International Affairs

The Office of International Affairs provides leadership for the international enterprise at MTSU. The division comprises the Center for Asian Studies, the Center for Chinese Music and Culture, Education Abroad, International Enrollment Management, and the Intensive English Program.

The Office of International Enrollment Management, reporting to International Affairs, processes undergraduate international student applications. International student applicants may apply for the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. All inquiries and correspondence regarding undergraduate admissions should be addressed to this office. 

The Office of International Undergraduate Admissions under International Affairs (IA) processes all information regarding application to the University and immigration status. The University provides immigration advisement through Designated School Officials (DSOs) located within IA. The DSOs are responsible for issuing I-20 and DS-2019 documents used for applying for F and J visas. They serve as liaisons among faculty members, administrators, and international students.

All applicants wishing to pursue an undergraduate degree at MTSU must formally apply for admission through International Admission as degree-seeking students. The International Admission team is responsible for the admission of all international undergraduate students to the University. International undergraduate applicants must meet the admission standards Middle Tennessee State University.  All inquiries and correspondence regarding admission should be addressed to international@mtsu.edu. Application information including forms, requirements, and instructions may be obtained by contacting the International Admission office.

Applicants residing outside the United States at the time of application can apply for admission for the Fall and Spring semesters only. Applicants who are already in the United States and in F1 or J1 status may also apply for Summer, depending on the availability of summer courses in the undergraduate graduate program. If summer is the first semester either in the United States or at MTSU, the student must meet full-time enrollment requirements.

Any applicant who misrepresents his or her credentials will be subject to disciplinary action from the University which may include dismissal from the University. All international undergraduate applicants should submit their materials to the International Admission office by the deadline for guaranteed consideration. International applicants wishing to be admitted to an undergraduate program should make note of the following:

1. Submit an online application for admission Apply Here.
2. Pay $30 nonrefundable application fee (money order or check with routing numbers); American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted for online applications.
3. Provide a copy of valid passport.
4. Submit Official Transcripts from all secondary institutions attended.
5. order a course-by-course evaluation of transcript(s) from institutions outside the United States by an acceptable evaluation service if the student has attended a post-secondary institution outside the United States. All acceptable evaluation services are listed at www.naces.org/members. Evaluations should be sent electronically to international@mtsu.edu or, if necessary, mailed to The Office of International Affairs, MTSU Box 120, Murfreesboro, TN 37132.
6. Order official transcripts certifying coursework from each United States college or university attended with the exception of MTSU. Official transcripts must be mailed or emailed directly (or through an established clearinghouse) from the institution to MTSU and must be received prior to enrollment. U.S. Transcripts should be sent electronically to international@mtsu.edu or, if necessary, mailed to The Office of International Affairs, MTSU Box 120 Murfreesboro, TN 37132.
7. If mailing the physical transcripts, your official high school or university transcripts must be mailed directly from your high school or university to MTSU. Documents cannot be accepted by the student unless the documents are in an unopened official envelope with an embossed stamp or inked seal across the flap of the envelope.
8. If you are a university-to-university transfer student, we will require your high school transcript only if you have completed less than 24 hours of university coursework.
9. To determine an applicant’s level of proficiency in the English language, MTSU requires all applicants, whose native language is not English, to submit English Proficiency results. Acceptable tests and minimum results include:
   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language score (TOEFL; www.ets.org/toefl; minimum score of 61 Internet-based)
   2. International English Language Testing System score (IELTS; www.ielts.org; minimum score of 5.5)
   3. International Test of English Proficiency score (iTEP; www.itepexam.com; minimum score of 3.5)
   4. Persons Test of English (PTE; www.pearsonpte.com minimum score 59 of above)
   5. Duolingo (englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants) Minimum score 85 or above)
   6. E.L.S. instruction (www.els.edu; completion of level 110)
   7. For transfer students, completion of English 1010 and 1020 at a U.S. university

NOTE: English Proficiency is not required if:

• English is the native language of your country of citizenship
• The applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited 4-year college or university

NOTE: Nursing and Professional-Pilot degree programs require higher minimum English language proficiency scores: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 70, Duolingo 95, iTEP 3.8, or ELS level 112.

10. International applicants on F and J visas must provide verification of financial support as required by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. An affidavit of support is not required for admission; however, international students (F1) requiring issuance of Form I-20 must supply sufficient evidence of financial support for the applicant and all members of their family requiring issuance of dependent Form I-20. Further information may be obtained from the Office of International Affairs at ISSS@mtsu.edu.
11. Upon notification of admission by the Office of International Affairs, the admitted student should monitor his/her email for notifications of webinars and immigration requirements.
12. Based on additional time required for the visa process, students are encouraged to apply for acceptance as early as possible.

