Graduate Admissions

International Graduate Applicants – LEGACY

Office of Global Engagement

The Office of Global Engagement at Montclair State University is available to assist international students through every stage of the journey from new applicant through to graduation.

Learn more about by registering for an upcoming International Student Information Session.

How to Apply

The application instructions for international students are the same as on the How to Apply portion of the Graduate School website – please refer to those guidelines and use the below as a source for additional information pertaining to the supplemental materials.

  • Transcripts and transcript evaluation: The Office of Graduate Admissions does not evaluate international transcripts. In lieu of a transcript, applicants with a non-U.S. degree must submit a course-by-course evaluation of their academic record. We accept evaluations from any NACES member organization. NOTE: Starting Spring 2023, the Office of Graduate Admissions will offer a limited number of free transcript evaluations for eligible F-1 and J-1 visa applicants who complete their application before the application deadline. After the application is completed (with exception of the transcript evaluation), students will receive an email with their next steps to request this service. We will review all requests received to determine eligibility and will notify the applicants accordingly. 
  • English Proficiency: International applicants are required to submit an English proficiency test score unless the applicant does at least one of the following:
    • Indicates citizenship from one of the countries on this list 
    • Provides a transcript from a regionally accredited university or college located in the United States reflecting a minimum of one academic year (3 quarters or 2 semesters) of full-time enrollment, not including ESL courses
    • Provides a transcript from a university or college located in or that follows the curricula of one of these listed countries (example, American University of Beirut) reflecting a minimum of one academic year (3 quarters or 2 semesters) of full-time enrollment, not including ESL courses Note: Proof of medium of instruction (MOI) in English is NOT sufficient unless the above criteria are met.
  • English Proficiency Test Scores: Montclair State University accepts English proficiency test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-Based Test (iBT) and Essentials, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or the International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP). Montclair State University’s institutional code for score reporting is 2520. The minimum scores required on these tests are:
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Internet-Based Test (iBT): 83
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Essentials: 8.5
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5
    • Duolingo English Test: 105
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53
    • International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP): 4.5
  • Montclair State University English Language Proficiency Requirement: International students who earned undergraduate (or graduate) degrees in a country where English is not the official language are required to take the Montclair State ESL placement test and score higher than level IV. Students who do not place at this level will be provided with a list of ESL courses needed to reach the acceptable level of English proficiency. These courses will be added to the student’s program of study, and at least one course MUST be taken in the first semester of graduate study. While all students will be required to take the Montclair State ESL test, only degree seeking students will be required to register for ESL coursework.  Additionally, some Graduate Program Coordinators may decide to require all ESL courses be taken by their students. ESL Placement Test dates and locations
  • Application Fee: International students have the option of paying the $60 application fee via wire transfer if they are unable to pay online or by check/money order. For more information, please contact the Students Accounts office at studentaccou@montclair.edu

International Application Deadlines

Rolling Admissions Program Deadlines:

  • Fall/August semester: June 1*
  • Spring/January semester: November 1*

*Suggested deadlines for rolling admission programs for students outside the U.S. International students currently in the U.S. may have additional flexibility. Some programs may be rolling but may offer priority deadlines. Select your major on our programs of study page for additional information.

Non-Rolling Admissions Program Deadlines:

All PhD programs, as well as select master’s programs (including Audiology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Counseling, Public Health, Communication Sciences and Disorders- Speech Language Pathology, Counseling, Athletic Training, Dance, Educational Leadership, Public Health, and Nursing Pre-Licensure) have earlier deadlines. Select your major on our programs of study page for additional information.

Graduate Assistantship Deadlines:

  • Fall/August semester: March 1
  • Spring/January semester: Spring assistantships are limited. Students will be considered for assistantships on a case-by-case basis. Early application submission is encouraged.

Visa Procedure

To apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa or to transfer your existing F-1/J-1 record, you are required to apply for a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 first.

Please note that you must complete Steps #1 and #2 on the International Student Checklist before you can apply for your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

  • Complete pages 4 and 5 of the “Application for I-20/DS-2019 and Affidavit of Support” document.
    • DO NOT HANDWRITE-only the signatures can be handwritten (note: an electronic signature can be used in lieu of a “wet” signature). All other fields must be typed.
  • Access your admissions portal.
  • Upload documents to the corresponding checklist items:
    • Passport: upload a copy of the face-page of your passport.
    • Financial Documents: combine all financial documents into one PDF. If you have received an assistantship or scholarship, please note the amount on the affidavit and upload financial documents showing sufficient funds to cover the remaining balance.
    • Application for I-20/DS2019 and Affidavit of Support: combine all signed affidavits and the application into one PDF. If living off-campus for free with a friend or family member, upload the Affidavit of Free Room and Board form and supporting documentation to this same checklist item as one PDF.

IMPORTANT: Ensure that you are uploading these three documents into the three separate checklist items with the corresponding names. If uploaded correctly, a green check-mark will appear next to each item within 24 hours. If any red “x’s” remain, there is a problem and you must re-submit the missing item(s).

Before submission, please confirm the following:

✔       The affidavit and application are typed with the exception of the signatures which must be handwritten. In lieu of a “wet” handwritten signature, an electronic signature can be used. The signatures MUST NOT be typed!

✔       The affidavit must be signed by the sponsor AND the student. If you are using your own funds (self-sponsoring), please note “self” in the relationship field and sign your name in BOTH the sponsor and student signature fields.

✔       All financial documents submitted must be dated within the last three months.

✔       A signed affidavit of support must be provided for EVERY person noted on the financial documents, including “self”.

✔       The financial documents must show the minimum amount of funding required as per the estimated expenses document. If you have received a scholarship or assistantship, you may show the balance of the cost minus the award amount.

Please allow at least 10 business days (business days are Monday through Friday) to review your application. After it is reviewed, we will contact you by email (from oge@montclair.edu) with a status update, requesting additional information if needed. If approved, please follow the emailed instructions to download your I-20/DS-2019 and to arrange for shipping of the original document.

Students who are already in the U.S. on active F-1/J-1 status:

  • Submit the Application for I-20/DS-2019 and Affidavit of Support and the required documents noted per the procedure above.
  • You must have the international student advisor at your current university release your SEVIS record to us. Let your advisor know that Montclair’s F-1 School Code is NEW214F01039000. Montclair’s J-1 Program Number is P-1-05419. Your immigration documents can only be issued after your current university releases your SEVIS record to Montclair State. Please contact the international student advisor at your current institution for information about how to transfer your SEVIS record to Montclair State as each university has a different internal process.
  • You will need to ask your international advisor at your current school to transfer your F-1 or J-1 SEVIS record to Montclair State, and provide them a copy of your Montclair State acceptance letter.

Financial Information

Please also refer to the Financial Information page on this website for additional information.

  • International students are responsible for financing their education at Montclair State. We regret that the University has no financial aid available for new international students.
  • International students on F-1 visas pay out-of-state tuition.
  • There are five forms of financial assistance available for eligible international students.
  • Assistantship Program: To apply for these positions, you need to indicate interest on the online application. If you are offered an assistantship, you will be required to obtain a United States social security number which you can request using documentation provided by the Office of Global Engagement.
  • Graduate Scholarships.
  • On-Campus Employment: These jobs are extremely limited and must be approved by Global Engagement.