Graduate International Applicants

��Ƶ�� (BSU), is located 30 miles southeast of Boston, Massachusetts in the rural/suburban town of Bridgewater. Commuter rail service offers easy access to Boston direct from the on-campus MBTA station. The University provides the individual attention that is very important to the academic and cultural adjustment of international students. Campus employment is available to international students on a limited basis. Matriculated international graduate students are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships and graduate research assistantships once they have been admitted to a program. These assistantships are limited in number and academically competitive. Permission to work can be difficult to obtain because of immigration regulations, and scarce work opportunities. Reliable arrangements for expenses for the entire length of the intended program of study must be made in advance of arrival in the United States; proof of funds is required at the time of application. Graduate students must depend on their own resources to finance their entire education. The annual cost of an international student attending ��Ƶ�� is listed under the section entitled “Estimate of Yearly Expenses,” and students are cautioned that these costs are approximate and are subject to change without notice. All bills must be paid within thirty days of receipt.

Below is a list of the Master's degree programs available to international students. Please click on your program of interest to learn more about the program, including the admission requirements and application deadlines.

*International students seeking a teaching program will normally enroll in the PreK-12 Education (Non-Licensure). Bridgewater offers additional teaching programs that are licensure programs designed for applicants who are licensed teachers or who are interested in becoming licensed teachers in Massachusetts. If you are interested in a teaching program other than the PreK-12 Education (Non-Licensure), please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions before applying.

International applicants should study the admissions requirements for their program of interest carefully before applying. The submission of official documents, which may include GRE, GMAT, and/or TOEFL or IELTS exam scores, and the determination of academic standing is a lengthy process; therefore, overseas students are advised to seek admission at least one month before the deadline. Bridgewater will determine admissibility of international students not currently in the U.S. only on the basis of admission requirements. Please note that an I-20 cannot be issued without acceptable proof of funds .

International students may enroll at Bridgewater in the Fall or Spring semesters and Summer sessions. All documentation to meet admission requirements should be submitted no later than the application deadlines that can be viewed on the apply page.

Visa Processing Deadlines

While admissions deadlines vary by program, deadline cutoffs for applications that require an F-1 visa are below:

Spring Enrollment

Applicants outside of the USA: November 1
Applicants already in the USA: December 1

Summer Enrollment

Applicants outside of the USA: March 1
Applicants already in the USA: April 1

Fall Enrollment

Applicants outside of the USA: June 1
Applicants already in the USA: August 1

The process for international students to be admitted and attend Bridgewater is a two-step process. The steps below must be completed in order to be admitted to a graduate program. Once admitted, please view the section regarding additional documents needed to issue an I-20 document.

Application: Applicants should fully complete the online application. The $50.00 application fee must be submitted online by credit card in order for the application to be submitted to our office. All other materials must be submitted online or received by mail. Please note that the below documents are needed to render an admissions decision. Accepted students will need to provide additional documents to issue an I-20.

Academic Credentials: We require official, sealed transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended as well as an external credit evaluation from an approved NACES evaluator in order to determine the U.S. equivalency of your degree(s). Below are our approved agencies, many of which have discounted pricing for BSU applicants (you must click on the link(s) below to receive discount)

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Please be sure to request a course by course evaluation that also includes GPA conversion. We will accept transcripts that are included as part of the evaluation and come directly from the evaluating agency. If transcripts are not included with the evaluation, they must be sent officially from the institution directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. All evaluations must state that the student has the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Language Proficiency Exams: Students for whom English is not their native language will be required to submit official results from one of the below exams, unless their undergraduate degree was taught entirely in English (official documentation required):

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Internet based test - Minimum score of 79
- Computer-based test - Minimum score of 213
- Paper-based test - Minimum score of 550
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Minimum score of 6.5
Pearson English Language Test (PTE) or Pearson English Test Online (PTE Online) - Minimum score of 53
Duolingo - Minimum score of 110
Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFRL) - Minimum score of B2.

Essay and Resume: Please submit your current resume as well as an essay (personal statement) that addresses the reasons you want to pursue graduate work in your field of choice, your specific interest and experiences in this field, and your career goals. View additional information here: Graduate Personal Statement

GRE or GMAT Scores: Depending on the program, test scores may be required. Scores must be received in our office directly from the testing service. Please view the or the for information on registering for these exams. In order to have your score reported directly to ��Ƶ��, please enter the institutional code number 3517 when taking the exam or when ordering your score report to be sent to our office.

Letters of Recommendation: Please obtain three Letters of Recommendation from professors and/or professional employers. Please use the Recommendation Form accessed from the Supplemental Items section of your application. Please note: you will not be able to access this form until you complete the application and submit your payment. At least one recommendation from a professor and one from an employer is preferred; the third recommendation may be from either a professor or employer, depending on your experience. Recommendations should be submitted directly by your recommenders through the online system.

Applicants must be admitted to the university before an I-20 document can be issued. Upon acceptance, applicants will receive a formal acceptance letter and email from Graduate Admissions. You may submit the items listed below at any time, but the I-20 document cannot be issued until Graduate Admissions confirms your acceptance.

