International students must follow all of the standard application procedures listed above. In addition, a completed, certified financial statement confirming the availability of adequate financial support must be attached to the application form. An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score must be sent directly to the College of Graduate Studies and Research from the testing service, as explained in the following section. Examinee's copies of TOEFL scores will not be accepted. Unofficial transcripts and application materials are unacceptable. Transcript evaluation by an approved evaluation agency is required for most academic programs.
Because of the procedures required to determine English competency and the additional administrative time required, it is absolutely necessary that international student applications for graduate study be complete no later than three months before the beginning of the semester in which the student wishes to enroll. All official transcripts, official test scores, letters of recommendation, financial statement and background sheet must be in the student's file in the College of Graduate Studies and Research three months before the beginning of the term of anticipated entry. International students planning to attend Minnesota State University, Mankato should plan to arrive on campus at least one week before classes begin to participate in the required orientation program coordinated by the Office of International Students. There is no summer admission for international students.
International students are required to enroll for a full-time graduate student course load (6 semester credits).
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants whose native language is not English and who have not recently graduated from an educational institution in the U.S. or an English speaking nation.
Applications for the TOEFL can be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Only official scores sent directly to the College of Graduate Studies and Research by the Educational Testing Service are acceptable.
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their ability to study in English by submitting a score of 500 or higher on the paper version, 173 or higher on the computer version. Prior completion of English coursework at other U.S. colleges does not exempt the student from submitting TOEFL results. Some academic programs have higher TOEFL minimum scores than are noted above.
The office serves international students by advising students about academic, immigration, personal, social and financial issues. There are approximately 600 international students representing more than 70 countries at MSU. The Office of International Students serves as the official contact agent between the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, other government agencies, and the University community.
The ISO also processes immigration paper work for faculty from abroad in J-1 status.
The Office of International Students coordinates and implements international social and cultural activities on campus and within the Mankato community.
Health and Accident insurance is required for all international students and their dependents studying at Minnesota State University on an F-1 or J-1 Visa. All newly arrived international students are required to subscribe to the University's designated health plan prior to enrollment. Health insurance is required for the entire period of study at Minnesota State University - including the summer. Any exception or waiver can only be granted by the ISO Health Insurance Committee.
All new and transfer international students are required to attend a New Student Orientation program before they receive authorization to register for classes. An orientation fee will be charged to each new international student who enrolls at MSU.
All new and transfer students whose native language is not English are required to take the English Placement Examination prior to enrolling in classes. This applies to both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to transfer students. Based on student performance students may be required to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, beginning their first semester on campus, until authorized by the ESL instructor as eligible to enroll in English Composition 101 or waived of further requirements in case of graduate students. If a student fails to meet this requirement, a hold will be placed on the student's records. ESL for undergraduate students is not a substitute for English Composition 101 for general education requirements. Questions concerning ESL can be referred to the Department of Modern Languages at 389-2116.
The University requires all new international students to register and complete the course: "International Students in Higher Education" during their first semester on campus. Students who have attended other U.S. institutions for more than one year are waived from this requirement. The course is offered through the College of Education.
