The Iris Exchange Program is a J-1 visa program. Students in the program pay the UMKC Base tuition rate. This program is available for 1 or 2 semesters. Students must be from an International Partner University to participate in the program. J-1 visa programs are designed to promote the exchange of knowledge and culture between countries. The ALI's Iris Exchange Program allows students to immerse themselves in a US American college environment to learn culture, language, and various fields of study.
Students who do not have a required proficiency test score as described below will enroll in Intensive English Program at the Applied Langauge Institute. Their placement within the Program will be determined by their ALI Online Placement Exam (CALIOPE) results.
To learn more about the IEP, check out our Intensive English - International page.
Students who provide a test score as described below will be allowed to join the ALI's Paseo Program. These students are required to enroll in ALI 160 and ENGL 110 their first semester.
Test Scores:
To learn more about the Paseo Program, check out our Paseo Program page.
Students who provide a test score as described below will be allowed to enroll in all academic courses. These students are also required to enroll in ALI 160 their first semester. ALI 160 will count toward their total credit hours.
Test Scores:
Multiple schools at UMKC participate in the Iris Program. Some of these schools have additonal requriements and limitations, others do not. 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 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 are restricted to 100- or 200-level courses. Students wanting to take higher level courses will only be approved by special arrangement. Contact the ALI for more information.
Students who plan to take any academic courses at UMKC should include a translated copy of their transcripts with their application materials. Transcripts will not be used for admissions purposes. They will be used by academic advisors to ensure students are prepared for certain academic classes at UMKC and are not repeating classes already taken at their home university.
J-1 visa holders are charged the following items:
The costs of IEP Only study for Spring 2025 are:
For a more detailed description of costs, check our our Program Costs page.
The Iris Program also includes Service-Learning opportunities and fun cultural experiences to provide an opportunity for students to practice English in a setting outside of the classroom.
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 over 500 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 it 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.
Every semester, the ALI plans activities designed to provide fun experiences while highlighting life in the United States.
Each semester, the ALI will plan two activities for J-1 students only. Additional activities will be planned for all ALI students. 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 to everyone that semester.
