International Students

The University of Akron welcomes international students and seeks to provide a meaningful, positive experience throughout their studies. Approximately 750 international graduate students and visiting scholars from around the world pursue studies and research at The University of Akron.

Admission

International applications for admission to the Graduate School should be completed in the admissions portal at least six months before registration. All applicants must satisfy English proficiency requirements.

An official transcript from every college or university attended must be received through the admissions portal before the application will be processed. This applies to the complete academic record, both undergraduate and graduate. Original transcripts should be sent to the admissions portal directly from domestic institutions attended. Evaluated transcripts should be sent to the admissions portal directly from a NACES-accredited organization from international institutions attended. The applicant is responsible for meeting the listed conditions by the deadlines for application completion.

All records, including academic records from other institutions, become part of a student’s official permanent file and cannot be returned for any reason.

An offer of admission may only be made to an applicant who meets all admission requirements. Resources are finite, so the number of students accepted will vary among programs and from term to term. An accepted applicant may begin graduate work in the fall, spring, or summer semester, depending upon visa requirements and individual graduate program policies. The offer of admission is void, however, if the applicant does not register for and attend courses within one year from the semester for which admission was granted. An individual whose offer of admission has lapsed must submit a new application to be reconsidered.

The student is admitted only for the purpose of pursuing a graduate certificate, degree, or coursework stated on the application for admission. A new request for admission must be submitted when the original objective has been attained or when the student wishes to change objectives. Matriculation status terminates when the time limits for registration after admission or degree/certificate completion have been exceeded or other conditions for continued admitted status have not been met.

Costs, Financial Aid, and Medical Insurance

Information on estimated expenses for international graduate students on F-1/J-1 visas can be found on the form “Declaration and Certification of Finances” (DCF), which can be downloaded at http://www.uakron.edu/international/forms. Annual tuition and living expenses for the 2024-2025 academic year will be approximately $31,865. Tuition, fees, books, medical insurance, and estimated living expenses are subject to change.

Graduate students may request financial aid through fellowships and graduate assistantships. More detailed information can be found on the Graduate School website.

The University of Akron requires that all international students and visiting scholars and researchers who are taking classes purchase major medical health insurance. J visa holders are also required to purchase insurance for themselves and each child and/or spouse living with them in the United States, and the insurance policy must meet the minimum benefit levels as stated in federal regulations. Students are required to purchase The University of Akron Student Health Plan unless they have an alternate health plan that meets the requirement for a waiver. For more information about waiver requirements or to request a waiver send your request to international@uakron.edu.

Information about The University of Akron insurance plan can be found at https://www.uakron.edu/international/after-you-apply/insurance

English Language Proficiency

International applicants, United States citizens, and Permanent Residents whose native language is not English must submit evidence that they have a sufficient level of English language proficiency to undertake graduate studies at The University of Akron. Applicants to graduate programs can demonstrate their English proficiency for admission in one of the following ways

• Minimum score of 79 on the internet-based TOEFL.  (The following department requires a higher standard of proficiency: English requires an internet-based TOEFL score of 92). Scores more than two years old will not be accepted. See http://www.ets.org/toefl for more information about the TOEFL.
• A minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS, which is jointly owned by the British Council; IDP IELTS; and Cambridge University Press and Assessment. Scores more than two years old will not be accepted. See http://www.ielts.org for more information about the IELTS.
• Successful completion of a full course of study at the English Language Institute (ELI) at The University of Akron and test out at the advanced level. ELI is an intensive (18 hours a week) program in English for academic purposes. The ELI courses are offered every semester according to the University’s academic calendar
• Successful completion of 24 credit hours of upper-level undergraduate or 18 credit hours of graduate course work at an accredited U.S. college or university in which English is the primary language of instruction. Successful completion is defined as maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in full-time, continuous studies. Applicants must submit original transcripts of their coursework.
• Successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate program at a university outside of the United States in which English is the language of administration and instruction. English must be used for all administrative functions and for all areas of instruction (except foreign language courses) including course lectures, materials, discussions, readings, and writing assignments. Applicants must submit an original official document from the undergraduate or graduate institution certifying that all the administrative functions and instruction are conducted in English. The document must be signed by an officer of the institution and carry an official seal. The Dean of the Graduate School at The University of Akron will review the submitted documentation and inform the applicant if English language proficiency requirement has been satisfied. The decision will be final.

Immigration Information for Graduate Students

Prospective international students who are outside the U.S. must apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa to attend The University of Akron. To obtain the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019) needed to obtain a student visa an international student must submit the following documents to the International Center, The University of Akron, Simmons Hall, Room 205, Akron, OH 44325-4724, or immigration@uakron.edu: the completed Declaration and Certification of Finances form (available at https://www.uakron.edu/international/forms), supporting financial documents, and a copy of the biographic page of the student's passport. The International Center will prepare the Certificate of Eligibility upon receipt of proof of adequate financial support, the copy of the passport biographic page, and admission to the University.

A student in F-1 or J-1 status transferring to The University of Akron from another U.S. college or university, without leaving the U.S., must request transfer of his or her SEVIS record to The University of Akron. The I-20 or DS-2019 will be issued upon submission of the documents proving valid status, meeting the requirements mentioned above, and the release of the SEVIS record to The University of Akron. A new I-20 or DS-2019 must be obtained before the student begins his or her program at The University of Akron.

A prospective international student in the U.S. in any other visa status should consult the International Center if he or she intends to begin the program and does not plan to leave the U.S. to obtain and F-1 or J-1 visa. The prospective student may need to submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for a change of visa status.

International Student Orientation

The required International Student Orientation will be held during the week prior to the start of classes. It is mandatory for students in F or J status, and global nomads. It is also required for any international student who is new to The University of Akron, even if they already took classes online from outside the U.S. or from another university in the U.S. This includes transfer students. International Student Orientation is optional, but highly recommended, for students with other visa types. Students beginning academic studies during the summer semesters must attend fall orientation.

The international student services fee ($145 in 2024-2025) is mandatory and will be automatically assessed to the student’s account during the first semester of enrollment.

In addition, useful information about your arrival in Akron can be found online at https://www.uakron.edu/international/plan/index.dot

International Transfer Credits

Transfer credit from foreign institutions is awarded at the discretion of the academic department with the final approval from the Graduate School. Transfer coursework is only accepted from institutions that are recognized by the institution’s governing academic body (e.g. Ministry of Education). The student must have earned a minimum of a “B” (or its equivalent) to be eligible for transfer credit.

Teaching Assistants

Assessment of oral English proficiency is required by Ohio law and must be certified before teaching assistant duties can be performed. Teaching assistants for whom English is not their native language must have a minimum score of “High Pass” on the U-ADEPT, a 23 or greater on the speaking component of the internet-based TOEFL, or a 7 or greater on the speaking portion of the IELTS. A copy of the test score must be submitted to the Graduate School.

Note: International students are encouraged to contact the International Center directly at international@uakron.edu with questions about housing, cultural adjustment, climate, insurance, or immigration regulations. Questions concerning degree programs should be directed to the appropriate academic department.