International Student FAQs

Please find answers to commonly asked questions regarding international student admissions below. You can find additional information on international student admissions here: https://gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/international-admissions; and here: https://globalmaryland.umd.edu/offices/international-students-scholar-services. 

If you have any questions that we have not addressed here, please contact us at iomps [at] umd.edu.

 

 

What are the minimum required TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Scores for admission?

  • You can find more information regarding requirements here: https://gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/english-language-proficiency-requirements

  • TOEFL/ IELTS/ PTE scores will need to reach the requirements for full admission. The cut offs for these scores can be found at the link above. IO MPS program students are not eligible for the Bridge or Intensive English programs.*

  • You will need to submit English proficiency test scores, unless you received your undergraduate degree in a country where English is the predominant language. Per the International Students and Scholars Office, students who will be awarded a degree from the U.S., United Kingdom, Anglophone Africa, Anglophone Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Commonwealth Caribbean prior to enrolling in the University of Maryland are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS. Please always check the Graduate School website for the updated list of eligible countries. 

* Please note that students enrolled in the IO MPS program are not eligible for conditional enrollment with an English language condition. 

 

I have a 3-year Bachelor’s degree through my undergraduate institution. Am I eligible to apply for the program?

  • Applicants must have earned the equivalent of a four-year bachelor's degree. If a four-year degree has not been earned, this requirement may be satisfied through the undergraduate school to supplement previous college-level coursework, or with a graduate-level program of at least one year. If you will be awarded a Master’s degree by the time you would begin graduate study at the University of Maryland, or your 3 year Bachelor’s degree was earned in a country with 13 years of pre-university formal education, then you are eligible for graduate study. We will also consider those with a 3 year Bachelor’s and a Post Graduate Diploma from a nationally recognized institution to be eligible.

  • If your sole qualification is a 3 year Bachelor’s from a country with 12 years of pre-university education, and your degree would not qualify you for admission to an academic graduate program in this country, then you are not eligible to apply to the Graduate School. If your 3 year Bachelor’s would qualify you for admission to academic graduate programs in the country in which it was earned, then you are welcome to submit an application which will be reviewed by the department to determine whether you are a strong enough candidate for an exception to be made.

  • Please note that we are only able to consider applicants with a 3-year Bachelor's degree if their degree is conferred prior to applying to the IO MPS program. For example, if you are a 3-year Bachelor's student whose degree is conferring in June 2024, you will not be eligible to apply for the Fall 2024 cohort. However, you will be eligible to apply for the 2025 admissions cycle. 

  • For more information, please contact The Graduate School at gradschool [at] umd.edu. 

 

Is the University of Maryland’s IO MPS program a STEM program?

  • The IO MPS program is currently not designated as a STEM program for Optional Practical Training (OPT) purposes. 

 

How should I submit my transcripts as an international student?

  • You must upload a scanned copy of all previous degree and diploma transcripts issued in the original language with a literal English translation. 
  • If you have already earned your degree but your transcript does not state that the degree was conferred, please also upload a copy of your degree certificate. 

 

I am an international student, and I want to apply to the Spring online program. What do I need to consider?

  • We recommend verifying whether your country regulates participation and attendance in online education programs offered by a US-based university. The Spring program will be conducted entirely online, so it is crucial to ensure that your country's regulations permit you to pursue online education at a US institution. 
  • In addition, some countries regulate distance education and may require foreign educational institutions to comply with distance education regulations. We cannot guarantee that this program meets curriculum requirements in your country. Please review our courses and reach out to us with any questions.
  • International students in the online program will not be required to be present on campus, and therefore are not eligible for F-1 or M-1 visas per US Department of Homeland Security policy.

 

I am an international student, and I've been admitted into the Fall in-person/ hybrid program. What is next?

  • The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will contact you to verify your visa status and to collect the financial documents required to receive Form I-20 or DS-2019, which you will need to obtain a student visa. 
  • ISSS is also an excellent resource for international students. They are available for virtual visits or chat sessions to answer individual inquiries and host events for international students. 

 

Does your program provide financial assistance to International Students?

  • Our program is presently unable to provide scholarships or graduate assistantships. However, there are at times teaching assistantships available in the Department of Psychology, as well as competitive graduate assistantships available on campus. Some of our students have secured funding through these positions. These are not guaranteed and availability varies by term. Information about jobs and assistantship at the university can be found at ejobs.umd.edu, and more information on general funding can be found at https://gradschool.umd.edu/funding. *Please check with the Graduate School on your eligibility for campus employment.

The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office at UMD provides guidance on financial resources for international students: