The Iris Program is an exclusive program, only offered to students from UMKC's International Partnerships. Depending on English Proficiency levels, students can take English language courses, academic courses, or both.

Iris Program English Proficiency Requirements

Student's English Level* ALI Courses Undergraduate SHSS, SSE, SESWPS, or Bloch Courses
ALI Level 5
or TOEFL 61/ IELTS 5.5
None COMM-ST 209 plus 9-12 credits
ALI Level 4 6-8 credits 6-9 credits
ALI Levels 1-3 12 credits N/A

*ALI levels are determined through CALIOPE, our online placement exam 

 

Cost: $5,3161, plus health insurance2.

1. Includes tuition, English proficiency placement exam, and university student fees for 12 credit hours. Cost will be higher for students who enroll in more credit hours. 
2. International students are required to purchase health insurance through UMKC. For further cost information, see our Program Cost page


Application Materials

  • ALI Application (PDF)
  • The Affidavit of Support (PDF) if the account is NOT your own. This must be signed and dated.
  • Bank Statement: translated into English, signed or stamped by the bank, states the name of the account holder, states the type of account. The statement must show funds available as follows:
    • 1 Semester (16 weeks) (Fall or Spring) = $15,447
    • Fall & Spring = $30,412
    • Please contact the ALI for bank statement amounts for late start dates
  • A copy of your passport photo page
  • Personal statement outlining your goals for study at UMKC
  • Students interested in academic study should be prepared to submit transcripts upon request.

Iris Program Components

The Iris Program is a J-1 visa program. This program is available for 1 or 2 semesters. Students can request official transcripts from UMKC after they complete their program. Official transcripts are $60 per transcript per student. This cost covers shipping and processing. Students must request their transcripts through the UMKC Registrar webpage

 

Intensive English Courses

students in classroom

Students who do not have a TOEFL 61 or IELTS 5.5 or above, and do not test into Level 5 on the ALI's Online Placement Exam will need to take at least one Intensive English course. The exact number of IEP courses required will depend on their exam results. 

Learn more about Intensive English clases at the ALI here

Service-Learning

students preparing materials

ALI's Service-Learning program provides students with the opportunity to practice English in a real-world setting while learning more about U.S. culture. 

Since the start of the Service-Learning program in Fall 2021, ALI faculty, staff, and students have completed 394 hours of service at 15 local organizations. Learn more about where we've served in the Kansas City area here

The Iris Program is a J-1 Exchange Program, this means that is must include social and cultural elements, like volunteer opportunities. For this reason, all Iris Program students are required to complete at least 6 hours of volunteering/service each semester. The ALI will schedule meetings and be available by email to Iris Program students to discuss service projects. The ALI will provide a Community Service Verification form online and via email for students to get signed by the orgnizations they volunteer with. Students will receive a Service Verification letter from the ALI at the end of the semester. Partner universities can request a list of students who complete service hours and their number of hours at the end of the semester. 

Academic Courses

students in classroom

In order to take all academic courses, students must provide TOEFL 61 or IELTS 5.5 or higher. If they do not have TOEFL or IELTS scores, they can take the ALI's Online Placement Exam. If they test into Level 5, then they can take all academic courses. 

Students taking academic courses can take courses in SHSS, SSE, SESWPS, and/or the Bloch School. Students interested in SSE and certain Bloch classes will be required to take a math placement exam to ensure readiness for coursework. Students interested in SESWPS and Bloch courses will be limited to pre-approved course options. Students can learn more about requirements and limitations when meeting with their academic advisor. 

Learn more about the Schools at UMKC that participate in the Iris Program:

Students testing into Level 4 may only take 100-level courses. Students testing into Level 5 can take 200-level courses. Students wanting to take higher level courses will only be approved by special arrangement. Contact the ALI for more information. 

Activities

students in a sunflower field

Every semester, the ALI plans activities designed to provide fun experiences while highlighting life in the United States. At the beginning of the semester, students will be presented with a list of activity options and their costs and they will help determine which activities the ALI will offer that semester. 

Other Iris Programs

The ALI offers specialized Iris programs for those interested in Teacher training and Law.

Iris Programs are for J-1 visa holders for one or two semesters. The Iris Program for Teachers is designed for one semester, but it can be extended to two semesters under special conditions. We offer three types of programs depending on teachers’ English proficiency. Proficiency is determined by the results of our online placement exam (CALIOPE). If students test below 30, we suggest they participate in the Iris Program for students.

CALIOPE 50+ CALIOPE 40-49 CALIOPE 30-39
Participating in ALI courses is optional Must enroll in one ALI course Must enroll in two ALI courses
Audit up to 9 credit hours
in Teaching and Curriculum Studies
Audit up to 6 credit hours
in Teaching and Curriculum Studies
Audit up to 3 credit hours in Teaching and Curriculum Studies
Students with graduate degrees can meet researchers in their discipline Students with graduate degrees can meet researchers in their discipline Students with graduate degrees can meet researchers in their discipline
Participate in conferences and events offered by the Kansas City Professional Development Council and UMKC's Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence Participate in conferences and events offered by the Kansas City Professional Development Council and UMKC's Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence Participate in conferences and events offered UMKC's Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence

  

Additional Cost Information

Books for undergraduate coursework will cost about $250. 

Living expenses will cost approximately $1,000 - $2,000 per month, depending on personal choices about where to live and shop and how to travel around the city.

Official transcripts costs $60 per transcript per student. This cost covers shipping and processing fees. 

Iris Program: Law

This program is an extension of the Iris Program: American Studies track, but students will take courses in the pre-law track. To take one or two courses through the School of Law, students must test into Level 5 and study for two semesters. Students with higher levels of English proficiency will also have opportunities to take law courses and to visit court rooms in Kansas City. School of Law coursework will only be available in the second semester.1

  1. The ALI will consider special requests for partner students to take law coursework in the first semester if they meet the School of Law’s English proficiency requirements.

Additional Cost Information

Books for Law courses will be more expensive than those for undergraduate classes. The exact cost depends on what classes you take. 

Living expenses will cost approximately $1,000 - $2,000 per month, depending on personal choices about where to live and shop and how to travel around the city.

Official transcripts costs $60 per transcript per student. This cost covers shipping and processing fees.