International Students
Candidates for international admissions must begin negotiations with their governments and Messenger College in ample time prior to the anticipated date of entrance into the United States. Messenger College strongly recommends applicants begin the admissions application process no later than six months prior to their intended semester start date to increase the applicant’s chance of approval. Applicants must meet all international admissions requirements to be considered for acceptance, unless the school stipulates in writing otherwise.
However, applicants who present unfavorable records may (1) be denied admission, or (2) be admitted with restrictions and on academic warning. Examples of unfavorable records may include test scores, earned GPA, etc. that are lower than the minimum requirements. This warning may be lifted by meeting satisfactory academic progress at the end of the first semester of enrollment. Students may also be required to take developmental courses.
A candidate must be an accepted student before Messenger College will issue an I-20 Form. An I-20 Form is required for an international student to apply for an F-1 student visa. The student must apply through the United States embassy or consulate in their country. The college does not provide visa services.
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If you have any questions throughout this process, please contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@messengercollege.edu.
Step by Step Process
Step 1: Submit an Admissions Application
International student applicants must submit an application online (click button below).
Residential Student Applicants: Please complete the entire International Student (Non-US Citizen) Residential Program application and follow all of the steps below.
Online Student Applicants: Please complete the entire Online Learning Program application, including the international requirements. Please refer to Step 3, 4, and 5 and visit the Online Learning Program page on our website.
After you complete the application, submit your application fee of $35 (USD). ​If you are unable to complete the application fully, check the email account you entered when starting the application for a link to access your saved application.
Step 2: Submit Additional Admissions Documentation
International student applicants must complete the formal admissions essay which is embedded in the application, a copy of the photo page of the applicant's passport, and two letters of recommendation. The two letters of recommendation must be as follows:
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One pastoral letter of recommendation must be from, or endorsed by, the current Pentecostal Church of God (PCG) Global Missions Director, MC President, MC Chairman of the Board, the student’s field representative, area supervisor, and/or National Bishop.
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One professional and/or academic letter of recommendation (non-relative) in English, such as pastor, supervisor, professor, etc. that can verify the student’s dedication to success and professionalism.
Step 3: Submit Transcripts to MC (in English)
Official transcripts must be sent directly to Messenger College from your school(s). All documents must be translated into English if not issued in English.
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The mailing address for Messenger College is as follows:
The Office of Enrollment Services
PO Box 1207
Euless, Texas 76039-1207.
Official transcripts are certified copies of official documents from each secondary and post-secondary school (college, university, or technical school) attended and records must include courses completed, grades earned, and certificates or degrees awarded.
Please be aware your secondary and/or post-secondary school(s) may charge a fee for the official transcript. If your institution(s) do not mail transcripts please contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@messengercollege.edu.
Step 4: Transcript Evaluation
Messenger College requires international students to have a transcript evaluation.
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Since Messenger College’s minimum threshold for admission is based on your GPA from a recognized institution, please ensure the report requested includes a GPA. If requesting transfer credits, please ensure the report includes both a GPA and the grades given in each course. MC does not take any responsibility for the services of the vendors or the fees they may charge. Please note this report needs to be requested from the agency as soon as possible as circumstances may delay receipt of the official evaluation.
Messenger College requires an academic evaluation from one of the following agencies:
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Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) (Preferred)
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First time college student: Request a “General with Grade Average” evaluation.
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*Transfer Student: Request a “Course-by-Course” evaluation.
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Click Here for MC's ECE Select Application
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World Education Services (WES)
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First time college student: Request a “Document-by-Document” evaluation.
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*Transfer Student: Request a “Course-by-Course” evaluation.
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*Please note transfer of credit is not guaranteed. See Transfer Policy.
Step 5: Provide Evidence of English Language Proficiency
All on campus and online course instruction is in English. Students must have their TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic score sent directly to MC from their examination board. Please see official links below:
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Messenger College accepts scores from TOEFL iBT taken at a testing center only with a score of 79 or above.
MC’s institutional code is iC256.
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Messenger accepts IELTS Academic score of 6 or above.
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An oral interview may be requested. If a student has a score slightly lower than the requirement, they are encouraged to still apply. Depending on other submissions, they may still be accepted under the Ability to Benefit policy.
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An IELTS or TOEFL iBT must have been taken no longer than two years prior to the student’s start date at MC. Applicants who have scores that are more than two years old (or will be more than two years old by the time of MC’s start date) may be requested to submit updated test scores or demonstrate English proficiency through one of the other listed options.
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Other ways to demonstrate English proficiency:
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U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.
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Citizen of an English-speaking country/territory, such as Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Guyana, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica/English-speaking countries in the West Indies, New Zealand, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caico Islands, United Kingdom, or the Virgin Islands.
