Suffolk University welcomes applications from fully qualified international students for all graduate programs. The University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant aliens as full-time students. Due to visa processing regulations, the Office of Graduate Admission must produce I-20 forms by July 22 for fall admission and November 18 for spring admission. Therefore, international students who need I-20 forms must submit completed applications and financial information by July 1 or November 1.

In addition to the general admission requirements, prospective students who do not hold US citizenship should note the following:

Transcripts, grade reports or marks sheets of all prior academic work

It is recognized that educational systems in other countries differ from that of the United States. Generally a four-year, university degree can be considered as comparable to the U.S. bachelor’s degree, provided that the degree was earned at an institution that has official recognition by their country’s Ministry of Education. The comparability of international course work and degrees will be determined exclusively by Suffolk University’s Office of Graduate Admission.

Following are general guidelines regarding the comparability of degrees from selected countries:

Asian Countries: A university degree requiring at least four years of study.
Australia: A four-year Bachelor’s degree or Honours Bachelor’s degree.
Brazil: A Bacharel, Licenciado or Titulo representing four or more years of full-time study.
Canada: A four-year Bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree requiring three years beyond grade thirteen.
Central and Latin America, Mexico, Portugal and Spain: A Licenciado or Titulo representing four or more years of full-time study.
France (and countries following French curriculum): A degree or diploma requiring at least four years of study after the baccalaureat.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal: Marksheets are required for each year of study. A Bachelor’s degree in engineering or medicine. If the applicant holds a three-year Bachelor’s degree, completion of the first year of a Master’s degree or Post-Graduate degree is required.
South Africa: A four-year Bachelor’s degree or Honours Bachelor’s degree.
United Kingdom (and countries following British curriculum): A Bachelor’s degree with honors.

All international students must file official transcripts (no copies), with English translation, from each post-secondary institution attended, demonstrating coursework and grades received. Applicants who are completing an undergraduate degree must arrange to have the final transcript sent to the Office of Graduate Admission before registration.

English Proficiency Requirement

Proficiency in English is required of all international applicants. Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL examination is given in both a computer-based and paper-based format. A MINIMUM TOEFL score of 80 in the IBT scoring system with no subscore lower than 17, or 213 computer-based (550 paper-based) in the old scoring system is required of applicants whose native language is not English. We also accept the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test and a MINIMUM IELTS score of 6.5 is required, with no subscores below 6.0. International applicants must have an OFFICIAL copy of the test result sent directly from the Testing Service. English-proficiency test scores are also a consideration in the awarding of merit fellowships.  Scores are valid from the date the exam was taken for two (2) years. Suffolk University’s Code for ETS (TOEFL) test scores is 3771.  Department codes are requested: students applying to a program in the Sawyer Business School should use code 02-Graduate Schools of Management, while students applying to the College of Arts and Sciences may use the appropriate department code listed for their programs or use code 99. 

TOEFL, Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151
1-609-771-7100
http://www.toefl.org/

IELTS http://www.ielts.org/

They have received a degree from a college or university in the U.S. within the last two (2) years OR
They are a permanent resident of the U.S. (and must submit a copy of the ’Permanent Resident’ card, front and back, in lieu of test for verification of status OR
They are from countries and attended universities whose "native" language is English.

Those countries are:
American Samoa
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
British West Indies
Canada
England
Guam
Ireland
Mauritius
New Zealand
Scotland
South Africa
Virgin Islands
Wales

Statement of Financial Resources:

International students must file a Statement of Financial Resources (Financial Statement Form), certifying availability of sufficient funds to cover all academic and living expenses for full-time graduate study at Suffolk University. The form can be downloaded here. Living expenses for the 2008-2009 academic year have been estimated to be $15,150. If there is sponsorship for the student through family, friends, organization, work or government agency, the sponsor must inform the Graduate Admission Office, in writing, of the terms of this support.

International students who want to receive any work-study, assistantship or fellowship funds from the university, must hold an F-1 immigration status. International students are INELIGIBLE for all forms of federal and state financial aid.

Contact the Off-Campus Housing Office at 617-573-8647 or email yvelez@suffolk.edu or visit the website: http://www.suffolk.edu/ocho

Office hours are Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and no appointment is necessary.