Admission Policies

Policies Pertaining to Graduate Admissions:

• Admissions Deadlines
• Admissions Procedures
• Student Authentication
• Admissions Requirements
• International Admissions
• English Proficiency Requirements
• Transfer Students
• Criminal History in Admissions
• Readmission
• Non-Degree Seeking Students
• Pre-Graduate Students
• Teacher Certification Programs
• Transcripts/Credit Documents Requirement

The standards of admission to Columbia College graduate programs require evidence of personal integrity and responsibility, academic preparation and leadership potential. Each graduate program has multiple program emphasis areas with specific admissions requirements. Criteria for admission apply to all categories of any graduate program at Columbia College unless otherwise specified.

Graduate applicants are expected to present undergraduate coursework achievement commensurate with graduate program requirements. It is required that applicants have completed a sound undergraduate degree program from a regionally accredited institution(s). Applicants may apply for full program admission during their final semester, session or quarter of undergraduate academic study. Each applicant’s record is carefully examined to determine if the student has potential for successful completion of a master’s degree program at Columbia College. 

Columbia College does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law in the administration of its educational policies, admission, financial assistance, employment, educational programs or activities.  Columbia College reserves the right to deny or rescind admission at its sole discretion.  Please note that Columbia College reserves the right to use photographs of its students in publications & media that promote the college.  

By submitting an application, you are giving your express written consent for Columbia College to contact you regarding our educational programs and services using email, telephone or text - including our use of automated technology for calls and periodic texts to the wireless number you provide.  Message and data rates may apply.  This consent is not required to purchase goods or services and you may always call us directly at 573-875-7515 or 877-999-9876.

Columbia College’s mission is to provide quality education in a variety of flexible formats to fit the needs of all of our students.  As such, by submitting an application, applicants understand that their program may require a combination of in-seat and online coursework and may not be available at all locations.  

In compliance with the Clery Act, the College discloses crime statistics for crimes committed on campus, in certain off-campus buildings, or on property owned/controlled by the College during the last three years.  The Annual Security Report and Fire Safety Report can be obtained in paper copy by contacting the Campus Safety Office and electronic versions can be obtained by visiting the following link: https://www.ccis.edu/campus-safety/crime-reporting/reports-stats.

Columbia College reserves the right to randomly check any and all applications for a criminal, suspension or dismissal history. Applicants with a felony or misdemeanor conviction must provide details regarding the crime(s). 

The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant and to deny and/or rescind admission to any applicant who provides false or misleading information to the College.

Admission Deadlines

Columbia College has a rolling admissions policy and allows applicants to submit applications anytime throughout the academic year. Please Note: Applicants applying within two weeks of the start of a session may not have time to complete all admission requirements for review and/or get financial aid in place before the start of the session. Please visit the academic calendar to see dates for each academic year. 

Applications that are not admitted for the term in which they applied will be withdrawn. Additionally, if an applicant is admitted and does not enroll for the term they are admitted to they will need to request an update to move their start to a new term or their application will be withdrawn.

Admissions Procedures

In general, the admission requirement for full admission to Columbia College graduate programs is a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, for students’ entire academic career. Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 3.0 may be eligible for conditional admission, as described in the individual program sections. Please note: GMAT and GRE are not used in graduate program admission review.

To be considered for full or post-baccalaureate admission to the Columbia College Graduate Program, an applicant’s file must include the steps and materials outlined below.

Every applicant to any Columbia College program or location, must complete the following steps for admission. Additional requirements may apply to specific applicant stage (i.e. full, post-bacc, non-degree, readmit, international, etc.). See specific applicant stage policies below for more information.

1. Submit a completed application at www.ccis.edu/apply
2. Authenticate identity (see Student Authentication section)
3. Provide proof of graduate program readiness & pre-requisite completion (see policies below)
4. Provide supportive documentation including but not limited to resume, and goal statement (see policies below)

Proof of Graduate Program Readiness:

Official transcripts must be submitted from all of the following in order to evaluate for the required 3.0 cumulative GPA, pre-requisites & college readiness:

• All institutions where a bachelor’s degree was earned
• All institutions where any of the required prerequisite courses were completed
• All non-U.S. institutions where any coursework was completed

Note: All other transcripts may be submitted as unofficial copies.

If interested in transferring master’s level credit into their graduate program, students can submit official master’s transcripts for transfer credit evaluation to the Office of the Registrar after admission. Transcripts can be submitted electronically to EvalTrans@ccis.edu or mailed to: Office of the Registrar, Columbia College, 1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216.
 

Supportive Documentation
The following documents are required as support for the graduate application:

1. A personal goal statement of 300-500 words.

The goal statement should establish a correlation between the goals of the graduate degree program and the applicant’s personal and professional goals. Note: MAT and M.Ed. applicants should base their personal statement on their teaching philosophy and leadership goals. These can both be uploaded within the online application or sent in after application submission by email to graduate@ccis.edu.

2. Current resume.

Applicants may upload this directly within the application or email it to graduate@ccis.edu.

Additional Program Requirements

M.Ed. applicants: 

In addition to the Admission Procedures and requirements for admission, applicants for the M.Ed. must:

• The personal goal statement that is submitted (in steps above) must demonstrate that the applicant has goals and personal qualities which are compatible with the goals and competencies focused upon in the program. This statement must illustrate the candidate’s professional competency thus far, including impact on students and student achievement; and
• Current US teaching certificate. It is a state requirement that principal licensure is not recommended until teachers have at least three years of classroom teaching experience;

MAT applicants: 

As part of the Admissions Procedures and requirements for admission, applicants for the MAT should note:

• The personal goal statement submitted as part of the admission requirements must elaborate upon the general admission personal goal statement, and demonstrates that the applicant has goals and personal qualities which are compatible with the goals and competencies focused upon in the program.

The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant and to deny and/or rescind admission to any applicant who provides false or misleading information to the College.

Student Authentication

All Columbia College applicants are required to authenticate their identity as part of the admissions review process. 

In order to be used for identity authentication, government-issued photo identification (e.g. driver’s license, passport, permanent resident card, etc.) must be valid and current. Expired identification will not be accepted for authentication. The applicant’s full name, date of birth, and other directory information must match their application and student file (as applicable).

Some applicants may be exempt from authentication. However, proof of citizenship status (i.e. permanent resident card, naturalized citizen certificate, etc.) is still required for admission review, including applicants who are exempt from authentication. Military service members (active duty, guard, and reserve) applicants from all branches are exempt from the authentication policy as they are verified and approved by the US Military. However, veterans, spouses, and dependents of military members need to complete identity authentication as part of their application to Columbia College.

To complete authentication, applicants must show a government-issued photo identification to verify their identity. Applicants may complete authentication in one of the following ways:

1. Photo with ID: Applicants can take a photo (i.e. selfie) with their government-issued, photo ID, with their ID next to their face in the photograph. The detailed information on their ID must be legible. It is recommended that in addition to this photo, an image of the ID also be submitted for review. Photos can be submitted to Admissions@ccis.edu for verification.
   1. Photo Guidelines: Submit a color photo taken within the last month. Take a clear image of your face. No shadows or filters commonly used on social media should be used. Do not have any distracting or image-altering accessories (i.e. hats, sunglasses, etc.). Exhibit a neutral facial expression or natural smile. Ensure both eyes are open. Do not digitally alter photo.
2. Video Session: Applicants not located near a location may show their government-issued photo ID to their admissions counselor in a scheduled video meeting via webcam (i.e. Skype or Zoom).
3. At Location: Applicants with access to a Columbia College Nationwide Location may show their government-issued photo ID to a full-time staff member at their Location.
4. Notary Form: A Notary Public will confirm the applicant’s identity by making a copy of the applicant’s government-issued photo ID and providing their signature (and notary stamp as applicable) on the Notary Public ID Authentication Form. This signed and completed form must be submitted to Admissions@ccis.edu for verification.

