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Information for International Graduate Degree Applicants

What designates me as an international applicant?

For the purpose of admission to Regent University, if your country of citizenship is not the United States of America, you are considered an international applicant. This includes anyone currently in the U.S. on a work or other type of visa and all Permanent Residents (PR) and Resident Aliens (RA). However, the process for a PR or RA requires less paperwork than those who are seeking an F-1 student visa.

What extra admissions documentation must an international applicant provide in addition to the school's application requirements?

According to the Regent University Catalog, each international applicant must provide a copy of their current valid passport, copy of any previous or current U.S. visa history, complete the Supplementary International Application (SIA) and provide proof of financial ability to pay for the first year of tuition and living expenses.

I currently have a visa other than an F-1 visa; can I study at Regent University?

There are a number of work and dependent visa types that allow international students to study part-time, full-time or engage in incidental study. The list of these types is too numerous to provide here, so please contact Anna Graziano at 757-352-4936 to determine if your visa type allows study without transferring to an F-1.

What is the difference between Permanent Resident, Resident Alien and Citizenship?

Citizens are those who have gone through the process of citizenship and have received their naturalization papers from the government. Most people who are working toward citizenship, however, have a Permanent Resident (PR) or Resident Alien (RA) card, but are not technically citizens yet.

What does a PR or RA need to provide beyond the normal admissions documents?

Those people with a PR or RA card need only provide a copy of their current valid card to the Admissions Office. No other international paperwork is required.

What is the difference between an I-20 and an F-1 visa?

The I-20 document is created by a Regent University Designated School Official (DSO) and is used directly by the student at the U.S. Embassy to obtain the F-1 visa. The F-1 visa is then used at the border to get the student into the country. The I-20 is then used to keep the student legal and in the U.S.

Does Regent University allow any language tests other than the TOEFL?

Regent University recognizes the TOEFL, Pearson Test of English (PTE) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to determine English speaking ability to attend classes.

What are the minimum TOEFL scores required?

  • TOEFL
    • Written test — minimum score of 577 is required
    • Computer test — minimum score of 233 is required
    • Internet-based test (iBT) — minimum score of 90 is required
  • PTE (Pearson Test of English) — minimum score of 61 is required.
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) — minimum score of 7 is required.

What is a transcript evaluation?

Simply put, the transcript evaluation is converting what you have done at your foreign institution into the equivalent of the U.S. system. Currently, Regent does not do the conversions on-site, so it is necessary for international applicants to use a separate agency. We accept transcript evaluations from the agencies noted here.

What type of transcript evaluation is required?

Regent University requires a course-by-course evaluation of all international transcripts. View our list of recommended evaluation agencies.

When is a transcript evaluation required?

If you attended a university outside of the U.S., then that university's transcript will need to be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.

All transcripts that are not from an American institution must be evaluated. A course-by-course evaluation is required and the transcript must be converted to the American Grade Point Average system. Transcripts in a language other than English must also include an official English translation. A list of recommended evaluation agencies is listed below to assist you. Please note Regent is only requiring the evaluation for international transcripts. There is no need to send a copy of your official international transcript to Regent. The translation and evaluation fees must be paid directly to the agency performing the service.

Can an international be accepted conditionally?

If the applicant will require an F-1 visa to attend classes at Regent's state-side campus, then the answer is no; the applicant may only be accepted regularly. If, however, the applicant is taking online classes and will not be on campus, then yes, they can be accepted conditionally.

How much money do I need to prove financial eligibility?

Most of the School of Business & Leadership programs are offered completely online with no residency requirement. The MBA, however, may be taken on campus or online. If you will be studying on campus, the government requires that you provide enough money to live and study in the U.S. for the first year. In other words, you must prove enough finances to pay for everything for the first 12 months of living in the U.S. The actual amount you need to prove is based on the tuition of the particular school in which you are considering study. Currently, for the MBA program, the amount is $35,840 USD. For specific numbers for other schools at Regent, please visit the International Admissions portion of the Regent University website (http://www.regent.edu/admissions/international/cost.cfm).

If I'm going to live with a sponsor or relative, does that change how much money I have to prove?

Yes. As to how much it changes, the number will vary depending on what type of support is being given - just housing or food and housing. This is something that can be worked out after you are accepted to the school.

If I'm doing an online program, does that change how much money I must prove?

Yes. If you are doing an online program and will never come onto the Virginia Beach campus, you will not need to provide financial information.

How soon can I enter the country on my F-1 visa?

You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start date listed on your I-20 document.

How long from the time of my application will it take to get my F-1 visa?

This time will vary greatly and will depend mostly on the applicant. If an applicant is very organized and has everything ready at the time of application, it may take only a couple of months to receive your I-20 to get your visa. On the other hand, it could possibly take up to 12 months or longer.

How long after graduation can I stay in the country?

From the time of completion of the program or the end date on the I-20 document, the student will have 60 days to leave the country or switch to another visa type.

I have an F-1 visa from another university and I just want to take one or two classes at Regent University, can I do that?

Yes. Under the guidelines of concurrent enrollment you may do that; however, it can only be as a non-degree seeking student and your DSO at your current school must approve the request.