The following documents must be submitted directly to the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Office before an I-20 can be issued. They should be sent to:

International Student and Scholar Services
��Ƶ��
25 Park Ave
Bridgewater, MA 02325
ISSS@bridgew.edu

Confirmation of Undergraduate Degree: Students who have not yet completed their current bachelor's degree at the time of application to the graduate program will need to submit updated transcripts and an updated international course by course credit evaluation with GPA conversion upon completion of the degree. Final transcripts and international credit evaluations that show a bachelor's degree has been conferred are required in order to process the I-20 and start your graduate program.

Affidavit of Financial Support: The University requires family or sponsor information and bank documentation that shows there are sufficient exchange funds to cover the costs of attending the University. The Affidavit of Financial Support must be completed showing sufficient funds (in U.S. dollars) to cover the costs of the first year at the University. The University will require proof that these funds have been deposited in a U.S. bank, or that payment has been made for the entire year’s tuition and fees prior to the start of the first semester. The “Estimate of Yearly Expenses” found later in this document should be used to determine the sufficient funds required.

Certified bank/financial statement must attest to the fact that funds in the amount of $33,458.50 (subject to change) are available specifically for educational expenses for the first year of attendance. The statement must show sufficient funding for one year of university related costs and living expenses. Students may send this document electronically to begin the review process, however, original documents must be submitted no later than the program start date. The student and the financial sponsor continue to be financially responsible for the student’s entire program of study. These funds must be verified before an I-20 can be issued.

Copy of Passport, Visa, I-94: The applicant should submit copies of passport pages that show the passport number, expiration date, full name and home country address. Federal regulations require all international students to have a passport valid for at least six months in order for us to issue an I-20. A passport should be renewed or extended six months prior to the expiration date. If applicant is in the United States, copies of the most recent visas utilized to enter the United States and the front and back of the I-94 are required.

SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Verification Form: If you are currently studying at another institution in the U.S., the SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Verification Form must be completed by the International Student Advisor at your current school before your SEVIS record is transferred to BSU. This form must be revised and approved before you can register for classes at ��Ƶ��.

Click Here to Access the SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Verification Form

SEVIS fee: The SEVIS fee should be paid by students who will be entering the United States on an “Initial” I-20. Please visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website () for more information. All records submitted become the property of the University and will not be returned to the student. No applicant will be considered for admission until all relevant materials and official documents are on file, nor will an evaluation or estimate of academic standing be made.

Outside the United States

If you are currently outside the United States without an active F-1 visa and are interested in studying at BSU you will first need to be admitted to the university. Once admitted, the financial documentation and passport information you provided with your application will be reviewed. If all documents are submitted correctly a form I-20 will be issued and mailed to you. The I-20 will list a program start date that coincides with the International Student Orientation offered at the start of the fall or spring semester. You will use the form I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. You will be eligible to apply for an F-1 visa as early as 120 days before your program start date. Once you are issued your F-1 visa you will be eligible to enter the U.S. as early as 30 days before your program start date.

Already in the United States

Currently in active F-1 status and enrolled in classes at U.S. based college or university.

If you are currently in active F-1 status and enrolled in classes at a U.S. based higher education institution you will first need to apply and be admitted to BSU. Along with your application you will need to submit a SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Verification Form. This form is used to verify your active status and will need to be signed by a Primary/Designated School Official (P/DSO) at your current institution. Once admitted to BSU you will need to notify your current P/DSO of your intent to transfer to BSU. You will likely be asked to provide them with written confirmation that you have been admitted in the form of an acceptance letter. Please make sure that we here at ISSS know of your intent to transfer and enroll at BSU as well. You should provide your current P/DSO our ISSS contact information and make sure that your current P/DSO updates your SEVIS record to “transfer out” status in a timely manner.

Currently in active F-1 status and engaged in employment with approved Optional Practical Training (OPT).

If you are currently in active F-1 status and engaged in employment with approved OPT you will first need to apply and be admitted to BSU. Along with your application you will need to submit a SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Verification Form. This form is used to verify your active status and will need to be signed by a P/DSO at your current institution. Once admitted you will need to notify your current P/DSO of your intent to transfer to BSU. You will likely be asked to provide them with written confirmation that you have been admitted in the form of an acceptance letter. Please make sure that we here at ISSS know of your intent to transfer and enroll at BSU as well. You should provide your current P/DSO our ISSS contact information. You should have a 60 day grace period from the expiration of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to have your SEVIS record transferred. Please consult with your current P/DSO so that your SEVIS record is updated to “transfer out” status before the expiration of your grace period.

Currently in active F-1 status and recently graduated or will graduate from a U.S. based college or university before intended enrollment at BSU.

