International Programs

Cal State Monterey Bay Education Abroad Opportunities

Cal State Monterey offers a range of extraordinary opportunities to expand your horizons, gain fresh perspectives, learn in new academic contexts, boost your resume, pick up or improve a foreign language, meet fascinating people, and challenge yourself in a completely unique way.  Learn more at the Education Abroad website.

Education Abroad Eligibility Requirements for Current CSUMB Students

CSUMB students can apply to any approved CSUMB Education Abroad program as long as they complete the required application/s on time, meet the minimum requirements, receive academic approval, are nominated by the Education Abroad office, and meet all of the eligibility requirements listed below:

• Be 18 years old or older.

• Minimum cumulative GPA 2.5 at the time of application. Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.5 will not be eligible to participate in an Education Abroad.
  Note: while CSUMB’s cumulative GPA requirement is 2.5, the Exchange Partner University or the CSUMB Affiliate Program may have a higher GPA requirement that must be met in order to participate in the program.

• Continuing students must have earned a minimum of 12 credits at CSUMB prior to participation in an Education Abroad program. Transfer students are immediately eligible to study abroad following acceptance to CSUMB.

• Students must be in good standing at CSUMB at the time of application and prior to participation in an Education Abroad program (both the Student Code of Conduct and academic integrity).

• Students on probation will not be allowed to apply for an Education Abroad program. If a student is placed on probation after being accepted into a program, the incident will be reviewed and acceptances will be reconsidered.

• Education Abroad institutions may have language and course prerequisites requirements, or require completion of core General Education courses before participation.

• Education Abroad institutions may have a minimum number of semesters you must have studied at CSUMB, or require upper division standing before participation.

• Students must possess maturity and good judgement; this may be based upon faculty recommendations, personal interview and/or information obtained from the CSUMB’s Office of Student Conduct.

• Additional criteria may be added as necessary based upon the Education Abroad Program requirements or the partner university requirements.

• For CSUMB Faculty-led Programs: Students must be qualified to enroll in the Education Abroad course(s) either by completion of the prerequisite course(s) and/or by obtaining the approval of the faculty Program Leader.

• Students who apply to study abroad the summer after their anticipated graduation are required to inform the Education Abroad team before submitting an application. Students will not be able to use the units toward their degree at CSUMB if they have graduated prior to participation. If they plan to use the units toward their degree, they must contact their academic advisor and seek guidance in changing their graduation date so the units could be applied toward their degree. 

• Enrollment in a CSUMB administered Education Abroad program after the award of the degree will be categorized as Open University.

Education Abroad Eligibility Requirements for Graduated CSUMB Students (Alumni) and Non-CSUMB Applicants & Community Members (Open University Students)

Outside participants can apply for an CSUMB Education Abroad Faculty-Led program; this can include participants from other CSUs, other California universities, out-of-state universities, community colleges and community members not affiliated with an academic institution. All outside participants (as described above) can participate in a CSUMB faculty-led program as long as they are registered for a credit bearing course per CSU Executive Order No. 1081, have successfully completed all required application documents, are committed to attending all pre-departure meetings and orientation, and meet the eligibility requirements listed below:

• Be 18 years old or older.

• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 from currently enrolled institution, or proof of degree awarded if not currently enrolled at a U.S. institution.

• If an applicant is currently enrolled at a U.S. institution, student conduct and academic integrity clearance reports from the last three years of enrolled institutions.

• If an applicant is not currently enrolled at a U.S. institution, completion of a background check at the applicant’s expense.

Non-degree International and Exchange Student Requirements (Bilateral Exchange, National Student Exchange, Semester@CSUMB, CSUIP System-wide Exchange)

Students in this program are transitory international and exchange students who are not enrolled in a degree granting program at CSUMB. They are typically issued DS-2019s or I-20s, obtain J-1 or F-1 visas and carry between 12-17 credit hours each semester. Some participating students hold American or dual citizenship. 

