International Student Admission Requirements: Graduate

USF has a vibrant community of learners all due to our diverse population of international student community.

The application process for international students is the same as for domestic students, with the exception of submitting proof of English proficiency. After admission, international students are also required to obtain a U.S. visa, which includes submitting a graduate financial guarantee.

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Graduate Programs Available for International Students

Graduate Admission Requirements

You must have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country.

You must have maintained a 2.75 or 3.0 on a 4.00 scale grade point average (GPA). If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, your application may still be considered. Please check your respective program requirements for the GPA requirements.

For students with international credentials, a professional credential evaluation is needed by an outside credential evaluation service. Please see International Transcript Evaluation below.

Official transcripts and transcript evaluation must be sent directly to University of St. Francis from the issuing institutions either by emailadmtranscripts@stfrancis.edu or mail: University of St. Francis, International Admissions, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, IL 60435 USA 

Note: Any document USF receives becomes property of USF and will not be returned to you. Photocopies certified by a notary public are not official. Scanned copies are also not accepted in lieu of original official academic documents.

Foreign transcripts shall be evaluated by one of the Transcript Evaluation agencies approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (naces.org). A Course-by-Course Evaluation with a U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and degree equivalency is required for international graduate students. The required transcript evaluation agencies for social work applicants is Council on Social Work Education.

The transcript evaluation company shall submit the official transcript evaluations directly to USF at: admtranscripts@stfrancis.edu.

For additional information, please visit USF’s international transcript page.

Proof of English Proficiency
Please submit one of the following tests for direct admission:

  • SAT– 1030 | Writing 5
  • ACT– 20 | Writing 8 (87%)
  • GRE– Verbal 158, Writing 4.4
  • TOEFL– 79 Internet Based, 213 Computer Based,
    550 Paper Based
  • IELTS– 6.0 | Five (5) with one semester of credit bearing academic study at an accredited university
  • Pearson– PTE 54 – General Level 3
  • Cambridge– 169-175 | Cambridge General Certificate of Education (GCE) O level passing score in English International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) English (not ESL) score of C or higher
  • iTEP– 3.7
  • EIKEN– Pre-1
  • Duolingo–Graduate 115

English Language Requirement Waivers:
Applicants have completed secondary or tertiary studies in English in one of the following: Australia, New Zealand, Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom.

Completion of English Language Program. Applicants who have completed an English language program that is accredited through the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) or EnglishUSA, will be exempt from providing further English proficiency and will qualify for undergraduate or graduate program application.

Conditional Admission
Applicants, who are eligible for conditional admission without submitting one of the English test results, are admitted to the English Language for Academic Purposes program (ELAP) at University of St. Francis and must meet English proficiency requirements before being offered full admission to the university. Eligible students will receive an I-20 for English Language training and may receive an updated I-20 for academic study after receiving full admission.

