International Admissions

Applications and supporting documents must be submitted to The Graduate School no later than June 15 for admission the following fall semester, and November 15 for admission the following spring semester.

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit evidence of satisfactory performance on either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS - Academic Test). Satisfactory TOEFL scores are 550 for the written exam, 213 for the computer-based exam, and 80 for the Internet-based exam. Satisfactory IELTS - Academic Test scores are at the 6.5 overall band. Information about the TOEFL exam is available at www.ets.org and the IELTS - Academic Test at www.ielts.org . Students may be required to submit official documentation upon successful completion of our intensive English program, ELS program. For graduate students who receive provisional admission while completing the program, West Chester University reserves the final right and discretion to determine full matriculation as a degree-seeking student regardless of successful completion of the English language program

The following official education documents must be filed with The Graduate School:

1. A completed application.
2. One official transcript evaluation by either the World Educational Services, Education Credential Evaluators, Inc., or any NACES-participating organization.
3. TOEFL or IELTS - Academic Test scores must be sent from the testing agency directly to The Graduate School or ESL completion information from the providing agency must be sent directly to The Graduate School.  After the application is complete, the academic department and the graduate dean will review it. The applicant will be notified of the admission decision via e-mail.
4. A medical history form and an immunization record must be completed by a physician and returned to the Student Health Center, www.wcupa.edu/healthServices.
5. If a student is admitted to a degree program, the University will supply the application for the issuance of the Form I-20 for the student visa.  

Applicants who require a student visa must indicate this on the application form.  Those already in the United States must provide a copy of their current visa.  NOTE: The Form I-20 cannot be issued for certificate programs. Certificate programs do not lead toward a degree.

For more visa processing information, please visit this site: The Visa Process

International students must provide proof of financial support in the amount of US$29,575 for the first year of study at West Chester University and demonstrate that adequate funding will be available from the same or equally dependable sources for subsequent years.  This financial documentation must be received, reviewed, and evaluated as a condition of issuing the Form I-20.

Funds may come from any dependable source, including scholarships, fellowships, sponsoring agencies, personal funds, or funds from the student’s family. 

Documentation of scholarships and fellowships may be in the form of an official award letter from the school or sponsoring agency; documentation of personal or family funds should be on bank letterhead stationery, or in the form of a legally binding affidavit.  Form I-134, “Affidavit of Support,” can be used to document support being provided by a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident. If the student will depend on funds from a source outside of the U.S., West Chester University will determine if restrictions exist on the transfer of dollars from the country holding the funds, if the situation warrants such an inquiry. If it is determined that there are restrictions on the transfer of dollars, West Chester University may require an advance deposit of tuition and perhaps living expenses as well before issuing the Form I-20.

For all students who have previously studied in the U.S., verification that all financial obligations were met at prior academic institutions is required in addition to the required proof of financial support.

International students at West Chester University are required to carry adequate health insurance in the United States that is effective for all periods of time the student has been authorized to be in the United States by an immigration document issued by the University. Health insurance policies must be purchased through a company that sells insurance in the United States. 

West Chester University complies with the coverage standards set forth by the U.S. Department of State, which must be met by all insurance policies. Information about the minimum standards is available at the Global Engagement Office (GEO), 610-436-3515.

To assure compliance with the insurance requirement, all international students must come to the GEO by August 31^st of each academic year (January 31^st for students entering spring semester).  At the GEO, students may obtain information as to the amount of insurance required and the means of obtaining coverage to meet the insurance requirement.