Texas State University is a multipurpose university with an enrollment of over 27,000 students. Located at the foot of the Texas Hill Country, Texas State enjoys a setting that is unique among Texas universities. The beauty of the crystal-clear San Marcos River and many sprawling cypress and pecan trees on the campus add to the charm of this picturesque locale.

Texas State maintains an atmosphere where faculty and students take the processes of teaching and learning seriously. As a result, Texas State is increasingly becoming known for its outstanding Graduate College. If you're the type of student who won't settle for anything but excellence, we invite you to consider the Texas State Graduate College.

Texas State has an exceptional graduate faculty. They are active in research and publishing; many are consultants to industry, government, and education. The graduate can expect close interactions with the faculty in a variety of academic and laboratory settings. You will find we care about you at Texas State University.

Educational experiences include opportunities to meet, hear, and learn from leaders in their fields who come to Texas State as speakers and consultants. Research opportunities and internships broaden and enliven the curriculum, and some programs offer international study opportunities.

Graduate students are from throughout the United States and other nations. Some come straight from college; others return after years in a job or profession. They represent different ethnic groups, religions, and interests. Their diversity adds perspective to class discussions and multicultural opportunities to campus life.

The International Office provides a variety of services to approximately 500 international students currently enrolled at Texas State. The primary responsibility of the office is to act as the official international student advisor for all visa and other immigrations issues. An individual orientation interview is held with each new student to determine needs and to answer questions. The office is a continuing source of information, advising/counseling, and social services relevant to international students.

To apply for admission to a degree program you must have:

• A baccalaureate degree from an acceptable accredited institution and a recognized 4-year program either abroad or in the United States.
• At least a 2.75 Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale for most programs on the last 60 hours of undergraduate courses before earning a bachelor's degree.
• An Application for Admission.
• A $50 non-refundable International Evaluation Fee (check or money order payable to Texas State in U.S. currency).
• A $40 non-refundable degree seeking application fee (check or money order payable to Texas State in U.S. currency) for all applicants applying.
• Transcripts: Applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an acceptable accredited institution and a recognized 4-year program either abroad or in the United States. We require two official transcripts from every college or university attended: one translated into English and one in the native language. To insure acceptance of your transcripts, please make sure the University Registrar verifies the transcripts with their official signature and university seals. The official transcripts need to be placed in university sealed envelopes, with the university stamp affixed to the envelope and mailed directly to the Office of the Graduate College.
• Diploma: Applicant must submit two official diplomas or degree certificates: one translated into English and one in the native language, showing the type of degree(s) earned and the date of the degree(s), verified by the Registrar of the university with their official signature and seal affixed to the copies. The copies need to be placed in the university sealed envelopes, with the university stamp affixed to the envelope and mailed directly to the Office of the Graduate College.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required to apply to the Graduate College if English is not your native language. You must have an official score on file in the office of the Graduate College before your application is evaluated.  Scores must be sent directly to the office of the Graduate College from the Educational Testing Center with at least:
  • Paper-Based – 550 minimum
  • Computer-Based – 213 minimum
  • Internet-Based Test minimums – 78 total score with the 4 minimum section scores of 19/reading, 19/listening, 19/speaking, and 18/writing
  • IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 or higher with minimum individual module scores of 6.0
    

          If your TOEFL score is below the minimum score but falls between the
          following scores then you may apply to the Texas State Intensive English
          (TSIE) Bridge program:

• Paper-Based – between 500-547
• Computer-Based – between 173-210
• Internet-Based Test minimums – between 59-77 total score with the 4 minimum section scores of at least 14/reading, 14/listening, 14/speaking, and 14/writing
• IELTS (Academic) - 5.5-6.0
  

• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required if you are applying to the Business Administration program or the Accounting program. The admission index is determined by a combination of the applicant's GMAT test score and grade point average of the first bachelor's degree. A minimum GMAT score of 450 is required. An acceptable admission index is based on one of two formulas. Using the first formula, the applicant must achieve at least 1,050 points as a result of multiplying 200 times the GPA based on the last 60 semester hours of the first bachelor's degree and adding the GMAT score. Using the second formula, the applicant must achieve at least 1000points as a result of multiplying 200 times the overall GPA of the first bachelor's degree and adding the GMAT score.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required if you are applying to a master's program other than Business Administration or Accounting.  The minimum score depends on your program of study.
• Test of Spoken English (TSE)/Test of Written (TWE) is required if you are seeking an MA or MEd with a major in History degree, you must have a score of at least a 45 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) must be on file in the Graduate College prior to the evaluation of your application. Note: The TSE is required of international History applicants who are native speakers of English as well as non-native speakers of English. If you will be seeking an MPA degree, you must have a score of 3 on the TWE that must be on file prior to the evaluation of your MPA application.  Note: The TWE is required of international MPA applicants who are native speakers of English as well as non-native speakers of English.
• Financial support verification if you need an F-1 visa.

To apply for Teacher Certification admission, you must submit:

• An Application for Admission.
• A $50 non-refundable International Evaluation Fee (check or money order payable to Texas State in U.S. currency).
• A $10 non-refundable application fee (check or money order payable to Texas State in U.S. currency).
• Transcripts: Applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an acceptable accredited institution and a recognized 4-year program either abroad or in the United States. We require two official transcripts from every college or university attended: one translated into English and one in the native language. To insure acceptance of your transcripts, please make sure the University Registrar verifies the transcripts with their official signature and university seals. The official transcripts need to be placed in university sealed envelopes, with the university stamp affixed to the envelope and mailed directly to the Office of the Graduate College.
• Diploma: Applicant must submit two official diplomas or degree certificates: one translated into English and one in the native language, showing the type of degree(s) earned and the date of the degree(s), verified by the Registrar of the university with their official signature and seal affixed to the copies. The copies need to be placed in the university sealed envelopes, with the university stamp affixed to the envelope and mailed directly to the Office of the Graduate College.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required to apply to the Graduate College if English is not your native language. You must have an official score on file in the office of the Graduate College before your application is evaluated.  Scores must be sent directly to the office of the Graduate College from the Educational Testing Center with at least:
  • Paper-Based – 550 minimum
  • Computer-Based – 213 minimum
  • Internet-Based Test minimums – 78 total score with the 4 minimum section scores of 19/reading, 19/listening, 19/speaking, and 18/writing
  • IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 or higher with minimum individual module scores of 6.0
    

          If your TOEFL score is below the minimum score but falls between the
          following scores then you may apply to the Texas State Intensive English
          (TSIE) Bridge program:

• Paper-Based – between 500-547
• Computer-Based – between 173-210
• Internet-Based Test minimums – between 59-77 total score with the 4 minimum section scores of at least 14/reading, 14/listening, 14/speaking, and 14/writing
• IELTS (Academic) - 5.5-6.0
  

• Financial support verification if you need an F-1 visa.

To apply for Certificate, Certification, or Non-Degree Seeking Student admission, you must submit:

• An Application for Admission.
• A $50 non-refundable International Evaluation Fee (check or money order payable to Texas State in U.S. currency)
• A $10 non-refundable application fee (check or money order payable to Texas State in U.S. currency).
• Transcripts: Applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an acceptable accredited institution and a recognized 4-year program either abroad or in the United States. We require two official transcripts from every college or university attended: one translated into English and one in the native language. To insure acceptance of your transcripts, please make sure the University Registrar verifies the transcripts with their official signature and university seals. The official transcripts need to be placed in university sealed envelopes, with the university stamp affixed to the envelope and mailed directly to the Office of the Graduate College.
• Diploma: Applicant must submit two official diplomas or degree certificates: one translated into English and one in the native language, showing the type of degree(s) earned and the date of the degree(s), verified by the Registrar of the university with their official signature and seal affixed to the copies. The copies need to be placed in the university sealed envelopes, with the university stamp affixed to the envelope and mailed directly to the Office of the Graduate College.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required to apply to the Graduate College if English is not your native language. You must have an official score on file in the office of the Graduate College before your application is evaluated.  Scores must be sent directly to the office of the Graduate College from the Educational Testing Center with at least:
  • Paper-Based – 550 minimum
  • Computer-Based – 213 minimum
  • Internet-Based Test minimums – 78 total score with the 4 minimum section scores of 19/reading, 19/listening, 19/speaking, and 18/writing
  • IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 or higher with minimum individual module scores of 6.0
    

