International students may apply to begin their graduate studies for the fall, spring or summer sessions. Students should submit their applications at least six months in advance of the date they wish to begin studying. Graduate students applying for assistantships should submit applications nine months before the term begins for best consideration.

To apply, access the&spnb;online graduate application through the Graduate School Web site. A nonrefundable application fee of $60 must also be submitted. The fee for international reapplications is $40. Application fees will not be waived or deferred. Applications that do not accompany the application fee will not be processed. Application materials should be submitted directly to:

Graduate School
The University of Akron
Polsky Building, Room 469
Akron, OH 44325-2101 U.S.A.

The Graduate School processes applications for international students as they are received. We recommend that students apply at least six (6) months in advance of the intended date of enrollment. The Graduate School will process applications received after the six-month deadline. However, we cannot guarantee admission consideration for the intended date of enrollment.

Note: Each academic department has internal deadlines which need to be followed. Thus, we also recommend that students contact the academic department regarding such deadlines.

See also: The Graduate School Web site

Applicants should refer to departmental requirements to see if an entrance examination (GRE, MAT, GMAT, etc.) is required. If so, scores should be sent directly to the academic department.

GRE departmental and institutional codes may be accessed here.

Note: If the department code is not provided for the GRE, please use "0000."

Entrance examination links

• GRE
• GMAT
• TOEFL
• TSE
• MAT

International applicants, U.S. citizens and permanent residents whose native language is not English must submit evidence that they have a sufficient level of English to undertake graduate studies at The University of Akron.

After submitting acceptable academic credentials and proof of English proficiency, applicants who are fully admitted may enroll in graduate course work and be eligible for University of Akron-funded assistantships, fellowships or scholarships.

Prospective teaching assistants must also achieve a minimum score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), or a passing score on the University of Akron Developed English Proficiency Test (the U-ADEPT), or a 23 or greater on the speaking component of the internet-based TOEFL. Seehttp://www.ets.org/tse/ for information about the TSE. Visithttp://www3.uakron.edu/eli/UADEPT/uadept.index.html for details about UADEPT.

Applicants to graduate programs can demonstrate their English proficiency in one of the following ways:

• A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL or 79 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL. (The following departments require a higher standard of proficiency: the Ph.D. program in Urban Studies and Public Affairs requires a TOEFL of 570/230; English and History require a TOEFL of 580/237; and Biomedical Engineering requires a TOEFL of 590/243.) Scores more than two years old will not be accepted. Seehttp://www.toefl.org for information about the TOEFL.

or

• A minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which is managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council and IDP Education Australia. Scores more than two years old will not be accepted. See http://www.ielts.org/ for information about the IELTS.

or

• Successful completion of a full course of study in the Advanced Level of the English Language Institute (ELI) at The University of Akron. The ELI is an intensive (20 hour a week) program in English for academic purposes. The Advanced Level course of study is offered every fall, spring and summer, according to the university's academic calendar. For details about successful completion and applying to the English Language Institute, see http://www.uakron.edu/eli.

or

• Successful completion of 24 credit hours of upper-level undergraduate or 18 credit hours of graduate course work at a U.S. university or college in which English is the primary language of instruction. Successful completion is defined as maintaining a 3.0 GPA in full-time, continuous studies. Applicants must submit original transcripts of their course work.

or

• Successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate program at a university outside the United States in which English is the language of administration and instruction. English must be used for all administrative functions and for all areas of instruction (with the exception of foreign language courses) including course lectures, materials, discussions, readings and writing assignments.

Applicants must submit an original official document from the undergraduate or graduate institution certifying that all of the administrative functions and instruction are conducted in English. The document must be signed by an officer of the institution and carry an official seal. The Associate Dean of the Graduate School at The University of Akron will review the submitted documentation and inform the applicant if he or she has satisfied the English requirement. The decision will be final.

For those wishing to pursue a teaching assistantship 
Applicants whose native language is not English and who expect to become teaching assistants are also required to achieve a minimum score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE, Revised 1995), a minimum score of "Pass" on the U-ADEPT or a 23 or greater on the speaking component of the internet-based TOEFL.

This exam must be taken prior to functioning as a teaching assistant.

Those for whom English is the native language and who expect to become a teaching assistant must demonstrate proficiency in English through departmental certification.

Neither English proficiency testing nor departmental certification is required for research or administrative assistants.

Transfer credit from foreign institutions is awarded at the discretion of the academic department with the final approval from the Graduate School.

Transfer course work is accepted only from institutions that are recognized by the institution's governing academic body (i.e. Ministry of Education).

The student must have earned a minimum of a "B" (or its equivalent) to be eligible for transfer credit.

International Transcripts

Original transcripts/diplomas or certified true copies from all universities, professional schools and/or colleges previously attended (or currently attending) must be submitted to The University of Akron's Graduate School. If the institution is not English-speaking, the transcripts must also accompany an exact certified English translation. Certified true copies must bear the original stamp and signature of the appropirate school official.

U.S. Transcripts

Official transcripts from all U.S. universities/colleges attended (or currently attending) must be submitted to The University of Akron's Graduate School. As in the case of international transcripts, certified copies will not be accepted.

International Degrees

Applicants must submit supporting documentation for all prior degrees awarded and/or expected to earn before attending The University of Akron. The same standards of authenticity as those used for transcripts apply.

U.S. Degrees

In most instances, degrees awarded from U.S. institutions are reflected on the transcript. However, if your transcript reflects final grades, yet does not provide proof of the degree earned, please provide a copy of your diploma or a letter of completion from the registrar's office.

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