New applicants with recent changes to their legal name must provide a government-issued photo ID with updated name or provide documentation (i.e. marriage license) to verify their recent name change. Applicants seeking readmission to Columbia College (i.e. applicants with a student record) must also complete the Name Change Request Form with the Office of the Registrar in order to update their student record with Columbia College.

Admission Requirements

Note all emphasis areas in every program or at all Columbia College Locations. Refer to the categories below for admission options for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (MED), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ).

Full Program Admission

Students applying for Full Program admission to any graduate program must complete all Admissions Procedures, as outlined above, and successfully complete the pre-requisites (if applicable) for their specific program prior to admission. The MAT and MED programs do not have additional pre-requisites for full program admission.

MBA and MBA with an emphasis in Human Resource Management Pre-requisites:

The following five MBA prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher (exception: one grade of C in any one of the five undergraduate prerequisite courses is acceptable) in order to be considered for full admission:

            ACCT 280*     Accounting I                            3 hrs

            ACCT 281*     Accounting II                           3 hrs

            MKTG 210      Principles of Marketing           3 hrs

            MGMT 230      Principles of Management     3 hrs

            FINC 350*       Business Finance                   3 hrs

 * ACCT 280, ACCT 281, and FINC 350 must be taken sequentially. 
 

MBA with an emphasis in Accounting Pre-requisites:

In addition to a cumulative undergraduate 3.0 GPA and the five general MBA prerequisites, admission to the Accounting emphasis of the MBA program requires the following undergraduate prerequisites with grades of B or higher (exception: one grade of C is any of the eleven undergraduate prerequisite courses is acceptable) in order to be considered for full admission:

            ACCT 381       Federal Income Tax-Individuals            3 hrs

            ACCT 382       Intermediate Accounting I                     3 hrs

            ACCT 383       Intermediate Accounting II                    3 hrs

            ACCT 385       Accounting Information Systems          3 hrs

            ACCT 386       Cost and Managerial Accounting          3 hrs

            ACCT 489       Auditing I                                               3 hrs

MS in Accountancy Pre-requisites:

In addition to a cumulative undergraduate 3.0 GPA and the five general MBA prerequisites, admission to the MS in Accountancy program requires the following undergraduate prerequisites with grades of B or higher (exception: one grade of C is any of the eleven undergraduate prerequisite courses is acceptable) in order to be considered for full admission:

            ACCT 381       Federal Income Tax-Individuals            3 hrs

            ACCT 382       Intermediate Accounting I                     3 hrs

            ACCT 383       Intermediate Accounting II                    3 hrs

            ACCT 385       Accounting Information Systems          3 hrs

            ACCT 386       Cost and Managerial Accounting          3 hrs

            ACCT 489       Auditing I                                               3 hrs

Students may opt to take CLEP/DANTES tests (where applicable) to meet the MBA prerequisite requirement(s). See below for minimum scores required.

CLEP Exam Equivalencies and Minimum Scores for MBA Prerequisites

DANTES Exam Equivalencies for MBA Prerequisites

In special cases, appropriately prepared students, in consultation with their advisor and with permission of the School of Business, may take inbound assessment tests (Fall 2020 onward) to meet prerequisite requirements.  Students should contact their advisor for further information.

MSCJ Pre-requisites:

In addition to a cumulative undergraduate 3.0 GPA, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A baccalaureate degree in criminal justice

OR

Have completed the following MSCJ prerequisite courses with an earned grade of B or higher in each course:

CJAD 101             Introduction to Criminal Justice            3 hrs

CJAD 415             Criminal Procedures                             3 hours

MAT Alternative Certification Pre-requisites:

In addition to a cumulative undergraduate 3.0 GPA, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Successful completion of the Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA), as deemed accepted by the Columbia College Education Office.

Post-Baccalaureate Admission

Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university but who have not completed necessary undergraduate prerequisites for the respective graduate program may be admitted as post-baccalaureate (post-bacc) and enroll in undergraduate courses to complete needed prerequisites.

Students who are being reviewed for post-bacc program admission to any graduate program must complete all Admissions Procedures, as outlined above.

