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School of Social Welfare
School of Social Welfare   > Admissions > MSW Admissions > International Student Information

International Student Information


The KU School of Social Welfare welcomes students from a variety of diverse backgrounds, including those from other countries.  International students will find a global community at KU and many resources to address their specific needs.
 

International Students Must provide:

  1. Original, certified bank statements showing evidence of your and/or your sponsor’s financial ability to pay for your living and educational expenses.

  2. Evidence of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System administered by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations) academic version examination within the past two years. Minimum scores follow and are subject to change.

    TOEFL scores (Internet-, Computer-, or Paper-based)

    Internet-Based :  Listening - 25 / Reading - 23 / Speaking 24 / Writing - 24

    Computer-Based: Listening - 25 / Structure/Writing - 23 / Reading - 23 / Essay - 5.0

    Paper-Based: Listening - 60 / Grammar/Written Expression - 57 / Reading - 57 /  TWE  - 5.0

    or the “Academic Version” of the IELTS.

    IELTS score: Listening -7.0 /  Reading - 6.0 / Writing - 6.5 / Speaking - 7.0

    Note: If interviews with the Field Education Office reveal that English language classes are needed, the
    student’s MSW program will likely be extended by at least one year. Test score sheet must be included in the application packet.
     

  3. One official, original language copy of your academic records with a certified English translation. These records need to list each course with each grade. (If you have a degree from an English-medium university, please also list the degree, the institution, and the date the degree was received.)

  4. Pay attention to our application submission deadlines to make sure you mail your application packet with plenty of time to allow for international delivery time. Your packets need to reach us by the submission deadlines.

Immunizations  (Lawrence Campus only):

Student Health Services, 785-864-9500, http://www.studenthealth.ku.edu/

  • Documentation of two MMR’s is required.
  • Take a tuberculosis (TB) blood test, QuantiFERON-TB Gold, (QFT-G) at Student Health Services.  A Registered Nurse will send you an email on your KU account should the blood test return  positive for further testing.  
    Note: Failure to complete the TB screening will result in disenrollment and subsequent  notification to ISSS that you are no longer enrolled.
  • All students living in KU Department of Student Housing must either provide written documentation of meningitis immunization, receive an immunization at the health center, or sign a waiver to indicate they have been informed about the diseases and vaccine and have chosen not to be immunized.
  • All the above may be done at Student Health Services on the Lawrence campus.
  • International students may call, 785-864-9500 or email, health@ku.edu with any questions.
  • The Health History Form may be obtained at, http://www.studenthealth.ku.edu/forms/PC-009-5%20Health%20History%20Form%2007-10-08.pdf.
  • The Immunization Screening Record can be obtained at, http://www.studenthealth.ku.edu/forms/PC-802-1%20Immunization%20Screening%20Record.pdf.

Insurance Required:

  • All F-1 international students on the Lawrence or Edwards campus are required to carry insurance. The ISSS insurance coordinator can answer detailed questions at: issinsurance@ku.edu
  • If you are enrolled in the ISSS health insurance plan, all expenses except the MMR fee will be covered.  Please refer to the pre-enrollment health requirement form.  

English Language Proficiency

  • After you have been admitted as a new graduate student from abroad or as a domestic student whose first language is not English, you need to visit the university’s Applied English Center (AEC) when you arrive at the university. Students whose first language is not English must be screened by the Applied English Center, as required by the university. Please be sure to visit the AEC on your first weekday in Lawrence  PDF File from the Applied English Center that explains English Proficiency

Delayed Enrollment:

  • No enrollment until student checks in at ISSS with visa and other legal documents that must be copied by ISSS.  Plus, new student must attend the ISSS orientation session (discusses legal issues, etc.) before being cleared for enrollment.  In 2009, these sessions started on Aug. 9th
    ( http://www2.ku.edu/~issfacts/prospective/orientation/  ).

Cost Information

Other helpful pages

From the International Student and Scholar Office

Campus Employment

University Career Center        Web:   www.ucc.ku.edu
Phone: 785-864-3624              Email:  ucc@ku.edu

Housing

Most of our students live off-campus.  However, there is one residence hall on the Lawrence campus that houses graduate students.  For information about University on-campus housing contact:
                        Student Housing Department,
                        422 W. 11th Street
                        Corbin Hall
                        Lawrence, KS  66045
                        Phone: 785-864-4560
                        Email: Housing@ku.edu
                        Web: http://www.housing.ku.edu/
 
The Lawrence Journal World newspaper for Lawrence, KS information:  www.ljworld.com   or    www.apartmentdirectory.com
 
For Kansas City information contact:  www.kansascity.com  “Find an Apartment” then to www.apartments.com  (The Edwards Campus is near northeast Olathe and southwest Overland Park to narrow your KC search.)  If you are looking for a roommate, you might try the “Pitch Weekly” which targets the college community in the Kansas City area:  www.pitch.com