Graduate Admissions for International Applicants:
Graduate Admissions Website

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

• International applicants are advised to submit the application and supporting documents at least ten months in advance of the start of the semester they are seeking admission.
• Test score requirements:  International applicants must demonstrate proof of English proficiency by submitting either a TOEFL or an IELTS score.
• International applicants must provide an official TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based, 213 on the computer-based, or 79 on the internet-based exam to be considered for admission.  All test scores, including the GRE/GMAT, must be submitted prior to admission.  Though test scores must be sent directly by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to be official, you may submit unofficial copies of your test scores to speed the processing of your application. The ETS institution code for LSU Graduate School is 6373.

Or

• International applicants must provide an official IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) minimum score of 6.5 to be considered for admission. Information about IELTS may be found at the IELTS website (www.ielts.org). IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.

• Official TOEFL/IELTS scores are those reported directly to LSU by the respective testing service at the request of the student.
• Once the Graduate School and the department have approved admission, and sufficient financial responsibility has been verified, the International Services Office (ISO) is notified.  ISO will then prepare and issue the appropriate immigration documents to you.  Visit the ISO site (http://www.oip.lsu.edu/ISO) for further details.

INTERNATIONAL "OFFICIAL" DOCUMENTS

• Documents submitted to the Graduate School must be written in the language used for instruction (original language).  An English translation of all documents submitted must also be included.  Documents must be prepared by the institution which prescribes the curriculum of study.  
• “Official documents” are defined as official records of transcripts and degree statements in original language AND the English translations prepared by the institution.  These documents must be sealed in the institution’s official envelope with the official stamp across on the envelope.  The individual pages of all documents must be printed on the institutions letterhead or stamped with the official logo/signatures of the proper authority.  Any document not received in this manner is considered unofficial. (Signatures of a professor, government officials other than Ministry of Education, and/or notary public are NOT accepted as official.)
• For applicants from countries whose institutions do not issue official copies to other institutions, the applicant may provide copies of the records for review purposes only. The applicant must prove that the provided documents are official before the admission process is finalized

INTERNATIONAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The following guidelines indicate the level of study expected of applicants prior to graduate enrollment at Louisiana State University Graduate School.  Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for complete details.

• Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa
  Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degrees requiring at least four-years of full-time university study, with a minimum of Second Class Honours. Holders of bachelor’s degrees whose programs represent three years of study are not eligible for graduate admission.
• Baltic Republics and East Europe States and Former Soviet Republics
  Minimum qualifications: Diplom or Diploma, Inzenyr or Magister.
• Bangladesh, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan
  Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degrees requiring at least four years of university study, B.Engr.; B.Sc. (in Engineering); B.Arch.; B.Tech.; or a master’s degree in other fields.  For example, the B.Sc. plus the M.Sc., the B.A plus the M.A., and the B.Com. plus the M.Com. are considered equivalent to the U.S. bachelor’s degree. Do not apply unless you have completed or will complete one of these degrees prior to enrollment.  Post-Graduate Diplomas in fields other than Management may not be considered acceptable for graduate admission.
• Central and Latin America, Mexico, Portugal, Spain
  Minimum qualifications: Licenciado, Mexican Licenciatura (four year program) or Titulo/professional title or degree representing four or more years of full-time study. 
• France or French patterned systems
  Minimum qualifications: Diplom, Maitrise or title of Ingenieur. Holders of the Licence (earned after a three year program) degree from France are not eligible for graduate admission.
• Germany
  Minimum qualifications: Bachelor of Arts or Science from a University.  Vordiplom or Zwischenprüfung "PLUS TWO SEMESTERS" of coursework
• Japan, Korea, Taiwan
  Minimum qualifications: Holders of bachelor’s degree requiring four years of university study.
• People’s Republic of China
  Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree requiring at least four years of university study. Holders of bachelor’s degrees awarded in 1982 or later may be considered for graduate admission. 
• United Kingdom and British patterned systems
  Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree earned after four year program or Diploma in Technology or Technological Engineering or Arts and Design with a minimum of Second Class Upper Division.