International Applicants

As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University provides life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community as it works to advance the common good in uncommon ways. The university makes an impact locally and globally through research, engagement, innovation and education. International student enrollment is growing, with more than 6,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degrees from more than 130 countries.

MSU defines international applicants as anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or is not a permanent resident of the U.S. These individuals may be required to submit additional materials – such as an English language proficiency test score – in addition to the basic application components required of all applicants. See below for details by program.

MS in Supply Chain Management – International Student Application Process and Proof of English Language Proficiency

International applications will be considered complete when all of the following have been received:

• A completed application form with a one-time, nonrefundable $100 application fee, made payable in U.S. dollars.
• Official transcripts or mark sheets, diplomas and or certificates sent directly to MSU from each institution attended. Photocopies are not acceptable. Records not issued in English must be submitted with a word-for-word English translation. Translations may be prepared either by an authorized translator in the home country, or by an ATA American Translation Agency (see www.atanet.org).
• Proof of English language proficiency (see below) for applicants whose native language is not English.
• Current resume (in English) detailing professional work experience, academic credentials and related accomplishments, and pertinent biographical information.
• During the application process, applicants from China must submit certified copies (sealed and stamped by institutions) of all post-secondary transcripts, graduation certificates and degrees directly to the MSU Department to which they are applying.  MSU requires these documents in the original language (Chinese) as well as an official English translation.
• Effective Spring 2015, Michigan State University will require all incoming ADMITTED students pursuing degrees or who have earned degrees from universities in China to submit a verification report (English version) through the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) for their final bachelor degree transcripts and bachelor degree.  Check with the website of the graduate program office in which you were admitted, as some departments will REIMBURSE you for the cost of the verification once you register at MSU. All verification reports need to be sent to the MSU Office of Admissions directly by CDGDC. For those Master degree granted student, we only need the undergraduate level verification report from CDGDC.  Please refer to the CDGDC website for more information: http://www.chinadegrees.cn/en/
• Three letters of recommendation (written in English) from professional, work-related references, preferably supervisors. Letters that attest to your ability to work within and lead teams, as well as to your contribution to a professional business environment, are strongly recommended.
• Two personal statements (written in English):
  1. Professional/Academic Background – Please tell us about your background, both professional and academic, and how these experiences have prepared you for a graduate program in Supply Chain Management. (maximum 750 words or 2 pages)2. Professional Goals – What are your professional goals in the Supply Chain Management field? How do you plan to achieve these goals and how does the MS in Supply Chain Management fit into this plan? (maximum 750 words or 2 pages

In addition to the regular admission requirements, the following documents are required for applicants with international degrees:

• Official transcripts issued by the degree granting school in the original language of study in an envelope sealed by the degree-granting university – not opened by the applicant or anyone else prior to delivery to MSU or its agents
• An Official English translation of the transcript also in an envelope sealed by the translation service or degree-granting university – not opened by the applicant or anyone else prior to delivery to MSU or its agents
• Official diploma issued by the degree-granting university in the original language of study in an envelope sealed by the university – not opened by the applicant or anyone else prior to delivery to MSU or its agents
• An Official English translation of the diploma also in an envelope sealed by the translation service or degree-granting university – not opened by the applicant or anyone else prior to delivery to MSU or its agents
• If applicant currently lives in the U.S., they must provide a copy of their U.S. Visa or permanent resident card.

– These records must show courses taken and grades earned, and must be translated into English if the original records are in another language. If a document is translated, it should be certified as accurate and correct by an appropriate public or school official, or sponsoring agency or government. The original record should be also included. The chief academic officer of the university has authority to grant waivers of usual entrance requirements upon recommendation of the Dean of the Graduate School.

– Students who attended a higher learning institution in China must provide a China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) verification report.

If the applicant is currently residing outside the U.S. MSU will also require:

• TOEFL or other English language proficiency testing scores, or a testing waiver which the Program Director will determine if feasible.
  – This will be waived if the transcript indicates the medium of instruction was taught in English
• Proof of financial support (bank statement indicating funds sufficient to support onsite visits)
• Signed affidavit see: https://education.msu.edu/te/phd/pdf/finproof.pdf
• If the applicant is accepted and decides to attend, for each time the student is onsite, there will also be I-20 documentation required for the short term I-20/Visa

As part of MSU’s MS in Supply Chain Management program online, students are required to attend three 3-day sessions on MSU campus over the course of the 24 month/6 semester program. In order to do such, a unique I-20 VISA for a short period of time encompassing the required 3-day on campus session will be issued to the student.