Immigration Service Regulations.

MTSU shall adhere to all U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service regulations in the admission, enrollment, and readmission of international non-immigrant applicants.

It is the student’s responsibility to see that they possess legal immigration status. All immigration documents should be kept in a safe place. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), F1 and J1 students must be enrolled full time (minimum 12 credit hours; nine must be taught in the conventional method) during Fall and Spring semesters. Summer enrollment is optional, unless it is the first term of enrollment or the last term of a student’s degree program. Also, USCIS requires that F1 and J1 applicants meet all admission requirements prior to the first date of enrollment.

MTSU shall adhere to all U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service regulations in the admission, enrollment, and readmission of international non-immigrant applicants.

Undocumented aliens may be admitted to MTSU as out-of-state students and are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Deadlines for Completed* Files:

Fall semester: July 1 of same year;

Spring semester: November 1 of previous year;

Summer semester: April 15 of same year. (only for students already in the United States)

*NOTE: A completed file contains ALL acceptable materials required for admission.

Health and Accident Insurance

International non-immigrant applicants with J and F visas must have and maintain medical and hospitalization insurance as a condition of admission and continued enrollment at the University. Applicants with J visas must also carry adequate medical and hospitalization insurance for spouses and dependents. MTSU may require similar insurance coverage of all other international non-immigrant applicants.

Certification of Freedom from Tuberculosis

All international non-immigrant students applying for admission pursuant to a student visa shall submit within thirty (30) days from the first day of classes a certificate from a licensed physician or other qualified medical authority verifying freedom from tuberculosis. Failure to submit such certification shall result in denial of admission or continued enrollment. In the event that a student has tuberculosis or has potential tuberculosis requiring medical treatment, continued enrollment will be conditioned upon the determination by a licensed physician that further enrollment is not a risk to others and upon the student’s compliance with any prescribed medical treatment program.

Orientation Information

All F1 students must attend an Immigration Orientation which is held shortly before the beginning of classes each Fall and Spring. Information regarding orientation requirements is sent once the student has received final acceptance into the University and program of study. Any F1 students admitted for the summer term will be required to complete orientation requirements as instructed.

All new F1 students must attend the University’s Orientation (New to Blue Orientation). At orientation, students meet with an academic advisor before registering for classes. Information regarding orientation is sent by email and through the application portal.

Residency Classification for Fee-Paying Purposes

The Office of International Affairs verifies residency for international students. All international students will be considered out-of-state for fee-paying purposes until they apply for and receive in-state status. Those who believe they meet the in-state criteria may fill out the application for instate classification available from the international admission office at international@mtsu.edu. The completed form and supporting documentation should be submitted at minimum one month prior to the start of the term. Failure to file for residency may result in student payment of out-of-state tuition. Students will be informed of the residency decision by e-mail. Students holding F or J visas do not qualify for in-state classification.

Education Abroad (Study Abroad)

The Office of Education Abroad is committed to providing exceptional education abroad programming by assisting students in fulfilling their academic goals to study abroad, supporting faculty leading education abroad programs, and welcoming all new incoming exchange students each year. The Education Abroad staff provides one-on-one advising sessions to any student interested in participating in one of the various affiliated programs located within 65 countries that complement their individual academic program. Education Abroad also facilitates student preparation through informational sessions and on campus pre-departure orientations.

International Education at MTSU

MTSU students have the opportunity to broaden their personal and professional horizons through a variety of programs offered by the University. MTSU has a tradition of an internationalized academic curriculum and has created opportunities for students to gain international experience. These opportunities include major and minor academic programs, direct exchange programs, study abroad, and experiential and service-learning projects.

Experiential and Service-Learning Projects

Several departments at MTSU, in collaboration with the Education Abroad Office, offer unique opportunities for students to engage in international experiential or service-learning activities.

Regionally Specific Interdisciplinary Minors

MTSU offers a variety of interdisciplinary minors designed to increase understanding and knowledge of a specific global region. They include

• African Studies Minor  
• Africana Studies Minor  
• Asian Studies Minor  
• Early Modern European Studies Minor  
• Latin American Studies Minor 
• Medieval and Early Modern Studies Minor  
• Middle East Studies Minor  
• Portuguese Studies Minor  
• Russian Studies Minor