International Student Graduate Application Instructions
Currently there are a limited number of graduate programs international students are eligible to apply for at WCSU. These programs will be identified in the program description. Students who have an earned undergraduate degree in a country other than the United States must have their transcripts assessed by an appropriate educational service for a comprehensive course-by-course evaluation. This report will determine if the student completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, which is the minimum requirement for acceptance into any of WCSU’s graduate programs.
Graduate Programs offered are:
Prospective international applicants should contact the Office of Graduate Studies for general questions.
Dr. Christopher Shankle
Director
Phone: (203) 837-9005
Email: shanklec@wcsu.educreate new email
Mary Champion
Secretary
Phone: (203) 837-8243
Email: championm@wcsu.educreate new email
International Student Application Deadline:
June 1st for Fall Semester Admission and October 1st for Spring Semester Admission.
For questions with regards to appropriate visa documents (I-20 for F-1 visa),
please contact:
Donna Warner
International Services Coordinator
MSC 207, 181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 302-837-3270
Email: warnerd@wcsu.educreate new email
How to apply:
Applications are due by the deadline as indicated on the application deadline page.
International students who apply will need to submit the following documents:
Admission Requirements Complete the admission requirements as indicated for your program of interest.
Official Test Scores. All applicants, including those from English-speaking countries, must show proof of proficiency in English by taking one of the following tests. The accepted tests and the required minimum scores are as follows:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): There are three different formats. The required score depends on the format you take. Applicants must score a 79 on the Internet Based Test (IBT), a 213 on the Computer Based Test (CBT) or a 550 on the paper-based test (PB)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Applicants must score at least a 6.
- MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): Applicants must score at least a 77.
- Duolingo (Duolingo) Applicants must score 105 or higher
- Pearson Language Test (PLT) Applicants must score 53 or higher
University Diplomas and Transcripts with Foreign Credit Evaluation Students must submit their university transcript. If you attended college outside of the U.S, your documents MUST be evaluated by one of the following agencies or through SpanTran. Students who have taken university courses must submit a course by course transcript evaluation of all courses taken abroad. The evaluation must also indicate the degree(s) earned. A provisional acceptance will be granted to qualified applicants. The issuance of the I-20 will require the completed course-by-course evaluation.
Affidavit of Support (Download the formopens PDF file )Students must show proof of adequate financial support to pay for their tuition and living expenses while in the U.S. Applicants should have the affidavit form signed by a bank representative in their country and must submit ORIGINAL bank statements, dated no more than 6 months before their anticipated start date, showing the required amount of support.
Please note: You must be accepted into a full-time program. Not all of our programs qualify for a visa.
What to do once you’re accepted
If you have recently been accepted, click here for info on obtaining your student visa.
International Tuition and Housing Costs
As non-residents, international students will be billed for out-of-state tuition at Western Connecticut State University. The estimated costs per semester are listed on the graduate admissions website. International students must show proof of sufficient funding in order to obtain a visa to study in the US. Rates shown are for full-time graduates.
Keep in mind that the housing and meal costs estimated above represent average costs. The exact price will depend on the type of room and meal plan the student selects –single, double, triple, or apartment-style. More information on university residence halls and meal plans may be found at the Office of Housing and Residence Life. Most international students choose to live off-campus in private apartments, in which case housing and meal costs will vary.
Health insurance is mandatory for all graduate students unless they are covered by a private policy valid in the United States and have completed an online waiver. Health Insurance
Unfortunately, international students are not eligible for Federal and State financial aid at Western Connecticut State University. However, students may apply for some Western Connecticut State University scholarships after they have completed one year of study at WCSU. Several organizations in the U.S. provide loans and scholarships to international students, although they will require a U.S. resident to sign as a guarantor for the student. The following links provide excellent tips for foreign students paying for college in the United States. Western Connecticut State University does not have direct knowledge of, nor does it endorse, any of the programs listed on these sites.
- Education USA: Official US Department of State website
- EduPass: The Smart Guide to Studying in the US
- International Scholarships
- International Student Loans
- Leo S. Rowe Pan-American Fund: provides scholarships and loans to students from Latin America and the Caribbean