International Student Services
Undergraduate
The forms below are used for admission of international students to Southern Arkansas University. Some forms are interactive, while others are printable. If the form is printable please return it to the address indicated on the form after it is completed. The total number of required forms depends upon your entry level. Please read the following information to determine which forms you will need. Remember to include the $35 application fee (bank draft) with your submitted forms. Please make the bank draft payable to “Southern Arkansas University.” Application materials can be mailed to addresses listed below:
Mailing Address:
SAU International Office
P.O. Box 9224
Magnolia, AR 71754-9224
Courier Shipping Address:
SAU International Office
100 East University, Nelson 220
Magnolia, AR 71753
Beginning Freshmen and Transfer Students from Foreign Colleges and Universities should submit:
- Application for Admission (Interactive)
- Educational Background (Interactive)
- Affidavit of Support (Printable) with supporting documents from the bank
- Official Transcript/s from Secondary and all Colleges or Universities
- Application Fee ($35)
- Proof of English Proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, or ACT)
Transfer Students from U.S. Colleges or Universities should submit:
- Application for Admission (Interactive)
- Educational Background (Interactive)
- Affidavit of Support (Printable) with supporting documents from the bank
- Transfer Questionnaire (Printable)
- Official Transcript/s from Secondary and all Colleges or Universities
- Application Fee ($35)
- Copies of Immigration Credentials (I-20/s, passport, visa, I-94)
- Proof of English Proficiency
International Undergraduate Admissions Criteria
English Proficiency
- International students who have graduated with a G.E.D. in the United States or a degree (High School, Bachelor’s, or Master’s Degree) from an accredited school in the United States or another English-speaking country must meet the same admission requirements as U.S. students. Other English-speaking countries include Anguilla, Antigua/Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Guyana, Cameroon (West/English-speaking), Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica/other West Indies, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, South Africa (English schools), St. Helena, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks & Caico Isle, United Kingdom, and the Virgin Islands.
For other international students, the English language requirement of SAU will be met when the applicant has submitted proof of ONE of the following:
1. A score of 500 or higher on the written TOEFL
2. A score of 173 or higher on the computerized TOEFL
3. A score of Band 5.5 (overall) on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
4. Completion of Level 109 at an ELS Language Center or its equivalent
5. *A score of 410 on the SAT Verbal or *a score of 19 on the ACT English
- New international undergraduate students (*except those who have scores of 410 on the SAT verbal or 19 on the ACT English) must take the residual ACT prior to registration for classes to assess their English skills for placement purposes. An additional placement exam may also be offered (depending on the ACT score) to ensure proper advisement into appropriate English courses.
- Official transcripts listing courses, examinations, grades, and marks sent directly to Southern Arkansas University from your high school or college/university. Photocopies may be temporarily accepted if they are certified by an official at the American Embassy or a known world organization.
- (U.S. College Transfer) Copy of I-20, I-94, US visa, and completed Transfer Questionnaire.
- Affidavit of Support Form.
- Application for Admission.
- Educational Background Form.
Application Fee of $35 must be submitted before your application is complete. This fee should be in the form of a bank draft made payable to: SAU International Office, P.O. Box 9224, Magnolia, Arkansas 71754-9224.
We highly recommend that a student take the ACT or SAT prior to admission. The test results are used for class placement and scholarship eligibility. In the event that the student is unable to take either test before arrival, a residual ACT test will be given at a designated date when the student arrives at SAU. If the student arrives too late to take the residual ACT then the student will be placed in the lowest class levels which may add an additional semester to the student’s education at SAU.
Web links to English Proficiency Testing Companies and Language Center:
Advanced Standing or Transfer Credit:
- Advanced standing can be be achieved by the successful completion of the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) examinations in specific courses. These CLEP exams can be taken on the SAU campus after a student arrives or at any U.S. college or university and at some foreign locations.
- Transfer credit for courses completed at foreign colleges or universities which are approved by the Ministry of Education in that country will be considered for transfer credit if the student has a transfer evaluation done by one of the following companies: www.wes.org or www.gcevaluators.com. The evaluation needs to include a “course by course” analysis. For the best results, the evaluation needs to be completed prior to registration for classes at Southern Arkansas University. After arrival on campus, the student will meet with the appropriate Dean/s to discuss the transfer credits and degree plan. It is also helpful to obtain a copy of a syllabus for each course or a course description of each course prior to meeting with Dean/s.
- Transfer credit for courses completed at foreign branches or satellite campuses of accredited U.S. colleges or universities (and reported in the standard U.S. format) will be considered for transfer credit without requiring validation.
Modified: May 26, 2009 at 1:46 pm
