• Degree-Seeking International Students
• Non-Degree International Students
• English Proficiency Exams

Please contact the department you are interested in applying to prior to completing the application. Departmental deadlines vary and some departments may require a preliminary application.

In order for your graduate degree application to be reviewed for admission, all of the required documents must be submitted to the department to which you are applying prior to their application deadline. For more information regarding deadlines and requirements, please contact the department.

We recommend that you follow up with the department to ensure that all supporting documents were received for review. Once the department reviews your completed application and all of the accompanying documents, they will send your file to the Division of Graduate Education (DGE) with their recommended admission decision. The DGE then reviews your application and issues a formal decision letter.

International Students must submit the following application materials:

• a completed Application for Graduate Admission;
• a nonrefundable application fee payment of $50 for online applications or $60 for paper applications;
• official transcripts reflecting all baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate work with official English transaltion;
• official degree certificate from each college or university from which a degree was received with official Engish translations;
• three letters of recommendation;
• official entrance exam scores (contact department for requirements);
• official English proficiency exam score report;
• a completed and signed Financial Certificate including proof of available funds (items such as a certified bank statement, certificate of deposit or other verified document). In the case of a sponsor, the document should be accompanied with a letter indicating support;
• a letter of intent or essay, if required by the academic department.

Application Deadlines

Each department sets its own application deadlines. Contact the department to which you are applying for their specific deadlines.

Entrance Exam Requirements

Please contact the department to which you are applying for information regarding their entrance exam requirements.

If the department requires an entrance exam, the DGE must receive an official score report from the specific testing agency. Unofficial score reports may be used to initiate the application process. However, if accepted, registration will be prohibited until an official score report is received.

If an official score report is not obtainable, a score report will be accepted directly from another accredited academic institution.

• do not wish to pursue a graduate program leading to an advanced degree at MSU but wish to take courses;
• have been denied regular or provisional admission;
• have non-degree standing through the recommendation of the department or the DGE;
• whose formal degree application is pending final action;
• who applied too late to be admitted for the intended term;
• who wish to apply for the teacher certification program, Northern Plains Transition to Teaching, or Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate.

International students must submit the following application materials:

• a completed Application for Graduate Admission;
• a nonrefundable application fee payment of $50 for online applications or $60 for paper applications;
• official transcripts and bachelor’s degree certificate with official English translation;
• official English proficiency exam score report;
• a completed and signed Financial Certificate including proof of available funds (items such as a certified bank statement, certificate of deposit or other verified document). In the case of a sponsor, the document should be accompanied with a letter indicating support.

International graduate students and non-degree status

International students will be accepted as non-degree graduate students for a maximum of one year.

Deadlines

International non-degree applications must be submitted approximately 75 days prior to the start of the term to ensure enough time for the issuance of an I-20. Specific deadlines for non-degree international applicants are as follows:

• Fall Semester:               May 15
• Spring Semester:           October 1
• Summer Semester:        February 1

English Proficiency Exam
International applicants to both degree and non-degree status must submit an official English proficiency exam score report.  The accepted exams and minimum required scores are as follows:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• 80 (internet based test)
• 213 (computer based test)
• 550 (paper based test)
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• 7.0 (minimum band score)

Some departments may require higher scores.  International student requirements for teaching assistantships are addressed in the section on Graduate Assistantships.

English proficiency exam scores are not required if:

• English is the first official language of the applicant's country of citizenship, or
• the applicant has received an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in the United States.

If sending official TOEFL or IELTS scores, please have them sent directly from ETS (Educational Testing Service) or the IELTS to Montana State University. Unofficial score reports may be used to initiate the application process.  However, if accepted, registration will be prohibited until an official score report is received.  Photocopies of the TOEFL may be accepted from the student and will be verified by ETS for accuracy.
For information regarding the TOEFL, please view the website www.toefl.org.

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 01/08/09