International Graduate Student Admission

Several items must be submitted by International students in order to complete the application process. It is important that students allow enough time to complete the application process for the semester they wish to enter.

Application Deadlines

Fall (August) - June 1

Spring (January) - October 15

*All documents must be received by the deadline dates.

A non-refundable $60 graduate application fee is required for Masters and Specialist in Education degree-seeking students.

Payment for the application fee can be made by check, money order or credit card. Payment by bank draft will not be accepted.

The Application for Admission will not be reviewed until all transcripts are on file and the application fee is paid. The supporting application materials are non-refundable.

Students must submit an official transcript from each institution they attended. Translated degree certificate or diploma is required that states degree received, degree confirmed date, and major.

If applying online, students are encouraged to immediately send copies of their coursework (unofficial transcripts) as soon as the application has been submitted, or mail them with their other application materials so that initial review of their past study can begin.

Transcripts are considered both in the native language and translated into English. Students who received their undergraduate degree at Pittsburg State University do not need to submit a copy of their PSU undergraduate transcript.

*Please note that a 2.7/4.0 converted grade point average is required for admission to any of our graduate programs.

 The transcript should clearly indicate:

1. all coursework and grades (or marks)
2. the degree awarded
3. the date the degree was awarded
4. the name of the institution where degree was earned

Copies of transcript submitted by students are not considered official.

The U.S. Government requires International students to demonstrate their financial ability to pay for graduate work before they can become students in the United States.

Evidence of financial resources consists of two documents.

1. Statement of Financial Information and Certification of Support 
   Statement of Financial Information and Certification of Support (Exchange Students)
2. current bank statement which reflects the financial resources

It is required that International applicants present a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Pearson Test of English (PTE).

The minimum score levels required for various degree programs at Pittsburg State University range from:
TOEFL: 520/68 to 550/79
IELTS: 6.0 to 6.5
PTE: 47 to 53

Depending on the program, a minimum score of 5.0 or 5.5 in each band of the IELTS is required. If a lower score is earned in any of the five band scores, the overall score cannot be accepted. Each program is listed below with their respected language requirements. 

Students may not enroll in any graduate level academic coursework until this requirement has been met and will not become fully admitted until they satisfy their program's TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE requirements.

Official scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. The university code for Pittsburg State University is 6336. You do not need to include a departmental code. Unofficial or examinee's copies/score sheets will be used for initial review only.

The TOEFL/IELTS/PTE is not required if:

1. you are a permanent resident
2. you received a Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States
3. the highest level of Intensive English Program (Academic Preparation Course) at Pittsburg State University is successfully completed. The successful completion of the highest level of the Pittsburg State University Intensive English Program (Academic Preparation Course) is equivalent to a 550/79 TOEFL or 6.5 IELTS or 53 PTE score and can be substituted for the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE requirement.

Students who do not meet the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE requirement are encouraged to make application to the Intensive English Program (IEP). Enrollment in IEP does not guarantee that a student satisfies the academic standards for admission into a graduate program.

Successful completion of the Pittsburg State University Intensive English Program (IEP) may be substituted for a TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score, unless otherwise indicated.

All programs require a completed bachelors degree in a related field and are also subject to departmental requirements. Visit the program's page for other specific admission requirements.

The Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is required only of students who are applicants to the Masters of Business Administration program. It is required of both American and International students.

If opportunity to take the GMAT is not available in the home country, students may be admitted conditionally with the College of Business approval.

However, if the student does not receive the required GMAT score in the first term of study at Pittsburg State University, he or she will not be allowed full admission to the MBA program and will have to withdraw or select another major.

Additional admission requirements for MBA applicants

Students who are currently attending another U.S. institution must have the information on the International Student Transfer Form completed and sent to the Graduate Admission Office.

Please complete the Dependents Form for each dependent that will accompany you to Pittsburg State University. If additional space is required, please make additional copies of this form.

The I-20 will be sent with the admission letter once all application materials are received, have been reviewed, and admission (either conditional or fully) to a degree program has been granted.

The I-20 can be emailed or mailed. Please complete this form to select how you would like to receive the I-20. Students who select to have their I-20 mailed will pay a mailing fee, the cost will be determined by the mailing address/location.

The United States Department of Homeland Security implemented a fee, called the SEVIS Fee, as of September 2, 2004. If you are applying for a visa from outside the United States, you may be required to pay the fee.

Who is required to pay the SEVS fee:

• F1 or J1 Initial Attendance:
  • F1 student visa applicants applying for the visa from outside of the United States, with an I-20 marked as "initial attendance" for an academic or language training program dated on or after September 1, 2004 (9/1/2004). The fee must be paid before your visa appointment and you must show proof of payment
    
    
  • J1 student, short-term scholar, research scholar or visiting scholar visa applicants applying for a visa from outside of the United States, with a DS2019 marked as "initial attendance" dated on or after September 1, 2004 (9/1/2004). In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid before entry into the United States. Proof of fee payment is required. The fee cannot be paid at the port-of-entry.

Who is NOT required to pay the SEVIS fee?

• Dependents:
  • Spouses or minor children of students or exchange visitors applying for F2 or J2 visa.
    
    
• Visa or Port of Entry Denial:
  • F1 or J1 visa applicants who have paid the fee, were denied a visa, and are re-applying for a visa within  twelve (12) months of the date of initial denial.
    
    
  • Residents of a contiguous territory or adjacent island reapplying for status as a student at the port-of-entry within twelve (12) months of the initial denial.

The SEVIS fee only needs to be paid once. For international students that apply for admission to more than one school in the United States, the SEVIS fee can be used for any school. However, you must attend the school whose immigration documents you use to obtain your visa.

If you prefer, Pittsburg State University's International Programs and Services Office will assist you in paying this required fee. Simply include the fee with the application fee or complete and return the credit card authorization form. We will pay the fee for you and send you proof of payment with your immigration document. Please note that the SEVIS fee will not be processed until your immigration document is issued.

If you prefer to pay the fee yourself, payment information may be found at: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm

If you have already paid this fee, please disregard this information.

Information regarding available on-campus housing can be obtained by contacting the Housing Office at Pittsburg State University. In your correspondence, please state the date of your arrival and the length of time that you will need housing. Be sure to indicate any special housing needs. The Housing Office will try to give you suggestions of housing options that you can then contact for more information.

All International students must purchase health insurance. The university offers a health plan that is available to students and can be purchased on campus.

Graduate Assistantships

Pittsburg State University offers graduate assistantships in most academic departments and some administrative departments. Assistantships are available as teaching, administrative and research. Students interested in applying for as assistantship must contact each department they are interested in working for to complete an application.

For additional information

For more information on scholarships and financial assistance for International students, click the link below.

International Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Statement of Financial Information and Certification of Support

Statement of Financial Information and Certification of Support (Exchange)

Advanced Tuition Deposit for Applicants from Kenya, Togo, Nigeria, and Ghana

Advanced Tuition Deposit for Applicants from India

GDPR Consent Form (for EU applicants)

Dependents

Transfer Form

SEVIS I-901

International Graduate Student Application (PDF)

International Graduate Student Application Checklist

Mail Address Form for Express Mail