Admission to a graduate program at Oklahoma State University is a two step process: applying for admission review through the Graduate College and providing information required by the department or program.

To be reviewed for admission consideration, international applicants must submit a completed application to the Graduate College. To have a complete application, the following items must be sent to the Graduate College:

• an application for admission consideration. You can submit an application via our secure website..
• a non-refundable application fee of US$75 for first application submitted and US$25 for each additional application submitted within two semesters of the first application.
• one original transcript from each college or university attended (all transcripts must be official with the college's or registrar's original seal and should show any degrees completed)
• A TOEFL or IELTS score (if required - please see the "English Proficiency" section)

• A Financial affidavit (Financial Guarantee or Confirmation of Financial Resources) is required for applicants expecting to be F1 or J1 visa holders prior to our being able to send an I-20. See the "Financial Statements" section for more information.

The next step is to provide the departmental requirements by the application deadline.

International applicants with a baccalaureate or first professional degrees from colleges and universities of recognized standing are eligible to seek admission to the Graduate College. In some cases, the Graduate College, in consultation with the major department, may require certain prerequisite courses to bring the applicant's credentials to the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree. These "bridge" courses must be completed within a designated period of time and/or prior to enrollment beyond a prescribed number of hours of graduate course work.

Transcripts

An applicant should request from each institution previously attended one official transcript to be sent to the Graduate College. To be official, the transcript must show the complete scholastic record, bear the official seal of the institution, and be signed by the issuing officer.

Note to current or former students of OSU-Stillwater or OSU-Tulsa: You do not need to submit official OSU transcripts; we already have the necessary information.

Transcripts and other documents submitted become the property of Oklahoma State University and will not be returned.

If the GRE is required by the program, OSU's GRE institution code is 6546. We provide a list of the preferred GRE department codes.

Only after submitting both Graduate College admissions requirements and any materials required by the program is your application complete for the program to review and make an admission recommendation.

Each department determines their own admission requirements, and some include the submission of a test score such as GRE, GMAT, or MAT as part of those requirements. Prospective students should review departmental information or contact the department if they have a question about if an admissions test is required prior to investing in the cost of the test.

GRE Scores

If the GRE is required by the program, OSU's GRE institution code is 6546. We provide a list of the preferred GRE department codes.

Programs listed on the GRE department code page may or may not require the GRE as part of their admissions requirements.

All persons for whom English is a second language are required to present proof of English competency. However, an applicant who has or will have completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary teaching language, and which is located in a country where English is a primary language, is not required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. Note, however, that submission of an internet based TOEFL score may be necessary if employment as a graduate teaching assistant/associate is desired. Please refer to departmental information/website for any such requirements for employment as a teaching assistant/associate.

If required, an official TOEFL score of 79 (internet based test) or 550 (paper based test) is required to be submitted. The TOEFL institution code for OSU is 6546.

Alternatively, an official IELTS, academic stream, examination with a minimum overall band score of 6.5 will satisfy the English proficiency requirements for admission to a graduate program. Either examination must have been taken within the last two years.

Some departments require a score above the minimum 79/550 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS. Note a that submission of an internet based TOEFL score may be necessary if employment as a graduate teaching assistant/associate is desired. Please refer to departmental information/website for any such requirements for employment as a teaching assistant/associate.

Students who score at least 42 on the combined Reading and Listening portions of the internet based TOEFL, with a score of at least 20 in each section, are not required to enroll in any remedial coursework.

Students who score less than this on the Reading and Listening portions of the internet based TOEFL (irrespective of the score on the Written portion) are required to enroll in ENGL 0003 during their first semester. ENGL 0003 carries a grade of S/U and may not be used toward minimum degree requirements. Students must enroll in ENGL 0003 each semester until a grade of S is earned.

Students who score at or above the minimum score(s) on the Reading and Listening portion of the internet based TOEFL, but less than 22 on the Writing portion, are required to enroll in ENGL 4893* at some point in their studies. ENGL 4893* carries graduate credit and may be used toward minimum degree requirements; a grade of C or better in this course is required. Both ENGL 0003 and ENGL 4893*, as applicable, must be listed on the student's Plan of Study.

Students who have completed the IELTS, or the paper-based TOEFL have different requirements.

OSU is a Research-Extensive University, and graduate students play a vital role in both its teaching and research missions. Over 1700 graduate students help finance their graduate education at OSU through employment as Graduate Teaching Assistants/Associates (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistants/Associates (GRA).

The use of “assistant” applies to master’s-level and “associate” to doctoral-level GTA and GRA appointments.

Graduate Teaching Assistants/Associates

A Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) must be admitted to and meet the requirements of the Graduate College, be fully admitted to a graduate program, and be under the supervision of an appropriate graduate faculty member. In consultation with the supervisor, the GTA works to gain instructional skills and an increased understanding of the discipline. The GTA is provided a stipend and their primary responsibilities are to support the University's mission. Services provided by a GTA may include: classroom or laboratory teaching; advising and mentoring of students; proctoring examinations; grading papers, homework, and/or projects; accompanying/coaching musical or vocal performances, providing artistic instruction or assisting with preparation and management of materials and programs that are utilized in imparting knowledge or in the instructional process; or providing other general assistance in the instruction process. A GTA may be assigned primary responsibilities in an extension, outreach, or service role for which those responsibilities support the instructional mission of the University. GTAs may not be given duties to support faculty research or those primarily clerical in nature.

