International Students

International students at Mount St. Joseph University find a warm community that welcomes diversity and values the wisdom that comes from other cultures.

Why the Mount?

The Mount’s commitment to diversity extends across the nation and across the globe. We encourage international students to bring their perspectives and experiences to the Mount to enhance the overall campus learning experience.

Students come to the Mount because they know our small class sizes mean individual attention from actual professors, not from teaching assistants or graduate students. They love being close to downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, and find great support through our many academic and career resources.

A Home Away from Home

Olena Holub ’26

Computer Science and Financial Economics Major

With my understanding of languages, and my ability to speak multiple languages, I quickly learned that if I went into IT I’d be successful no matter where life takes me.

Read story here

Victor Luna Mater ’26

Financial Economics Major

I discovered that people genuinely appreciate the social and welcoming nature of Dominican culture, as well as the drive and efficiency often associated with American culture. Bringing a mix of both allowed me to contribute meaningfully while staying true to myself.

Read story here

Carolina Hotz ’25

Accounting Major

Due to the size of the school, the professors truly know and care about their students and help where they can,” Carolina explains. “This makes my academic journey enriching and fulfilling.

Read story here

Jecinta Nlebedim ’23

Nursing Major

Executing the guidance I received, and persevering through the tough times helped me successfully complete my program. I have learned not to let tough times quench my vision, but to rely on my dream to overcome tough times.

Read story here

Undergraduate International Admission Requirements

Overview

Mount St. Joseph University conducts an individual, comprehensive review of each candidate’s credentials for admission. We look at each student as an individual, taking into consideration personal background, attributes and life circumstances. We look for students who’ll contribute to, and benefit from, the Mount’s educational programs and activities.

Upcoming Admission Dates

Students must be admitted to the University by the following dates for the upcoming semesters:

Semester Start/Admitted by Dates
Semester Start	Admitted By
January 12, 2026 (Spring)	January 2, 2026
May 11, 2026 (Summer)	May 1, 2026
August 24, 2026 (Fall)	August 14, 2026

Note: The Office of Admission will not process undergraduate applications the week prior to class starting.

Students admitted by the deadline date, who want to register for classes the week before school starts, must already have their financial aid determined.

Application deadline dates for F1 students: an I-20 will not be issued after the following dates for the corresponding semesters:

Application Deadline Dates/Start Term
After	Start
December 15	Spring Term
May 15	Summer Term
July 15	Fall Term

Application Requirements

Apply for admission
Official transcripts for any secondary (high school) and post-secondary (college/university) schools attended: All international transcripts, including secondary and post-secondary records, must be evaluated by a NACES-approved (https://www.naces.org/members), or other approved organization, interpreted for the 4.0 grade point average (GPA) scale, and Certified English translation if needed.
English Proficiency Exam - Official
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination
  - 79 or better (for prior version 0-120 scale) - OR - 4.5 or better (for 1-6 scale beginning January 21, 2026)
  - MSJ TOEFL code is 1129
  - TOEFL Services: www.toefl.org
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (academic module)
  - 6.5 or better band score
  - IELTS International: (British version of TOEFL) Services: www.ielts.org
- Duolingo
  - 110 or better overall score
  - Duolingo Services: www.duolingo.com
Personal essay
Two letters of recommendation
Copy of passport
(Traditional students) If applying with test scores, please submit SAT or ACT scores
Mount St. Joseph University codes: ACT - 3254, SAT – 1129.

For more information: E-mail: international.admission@msj.edu; Call the Office of Admission: 513-244-4531 or 1-800-654-9314 ext 4531.

Steps to Complete Once Admitted

$1,000 confirmation deposit (refundable) must be submitted to:
Office of Admission
Mount St. Joseph University
5701 Delhi Road
Cincinnati, OH 45233-1670
Declaration of Finances: International students seeking an I-20 must provide financial support that covers all school and living related expenses for the entire length of his or her program. Students must also show how they will be supported during times when school is not in session. Funds for the first year of study must be documented and available. This means the money must be “on hand” for immediate use. Generally, this is shown through bank statements. Funds for subsequent years must be reasonably attainable. While this can be documented through bank statements, it is best demonstrated by employment or investment income from a sponsor. As a general rule international students are NOT allowed to work off-campus. International students are eligible to work on campus. However, students cannot support themselves through on campus employment. At best on campus employment can provide spending money for incidentals.
(visit Tuition & Costs for tuition information)

All financial documents must be in English and dated within 6 months. Documents more than 6 months old will not be accepted. Documents can include:

Bank statements.
Certificates of deposit.
Letters/statements from sponsors that show how much they receive annually from employment.
Letters or emails from MSJ departments about scholarships/assistantships.
Information from governments about sponsorships.
Bank/education loan award letters.
Letters of support from current overseas employers.

All documents should state in English who the account owner is, the current balance, and the currency being used. Deposits stated on the bank statements/certificate of deposits do not need to be frozen.

Undergraduate Tuition Costs

*All costs are subject to change.

Visit Tuition and Costs page for most current information.

Tuition and Costs
Tuition:	$38,400/year
Fees:	$1,250 (student activities, technology, student & academic support)
Books:	to be determined based on major
Room:	$6,100 (double room)
Meal Plan:	$6,250 (20 Meal Plan + $250 Flex Dollars)
TOTAL:	$52,000 plus books and applicable lab fees

Estimated cost of 4 years of study: $208,000*

*All costs are subject to change. Visit Tuition and Costs page for most current information.

SEVIS Fees - International students who apply for an F-1 visa using the initial attendance Form I-20 will need to complete and pay SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System) fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/I-901 confirmation, prior to the student visa interview.

If you’re currently living outside of the U.S.: Present the I-20 form, I-901 payment confirmation form, acceptance letter and declaration of finances to the U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country to obtain the F-1 student visa.

-OR-

If you’re currently on an F-1 student visa and transferring from another college or high school within the U.S.: Inform the international student advisor at the high school or college you’re now attending of your intention to transfer to Mount St. Joseph University. The international student advisor must release or transfer out your record in SEVIS, which then permits us to create a transfer-in I-20. Complete this form.

Note: Transfer credits are only accepted from regionally accredited institutions.

Graduate International Admission Requirements

Overview

Visit our graduate programs page for a list of programs available. Students must be studying full-time to qualify for an I-20. At this time, the following graduate programs are full-time: MSN-MAGELIN (Master of Science in Nursing: Master’s Accelerated Graduate Entry Level Into Nursing), DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy), MSLP (Master of Speech-Language Pathology), and MPAS (Masters in Physician Assistant Studies).

Application Requirements

A completed graduate application.
A $50 non-refundable application fee payable to Mount St. Joseph University.
Academic Transcripts: Official undergraduate transcript(s) from a regionally accredited college or university, with a baccalaureate degree noted, sent directly to the Mount’s Office of Graduate Admission from the undergraduate institution attended. If credits from more than one institution appear on the undergraduate transcript, official transcripts from all originating institutions are required.
Undergraduate transcripts from non-U.S. countries will need to be evaluated by World Education Service.
Applicants should check with the specific graduate program they are seeking. English proficiency requirements may vary by program. Requirements may be waived if the graduate program requires another standardized test, e.g. Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or if the undergraduate degree was earned at a college or university in the Unites States. Waiver will be determined by the program director. Unless otherwise specified, please see the following score requirements.
- English Proficiency Exam - Official
  - Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination
    - 79 or better (for prior version 0-120 scale) - OR - 4.5 or better (for 1-6 scale beginning January 21, 2026)
    - MSJ TOEFL code is 1129
    - TOEFL Services: www.toefl.org
  - International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (academic module)
    - 6.5 or better band score
    - IELTS International: (British version of TOEFL) Services: www.ielts.org
  - Duolingo
    - 110 or better overall score
    - Duolingo Services: www.duolingo.com
For applicants on F-1 visa, two letters of recommendation are required.

If you’re currently on an F-1 student visa and transitioning from another college within the U.S.: Inform the international student advisor at the college you’re now attending of your intention to attend Mount St. Joseph University. The international student advisor must release or transfer out your record in SEVIS, which then permits us to create a transfer-in I-20. Complete this form.

