International Student Admissions

Requirements for International Admission

The Office of International Admissions and Student Programs at the University of South Alabama provides special services and programs for non-U.S. Citizens and is responsible for the processing of applications for admission submitted by non-citizens. The following are the specific requirements needed by the applicants.

Application Deadlines

All necessary documents must be received by the established deadline as indicated below for the semester the student wishes to enter. Applications completed after the deadline will be considered for the following term, unless otherwise requested by the student.

Deadlines Outside the United States Deadlines Inside the United States
Fall - April 1 Fall - July 15
Spring - October 1 Spring - December 1
Summer - March 1 Summer - May 1

International Application for Admission

  1. Non-citizen Application for Admission - The Non-citizen Application for Admission must be completed and signed by the applicant. A nonrefundable $35.00 application fee, payable through a U.S. bank, must accompany the application. Applications received without the $35.00 processing fee will not be processed.
  2. Academic Records - Complete and certified academic records of all secondary and/or postsecondary education attempted must be submitted. Whenever possible, the records must be forwarded directly from the issuing institution to the University of South Alabama. Copies must be certified by an official of the government or school (e.g., Registrar or Dean). Unofficial copies may be accepted on a temporary basis. Any applicant who submits unofficial documents for admissions consideration must submit official copies no later than the student's first semester check-in and orientation. Failure to do so may result in revocation of admissions and cancellation of the immigration document issued by the University.
    If an applicant submits documentation that is deemed fraudulent, the University will immediately revoke admission and terminate/cancel immigration documents issued by USA. If already a student, OIASP will also send notification to the Dean of Students of student misconduct.
  3. English Proficiency
    1. New Freshman/Transfer
      Nonimmigrant applicants, whose native language is not English, must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting one of the following:
      1. Tests of English Proficiency (minimum overall score posted below)
        1. TOEFL - 61
        2. IELTS - 5.5
        3. ITEP - 3.6
        4. PTE - 44
        5. Duolingo - 95
        6. Advanced Level English examination from the United Kingdom with a score of 'A", "B", or "C/A-E"
    2. Transfer Students
      Applicants transferring from a United States regionally accredited institution will be exempt, subject to the following conditions:
      1. Transfer credits total at least 24 semester hours; and
      2. Completion of English Composition I with a grade of "C" or above
    3. Exemptions
      Applicants may be exempt from the English proficiency requirement, under the following conditions:
      1. Completion of a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited United State institution
      2. From a native English speaking country
  4. Other Test Options
    1. ACT Composite - 19
    2. SAT Evidence Based Reading/Writing & Math - 980, with Reading Test score of 26

Students not meeting EH 101-English Composition prerequisites will be required enroll in a supported section of the course based upon their English proficiency Reading and Writing subscores, their ACT-English, SAT-Critical Reading, or SAT-Reading Test score. Students will be permitted to enroll in mathematics classes based on either a prerequisite course, their Math- ACT score, their Math-SAT score, or the Mathematics Placement test. Mathematics placement can be found at https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/mathstat/placementinfo.html.

Unofficial test scores may be accepted on a temporary basis. Any applicant who submits unofficial test scores for admissions review must submit official score reports no later than the student's first semester.

Notification: Students are notified of admissions decisions as soon as all required documents are received. The I-20 or DS-2019 is emailed to students after additional documentation is received by the Office of Immigration.

Transfer Credit from Foreign Institutions - Students transferring to the University from foreign postsecondary institutions much submit a detailed course syllabus from which to evaluate transfer credit. Advanced Placement credit is available from a number of worldwide sources. Contact the Registrar's Office for details. Students may secure a professional evaluation of academic credentials at their own expense. Course-by-course professional evaluation is required of transfer students accepted into the College of Education and Professional Studies and students applying to the professional component of any program in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions.

(See the section below entitled "Additional information for all International Students.")

Graduate Applicants

  1. Non-citizen Application for Admission - A non-refundable $60 application fee, payable through a U.S. Bank must accompany the application. Applications received without the $60.00 application fee will not be processed.
  2. Academic Records - Complete and certified academic records of all secondary and postsecondary education attempted must be submitted. Whenever possible, the records must be forwarded directly from the issuing institution to the University of South Alabama. Copies must be certified by an official of the government or school (e.g., Registrar or Dean). Unofficial copies may be accepted on a temporary basis. Any applicant who submits unofficial documents for admissions consideration must submit official copies no later than the student's first semester check-in and orientation. Failure to do so may result in revocation of admissions and cancellation of the immigration document issued by the University.
    If an applicant submits documentation that is deemed fraudulent, the University will immediately revoke admission and terminate/cancel immigration documents issued by USA. If already a student, OIIA will also send notification to the Dean of Students of student misconduct.
  3. English Proficiency
    Minimum TOEFL score of 71 or
    Minimum IELTS score of 6 or
    Minimum iTEP score 3.7 or
    Minimum Pearsons (PTE Academic) score 48
    Minimum Duolingo score of 100

    Please note that some programs may require higher scores to prove English proficiency.

    Students with Graduate degrees from regionally accredited United States postsecondary institutions are exempt.

    Additional exemptions are at the admitting department's discretion.
  4. Standardized Tests - Standardized test requirements for the various academic programs are listed in the appropriate sections of the Bulletin. All test scores must be official and sent directly from the testing service which administered the examination to the University.  Unofficial test scores may be accepted on a temporary basis. Any applicant who submits unofficial test scores for admissions review must submit official score reports no later than the student's first semester.
  5. Recommendation Letters - Three recommendations may be required by the department. Applicants will enter each recommender's information during the application process. The recommender should be a person familiar with the applicant's academic qualifications and ability to undertake the proposed course of study.
  6. Statement of Purpose - A Statement of Purpose written by applicant may be required by the department and must be uploaded to application portal.

Notification: Students are notified of the admissions decision from the Graduate Dean as soon as all required documents are received and the Graduate Dean has received a recommendation from the appropriate graduate program. The I-20 or DS-2019 is emailed to students after additional documentation is received by the Office of Immigration.

Students wishing to postpone their arrival to a later semester must notify the Office of Immigration and International Admissions in writing. Students who have previously attended USA and wish to re-enroll should contact the Office of Immigration and International Admissions to see what steps need to be taken to be reviewed for readmission or re-entry.

Address inquires and questions to:
University of South Alabama
Office of International Admissions and Student Programs
390 Alumni Circle
Meisler Hall Suite 2200
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002
(251) 460-6050

internationaladmissions@southalabama.edu

https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/international

Nonimmigrant International Students

Deposits

A non-refundable admissions deposit of $500 USD will be required of an international student before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued. 

International Student Nonimmigrant and International Student Fees

All international students with nonimmigrant visas are considered nonresidents for tuition purposes and will be assessed a nonresident fee and an international student fee each semester.

Orientation

New international students are required to participate in an orientation program prior to their first semester at the University. The orientation program welcomes students to the University, introduces them to staff and students, and familiarizes them with immigration regulations, academic procedures and the community. Readmitted and matriculated international students will be required to attend all or parts of the orientation program the first semester they return to or begin a new program at the University.

Medical Insurance

The University requires all international students on nonimmigrant visas to maintain medical insurance coverage. Students must purchase the University's international student health insurance policy at registration or apply for a waiver of the University health insurance plan. Proof of adequate health insurance must be submitted with the waiver application. Sponsored students may request to waive the health insurance requirement if they receive health insurance from their home country government or Embassy.