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 bachelor’s 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 the 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. Columbia College reserves the right to use photographs of its students in publications and media that promote the college.  

By submitting an application, you are giving your expressed 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 800-231-2391 ext. 7515.

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 online, virtual, or in-seat 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 the dates for each academic year. 

Applicants who are not admitted for the term in which they applied will be withdrawn. Additionally, admitted students, who do not enroll for the term they are admitted to, will need to update their application to a future start term, or their application will be withdrawn.

Admissions Procedures

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.

Applicants for any Columbia College graduate program must submit the following:

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

Additional requirements may apply to specific applicant types (i.e., full, post-bacc, non-degree, readmit, international, etc.). See specific applicant stage policies below for more information.

Proof of Graduate Program Readiness:

To determine if graduate admission requirements are met, official transcripts must be submitted from all of the following:

• All institutions attended
• 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.

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 the Office of the Registrar, Columbia College, 1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216. Official transcripts are sent directly from the institution. Transcripts received from the student will be considered unofficial.

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 the Office of the Registrar, Columbia College, 1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216.

Identity Authentication

All Columbia College applicants are required to authenticate their identity as part of the enrollment 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 and date of birth must match their application and student file (as applicable).

To complete authentication, applicants may complete authentication in one of the following ways:

1. Photo with ID: Take a photo of themselves (i.e. selfie) holding a valid government-issued photo ID next to their face. The detailed information on their ID must be legible. A close-up image of the same ID must 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 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 the photo. All information on ID must be visible and readable.
2. At Location: Students with access to a Columbia College location may show their government-issued photo ID to a full-time staff member at their location.
3. Notary Form: A notary public will confirm the student’s identity by making a copy of their 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.

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 enrolling with Columbia College.

Admission Requirements

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Goal statement consisting of 300 - 500 words
• Professional resume

Prerequisite Courses

If the following prerequisite courses haven’t yet been completed, students will be required to take an 8-week survey course to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject matter. *Students pursuing the MBA Accounting Emphasis are not eligible to take the survey course. Please see below for more information.

• ACCT 280 Accounting I (Financial)
• ACCT 281 Accounting II (Managerial)
• FINC 350 Business Finance
• MKTG 210 Principles of Marketing
• MGMT 230 Principles of Management 

For students pursuing an MBA with an Accounting emphasis, the following prerequisite courses will be required:

• ACCT 280 Accounting I (Financial)
• ACCT 281 Accounting II (Managerial)
• FINC 350 Business Finance
• MKTG 210 Principles of Marketing
• MGMT 230 Principles of Management 
• ACCT 381 Federal Income Tax-Individuals
• ACCT 382 Intermediate Accounting I
• ACCT 383 Intermediate Accounting II
• ACCT 385 Accounting Information Systems
• ACCT 386 Managerial and Cost Accounting
• ACCT 489 Auditing I

Students may opt to take CLEP/DANTES tests (where applicable) to meet the MBA prerequisite requirement(s). See tables 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.

Master of Science in Accountancy

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Goal statement consisting of 300 - 500 words
• Professional resume

Prerequisite Courses

• ACCT 280 Accounting I (Financial)
• ACCT 281 Accounting II (Managerial)
• FINC 350 Business Finance
• MKTG 210 Principles of Marketing
• MGMT 230 Principles of Management 
• ACCT 381 Federal Income Tax-Individuals
• ACCT 382 Intermediate Accounting I
• ACCT 383 Intermediate Accounting II
• ACCT 385 Accounting Information Systems
• ACCT 386 Managerial and Cost Accounting
• ACCT 489 Auditing I

Master of Science in Business Analytics

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in a business discipline with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Goal statement consisting of 300 - 500 words
• Professional resume

Master of Science in Finance

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in a business discipline with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Goal statement consisting of 300 - 500 words
• Professional resume

Master of Science in Management Information Systems

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Goal statement consisting of 300 - 500 words
• Professional resume

Prerequisite Courses

Completion of at least one course in each of the following content areas:

• Computer programming
• Relational databases
• Information technology, such as operating systems or networking

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Goal statement consisting of 300 - 500 words
• Professional resume

Prerequisite Courses

If a student’s bachelor’s degree is in a field other than criminal justice, the following prerequisite courses with a grade of B or higher are required:

• CJAD 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 
• CJAD 415 Criminal Procedures

Master of Social Work

Program Tracks

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program has two tracks: the Advanced Standing Program track for students with a bachelor’s degree in social work, and the Traditional Program track for students with a bachelor’s degree in any other subject.

