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. 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 as listed below. We recommend that 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 who is 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. Upon completion of review, the evaluation 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 in an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education or from an equivalent English language institution in another country, the TOEFL and IELTS may not be required. International applicants are advised to speak to the admissions office for further details.

   English Master’s Program

   If you are applying for the English Master’s program, and your native language is not English, you will be 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 in 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, as indicated below.
   

   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 internship clinic, you will have to meet higher English requirements by testing through TOEFL or IELTS.

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

   TOEFL			IELTS
   Paper Test	Computerized Test	Internet Test
   133	173	40	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. 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 partially or fully being paid by a sponsor, then the Financial Statement must be accompanied by the Financial Sponsorship Form. Please contact the admissions office to obtain this form.

 

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 also 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.