Apply as an International Student

First, are you in the right place?

This application is for international students (non-U.S. citizens) pursuing an undergraduate degree in a program other than nursing. International students applying for an undergraduate online nursing degree program should use the regular nursing application.

You can apply anytime during the year; the College offers 12 terms. The steps for a regular application as an international student:

1. Explore our undergraduate programs.  View our International tuition plan.

2. Complete the application. You may apply here or download a paper application. Be sure to enclose the $75 nonrefundable application fee.

3. Submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to the Registrar.  You will need a minimum score of 500 on the paper exam or 173 on the computer-based exam. Scores should be sent directly from ETS, which sponsors the test.

4. Submit your transcripts.  Send transcripts from all the colleges and/or universities you have attended. These transcripts must be sent directly from the institutions to the Office of the Registrar in unopened sealed envelopes with signatures across the seals.  The College will accept credit recommendations from a required course-by-course evaluation completed by any of the following agencies:

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and
Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
International Education Services
One DuPont Circle, NW
Suite 520
Washington, D.C. 20036-1135
(202) 296-3359

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
(414) 289-3400

World Educational Services, Inc. (WES)
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
(212) 966-6311

Educational Perspectives (EP)
P.O. Box 618056
Chicago, IL 60661-8056
(312) 421-9300

All costs associated with the international credit evaluation are the responsibility of the student. The College reserves the right to make its own determination on the amount and type of credit to be awarded based on the evaluations provide by these agencies. An enrolled student may transfer a maximum of 90 credits from international institutions. Foreign students in the United States on student (F-1) visas can use all methods available to U.S. students for completing their degree requirements. Course-by-course credit recommendations will be reviewed by Thomas Edison State College based upon existing transfer and degree policies in place at the time of application.

5. If you’ve earned any U.S. licenses and certifications, submit them to the Office of the Registrar.  We will need a notarized copy of the license or certificate and a current renewal card, if appropriate.  View licenses and certifications that have been approved for college credit. 

6. If you’ve take courses through industry, government, or special organizations and training programs, submit transcripts to the Office of the Registrar.

Official transcripts are available through:   
The American Council on Education
Registry of Credit Recommendations
One Dupont Circle, NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20036-1193
(202) 939-9434

7. If you have taken college-level examinations for the purposes of obtaining credit, submit official score reports.  These must be sent directly from the College Board (which sponsors CLEP, DANTES and other tests) or other official reporting agency to the Office of the Registrar.

8. Expect an answer within two weeks. Students who are accepted will receive an evaluation indicating which college credits will transfer.  You’ll be notified by mail. Your application and fee are valid for six months from the date of your acceptance letter. If you have not enrolled within this period of eligibility, you must reapply to the College if you intend to pursue your degree in the future.