Click here for more information regarding proof of English proficiency

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit Admissions Documents

  1. Complete an online application: International Graduate Admission
  2. 2.75 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale from undergraduate degree.
  3. A Course-by-Course Evaluation with a U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and degree equivalency. Please note that we will require your official transcripts should you be admitted. Foreign transcripts shall be evaluated by one of the Transcript Evaluation agencies approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please visit USF’s international transcript page for additional information.
  4. English proficiency requirement,
  5. Admission Essay
  6. Letter of Recommendation
  7. Verification of Employment
  8. Resume
  1. Complete an online application: International Graduate Admission
  2. 2.75 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale from undergraduate degree.
  3. A Course-by-Course Evaluation with a U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and degree equivalency. Please note that we will require your official transcripts should you be admitted. Foreign transcripts shall be evaluated by one of the Transcript Evaluation agencies approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please visit USF’s international transcript page for additional information.
  4. English proficiency requirement,
  5. Admission Essay
  6. 2 Letters of Recommendation
  7. Verification of Employment
  8. Interview Required
  1. Complete an online application: International Graduate Admission
  2. 2.75 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale from undergraduate degree.
  3. A Course-by-Course Evaluation with a U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and degree equivalency. Please note that we will require your official transcripts should you be admitted. Foreign transcripts shall be evaluated by one of the Transcript Evaluation agencies approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please visit USF’s international transcript page for additional information.
  4. English proficiency requirement,
  5. Admission Essay
  6. Letter of Recommendation
  7. Verification of Employment
  8. Resume
  9. Two (2) years of health care experience or four (4) undergraduate foundation health care courses (Master’s in Health Administration Only)
  1. Complete an online application: International Graduate Admission
  2. 2.75 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale from undergraduate degree.
  3. A Course-by-Course Evaluation with a U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and degree equivalency. Please note that we will require your official transcripts should you be admitted. Foreign transcripts shall be evaluated by one of the Transcript Evaluation agencies approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please visit USF’s international transcript page for additional information.
  4. English proficiency requirement,
  5. Admission Essay
  6. 2 Letters of Recommendation
  1. Complete an online application: International Graduate Admission
  2. 2.75 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale from undergraduate degree.
  3. A Course-by-Course Evaluation with a U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and degree equivalency. Please note that we will require your official transcripts should you be admitted. Foreign transcripts shall be evaluated by one of the Transcript Evaluation agencies approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please visit USF’s international transcript page for additional information.
  4. English proficiency requirement,
  5. Admission Essay
  6. 2 Letters of Recommendation
  7. Resume
  8. College of Education Review
  1. Complete an online application: International Graduate Admission
  2. 2.75 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale from undergraduate degree.
  3. A Course-by-Course Evaluation with a U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and degree equivalency. Please note that we will require your official transcripts should you be admitted. Foreign transcripts shall be evaluated by one of the Transcript Evaluation agencies approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please visit USF’s international transcript page for additional information.
  4. English proficiency requirement,
  5. Admission Essay
  6. Letter of Recommendation
  7. Resume
  8. Interview Required

Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of St. Francis! The next step is to submit the documents we need to issue you a Form I-20. The I-20 is the “Certificate of Eligibility” that allows an international student to apply for an F-1 student visa. The Form I-20 is an important document you will need to study in the United States.

You must be a “bona fide” student and accepted to a full-time program of study. You must prove that you can support the costs of studying and living in the U.S. during your program of study at USF by providing the followings:

  1. Copy of Your Passport
    If you are bringing dependents with you, you must also include a copy of all of their passports.
  2. Affidavit of Support
    Please print, complete, sign and return to intladmissions@stfrancis.edu:
  3. Financial Support Documents
    These are typically in form of bank statements that would at least equal the amount listed on the affidavit. This information is needed for your I-20. There is a financial guarantee for SACM or other government-sponsored students.
  4. Pay Your Tuition Deposit
    To confirm your spot in our next incoming international class, please submit a $550 tuition deposit. Student Wire Instructions (PDF)

For more information visit: stfrancis.edu/admissions-aid/i-20.

Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. Below are the steps after you receive your Form I-20.

  1. Pay SEVIS I-901 fee (fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html if applicable
  2. Check the Visa Appointment Wait Time or schedule a visa appointment with your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

For more helpful information, please visit Student Visa and the U.S. Department of State website (link is external).

  • After receiving your visa, schedule your trip to University of St. Francis. Please complete the International Student Pre-Arrival Form. This form will provide the University of St. Francis with your travel, housing, and other information and will assist us in proper planning for the International Student Orientation. All new International Students are required to attend the MANDATORY International Student Orientation program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST on the Thursday prior to the Monday that your new school term begins at USF. Orientation programs are essential for reviewing Immigration rules and regulations and essential policies and procedures at the University of St. Francis. Orientation is also an essential first step for international students to be checked into the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  
  • Complete and confirm your housing arrangement on campus. Nearby hotel options for visitors.
  • Meet your vaccination requirements.
  • All international students are required to have health insurance. All students are automatically enrolled in USF’s insurance plan unless there is proof of private coverage that is accepted by USF. Some hospitals and physicians may not accept the health insurance purchased outside of the United States. For more information, please visit our Health Insurance website.
  • Visit your MyUSF Portal to check on your status.
  • Pay tuition and fees.
  • International Student FAQs

Additional Links

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