Missouri State University provides resources to support international students make
progress on their degree as a visiting student.
We welcome international students currently pursuing their undergraduate degree to
study at Missouri State University for one or two semesters. We also welcome post-graduate
students who already hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
and wish to take undergraduate courses.
Nondegree Application Checklist
The minimum GPA requirement is 2.5/4.0.
Please provide the academic transcripts in both original language and English translation
Email supporting documents required to process your application:
Biographical page of your passport
Statement of Financial Support
Proof of English Proficiency
Transcript(s) from your home university
Bank statement
After reviewing your application and supporting documents, our office will contact
you regarding an admissions decision.
Once admitted, you will be invited to the International Student and Scholar (ISSS)
Portal where you can request your immigration documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Academics and Course Resgistration
J-1 nondegree students work directly with our academic advising team rather than advisors
in academic colleges and departments. After students are admitted to the University,
students should request an advising appointment. Students will need to provide their university transcripts, English proficiency
documentation, and a list of MSU courses they wish to take that have prerequisites.
For MSU course listings, students should access Class Schedule Search and search for courses by term (semester). When compiling a list of courses, students
should ensure that class meeting times don’t conflict, that the location is the Springfield
campus, that courses aren’t full, and that students have completed prerequisites at
the home university. Sponsored students must additionally have prior approval from
the sponsor.
J-1 nondegree students are required to maintain full-time student status. At MSU,
full-time status is 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. J-1 nondegree
students are permitted to take up to 15 credit hours.
Federal regulations restrict J-1 student enrollment in online courses. Students may
take one online course (for maximum three credits) as part of each semester’s full-time
courseload.
Yes, J-1 nondegree students at MSU are not permitted to enroll in graduate-level courses
(courses numbered 500 and above).
Students are also not permitted to enroll courses offered through the Cooperative
Engineering Program. Students needing engineering courses to transfer back to their
home university should consult with their advisor on alternative options.
A prerequisite is a course that you must complete before enrolling in another (often
more advanced) course. For example, American Democracy and Citizenship (PLS 101) is
a prerequisite that students must complete before they can enroll in Introduction
to American Public Policy (PLS 102).
Prerequisite overrides can only be issued by academic departments. If the academic
department finds that previous coursework satisfies the requirement, they will issue
an override that allows students to enroll in the desired course. If students would
like to request a prerequisite override, they should first meet with their academic
advisor.
J-1 nondegree students are not permitted to add or drop courses on their own. To help
ensure that students remain in compliance with their visa regulations, all enrollment
changes should be processed by the student advisor.
Students needing an official transcript for their own records or to provide to their
home university should submit requests here. Note that transcripts can be pre-ordered: Students may request and pay for e-transcripts
while still attending MSU. The transcript will be emailed after the end of the semester
when final grades are posted.
Academic Training, Employment and Travel
J-1 nondegree students are eligible to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full time during MSU holidays
and breaks. For on-campus work, the nature of the employment does not need to be related
to your field of study.
Students will need to obtain a job-offer letter from their on-campus employer and
provide the letter to International Services. Employment must be authorized by International
Services before the start date in your job-offer letter.
In exceptional circumstances, a J-1 student may be authorized to work off-campus if
“serious, urgent, and unforeseen economic circumstances” have arisen since acquiring
exchange visitor status. Contact Source: 22 C.F.R. § 62.23 (g) (1) (iii). To get authorization for off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship,
students should first make an appointment with their advisor.
Yes, Academic Training is the name that the Exchange Visitor Program uses for students
who find opportunities to engage in practical experiences:
“A student may participate in academic training programs during his or her studies,
without wages or other remuneration, with the approval of the academic dean or advisor
and the Exchange Visitor Program Responsible Officer (RO or ARO). A student may be
authorized to participate in academic training for wages or other remuneration during
his or her studies or commencing not later than thirty (30) days after completion
of his or her studies.” Contact Source: 22CFR. § 62.23(f)(2).
Academic Training must be directly connected with a student’s major and field of
study. If students need a background check and a social security number to successfully
complete their training, they will need a job-offer letter from the employer, a letter
from an academic dean or supervisor explaining how the training benefits the students’
studies, and approval from International Services.
