Faqs
Frequently asked questions:
1. What degrees are offered at CIW? What are CIWs English requirements?
At CIW, associate degree students earn an “Associates Degree” in the specialty of International Business or International Accounting. Bachelor’s degree students earn a “Bachelor’s in Business Administration” in the specialty of International Business. For students to enter credit bearing courses taught by our American teachers, students must prove capable of understanding lecture, textbook readings, and homework assignments in English. Students who plan to go abroad must score at least a 500 on our in-house Language Proficiency Exam. Though the US Consulate does not have a minimum language requirement for visa issuance, our main campus and other US universities require international students meet a minimum language requirement or the students will need to take further ESL classes.
2. How many credits do students need to earn to graduate?
For the Associate degree- 76 credit hours (25 courses). For the Bachelor’s degree students need to earn 69 credit hours in addition to those earned during the Associate degree.
3. Are there any differences between the diplomas Chinese students earn in CIW to the ones domestic students receive in America?
CIW students receive the same American diploma as the students on the University of the Incarnate Word campus in the United States. The degrees earned are recognized the world over as a valid and authentic American Associate and Bachelor’s of Business Administration degrees. The educational program and degrees offered at CIW are well suited for students who plan to go abroad for further study (i.e. Master’s in Business Administration) and/or plan to work in multinational companies within China, in Chinese companies with international ventures or in foreign companies abroad.
4. What are the advantages of choosing to study at CIW?
⑴. CIW allows Chinese students to earn an American degree without leaving their home country or being too far away from their families.
⑵. Students save about 85 percent in tuition and living expenses each year by choosing to study at CIW rather than going abroad to earn the same degree.
⑶. Students are required to excel in English because the majority of their coursework is taught by American instructors in English.
⑷. At present after finishing their Associate degree, students have the opportunity to continue on to earn their Bachelor’s degree in International Business at CIW.
⑸. For students who want to go abroad, CIW advises in the search for study abroad programs and works with the students to prepare for the visa process. To date, CIW has been successful in sending thirteen CIW students to our main campus in the US to complete their Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees. At UIW, CIW students have the opportunity to take classes and interact with students from over 55 countries around the world.
⑹. CIW has close ties with the international business community in Guangdong. CIW works with these multinational companies to place our students in internships and post-graduation job positions.
⑺. CIW allows students to take 7 courses a semester. In the US, universities only allow students to take 6 courses a semester. CIW students usually finish their degree requirements one semester earlier than their American counterparts.
5. Can UIW be found on China’s Ministry of Education website?
Yes:
⑴. Open “People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Education Foreign Affairs Supervision and Management Network” at （http://www.jsj.edu.cn/）
⑵. Click on “overseas institutions inquiry”
⑶. Click on “Ministry of Education’s 33-Nation Schools’ Name List”
⑷. Click on “American Colleges and Universities”
⑸. Click on “Texas”
⑹. Then find “University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio)”
6. Are students allowed to apply to study at the main campus in America? Are there any special conditions or requirements? How will CIW help the student apply for the visa? Are there any restrictions for the visa application? If yes, what?
We encourage all of our students to apply for study at our main campus in the United States. Usually we recommend that they earn at least an Associate degree at our Chinese campus first before moving to our main campus in the US. This strengthens the possibility of receiving an American visa and it is defers a large portion of the cost of living abroad for four years. Students who go to our main campus are not required to take any more classes than their American counterparts. There are no special conditions or restrictions. CIW works with each individual student to prepare them for their move to the main campus as well as preparing them for their visa process. CIW provides application completion assistance, interview preparation, and communication support between the Chinese student and main campus.
7. Why are CIW’s fees more expensive than other domestic universities?
Because CIW must maintain the standards established by the higher education governing bodies in the United States, CIW must send qualified instructors and faculty-approved textbooks from the US. Though this makes our expenses comparatively higher than Chinese domestic universities, the cost of this American education is 85 percent less than studying at our main campus or a comparable campus in the US.
8. Will CIW give employment recommendations to students after they graduate? What are some current employment opportunities for students?
CIW has close ties with the international business community in South China. CIW works with these multinational companies to place our students in internships and post-graduation job positions. The American Chamber of Commerce of South China has worked closely with CIW administrators and faculty to place students in internship and professional job positions. CIW students have the opportunity to attend American Chamber of Commerce events and conferences. At these events, students have the opportunity to show off their translation skills and network with representatives from multinational companies.
9. If students want to study at UIW in the US, do they need to pay a deposit before getting their visa? If yes, how much do they need to pay?
Students who want to study abroad in the United States, either at UIW or any other school, must show that they have enough funds to support their education abroad. Either their parents or the students themselves must prove that enough money has been saved to cover not only tuition but the students’ living expenses. During the visa process, students are required to pay application fees (usually 100 US dollars each) to the US Consulate and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
10. Can students studying at CIW also earn domestic Associate degrees?
Yes, students at CIW may also earn these domestic degrees:
⑴. If students register for this program and complete requirements, Guangdong High Technical School has permission to offer senior technical school Associate degree diplomas as well as technical certification upon graduation (according to the Guangdong Provincial Government Article [2001] 98).
⑵. If students enroll in the Adult Degree Entrance Exam and pass, Guangzhou Science and Vocational College can offer associate degrees in same (or similar) majors. Students must formally register in this program and complete requirements. UIW, Guangzhou Science and Vocational College, and Guangdong High Technical School recognize each others’ credits, providing students with a unique opportunity to gain both foreign and domestic degrees.
