International Applicants
International applicants and students are defined as those who live and have citizenship outside of the United States. International applicants from countries where English is not the native language must provide evidence of their ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing in English.
Applicants who are a citizen of a country where English is not the native language must either submit official results from an examination showing English language competency to the Registrar. Applicants may take one of the following three exams: the iBT Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – either the Academic or General Training exam, or the Duolingo English test (DET). At minimum, TOEFL scores should be 4 on the Internet-based test (iBT), the IELTS score should be 6.5 and the DET score should be 110. Students are responsible for taking the TOEFL, IELTS or DET and having the official scores sent to the Office of the Registrar at Thomas Edison State University by the test provider.
-OR-
Provide documentation of 9 semester credit hours (excluding ESL or developmental courses) with a C or better from an accredited US institution, or specifically from programs where English is the medium (method) of instruction.
Applicants to a graduate degree or certificate program must also have earned an institutionally (formerly regionally) accredited bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent as outlined in the graduate admissions requirement. An international equivalent to a U.S. accredited bachelor’s degree may also be considered. This is documented by an official transcript from a non-U.S. college or university as well as an international credential review from an international credential evaluation service indicating the earned equivalent of an institutionally (former regionally) accredited bachelor’s degree.
Students are responsible for taking either the TOEFL, Duolingo English test (DET) or IELTS and having the official scores sent to the Office of the Registrar at Thomas Edison State University by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Transcripts from an English language college or university documenting at least 9 semester hours of coursework should also be sent to the Office of the Registrar.
For information on TOEFL, visit https://www.ets.org/toefl.html or write to:
TOEFL
Box 2877
Princeton, NJ 08541-2877, USA
For information on IELTS, visit https://www.ets.org/toefl.html.
Both undergraduate and graduate applicants wishing to have international-earned transfer credit reviewed for acceptance toward degree requirements or program specific admissions requirements must provide a course by course international credential evaluation from an agency approved by Thomas Edison State University.
Thomas Edison State University recognizes the discipline necessary to complete a self-directed program of study. An external degree institution for adults, the University issues no visas and has no residential campus facilities. Therefore, it is suggested that international applicants without a strong command of the English language consider their higher education options before applying to the University. Thomas Edison State University does not offer English as a Second Language (ESL) coursework.
Applicants and students who are residing outside the United States should be aware of the limitations and restrictions on services available to students, such as potential additional costs for course materials as well as possible restrictions on the material that can be accessed via the internet.
VISAS
Thomas Edison State University does not participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Therefore, the University does not sponsor foreign national students for F-1 or J-1 visa status.
Thomas Edison State University does not issue “Certificates of Acceptance” (Form I-20) to international students. Students who enter the United States on a student visa (F-1) through another college may enroll in Thomas Edison State University. However, it will be the student’s responsibility to keep their visa status current to be eligible for continued pursuit of a Thomas Edison State University degree.