International Admissions

International Undergraduate Admissions

Applying for Admission

International students must submit their international application via our homepage at tamut.edu and must answer all questions on the application accurately and completely. If the university grants a student admission on the basis of incorrect information or omitted facts, which, if known, would invalidate the applicant’s eligibility, that student’s admission is invalid. The completed application, additional forms, official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities, and official transcripts showing high-school graduation, and supporting documents constitute the basis upon which authorities determine eligibility for admission.

You are considered an international student if you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and require a nonimmigrant student visa (such as F-1) to study in the United States. International students typically enter the United States for the primary purpose of completing a full course of study at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified institution.

Academic Requirements

Texas A&M University–Texarkana requires international applicants to demonstrate successful completion of an academic program equivalent to the educational credential required of U.S. applicants for admission. Academic records from institutions outside the United States may be required to undergo a foreign credential evaluation to determine U.S. equivalency.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

International undergraduate applicants must demonstrate successful completion of a secondary education program equivalent to graduation from a U.S. high school.

Applicants may qualify for admission by meeting one of the following criteria:

  • Rank in the top 30% of their graduating class; or
  • Earn a minimum ACT score of 21; or
  • Earn a minimum SAT score of 980 (prior to March 2016) or 1060 (March 2016 and after); or
  • Earn a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 on a U.S. equivalent scale.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria above may submit an admissions appeal for further review in accordance with university procedures.

Transfer Admission Requirements

International transfer applicants must have completed coursework at a college or university after high school graduation.

Applicants must:

• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended; and
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a U.S. equivalent scale.

All transferable coursework must be evaluated to determine eligibility for admission.

Please note: Certain scholarships and tuition waivers for international students require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students must meet and maintain this GPA to remain eligible for these awards.

Graduate Admission Requirements

International applicants seeking admission to a graduate program must demonstrate completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution, or the equivalent of a U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree.

Graduate applicants must also meet all program-specific admission requirements established by the academic department. Requirements may include, but are not limited to, minimum GPA, standardized test scores, professional experience, or additional documentation.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate program coordinator or the Graduate Admissions Office for detailed admission requirements for their intended program of study

English Language Proficiency

International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official test scores from an approved examination.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Texas A&M University–Texarkana accepts TOEFL iBT scores under both scoring scales.

  • Exams taken before January 21, 2026: minimum score of 72
  • Exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: minimum score of 4.0 on the TOEFL iBT (1–6 scale)

Other Accepted Exams

  • IELTS: minimum overall band score of 6.0
  • Duolingo English Test: minimum score of 105
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): minimum score of 50
  • ACT English: minimum score of 19
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: minimum score of 480–500

Official test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency.

English Proficiency Waivers

Applicants may be eligible for a waiver of the English language proficiency requirement if they meet one of the following conditions:

  • Completion of a U.S. high school diploma; or
  • Completion of college-level English coursework (e.g., English Composition I and II) at a U.S. institution; or
  • Completion of at least 48 semester credit hours from an accredited institution in the United States or another approved English-speaking country; or

Citizenship from a country where English is the official language of instruction, as recognized by the university:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad/Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom

Foreign Credential Evaluation

Applicants whose high school or university education was completed outside the United States may be required to submit a foreign credential evaluation. Official transcripts or other academic records sent directly from the issuing institution may be used by Texas A&M University–Texarkana to conduct an in-house evaluation when appropriate.

Academic documents will only be considered official if they are sent directly from the issuing institution. Electronic transcripts must be sent from an official college or university email address or transcript service associated with the issuing institution.

Texas A&M University–Texarkana also accepts foreign credential evaluations completed by members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE).

Document Submission Options:

Email:
Admissions@tamut.edu
Electronic documents must be sent directly from the issuing institution to be considered official.

Mail:
International Admissions Office
7101 University Avenue
Texarkana, TX 75503

Official transcripts may be mailed to this address; however, a sealed, official copy is required for your application to be processed.

