Application Process
The admission process for international students works as follows:
- The MACC Program will review completed applications and make a recommendation of admission to the Graduate School.
- The Graduate School is then notified of the recommendation and will formally admit you after reviewing your application and supporting documents.
- International Student Services will be notified and will contact you for any missing forms that are required for your immigration documentation.
Students with degrees from an international college or university must have completed an academic program equivalent to an American bachelor’s degree. Students with three-year degrees will not be accepted into the program and will be required, at a minimum, to complete an additional year of study before entering the program.
Transcripts from non-U.S. schools need to be converted to the U.S. 4.0 scale by W.E.S or a member of the NACES. Study abroad classes taken at a non-US school included on your U.S. school transcript do not need to be converted.
International students who have not completed the required prerequisite courses or a degree equivalent to an American bachelor’s degree should consider completing these at the University of South Carolina or another accredited four-year institution in the United States before applying to the MACC program.
TOEFL/IELTS Exam Scores
International students must submit a valid TOEFL or IELTS exam score as part of their application unless they have earned an undergraduate degree at an institution within the United States while spending at least three years on campus in the United States. Exam scores must be no more than two years old.
Minimum TOEFL score requirements include an overall score of 100 on the IBT version, with the following minimum scores in EACH section:
- Reading: 22
- Listening: 22
- Speaking: 26
- Writing: 24
If the IELTS is taken in lieu of the TOEFL exam, a minimum score of 7.0 is required overall AND on each section of the exam.
At our discretion, we might require an interview (in person or via Skype) to ascertain the English-speaking skills of an international student.
Application Deadlines
International students should allow adequate time for the processing of immigration and visa documents prior to the beginning of orientation. We recommend applying 30-45 days prior to the suggested deadlines shown on the Admissions Requirements page.
Job Placement for International Students
Job placement rates for international students vary based on the student’s background and academic profile. International students who have attended and graduated from a four-year institution in the United States in combination with a MACC degree historically have a better chance for domestic job placement. Due to immigration laws and market conditions, those students who have completed an undergraduate degree outside of the United States in combination with a MACC degree have encountered greater challenges with domestic hiring.
Resources Available for International Students
UC's Office of International Student Services offers support and services for internationals, including frequently asked questions, required forms and the visa process.