ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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Admission Requirements

The University is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students on the F-1 student visa. We accept only students with the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree--16 years of formal schooling.

Prospective students must apply to both The Graduate School and the respective department (only if the department requires an additional application. Individual departments may have different admission requirements and application deadlines. It is essential that you familiarize yourself with departmental information. You may do that:

• through the complete on-line catalog,
• through departmental home pages,
• by mail at name of department, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
• or by phone or e-mail.

For admission to a degree program, international applicants should allow at least four months for necessary documents to be processed by the appropriate degree program and Graduate Admissions. All test scores and credential evaluations must be on file in the Graduate Admissions Office, 101 Wilder Tower, at least four months before the desired enrollment date. Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure full consideration. Applicants will be selected on a competitive basis and, therefore, admission will not be granted to all applicants who meet only the minimum requirements. Some departments require higher standards or additional items such as portfolios, proficiency examinations, auditions, etc. When the Graduate School receives your application materials, an official file is established and reviewed. Your requested department then reviews your application and makes a recommendation to Graduate Admissions. You will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached. For futher information concerning admissions for international students, contact Graduate Admissions at (901) 678-2911.

Letters of Recommendation

If the program to which you are applying requires letters of recommendation, arrange for these letters by sending your recommender an envelope self-addressed to yourself. Specify to the recommender that the recommendation letter must be returned to you sealed then signed across the flap. Enclose all letters of recommendation unopened with your application for admission. Some departments require other material such a a statement of professional goals. Be sure to include any additional required information with your admission application.

Readmission into the University: International students who wish to apply for readmission to the University must meet the deadlines stated above.

In addition to general admissions requirements, international students must supply the following:

• TOEFL Scores: All applicants who will be attending the University on a student visa and who are not native speakers of English and are not graduates of The University of Memphis must supply a minimum score of 550 on the paper or 210 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some units, however, require a higher TOEFL score; check department listings for specific requirements. Testing locations and other information can be obtained from www.toefl.org or by writing to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, U.S.A. All test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to The University of Memphis, institution code R-1459.

• Evaluation of Credentials: Applicants whose highest degree is from a foreign university must have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services (http://www.wes.org). Their mailing address is World Education Services; P.O. Box 5087; Bowling Green Station; New York, NY 10274-5087. A course-by-course report is required. For general information on the equivalency of international degrees, check this web page.

• Health Certificate: Within 30 days from the first day of classes, each international student must submit a certificate from a licensed U.S. physician or other qualified U.S. medical authority verifying freedom from tuberculosis. Failure to do so shall result in denial of enrollment. In the event that a student either has tuberculosis or has potential tuberculosis requiring medical treatment, continued enrollment will be conditional upon the determination by a licensed U.S. physician that such enrollment does not present a risk to others and upon the student's compliance with any medical treatment program.

• Health Insurance: All international students must purchase health insurance before they are allowed to enroll.

Last revised on: January 3, 2008.