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
If applicants wish to send official transcripts directly to PLU Graduate Admission, please do the following:
- Mail official transcripts from each college or university attended by the applicant. Contact the graduate admission office for the specific requirements for each country.
- If applicable, include certified English translations.
- PLU reserves the right to request further evaluation by an outside credential evaluation agency, if necessary.
If applicants wish to submit their official transcripts through an Evaluation Agency (specifically, World Education Services [WES] or Foundation for International Services [FIS], please do the following:
- Go to either www.wes.org/ or www.fis-web.com; and follow the instructions for requesting a credential evaluation.
- Request the evaluation agency to send their transcript evaluation, copies of the official transcripts, and English translations (if applicable) directly to PLU Graduate Admission.
Demonstrated University-level Proficiency in the English Language
Minimum TOEFL or IELTS requirements are as follows:
- Business
- 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 Accounting: 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 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 Marketing Research: 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.
- 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
- Doctor in Nurse Practice: 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 or minimum IELTS (academic version) band score of 6.5, with a minimum individual band scores of 8 speaking, 5.5 writing, 6.5 reading, and 6.5 listening. The proof of English proficiency requirement is waived for applicants who hold current unrestricted United States Registered Nurse licensure.
- 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 or minimum IELTS (academic version) band score of 6.5, with a minimum individual band scores of 8 speaking, 5.5 writing, 6.5 reading, and 6.5 listening. The proof of English proficiency 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 the student has been admitted and paid the non-refundable $300.00 advanced tuition payment and has returned 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 are 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 proof of financial support. 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).