Wherever you are from, searching for truth and working towards success is important. This is the reason MBU welcomes you to study here. While you will be equipped with the tools to succeed after graduation, we also believe the rich culture you bring to our campus makes the experiences of all of our students better. We are proud that students from all over the world choose to continue their education at MBU.
International Students Application Process
Requirements can vary by country. The list below is a general guideline of requirements for international students who wish to attend Missouri Baptist University.
Apply to MBU
After you submit an application to the university, the Office of International Experiences office will contact you with a personalized admission and I-20 request checklist.
English proficiency requirement*
Test scores must be sent directly from the examination body. English proficiency exam may be waived upon receipt of official transcript. ** The following tests are accepted:
| Exam Name/Type | Minimum Score Required |
| Duolingo | 115 |
| TOEFL– iBT (MBU code: 2717) | 80 |
| TOEFL– Paper-based (MBU code: 2717) | 550 |
| IELTS | 6.0 |
| PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic) | 53 |
| E3PT (English 3) | 68 |
| ELS (English for Academic Purposes) | Completed Level 112 |
| SAT (MBU code 2258) | 25 writing and language/25 reading |
| ACT (MBU code 2323) | 19 Reading score/20 English |
*English Proficiency exam requirements may be waived for students in the following categories. Additional verification may be required depending on the category.
- from countries with English as an official language
- who attended a school with English as the official language of instruction for 2 or more years
- who transfer with a minimum of 24 university credit hours from a US or English-instruction institution
- who have completed at least 2 years of high school in the US
**TOEFL ITP and TOEFL Essentials may not be used to verify English Proficiency.
Submit your transcript
First Time Freshmen: A transcript from every high school attended will need to be submitted. Required minimum cumulative GPA is a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students who do not submit ACT or SAT test scores must meet a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Transferring from a US or international institution: A transcript will be needed from every institution that you have earned college credit from and must be sent directly from each university attended (international transcripts should be sent via the evaluation company). Required minimum cumulative GPA is a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
All secondary school and university-level credits earned outside the United States must be evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org), InCred (incredevals.org), or World Education Services (www.wes.org). You must transfer any earned college credits. A recommended transcript evaluation process will be sent with your initial admissions checklist email. Confirm with the Office of International Experiences before requesting an evaluation.
Submit your ACT or SAT (optional)
MBU is a test-optional university, meaning that if you submit a test score, it will no longer negatively affect admissions decisions or scholarship offers. However, please note that we will require an ACT/SAT/CLT score or MBU’s placement test (Accuplacer) prior to registration. For more information, email international@mobap.edu.
I-20 Request
Instructions for how to submit proof of financial ability and additional documents needed to complete your I-20 request will be sent with your initial admissions email.
US-based health insurance requirement
We require all international students in F-1 status to enroll in the university’s group health insurance plan. For 2023-2024, the plan is with Academic Health Plans. Additional information about this plan can be found at mobap.mycare26.com.
NOTE: Student Athletes
For students planning on playing for an MBU athletic team, please note that admission to MBU does not ensure NAIA eligibility. Check the NAIA Eligibility Center to find information on required documents, which must be submitted in order to qualify to play.
First time freshmen who choose not to submit ACT/SAT scores may need a class rank letter for athletic eligibility.
Class Rank Letter Information: Official Letter from Headmaster/Principal that must include your name, graduation date, total number of students in graduating class, and your class rank (confirming you are in the top 50%).
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