International Requirements
Application Requirements for International Students
- Prospective international students must have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an approved institution. Usually this is a minimum of four years of study beyond grade 12.
- A grade point average equivalent to a U.S. grade of “B” or better is required. Click here to calculate your GPA.
- Applicant must have official TOEFL, IELTS, MET, or Duolingo scores submitted directly to the Graduate School (school code 4705) from the testing services. Check English proficiency requirements for specific test score requirements and exceptions to this requirement.
- GRE (school code 4705) or GMAT scores if required by the prospective department.
- Three letters of recommendation generated through the online application. Applicant must be accepted by the department or program in which prospective students seek a degree or graduate study. Any additional requirements set forth by the department or program are also required.
- Transcripts are required for the application review process. A copy of the unofficial transcript (native language and its English translation) for every college and university that the applicant attended is acceptable for the application review process. Applicants may upload copies of unofficial transcripts and translations via the online application. All transcripts sent to the Graduate School as part of the application process become part of the official Graduate School application file and cannot be returned or transferred.
- For international students who do not have an official English translation from their institution, please use the SpanTran link found here: Transcript Evaluation Form.
If recommended for admission or specifically requested during the evaluation process, applicant must submit the following official documents to the Graduate School:
Financial Verification: The student may submit application materials without financial verification. However, if the department is recommending the student for admission into the graduate program but has not made a decision on an assistantship or will not award the student an assistantship, then the student will be required to submit financial verification before the student can be processed for admission. In such cases, the Graduate School will notify the student by an email requesting a current official bank statement, and an affidavit of support if the student is being sponsored. Student self-support, support from parents, friends, or relatives all require official bank verification with the original signature of the bank official, along with the bank seal, and original letter and signature of the sponsor. For additional information regarding financial responsibility, see certificate of financial responsibility memo.
Copy of Passport or National Identity Card: The applicant should submit a clear and readable copy of their passport or national identity card if no passport has been issued.
Official academic credentials: If admitted, official transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, or examination results, along with degree certificates from all higher education institutions attended outside the United States or Canada will be required. When sending official transcripts from schools located in non-English-speaking countries, each institution must submit both the English translation plus an original language record. For these documents to be official they need to be in a stamped and sealed envelope. Mail or ship (Fed Ex, UPS or DHL) to the following address:
Graduate School Admissions
French Administration, Room 324
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-1030
The Vice Provost of Graduate and Professional Education grants final approval of admission, assuming general admission requirements have been met, and when evidence indicates a high probability of success in the prospective degree program.
Immigration Documents
Admitted applicants may apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy, https://www.usembassy.gov/, or consular in the country of origin. Below please find the non-immigrant visa categories:
- F-1/J-1 Student visa: for those who wish to pursue studies at an accredited U.S. university.
- F-2/J-2 Dependent visa: for the accompanying spouse, or minor children younger than twenty-one years, of an F-1 or J-1 student.
English Proficiency Requirements
All international applicants must demonstrate a basic proficiency in English by submitting official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo scores. Scores must be less than two years old at the time of expected semester enrollment and sent directly to the Graduate School from the Educational Testing Service. The Educational Testing Service reporting code for Washington State University is 4705 (for the TOEFL only). Please note exceptions to the English proficiency requirement:
- Applicants from Australia, the United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Jamaica, New Zealand, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland, and Trinidad and Tobago whose first language is English are exempt from the English proficiency requirement.
- International students who have or will have graduated with a baccalaureate-level or higher degree from an accredited four-year U.S., Canadian, or United Kingdom college or university within two years of the expected semester of enrollment at the WSU Graduate School are not required to submit English proficiency test scores.
Student copies of scores, or photocopies, are not official and will not be used in the final admission process.
English Proficiency Exam Scores
| TOEFL Essentials | TOEFL (PBT) | TOEFL (iBT) | IELTS | Duolingo | Academic English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 540 | 75 | 6.5 | 105 | Level 6, GPA >3 |
Visit International Programs for resources and support, more specifically, Learn English.
Financial Assistance for International Students
Contact your department for available research and teaching assistantships or other scholarship opportunities.