International Student Application Instructions
Western Connecticut State University welcomes applications from international students who reside outside of the United States. Please read the information below carefully.
The following programs are available to international students:
Master of Business Administration
Contact Information: Dr. Mohinder Dugal, dugalm@wcsu.edu, 203.837.3257
Master of Business Administration – concentration in cybersecurity
Contact Information: Dr. Mohinder Dugal, dugalm@wcsu.edu, 203.837.3257
Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts (illustration, interdisciplinary, painting)
Contact Information: Darby Cardonsky, cardonskyd@wcsu.edu, 203.837.8881
Master of Science in Integrative Biological Diversity
Contact Information: Dr. Theodora Pinou, pinout@wcsu.edu, 203.837.8793
Application Questions
Dr. Christopher Shankle, Director of Graduate Studies, shanklec@wcsu.edu
Ms. Mary Champion, Secretary of Graduate Studies, championm@wcsu.edu
International/Immigration Student Questions
Ms. Donna Warner, International Services Coordinator, warnerd@wcsu.edu
What to do after I apply?
International Graduate Applications are due by the deadline as indicated on the application deadline page.
After filing the International Graduate Application (Online application) you need to complete/submit the following documents:
Admission Requirements Complete the admission requirements as indicated for your program of interest.
Official Test Scores. All applicants, including those from English-speaking countries, must show proof of proficiency in English by taking one of the following tests. The accepted tests and the required minimum scores are as follows:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): There are three different formats. The required score depends on the format you take. Applicants must score a 79 on the Internet Based Test (IBT), or a 213 on the Computer Based Test (CBT).
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Applicants must score at least a 6.
- Duolingo (Duolingo) Applicants must score 105 or higher
- Pearson Language Test (PLT) Applicants must score 53 or higher
University Diplomas and Transcripts with Foreign Credit Evaluation Students must submit their university transcript. If you attended college outside of the U.S, your documents MUST be evaluated by one of the list of acceptable evaluation agencies or through SpanTran. Students who have taken university courses must submit a course by course transcript evaluation of all courses taken abroad. The evaluation must also indicate the degree(s) earned. A provisional acceptance will be granted to qualified applicants. The issuance of the I-20 will require the completed course-by-course evaluation.
Affidavit of Support 2024-25 Affidavit of Support Form Students must show proof of adequate financial support to pay for their tuition and living expenses while in the U.S. Applicants should have the affidavit form signed by a bank representative in their country and must submit ORIGINAL bank statements, dated no more than 6 months before their anticipated start date, showing the required amount of support.
Please note: You must be accepted into a full-time program. Not all of our programs qualify for a visa.
What to do once you’re accepted ?
If you have recently been accepted, click here for info on obtaining your student visa.
International Tuition and Housing Costs
As non-residents, international students will be billed for out-of-state tuition at Western Connecticut State University. The estimated costs per semester are listed on the graduate admissions website. International students must show proof of sufficient funding in order to obtain a visa to study in the US. Rates shown are for full-time graduates.
Keep in mind that the housing and meal costs estimated above represent average costs. The exact price will depend on the type of room and meal plan the student selects –single, double, triple, or apartment-style. More information on university residence halls and meal plans may be found at the Office of Housing and Residence Life. Most international students choose to live off-campus in private apartments, in which case housing and meal costs will vary.
Health insurance is mandatory for all graduate students unless they are covered by a private policy valid in the United States.
Unfortunately, international students are not eligible for Federal and State financial aid at Western Connecticut State University. However, students may apply for some Western Connecticut State University scholarships after they have completed one year of study at WCSU. Several organizations in the U.S. provide loans and scholarships to international students, although they will require a U.S. resident to sign as a guarantor for the student. The following links provide excellent tips for foreign students paying for college in the United States. Western Connecticut State University does not have direct knowledge of, nor does it endorse, any of the programs listed on these sites.
- EduPass: The Smart Guide to Studying in the US
- International Scholarships
- International Student Loans
- Leo S. Rowe Pan-American Fund: provides scholarships and loans to students from Latin America and the Caribbean
For more information, Western Connecticut State University International Services Office.