City University of Seattle

City University of Seattle (CityU) has been helping international students from around the world earn U.S. degrees and better their lives for over 40 years; its high-quality education is accessible to anyone.

Accreditation

CityU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, a regional accrediting body approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

Study Options

More than 400 students from around the world attend CityU in the United States. To fit the needs of its international students, the University offers specialized programs such as a full-time English Language Program (ELP) and a language-assisted MBA program.

Many of the University’s degree, certificate and endorsement programs are also offered completely online so students can learn from anywhere, to fit their needs.

Locations

CityU is located in downtown Seattle, just a short walk away from Seattle landmarks such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, and is also located near the offices of global companies such as Amazon and Microsoft. CityU’s Seattle location also makes it easily accessible by Seattle’s extensive public transportation network.

International Students

Students just need to walk out their door to make connections and grow a network in one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. Seattle, known for its tech-obsessed, coffee-drinking, rain-tolerant residents, is a prime destination for international students who want to immerse themselves in a culture of innovation that gave way to companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks and Boeing.

Over 40 countries are represented in CityU’s student body today and several CityU alumni hold executive positions throughout the world.

Student Support

CityU’s International Student Office has decades of experience in helping with unique admissions requirements of international students who want to study in the U.S.

The University has a world class Learning Resource Center, an onsite Counseling Center plus a Career Center that provides students and alumni assistance with job searches, writing resumes, building interview skills, career planning and counseling.

Also, academic internships are available to undergraduates and graduate students.

Learn more about these services and commencement information.

Accommodation

The Cornish Commons is a state-of-the-art residence hall in South Lake Union neighborhood available to CityU students. The building is just seven blocks from campus and features special amenities.

All study options offered across CityU’s schools boast small class sizes, practitioner faculty, and a curriculum informed by industry experts. The constituent schools are as listed below.

School of Management

City University of Seattle’s School of Management is the third largest producer of MBAs in Washington and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report to be among the top in the USA for its online MBA, undergraduate and graduate programs. CityU understands how to train, teach and grow people who work in management, business, technology, administration, accounting and finance around the world and has been recognized for this capability for over 40 years. The School offers more than 15 undergraduate and graduate degrees and several professional certificates.

Technology Institute

City University of Seattle’s Technology Institute offers top-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs; in the Institute, students don’t just read about technology they apply it. Graduates from these top ranked programs go on to grow careers in programming, information technology, software development, computer systems, compliance and/or technology management.

Washington Academy of Languages

The Washington Academy of Languages (WAL) provides English and world language training to students interested in learning a language for business, travel, or university credit. Nine levels of Intensive English Program classes are offered, from basic beginner to advanced academic levels, and eleven other languages are also taught by WAL’s faculty.

Study Options

The study options available to F-1 international students are as listed below.

• The English Language Program
• Undergraduate Programs (Baccalaureate)
  • A minimum of 45 transferable university quarter credits are required to enroll in the following programs. There are no exceptions.
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Arts in Management
• Graduate Programs (Master)
  • Master of Arts in Counseling-US
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Master of Science in Computer Science
  • Master of Science in Project Management
• Graduate Certificate Programs
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Project Management 

Students must send the following items to CityU for application:

• International Student Application
• $50 (USD) application fee
• Original or certified copies of diplomas and transcripts with certified English translations
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Consent to release information (if applying through CityU’s approved agents)
• Bank statement and financial declaration form, plus sponsor statement if applicable
• Copy of passport

Additional requirements may apply depending on program and start date.

For Undergraduate Degree or Certificate Programs

• Graduation from a high school in an English-speaking country where the language of instruction was English.
• Graduation from high school after attending a high-school exchange program that required study in an English-speaking country for at least two years where the language of instruction was English.
• Completion of at least 45 quarter degree credits or 30 semester degree credits at an accredited or CityU-recognized institution in an English-speaking country where the language of instruction was English and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better was achieved.
• Previous completion of at least 45 quarter degree credits from any CityU location, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
• An undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited or CityU-recognized institution in an English-speaking country where the language of instruction was English.
• An undergraduate or graduate degree from any CityU location.
• Completion of Level 6 of the CityU English language program or the equivalent level of a CityU-recognized English language program. A TOEFL iBT score of 76 or higher, IELTS score of 6.0 or higher, or iTEP score of 4.0 or higher.

For Graduate Degree or Certificate Programs

• An undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited or CityU-recognized institution in an English-speaking country where the language of instruction was English.
• Completion of Level 8 of CityU’s English language program or the appropriate level of a CityU-recognized English language program.
• An undergraduate or graduate degree from any CityU location.
• A TOEFL iBT score of 87, IELTS score of 6.5, or iTEP score of 4.5 or higher.

