Academic Catalog

International Admission

International students interested in attending the University of Saint Mary are encouraged to begin the admission process at least 90 days prior to enrolling in order to allow enough time for processing records, VISAs, etc. The following materials must be sent to the Director of Admissions:

  1. A completed application for admission and a non-refundable application fee of $50.
  2. Formally evaluated transcripts of all coursework not taken through an accredited U.S. institution by an approved evaluation agency.
  3. An official copy of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) results, sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (minimum written score of 550 or iBT score of 80 with reading, listening, and writing scores all at least 20).
    OR
    An official copy of scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). USM considers the following IELTS scores as meeting admissions requirements:
    • Reading 6.5
    • Listening 6.5
    • Writing 5.5
    • Total score 6.5

    The following are exceptions to the TOEFL/IELTS requirement:

    • TOEFL and/or IELTS scores are not required for international students completing high school in the United States.
    • TOEFL and/or IELTS scores are not required for international transfer students that completed prior college level education that was conducted in the English language.
  4. For incoming freshmen, the university uses standardized test scores for placement in appropriate college level coursework utilizing the ACT or SAT sub-scores in English and Math or Next Generation Accuplacer test scores. International students are encouraged to submit these scores, if available, to assist with the advising and registration process. If these tests are not available, the ACT and/or Next Generation Accuplacer tests may be taken off campus upon their arrival for placement purposes.
  5. A declaration of financial support and bank statement providing evidence that the student’s family or sponsor is able and willing to assume full financial responsibility for the tuition, books, fees, room, and board, personal/miscellaneous and transportation expenses.
  6. All international students must provide evidence that they are covered by health insurance and insurance must be maintained during the entire semesters of enrollment.
  7. Students planning to transfer from a college in the U.S. need to first notify the designated school official at their present school of the intent to transfer, then contact the designated school official at the University of Saint Mary concerning issuance of a Form I-20.

Once accepted, international students pay a tuition deposit and receive the Form I-20 for the student to utilize to obtain a student VISA from officials in the student’s home country. Formal acceptance into the university does not constitute acceptance to any particular program such as Nursing, Education, or our doctoral programs. Please contact our International Admissions staff for specific programming questions.