FAQs for International Graduate Students
Below are answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from international students who are interested in graduate study at the University of St. Thomas.
The questions are grouped into four categories:
- Available Graduate Programs
- Graduate Admissions Process
- Tuition and Financial Aid
- After Enrollment: Life at St. Thomas
This information is specifically for students who are (or will be) applying for an F-1 non-immigrant student visa. If you are seeking a J-1 exchange visitor visa, please visit our J-1 visa page.
If your question is not listed, please contact a Graduate Admissions Recruiter.
Graduate Programs Offered to International Students
Absolutely! We welcome applicants from all over the world. See the Graduate International Application Requirements.
The following graduate degree programs in Business are available to international students from the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas:
The following graduate degree programs in Education are available to international students from the School of Education at the University of St. Thomas:
Learn more about the .
The following graduate degree programs in Engineering are available to international students from the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas:
The following graduate degree programs in Software are available to international students from the Graduate Programs in Software division of the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas:
The following graduate degree programs in Law are available to international students from the School of Law at the University of St. Thomas:
The following graduate degree programs are available to international students:
STEM graduate degree programs from the School of Engineering
STEM graduate degree programs from the Opus College of Business
The following graduate degree programs are available to international students:
School of Education
School of Engineering
Opus College of Business
School of Law
Morrison Family College of Health
College of Arts & Sciences
School of Divinity
Yes, we offer some fully online graduate programs that you can complete without relocating to the United States. To explore your options, start by reviewing our list of online graduate programs.
Since program structures and attendance policies can vary, we strongly recommend connecting with a Graduate Admissions Recruiter to confirm whether your program of interest can be completed entirely online from your current location.
For questions regarding international graduate admissions, contact Graduate Admissions.
For program specific questions, contact the appropriate graduate admissions office at one of the St. Thomas graduate schools or colleges.
For questions related to immigration or visas, contact our Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
How to Apply as an International Graduate Student
Individual programs will have their own admissions process and requirements. See the typical process for graduate admissions.
The specific degree you are seeking impacts the application requirements.
In general, all international students need to submit the following as part of your online application:
- Online application
- Official academic transcript(s)
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP)
Get more details about international graduate requirements to attend St. Thomas.
Contact the graduate admissions team from the appropriate school or college on any additional requirements per your program's requirements.
After you have been admitted to a graduate program, then you will need to obtain a visa from the US government. That visa/immigration documentation process will require information such as:
- St. Thomas admission letter and I-20
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Proof of health insurance information and vaccinations
- Appropriate identification and immigration documentation
Get more details about How to Obtain Your F-1 Visa.
Application fees vary by program. For more information, check out our list of links for admission requirements for each school and college.
Please to see the status of your completed and submitted application.
You can also contact the Graduate Admissions team with questions.
If you received your undergraduate degree at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit your transcripts with an evaluation by a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Once verified, you will send your transcript to the Graduate Admissions office.
Learn more about our requirements for academic transcript evaluations.
There are 3 ways that St. Thomas confirms proficiency in English:
- you grew up in, received a college degree from, or were employed for at least 3 years in an English-speaking country
- you completed a college degree (graduate or undergraduate) where the official language of degree instruction was English
- you submit a qualifying test score that confirms your proficiency in English
Learn more about English Proficiency Requirements for graduate students.
Your visa requirements will be based on your U.S. Embassy or Consulate. To find that information, go to the to select an embassy in your country.
Read about Student Visa and Immigration Support from our Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
Contact the Office of International Students and Scholars on topics like immigration, the student visa process, housing, employment, and life as a St. Thomas graduate student.
You are required to have health insurance while you attend St. Thomas. You will either need to apply for or waive health insurance through St. Thomas. If you waive health insurance from St. Thomas, you must have comparable health insurance coverage.
Learn more about health insurance options for international students.
Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions on topics related to the admissions process including choosing the right path of study and the graduate degree programs available at St. Thomas.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid for International Students
Tuition or credit costs vary by school and program. See the estimated cost of attendance for graduate students.
St. Thomas provides information on private loans for those who do not qualify for federal loans. , a U.S. Department of State network of international student advising centers, has additional as well.
International Graduate students can apply for federal loans if they are an . International students with F-1 student Visas are not considered eligible noncitizens.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Graduate Financial Aid.
International graduate students have different options for scholarships, including:
- School or department scholarships and grants
- External scholarships
- Graduate Access Grant – For eligible noncitizens only
For questions regarding school or department scholarships and grants, contact your program's admissions team. For all other questions, please reach out to Graduate Financial Aid.
Campus Life and Support for International Students
The Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) provides comprehensive immigration and support services to international students and scholars while supporting them in pursuit of their educational, personal and professional goals.
The orientation process depends on the graduate program, but it is the same for all graduate students within a program.
Graduate students do not live in St. Thomas residence halls nor on the St. Thomas campus, so you will need to seek housing. However, our Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) has prepared this Graduate Housing Guide to assist you.
Yes, there are job opportunities for international students available on and off campus. Learn more about:
Our U.S. Welcome Guide for Graduate Students has recommendations on what to take with you while studying at St. Thomas.