International Applicants

Five Branches University welcomes international applicants from all over the world. We support a bicultural and bilingual environment, offering our Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine in English, Chinese, and Korean, and our Doctorate program in English and Chinese.

Five Branches defines an international applicant as someone who is a citizen or permanent resident of a country, other than the United States, who wishes to pursue a Master’s degree at our university. Five Branches University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students and complies with all Federal guidelines and directives of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

International applicants follow the same application and admissions procedures as required of resident students, in addition to meeting the international application requirements. We recommend international applicants begin the admissions process six months to one year prior to the desired priority application date. Tuition and fees for international students are the same as for U.S. citizens and residents. International students are not eligible for U.S. Federal Financial Aid.

International Application Requirements

If you are an international applicant applying for an F-1 student visa through Five Branches University, you must submit the following documents along with the completed application. It is important to write your name (as it appears on your passport) on your application and all supplemental documents.

1. A photocopy of the first page of your passport
2. Transcript evaluation
   If you have completed college or university level education in another country, you must have your transcripts reviewed by a credential evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. Transcripts need to be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. The evaluation, containing the total number of earned credits and cumulative GPA, should be sent directly to Five Branches University by the evaluating agency. Two agencies we recommend are: the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), www.aacrao.org or World Educational Services (WES), www.wes.org
3. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
   If you are an international applicant and have completed at least a two year (60 semester credit or 90 quarter credit) baccalaureate level education from a college or university in the United States, or from an equivalent English language institution in another country, the TOEFL and IELTS may not be required.
   

   English Master’s Program

   If you are applying for the English Master’s program, and your native language is not English, you are required to take a test which measures your ability to communicate in English in four specific areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

   The minimum scores to achieve on these tests are as follows:

   TOEFL			IELTS
   Paper Test	Computerized Test	Internet Test
   500	173	61	5.0

   When taking the TOEFL, please enter the appropriate Five Branches assigned code on the Score Report Request Form:
   Santa Cruz campus assigned code: 4459
   San Jose campus assigned code: 5881

   Chinese or Korean Master’s Program

   If you are applying for the Chinese or Korean Master’s program you may be admitted with English as a second language. However, before entering the internship clinic level, you will have to meet the higher English requirements by testing through TOEFL or IELTS.

   The minimum scores to achieve on these tests are as follows:

   TOEFL			IELTS
   Paper Test	Computerized Test	Internet Test
   450	133	45-46	4.0

   When taking the TOEFL, please enter the appropriate Five Branches assigned code on the Score Report Request Form:
   Santa Cruz campus assigned code: 4459
   San Jose campus assigned code: 5881

4. Financial Statement

A Financial Statement, certified by a financial institution, verifying the availability of at least $25,000 in U.S. dollars. This amount should cover your education and living expenses for one academic year. If you need the university to issue an F-2 I-20 for your dependents, you will need to calculate an additional $4,000 for each dependent. In addition, you may want to consider having additional funds for off-campus months and miscellaneous expenses. We recommend having approximately $7,000 for this purpose. If your tuition or living expenses are going to be partially or fully paid by a sponsor, the Financial Statement must be signed by your sponsor, stating they assume financial responsibility for the designated amount.

5. Health Insurance

International students must provide proof of health insurance coverage prior to student registration. Due to the high costs of medical insurance in the United States it may be advantageous to purchase health insurance coverage in your home country. We recommend you purchase a healthcare policy for yourself and any dependents, with a minimum coverage of 250,000 per incident, and a deductible of no more than $500 per person, per year.

A medical history describing previous illnesses, surgeries, and records of all immunizations, including those received in childhood, should be obtained by your primary physician for yourself and each dependent, prior to entry into the United States. Since dental costs in the United States tend to be considerably higher than most other countries, you are advised to have any necessary dental work completed in your home country prior to your arrival in the U.S.

International Applicants Currently Studying in the U.S.

If you are an international student who is currently on an F-1 student visa, enrolled at another college or university, you must submit the following documents along with your application materials:

1. A photocopy of your visa, contained in your passport
2. A photocopy of your I-94 Form (Arrival-Departure Form)
3. A photocopy of your I-20 Form

Once you have been accepted to Five Branches University, a Transfer Release Form must be signed by your school International Student Official, verifying you have maintained your visa status and are eligible for transfer. Please contact the admissions office to receive a copy of this form.

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding the international application requirements, our admissions staff is available to assist you.