Approval to Register for Non-Degree International Students Applying for Credit Courses
To ensure success in their academic endeavors at the University of Colorado, international non-degree applicants for credit courses are required to have sufficient proficiency in English. This includes non-degree applicants for programs such as ACCESS, Boulder Evening, and Summer Session. International applicants are also advised to have an immigration status that is consistent with the purpose of their stay in the United States. See the important immigration advisoriesbelow.
The Approval to Register process enables the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies to verify that you meet the requirement of English proficiency and that you understand how your study plans relate to your immigration status. (Please note: CU Faculty and Staff are exempt from the Approval to Register process).
To process your request for Approval to Register, please submit the following to the International English Center.
- Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies Credit
Registration Form or Summer Session Nondegree Student Application
with all sections completed.
- If English is not your native language: Evidence of sufficient
proficiency in English. You may prove this by providing a TOEFL score
report of 500 (173 CBT) or higher. You may also satisfy this requirement
by having successfully completed coursework at a college or university
in which English is the language of instruction; you may attest to
this on the registration or application form.
- Indication of current or pending immigration status. This may be indicated on the registration form under "Visa Type" or "Type of Temporary Visa". If you do not know your visa type or are otherwise unsure of your immigration status, please contact us.
Additional Information
'International' describes anyone who has entered the United States on a temporary, nonimmigrant visa (CU Faculty and Staff excepted; see below). If you are a permanent U.S. resident with an alien registration number, you are not considered an international applicant or student.
If you have permanent resident status but English is not your native
language, you are advised to be sufficiently proficient in English.
If you have questions or concerns about your proficiency, please contact
the International English Center.
Immigration Advisories
If the primary purpose of your visit to the U.S. is study, you should not enter the U.S. on a tourist (B-1 or B-2) visa. B-1 and B-2 nonimmigrant status holders are prohibited from enrolling in a course of study. If the primary purpose of your visit is study, you must have a student (F) visa. At the present time, the University of Colorado at Boulder does not issue the Form I-20 required for the student (F) visa to non-degree applicants to ACCESS or any other non-degree program (except certain programs at the International English Center; see below). Also note that it is no longer possible to change your immigration status in the U.S. from B to F unless you receive a "prospective student" stamp at the port of entry. Finally, new rules prohibit F-2 and J-2 status holders from enrolling in full-time study.
CU Faculty and Staff seeking to register as non-degree students should contact the Bursar's Office.
International non-degree applicants for either the Intensive English Program or the Global Business Communication program at the International English Center are eligible for the Form I-20 and may be able to take credit courses along with their English courses.