Additional requirements include:

  • Transfer Applicants: College or university transcripts should be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
  • Freshman Applicants: High school transcripts must demonstrate U.S. high school equivalency.
  • Graduate Applicants: A bachelor’s degree earned at a foreign institution must be equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution.

International Student Requirements & Compliance

Documentation Required to Receive an I-20

(All documentation must be submitted to the International Admissions Office)

Students who require an F-1 student visa must submit the following documentation in order to receive a Form I-20.

1. Admission to the University

Students must be admitted to Texas A&M University–Texarkana in an official degree-seeking program and be eligible to enroll in a full course of study to apply for an Initial Form I-20. Students may be academically eligible for admission; however, they cannot enroll in courses until an Initial Form I-20 has been issued and immigration requirements have been met.

International students are required to meet with an academic advisor before registering for classes.

Once admitted to the university, an international hold will be placed on the student’s account to ensure compliance with federal immigration regulations. This hold will be temporarily removed to allow students to register for courses after meeting with their academic advisor. After registration is complete, the hold will be reapplied to maintain immigration compliance and enrollment requirements.

2. I-20 Request Form

Students must complete and submit the official I-20 Request Form in full. This form is required to initiate the Form I-20 issuance process and must be submitted to the International Admissions Office along with all supporting documentation.

The I-20 Request Form collects essential information required by federal regulations and SEVIS, including:

  • Full legal name (as listed on passport)
  • Contact information (email, phone number)
  • Intended program of study and term of entry

All information provided must be accurate and match the student’s passport and supporting documents. Any discrepancies may result in delays in processing the Form I-20.

Students are responsible for ensuring that all required fields are completed and that all supporting documents (financial documentation, passport copy, Proof of English Proficiency, Transcripts) are submitted at the same time. Incomplete forms or missing documentation will delay the issuance of the Form I-20.

If a student will be financially sponsored, sponsor information must be clearly indicated on the form and must match the submitted Sponsor’s Statement of Support and financial documents.

Once the I-20 Request Form and all required documentation have been received and verified, the International Admissions Office will issue the Form I-20.

3. Financial Documentation

Students must provide personal financial documents demonstrating the ability to cover the cost of attendance for one academic year, or a Sponsor’s Statement of Support signed by an individual who will financially support the student for at least one academic year.

All financial documentation must be expressed in U.S. dollars and translated into English.

Financial Guarantee Form

4. Passport Copy

Students must provide a copy of the biographical page of their valid passport. Students who are currently studying in the United States on an F1 visa will also need to submit a copy of their visa identification page.

5. Application Fee

All applicants must submit the $50 USD non-refundable application fee.

Submission Timeline

All required documentation must be submitted to the International Admissions Office at least 45 days before the first day of classes for the semester of intended enrollment.

After Receiving Your Form I-20

After verifying that the information on your Form I-20 is correct, you must:

• Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
• Apply for and receive an F-1 visa from the U.S. Department of State.

The U.S. Department of State issues visas for travel to the United States. Prospective international students may apply for a student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate after receiving the Form I-20 and paying the I-901 SEVIS fee.

Arrival in the United States

Students and their dependents may enter the United States up to 30 days before the program start date listed on the Form I-20.

Students should not make travel arrangements until they have received their official acceptance email and immigration documents, including their Initial I-20 and F-1 visa.

Early Arrival (On-Campus Housing)

Students planning to arrive early and live in on-campus housing must coordinate their arrival with Student Life and the International Admissions Office.

Late Arrival

Late arrival is not permitted after the third day of classes. Students requesting late arrival must submit a Late Arrival Request to the International Admissions Office for approval.

SEVIS Check-In Requirement

Students must contact their Designated School Official (DSO) or Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) immediately upon entering the United States.

Students must also contact the International Admissions Office no later than the program start date listed on their Initial I-20 to schedule an in-person appointment to complete the required SEVIS check-in process.

Failure to complete the check-in process may result in termination of the SEVIS record.

Scheduling Your Check-In Appointment

Students are required to schedule their in-person SEVIS check-in appointment using the link below:

Schedule SEVIS Check-In Appointment Now

Students should schedule their appointment as soon as they arrive in the United States to ensure timely compliance with federal immigration requirements.

