Graduate School

Additional Required Supporting Application Documents for International Students

Admission for international (non-Canadian) students is determined by a selective process that includes consideration of English language proficiency, academic achievements, financial resources, and student visa eligibility.

In addition to the Graduate School admission requirements, the following required supporting documentation listed below must also be sent to Admissions by the appropriate deadline.

English Proficiency

• • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Scores: taken within 2 years: Internet Based Test with a minimum score of 79
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System:) taken within 2 years: with a minimum score of 6.0 overall band
  • Duolingo English Test. Minimum score of 100
  • International students who have earned a degree from an English speaking university (where the primary mode of instruction is English) in the past 10 years may be considered for English proficiency waiver. Students should provide a letter of proof from the institution.
  • In lieu of previously defined satisfactory performance on the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo, international students who have attended formal education for three or more years in the U.S., could possibly, at the discretion of the program, be considered for admission into the Graduate School, with the recommendation of the program director who has been able to assess the students’ English proficiency through voice conversation.

Academic Credential Requirements
International applicants (except Canadians) are required to have all international college, university, or professional school statements of marks (transcripts) evaluated course by course by one of the following internationally recognized, comprehensive organizations approved by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education:

• • American Education Research Corporation (AERC)
  • Education Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
  • World Education Services (WES)

Click on the links above to review their application procedures. The agency you choose to utilize will send an official evaluation to Minot State University along with copies of your transcript.

*Applicants who have attended Canadian colleges, universities, and/or professional schools, a credential evaluation is not required, official transcripts can be sent directly to the MSU Graduate School. Applicants from MSU's formalized partner institutions are not required to provide a credential evaluation.

F-1 Transfer Clearance Form [pdf]
If you are transferring to MSU from a college or university within the United States you must submit the F-1 transfer form signed by you and the international coordinator at your current school in order to have your SEVIS record transferred to Minot State University.

Application for Form I-20 and Certification of Financial Responsibility
International students are not eligible for U.S. federal or state need-based financial assistance. Therefore, certification of adequate financial support to meet the needs during the period of enrollment at MSU is required of all international non-immigrant applicants. Note: The certification of finances portion of the I-20 is needed before an admission decision can be made.

• • Canadian Application for Form I-20 and Certification of Financial Responsibility [pdf]
  • International Student Application for Form I-20 and Certification of Financial Responsibility [pdf]

Notification of Application Status
The application packet must be complete before you can be considered for admission. You will be notified via email of the admission decision. In the meantime, please check out Steps for Admitted Students on the International Students Services page.