If you are currently in active F-1 status and recently graduated from or will graduate from a U.S. based higher education institution before your intended enrollment at BSU you will first need to apply and be admitted to BSU. Along with your application you will need to submit a SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Verification Form. This form is used to verify your active status and will need to be signed by a P/DSO at your current institution. Once admitted you will need to notify your current P/DSO of your intent to transfer to BSU. You will likely be asked to provide them with written confirmation that you have been admitted in the form of an acceptance letter. Please make sure that we here at ISSS know of your intent to transfer and enroll at BSU as well. You should provide your current P/DSO our ISSS contact information and make sure that your current P/DSO updates your SEVIS record to “transfer out” status in a prior to the expiration of the 60 days grace period following your current I-20 program end date.

Currently hold an active visa status other than F-1 and wish to change your status to F-1 and enroll at BSU.

If you are currently in the United States with an active visa status other than F-1 and wish to change your status to F-1 you should consult with an ISSS advisor prior to applying and being admitted to BSU. Please visit the following for current ISSS contact information. F-1 status can be obtained one of two ways. You can return to your home country and apply for an F-1 visa or remain in the United States and apply for a change of status through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. An ISSS advisor can help you determine which option is best for you.

Currently in the United States with a terminated or completed SEVIS record and wish to apply for a reinstatement of status and enroll at BSU.

If you are a former F-1 status holder currently in the United States with a terminated or completed SEVIS record and wish to apply for a reinstatement of status you should consult with an ISSS advisor prior to applying and being admitted to BSU. Please visit the following for current ISSS contact information. F-1 status can be reinstated one of two ways. You can return to your home country and apply for an F-1 visa or remain in the United States and apply for a reinstatement through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. An ISSS advisor can help you determine which option is best for you.

Please keep in mind that the costs for living expenses are minimum estimates and that, depending on your lifestyle, these costs may be higher. Transportation to and from the United States is not included in these estimates. ALL UNIVERSITY COSTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. TUITION AND FEES ARE BASED ON FULL-TIME STATUS (9 credit hours per semester)

Column one has the expense and column two has the cost.

Expense	Cost
Tuition and fees	$9,297
Required health insurance	$3,941
Rent, utilities and food	$16,033
Household needs	$600
Books and supplies	$1,200
Clothing and Laundry	$600
Summer living expenses	$2,500
Miscellaneous Expenses	$700
Twelve-Month Total (Estimate)	$34,871*

*To be used on Affidavit of Financial Support

The amounts listed are the average cost of attending Bridgewater. Each student’s actual expenses will vary based on individual choices. These amounts are utilized to issue the I-20 and cannot be prorated.

This information was gathered from the following resources:
Tuition and fees: http://www.bridgew.edu/admissions/cost-attending/fee-schedule
Health insurance:

Important Notice: Checks submitted for payment of all fees and tuition are required to be either in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank with a branch in the applicant’s country or in U.S. dollars drawn on a foreign bank which has a New York branch.

Health Records: BSU requires certain health information and immunization records from all incoming students. Once you are registered and have your BSU email and password please use that information to log in to the BSU Patient Portal and complete the steps listed on the Home screen. https://bridgew.medicatconnect.com. You cannot upload documents until after you are registered for classes, and you have 30 days to complete this. While you are in your home country it is helpful to gather all these documents prior to arrival in the US – documents must be in English. You are required to show proof of Tdap, MMR, HepB, Varicella, Meningococcal A (or waiver) TB screening, COVID vaccine and COVID attestation. Any questions can be directed to wellnesscenter@bridgew.edu.

Medical Insurance: Accepted candidates are required to purchase the University student health insurance plan to cover the duration of their enrollment at the University. J-1 students are required to carry additional benefits at an additional charge. Information concerning coverage benefits is mailed along with other orientation materials in advance of the student’s arrival in the United States. Failure to maintain proper insurance coverage will jeopardize enrollment and potentially your immigration status.

Housing: On-campus housing is available to graduate students. Please contact Residence Life and Housing at reslife@bridgew.edu for additional information.

I-20 Document: The Certificate of Eligibility Form (I-20 Document) is provided only to applicants who have submitted all required credentials (including the Affidavit of Financial Support) and who have been admitted to the University. Students who have received an I-20 form should note that immigration regulations are being rigorously followed. Students should not plan to attend ��Ƶ�� unless they have appropriate documentation.

International Student Orientation: Students who enroll at the University for the first time are required to participate in an International Student Orientation. This is scheduled approximately two to five days prior to the beginning of each semester. During this orientation, students will have the opportunity to meet the International Student Advisor, learn about customs in the United States, and register for courses.

Transfer Students: If the accepted student has an F-1 visa from another U.S. institution, the student’s previous International Student Advisor should be notified of his/her intent to transfer. Transfer students who do not plan to travel outside the United States prior to the start of their first semester will receive their new BSU Form I-20 at International Student Orientation. Transfer students who have a valid reason for missing the mandatory International Student Orientation must report to the International Student and Scholar Services office in the Minnock Center for International Engagement and pick up the Form I-20 no later than the add/drop deadline of the first semester.

Registering for Classes: International students accepted into a program should register for classes online as soon as possible. Registration information will be mailed to students after they have accepted our offer of admission and have returned their Enrollment Form to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

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