Apply to Cal Lutheran
Congratulations on your decision to pursue studies at Cal Lutheran!
We are excited to welcome you to our campus. Exchange students are valued members of our university community, and we welcome students from universities around the world to study with us for a semester or academic year.
Cal Lutheran hosts exchange students through partner university agreements as well as independent J-1 exchange students who meet program eligibility requirements.
Students applying through a partner university should consult with their home-institution advisor regarding nomination procedures. Students interested in applying independently may inquire directly with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) for eligibility guidance.
Here's a brochure for more information about our campus and Why Choose Cal Lutheran!
For any nomination or application questions, please contact international@CalLutheran.eduSTEP 1: Determine Your Exchange Pathway
-> Partner Exchange Students (Cal Lutheran Partner Universities)
Students from the listed Cal Lutheran Exchange Partners may be nominated by their home institution to apply as an exchange student to Cal Lutheran. Cal Lutheran's Exchange Partners:
- Austria: FH Joanneum
- Scotland: University of Aberdeen
- Japan: Kansai Gaidai University
- Sweden: Kristianstad University
Please consult the Cal Lutheran Admissions website for more info
-> Independent J-1 Exchange Students
Students enrolled at international universities who are not applying through a Cal Lutheran partner exchange agreement may apply as independent J-1 exchange students for one or two semesters. Requirements:
- Currently enrolled at a university outside the United States
- Meet Cal Lutheran academic and English proficiency requirements
- Demonstrate sufficient financial support: In accordance with J-1 Exchange Visitor Program guidelines, at least 51% of a student’s financial support must come from a source other than personal or family funds (i.e. government scholarships or sponsorships, home university funding or scholarships, employer sponsorship, or international scholarship programs).
For minimum funding requirements, please refer to "Fees & Expenses"
STEP 2: Nomination or Eligibility Confirmation
-> Partner Exchange Students (Cal Lutheran Partner Universities)
Exchange students from partner universities must first be nominated by their home institution before completing or submitting application materials. Nomination deadlines:
- Spring Term: October 18
- Fall Term: March 15
Home institutions email candidate nominations to international@CalLutheran.edu
-> Independent J-1 Exchange Students
Confirm Eligibility with OISS: Students interested in applying independently should first contact the International Office to confirm eligibility for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
Please email the following information to international@callutheran.edu:
- Full Name
- Home University
- Field of Study
- Intended term of study (Fall or Spring)
- Brief description of funding sources
The OISS will review eligibility and provide instructions for submitting the exchange application.
STEP 3: Submit the Cal Lutheran Exchange Application
After nomination (partner students) or eligibility confirmation (independent applicants), students will receive access to the online exchange application. Applicants will submit supporting documents:
- Official transcripts
- Copy of your passport's identity page
- Certificate of Financial Support (COFS). Note: Independent J-1 applicants (only) must demonstrate that at least 51% of their funding comes from a source other than personal funds.
Once all materials are submitted, reviewed, and admission is confirmed, exchange students will receive an email confirmation with DS-2019 form and visa information. Students will also receive a MyCLU username and password, along with information about submitting their housing deposit. Application deadlines:
- Spring Term: November 1
- Fall Term: April 3
For proposed course selection, please refer to "Course Registration"