Application Procedures 

Application procedures, supporting credentials, and requirements vary among the graduate programs. Prospective graduate students should contact their respective departments for additional requirements. 

The application packet consists of the following items:

• Completed application for admission submitted to the Office of Admissions;
• Letters of recommendation (the exact number varies by major) by persons who are acquainted with their potential for graduate study in their discipline;
• Non-refundable application fee;
• An official transcript from each college or university attended;
• An example of scholarly work (if required);
• Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or other specified examinations as specifically defined by the individual department or program; and
• Transcript evaluation if educated outside of the continental United States (U.S.) at a non English speaking institution.
  • Transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) – www.wes.org, the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) –www.ece.org, or the Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)—www.aacrao.org and forwarded from the evaluating organization to the Office of Admissions at Delaware State University. All academic records must be converted into their U.S. education equivalents by a University recognized credential agency, to obtain transfer credit for education completed at non U.S. postsecondary institutions.  Transcript evaluations must be submitted sealed from the evaluating organization. PLEASE NOTE:  The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request that transcripts from international English speaking institutions be evaluated by WES or any of the other recognized credential agencies if educational equivalency cannot clearly be determined by the Office of Admissions.

In addition to meeting the above application requirements, non-English speaking international students applying for admission to graduate study must demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency in the English language. The proficiency requirement may be satisfied by meeting the criteria in any one (1) of the following categories: 

1. Foreign applicants who hold the baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university within the United States are presumed to be proficient in the English language. 
2. Foreign applicants who hold the baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from a foreign institution in which English is the language of instruction are presumed to be proficient in English. 
3. Foreign applicants who do not meet the requirements outlined in 1 and 2 above must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants should attain a score of at least 550 on the TOEFL. 
4. All applicants must show evidence of medical insurance by the first day of classes.

Prior to acceptance, international students must place a Financial Statement Form on file with the Office of International Student Services, Grossley Hall, Room 115.

International Students with a Student Visa 

Students who apply to come to the U.S. for the purpose of enrolling at Delaware State University may be issued a Form I-20 A-B Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student by the University after submitting the following documents: 

• An application for admission signed by the student; 
• Sealed official transcripts from secondary and postsecondary schools attended; 
• Sealed official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score no more than two (2) years old; and 
• If necessary, an interview, attended by the student‘s local sponsor (if applicable), with the Admissions Coordinator for Transfer and International Students. 
• A  Financial Statement or a signed copy of your award Letter or contract stating the exact amount of funds you will be receiving and for how long.  If you receive a scholarship providing 100% full coverage (includes tuition and fees/room and board) you do not need to submit a Financial Statement; however, not all University support covers the entire program of study or all expenses, so you may need additional support to meet your minimum annual costs. (For example, if your award is for 75% the student is responsible for 25% of tuition & fees and a Financial Statement must be submitted).  If the student is using personal funds, he/she must submit a letter stating that he/she will provide for his/her own expenses.
• An official letter from the sponsor’s or student’s bank on official letterhead stating the current balance and date the account was opened.
• An official letter from the sponsor’s or student’s employer stating his/her position and income.
• An Affidavit of Support for Free Room and Board (submit only if you will reside off-campus with a friend or relative).
• A copy of the deed, lease or rent receipts (submit only if you will reside with a friend or relative) and an official letter from the sponsor’s or student’s employer stating his/her position and income.

Application for Student Visa 

The University issues an I-20 A-B Certificate of Eligibility form to students who qualify for admission and who have approved financial documentation from the Office of International Student Services.  Students apply for the F-1 student visa by submitting DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) to the US Consulate.  During students interview, he/she submits the Form I-20, acceptance letter, and documentation showing financial resources to a U.S. Consulate Office in the country where they are applying for a student (F-1) Visa. Final decision on admission into the U.S. and permitted length of stay is made by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

F-1 Transfer Students 

Students with an F-1 Visa seeking to transfer to Delaware State University from another U.S. institution must submit the following documents and meet the following criteria: 

• An application for admission signed by the student; 
• Sealed official transcripts from secondary and postsecondary schools attended; 
• Sealed official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score no more than two (2) years old; and 
• If necessary, an interview, attended by the student‘s local sponsor (if applicable), with the Admissions Coordinator for Transfer and International Students. However, if English is the official language of your country of origin, SAT and/or ACT test scores are acceptable. Delaware State University requires an average SAT score of 1,200 or better (given all three parts), or an ACT composite score of seventeen (17) or better. The TOEFL score determines the student‘s initial level of English proficiency. Students must submit a satisfactory score of a minimum of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer based test, or an 84 on the new international based TOEFL, or documentation (i.e., a transcript, certificate of completion of a program, etc.) of satisfactory completion of an intensive curriculum of English instruction. The University will also consider international applicants who have taken the General Education Development (GED) test. Applicants must submit a notarized copy of their GED certificate with their application and fee to be considered for admission. 
• A copy of the I-20 from the previous institution; 
• An International Student Transfer Form; 
• A  Financial Statement or a signed copy of your award Letter or contract stating the exact amount of funds you will be receiving and for how long.  If you receive a scholarship providing 100% full coverage (includes tuition and fees/room and board) you do not need to submit a Financial Statement; however, not all University support covers the entire program of study or all expenses, so you may need additional support to meet your minimum annual costs. (For example, if your award is for 75% the student is responsible for 25% of tuition & fees and a Financial Statement must be submitted).  If the student is using personal funds, he/she must submit a letter stating that he/she will provide for his/her own expenses.
• An official letter from the sponsor’s or student’s bank on official letterhead stating the current balance and date the account was opened.
• An official letter from the sponsor’s or student’s employer stating his/her position and income.
• An Affidavit of Support for Free Room and Board (submit only if you will reside with a friend or relative).
• A copy of the deed, lease or rent receipts (submit only if you will reside with a friend or relative) and an official letter from the sponsor’s or student’s employer stating his/her position and income.

Students with Other Types of Visas 

Prospective students with a temporary Visa status such as J or B (i.e., visitors, business, exchange, etc.) should contact the Office of International Student Services if they wish to change their status to an F-1 Student Visa.  Nonimmigrant students, other than F-1 international student Visa holders, may take as many credit courses as their admission status permits, as long as the term begins and ends within the duration of stay indicated on the visa in their passport. These students are subject to the out-of-state tuition rates. Refunds will not be issued after the term‘s scheduled drop dates. 

Additional Overall Information 

• Students with F-1 Visas must enroll for a full-time course of study—a minimum of six (6) credits hours each term. 

For more information or clarification on any of the aforementioned information, please contact the Office of International Student Services.

Director: Mrs. Candace Alphonso Moore
Phone: 302-857-6474
Fax: 302-857-6567
Email: cmoore@desu.edu
Website: /academics/international-students-dsu

Applications for admission to all graduate programs should be made to: 

Graduate Program
Office of Admissions
Delaware State University
1200 North DuPont Highway
Dover, Delaware 19901-2277

The application is also located in the graduate student section at www.desu.edu/graduate-studies.

For more information on how to submit the application fee, please contact the Office of Student Accounts at 302-857-6240 or the cashier’s office at 302.857.6220.

INFORMATION OBTAINED IN THIS PROCESS IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

 AND WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED UNLESS REQUIRED BY LAW.