In addition to the procedures outlined in CITE application process for U.S. citizens/residents, international students also need to submit the following materials as part of their application:
As part of this application, you need to fill out a statement of financial proof. This statement must originate from your source of support and must be a certified, original statement with stamp and original signature.
Your application fee ($50) should be paid by check or money order payable to Michigan State University and attached to the application form. Checks drawn outside the U.S. must be payable in U.S. funds through a U.S. bank. Checks drawn on foreign banks that do not have a correspondent U.S. bank may be returned. Applicants should not send cash or international coupons.
Applicants who are not native speakers of English must submit a TOEFL score. This score must be 550 or higher on the paper-based version or 80 on the Internet-based version. (See TOEFL section below for more information.)
TOEFL
Applicants for whom English is not their primary language are required to submit TOEFL scores. The test must be taken within two years of the start date of your program. The university’s minimum acceptable score is 550 (paper version) or 80 (Internet-based version), with all subscores above 52 (paper version) or 19 (Internet-based version). Writing section minimum score is 22 (Internet-based version). The official report must be received by the English Language Center directly from the Educational Testing Service. In order to be considered for admission, all international students must have official TOEFL scores reported to the university. International students must demonstrate adequate language proficiency for doctoral study before being admitted to the program. TOEFL results should be sent to the MSU Office of Admissions, 250 Administration Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. To expedite an application, applicants can send copies of the results to the Ph.D. Program Secretary, 116 Erickson Hall.If the student has completed a degree program in an English speaking country, he or she can request a waiver of the TOEFL requirement. Once the program admissions committee is convinced of the student’s English language skills based on past program completion and other evidence, it will ask the university to waive the requirement. This waiver is usually granted, but the university may require the student to take the English proficiency test upon arrival at MSU.
Transcripts
Send an official (sealed) transcript of each degree granting institution to the Doctoral Program Secretary. These transcripts should have English translation and state degree earned and date conferred. If your transcripts do not include the above, please also submit an official certified copy of degree diploma with degree earned and date.SPEAK Test
For international students who wish to serve as teaching assistants, the English-language campus minimum proficiency score is 50 on the SPEAK test. Individuals who need to take this test should go in person to A714 Wells Hall for information. The schedule for the SPEAK test is on the English Language Center web site. Often, just as important as English language proficiency for all TAs, however, is familiarity with American K-12 education. For some entering international students, as well as other students who have not taught in K-12 settings, this will mean that they should include in their first year of studies some opportunities in K-12 schools in order to become more familiar with the American institution of schooling from the perspective of a professional serving such settings. Sharon Schwille, who oversees many TA assignments for our department, is an excellent source of information about experiences for potential TAs in Teacher Education.Sources of Information for International Students
If you have questions about how to fill out the international application, please get in touch with the MSU Office of Admissions, 250 Administration Building or go to their web page. (This and the other links mentioned below are accessible from the program web page.)For questions about visa types and requirements, travel to the U.S., finances for international students, and support services, please see the web page for the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
For questions about housing, please see the web page for the University Housing and Food Services Division
Summary of Application Process
- Fill out the university application form
- Statement of financial proof
- TOEFL scores
- GRE Scores
- Transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae
- Goal Statement
- Sample(s) of Writing
- Three (3) Reference letters
