Graduate College information for International Students

Welcome from the Dean of the Jackson College of Graduate Studies.

I am pleased that you are considering a graduate program in the Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) at the University of Central Oklahoma. UCO is a large Master’s Degree institution offering 6 Master’s Degrees in 31 graduate programs which have 54 graduate majors. At UCO, we are firmly committed to helping our students learn so they may become productive, creative, ethical and engaged citizens.

The JCGS welcomes graduate applications from every country in the world. UCO enjoys the presence of approximately 1,200 students from 73 different countries.

You can find more information about UCO and the City of Edmond which surrounds our campus by following these links. (About UCO) (City of Edmond, OK)

I hope you will seriously consider applying for admission to the University of Central Oklahoma. Our current students will welcome you and our faculty, and staff look forward to being able to help you achieve your graduate studies’ goals.

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Dr. Richard M. Bernard, Dean

NOTICE: Effective July 1, 2008 the non-refundable fee for Application to Graduate School will increase to $50.00. Please make your check or Money Order out to University of Central Oklahoma.

Please visit UCO's International Student Services Web site for further information

Admission Deadlines

Your application for admission and supporting credentials should be filed as early as possible to allow sufficient time to process your application, obtain your visa and make travel plans.

Due to the amount of time needed to process an international application, admission application deadlines are in place:

• Fall semester July 1st *
• Spring semester November 1st *
• Summer semester April 1st *

* Please note that some graduate programs have deadlines earlier than those listed above. In this case the program deadline will be used.

You can find full details on the requirements for International admission to graduate studies at UCO in the Graduate Catalog. Back To Top

 Official Academic Credentials Required

To be considered for graduate-level study requires the completion of a degree comparable to a United States bachelor's degree with superior grades from an accredited institution of higher education. This typically means the completion of a degree of at least four years duration beyond the 12th year of school.

Applicants must submit official transcripts from all universities, colleges or professional schools attended.

The general rule is that students seeking graduate admission to UCO must submit original transcripts with their undergraduate degree posted.

In situations in which only one original is available, the standard policy that an "official" copy of the transcripts and proof of degree documents will be acceptable for admission purposes. To be an official copy, it must be legible and must bear an original stamp or seal and signature of a school official from the original issuing institution or examining board or certified by a consulate, embassy, military official, notary public or student placement consultant. The seal, stamp and signature must be placed on the copy after photocopying. If the original language of the record is not English, a certified English translation must be attached.

Upon arrival at UCO, you will be required to produce your original documents for review. PLEASE BE ADVISED: In these situations, you will only be permitted to enroll in actual graduate classes after you have produced your original transcripts and proof of degree to the JCGS. If you cannot produce the original documents to the JCGS, you will not be permitted to enroll.

Regarding students from Taiwan
Graduates of junior college programs from Taiwan are not eligible for graduate study at UCO.

Regarding students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal
Applicants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal must have completed at least an M.S., M.A., M.Com., B.Engr., or other degree of at least four years duration beyond grade 12 to be considered for graduate study at UCO.

Regarding students from Europe and the former Soviet Union
For students from Europe and the former Soviet Union, the first degree of four to five years duration is considered to be comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree and not considered as a master's degree.

Regarding the GRE and GMAT Exam Requirements
If you are applying for admission into the MBA Program, you are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

Some other graduate programs require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). These tests are conducted at centers throughout the world by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, NJ.

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 English Proficiency Requirements

All students for whom English is a second language must present evidence of proficiency in the English language as required by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

The applicant must submit score of 550 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper exam, or 213 on the computer exam. UCO will also accept an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 in the place of the TOEFL.

A student not meeting the 550 requirement, may furnish proof of a TOEFL score of 500 or higher, or 6.0 on IELTS, plus proof of subsequent completion of a minimum of 12 weeks of study at an English language school operated by an institution of higher learning, or a private English language school approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Applicants with bachelor degrees from an accredited United States college or university may be admitted without meeting the English proficiency requirement. Applicants who have attended an accredited U.S. college or university for a minimum of three full-time academic semesters of graduate level work may be admitted without meeting the English proficiency requirement.

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 Application and Fee

To apply for admission to UCO, complete the Application for Admission to UCO Graduate Studies form, answering every question on each page fully and accurately, and return it to the JCGS, 100 N. University Drive, NUC 404, Edmond, OK 73034, USA with your $25 USD application processing fee.

 Application Checklist

1. Make sure you are meeting the deadline for the term you want.
2. Make sure you have all documents required by the program for which you are applying. (See Graduate Catalog)
3. Complete the Application for Admission to UCO Graduate Studies form fully and accurately.
4. Include the $25 US application processing fee.
5. Send an official TOEFL score report (sent directly from the Educational Testing Service) or official IELTS score report.
6. Send official, complete academic credentials (i.e., degree certificates, transcripts, etc.).
7. If you have a passport, please include a photocopy of the name page.

You may send these items separately, but all items are required to be in the Office of International Student Services by the deadline and are needed to make an admission decision. No exceptions for any of the listed requirements will be made, so be sure you are sending everything required including GRE or GMAT scores.

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 Notification of Admission

Only the JCGS is authorized to notify applicants of their admission to graduate studies at UCO. However, the UCO International Office issues the Certificate of Eligibility (United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Form I-20) when you are officially admitted.

Upon receiving the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) and the letter of admission to graduate studies, you should meet with the appropriate U.S. consulate to complete your application for a U.S. visa. Back To Top

 Financial Aid

International students are not eligible for U.S. federal student financial aid programs.

 Graduate Assistantships

Information on Graduate Assistantships is available through the Academic Deans' offices.

 Financial Adequacy

You must be prepared to finance your study with no financial help from the University.

Certain countries limit the amount of money that can be forwarded to the United States. Because of this situation, it is very important, before leaving your country, to inquire into your country's regulations on forwarding money. You should also bring enough funds with you to cover transportation, enrollment fees, and living expenses until funds can be transferred from your home country. Major credit cards are also an acceptable form of payment. More information about this requirement can be secured from the UCO International Office.

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Payment Deadlines

Enrollment fees for each semester are due at the beginning of classes. It is therefore particularly important to have sufficient funds at the beginning of each semester or summer session to pay these charges and to purchase necessary books and supplies.

Graduate Program Advisors

Each graduate program at UCO has a Graduate Program Advisor who can meet with you to discuss general academic matters and specific requirements for your course of study.

International Student Services

The UCO International Office exists to meet the needs of international students. It includes information about enrollment procedures, governmental regulations, life in Edmond, etc.

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