International Admissions

Your Guide to International Admissions

Welcome, international students! Bowie State University is situated between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland, and is an ideal choice for those who want to experience living and studying near two of the most exciting metropolitan areas in the nation. When you apply, please note that there is no international application. Instead, choose the appropriate student type — freshman (first time), transfer or graduate — and indicate “Student Visa” in the Citizenship section of the application to let us know you are applying as a F-1 international student. Please note: the "Freshman Application Process" is the same as the "First-time Student Application."

How to Apply as an International Student

Review the following application sections below and be sure to prepare all necessary materials before you begin the application process. Apply according to your student type/level of study: freshman, transfer or graduate.

Deadlines
Credentials
English Proficiency
Finances

Deadlines and Visa Information

You must have a F-1 student visa to travel to the United States to study a degree program at a college or university. After you’ve been admitted to Bowie State, an international student advisor will assist you with the required documentation for the Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant F-1 Student Status) and issue your I-20 from Bowie State University. You will need the I-20 in order to apply for the F-1 student visa.

International F-1 transfer students who are currently attending a school in the United States must also submit a copy of their current I-20 and a copy of their valid F-1 visa. International students on F-1 visas are not eligible for admission as non-degree students.

To learn more about the U.S. visa process, visit the U.S. visa website here. Below are the application deadlines for international freshman and transfer students.

Students outside the United States: April 1 — Fall Semester Entrance
Students outside the United States: Nov. 1 — Spring Semester Entrance
International students currently studying in the United States: May 15 — Fall Semester Entrance
International students currently studying in the United States: Dec. 15 — Spring Semester Entrance

*Application deadlines for international graduate students listed below.

Submit Proof of English Proficiency

If your native language or language of instruction is not English, you must provide proof of English proficiency.

Submitting scores from one of the following exams:
- Test of English and Foreign Language— TOEFL:
  Minimum scores:
  - 500 (paper-based)
  - 173 (computer-based)
  - 73 (internet-based)
- International English Language Testing System — IELTS: Minimum score of 5
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 105
Your score report must be sent directly to Bowie State University by the Education Testing Service.
All international students must submit English proficiency test scores unless they meet one of the following exemptions:
- You graduated from a U.S. high school.
- You are transferring to Bowie State University after completing at least one year at another English-language college or university.
- Your native language or language of instruction is English (See Exemptions below).
Graduate students must have earned a baccalaureate degree or higher with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from any of the exempt countries (see exempt countries section). Additional documentation may be requested after application review.
Undergraduate students may be exempt if they have completed at least three years of education in one of the exempt countries (see exempt countries section).
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Botswana*
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada (except Quebec province)
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- Falkland Islands*
- Fiji*
- Gambia*
- Ghana
- Gibraltar*
- Grenada
- Guernsey*
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Isle of Man*
- Jamaica
- Jersey*
- Kenya*
- Lesotho*
- Liberia
- Montserrat*
- Namibia*
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone*
- Singapore
- South Africa*
- St. Helena
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- Tanzania*
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uganda*
- United Kingdom
- United States Territories (except Puerto Rico)
- Vincent and the Grenadines
- Zambia*
- Zimbabwe*
*Applicants from English-language educational systems in these countries have the English proficiency test waived.
Even if your English proficiency requirement is waived or fulfilled, you may still be required to take an English Placement Exam upon arrival at Bowie State University.

Are You Applying to a Graduate Program?

If you’re applying to a graduate program at Bowie State, it will have additional requirements specific to the department. Please review the international graduate admissions page for more information and add these application deadlines to your calendar.

Fall Semester Entrance and Summer Session Application Deadline: June 1 — All documents must be submitted by June 30. For applicants to the School of Psychology, a completed application and all documents must be submitted by April 1.
Spring Semester Entrance Application Deadline: Nov. 1 — All documents must be submitted by this date.

Life at Bowie State

There are incredible experiences waiting for you at Bowie State! Take a virtual tour of the campus, explore academic programs that fit your interest and discover how you can engage on campus through our student organizations.

Virtual Tour

Explore Campus

Discover Bowie State University without leaving your home! Take our interactive online campus tour and see our buildings, sprawling campus and so much more.

Take Virtual Tour

Find Your Program

Pursue your academic passions with us. Choose from 29 undergraduate majors, 20 master's degree programs, 16 specialty certificates and three doctoral programs in a variety of high-demand fields.

See Programs

Get Involved

Campus life at Bowie State is vibrant and community-centered. Join a student organization, lead through civic engagement and have fun building friendships in a sorority or fraternity.

Preview Campus Life

Contact International Admissions

The international admissions process is managed by two offices: the Office of Admissions and the Office of International Education & Student Services.

For questions about application evaluation, transcripts, or the status of your admissions application, please contact the Office of Admissions at one of the following emails, depending on your application type:

ugradadmissions@bowiestate.edu (undergraduate/freshman/first-time)
transferadmissions@bowiestate.edu (transfer)
gradadmissions@bowiestate.edu (graduate)

For questions about the I-20 process, please email the Office of International Education & Student Services at internationaloffice@bowiestate.edu.

FAQs

Looking for a quick answer to a common question? Check out our FAQs section and see if you can find what you’re looking for here.

What application do I fill out? There is not a separate application for international students, so your application depends on which level of education you’re seeking. Our applications are sorted into undergraduate (freshman/first-time), undergraduate transfer or graduate.
How do I find admissions requirements for my graduate program? Admissions requirements vary depending on the graduate program for which you’re applying. Those requirements can be found on the department website. Be sure to check for any licenses, resumes, letters of recommendation, etc. you may need. You can find your department page in the program finder.
How do I transfer to Bowie State as an international student? Transfer students will submit a transfer application. Access the application here. You’re welcome to reach out to us for any questions you have! Send us an email at internationaloffice@bowiestate.edu .