International Undergradate Students

Students who are citizens of countries other than the United States are encouraged to apply to MSU-Northern as international first-time freshmen or transfer students. Those who have completed secondary school are considered freshmen. Those who have completed an equivalent of 12 credits or more of post-secondary university-level course work after secondary graduation are considered transfer students.

Academic Eligibility

Freshmen

Freshmen students will be considered for admission on the basis of their secondary school record and their English proficiency. Applicants who meet a TOEFL score of 63 iBT or 475 PBT for undergraduate and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale will qualify for admission.

Transfer Students

Transfer students will be considered on the basis of their post-secondary education record and their English proficiency. Applicants who meet a TOEFL score of 63 iBT or 475 PBT for undergraduate or 66 iBT or 500 PBT for graduate and have a minimum cumulative transferable grade-point average (GPA) of a 2.0 or C on a 4.0 scale will qualify for admission. On a case by case basis college courses taken in the United States displaying sufficient English proficiency will be accepted in place of TOEFL scores or completion of an ESL program.

Application Procedures

All application materials must bear the official school seal and signature and be sent directly from the institution or agency to the Admissions Office. Transcripts and test scores received from students are unofficial and not acceptable. To provide time for evaluation and for notice of acceptance to reach the applicant in a timely manner, the application and required credentials must be received by the Admissions Office according to the following deadlines:

Fall Semester - July 1
Spring Semester - November 1
Summer Session - April 1

Receipt of the following credentials in the Admissions Office constitutes a complete application for admission. Requests to have final credentials sent to MSU-Northern must be initiated by the applicant. To apply for a semester other than the one originally intended, notify the Admissions Office as soon as possible.

Be sure to submit the following items:

  1. International Undergraduate Application for Admissions: A paper application can be obtained from the Admissions Office 800.622.6132 x3704. An on-line application may be submitted at: https://www.msun.edu/admissions/docs/InternationalApplication.pdf.
  2. Application Fee (nonrefundable): U.S.$30 paper application. The fee must be in U.S. currency. Checks should be made payable to MSU-Northern and must indicate the U.S. banking codes. The application fee will not be waived, deferred, or refunded.
  3. English Language Proficiency: If the applicant’s native language is not English, an English TOEFL score of 63 iBT or 475 PBT for undergraduate or 66 iBT or 500 PBT for graduate is required to qualify for admission. Only official score/grade reports sent directly from the language testing center will be accepted. Certificates of completion with official grade reports and the instructor's recommendation from English as a Second Language programs may be considered. Those students who are citizens of countries where English is the native languages do not need to submit proof of English language proficiency, unless English is not the student's native language.
  4. Evidence of Financial Support: MSU-Northern requires a statement of financial support from a bank or financial institution regarding funds from a financial sponsor, the student or the parent. The statement must verify financial support available to the applicant in US Dollars based on current year cost of attendance budget, for each year of attendance. Contact the Admissions Office for current year cost of attendance budget for international students at 1.800.662.6132 x3704. Admission will not be considered until the signed statement of financial support is received.
  5. Educational Credentials: International students must meet the equivalent of out-of-state admission requirements for the appropriate category of freshman, transfer, or graduate student. Official/certified transcripts and marks are required from all secondary and college or university education completed.
    1. Freshmen must submit official secondary transcripts posting date of completion and must include an English translation. Certified true copies of original transcripts are acceptable.
    2. Transfer Students must request official transcripts from each international or U.S. post-secondary institution attended, directly from the institution(s) to MSU-Northern. An English translation must be received for all non-English academic credentials.
    3. All transcripts of academic work undertaken outside of the U.S. or in non-English speaking Canada must be submitted to World Education Services (WES) for evaluation of foreign educational credentials. For further information contact:
      World Education Services
      PO Box 745
      Old Chelsea Station
      New York, NY 10113-0745

      or visit http://www.wes.org.
  6. Non U.S. Citizens must show a physician validated immunization record of measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella immunity, Diphtheria-Tetanus (DT or Td), and skin testing for Tuberculosis that was completed within one year of the planned attendance date. This evidence must be presented before a student is permitted to register.

Notification of Admission

Applicants are reviewed for admission when all required final and official credentials have been received at the Office of International Programs. Successful candidates will promptly be issued a letter of acceptance and an I-20 form necessary for obtaining an F-1 student visa. A packet of information regarding orientation, the registration process, and other important information will follow directly in a separate mailing.