Master of Arts (M.A.) Major in International Studies Online

To be eligible to earn your M.A. in International Studies degree online from Texas State University, you must have the following:

• Completed online application
• Nonrefundable application fee of $55 ($90 for international*)
• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
• Copy of official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
• Minimum 2.75 GPA overall or 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
  • If the overall GPA or last-60-hours GPA falls between 2.8-2.99, you may submit the official GRE (general test only) scores with competitive scores
• Proficiency in the speaking, reading, and oral comprehension of a modern language other than English as demonstrated by the following:
  • A grade of B or better in modern language course work beyond the second year that was taken within the last three years at an accredited college, university, or language institute. If the last language course was taken more than three years before the date of admission, and there has been no significant involvement in the language in the interim, you may be asked to take a refresher course(s) in the language.
  • Examination for proficiency levels in reading, speaking, and listening that would place you beyond the second year of language courses*
  • Recent foreign living experience of at least six continuous months in a single non-English-speaking culture outside the U.S.
• GRE not required*
• Resume/CV detailing work experience, extracurricular and community activities, and honors and achievements
• Statement of purpose (2-5 pages) describing the following:
  • The reasons for considering the international studies program
  • How it fits into a process of professional development
  • What you hope to accomplish by enrolling in the program
• Three letters of recommendation from professors

For applicants without a U.S. bachelor’s degree (or equivalent):**
You must submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements.

• Official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
• Official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
• Official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
• Official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
• Official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

**Exemption: Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a country on our exempt countries list are not required to submit an English proficiency exam score.

Transcripts may be sent electronically to [email protected] or mailed to:

TXST One Stop
Texas State University – Graduate Admissions
601 University Dr.
San Marcos, TX 78666

*Texas State defines an on-campus international student as anyone with a nonimmigrant visa status, including H-1B visa holders, or those seeking a visa to enroll. If you are not a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, you will be classified as an international applicant.

An online international student is someone who holds citizenship in another country, is not a U.S. permanent resident, and resides outside the U.S. while enrolling in an online program.

Students who are not on a visa but are graduating from a Texas high school after three years in residence are considered domestic applicants.

If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, you are considered a domestic applicant.