Information for International Students

For full-time students in on-campus degree programs

If you're an international student planning to study at Stony Brook University in the United States, you will need a Form I-20 (for F-1 student status) or DS-2019 (for J-1 student status) to apply for your student visa and gain entry to the U.S. Once you've been academically admitted to Stony Brook University, you will receive detailed instructions via email, along with your login credentials for accessVIS, our secure online platform.

Certificates of Eligibility

Certificates of Eligibility are issued to students who have:

been admitted to a full-time program of study at Stony Brook University in a degree program that has on-campus course requirements,
provided proof of financial support for their proposed program of study
provided proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL scores -- see below)

[Students who are not yet proficient in English may wish to apply to the Intensive English Center. For additional information, visit that website at www.stonybrook.edu/iec.]

Prospective students should submit a Certificate of Eligibility form for review.

Application Process for International Students

Prospective students must follow the steps outlined below in order:

Prospective student submits an application to the intended SPD master's degree program.
a. Applicant will receive an email from Stony Brook University Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) containing a link to the AccessVisa system in order to request initial Form I-20 / DS2019.

b. Applicant then uploads required documentation for Form I-20 / DS2019. (Note: Form I-20 / DS2019 requests are only reviewed after the applicant has been formally admitted to a matriculated program.
Decisions regarding admission to the applicant's intended program will be emailed to the applicant approximately three – four weeks after SPD has received all required application materials.
Applicant's request for Form I-20 / DS2019 will then be reviewed by an international student advisor if, andonly after the applicant has been matriculated (admitted and processed) into an SPD academic program (either master's degree and/or advanced graduate certificate).
If the request for Form I-20 / DS2019 is approved, the Form I-20 / DS2019 will be processed and mailed via UPS Express to the applicant.

Please note that we can only offer master's degree programs to international applicants who required an I-20. We cannot offer our 15-18 credit advanced graduate certificate programs. This is a result of a combination of the full-time VIS requirement (12 credits per term), and the limitations of all offering all of the courses needed within the shortened time frame.

Admissions Deadlines

Fall Admission: April 1 for MA in Liberal Studies; March 1 for MA in Higher Education Administration.
Spring Admission: October 1 for MA in Liberal Studies

TOEFL Examination Scores

If your native or primary language is not English, English proficiency must be established based on the results of your TOEFL or IELTS examinations.

Minimum exam scores required for admission to Stony Brook University:

IELTS: Overall score of 6.5, with no subsection recommended to be below 6
TOEF iBT: 80*

*In addition to the minimum overall score of 80 on the Internet-based exam, students must score at least 22 on the speak subsection.

The above tests must have been taken within two years of the application deadline date. For example, TOEFL exams taken prior to June 2018 will not be accepted for Fall 2020 applications due on June 1, 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to have my transcript translated if it is not in English? What if the school I attended did not offer the equivalent of a 4-year (U.S.) bachelor's degree?

Academic records/transcripts must be translated and/or evaluated by an authoritative evaluation service who is a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluators (NACES.org). The most commonly used service which is accepted by Stony Brook University is World Education Services (WES), which may be accessed at www.wes.org.

Do I need to take and submit TOEFL scores?

Yes. Any applicant who is not a native or primary speaker of English must take and submit official TOEFL score reports to Stony Brook University using institution code 2548.

What is meant by "native and primary language"?

Native or primary speakers of English have been raised or educated in an English-speaking environment. Native or primary speakers may speak a language other than English at home, but speak English exclusively outside the home in social and/or educational contexts.

What if I have my official Examinee (Personal) score report for my TOEFL/IELTS/TSE exam? Can I just make a copy of it?

No, the School of Professional Development (SPD) requires that students contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) and have them send official score reports directly to Stony Brook University. Our institution code is 2548.

When should I take the TOEFL?

Please schedule to take the exam in time for the School of Professional Development (SPD) application deadline for the semester to which you are applying. Be aware, as well, that it takes time for ETS to send these test scores to SPD. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that he/she has taken the test and ordered that the scores to be sent to SPD in time for admissions evaluation by the Admissions Committee. Any delay in the receipt of the TOEFL score will impede application evaluation and processing.

What if I took the TOEFL exam years ago?

SPD will not accept any test scores that are more than two years older than the application date to the academic program.

What if my TOEFL scores do not meet the minimum requirements for admission to SPD?

Applicants may apply to Stony Brook University's Intensive English Center (IEC) which offers a program of courses and activities designed to meet the special needs and interests of international students who wish to study at universities in the United States or improve their English to meet personal and professional goals. This non-credit bearing program is offered on a year-round basis; a spring semester starting in late January, a fall semester starting in early September, and one six-week summer session. Small class sizes make it possible for each student to receive personal attention from our esteemed instructors who all hold advanced degrees in the field. For additional information, visit the Intensive English Center.

What resources are available to me as an international student?

The International Student Success website is a resource for all international students. It offers quick access to important campus programs and resources that support their specific needs. The site has information for new and continuing students across all levels of study, and is separated into Academic Resources, Community & Wellness, Professional Development, and Financial Resources.

International Services

Visa and Immigration Services provides advice and assistance on U.S. government immigration regulations and cross-cultural issues relating to study, teaching, research, and living in the United States.

Visa and Immigration Services
Office: Melville Library, Room E5310
Phone: 631-632-4685
Fax: 631-632-7064
Web: http://www.stonybrook.edu/visa

SPD Contact Information

For information about applying to School of Professional Development (SPD) degree or certificate programs, contact:

SPD Records and Admissions
School of Professional Development
Email: spd@stonybrook.edu
Tel. 631-632-7050