International Students

Applicants must hold the foreign equivalent of a United States bachelor's degree from an internationally recognized institution of higher education with an undergraduate grade point average of at least "B." (On various grading scales this would be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, 14 on a 20 point scale, 80.0 from Chinese institutions, 1st Class or Division from Indian institutions, and upper 2nd Class Honors from British systems. Other grading systems will be evaluated on receipt of transcripts and certified evaluation of those transcripts.)

Certified copies and certified English translations of all academic achievements are required for each college or university attended. A diploma alone is not sufficient. The complete record of courses and marks earned and/or record of subjects and examination results must be received. Documents presented by applicants must detail the award of either a bachelor 's degree or equivalent or a graduate degree.

Applicants who wish to begin graduate studies must submit all credentials required by the International Student Services by April 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. Applicants transferring from a college or university within the U.S. must submit their application and International Student Profile Form by July 1 for the fall semester and by November 1 for the spring semester.

For applicants whose native language is not English, one of the following is required: a score of at least 550 written/213 computer/79 or above on Internet based exam on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); successful completion of ELS 112—English for Academic Purposes; an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher; Duolingo score of 105 or higher; or Pearson Language Test with a score of 53 or higher, or an earned (Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral) degree from within the United States. Each student should request that his or her score be sent directly to Southern's School of Graduate & Professional Studies (Code 3662). TOEFL scores are valid only for two years from expected date of acceptance.

Permanent Residents must provide a copy of their Permanent Resident card.

The Internal Revenue Service requires the university to apply U.S. withholding and reporting rules consistent with the U.S. tax status of resident and non-resident aliens. Resident aliens are taxed as U.S. citizens, while non-resident aliens are taxed under different withholding and reporting rules. Therefore, as part of the application process, the university requires additional information from international students. Once an application has been submitted, the School of Graduate & Professional Studies will email each international applicant with a Web site, login, and password to complete the additional information required by the United States federal government. Please provide a valid email address on your application. Your application cannot be processed until you have completed this requirement.

Applicants must provide official transcripts and a certified evaluation of foreign transcripts and credentials (course by course with grades) from a NACES approved organization (naces.org). The evaluation must include a copy of the transcript(s) being evaluated.  Applicants are responsible for payment of fees charged by these agencies.

International applicants must submit an International Student Profile Form for Graduates, and a current and original bank statement verifying financial resources are available or guaranteed for the first calendar year at Southern. 

In accordance with federal regulation 8 CFR 214.3(k), international students requesting an F-1 student visa to attend Southern Connecticut State University must receive full admission into the university. International students who do not meet the criteria for full admission should contact the School of Graduate & Professional Studies.

F1 students transferring from a college or university in the United States must also submit copies of all I-20 forms issued, copies of their visa, passport and I-94 card and a completed Transfer Form (the Transfer Form can be obtained at the International Student Office at SCSU.)