The Office of International Student Services
Prospective Graduate Student Information
Thank you for your interest in Rowan University's graduate programs. We welcome International students and hope that you will choose Rowan to continue your education in the United States.
Graduate School Programs, Admissions Process and General Requirements
International applicants should be aware of a number of important considerations regarding the Graduate School's programs and its admissions process. Please read the following general information and requirements. In addition, be aware that each graduate program has its own specific admission requirements in addition to the general requirements. Those requirements are detailed in the International Graduate Application Process.
Rowan University offers master's degree programs in the Colleges of Business, Education*, Engineering, Communication, Liberal Arts & Sciences and Fine & Performing Arts. Doctoral degrees are not offered in these programs. A complete list of programs can be viewed on the International Graduate Programs page.
*Graduate programs offered in the College of Education do not include programs that require NJ State Teacher Certification because international graduate students are not eligible to be New Jersey teacher certified.
A listing of the forms and documents required in addition to the Graduate School application is listed here, including individual program requirements.
Enrollment Requirements
International students must maintain full-time enrollment status. Full- time enrollment in the Graduate School for either fall or spring semester is a minimum of nine (9) credit hours per semester.
Applicants currently in the United States with an F-1 visa must complete the Transfer Form for F-1 Students. Please submit copies of your current I-20, visa, I-94 card, and the personal information page from your passport.
English Language Requirements
Housing Information
All students must complete the Immunization and Health Forms in order to reserve on-campus housing.
Resident Aliens
The Office of International Student Services works with applicants seeking F or J Student Visa status only.
Applicants with Resident Alien immigration status (Green Cards), or from United States Territories such as Puerto Rico, are not considered to be International Students and should apply to Rowan University via the Graduate School.
Financial Considerations for International Graduate Applicants
International Students must document the availability of sufficient financial resources for the duration of their study in the United States. Approximately $24,000 is necessary for the expenses of a full-time student (a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester) for one academic year, from September to May. Approximately $5,000 should be added for students attending summer session classes and living in the U.S. year-round. Married students who plan to bring their spouses and children must document the availability of at least an additional $5,000 per academic year for each dependant.
In calculating personal expenses, remember that students holding F-1 student visas are permitted to work in the U.S. only under certain circumstances. Therefore, applicants should not count on employment during their studies as a means of financial support. Spouses of F-1 student visa holders are not permitted to work under any circumstances. While International Students may be awarded Graduate Assistantships, only admitted, matriculated students who have documented sufficient funds to finance their education can be considered for assistantships; therefore, an applicant cannot include an anticipated Assistantship as a source of funding.
The following list summarizes the approximate expenses an international student will incur in one academic year (nine months) at Rowan University. All costs are subject to change. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee is not included in the following summary of academic year expenses. The University also encourages students to be prepared for unforeseen and discretionary spending not included in Rowan University’s estimate of annual expenses.
Tuition and fees* $13,000
Room and board on campus* $7000
Textbooks (estimate) $1,200
Medical insurance $150
Incidental expenses (estimate) $3,000
Approximate total expenses $24,350
* This is the flat rate for tuition and fees for full-time graduate students taking at least 18 semester hours per year. Figures are for the 2008-2009 academic year and are subject to change.
Acceptable types of financial support:
1) Student’s Personal Funds
A student may act as his own full or partial sponsor if the student can document sufficient personal funds. The student should submit a notarized letter describing the amount of funds available, the length of availability, and the source of those funds (personal savings, etc) along with bank statements to verify the availability of the funds.
2) Sponsorship by Family, Relatives, or Other Individuals
Sponsors must promise to support the student (and dependents, if applicable) for the duration of study and be able to document sufficient financial resources. Sponsors must prepare the attached Affidavit of Financial sponsorship and may submit letters from employers, bank statements, or tax returns to verify income.
3) Sponsorship by a Company, Government, or Other Source
If a student is being sponsored by a company, the company should provide a letter committing to the amount of financial support required by Rowan University and submit documentation of sufficient corporate assets to provide that support. If the student is receiving financial support from a governmental or private funding source, an official letter detailing the amount and duration of that support is required.
Financial Assistance
Rowan University does not offer government-supported financial aid or loans to students who are not permanent residents or citizens of the United States. International applicants may, however, apply for a limited number of graduate assistantships if they are accepted into a Rowan University graduate program. Graduate assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. Within most graduate programs, assistantships provide a waiver of tuition payments and a stipend of $4000 per academic year in exchange for the completion of work hours in departments or offices on campus.
To qualify for a Rowan graduate assistantship, applicants must be officially accepted and matriculated into a graduate program and be able to come to campus to interview (before the beginning of the academic semester) with the offices and departments offering assistantships. Applicants for graduate assistantships are not guaranteed a position.
Information on Graduate Assistantships is available here.
For more information, please contact the Graduate School by email at gradoffice@rowan.edu or the Office of International Student Services by email at internationalstudents@rowan.edu or by phone at (856) 256-4239.
