Admission of International Graduate Students

Note: All forms must be completed in English. Payments must be in U.S. dollars.

International students applying for admission to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor must:

1. Submit a completed online International Application. All academic documents must be submitted before an admission decision will be given, and all other documents must be submitted before an I-20 can be issued.
2. Submit a notarized Affidavit of Educational Support (I-134) showing the availability of funds to finance student’s education and transportation both to school and back to student’s home country. A signed letter of support may be substituted for the affidavit. The letter should state the relationship of the sponsor to the applicant and specify exactly what expenses are covered. Documentation is required. All money amounts must be stated in U.S. dollars. Submit a bank statement showing current available funds or an approved education loan. If the documentation is not in the name of the student, an affidavit of educational support will be required.  A signed letter of support that is notarized may be substituted for the affidavit.
3. Submit official transcripts or diplomas from all schools, colleges, and universities previously attended. If the student has attended United States colleges/universities, the official transcripts must be mailed directly from the college/university to the Graduate Admissions Office. All transcripts, certificates, or diplomas from institutions outside the United States must be sent to an approved evaluation service for a course by course evaluation by the date required by the Graduate Admissions Office. A copy of the results should be sent directly to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Graduate Admissions Office from the evaluation service.  Transcripts from other institutions which have been submitted for admission or evaluation become part of the student's academic file and are not returned or copied for distribution.

1. Submit a score report completed within the past two years from the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Students who have graduated from a high school with English as the language of instruction or who have earned a higher-education degree from an institution with English as the language of instruction may be exempted from submitting an English language proficiency report as determined by an interview with the ESOL Program director. Documentation of an institution’s language of instruction is required. ESOL testing and course requirements will apply as determined by the ESOL Program director after the interview. Students whose scores do not meet the minimum requirements for admission to graduate or undergraduate academic work will be required to enroll in UMHB ESOL classes.

1. Submit a copy of the passport identification page. Passport must show validity at least 6 months from the expected date of enrollment.
2. Submit the following fees (in U.S. dollars): $75 Application Fee (Not refundable). The application will not be processed until the application fee is paid.

When all of the above items have been received from the student, action will be taken by the Office of International Student Services. An I-20 form cannot be issued until the student has been accepted into a graduate program at UMHB.

The university reserves the right to change its tuition fees, and other costs at any time. 

A student may be admitted to a UMHB Graduate Program in one of the following ways:

1. Regular Admission - Minimum Scores

• Cumulative GPA: 3.0

  AND

• TOEFL SCORES within the past 2 years: 20/band depending on program

  OR

• IELTS SCORES within the past 2 years: 6/band depending on program

*Students with official transcripts showing graduation from a high school, college, or university where English is the language of instruction may be exempted from submitting an English language proficiency score report. An interview will be held with the ESOL director or assistant director to determine ESOL course needs if the compilation of past reading and writing achievements, along with current oral communication skills, indicate that the student has not attained at least an Advanced Low proficiency level, according to ACTFL Proficiency Standards (or B2 according to CEFR).  

     2.  Academic Probationary Admission - Minimum GPA

• Cumulative GPA: 2.75
  
  3.  Conditional Admission Based on Language – Minimum Scores
• TOEFL within the past 2 years: 15/band
• IELTS within the past 2 years: 4.5/band 

Students with scores lower than regular admittance language scores (No. 1 above) will be tested via ESL Accuplacer on campus for placement into ESOL courses as determined by designated cut off scores.

Probationary Admission

After official transcripts, transcript evaluation and program documentation are received, an applicant not meeting the university standards of a 3.0 GPA may be admitted if he/she shows evidence of an ability to successfully participate in graduate study as determined by the graduate program to which he/she is applying with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA. A probationary status student may take no more than nine hours of graduate work during any semester of attendance until the probationary status has been removed. Students enrolled in graduate programs consisting of two-hour courses may only enroll in eight hours of graduate work during this time. If grades of “B” or better are earned for all graduate courses, the probationary status will be removed. Failure to earn a "B" or better in all graduate courses will result in academic dismissal from the graduate program. 

NOTE: Probationary Admission does not apply to Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy graduate programs.

 Once accepted for admission, all international students are required to:

1. Submit completed Student Medical History (available on website), including validated copy of shot records showing a meningitis vaccination (Menactra) and negative tuberculosis test result.
2. For students from countries identified as "TB High Risk" as published by the World Health Organization: submit validation of a negative TB skin test and/or report of negative (normal) chest x-ray - must be no more than within 6 months prior to initial enrollment.

General Academic Requirements

Students who are seeking a master’s degree, doctoral degree, licensure, or certification in an approved program offered by UMHB will be considered for admission. Students will be allowed to continue in enrollment only if they maintain good academic progress (3.0 U.S. Grade Point Average). At the discretion of UMHB, students not meeting minimum English proficiency standards may be enrolled in additional English as Second Language classes.

I-20

This U.S. Immigration Student Eligibility form will be issued only after all conditions of the application process have been met. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is an academic school, and no I-20 will be issued to any student for the sole purpose of aiding the student in avoiding military service in his/her home country.

Transportation

The major international airport serving Central Texas is the Dallas/Fort-Worth International Airport. Commuter flights are available from this international airport to the local airports in Killeen (30 miles from campus) and Austin (50 miles from campus). Cab and/or bus transportation may be obtained from these airports to Belton.

Money

Students are encouraged to carry travelers checks or cashier’s checks. Money may be deposited in a local bank. Advanced fees, tuition, as well as room and board must be paid in U.S. dollars or negotiable instruments.

Payment of Accounts

All international students must preregister for any succeeding semester, and their account must be paid in full by the close of business on the Friday after the normal registration period. Failure of the student to pay will result in the student not being allowed to register. If this should happen, both the U.S. Immigration Service and the consulate of the student’s home country will be notified.