Most CGES undergraduate courses meet for 8-week terms, with onsite classes typically scheduled 1-2 nights per week in the evenings at the local site. A full-time student generally takes 6 or more credit hours per 8-week term, which usually translates to 2-3 classes per term. First-time freshmen typically complete their degree in about 4 years if enrolled full-time.

You must submit the free online application (approximately 15 minutes to complete), provide proof of secondary education sent directly to CMU, and submit official transcripts from any post-secondary institutions. You will also need to demonstrate English proficiency—the minimum Duolingo English Test score required is 95. Additional required documents include a Financial Statement and Affidavit of Support, an International Student Financial Aid Application, a letter from your sponsor’s bank confirming sufficient funds, and a housing/enrollment deposit.

You must meet one of two pathways: either achieve a high school GPA of 2.75 while completing a college preparatory curriculum, or achieve a high school GPA between 2.5 and 2.74 with a minimum ACT score of 21 (or receive committee approval). Students with a GPA below 2.5 and an ACT below 22 require special committee approval. The required high school curriculum includes 4 units of English, 3 units of Math (Algebra 1 or above), 3 units of Science (with one laboratory course), and 3 units of Social Science.

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov and designate Central Methodist University as a recipient using our Title IV school code 002453. To receive priority consideration for CMU scholarships and grant funds, your FAFSA should be filed by February 1. Awards are made once you have been accepted for admission and the FAFSA results have been received by the Office of Financial Assistance. Financial aid must be renewed annually by filing a new FAFSA.

The Central Methodist University Scholarship for Incoming Freshmen is available to both domestic and international students studying on the Fayette campus who enroll full-time. The award amount varies based on your cumulative GPA and/or ACT scores, with a typical award of

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to work in the United States for up to 12 months in a job directly related to their field of study after completing their degree. Students in eligible STEM majors may apply for a 24-month extension, providing a total of 36 months of post-graduation work authorization. OPT employment must be full-time (40 hours per week) and applications must be received by USCIS before the degree is officially completed.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization that must be completed before you graduate and is part of your major curriculum—typically a paid or unpaid internship, practicum, or cooperative education program that requires a signed agreement with your employer. OPT, in contrast, can be completed either before graduation (Pre-completion OPT) or after graduation (Post-completion OPT). An important restriction: if you accumulate 12 months or more of full-time CPT, you become ineligible for OPT.