Graduate Requirements

Graduate Admissions Procedures and Requirements

Entrance Requirements

Incoming master's degree candidates at Baltimore International College (BIC) will complete the following prior to enrollment:

• Graduate Application for Admission
• A non-refundable $50 application fee
• Earned bachelor’s degree in Hospitality/Hotel Management or Business with at least a 3.0 GPA. Or, earned Bachelor’s degree in any other field from an accredited college may apply. Candidates without the fundamental courses may be required to complete core required credits in accounting, finance, economics, statistics, human resource management, marketing and information systems before undertaking the courses in the graduate program
• Accrued one year of consecutive full-time experience in a management or administrative capacity in a service industry or equivalent experience
• Have demonstrated an understanding of computer systems, word processing and spreadsheets (waiver available)
• Have demonstrated ability to read, write and speak English. Students whose first language is not English must achieve a minimum score of 550 on the written version or 80 on the computer version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Requirements

One year of consecutive full-time employment. Dean of Graduate Studies may waive one year experience pending the review of the applicant’s academic history, overall work experience and letters of professional recommendation. Demonstrated computer competency will be confirmed with a sealed college transcript identifying successful completion of computer course(s) (B or above) or by taking BIC’s challenge exam. Students interested in the challenge exam should inquire in the Admissions Office. The charge for this exam is outlined in the tuition and fees section.

Conditional Acceptance

If the candidate does not meet all the admissions requirements (i.e. 3.0 GPA), a candidate may be granted conditional acceptance into the master’s degree program for one semester. The candidate will successfully complete all courses required, with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. Students on conditional acceptance are not eligible for financial aid. Charges will follow the prevailing graduate tuition and fees schedule.

Bridge Semester

Candidates who do not meet core course requirements for admission into the program may be required to take a “Bridge Semester” or preparatory coursework before taking master's level courses. Students will be charged at the prevailing bachelor's tuition and fees schedule, and will qualify for federal financial aid.

Waivers

The Dean of Graduate Studies may waive the requirement of one year's experience pending a review of academic history, overall work experience and letters of professional recommendation.

Demonstrated computer competency will be confirmed with a sealed college transcript, identifying successful completion of computer course(s) with a grade of at least a B, or by taking BIC's challenge exam.

International Students

Admissions requirements and acceptance procedures for international students are the same as those for students who are citizens of the United States, with the exception that applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. must supply the following:

• International students whose country of origin’s primary language is not English must supply evidence of satisfactory command of the English language through submission of a Certified copy of scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test. Students must achieve a score of at least 550 on written TOEFL, 210 on computer-based TOEFL, or 80 on internet-based TOEFL, or taking and passing the college’s assessment placement exam or graduating from an American high school or college.
• Declaration of Financial Support signed by both the applicant and the sponsor. (Form I-34)
• Certified Bank Statement not more than 30 days old.
• Copy of current Passport.

NOTE: All documents must be originals or certified true copies. Unofficial copies cannot be accepted. All documents which are not in English must be accompanied by a certified (notarized) translation. Transcripts from institutions located outside the United States must be assessed by either World Education Service (WES) or American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Offices (AACRAO).

Responsibility for obtaining the approved Visa classification rests entirely with the student. Students entering the United States to study will need an F-1 international student visa. In order to obtain the necessary visa, students must submit the valid Form I-20 for an F-1 visa to the United States Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence. In addition to the I-20, students will have to present a passport and evidence of financial support.

BIC will send the I-20 form after the student has been accepted, enrolled and has submitted all documents requested above. International students must register for the semester for which the admission is offered and must maintain full-time status during the academic year.

International Transfer Students

Students currently studying in the U.S. who seek enrollment in BIC’s graduate program are required to submit a Transfer Release Form (completed by the foreign student’s advisor at the institution they last attended) prior to receiving a Form I-20.

The admission requirements and acceptance procedures are the same as traditional admission requirements. International students studying online will not have to apply for a Form I-20, student visa. But all fees and tuition must be submitted at least two weeks prior to semester start.

Transfer of Credit

No more than six credits of graduate work may be transferred from another institution.

The student must have earned a grade of “B” or better in the course. Credits earned more than three years prior to enrollment into Baltimore International College’s graduate program are not transferable without special permission from the Dean of Graduate Studies.The student must furnish an official transcript to Baltimore International College.

The Dean of Graduate Studies and the Registrar must certify that transfer courses are applicable to the student’s program. Once enrolled in Baltimore International College’s graduate program, a student may not take courses elsewhere and apply them for transfer credit. Transfer credits must be requested prior to initial matriculation into Baltimore International College’s graduate program.