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Four years of high school in the U.S. with at least three years of English.
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A full year at a U.S. university with at least six transferable credits from an accredited U.S. college or university in first-year English.
Note: English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are not accepted as proof of English proficiency.
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Step 6: Submit Proof of Financial Support
Students must submit proof of financial support or ability to attend Messenger College, including living expenses and summer housing (if needed). Proof of Financial Support may include, but is not limited to, bank statements, documentation from a sponsor(s), financial aid letters, scholarship and/or institutional grant letters. If needed, students may submit documentation from multiple sponsors, which may include family members.
Before an I-20 is issued:
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Students must submit one or more of the following to meet the estimated Cost of Attendance for at least one year:
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Current Personal Bank Statement (within the last six months) or other proof of funds such as a loan letter (must include your name as the student and amount of approved loan).
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MC Affidavit of Support from Sponsor(s) with additional documentation. Additional documentation may include:
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Bank Statement (within the past six months), or
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An official letter from the bank showing funds are currently available.
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Grant letter from Global Missions, signed by the Global Missions Director, including a fund report showing funds available for the student.
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Submit payment to MC for the first semester (housing, tuition & fees) if not covered by an Institutional Grant.
International students must complete all admission & financial steps as outlined above, and be issued an acceptance notice, before an I-20 Form will be issued.
The school does not provide visa services. After the I-20 is issued, students must:
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Pay the SEVIS fee (I-901) at www.fmjfee.com.
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Schedule an appointment to apply for a visa from their home country. (A Visa Application Checklist will be sent to the student with the I-20.)
Please contact the Enrollment Office if you are transferring from another US institution or wish to travel with dependents.
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Step 7: Complete Housing and Health Forms
International residential students are required to live in campus housing.
Students are required to:
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Submit an Enrollment Form for at least 12 credit hours. Please note: International residential students may not enroll in more than one online course per semester.
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Submit the new student housing application, provided by the Director of Student Development after you have been accepted as a student, and the $250 USD housing deposit at least one month before the semester move-in date.
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Submit the new student health form, provided by the Director of Student Development after you have been accepted as a student, (requires Tuberculosis test and verification of required immunizations) at least two weeks prior to the semester move-in date, specifically:
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Tuberculosis
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Meningitis Vaccine (required for students younger than 22 years of age)
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TDap Vaccine
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MMR Vaccine
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Step 8: Submit a Travel Deposit
International residential students must submit a deposit for the cost of transportation to return to the student’s home country; amount to be determined in the admissions process. This deposit is to ensure students have the sufficient funds to return to their home country in case of an emergency or unforeseen circumstances.
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This will be returned to the student, upon completion of their degree, if not used by the student.
International Online Students
International online students must complete all Domestic Online Admissions requirements as outlined above. However, International online students may also be required to submit transcript translation/evaluation(s) and/or proof of English proficiency as outlined in the International Residential Admissions Policy and as required by the Academic Office.
International Online Disclaimer: International students desiring to attend Messenger College must recognize it is the students' responsibility to understand the specific and current rules, regulations, and requirements of their home country. Students are advised that Messenger College does not certify that their degrees will meet any licensure or certification requirements or be recognized by the students' home country. This may be an issue if the student desires to continue their education in their home country and/or with employers requiring specific requirements in their home country. In the event the government of a students' home country contacts Messenger College to indicate a lack of compliance, enrollment from the home country will stop immediately. As a result, international students enroll at their own risk, and accept this responsibility prior to enrolling.
Please note, the Bachelor of Arts in Counseling is not intended to lead to licensure in the United States.
International Online Students are not currently accepted from Canada.
Required Safety & Security Disclosures:
Admission may be denied to those persons whom the institution considers to be a potential danger to the safety, security, and educational environment of Messenger College. The college may revoke (or may subject to certain conditions) the admission of any already admitted person who is deemed to be a potential danger to safety or security or threatens to disrupt educational processes. Such persons shall be afforded due process as outlined in the Student Handbook.
In order to help foster a safe learning environment, the college requires those individuals who have been convicted of a felony, and who are interested in attending classes at the college, to disclose this information prior to registering for credit or continuing education classes. Felons who have been convicted of sexual offense and/or violent crimes may be admitted to the college but may not be admitted to student housing.
Based on the nature of the offense and other factors, the college reserves the right to deny admission, revoke admission, limit enrollment and/or restrict activities of a student. Campus notifications will be initiated as deemed necessary. Failure to disclose a felony conviction may result in the student being immediately withdrawn from current classes and may result in disciplinary action including suspension or dismissal, as outlined in the Student Handbook.