Note: Applicants cannot be admitted as both a Conditional and Post-Baccalaureate status. If Post-Bacc students do not meet minimum GPA requirements in addition to missing pre-requisites, their application will be reviewed by the Dean of the program School for admission approval.

Students admitted under the status of post-baccalaureate must complete the requirements of the status in order to be fully admitted to their graduate program. Once a student’s post-baccalaureate requirements have been successfully completed, the student’s record will automatically be updated to reflect full admission at the beginning of the next academic semester (i.e. Fall, Spring or Summer). The student will be notified of this change, and will then be eligible for graduate course enrollment.

For MAT Post-Bacc only:  Once admitted to Columbia College, students completing post-baccalaureate courses fall under the same program retention requirements as full program graduate students. The consequences for earning grades of C or lower in post-baccalaureate undergraduate courses are the same as those listed for graduate courses (see Grading and Academic Standing).

For MSCJ only: Applicants possessing a baccalaureate degree in a field other than criminal justice may apply and be considered for admission as a Post- Baccalaureate and must complete the following MSCJ prerequisite courses with an earned grade of B or higher in each course in order to be considered for full admission.

            CJAD 101       Introduction to Criminal Justice        3 hrs

            CJAD 415       Criminal Procedures                        3 hrs

For MBA only: Applicants possessing a baccalaureate degree without having the five MBA pre-requisites may be considered for admission as a Post-Baccalaureate. Students complete all MBA prerequisite courses (as outlined in the Full Program Admission, MBA section) with a grade of B or higher in order to be considered for full admission. Note: An exception of one grade of C in any one of the five undergraduate prerequisite courses is acceptable.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who do not meet minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. (A cumulative GPA calculation is done using a straight 4.0 grading system with no consideration of pluses and minuses in the calculation.) Students last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework are evaluated for conditional admission. Grades, goal statement, and resume will all be considered carefully. Applicants should submit all materials for full program admission, and explain in their goal statement any circumstances that support their candidacy for admission to the college’s graduate programs.

All pre-requisites must be completed prior to review as a conditional applicant. Applicants may be approved for conditional admission at the discretion of the Dean of the program’s School.

Note: Applicants cannot be admitted as both a Conditional and Post-Baccalaureate status.

Additional degree-specific requirements for conditional admission are listed below:

• MBA: Conditional admission is based on appropriate professional experience or other preparation or acceptable GMAT score taken within the last 5 years, if available (not required). Students must earn a grade of B or higher in each of the first two graduate courses (6 hours) for which they are enrolled. When this condition has been met, students will automatically be updated to full program status.

• MSCJ: Conditional admission is based on appropriate professional experience or other preparation. Students may enroll in a maximum of six (6) hours under the category and must earn a grade of B or higher in all courses. When this condition has been met, students will automatically be updated to full program status.
   
• MAT: Conditional admission is based on appropriate professional work and teaching experience, and/or potential for academic success at the graduate level. Students who are granted conditional admission are limited to one course per session until a GPA of 3.0 has been maintained through six (6) hours of coursework. When this condition has been met, students will automatically be updated to full program status.

• MED: Conditional admission is based on appropriate professional work and teaching experience and/or potential for academic success at the graduate level. Students who are granted conditional admission are limited to one course per session until a GPA of 3.0 has been maintained through six (6) hours of coursework. When this condition has been met, students will automatically be updated to full program status.

Students admitted conditionally must complete the requirements of the program in order to be fully admitted to their graduate program. Once a student’s conditional requirements have been successfully completed, the student’s record will automatically be updated to reflect full admission at the beginning of the next academic semester (i.e. Fall, Spring or Summer). The student will be notified of this change, and will then be eligible for graduate course enrollment.

International Student Admissions

An international student is categorized as a foreign-born person who is not a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States, nor individuals who have been granted asylum or refugee status. Applicants who have applied for residency or citizenship must provide all application materials necessary to be considered for international admission until residency or citizenship has been granted. The College does not extend admission to undocumented persons. Students who are granted a stay under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are exceptions.