International New Student Orientation

International New Student Orientation is required for all first-time international students, including freshmen and transfer students. Students will be notified of the orientation date prior to the start of the semester.

Enrollment Requirements for F-1 Students

To maintain compliance with federal immigration regulations, international students must enroll in a full course of study during each fall and spring semester.

• Undergraduate Students: Minimum of 12 credit hours, with at least 9 credit hours completed in face-to-face or in-person instruction.

• Graduate Students: Minimum of 9 credit hours, with at least 6 credit hours completed in face-to-face or in-person instruction.

Failure to maintain a full course of study may result in a violation of F-1 immigration status unless the student receives prior authorization for a Reduced Course Load from the International Admissions Office.

Maintaining F-1 Status

While studying in the United States, students must:

• Attend all classes and maintain normal academic progress.
• Maintain a full course of study each term.
• Speak with their DSO/PDSO before dropping a class.
• Contact their DSO/PDSO immediately if academic difficulty occurs.
• Request a program extension before the program end date listed on the Form I-20 if additional time is needed to complete the program.

Note: Graduate degree-seeking students must submit additional documentation to the Graduate Studies Office to complete program admission requirements. Additional information is available on the Graduate Studies website.

Health Insurance Requirement
All F-1 international students are automatically enrolled in the Texas A&M University System Student Health Insurance Plan each semester unless they qualify for and receive an approved exemption. Students who believe they meet one of the exemption requirements should contact the International Admissions Office for additional information.

Reduced Course Load (RCL)

Federal immigration regulations require F-1 international students to maintain a full course of study during each fall and spring semester. In limited circumstances, a student may be eligible to request authorization for a Reduced Course Load (RCL).

A Reduced Course Load may only be approved by the Designated School Official (DSO) or Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) in the International Admissions Office. Students must receive approval before dropping below the required full-time enrollment.

Failure to obtain prior authorization for a Reduced Course Load may result in a violation of F-1 immigration status.

Academic Difficulty (Initial Term Only)

A student may request a Reduced Course Load during their initial semester of study due to documented academic difficulties, including:

  • Initial difficulty with the English language

  • Initial difficulty with reading requirements

  • Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods

  • Improper course level placement

Students approved for a Reduced Course Load due to academic difficulty must remain enrolled in at least six credit hours.

Academic difficulty authorization may be granted only once per academic program level.

Medical Reduced Course Load

Students may request a Reduced Course Load due to a temporary illness or medical condition.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) requires documentation from a licensed medical professional before this request may be considered.

Medical Documentation Requirements

Students must provide a letter from a licensed Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), or Clinical Psychologist practicing within the United States recommending one of the following due to the student’s specific illness or medical condition:

  • The student should not enroll in any courses for the specified semester

  • The student should enroll in less than a full course of study for the specified semester

  • The student should enroll in online courses only for the specified semester

The International Admissions Office reserves the right to request the original medical recommendation letter.

Additional Medical RCL Requirements

  • Medical recommendations that do not cover the entire semester will not be considered.

  • Recommendations from medical providers outside the United States will not be accepted.

  • The recommendation must apply to the next available semester. Requests for future semesters will not be considered.

  • Medical RCL requests will not be accepted more than 90 days prior to the semester start date.

  • All documentation must be dated within 90 days of the semester start date.

  • Medical Reduced Course Load authorization is granted one semester at a time.

  • Students must submit an updated medical recommendation letter for each additional semester request.

  • Students may not exceed an aggregate total of 12 months of medical Reduced Course Load authorization per program level (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral).

Final Semester RCL

Students in their final semester of study who require fewer courses to complete their degree program may enroll in less than a full course load with prior approval from the International Admissions Office.

Request Process

Students must submit the Reduced Course Load request form and all supporting documentation through the following link:

Reduced Course Load Form

Requests will be reviewed and processed by TAMUT International Admissions within approximately 10 business days.

