Information for international students

Thank you for your interest in pursuing your online degree through Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. We recommend you begin the online education application process well in advance of when you wish to start your online course or online degree program.

To be considered for enrollment, you must complete the following steps:

1. Contact us for assistance with online degree and online education course searches or to discuss your goals and plans.
2. Review U.S. regulations on how to become an online student or exchange visitor.

3. When you have decided on an online degree program, complete and mail the following items to the address provided on the International Student Application Form.

   • A completed International Student Application Form.
   • Non-refundable application fee of $20 US dollars.

   • A certified transcript from a secondary school and/or post-secondary school. The transcript must be translated into English by one of the following services:

     • World Educational Services
     • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
     • International Education Research Foundation, Inc.

   • One of the following documentations of English proficiency:

     • Test of English Foreign Language with a score of 500 or higher (paper) or 173 or higher (computer).
     • Official transcript that shows recent completion of a college-level composition course with a grade of "C" or better from a United States college or university.
   • Certification of Finances

Helpful resources as you prepare for your online education.

• International Student in the USA
• Visa Processing Waiting Period
• Preparing for a Visa Appointment
• International Student Application Form
• Disability Services
• Library Services

Online tutoring

Tutoring support to online education students is available with SMARTTHINKING. SMARTTHINKING is a virtual learning assistance center providing online tutoring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can connect with live tutors from any computer that has Internet access. An online writing lab allows you to work in real time with instructors who critique and return essays within 24 hours.