International students seeking an I-20 Form from the College are eligible for graduate admission through the Main Campus and Denver Location only. Housing contracts are only available for students applying to the traditional Main Day Campus Program in Columbia, MO. International students not seeking an I-20 from the College may apply for admission to any venue so long as the current visa status of the applicant allows for academic study while in the United States.

There are several visa types that are eligible for full-time study at the College. International applicants should contact the Recruiting & Admissions Department for enrollment eligibility information.

International applicants are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must complete a full sequence of university-preparatory studies that would qualify for admission to post-secondary studies in their home country. In general, students who present a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in university-level coursework, equivalent to a bachelors degree in the United States. University-level coursework completed at approved, accredited international institutions will be considered for transfer credit on a course-by-course basis. Academic performance at international institutions will be converted to a 4.0 scale for U.S. equivalency.

International Student Admission Criteria

To be reviewed for admission to Columbia College, the College must receive all documents no later than four weeks from the start of the fall semester and no later than five weeks from the start of the spring semester respectively. International students must complete the Admissions Procedures AND demonstrate the appropriate college readiness indicated by their student applicant stage or Location.

Though not required for admission, additional documents must be provided in order to prove eligibility to receive an I-20 from  Columbia College (at the approved locations). International students must submit the following: 

•  SEVIS Supplement form.
•  Official bank documents to show evidence of adequate financial support (in U.S. dollars) for one year of study at the College.
• Copy of valid passport
• Copy of visa stamp, I-94 record, and I-20 from the last school attended, if transferring to the College from an institution in the U.S.
• Completed Transfer Request Form

Please note: Once admitted, international admits at the following Locations (Main Campus and Denver) will be unable to register for courses until these documents have been received & approved by the International Center. Depending on applicant status, specific documents will be required upon arrival.

Nationwide Locations

To be reviewed for admission to the approved Locations (Denver Campus, Elgin Campus, & Salt Lake Campus only), international students must complete the Admissions Procedures AND

• Provide proof of English Proficiency (as outlined in the English Proficiency Requirements policies)
   

​*All official transcripts must be provided within 90 days of enrollment for further registration eligibility. Official transcripts can be submitted electronically to EvalTrans@ccis.edu or mailed to Office of the Registrar, Columbia College,1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216.

English Proficiency Requirements

All applicants whose native language is not English (regardless of citizenship) as provided on their application must provide proof of English proficiency. F1 visa applicants, regardless if English is their native language as listed on the application, must provide proof of English proficiency. Appropriate scores from the following exams demonstrate English language proficiency for admission review:

* Submitted scores reports must be within two years of the of the desired enrollment date.
 

Columbia College will also consider the following evidence of English language proficiency for applicants:

• A grade of C or higher from an English Composition I course completed at a regionally-accredited U.S. institution and deemed equivalent by the Office of the Registrar to the Columbia College.
• A score of 50* or higher for CLEP of an English composition course as deemed equivalent by the Office of the Registrar to the Columbia College ENGL 111 course. (*Minimum score subject to change based on recommendations by the America Council on Education.)
• A score of 400* or higher for DSST of an English composition course as deemed equivalent by the Office of the Registrar to the Columbia College ENGL 111 course. (*Minimum score subject to change based on recommendations by the America Council on Education.)
• Successful completion of high school in the United States from an accredited institution.
• Successful completion of an English language GED or HiSET exam.
• Successful completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the United States from an accredited institution.
• Serving as an active duty, reserve or National Guard military member in any branch of the US armed forces (Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, or Navy). Veterans who have served honorably on active duty in the armed forces are also included in this provision.
• Successful completion of specified programs with approved partnerships.
• Readmission to Columbia College, who have previously met English Proficiency requirements.

Applicants from the following countries are required to submit SAT/ACT scores in lieu of English proficiency for the Main Campus Day Program: Australia, Canada (English speaking provinces), Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Please note that credentials are reviewed carefully to confirm that applicants have the requisite English language proficiency to succeed academically at Columbia College. Therefore, the Recruiting & Admissions Department reserves the right to require additional documentation to verify English language proficiency. The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant and to deny and/or rescind admission to any applicant who provides false or misleading information to the College.

