Graduate Admissions

ADMISSIONS

An international student is someone who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident (i.e., those who are visa holders). Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals are not considered international students.

Note for F-1 student visa: If you will need to apply for an F-1 student visa or are transferring to SFA on an F-1 student visa, view the current financial requirements to receive the I-20 form. Submission of financial documents is not required before an admission decision is made.

Applying to SFA: The requirements

All international graduate applicants must meet the same requirements as all graduate applicants. 

English proficiency

You must submit an English test score or a waiver of equivalency as part of your application for admission. Testing for graduate admissions can be done through one of the following official exams:

  • TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
  • IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Important notes:

  • If you have attended school in the U.S., including select language schools, additional options are available to meet the English requirement.
  • A waiver of equivalency may be available for students with academic credentials from certain countries.
  • Applicants to any Educator Preparation Program must adhere to requirements listed in the EPP handbook.

Visit the English Proficiency Requirement page for more information.

Credential evaluation

Documents needed from all previous post-secondary schools:

  • Schools outside the U.S. - Submit course-by-course credential evaluations.
  • School within the U.S. - Submit an official transcript.

Credential evaluation companies

The Office of International Programs will accept a credential evaluation from most recognized companies. Although we do not recommend any one company, we have had successful experience with the following companies:

Transferring credits from another educational institution?

In addition to the credential evaluation noted in the above requirements, if you are transferring from another educational institution and would like to transfer course credits, you may be required to submit syllabi from those courses.

Apply early to SFA! Scholarship funds and graduate assistantship positions are limited.

Ready to apply? 

Request an application guide for your academic program from the Office of International Programs by emailing internationalgrad@sfasu.edu.

Step one: Submit an admissions application

Applying to SFA's graduate school is easy with the online admissions application. The cost for applying to SFA is $50. You'll pay this when you submit your application.

Step two: Submit additional documents

Use the application portal to submit the following additional documents:

The following documents should only be submitted if required by your academic program.

  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal goal statement, or similar
  • Official GRE, issued directly by ETS
    • SFA school code: 6682
  • Official GMAT

Note: Official GRE/GMAT scores must have been taken within the last five years to be considered valid for admission.

Once all application materials are received, decisions are typically made within three to four weeks.

Accepted? Congratulations! Here's what to do next:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services requires all F and J student visa holders to verify they will have funds available to pay for their education, living and other expenses. This funding may come from the student, a sponsor or multiple sponsors (such as family members), loans and scholarships or on-campus employment (such as a graduate assistantship).

You will need this proof of financial support when:

  • requesting an initial certificate of eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) from the Office of International Programs
    • This allows you to apply for your student visa.
  • applying for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
  • and making certain updates to the student immigration record.

Collect and submit proof of financial support 

J student visa holders may have different funding requirements based on the partnership agreement with their home university/institution.

The information from the following documents will be used to complete your I-20 or DS-2019 form, which will allow you to apply for your student visa.

  1. A certification of finances form completed by you and your sponsor(s).
  2. Bank statement or other financial documentation from your or your sponsor(s) verifying funds of at least $32,389 USD.
    • If you have been offered and accepted the International Student Scholarship or other scholarship of $1,000 or more, your documentation must verify funds of at least $23,829 USD.
  3. A copy of your passport biographical page.
  4. If you're younger than 22 years of age, you must also submit a Bacterial Meningitis vaccination record, as required by Texas state law. Your verification of Bacterial Meningitis vaccination form must be completed by a licensed physician.

Submitting documents

Once you've collected all required documents, submit these to OIP at internationalgrad@sfasu.edu.

Receiving your I-20/DS-2019 forms

You will receive your I-20/DS-2019 form by email. You must print, sign the form and use the information on the form to pay your visa fee and make your visa interview appointment. Details about this process will be sent with your acceptance materials.

Once you arrive at SFA and are registered for classes, you'll receive an updated form indicating you're a current attending student.

If you are transferring from another educational institution in the U.S., you'll receive a transfer-in form. Your current international student advisor must complete this form to to transfer your SEVIS record to SFA.