International Student
Admission Requirements

Freshman international students must have completed a recognized secondary program comparable to U.S. high school graduation and have academic records comparable to those required to meet the freshman admission criteria. Admission decisions for freshman international students must be made in accordance with recommendations in nationally recognized publications. Students should have at least completed a program of study that would recommend them for admission to a university in their country.

Transfer international students must have completed a recognized secondary program and meet transfer admission criteria. Must complete a college level mathematics course designated to fulfill core requirements and cannot require developmental English.

Any transfer student who has earned an Associate Degree or higher is admissible. Those who have not earned an Associate Degree or higher must have completed a recognized secondary program and meet transfer admission criteria. Those students must complete a college level mathematics course designated to fulfill university core requirements, cannot require developmental English and must have a minimum 2.0 GPA. Those transfer students who have earned less than 18 college level hours must also meet freshman admission criteria for international students by submitting official evaluations of secondary school credentials and ACT or SAT scores if necessary.

Students desiring admission as transfer students must have completed a college-level English (with a grade of “C” or better) and a college-level mathematics course (with a grade of “C” or better) designated to fulfill university core requirements.

Graduate international students must have earned the equivalency of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Official evaluations of bachelor’s degree and all graduate level work is required. Evaluations must include an overall cumulative grade point average. Graduate international applicants who are interested in Nursing, Education, or Psychology must first ascertain if they qualify for the programs. Please contact the Graduate School at 318-357-5851 to inquire regarding licenses you may have or need prior to enrolling in a graduate program.

SEVIS transfer: If you are transferring from another university or college within the US, please request that your SEVIS record (I-20) be transferred to Northwestern State University. Once you have been fully admitted to NSU, give a copy of your acceptance letter to your current Designated School Official (DSO) and this Transfer Form. Make sure to complete part one before you ask your current DSO to complete part two.

NO I-20 WILL BE ISSUED UNTIL ALL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED AND THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN FULLY ADMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY.

PREFERRED DEADLINES TO APPLY

Because of the time required to obtain a student visa after admission is granted, applying early by these deadlines is highly recommended.

• July 1^st, if you are applying for the Fall Semester (to start in August). Failure to submit all requirements by July 1^st may delay admission until next semester.
• November 1^st, if you are applying for the Spring Semester (to start in January). Failure to submit all requirements by November 1^st may delay admission until next semester.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

International Students applying for undergraduate programs must submit all forms to the International Student Resource Center at: international@nsula.edu.

1. Complete the Online Application and pay application fee.
2. Applicants from non-English speaking countries Submit proof of English Proficiency. International students for whom English is a second language are required to demonstrate college level English skills by submitting proof of English Proficiency. This is not required for students whose native language is English, or from applicants who are transferring from another college or university from within the United States. NSU accepts the following test scores as Proof of English Proficiency for Undergraduate Students:

3. Submit Official Transcript Evaluation. Submit Evaluation of Foreign Credentials from an approved US Evaluation Agency, and/or official transcript from ALL US University/College(s) if applicable.
   • If you are applying as a freshman student, request a ‘document-by-document with GPA (cumulative final grade point average)’ evaluation.
   • If you are applying as an undergraduate transfer student, you must request ‘course-by-course evaluation with GPA (cumulative final grade point average)’.
4. Submit Official ACT or SAT test scores. Submit official scores directly from ACT or SAT. ACT (act.org), SAT (www.collegeboard.com).
   School Codes for Northwestern State University, ACT: 1600; SAT: 6492.
   Minimum scores accepted are as follow:
   • ACT: 18 English, 19 Math.
   • SAT: 450 Verbal, 460 Math.
5. Submit Proof of Immunization Form.
   • Immunization Compliance Form
6. Submit Financial Statement Certification and documentation of financial support, verifying bank funds available in U.S. dollars to cover the educational and living expenses.
   • Financial Statement Certification
7. Complete and submit the following forms:
   • Health Form
   • Educational Background Survey Form
8. Submit copy of valid passport.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

1. Complete the Online Application and pay application fee.
2. Applicants from non-English speaking countries – Submit Official Proof of English Proficiency. International students for whom English is a second language are required to demonstrate college level English skills by submitting proof of English Proficiency. This is not required for students whose native language is English, or from applicants who are transferring from another college or university from within the United States. NSU accepts the following test scores for Graduate Students:

3. Submit Official Transcript Evaluation. Submit Evaluation of Foreign Credentials from an approved US Evaluation Agency, and/or official transcripts from ALL US University/College(s), if applicable, to The Graduate School.
4. Submit GRE Official test scores if required by the program you are applying. For more information, please visit The Graduate School.
5. Submit Proof of Immunization Form to The Graduate School.
   • Immunization Compliance Form
6. Submit additional Graduate School and Program Requirements. Visit The Graduate School website for more information.

Submit the following to the International Student Resource Center at international@nsula.edu:

7. Submit Financial Statement Certification and documentation of financial support, verifying bank funds available in U.S. dollars to cover the educational and living expenses.
   • Financial Statement Certification
8. Complete and submit the following forms:
   • Health Form
   • Educational Background Survey Form
9. Submit copy of valid passport

APPLICATION CHECKLIST FOR ONLINE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students seeking admission for a 100% online program must:

1. Apply online and pay the application fee:
   • Undergraduate Application
   • Graduate Application
2. Applicants from non-English speaking countries – Submit Official Proof of English Proficiency. International students for whom English is a second language are required to demonstrate college level English skills by submitting proof of English Proficiency. This is not required for students whose native language is English, or from applicants who are transferring from another college or university from within the United States. NSU accepts the following test scores:

3. Submit Official Transcript Evaluation. Submit Evaluation of Foreign Credentials from an approved US Evaluation Agency, and/or official transcripts from ALL US University/College(s), if applicable.
   • If you are applying as a freshman student, request a ‘document-by-document with GPA (cumulative final grade point average)’ evaluation.
   • If you are applying as a transfer student, you must request ‘course-by-course evaluation with GPA (cumulative final grade point average)’.
   • If you are applying as a Graduate Student, submit a course-by-course evaluation with GPA to the Graduate School of all previously attended foreign universities. Submit an official transcript from all previously attended colleges/universities in the US, if applicable.
4. Submit Official Test scores.
   • Submit Official ACT or SAT scores from ACT/SAT for undergraduates
   • Submit Official GRE scores from ETS for graduate students if required.
5. If applying as a Graduate Student, submit additional Graduate School and Program Requirements. Visit The Graduate School website for more information.
6. Submit Educational Background Form

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ADMITTED FOR A 100% ONLINE PROGRAM WILL NOT BE ISSUED AN I-20, AND DO NOT NEED A VISA TO ENROLL AND COMPLETE A PROGRAM OF STUDY FROM OUTSIDE OF THE US.