Transfer Students

Students who have earned graduate credit at another regionally accredited institution may submit a request for evaluation of transfer credit. Requests must be submitted prior to the successful completion of 12 hours of graduate coursework at Columbia College. To be considered, the credit must be completed with grades of B or higher within the last seven years. No more than nine semester hours of graduate degree requirements may be fulfilled by transfer coursework. Students who wish to request transfer credit must contact their Location for instruction and additional details. Detailed information about transfer of credit can be found here: Evaluation of Credit and Testing.

Criminal History in Admissions

The College is committed to the safety and well-being of all members of the College community, including its students, staff, faculty and visitors. To help ensure the safety and well-being of members of the College community, the College requires that all applicants for admission disclose certain criminal history to the College as part of the admissions process. Set forth below is information pertaining to criminal history disclosed by applicants during the admissions process and how the College will process and evaluate the same.

All applicants seeking admission to the College are required to answer “Yes” or “No” to the following question (or similar question) that is included in the application for admission: ” Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor?

If the applicant answers “Yes” to this question, the applicant will be contacted, in most cases within one week, by the College and informed of the initiation of the review process for affirmative answers to this question. An affirmative answer to this question is not an automatic disqualifier to admission, but will initiate a review process and will be evaluated as part of the College’s admissions process. During the review process the applicant will provide additional information and details regarding his or her felony and/or misdemeanor history. The applicant will typically be required to provide an explanation of each felony and/or misdemeanor, with the option to include official documentation of the same, letters of recommendation, a release to obtain related documentation and information, and additional information the applicant would like considered by the College. The College’s Admissions Process Coordinators are responsible for compiling the information for the Conviction Review Committee (“CRC”) to review.

If convictions exceed more than one misdemeanor or any number of felonies, the Admissions Process Coordinators will forward the conviction information onto the CRC.

The CRC will review the information provided by the applicant and make a determination as to whether or not to offer admission to the applicant, assuming all other application requirements are satisfied. The CRC is comprised of the representatives across campus.

Factors considered by the CRC as part of the review process include, but are not limited to:

• Amount of time that has passed since crime or offense
• Successful completion of sentence
• Severity of the crime or offense
• Nature of the crime or offense
• Other educational programs attended since time of crime or offense
• Nature of the academic program in which the applicant seeks to enroll

Admission may be denied to an applicant based on prior criminal convictions, including but not limited to in instances where admission creates a risk to the safety or welfare of the College community, to specific individuals or to the public, or where admission poses a potential risk to property. All applicants, regardless of any prior admission to the College, will be subject to the CRC process for each admission to the College. After evaluating all information provided by the applicant as well as other information available to the CRC, the CRC will endeavor to make a determination within a reasonable amount of time given the individual circumstances as to whether or not the applicant will be allowed to continue the admission process to the College and the applicant will be informed of the same in writing.

Applicants who are denied admission by the CRC may appeal this determination by completing the appeal form at www.ccis.edu/appeal. Appeals will be reviewed, additional potentially relevant information may be obtained, and a decision will be made within a reasonable amount of time given the individual circumstances. The applicant will be informed of the outcome of the appeal in writing. This decision is final and is not appealable.

The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant and to deny and/or rescind admission to any applicant consistent with College policies, including for applicants who provide false or misleading information to the College.

Members of the CRC will receive training and education on this subject annually and this policy will also be evaluated periodically.

For privacy, consistency and other reasons, admissions decisions involving criminal history shall be made by the centralized CRC and not at individual College locations. All campus locations are expected to abide by this policy and process.

Readmission

Students have an overall timeframe of seven years, from the date of admission, to complete their entire graduate program. Catalog policies, procedures, and degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission will govern all decisions regarding subsequent procedures and requirements. 

• Any of the documentation was missing from the original application file

AND/OR

• The student has received credit at any other institution since the original date of admission to Columbia College

AND/OR

• The student is being readmitted under a time extension to the original seven-year program time limit.

