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English Language Center

William Carey University is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. International students who wish to be admitted to the English Language Center (ELC) must meet the requirements listed below.

  1. Application for ELC admission: Application for ELC admission may be downloaded from the Carey website (www.wmcarey.edu). Applications may also be requested by mail through the Office of International Admissions on the Hattiesburg campus.
  2. A US$40 nonrefundable application fee: This one-time fee, which allows for your application to be processed, should be mailed via U.S. check or money order to the Office of International Admissions at: WCU Box 13, 498 Tuscan Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
  3. Academic Records: The following information is required for consideration for undergraduate admissions.

    • Freshmen Students (first-time college students):
      Academic records indicating the level of secondary completion or course work completed at a foreign institution(s) must be provided.
      Scholastic Testing—A minimum American College Test (ACT) score of 20 or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of 950 is required. Copies of these scores must be mailed to the Office of International Admissions.
    • Transfer Students:
      Academic records indicating the level of secondary completion or course work completed at a foreign institution(s) must be provided.
      Academic records indicating course progress from any institution(s) of higher education or official transcript(s) from U.S. institution(s) attended are required. An official transcript is defined as one mailed directly from one institution to another. All records must be in English before an I-20 from William Carey University is issued.
    • Transcripts from foreign institutions must be submitted to one of two foreign credential evaluation agencies: World Education Services (www.wes.org) or AACRAO Foreign Credential Services (www.aacrao.org/credentials). The results from the evaluation must be mailed to William Carey University. This process takes between 30 to 60 days.
      Students transferring from foreign institutions of higher education who do not submit a transcript evaluation will be considered first-time freshmen and must meet requirements stated for freshmen students.
    • Students transferring from any American college or university must coordinate the transfer of their I-20 status from their current institution to William Carey University. The requirements for obtaining such transfer are established by each individual institution.

  4. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores: A minimum score of 433 is required on the paper-based TOEFL; a minimum score of 120 on the computer-based TOEFL; or a minimum score of 40 on the internet-based TOEFL. Students who wish to take the IELTS must meet the minimum required score of 3.5.
  5. Certification of Finances: A complete proof of financial support for the duration of your stay in the United States is required. This document may be downloaded from the Carey website and must be submitted accompanied by an official bank letter (not bank statement), acknowledging the amount, in U.S. funds, available to be used towards your studies at William Carey University.
  6. Proof of Immunizations:William Carey University requires one (01) immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) in the past ten (10) years or two (02) such immunizations in a lifetime. Proof must be submitted in English and must provide exact date(s) of when the administered immunization(s)occurred.
  7. US$500.00 advance tuition: This advance covers your housing deposit (US$150.00 - US$200.00) any other initial or miscellaneous expenses associated to your first academic term at William Carey University.
  8. Major Medical Insurance: Medical coverage while attending an institution of higher education in the United States is required. All international students are required to take a policy with the university. Students will be assessed for the policy coverage at the beginning of each trimester. More information on the health insurance policy adopted by William Carey University is available online.
  9. Additional Information: Currently, the estimated cost of attending William Carey University’s English Language Center for two academic terms (20 weeks) ranges around US$12,500. Students must be prepared to pay their cost of attendance in full on registration day prior to their starting trimester.

If the international student resides on campus, housing will be provided during scheduled breaks throughout the academic year, with the exception of Christmas break. Campus housing will close December 21 for Christmas break and reopen January 12. International students should make plans to return home or seek alternate housing for that time period. There are four one-week breaks during the academic year. Housing and meals will be provided during those breaks for an additional charge per week.

In order to receive an F-1 visa, international students are to schedule an appointment with the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country within 90 days of departure. They must take along their financial documents, letter of acceptance, and I-20 for presentation and review. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recommends the entering student be honest and have copies of all documents sent to William Carey University available for review by the U.S. custom official at the consulate, embassy, or U.S. port of entry. Custom officials may at any point of a student’s travel to the United States deny him/her entry into the country. Copies of original documents may be faxed or mailed to the Office of International Admissions.

Questions or concerns should be directed to the director of international admissions on the Hattiesburg campus; 601-318-6564; 800-962-5991 (toll free), or at bdillon@wmcarey.edu.