Eligibility
International applicants from countries where English is not the native language interested in applying for an undergraduate and graduate degree or certificate program will be eligible for admission if they submit official results from an exam showing English proficiency and competency or provide documentation of having earned at least nine (9) semester credit hours (not including ESL or developmental courses) with a C or better at an accredited/approved college or university in a country where English is the medium of instruction.
Applicants may submit one of the following exams with the corresponding score requirements:
- The iBT Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT).
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS- Academic or General Training exams) with a minimum score of 6.0.
- The Duolingo English test (DET) with a minimum score of 110.
After completing the online application for admissions, the Office of Admissions will send information to the applicant, via email, to complete the International Applicant Form, which allows applicants to attach the required documentation to the form via email for review.
Applicants to a graduate degree or certificate program must also have earned an institutionally accredited bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent as outlined in the Graduate Admissions Requirements. An international equivalent to a U.S. accredited bachelor’s degree may also be considered. This is documented by an official transcript from a non-U.S. college or university as well as an international credential review from an international credential evaluation service indicating the earned equivalent of an institutionally accredited bachelor’s degree.
Both undergraduate and graduate applicants wishing to have international-earned transfer credit reviewed for acceptance toward degree requirements or program-specific admissions requirements must provide a course-by-course international credential evaluation from an agency approved by Thomas Edison State University.
Thomas Edison State University recognizes the discipline necessary to complete a self-directed program of study. An external-degree institution for adults, the University issues no visas and has no residential campus facilities. Therefore, it is suggested that international applicants without a strong command of the English language consider their higher education options before applying to the University. Thomas Edison State University does not offer English as a Second Language (ESL) coursework.
Applicants and students who are residing outside the United States should be aware of the limitations and restrictions on services available to students, such as potential additional costs for course materials as well as possible restrictions on the material that can be accessed via the internet.