MSW - Traditional Program

• 66 credits
• Between 2-4 years
• Four semesters of practicum education

MSW - Advanced Standing Program

• 36 credits
• Between 1-2 years
• Two semesters of practicum education

Areas of Emphasis

The MSW has three areas of emphasis:

• Advanced Clinical
• Advanced Clinical, Military Specialization
• Organizational Leadership & Change

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited & accepted institution and a 3.0 total undergraduate GPA. If applying to the Advanced Standing Program track, bachelor’s degree must be in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. Applicants with any other type of bachelor’s degree should apply to the Traditional Program track.

All applicants to the MSW program must submit the following for admission review:

• Application
• Resume
• College transcripts (must be official if degree-granting)
• Personal Statement essay that meets the following guidelines:
  • No more than 3 pages
  • Written in APA 7^th edition
  • Addresses all five of the following topics:
    • Motivation to pursue a career in social work
    • Navigating complex ethical dilemmas
    • Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion
    • Time management
    • Competency in utilizing technology
• Three Letters of Reference
  • At least one academic and one professional reference

For Advanced Standing applicants, two of the letters must be from their BSW practicum liaison and practicum supervisor.

Master of Educational Leadership

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Goal statement consisting of 300 - 500 words
• Professional resume
• Valid teaching certificate

Master of Arts in Teaching

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-specifications.

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

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Goal statement consisting of 300 - 500 words
• Professional resume

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/degrees/teacher-certification-program.

Master of Arts in Teaching Post Baccalaureate

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/degrees/teacher-certification-program.

Undergraduate Post-Baccalaureate

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.

Education Specialist

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from an accredited college/university with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Minimum of two years of teaching experience and preferred building-level leadership experience for those seeking superintendent certification
• Official transcripts
• Professional resume
• Professional goal statement
• Teacher Certificate

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).

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.) A Student’s last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework are evaluated for conditional admission. Grades, the 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.

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 an individual who has 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 type or Location.

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 United States
• 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 and approved by the International Center. Depending on the applicant status, specific documents will be required upon arrival.

To be reviewed for admission at one of the approved locations, 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 the 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 score reports must be within two years 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 American 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 American 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: 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 credit hours of graduate degree requirements may be fulfilled by transfer coursework. Students who wish to request transfer credit should contact the Registrar’s Office for instruction and additional details. Detailed information about the 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 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. Information will be compiled for the Conviction Review Committee (CRC) to review. If an applicant has previously applied to the College, updated documents will be required for review.

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 representatives across the institution.

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

• Amount of time that has passed since the crime or offense
• Successful completion of sentence
• Severity of the crime or offense
• Nature of the crime or offense
• Other educational programs attended since the 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 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 the 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 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.

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 Center for Student Success directly at 573-875-7252 to determine if there is a balance due. Students who have been suspended or who are 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. 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 resume) AND meet all program-specific, including a bachelor’s GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Non-degree-seeking students are required to remain in good academic standing (not on academic or disciplinary probation). Non-degree-seeking students who are absent for 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. Once admitted, students are encouraged to meet with their advisor prior to changing locations. By meeting with an advisor, students will be able to make an informed decision prior to changing locations. Possible outcomes to consider include:

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

If you are an applicant/admitted student and are not currently enrolled, please contact the Recruiting & Admission Department to change before enrolling in classes. Item to Note: 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 form - 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 Columbia College 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 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 Teacher Certification 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)

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 the 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 copies 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 to 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.