          If your TOEFL score is below the minimum score but falls between the
          following scores then you may apply to the Texas State Intensive English
          (TSIE) Bridge program:

• Paper-Based – between 500-547
• Computer-Based – between 173-210
• Internet-Based Test minimums – between 59-77 total score with the 4 minimum section scores of at least 14/reading, 14/listening, 14/speaking, and 14/writing
• IELTS (Academic) - 5.5-6.0
  

• Financial support verification if you need an F-1 visa.

To apply for Visiting Student admission, you must submit:

• An Application for Admission.
• A $10 non-refundable application fee (check or money order payable to Texas State in U.S. currency)
• Complete a Visiting Student Form.

a.        Obtain approval from the institution granting the degree giving the student permission to transfer the course(s) and approval from the Graduate Advisor at Texas State.

b.        An Application for Admission.

• Return the Visiting Student Form signed and completed with all signatures for the Texas State Graduate Dean's approval to the Office of the Graduate College three weeks prior to registration.
• Complete a new Visiting Student Form prior to enrollment each semester.
• Submit a letter from your primary university advisor stating that you are maintaining your immigration status. This letter is to be submitted to the International Office.
• Financial support verification if you need an F-1 visa

International Students Transferring from Other Institutions in the United States:
Because of new Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations governing school transfers, students must plan carefully and allow adequate time for submission of application materials, evaluation of the application, and making other necessary arrangements. Failure to plan carefully may require students to leave the United States and return before transferring to Texas State. Please carefully read items 1 to 7 below.

1. Students transferring to Texas State from another Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) institution in the United States should verify the procedures to transfer out with the appropriate Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school. A DSO in the international student office of the current school will assign a release date to the SEVIS record for students who have decided to attend Texas State.
2. Following the release date, the Texas State International Office will be able to issue a SEVIS Form I-20. According to BCIS regulations, students must transfer to Texas State within 60 days of the release date or within 60 days of completing studies at the current school.
3. Students are required to start classes at Texas State during the semester indicated in the admission letter issued by the Office of the Graduate College and within 5 months from the release date. Students unable to begin classes at Texas State within the 5-month limit are required to leave the United States and reenter within 30 days before the program start date indicated on the Texas State I-20.
4. New Texas State transfer students are required to contact a DSO at the Texas State International Office no later than 15 days after the program start date listed on the SEVIS Form I-20 and in the admission letter issued by the Office of the Graduate College.
5. After a new transfer student has enrolled in classes at Texas State, the DSO at Texas State will update the student's file to reflect the student's enrollment and current address. The student must report to the International Office within five days after the 12th day of class in order to complete the transfer process.
6. If the current school is a non SEVIS school, students should contact the Texas State International Office as soon as they have made their final decision to attend Texas State, but no later than 15 days after the program start date indicated on the SEVIS Form I-20 and in the admission letter.
7. Finally, BCIS regulations and procedures change frequently. Therefore, students should contact the DSO's at their current school and at Texas State for any updates in transfer procedures. If you have any questions regarding transfer procedures, please contact the Texas State International office at International@txstate.edu or call 512-245-7966.

If you are applying for a student visa to obtain an I-20, please read the information below.

Application deadlines:

It is imperative that you adhere to the deadline, especially if you are applying for an I-20 to obtain an F-1 Student Visa. The deadlines are as follows:

Some programs have earlier deadlines and specific semester admission. Specific deadlines are also listed at the Graduate College web site. Specific programs may require higher standards than the minimum requirements for admissions to Graduate College. Admission requirements for specific programs are available on the web at graduate-college/Prospect_Students/Pgms_Apps.html.

