University of Missouri Columbia

The University of Missouri Columbia (MU, or Mizzou) is recognized as one of the most comprehensive schools in the United States. The University offers a choice of over 300 accredited academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Conditional acceptance to most undergraduate and some graduate programs is available to well-qualified applicants not able to meet the University’s TOEFL requirement; final admission is granted upon meeting the English requirement. Students are eligible to join AIM (Academic Integration @ Mizzou) with English proficiency scores of 61 (TOEFL) or 6.0 (IELTS).  Students are fully admitted with English scores of 79 (TOEFL) or 6.5 (IELTS).  Students can also enter the university upon completion of the Intensive English Program.

The Intensive English Program (IEP)

The IEP, established in 1978, offers English language instruction to internationals wishing to improve their English skills for academic, personal or professional reasons. Admission is available to all applicants who have graduated from high school.

• Placed into one of five levels according to the student’s English language proficiency skills
• Minimum of 20 hours of instruction per week
• Small classes and individualized attention
• Emphasis on academic English and university preparation starting in Level 3
• Highly qualified and dedicated faculty
• Opportunities to participate in social and cultural activities
• College and university placement assistance
• Counseling on academic, personal and immigration matters
• Housing available in University residence halls on campus or in private off-campus apartments
• Mizzou identification cards provided for use of all University facilities and services
• All IEP classrooms, faculty and administrative offices conveniently located in one building on campus
• Institutional TOEFL administered at the end of each term
• Students admitted in January, June and August
• International undergraduate students who complete the IEP and continue studying at MU are eligible for the MU Provost’s International English Scholarship, which equals the amount of tuition and fees paid while studying in the IEP.

The Community

Columbia is considered one of the best and safest small cities in the United States. Money Magazine has many times listed Columbia as one of the top 20 places to live in the United States because of the excellent education system, economy, health care, housing opportunities and general quality of life. Similarly, the book 50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family praises Columbia for being “one of the nicest small metro areas in the country” to live, work, study and play.

• Columbia is a safe, clean and friendly community located halfway (200 kilometers) between Kansas City and St. Louis.
• Living costs in Columbia are 8-10% below the national average.
• Columbia has many places to worship, including a mosque, synagogue and numerous churches.
• With a population of over 120,000 people, Columbia is a mid-sized city with the best characteristics of both urban and rural living.

The University

The University of Missouri Columbia (MU, or Mizzou), established in 1839, is the oldest public university west of the Mississippi River. It is the largest of the four campuses of the University of Missouri System. MU consistently ranks among the nation’s top colleges and universities as rated by Peterson’s Competitive Colleges, The Fiske Guide to Colleges and The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges. It is described as academically rigorous and pleasantly affordable. In 2017, MU was one of 38 schools listed in Fiske’s Best Buy.  According to Money Magazine, Barron’s Best Buys in College Education and the College Finder, Mizzou is one of America’s best college buys.

• Mizzou, with almost 30,000 students and more than 1,500 international students, is the state’s largest university. (About 6% of the students are internationals, representing more than 100 countries.)
• The University of Missouri Columbia is an official TOEFL administration center.
• Minimum TOEFL requirement is 61 iBT for the bridge program; 79 iBT for regular admission. (Some academic programs require a higher score.)
• Conditional acceptance to most undergraduate programs and some graduate programs is available to well-qualified academic applicants not able to meet the TOEFL requirement; final admission is granted upon meeting the English requirement.
• Excellent university facilities include computer laboratories, libraries, student health clinic, several museums and numerous sports facilities, such as the award-winning Student Recreation Center, weight-training equipment, swimming pools, tennis courts and soccer fields.

Academic Programs

With its 13 schools and colleges, the University of Missouri Columbia offers more than 280 undergraduate degree programs and emphasis areas. The College of Agriculture, the College of Engineering and the School of Journalism are known world-wide for their academic excellence. The Graduate School has more than 6,000 graduate students in over 100 graduate programs.

Degree