Graduate International Students

Graduate International Students

Admission to a graduate program for international students requires a valid U.S. equivalent bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The applicant's academic qualifications are evaluated based on GPA and standardized test scores (if required).

Required Documents for Admission:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
  • Officially translated copies of transcripts (if not in English).
  • Course-by-course evaluation from a recognized credential evaluation service. The evaluation must meet the standards set by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and the National Council on the Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials (NCEFE), including course names, descriptions, credit hours, grades, GPA, degree earned, and the date of degree conferral.
  • English proficiency proof (see English Language Proficiency Requirements).

It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure and pay for the evaluation and ensure timely submission to meet admission deadlines.

Admission Requirements:

  1. Minimum GPA:
    • A minimum 2.5 GPA on the last 60 hours of coursework, including all courses in the semester where the 60th hour occurs.
    • Students with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 may be conditionally admitted and must complete 12 graduate credit hours with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher to continue in the program.
    • For full admission at entrance, applicants must submit acceptable GRE or GMAT scores before beginning coursework. (Some programs require GRE or GMAT scores regardless of GPA.)
  2. English Language Proficiency:
    Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
    • Earned a grade of "C" or better in English Composition I & II (ENGL 1301 & 1302).
    • Submitted official TOEFL or IELTS scores meeting these minimums:
      • TOEFL: 80 (internet-based), 213 (computer-based), or 550 (paper-based).
      • IELTS: 6.0 or higher.
    • Citizenship from a recognized English-speaking country as listed in TAC 230.11(b)(5)(C).
  3. Leveling Courses:
    Some programs may require additional prerequisite coursework (leveling classes) based on the applicant’s academic background.

Visa and Financial Requirements:

  • To obtain a U.S. student visa (F-1), applicants must provide proof of financial solvency demonstrating the ability to cover all educational and living expenses.
  • A financial sponsor must endorse all expenditures for the applicant throughout their studies.
  • Copies of financial statements must be submitted with the admission application.

Health Insurance & Additional Requirements:

  • The Texas A&M University System mandates that all international students must have medical insurance with U.S. coverage.
  • Students are automatically enrolled in a university health insurance plan and charged accordingly.
  • Applicants must submit two passport-style color photos taken within six months of application submission.

Application Processing & I-20 Issuance:

  • All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate School for processing.
  • An I-20 cannot be issued until all materials are received, and the applicant is officially admitted to the Graduate School.

For additional information, contact the Graduate School at graduateschool@tamuct.edu.