Once approved, the International Admissions Office will issue an updated Form I-20 reflecting the authorized Reduced Course Load period.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment that is an integral part of a student’s established academic curriculum and directly related to the student’s major field of study.

CPT must meet federal regulatory requirements and institutional academic standards. CPT authorization is issued by the Designated School Official (DSO) through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students may not begin employment until CPT authorization has been granted and reflected on the Form I-20.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for CPT, F-1 students must:

  • Be in valid F-1 status

  • Have been lawfully enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year at an SEVP-certified institution, unless the academic program requires immediate participation

  • Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program

  • Participate in training that is directly related to their major field of study

  • Be enrolled in the appropriate internship, practicum, or academic course during the term in which CPT is authorized

 
Curricular Requirement

CPT is authorized based on the academic curriculum, not employment opportunity.

To qualify for CPT, the training must be:

  • A required component of the degree program; or

  • A for-credit experience that is part of the established curriculum

CPT must be supported by the student’s academic program, and the training must align with degree requirements as determined by the academic department. CPT may not be authorized solely for employment purposes.

 
Conditions of Authorization

  • CPT authorization is granted for a specific employer, location, and period of time

  • CPT must occur before the program end date listed on the Form I-20

  • Students may only work within the dates, employer, and conditions listed on the Form I-20

  • CPT must be approved prior to the start of employment

  • CPT may be authorized on a part-time (20 hours or fewer per week) or full-time (over 20 hours per week) basis

 
Maintaining Status

Students participating in CPT must:

  • Maintain a full course of study during required academic terms

  • Continue to make normal academic progress toward degree completion

  • Ensure that employment does not interfere with academic responsibilities

 
Important Considerations

  • CPT may be paid or unpaid; however, all applicable labor laws must be followed

  • Students who accumulate 12 months or more of full-time CPT are no longer eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

  • CPT must be directly related to the student’s major field of study and cannot be authorized based on a minor or general coursework

Compliance

Any employment without prior CPT authorization, or outside the authorized dates and conditions, is a violation of F-1 status and may result in termination of the student’s SEVIS record.

Texas A&M University–Texarkana reserves the right to deny CPT requests that do not meet curricular or regulatory requirements.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization that allows F-1 students to gain practical experience directly related to their major field of study.

OPT must meet federal regulatory requirements and is authorized through a recommendation by the Designated School Official (DSO) and approval by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Students may not begin employment until they have received an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and the authorized start date has been reached.

Types of OPT

OPT may be authorized in the following categories:

  • Pre-Completion OPT – Employment authorized before the student’s program end date

  • Post-Completion OPT – Employment authorized after the student’s program end date

  • STEM OPT Extension – A 24-month extension available to eligible students in designated STEM degree programs

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for OPT, F-1 students must:

  • Be in valid F-1 status

  • Have been lawfully enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year at an SEVP-certified institution

  • Be enrolled in or have completed a degree program

  • Seek employment that is directly related to their major field of study

  • Not be enrolled in an English language training program

Authorization Process

OPT authorization requires a recommendation from the Designated School Official (DSO) and approval by USCIS.

Students must work with the Office of International Admissions to obtain OPT recommendation prior to applying with USCIS.

Employment authorization is granted by USCIS in the form of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Duration of OPT

  • Standard OPT is available for up to 12 months per educational level

  • Eligible students with qualifying STEM degrees may apply for a 24-month extension

Employment Requirements

  • Employment must be directly related to the student’s major field of study

  • A job offer is not required to apply for standard OPT; however, students are expected to obtain qualifying employment during the authorized period

  • Students are responsible for maintaining documentation demonstrating the relationship between their employment and their field of study

Maintaining Status

Students participating in OPT must:

  • Maintain valid F-1 status

  • Ensure that employment meets OPT requirements

  • Comply with all federal reporting requirements

Unemployment Limitations

Students on post-completion OPT may not exceed 90 days of unemployment during the authorized OPT period.

Reporting Requirements

Students are required to report changes in employment, address, and contact information to the university and in SEVIS as required.

Effect of Prior CPT

Students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at the same educational level are not eligible for OPT.