In order to ensure the I-20 VISA is issued in time for the first campus visit, applicants should start the process to obtain one immediately upon application to the university. There are two types of applicants that are required to apply for an I-20 VISA. Please see below for those two types along with the documentation that will be required:

If you are located outside of the U.S., you are required to provide:

• Affidavit of Support Application
• Proof of Financial Support
• Health Insurance Coverage

If you are located in the U.S. on an H1B, L-1, L-2 or other appropriate visas, you are required to provide:

• Health Insurance Coverage
• Copy of the appropriate VISA

Please see the directions below on all of the above required documentation:
1. AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT APPLICATION: https://cmse.msu.edu/academics/graduate-program/forms/2019-2020-affidavit-ofsupport-form-pdf/. Information regarding the Application and required supporting documents are located below:

• APPLICANT: If the applicant is fully responsible for all educational and travel expenses, they must complete and sign the Applicant section of this form and the Sponsor section can remain blank.
• SPONSOR: If the applicant has a sponsor who is fully responsible for all educational and travel expenses, they must complete and sign the Sponsor section of this form.
• VISA INFORMATION: Select the F1 Visa option.

2. PROOF OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT: A bank statement indicating the total amount of student resources in U.S. $ as required by the OISS (Office of International Student Services) for the semesters they will be on campus. This can be a PDF copy of the statement and does not need to be notarized.

• Please contact your MSSCM program director to obtain the U.S. $ amount of resources that are required for the dates you will be attending (OISS memo – below outlines fees).

3. HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE: Go to https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/students/index.html to review requirements and waiver options.

Students will be charged for Insurance if they do not provide proof of insurance and have confirmation of a waiver from MSU. If a waiver is not approved, this fee will be paid directly to MSU.

4. VISA: A copy of the appropriate (H1B, Green card, L-1, L-2, etc.) VISA must be scanned in with the BOAS application.

Once the above process is completed, a revised process will be required for each onsite 3-day session. Subsequent I-20 VISA requests for the next three sessions only require the resubmission of the following items:

• Student Exchange Visitor Information Systems Fee (SEVIS Fee). This fee must be paid each time the student attends on campus. Instruction on how to pay this fee can be found at http://oiss.isp.msu.edu/students/status/sevisfee_new.htm
• Affidavit of Support Application
• Proof of Financial Support
• Unless the H1B expires they will not need to provide this each time.

Students who are required to prove English proficiency will be required to do so by meeting certain minimum standards on any one of the following tests (all tests must have been taken within two years of a student’s application and all test scores must be valid through the student’s first day of class):

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A total score of 550 with no subscores below 52 (paper version), or 80 with no subscore below 19 (22 for writing section) (Internet-based version) is required. The official report must be received by the Office of Admissions directly from Educational Testing Service.
• Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) (Testing and Certification Division, The English Language Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA). An average score of 83 or higher with no subscores below 80 is required for the main test parts. A MELAB speaking score of at least 3 is also required. The official report must be received by the Office of Admissions directly from the University of Michigan English Language Institute.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A score of at least 6.5 is required. The official report must be received by the Office of Admissions directly from IELTS.
• Michigan State University English Language Test (English Language Center [ELC], Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824–1035, USA). An average score of 80 to 85 with no subscores below 80, or a minimum average score of 85 with no subscores below 78 is required.
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A). Minimum overall score of 53; no subscore below 51 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing subscore below 59.

**Test takers should use the Michigan State University institution code 1465. Using institutional code 1465 will send your TOEFL results directly to the Office of Admissions at Michigan State University.

Students that would like a to have their scores mailed directly to campus should use the below address:

Angela Resseguie
MSU Department of Supply Chain Management
632 Bogue Street Room N340
East Lansing, MI 48824

International applicants who have acceptable academic credentials may be admitted to Michigan State University on a Provisional basis with average TOEFL scores of at least 520 (paper version) or at least 70 (Internet-based version), or an average score of at least 72 on the MELAB, or 6 on the IELTS, or 72 on the Michigan State University English Language Test (MSUELT), or 48 on the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A).

Applicants that fail to meet the standards for English Proficiency may seek English Language training and then retake an English Language Proficiency test in an effort to improve their score and satisfy these criteria. If an applicant retakes an English Language Proficiency Test in order to improve their score, we encourage the applicant to also submit evidence that they have also taken steps to improve their English Language Proficiency by providing a certificate or other documentation that attests to their have taken English Language training.

In rare cases, MSU may grant a waiver to the English Proficiency requirement. This is at the sole discretion of the university. Students considered for a waiver will be asked to provide evidence (e.g., academic or professional work) of their proficiency in the English language.

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