Graduate School Admission & Application Requirements

The online graduate application is the initial step that starts your graduate application file at MSUM.

Once the initial application is processed you will receive an email in about 24 hours directing you to the self-service center to complete the rest of the application, upload any required documents (essay, letter of intent, resume) and select recommenders.

• The self-service center provides you with quick access to check the progress of your application.
• The only items that need to be processed outside of the self-service center are the application fee, transcripts, and test scores (if required). These items will be linked to your application file by the Graduate Studies Office staff.
• The self-service center system will send you email updates and reminders throughout the process.

International graduate student applicants follow the program specific admission and application requirements listed on the graduate program webpages.

In addition to the admission requirements listed on the program page, international applicants must supply:

1. A comprehensive course-by-course transcript evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), World Education Services (WES), or any other NACES accredited evaluation firm for transcripts from all post-secondary colleges and universities outside of the United States is required.
   The ECE, WES, or NACES evaluation must certify international degree as equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution.
2. For those whose native language is not English, an official score from either the TOEFL (6678 MSUM school code) or the IELTS (Minnesota State University Moorhead). The TOEFL required score is 550 (paper-based) or 78-80 (internet-based). A band score of 6.5 is required on the IELTS.

On Campus Students Only

1. Completed Sponsor Form listing the availability of adequate monetary support for the duration of graduate study and an official bank statement. The current requirement is at least U.S. $22,925-25,494 per year in U.S. funds depending on the program. The estimated cost of attending MSUM as a graduate student is $22,925-25,494 USD for a school year (depending on program). Verification of additional funds is necessary if you are bringing a spouse or other family members as follows: $4,000 for the first dependent (or spouse) and $2,100 for each additional dependent.
2. Completed, signed International Graduate Student Agreement form.
3. Completed, signed International Graduate Student Sponsor form.
4. Completed, signed International Graduate Student Transfer form (if appropriate).
5. International graduate students must purchase the University health insurance. No exceptions will be made.

Please note:

• It is important that you check with your home country to be sure than they will accept an online degree from another country.
• Submissions of fraudulent documents will cause severe penalties resulting in an investigation from S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Your SEVIS (Immigration Record) will be terminated immediately (for on-campus students. Online students will not have a SEVIS record.)

If you have a baccalaureate degree and want to take courses for graduate credit but are not seeking admission to a graduate program, you may enroll as a "graduate special" student (admission status is "graduate unclassified"). International students who require an I‐20 and Visa are not eligible for admission as non‐degree seeking students.

1. Students who later wish to be admitted to a graduate degree program must submit a new application and meet all admission criteria for the specific program.
2. Credits earned as a Graduate Special student may later be applied to a degree program with advisor approval, but cannot exceed nine (9) semester credits.
3. Graduate Special students are not eligible for most types of financial aid.
4. Students who are denied admission to a degree program may register as Graduate Special students only with special permission from the graduate program coordinator.

Graduate Student Admission & Application Instructions

Upon receipt of all required application materials, your file will be forwarded to the appropriate graduate program for review. The program reviews all complete files for admission or denial based on published program requirements.

A formal acceptance or denial is sent to the applicant by the Dean of Graduate and Extended Learning.

International applicants have an additional step in the review process. Your application file will also be reviewed by International Student Services who will determine if an I-20 may be issued for a student visa.