Online and graduate international students, please note the following before working
through any application processes for Spring Arbor University:
- Currently, all of SAU’s adult and graduate programs are being delivered virtually, which means physical presence in the U.S. is not required to study in these programs. Therefore, per federal laws, SAU is unable to issue I-20s for F-1 visas for these virtual programs at this time. If you wish to stay in your country and study at SAU without the need for a U.S. visa, you may explore our online programs here. Please note that no programs that need internships (i.e., BSW, MSW, MAC, PACT) may be attended from outside of the United States. The only online programs that may be applied for from outside the United States are the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, MBA, M.Ed. in Trauma and Resiliency, Master of Teaching English as a Second Language, and Strategic Communication and Leadership programs.
- If you are already in the U.S. legally on a visa other than a student or visitor visa and you do not need SAU to provide an I-20 to remain in the U.S. legally, you should feel free to inquire about any adult or graduate program of study at SAU by e-mailing [email protected]. Click here for a listing of U.S. visas that allow study in the U.S. virtually or in person: ICE listing of U.S. visas.
- SAU’s traditional undergraduate programs on the main campus are being offered in person and do require physical presence in the U.S. to attend. SAU may issue I-20s for these programs. If you are interested in one of these programs, please feel free to inquire here.
International students will need to meet the criteria designated for their graduate program and submit the following materials:
- Evidence of language proficiency if English is not the student’s native language. Students may take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum score on the TOEFL iBT is 100, and the minimum score on the TOEFL PBT is 600. Alternatively, the student may take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum score is 7.0 with no band score below 6.5.
- Evidence of financial resources.
- Official transcripts of all coursework completed outside the United States. Transcripts must be submitted to an evaluation service for validation, course equivalency assignation, and/or degree verification. Acceptable evaluation services can be found via the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Our preferred service is the World Education Services (WES) ICAP (International Credential Advantage Package).
- Evidence of medical insurance (if program requires a residency).
International students will also need to take the following steps:
- Obtain a visitor visa (if the program requires a residency).
- Arrange to pay tuition and fees in U.S. currency.
International students applying for online programs should complete the WES online application to begin their transcript evaluation request. SAU’s code number is 1732. Do not pay for the WES evaluation until you are certain that the required documentation (see below) was received by WES. You may check with WES via email or telephone using your full name and account reference number.
Carefully follow WES instructions for submitting your documents. Requirements can vary by country. View the required documents for individual countries. In most cases, you will need the following:
- A photocopy of your university diploma(s) or certificate(s). You will mail this directly to WES.
- Official transcripts issued by the institution(s) attended for all post-secondary programs of academic study. Request that your university mail your official transcript directly to WES for the evaluation. WES does not receive transcripts that you mail directly to it. WES only receives transcripts sent directly from your institution abroad.
Transcripts not in English must first be translated into English. Then the translation company must send a certified translation of your transcripts together with your original language transcripts directly to WES.
Reminder: Be sure to select the WES ICAP option that stores your verified transcripts and WES evaluation report. Academic institutions receive a package that contains your evaluation report together with copies of the academic transcripts that are stored at WES. Your transcript and evaluation are ready to be sent in one comprehensive package to any educational institution at any time, even many years later.
*Check with WES before sending materials to ensure that the address below is still correct.
To send documents via postal mail, address them to
World Education Services
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
USA
To send documents via express courier, address them to
World Education Services
64 Beaver St., #146
New York, NY 10004
USA
Transcripts and Evaluation
Incoming freshmen and transfer students must both submit their transcripts via a transcript evaluation service, like World Education Services (WES). Don’t know if you are a freshman or transfer student? Read the descriptions below and go to the appropriate page.
Attended high school outside of the United States
International students are required to submit high school transcripts through an evaluation service. You can submit your transcripts through one of the following services:
- InCred : https://www.incredevals.org/
- REQUIRED for all international athletes with non-U.S. transcripts. Complete a course-by-course evaluation and request a certified copy add-on.
- InCred evaluation cost: $190 + $20 (add-on)
- World Education Services: https://www.wes.org/
- Complete a course-by-course evaluation. WES ICAP is highly recommended.
- WES Evaluation cost: $217 (does not include ICAP or delivery fees to Spring Arbor University)
- NACES: https://www.naces.org/members
- You can choose whichever service is best for you. Complete a course-by-course evaluation.
- Cost will vary based on which evaluation service you choose.
Attended high school in the United States
You are exempt from an evaluation service if you attended a high school in the United States for four (4) years. Please connect with your high school guidance counselor for assistance on how to send your U.S. high school transcripts. Students who have attended high school both in and outside of the United States should contact their admissions representative for how to proceed.
If you have questions about which evaluation service is best for you, please contact your admissions representative.
