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:

Applications submitted beyond the deadline will be moved to the next available session.  Special accommodations may be made for transfer students who have submitted all their documents besides their current university transcript.

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 $90 Application fee

The application fee is nonrefundable.  If you defer your admission to the following semester and we have processed and shipped your I-20 then you will be required to pay the fee again.

Step 3 – Submit English Proficiency Scores (Mandatory)

The English requirement can be waived for students holding a Bachelor’s or  Master’s degree from an accredited school within the United States.

You must submit one of the following scores that are not more than 2 years old.

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)
• A score of 51 or higher on PTE (Pearson Test of English)
• A score of 100 or higher on Duolingo (Accepting temporarily)
• Completion of Level 112 at an ELS Language Center or its equivalent
• Completion of EF Level 5
• Completion of level 5 SAU ESL program (SAU does not accept ESL scores from other schools)
• If your English scores are below the required minimum for admissions, you may consider:
  • Retaking your English proficiency exam
  • Contacting SAU ESL Department to take the ESL exit exam
  • Enrolling in SAU’s ESL course

If you have completed your undergraduate or another masters degree in the US then this requirement is waived.

Step 4 – Submit GMAT, GRE, or MAT score (Waived for Summer 1, Summer 2, and Fall 2021)

You must submit one of the following scores that are not more than 5 years old.

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

These scores are not required if you have completed a master’s degree.

Step 5 – Provide Proof of Financial Support

• Fill out and email the SAU Affidavit of Support [pdf] form showing at least $15,000.
• 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(Mandatory)

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:

• Educational Perspective (allowing applicants to submit unofficial transcripts due to COVID-19)
• IEE
• WES
• Spantran
• or other private credential evaluation agencies approved by the Arkansas Department of Education.

To be considered for admissions, your evaluation will need to show it is equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree.

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 8 – For transfer students from U.S. universities only

1-Complete the Transfer Questionnaire and have your current DSO complete the bottom and forward. The form is available within 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.

For Summer Transfers: If you are currently enrolled at a U.S. university for the Spring semester and wish to transfer to SAU, you will only be eligible for the Summer 2 semester. This allows time for you to complete your current semester, for grades to post, and for you to request your final official transcript be sent to the International Office.

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.