?

Residence halls are located in the middle of campus, so students will have a very short walk to class.

What should I do if I arrive before the recommended arrival date?

If you must arrive in the US before the recommended arrival dates, please be prepared to make your own transportation and housing arrangements. If requested in advance, you may be placed for a few days with an American host family at no cost.

Does the meal fee include three meals every day? Is the cafeteria open during the weekends and holidays?

It depends on the meal plan the student chooses. It is strongly encourage students choose the total access meal plan which covers unlimited meals in the cafeteria. There are 3 meals per day served during the week (Monday through Friday). On the weekends, there are only 2 meals per day served (brunch and dinner). But the cafeteria is open throughout the day. The cafeteria is designed buffet style, so students may eat as much as they desire.

The cafeteria is open on weekends but is closed on holidays. Therefore, students will need to make their own meal arrangements during those times. The total access meal plan also includes $200 in Dining Dollars that can be used in the Student Center Food Courts, Java City, Einstein’s Bagel Brothers, Starbucks, the C-Store or the Bear Express.

Will I have an American roommate?

When students applying for housing, if they choose the double room, they will most likely be paired with a full-time student roommate. However, in case of full capacity, GEP students may be placed with other international students.

Is it possible to change my roommate?

If students have any complaints about their roommates, they can contact Resident Advisor to ask for a change two weeks after the beginning of the semester. Generally, GEP students do not need to pay extra fees to change rooms. However, GEP students need to pay corresponding costs if they move from a double occupancy room to a single room.

Can I stay in my room during Fall or Spring Break?

The campus will remain open during Fall and Spring Break. However, The UCA Housing office will charge for the residential housing for Fall and Spring Break. (Currently $20 per night). If it is decided that the campus will close, special arrangements must be made to stay in the apartments and a few residence halls that will remain open. If you stay in your dorm past the departure date at the end of the semester, you will see additional charges added to your student account.

Can I change my room?

Yes, you can request a room change after arriving at the UCA campus, but the room change is not guaranteed. The UCA Housing office will do its best to meet your request. However, the room change requests are not accepted in the first two weeks of semester. Our office will inform you when you can start to apply room change. In addition, there are some details you need to know about the room change:

There is no additional cost for changing to the same type of room.
If you request a private room, you will be charged extra.
Students under 21 are required to live in residential halls.
Students over 21 are expected to live in apartments.

Classes

Will international students be in classes with other international students or will they be in classes with American students?

International students who have the minimum required English proficiency will be placed in regular classes with full-time students who are both US and international students. International students with lower-levels of English proficiency will be placed in IEP classes or other approved curricula. International students taking Intensive English Program courses will be in classes with students from other non-English speaking countries.

Must I take Intensive English classes?

If you have not provide a qualifying English proficiency test score, you will take an English Placement test during orientation. Based on your score, you may be able to take a mixture of Intensive English and approved curricula. Students who meet the English proficiency requirement, will not take Intensive English Program courses. These students can take general UCA classes.

How long do the classes last?

Generally speaking academic courses at UCA last for one 16-week semester. The Intensive English Program (IEP) consists of two 8 week sessions (Fall I/Fall II and Spring I/Spring II).