Attended university outside of the United States
If you have attended university or have taken other post-secondary courses either inside or outside the United States, you will likely enroll as a transfer student at Spring Arbor University. Students transferring from outside the United States are first required to request that official transcripts from each university or post-secondary school attended be evaluated. Please note that if you have fewer than 26 post-secondary credits, you will also need to submit a high school transcript evaluation. Spring Arbor University recognizes any of the following transcript evaluation services:
- InCred : https://www.incredevals.org/
- REQUIRED for all international athletes with non-U.S. transcripts. Complete a course-by-course evaluation and request a certified copy add-on.
- InCred evaluation cost: $190 + $20 (add-on)
- World Education Services : https://www.wes.org/
- Complete a course-by-course evaluation.
- WES ICAP is recommended.
- WES Evaluation cost: $217 (does not include ICAP or delivery fees to Spring Arbor University)
- NACES : https://www.naces.org/members
- You can choose whichever service is best for you.
- Complete a course-by-course evaluation.
- Cost will vary based on which evaluation service you choose.
Attended university in the United States
As an international student attending a university inside the United States, you are not required to submit high school transcripts if you have completed a minimum of 26 credits. However, you may still be required to complete a transcript evaluation.
If you are an athlete who is attending/has attended a university or post-secondary school inside the United States, you are required to obtain the following evaluation:
- InCred : https://www.incredevals.org/
- Complete a HS Graduation Comparability evaluation and request a certified copy add-on.
- InCred evaluation cost: $75 + $20 (add-on)
- Required for NAIA eligibility
If you are attending/have attended a university or post-secondary school inside the United States and you are not an athlete, you are not required to complete a transcript evaluation. Simply request that your current university release an official copy of your transcripts to Spring Arbor University.
If you have questions about which evaluation service is best for you, please contact your admissions representative.
Undergraduate English Proficiency Requirements
The international applicant must possess written and oral proficiency in the English language; therefore, the student is required to submit official test scores for one of the tests listed below. Please access the testing websites for information on costs and instructions for these tests.
The following chart explains the exam scores necessary to obtain admission.
| Test | Test Type | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | iBT | 100 | No subscore lower than 17 |
| TOEFL | PBT | 550 | No subscore lower than 52, writing score 4 |
| IELTS | 6.5 | No band lower than 6 | |
| MET | 64 | Section score 59 or higher | |
| ACT | 20 | Same minimum score as for native English speakers | |
| SAT | 1020 | Same minimum score as for native English speakers |
International applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must demonstrate written and oral proficiency in the English language using one of the methods below.
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language — toefl.org
For TOEFL scores to be sent to Spring Arbor University, enter our code 1732 on your
registration form.
IELTS: International English Language Testing System — ielts.org
For IELTS scores to be sent to Spring Arbor University, please include our address
on your registration form: Spring Arbor University, Office of Admissions, 106 E Main
Street, Spring Arbor, MI 49283.
MET: The Michigan English Test — MichiganAssessment.org
For MET scores to be sent to Spring Arbor University, please include our address on
your registration form: Spring Arbor University, Office of Admissions, 106 E Main
Street, Spring Arbor, MI 49283.
Note: Students submitting coursework from other U.S. universities (including ESL schools) must submit TOEFL, IELTS, or MET scores (no more than six months old).
Applicants can provide official transcripts and an international transcript evaluation reflecting the completion of a degree earned at a high school or at an institution of higher education in a primarily English-speaking country or at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. Study must have been completed within the immediate five years preceding admission to SAU.
Applicants can provide evidence of a minimum of two years of residence within the last five years in a primarily English-speaking country. Evidence can include travel documents, visas, employment contracts, etc. Documents must reflect the comprehensive dates of residency.
International Student Employment
As an international student, you are only permitted to work on SAU’s campus if a job is available. International students cannot work off-campus unless given special permission for Optional Practical Training – OPT.
It is important to note that you need a Social Security Number (SSN) to work in the United States, and, before you can start the process of applying for an SSN to be able to work on campus, you must be enrolled in classes at SAU for 30 days. After that 30-day waiting period, you may apply for your SSN. The processing time varies, and you could be approved by mid-semester, but, depending on individual circumstances, it could take longer. Campus jobs are limited, so we cannot guarantee that you will find a campus job.
NOTE: Funds intended to be earned on campus may not be included as a source of funds on your I-20 Form since that money is not available at the time you enroll. However, the money earned may be used to cover personal expenses while enrolled or saved to apply toward future semester costs.
Contact Us
Stella Tippin
International Admission Representative
Call or Text: +1.517.750.6607
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +1.313.528.0227
Spring Arbor University has been awarded the Open Doors 75 Seal of Excellence, recognizing the institution’s long-standing commitment to international educational exchange.