Examination Requirements:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required to apply to the Graduate College if English is not your native language. You must have an official score on file in the office of the Graduate College before your application is evaluated.  Scores must be sent directly to the office of the Graduate College from the Educational Testing Center with at least:
  • Paper-Based – 550 minimum
  • Computer-Based – 213 minimum
  • Internet-Based Test minimums – 78 total score with the 4 minimum section scores of 19/reading, 19/listening, 19/speaking, and 18/writing
  • IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 or higher with minimum individual module scores of 6.0
    

          If your TOEFL score is below the minimum score but falls between the
          following scores then you may apply to the Texas State Intensive English
          (TSIE) Bridge program:

• Paper-Based – between 500-547
• Computer-Based – between 173-210
• Internet-Based Test minimums – between 59-77 total score with the 4 minimum section scores of at least 14/reading, 14/listening, 14/speaking, and 14/writing
• IELTS (Academic) - 5.5-6.0
  

• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required if you are applying to the Business Administration program or the Accounting program. The admission index is determined by a combination of the applicant's GMAT test score and grade point average of the first bachelor's degree. A minimum GMAT score of 450 is required. An acceptable admission index is based on one of two formulas. Using the first formula, the applicant must achieve at least 1,050 points as a result of multiplying 200 times the GPA based on the last 60 semester hours of the first bachelor's degree and adding the GMAT score. Using the second formula, the applicant must achieve at least 1000points as a result of multiplying 200 times the overall GPA of the first bachelor's degree and adding the GMAT score.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required if you are applying to a master's program other than Business Administration or Accounting.  The minimum score depends on your program of study.
• Test of Spoken English (TSE)/Test of Written (TWE) is required if you are seeking an MA or MEd with a major in History degree, you must have a score of at least a 45 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) must be on file in the Graduate College prior to the evaluation of your application. Note: The TSE is required of international History applicants who are native speakers of English as well as non-native speakers of English. If you will be seeking an MPA degree, you must have a score of 3 on the TWE that must be on file prior to the evaluation of your MPA application.  Note: The TWE is required of international MPA applicants who are native speakers of English as well as non-native speakers of English.

Need Assistance to Master the English Language?
The TSIE's purpose is to allow international graduate students to complete their English proficiency while at the same time to be enrolled in university credit bearing classes. It is applicable for a maximum of two semesters prior to full time academic study.  You may obtain more information at http://www.txstate.edu/ie/.

The TSIE offers a non-credit university intensive English as a Second Language program for international students who want to improve their command of English before entering an educational institution in the United States. Currently, four levels in TSIE reading, writing, grammar and oral skills are offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

You will need an I-20 to apply for the Student Visa to study at Texas State:
Students applying for an I-20 to obtain a Student Visa (F1 Visa) must submit financial verification of their ability to undertake the proposed course of study.  An affidavit of support with a bank letter from the sponsor must be submitted or you may complete financial verification forms that will be mailed to you after you apply to the Graduate College. Financial support documents (including bank statements) must be dated no earlier than six months prior to initial attendance date. The I-20 will be issued after all academic and financial requirements for admission have been met.

• If you are currently residing within the United States, then use these In-country financial (PDF) forms
• If you are not within the United States, then use these Out-of-country (PDF) financial forms

International Student Operations Fee (Effective Fall 2006)
International students with an immigration status of "F1" or "J1" will be charged an international student operations fee in the amount of $60.00 per long term and $30.00 per summer session for the maintenance of records, compliance with government regulations, and services for nonimmigration students. Mandatory Health Insurance - International students are responsible for any medical expenses incurred while in the United States. As a non-resident, you are not eligible for public assistance medical plans offered in the U.S. All nonimmigrant international students are required to have medical insurance as a condition of enrollment at Texas State. You can purchase the economical group medical insurance made available by the University or provide comparable and acceptable or approved medical insurance plan of your own.  You may obtain detailed information at http://www.healthcenter.txstate.edu/.

On Campus Employment/Financial Assistance
Students with an F1 Student Visa Status are not permitted to work off campus without authorization from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and are not eligible to receive U.S. federal financial aid.  On Campus Employment is limited and students should not expect this type of financial assistance.  Limited Teaching Assistant/Graduate Assistant/Instructional Assistant may be available to graduate students. Information may be obtained by contacting the department to which you are applying.

Scholarship Information:
The Graduate College offers scholarships to Texas State Graduate students. Information may be obtained by viewing the Graduate College Scholarship web site.