The Physical Therapy Department participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applications to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program are completed through the PTCAS website at www.PTCAS.org. The Masters in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program participates in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applications to the Masters in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) are completed through the CASPA website at https://portal.CASPAonline.org. Applications to the MSN-MAGELIN program are completed through our Apply page here. The Master of Speech and Language Pathology program participates in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). Applications to the Speech and Language Pathology program are completed through the CSDCAS website at www.csdcas.org.

All documents received by the University in connection with an application for admission become the property of Mount St. Joseph University. Documents will not be returned to applicants or forwarded to any other college or university.

Application materials should be sent to:

ATTN: Office of Graduate Admission
Mount St. Joseph University
5701 Delhi Road
Cincinnati, OH 45233-1672

Steps to Complete Once Admitted

For applicants on visa, submit a Declaration of Finances:
- Declaration of Finances: International students seeking an I-20 must provide financial support that covers all school and living related expenses for the entire length of his or her program. Students must also show how they will be supported during times when school is not in session. Funds for the first year of study must be documented and available. This means the money must be “on hand” for immediate use. Generally, this is shown through bank statements. Funds for subsequent years must be reasonably attainable. While this can be documented through bank statements, it is best demonstrated by employment or investment income from a sponsor. As a general rule international students are NOT allowed to work off-campus. International students are eligible to work on campus. However, students cannot support themselves through on campus employment. At best on campus employment can provide spending money for incidentals.
- (visit Tuition & Costs for tuition information)

All financial documents must be in English and dated within 6 months. Documents more than 6 months old will not be accepted. Documents can include:

bank statements
certificates of deposit
letters/statements from sponsors that show how much they receive annually from employment
letters or emails from MSJ departments about scholarships/assistantships
information from governments about sponsorships
bank/education loan award letters
letters of support from current overseas employers

For more information, contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 513-244-4807 or 1-800-654-9314, x4807.

Launch Experience

Located in Cincinnati, Ohio

Discover your future home from anywhere in the world! Our interactive virtual tour lets you explore our welcoming campus, modern residence halls, and innovative classrooms. See firsthand where you will live, study, and connect with a global community at the Mount.

Transcript Evaluations

Official Transcript Evaluation

International transfer credits may be accepted but are subject to evaluation based on standardized guidelines from AACRAO, WES, NAFSA or other approved organizations.

Once admitted to the University, we will conduct an official transcript evaluation. During this process we determine how previous college credit will transfer.

For an in-depth explanation of a transcript evaluation, students should contact the program department to meet with an academic advisor.

Unofficial Transcript Evaluation

Students can request an unofficial transcript evaluation before applying. Simply contact one of the admission counselors listed below and submit your transcript. We will tentatively evaluate your credits for transfer.

Items to Keep in Mind

Coursework from regionally accredited institutions is transferrable
College-level coursework completed with a grade of "C" or higher is transferrable
Developmental coursework may be transferrable
AP and Post-Secondary credits are transferrable
Quarter credits will be converted to semester credits
Undergraduate degree-seeking students must meet the residency requirement before a Mount degree can be conferred

Contact Information

Please contact an admission counselor if you are interested in finding out how your credits will transfer to the Mount.

E-mail Amy Gamble, or call (513) 244-4538
E-mail Amy Wolf, or call (513) 244-4204

International Transfer Guidelines

Overview

International transfer credits may be accepted but are subject to evaluation based on standardized guidelines from AACRAO, WES, NAFSA or other approved organizations. Please learn more about our transfer policies here.

For more information about transferring to the Mount, contact the Office of Admission at 513-244-4531 or 1-800-654-9314, x4531.

Request Information

If you need more information, don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Admission.

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Quick Links

International Students

Why the Mount?

A Home Away from Home

Olena Holub ’26

Victor Luna Mater ’26

Carolina Hotz ’25

Jecinta Nlebedim ’23

Undergraduate International Admission Requirements

Graduate International Admission Requirements

Located in Cincinnati, Ohio

Transcript Evaluations

International Transfer Guidelines

Request Information