Academic and financial status restrictions are checked upon readmission application review. Students with outstanding payments at Columbia College may not be granted admission until financial obligations are resolved. (Students may contact the Enrollment Service Center directly (573-875-7252) to determine if there is a balance due.) Students serving suspension or not in good academic standing may not be granted admission until appeal processes have been completed.

The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant and to deny and/or rescind admission to any applicant who provides false or misleading information to the College, including conflicting information across multiple applications and/or cumulative application materials.

Non-Degree Seeking

Students who hold a baccalaureate degree but do not wish to earn a graduate degree at Columbia College may enroll in graduate courses as non-degree seeking students. Non-degree seeking students with a bachelor’s degree may complete a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours of graduate-level coursework. There is no limit to the number of hours a non-degree seeking student can take if the student has an advanced degree. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Students enrolling at Columbia College under this non-degree status may be considered for degree-seeking status in a subsequent semester by completing the full degree-seeking application process. Non-degree seeking students cannot change/update to degree seeking in the middle of an academic semester.

For all programs, official transcripts from degree-granting institutions (undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate) and institutions where any of the required prerequisite coursework was completed are required. All other transcripts may be submitted as unofficial copies. To be reviewed for non-degree graduate admission, applicants must complete the Admissions Procedures (excluding the personal statement) AND meet all program-specific Admissions Requirements.

Non-degree seeking students are required to remain in good academic standing (not on academic or disciplinary probation). Non-degree seeking students who do not enroll in three consecutive sessions must reapply for non-degree admission. Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid.

International students who wish to enroll part-time at Columbia College may be considered for admission as a non-degree graduate student. Students must be degree seeking to be eligible for a SEVIS I-20 Form from the College at applicable locations. Non-degree seeking international students must show proof of English proficiency.

Enrollment for non-degree seeking students is on a space-available basis only. Course selections may be limited. Many courses include prerequisite/corequisite requirements. (See course descriptions for details regarding specific courses). Non-degree seeking students must provide proof that course prerequisites have been met prior to enrolling in the respective course(s). Failure to meet these preliminary requirements may result in being dropped from the course(s).

Changing Locations (Location Transfer)

Students attending online, nationwide or main campus evening can cross enroll or update/change their location without needing to reapply. One admitted, students are encouraged to meet with an advisor at their current location prior to changing locations. By meeting with an advisor, students will be able to make an informed decision prior to changing locations and taking into consideration possible impacts to:

• Institutional aid
• Degree program availability
• Course availability
• Degree completion

If you are an applicant/admitted student and are not currently enrolled, please contact the Admission Office to change before enrolling in classes. Note that this process cannot be completed by logging into your previously submitted application.

Students wishing to change master’s degree programs cannot do so by completing the change of location- they must complete a new application. Contact the Recruiting & Admissions Department for more details.

Pre-Graduate Students

Students who have earned over ninety (90) undergraduate semester hours toward the baccalaureate degree at a regionally-accredited college or university who wish to start their graduate studies early may apply for admission in the Pre-Graduate category. Pre-Graduate students may complete a maximum of nine (9) graduate hours without full program acceptance. After completion of the baccalaureate degree and up to nine (9) graduate semester hours, Pre-Graduate students must submit complete application materials to be considered for full program admission (see Full Admission policies). Pre-Graduate students are subject to the same academic regulations and requirements as all degree-seeking students.  MAT, MBA, and MSCJ Pre-Graduate students may enroll in designated courses only. MSCJ Pre-Graduate status is limited to main campus students only.

• MAT: Students in the BEACON program who have earned 90 hours of credit or more, and who will finish their bachelor’s degrees through this program at Columbia College, may apply for Pre-Graduate status. Applicants must meet all other qualifications for the Teacher Certification Program, in addition to having a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and a passing score on the appropriate Missouri Content Assessment(MoCA). Applicants for Pre-Graduate status must submit a completed and signed application for graduate admission, and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Those accepted as Pre-Graduate students may take up to nine (9) semester hours of graduate coursework toward certification. 