Graduate Research Assistants/Associates

A Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) must be admitted to and meet the requirements of the Graduate College, be fully admitted to a graduate degree program, and be under the supervision of an appropriate graduate faculty member. A GRA is provided a stipend and their primary responsibilities are to provide general support to the University's research mission. These responsibilities may or may not relate directly to the student’s thesis or dissertation. Duties of the GRA primarily involve applying and mastering research concepts, practices, or methods of scholarship. Services provided by a GRA may include: assisting faculty members in a research or creative activity; perform degree-related professional or administrative services that supports research, instruction, professional development, or outreach missions of the University; developing and evaluating instructional materials or curricula; or assuming responsibility for designated scholarly endeavors.

“Performing degree-related professional or administrative services” does not include jobs that are outside the student’s field of study.

Each year OSU awards more than $23 million in stipends to GRAs and GTAs. Students in these positions receive full waivers of the out-of-state portion of tuition for all eligible courses taken. Also, GTAs and GRAs employed at least 10 hours per week receive waivers toward some of the remaining (resident) portion of the tuition for the academic year and for the summer term. For more information about GTAs and GRAs benefits and other forms of aid, please see our "Financing your Education" page.

GTA's and GRA's employed at least one-quarter time and appropriately enrolled also qualify for free health insurance coverage.

Students should contact their academic program regarding the availability of these financial packages.

A waiver of the TELP requirement may be granted to a student who:

• has achieved on the TOEFL a score of 600 PBT or higher and a score of 5.0 or higher on the Test of Written English (TWE) or Essay. Alternatively, a waiver can be granted to a student who achieved an IELTS, academic stream, overall band score of 6.5 or higher and 6.5 or higher on each of the band scores for Listening, Reading, and Writing

Students completing the Internet-based TOEFL test (iBT) are considered separately and are not required to take the TELP.

For those required to take the TELP, it is a test of written English and assesses the academic English skills necessary for students to function well in graduate-level university classes. The test has two sections: Listening/Dictation and Reading/Writing. A score of 70 on both portions of the TELP is considered passing.

Students who score less than 70 on the Listening/Dictation portion of the TELP (irrespective of the score on the writing portion) are required to enroll in ENGL 0003 during their first semester. ENGL 0003 carries a grade of S/U and may not be used toward minimum degree requirements. Students must enroll in ENGL 0003 each semester until a grade of S is earned.

Students who score at least 70 on the Listening/Dictation portion of the TELP, but less than 70 on the Writing portion are required to enroll in ENGL 4893* at some point in their studies. ENGL 4893* carries graduate credit and may be used toward minimum degree requirements; a grade of C or better in this course is required.

Both ENGL 0003 and ENGL 4893*, as applicable, must be listed on the student's Plan of Study.

A Financial affidavit (Financial Guarantee or Confirmation of Financial Resources) is required for applicants expecting to be F1 or J1 visa holders prior to our being able to send an I-20

• An individual scoring 26 or higher on the speaking portion of the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or an IELTS speaking score of 8.5 or higher: The ITA test is not required, and the individual is allowed to engage in instructional activities.
• An individual scoring 22, 23, or 24 on the speaking section of the iBT, or score of 7.0, 7.5, or 8.0 on the speaking portion of the IELTS: The individual is required to take the ITA test.
  • An individual scoring 250 or above on the ITA test is allowed to engage in instructional activities.
  • An individual scoring from 240 to 249 on the ITA test is required to enroll concurrently in GRAD 5991 in order to engage in instructional activities. Continuous enrollment in GRAD 5991 is required until the individual passes the ITA test with a score of 250 or above, or the individual ceases to be employed in an instructional capacity.
  • An individual scoring 239 or lower should seek additional English language training opportunities.
• An individual scoring 21 or below on the speaking section of the iBT, or 6.5 or below on the speaking portion of the IELTS has two options:
  • Enroll in GRAD 5981 and receive a satisfactory grade and the recommendation of the instructor to take the ITA test at its next regular administration.
  • Retake the iBT or IELTS exam (as permitted by iBT and IELTS policy) and earn a higher score as required above. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in language training before retaking the iBT or IELTS exam.

• Individuals who do not have access to the iBT or the IELTS prior to arrival at OSU may receive authorization to take the ITA test if the head of their employing unit sends a letter authorizing the request to University Assessment and Testing. Individuals who receive ITA scores of 250 or higher are cleared for instructional duties. Individuals scoring from 240 to 249 on the ITA test are required to enroll concurrently in GRAD 5991 in order to engage in instructional activities.
• Individuals who were enrolled in accredited U.S. institution of higher learning and completed a baccalaureate or higher degree at that institution prior to matriculating at OSU or who have been enrolled at OSU and completed a baccalaureate or higher degree, and whose TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores have expired may receive authorization to take the ITA test if the head of their employing unit sends a letter authorizing the request to University Assessment and Testing. Individuals who receive ITA scores of 250 or higher are cleared for instructional activities. Individuals scoring from 240 to 249 on the ITA test are required to enroll concurrently in GRAD 5991 in order to engage in instructional activities.
• Per the test provider’s guidelines, iBT and IELTS scores are valid for two years past the date of the test administration.

How safe will I be at OSU?

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Oklahoma State University provides a report on the numbers and types of crimes on the OSU campus for the previous three years at http://www.osupd.okstate.edu/stats.php. There you can also find links to public safety guides on crime prevention, crime reporting, how to avoid victimization, alcohol and drug awareness, and procedures to follow when sex offenses occur. The Campus Crime Report is available in printed form upon request from the OSU Police Department by contacting their office at 405-744-6523 or writing to them at OSU Police Department, 104 USDA Building, Stillwater, OK, 74078.