In addition to the requirements applicable to all students, the following documents are necessary before an application for an international student can be processed:
Translation and Evaluation of Transcripts
An English translation of official transcripts must accompany transcripts in the original language from each college or university attended in home country or other country. All transcripts must be sent directly to the PLU Office of Admission/Graduate Programs from the institution providing the transcript or from an agency translating the transcript. All transcripts and degrees attained from foreign institutions must be not only translated into English, but also must be evaluated on a document-by-document or course-by-course basis (depending on the program requirements) for U.S. degree equivalency.
Demonstrated university-level proficiency in the English Language
Minimum TOEFL or IELTS requirements are as follows:
Business
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Master of Business Administration: Minimum TOEFL-iBT of 88 or minimum IELTS score of 6.5. TOEFL or IELTS may be waived for students who graduate from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
- Master of Science in Finance: Minimum TOEFL-iBT score of 88 or minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
Creative Writing
- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing: Minimum TOEFL-iBT score of 80 or minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
Education
- Master of Arts in Education Non-Certification: Minimum TOEFL-iBT score of 88 or minimum IELTS score of 6.5. All other programs: Minimum TOEFL-iBT score of 80 or minimum IELTS score of 6.5
Marriage and Family Therapy
- Master of Arts (Marriage and Family Therapy): Minimum TOEFL-iBT score of 80 or minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing: Minimum combined TOEFL-iBT score of 86, with minimum individual scores of 26 in speaking, 20 in writing, 20 in reading, and 20 in listening. The TOEFL requirement is waived for applicants who hold current unrestricted United States Registered Nurse licensure.
I-20 Processing
An I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status) will be issued only after all documents have been received, the application has been reviewed, the student has been offered admission and accepted by making the non-refundable $300.00 advanced tuition payment and returning all required acceptance forms. The I-20 form should be taken to the U.S. Consulate when requesting a visa to come to the United States for a graduate program. The following items are not required for the application to be considered for admission, but will be required prior to issuance of an I-20. To expedite admission processing, applicants should consider submitting the following with application documents:
- Declaration of Finances form, including certification of finances. Certification of finances from banks or embassies is permissible.
- Copy of passport picture page
- Address and associated phone number to which to send the I-20 via courier service
International Student Arrival and Enrollment Requirements
International students are required by immigration regulations to enroll as full-time students (a minimum of 8 credit hours per semester for graduate studies). Students are also required to submit the appropriate medical forms to the university’s Health Services. Students may also be required to have a physical exam.
Before enrolling for classes, all international students are required to have health and medical insurance, which is obtained through the university after arrival on campus.
International students must also report to International Student Services (253.535.7195).