• Academic Requirements
  • Must be in good standing at current university or institution (if applicable)
  • Provide a copy of transcripts in English (required for course placement)
  • No minimum GPA is required
  • No test scores are required
• English Proficiency Requirement
  • TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Exam): 500
  • TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Exam): 61
  • IELTS Overall Band: 6.0
  • DuoLingo: 95
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE): 45
  • TOEIC: 700
  • DAAD test: B2 level 
  • CEFR: B2
  • Letter from home university verifying that the student meets our minimum English proficiency requirements. 
  • If an applicant has attended a high school or college in the U.S. for three or more years, or has attended a high school where English is the principal language of instruction for three or more years, the TOEFL or other English language proficiency exam is not required. CSUMB interprets “where English is the principal language of instruction” to mean that a school is located in a country where English is the daily medium of communication for the majority of residents, and that students receive academic instruction in English at all levels of education. Countries currently meeting this above requirement are: United States, Australia, Belize, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Nigeria, plus a few nations in the Commonwealth Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago).
  • Norway: Vitnemal/Generall Competence of Study: grade 4 (on a 6 point scale where 6 is the best).
  • The Netherlands: HAVO (comparable to year 11) final grade for English 7 or higher (on a scale from 1 to 10). VWO (comparable to year 12) final grade for English 6 or higher (on a scale from 1 to 10).
  • Denmark: STX, HHX, HTX- grade 7 for English A-level and grade 10 for English B-level (on a scale from 3-12).
  • Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto - grade 8 (on a scale from 4-10)(alternatively M, E, or L on a matriculation scale)
  • Iceland: Studentsproof - grade 7 (on a scale from 1-10)
  • For National Student Exchange Students: With the exception of campuses in Puerto Rico and Quebec, the language of instruction at all NSE campuses is English. Students for whom English is not their first language must demonstrate proficiency as part of the home campus application process, not the CSUMB application process.
  • If they are applying to CSUMB through an agency or a partner university, there may be other ways that they can meet the English proficiency requirement that are outlined in CSUMB’s agreement with the agency or university.

CSU International Program Opportunities

Developing intercultural communication skills and international understanding among its students is a vital mission of the California State University (CSU).  Since its inception in 1963, the CSU International Programs, a systemwide department operating from within the CSU Chancellor’s Office in Long Beach, California, has contributed to this effort by providing qualified students an affordable opportunity to continue their studies abroad.  More than 24,000 CSU students have taken advantage of this unique study option.  In addition, CSU International Programs has student exchange agreements with institutions worldwide.  California welcomes our international exchange students and values our reciprocal partnerships with top universities around the world.

International Programs participants earn resident academic credit at their CSU campuses while they pursue full-time, yearlong, semester, or short term summer program of study at a host university or special student center abroad.  The International Programs serves the needs of students in over 100 designated academic majors.  Affiliated with more than 70 recognized universities and institutions of higher education in 16 countries, the International Programs also offers a wide selection of study locales and learning environments.

Students pay the same tuition to study abroad as they would at their home campus.  CSU IP participants are responsible for all personal costs, such as transportation, room and board, living expenses, and home campus fees. Financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, is available to qualified students.

California Community Colleges transfer students are eligible to apply directly from their community colleges.  Students must also possess a current cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or 3.0, depending on the program for which they apply. Some programs also have language study and/or other coursework prerequisites.

Students can begin to explore study abroad programs, requirements and eligibility on the study abroad brochure pages of this site. Incoming exchange students can begin by reviewing the list of CSU IP exchange partners to ensure their home university is on the list. If it is, students should contact the exchange coordinator at their home institution to understand the selection and admissions processes; if it is not, students are welcome to apply to the California State University as an international student.

Students participating in CSU IP pay CSU tuition and program fees, and are responsible for airfare, accommodations, meals, and other personal expenses.  Financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, is available to qualified students and limited scholarship opportunities are also available.  All programs require students to maintain good academic and disciplinary standing, many programs are open to sophomores or graduate students.  California Community College transfer students are eligible to apply (to select programs) directly from their community colleges.  Students must possess a current cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or 3.0, depending on the program, and must fulfill all coursework prerequisites.  Additional program information and application instructions can be found on the International Programs Website.