For Language-Assisted Graduate Degree or Certificate Programs

• Completion of Level 6 of CityU’s English language program or the appropriate level of a CityU-recognized English language program.
• A TOEFL iBT score of 76 or higher, IELTS score of 6.0 or higher, or iTEP score of 4.0 or higher.

More Details

CityU New International Student Merit Scholarship

The following scholarships will be awarded to first-time CityU applicants who have achieved an outstanding academic record within their last school year.

• President’s Merit Award Scholarship: $3,000 scholarship, disbursed evenly during the first three quarters of enrollment in the academic program.
• Academic Achievement Scholarship: $1,000 scholarship, disbursed evenly during the first three quarters of enrollment in the academic program.

Application Requirements

• Financial Declaration Form: Students must submit this form to the International Student Office, selecting the appropriate scholarship option based on their Academic Record.
• President’s Merit Award Scholarship: Students must have a combined grade point average of 90% or higher during their last academic year (based on CityU’s evaluation of the most recently submitted transcript).
• Academic Achievement Scholarship: Students must have a combined grade point average of 80% or higher during their last academic year (based on CityU’s evaluation of the most recently submitted transcript).
• For all options, students must be a first-time international student applicant to CityU with the intention of studying on an international student visa (F-1) in the Seattle area.
• Students must have applied for an academic degree program (certificate programs and ELP program do not qualify) no later than one month prior to the intended start date.
• Students must hold an active I-20 throughout the award period.
• Students must maintain full-time enrollment.
• Once a scholarship is awarded, students must start studies at CityU within one quarter of receiving the award letter. Students who start in the ELP Program must be continuously enrolled in the program, except for approved vacation quarters, and the award will be applied once the student enrolls in degree program classes.

The Cornish Commons is a state-of-the-art 20-story residence hall located in the vibrant South Lake Union neighborhood in downtown Seattle – just steps from the classes at CityU, theaters, parks, restaurants, shopping and much more!

With plenty of space and special amenities, it allows students to live, work, study and explore all of what Seattle has to offer.

Features and Amenities

Rooms: Triples, doubles and single room have a bathroom with a toilet and a shower. Some rooms have kitchens, but do come with an extra cost. Utilities, internet and basic furnishings are included in the price of the room.

Furnishings include an extra long single bed, one mattress, dresser desk, chair, closet, and filing cabinet per student. Each room features overhead lighting, individual heating and secure windows opening to fresh air. The rooms featuring a kitchen will come with a refrigerator, stove, sink, microwave and cupboards.

Community Space: The 20th floor is reserved for residents and comes with a picturesque view of the Seattle skyline. Amenities that can be found on this floor: full kitchen, art studio, TV lounge, game room, fireplace, fitness center, dance studio, laundry facility, open-air atrium.

View the housing brochure to learn more.

Swati Swaminathan

Project Management Graduate Certificate

Why did you decide to get a graduate certificate in project management?

“My background is in healthcare with a focus on clinical research. The projects in my industry are highly specific and multi-faceted, which requires me to have exposure to cutting edge practices in management. Since I already have a master’s degree, I felt a certificate in project management would help me to grow in my industry and progress my career.”

What have you learned so far in the program?

“I am currently mid-way through the first quarter of the program. So far, we have covered the basics of project management, including core concepts, project planning and scheduling. We have explored areas in depth including time, resources and scope management. There are seven additional areas that I look forward to learning.”

Has anything about the program surprised you?

“Yes, I have been pleasantly surprised by the course structure and assignments. In this program I’m allowed to pick scenarios from my own field to analyze as part of my weekly assignments. The team assignments greatly enhance people management and interpersonal skills. Needless to say, the individual attention provided to every student by the faculty is a tremendous asset to our personal growth.”

What have CityU faculty taught you that you’ll use in your career?

“The one thing they constantly teach is that project management is general enough to apply to any field irrespective of the nature, complexity and scale of the project.”

Once you graduate, how do you plan to use your certificate?

“The certificate program will provide me with the necessary tools to manage projects in real time and more effectively. I am confident that this program will enhance my management skills.”

You’re active in CityU’s Enactus student organization; what have you learned from that experience?

“I am the project manager for one of Enactus’ projects and also serve as treasurer/secretary for the team. In the capacity of project manager, I lead a team of five and work with the National Federation of the Blind in marketing a mobile phone application that reads text aloud. I also had a chance to meet with the first and only blind state senator, Washington State Senator Cyrus Habib, to solicit his support in the project. This sort of exposure to top management officials is very rare and I want to specially mention that I am grateful to CityU for that.”

Would you recommend CityU?

“Yes, I would definitely recommend CityU for its versatile nature of degree programs. The School of Management holds various competitions for students to challenge themselves and boost their confidence. I would specifically recommend CityU to international students as well. The university maintains excellent standards of education and embraces international students from all over the world. I feel privileged to be part of this institution.

If you are an international student, you’ll understand how CityU makes life so much easier while getting a degree in the United States.”