International Student Admission

Middle Georgia State University values the contributions international students make to our campus community. International students provide the University with a diverse population through which differences in race, ethnicity, religious conviction, and cultural background may be celebrated. To learn more about the admission requirements and to access appropriate forms, visit www.mga.edu/admissions.

Because additional processing time is required, international students should submit the admissions application and all supporting documents at least 60 days prior to the desired semester of enrollment. Foreign educational credentials must include English translations.

In addition to satisfying the regular requirements for admission as freshmen or transfer students, international applicants must provide evidence of adequate financial support to meet educational and personal expenses. International students must provide evidence of adequate immunization and have health insurance coverage that meets minimum University System of Georgia standards. Additional information regarding mandatory student health insurance coverage may be found at https://www.mga.edu/health-clinic/student-insurance.php. Middle Georgia State University determines admissibility of international applicants only after all required admissions documents have been received. The certificate of eligibility (Form I-20) cannot be forwarded to an international student until after an offer of acceptance has been extended by the University.

International students without previous records at colleges or universities within the United States must meet the requirements outlined in this catalog for admission as beginning freshmen. International students who have attended colleges or universities within the United States must meet the requirements outlined for admission as transfer students.

Applicants whose first language is not English and whose instruction throughout secondary school was not in English must demonstrate English proficiency.  English proficiency is demonstrated by achieving the minimum scores on one of the following tests:

 

Test
Minimum Score
 TOEFL iBT
 69
 IELTS  6.0
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section  480
ACT English  17
 Cambridge English Scale Score
 169

Additional test and minimum requirements can be found at https://www.mga.edu/admissions/international-students/english-proficiency.php

Once admitted into the University, international students (with F-1 visas) are required to register for and complete a full-time course load (at least 12 semester hours) each academic term, with the exception of summer. International students must be registered for at least 12 semester hours no later than the first day of class for regular session courses during the fall and spring semesters. Middle Georgia State University is required to report international students who drop below full-time status or who do not remain in "good academic standing" to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Such students are considered "out of status" and their F-1 status will therefore be terminated. It is the responsibility of the international student to fully understand and comply with all U.S. immigration laws governing their visa status.

 

All new international students must report to the International Student Admission official within the first two weeks of class and must provide the office with their passport, I-20, and I-94 records. Photocopies of these documents will be placed in the student's admission file and the originals will be returned to the student.