University of the Cumberlands: A Home for International Students

The University of the Cumberlands (UC) offers a welcoming and supportive environment for international students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees in the United States. Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, UC distinguishes itself as a regional institution with a global perspective, providing a diverse and community-focused campus life.

Getting Started: Admission and Visa Process

For prospective international undergraduate students, the journey begins with completing the Cumberlands application. This involves submitting all required documents, including transcript evaluations and translations, alongside proof of English proficiency.

Required Documents for International Students

Cumberlands application for on-campus undergraduate study.
Transcripts from institutions outside of the United States must be evaluated by one of the transcript evaluation services: World Education Services (WES), International Education Research Foundation (IERF), Educational Perspectives (EP), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), SpanTran or InCRED (Student-Athletes).
English proficiency scores

Demonstrating English Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate their fluency through standardized tests. The university accepts the following:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): A minimum score of 65 (note: as of January 21, 2026, the TOEFL scoring system will update to a 1-6 point scale, with the new equivalent score being a 4).
IELTS (International English Language Testing System): A minimum score of 6.
Duolingo: A minimum score of 100.

I-20 Form and Visa Application

After receiving an admission decision and paying the enrollment deposit, students must complete the I-20 request form through UC Global. This requires uploading a bank statement demonstrating sufficient funding for the year. If a sponsor is providing financial support, an Affidavit of Support must also be completed. Once the I-20 form is processed, students can request their official I-20 through MyEduDocs.

Preparing for the visa interview is crucial. Applicants should research common interview questions and check appointment wait times at their respective embassies. After visa approval, travel arrangements can be made.

Graduate Admission Requirements

Prospective graduate students have similar requirements regarding transcripts and English language fluency. Official transcripts demonstrating the level of education completed (high school or postsecondary) must be submitted. Transcripts from institutions in the United States may be sent directly from the institution.

Maintaining F-1 Status

International students should familiarize themselves with the F-1 visa process and how to maintain their status.

Campus Life: Finding a Home Away From Home

University of the Cumberlands prides itself on offering a vibrant and supportive campus environment. With over 40 countries represented, the international community finds a strong sense of belonging.

A Welcoming Community

Many events promote international student involvement and cultural exchange. International Food Nights provide opportunities to share traditional dishes and taste meals from other countries. International Worship Nights and conferences like Connect bring together international students from various college campuses. Table talks hosted by the Diversity & Inclusion Department encourage discussions on diverse topics in small groups.

Support System

UC provides comprehensive support for international students, assisting with documentation and transcripts from the application process through graduation. Students can seek help with various aspects of their academic and personal lives, from obtaining a driver's license to finding on-campus jobs and learning about graduate programs.

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Housing

Living on campus offers a safe environment for growth and development. Whether seeking high-energy hangouts or quiet relaxation, students can find their niche at Cumberlands.

Academic Programs and Opportunities

The University of the Cumberlands offers a range of undergraduate degrees in over 40 major fields of study, along with pre-professional, graduate, and doctoral programs.

Curriculum

Undergraduate programs require students to complete a specific number of credit hours, including general education courses, major-specific courses, and electives.

Career Services

UC offers robust career services to help graduates secure employment, including resume workshops, interview preparation, and job placement assistance.

Executive Programs

University of the Cumberlands Executive Programs are designed to meet the need of both international and domestic students seeking graduate degrees.Executive Program students take three (3) courses per semester. The program semester is based on the existing UC semester calendar, with three (3) annual semesters: fall, spring, and summer. Two of the courses each semester focus on the specific program content. Additionally, students will be required to attend an intensive residency weekend as part of their course enrollment each term. Residency session locations include Dallas, Detroit, Newark, NKY, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C.

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Residency Courses

To find the RESIDENCY courses, utilize the advanced search function and filter by building. To find online courses, you will have to remove this filter and search by “Part of Term” for first bi-term and second bi-term. INTR courses will be in the full term, but will not have a building code. Additionally, all dissertation courses are in the full term and not offered in bi-term (8 week) format.The 3 credit hour residency courses (full-term courses) also have section numbers that are associated with their location.

It is required to register for (one) main class, (one) online class, and Applied Learning Practicum each semester in order to maintain F1 status - late registration will not be accepted and can result in the termination of student status.

Once registered for a class, the residency weekend that the class is scheduled for is the only session for that class that will be scheduled for the semester. Registration is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. These dates have been set, however, if any changes are made they will be made prior to registration for that semester.

Semester schedule can be viewed in the self-service portal in Student Profile. Once logged into the myUC account, click on Academics and then Current Schedule. The schedule details will indicate the date and location of the residency weekend.

Residency Sessions

Residency Session dates are determined by the course that is registered for. The sessions meet one weekend each semester during the same scheduled hours. All three days are mandatory and requests to arrive late or leave early will not be approved. A missed session will result in a make-up session, and a $300 session charge. Sessions are held on the Williamsburg campus. Late registration is not accepted.

Student Life and Activities

Beyond academics, UC offers a fulfilling student life with various activities and organizations.

Athletics

UC boasts 30 NAIA men’s and women’s athletic teams that compete for conference and national championships.

Alumni

The Alumni Association presents Distinguished Alumni Awards each year to alumni whose exceptional achievements and careers reflect the highest values embraced and promoted by the University.

Overcoming Challenges: Support for Non-Traditional Students

UC provides support for students from all walks of life, including those returning to education after years away.

A Personal Experience

One student shared their experience of returning to school at 32, overcoming initial fears and finding support from professors who believed in their potential. Despite the challenges of balancing work, family, and studies, the student found the experience worthwhile, achieving a high GPA and nearing graduation with three degrees.

Encouragement and Advice

The student encourages others to believe in themselves, avoid self-doubt, and have fun while pursuing their education. They emphasize that it is never too late to pursue higher education and that the hard work is worth it.

Financial Matters

The UC Office of Student Accounts manages student accounts and billing, providing information on tuition statements, payments, payment plans, and payment due dates. Students can review their webpage for additional information. If satisfactory payment is not set up prior to the third week of classes, students will be auto-enrolled into a payment plan.

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