Requirements for Graduate Admissions

Op5.09-2 International Graduate Students

Graduate Admission Requirements

Missouri State encourages applicants from around the world. To apply for admission, please follow these required steps:

  1. Complete an Application We encourage you to visit the Graduate Applications website to learn about individual academic program requirements and then follow all steps necessary to apply to your program of interest. Applications must be complete and submitted before we can begin processing.
  2. Academic Requirements
    You must have completed a U.S. bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution, with a 2.75 (U.S. scale) grade point average for the last 60 credit hours. Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for admission requirements for each individual graduate program. Official proof of any degree, diploma, certificate and/or transcript must be submitted for your file in the original language and a translated copy. If you have completed less than one year of study at a postsecondary institution, regardless of location or length of time attended, you must request these records as well. You must request official documents from each school you have attended.Official documents: To qualify as official, documents must be sent to the Missouri State Office of International Services directly from the issuing institution. Official copies of all documents must arrive before you file can be forwarded to the Office of Graduate Studies for admission consideration.
  3. Proof of English Proficiency
    Proof of your proficiency in English is required if your primary language is not English. Persons who have completed one or more years of university level study in the U.S. may be exempt at the discretion of the International Services Office. Proof can be provided in two ways:
    1. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)*
      The TOEFL score minimum requirement is 79 or more for graduate applicants. You must request that original copies of these scores be sent to Missouri State directly from the Educational Testing Service. If you have a computer-based score, check here to see the equivalent paper based score: TOEFL Concordance Tables
    2. Graduate Study
      Students applying for graduate study (including those who have completed an undergraduate degree but do not yet meet the English requirements for graduate admission), should request an application to the Missouri State English Language Institute.

      Graduate Students

      Test Minimum Score
      TOEFL-iBT
      (Internet-based test)
      Score of 79 or more
      IELTS Score of 6.0 or more
      Missouri State
      English Language Institute (ELI) program
      Completion of EAP Graduate Capstone
  4. Graduate Required Tests
    Tests Applicants to the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Accountancy programs must take the "Graduate Management Admission Test" (GMAT)*. Some graduate programs require the "Graduate Record Examination" (GRE)*. Scores for the appropriate test must be on file prior to admission.

    *Information and registration forms for the tests are also available at many U.S. Embassies and Consulates, offices of the U.S. Information Agency, and offices of international education organizations, such as the Institute of International Education (IIE), the African-American Institute (AAI), and the American-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST).

  5. U.S. Transfer Recommendation Form
    You must complete the transfer recommendation form if you are currently in the U.S. as an international student and are planning to continue your education at Missouri State. You must submit the transfer recommendation form to your current international student advisor who will mail or fax it to Missouri State International Services office. We cannot complete the I-20 Form until it is received. Be sure to sign the transfer form before submitting it to your current international student advisor.
    Download: U.S. Transfer Recommendation Form

*To register for the TOEFL or GRE see: www.ets.org

To register for the GMAT see: www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT

Required Documentation of Financial Support

International applicants must provide proof of necessary financial resources. You will need these documents to complete your visa application and immigration process. Missouri State University and the US Embassy or Consulate will review this information. Download the document below by right-clicking or tap and hold. 

Upload your financial documentation to your immigration portal after you have been admitted by the Graduate College. Instructions will be emailed to you at the time of admission.

Statement of Financial Support

Change of Level Workshops

Change of level workshops are required for current Missouri State University international undergraduates who wish to pursue a graduate program at Missouri State.  View COL worshop dates.