(1) International Student Applications (PDF) for Admission are due at least six months before the semester for which a student wishes to enroll. A $45 application fee is required.

(U.S. citizens and international applicants who are permanent residents of the U.S. should submit a Domestic Application for Admission (PDF), not an International Application.)

(2) Applicants must have all colleges and universities attended send official copies of all certificates, diplomas, degrees, and transcripts, as well as the corresponding number of certified literal English translations of any non-English documents to:

The College of Graduate Studies
100 Foust Hall
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859
U.S.A.

(3) All prospective students must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. All prospective students must demonstrate competency in the English language in one of the following ways:

• Achievement of a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Score requirements are explained below. Requests to substitute another test will be evaluated individually with minimum scores to be established by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies when necessary.
• Satisfactory completion of a course of study (for example, high school or baccalaureate degree or graduate degree) in which the language of instruction was English.
• TEST SCORE REQUIREMENTS
• REGULAR ADMISSION: Applicants with TOEFL scores of 550 PBT, or 79 iBT and above, IELTS scores of 6.5 and above, or a MELAB score of 77 or higher, may be granted regular admission. Some programs, however, require higher TOEFL scores and others require all admitted international students to take an English proficiency test after arriving on campus.
• CONDITIONAL ADMISSION: Applicants with TOEFL scores from 500 to 549 PBT, or 61-78 iBT, IELTS scores of 5.5 or 6, or MELAB scores ranging from 69-76 may be granted conditional admission. Upon arrival at the university, they will be required to take an English proficiency test administered by CMU's English Language Institute (ELI). The results of the test will be used to determine the number of courses they will be required to take through the ELI. Such conditionally admitted students will be allowed to take a restricted number of courses in their academic disciplines concurrently with the ELI courses and must complete all required ELI courses by the end of their first year at CMU. Once satisfactory proficiency in English has been demonstrated, as determined by ELI policies these restrictions will be removed. Please note that students are required to pay tuition for ELI courses just as they would for any other CMU course

NOTE: Applicants with TOEFL scores below 500 PBT, or 60 iBT or IELTS scores below 5.5 may be granted admission to the ELI only. If requested, however the College of Graduate Studies will have their academic credentials evaluated and they will be told of the likelihood of their future admission to their academic program pending improvement of their English skills. Upon arrival at the university, they will be required to take an English proficiency test to determine with ELI courses they must take. Once satisfactory proficiency in English has been demonstrated, as determined by ELI policies, and once the applicant satisfies department, college, and university requirements, these students may be granted either regular or conditional admission to the College of Graduate Studies and the academic program.

Please note: Depending on the TOEFL scores submitted, applicants may be granted regular or conditional admission, or admission only to CMU's English Language Institute (ELI.)

(4) Students must complete a Central Michigan University Medical Information Form at the Office of International Affairs when they arrive on campus.

(5) All international students are required to have an approved health and accident insurance policy for the duration of their study. If a student already has health insurance, he/she must provide an English translation of the insurance policy as proof. If the policy is equal to or better than the CMU plan, the student will not be required to purchase additional insurance.

(6) International students must comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations as well as with CMU regulations. Students should work closely with the International Admission Specialist in the College of Graduate Studies during the application process. Send e-mail to: grad@cmich.edu

(7) A Financial Support Form is recommended but not required.  If you are granted admission you will at that time need to submit a Financial Support Form to obtain a student visa.  In order to speed up the process, you may send with your application materials a signed, completed CMU International Financial Support Form (if your funding is from a sponsor, be sure to complete the Affidavit of Support section on the form and have your sponsor sign it).  To download the Financial Support Form, click here.

Keep in mind that not all overseas bachelor's degrees are equivalent to 4-year U.S. bachelor's degrees. Also, not all international students have the correct visa to be awarded graduate assistantships.

For visa information and other immigration questions, check with the Office of International Affairs. ​