Houston Baptist University has an annual acceptance rate of around 70% and is slightly competitive to get into. For admissions it predominantly takes into account an aspirant’s academic records, applications are offered on a rolling basis in the seasonal terms of Fall, Spring and Summer.

The cost to attend the university for one year is approximately 48,000 USD. There is no application fee for any programs at Houston Baptist University. However, international candidates applying for graduate programs are required to pay an International processing fee of 100 USD.

Highlights

Application portal Online
Academic calendar Semester based
Intake seasons Fall, Spring and Summer
Acceptance rate 70%
Average class size 25
Official website https://hbu.edu/

Houston Baptist University International Application Deadlines

International candidates seeking admission at Houston Baptist University must complete the application and submission of all the necessary documents required for admission before the preferred deadlines of the semesters they aspire to enrol in. The preferred deadlines each semester are as tabulated below. The deadlines are the same for both undergraduate and graduate programs.

Term Application Deadline
Fall May 01
Spring October 01
Summer March 01

Houston Baptist University International Student Admissions

International candidates can apply for admissions to Houston Baptist University through the college website portal online. Undergraduate students are not required to pay any application fee.

Admission Requirements

The basic requirements for international aspirants for their admissions to Houston Baptist University are as compiled below:

  • Completed application form
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Foreign transcript evaluations
  • English language proficiency test scores
  • Copy of passport (valid up to 6 months)
  • Proof of financial support for one academic year (HBU’s Financial Affidavit, and a copy of official bank statement or letter that shows the full amount of funding for the studies).
  • Letters of Recommendations
  • Personal Essays

On acceptance of their applications, international aspirants will get an Acceptance Packet via the mail which will include their official offer letter, an I-20 form and instructions on how to apply for the F1 student visa.

Application Requirements for International Transfer Students

International transfer students who aspire to do their studies at Houston Baptist University are required to do the following:

  • Completed the application form
  • Transcripts form previously attended colleges or universities
  • Foreign transcript evaluation of all the courses taken out of the USA.
  • English language proficiency test scores
  • Copy of passport (valid up to 6 months)
  • Financial documentation.

English Language Proficiency Scores for International Applicants

Houston Baptist University demands from international applicants whose native language is not English to demonstrate their English language proficiency by submitting any of the accepted test scores. The accepted test scores by the university and the minimum scores required as well as the institutional codes are as tabulated below:

Tests Minimum Required Scores Institutional Code
TOEFL IBT 80 6282
TOEFL PBT 550 6282
IELTS 6.5 NA
PTE Academic 53 NA
SAT 480 on EBRW and 1010 Composite Score 6282
ACT 20 on English and 21 Composite Score 4101
Duolingo 105 NA
CLT 68 NA

US Visa Process for International Students

International aspirants applying to Houston Baptist University are required to obtain a valid visa - F-1 student visa or J-1 Exchange Visitor (student) visa - as well as a passport to study in the USA from a nearby American Embassy or Consulate in their country.

International applicants who have completed all admission requirements will be provided with the Form I-20 required to get a study visa for the US. Thereafter, they will be required to make the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee payment. Finally, they are required to schedule an appointment with the U.S. Embassy and take part in an interview and biometrics session at the embassy.

The basic documents required for the visa process are as compiled below:

  • Passport size photographs
  • A passport with a minimum validity of up to 6 months
  • Receipt of payment of application fee
  • Form I-20
  • Transcripts, certificates, English language proficiency and other test scores
  • Financial information.

Houston Baptist University Undergraduate Admissions

UG at Houston Baptist University offers 76 majors and nine pre-professional programs through its eight schools or colleges. Interested candidates can apply for both on-campus programs as well as online programs without any application fee.

Where to Apply: Online

Admission Requirements 

The basic requirements for international aspirants for their admissions to undergraduate programs at Houston Baptist University are as compiled below:

  • Completed application form
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Foreign transcript evaluation of high school education
  • English language proficiency test scores
  • Copy of passport
  • Proof of financial support for one academic year (HBU’s Financial Affidavit, and a copy of official bank statement or letter that shows the full amount of funding for the studies).
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Standardized test scores-optional

Houston Baptist University Graduate Admissions

PG at Houston Baptist University offers several programs in the domains of business, education, ministry, nursing and the behavioral sciences through its six colleges or schools. These include master’s degrees (both on-campus and online) and certificates or licenses as well as doctorate programs.

Where to Apply: Online
Application Fee: International applicants for graduate programs are required to pay an International Processing Fee of 100 USD.

PG Admission Requirements

The basic requirements for international aspirants for their admissions to graduate programs at Houston Baptist University are as compiled below:

  • Completed application form
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Foreign transcript evaluations of previous degrees awarded
  • English language proficiency test scores
  • Copy of passport (valid up to 6 months)
  • GRE/GMAT scores
  • Proof of financial support for one academic year (HBU’s Financial Affidavit, and a copy of official bank statement or letter that shows the full amount of funding for the studies).
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendations

There are some additional application requirements as well, which vary by each graduate program. Additional application requirements for some of the popular graduate programs at the university have been tabulated below:

Graduate Programs Transcripts and ELP scores LOR SOP/Resume Interview
Master of Business Administration Required Three Required Optional
Master of Science in Management and Entrepreneurship Required Two Required Required
Master of Education Required Three Required Required
Master of Arts in Philosophy Required Two Required Optional
Master of Arts in Psychology Required Two Required Optional
Master of Science in Human Resources Management Required Three Required Required
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Required Three Required Required

The college has a rolling admission application acceptance system with cutoffs given as per their semester system. It has an acceptance rate of around 70% which indicates that applicants need to carefully prepare their applications and follow the application deadlines. Needless to say that the completed applications receive a response earlier than the incomplete ones.

FAQ

Q: Which are the accepted English language proficiency test scores at Houston Baptist University required for the admissions of international candidates?

A: Houston Baptist University accepts English language proficiency test scores of TOEFL (both internet based and paper based), IELTS, PET Academic, Duolingo, CLT, SAT and/or ACT from international candidates for their admissions to both its undergraduate and graduate programmes.

Q: What are the other options available for international candidates to show proof of sufficient English skills to the exclusion of standardized test scores?

A: To the exclusion of the standardized test scores like TOEFL, IELTS, SAT and ACT, international candidates can show the proof of sufficient English skills required for their admissions to Houston Baptist University through any of the available other three options: completion of two classes of collegiate English taken from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States of America, certificate of completion from Language Consultants International (ESL program), and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent at an accredited institution of higher education whose medium of instruction is English.

Q: Are ACT and SAT scores required for admissions to undergraduate programmes at Houston Baptist University?

A: ACT and SAT scores will be required for international candidates if they want to be considered for any academic scholarships at Houston Baptist University. Moreover, ACT and SAT scores can also be used for proof of English proficiency. Therefore, they are highly encouraged to submit by HBU.

Q: Is it easy to get admission in the Houston Baptist University?

A: With an acceptance rate of 70%, it is moderately competitive to get admission in the Houston Baptist University.

Q: Are scholarships available for international students at the Houston Baptist University?

A: Houston Baptist University offers merit-based scholarships for international students on the basis of their admission applications.

Q: Are employment opportunities available for international students at the Houston Baptist University?

A: International students enrolled at Houston Baptist University are eligible for various employment opportunities available.