For specific details regarding any of the requirements below, please review our international graduate admission requirements.

If you have a specific question please email our office at SAUInternational@saumag.edu.  We typically respond to emails within 24 hours, so please be patient.  If it is time-sensitive, you can call us at 870-235-5048.  We do not discuss admission status over the phone.

For Saudi Arabian students needing a letter for SACM, please complete the first 3 steps. Once you have submitted these documents, please allow at least one week for processing.

Application deadlines:

See Application Portal above for deadlines on open applications.

The steps below are for both initial applicants and transfer students.

Step 1 – Fill out Application and upload all your documents

Step 2 – Pay the Application fee

Step 3 – Submit English Proficiency Scores

Some English-speaking countries are exempted from this requirement.

Minimum English Requirements (must meet one of the following)

• A score of 550 or higher on the written TOEFL
• A score of 210 or higher on the computerized TOEFL
• A score of 79 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL
• A score of Band 6.0 (overall) on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• Completion of Level 112 at an ELS Language Center or its equivalent
• Completion of EF Level 5
• Completion of level 5 SAU ESL program

Step 4 – Submit GMAT, GRE, or MAT score

You must submit one of the following scores. We do not accept any scores more than 5 years old.

• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

Step 5 – Provide Proof of Financial Support

• Fill out and email the SAU Affidavit of Support [pdf] form showing at least $13,500.
• Upload your supporting documentation, such as a bank statement or a bank letter stating you have the required funds to support your educational expenses. (These need to be within a few months.)

Step 6 – Submit Copies of Immigration Documents

Mail or email a copy of your immigration documents:

• Passport
• I-20 from current school (if you have one)
• U.S. Visa (if you have one)
• I-94 (if you have one)

Step 7 – Order your Evaluated Undergraduate Transcript

Courses completed at foreign (non-US) colleges or universities will be considered for graduate admission if the student has a transcript evaluation done by one of the following companies: WES (www.wes.org), Educational Perspective (www.edperspective.org), or other private credential evaluation agencies approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. The evaluation needs to include a “course by course” analysis with GPA.

US Transcripts and foreign (non-US) Transcript Evaluations are to be sent to the university officially at the address below. Do not upload or mail these yourself.

If your Bachelor’s degree is from a US university, see below.

Step 6 – For transfer students from U.S. universities only

1-Complete the Transfer Questionnaire and have your current DSO complete the bottom and forward. Form available with in the Application portal.

2-Upon completion of your current semester have your official U.S. university transcript either sent electronically to SAUInternational@saumag.edu or mailed directly to the following address:

SAU International Office
100 East University
MSC 9224
Magnolia, AR 71753

Transfer policy:

Transfer students must be in good standing with the institution they last attended in order to be eligible for admission to Southern Arkansas University.

• Applicants with a cumulative graduate grade point average of 2.49 or below will not be admitted to Graduate School at Southern Arkansas University.
• Applicants with a cumulative graduate grade point average between 2.5 and 3.0 will be placed on academic probation.

Please note: Your admission status will only be determined when the steps above have been completed.

Determining your Admission Status:

Your admission status will be determined by your test scores and GPA.

Unconditional Admission Status

• A cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above out of a 4.00 system or a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores no more than five years old. Scores should meet requirement A, B or C below:
  • A. GMAT*- A weighted score of 1,000 or above. (minimum score of 400) Weighted score is obtained by computing the formula:
    • GPA x 200 plus the GMAT score= 1,000 or more.
    • (*GMAT is required for the MBA program. Scores can be retrieved online by the graduate office at least 20 days after the test is taken.)
  • B. GRE- A score of 284 or above (verbal plus quantitative scores) or the admission index of 791 or above. Admission index is obtained by computing the formula:
    • (GPA*200) plus (GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative).
  • C. MAT- A score of 35 or above on the MAT or an admission index of 850 or above. Admission index is obtained by computing the formula:
    • (GPA x 200) plus the MAT score x 10.

Conditional Admission Status

• A cumulative grade point average of 2.2 or above out of a 4.00 system
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores no more than five years old. Scores should meet requirement A, B or C below:
  • A. GMAT- A weighted score of 900 or above. Weighted score is obtained by computing the formula:
    • GPA x 200 plus the GMAT score= 900 or more.
    • (GMAT is required for the MBA program. Scores can be retrieved online by the graduate office at least 20 days after the test is taken.
  • B. GRE- A score of 276 or above (verbal plus quantitative scores)
  • C. MAT- A score of 30 or above.

Some colleges/programs may not allow conditional status. Students on conditional status are limited to six hours per semester.

The conditional status will be removed after the student earns a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate credit at Southern Arkansas University with a 3.0 GPA, no grade lower than a C, and not more than one course with a grade of C. If a student fails to meet the requirements for removal of conditional status after earning 12 hours of graduate credit, he/she will be denied continuance in graduate courses at SAU.