• MSCJ: Students applying for Pre-Graduate status must submit a completed and signed application for graduate admission accompanied by transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants must have earned more than 90 undergraduate semester hours toward the baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited college or university and have an overall GPA of 3.0. Eligible degree programs are those closely related to the criminal justice area at regionally accredited colleges or universities. Those accepted as Pre-Graduate status students may take up to nine (9) semester hours of graduate coursework in the MSCJ program while observing all existing MSCJ program requirements.

• MBA: Students requesting the MBA pre-graduate option must submit the “Accelerated MBA [Pre-Grad] Participation Form.” Students must have earned more than 90 undergraduate semester hours toward the baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited college or university, be registered at Columbia College for an undergraduate degree in the Robert W. Plaster School of Business (in senior standing), have completed all Columbia College MBA prerequisite requirements, and have an overall GPA of 3.0. Those approved to participate in the Accelerated MBA may take up to nine (9) semester hours of graduate coursework in the MBA program (from specified options) while observing all existing MBA program requirements. Accelerated MBA courses include: 
  • BUSI 562 - Managerial Accounting
  • BUSI 544 - Marketing Strategy
  • BUSI 504 - Managerial Communication
  • BUSI 508 - Managerial Analysis
  • BUSI 570 - Managerial Finance (Note: BUSI 508 is a prerequisite for this course)

Teacher Certification Program

Columbia College offers a variety of teacher certification programs. All candidates for the teacher certification programs are expected to meet general admission requirements to Columbia College. (See Admissions Requirements for more details.) Not all programs for teacher certification are available at all Columbia College Locations. See specific program details in catalog and on our website at www.ccis.edu. Contact the Recruiting & Admissions Department for more program specific information.

Note: Acceptance to Columbia College does not guarantee acceptance to the teacher certification course sequence.

Admission to the teacher certification program is on a moderately selective basis. Additional details regarding selection criteria for the teacher certification course sequence is available online at https://www.ccis.edu/admissions/bachelors-and-associate/teacher-certification.

Master’s Post Bacc

Columbia College Master’s Post Baccalaureate program (MAT.PB) and Master’s Alternative Certification program (MAT.AC) are designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue teacher certification along with a master’s degree. (This program is offered at a select number of Locations in the state of Missouri. Contact the Recruiting & Admissions Department for more information.)

Completion of application materials for admission to the Teacher Certification Program. (Application materials are available on the Education Department website.) https://www.ccis.edu/admissions/bachelors-and-associate/teacher-certification.

Undergraduate Post-Bacc

The Columbia College Undergraduate Post-Baccalaureate Certification Program (UPB.CERT) is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue teacher certification but not a master’s degree. (This program is offered at a select number of Locations in the state of Missouri. Contact the Recruiting & Admissions Department for more information.) Post-baccalaureate students are only eligible to take courses required for certification. Non-certification courses are not covered by federal financial aid.

Students interested in applying to the undergraduate program must follow the undergraduate admissions procedures as outlined in the undergraduate catalog.

Transcript/Credit Documents Requirement

Applicants must inform the College of all institutions of higher learning attended and whether or not academic credit was earned at these institutions. Falsification of application information, including failure to identify all post-secondary institutions attended, may result in denial of admission or dismissal if discovered after enrollment.

An official transcript and official English language translation from each college and university attended must be submitted to the College before transfer of credit can be accomplished. An official transcript is marked as such and sent directly from the institution attended to the Columbia College Office of the Registrar. A transcript marked official and hand delivered in a sealed envelope of the institution by the applicant will be accepted as official. Transcripts marked unofficial or student copy will not be considered official even if delivered in a sealed institution envelope. Faxed transcripts are not considered official. Credit will not be evaluated nor considered acceptable for admission for one institution from another institution’s transcript. Only grades of ‘C’ or higher are accepted in transfer.

Once a document has been submitted it becomes the property of Columbia College. Neither the original nor a copy will be given to the applicant.