Requirements / International Students
Academic Requirements
An International applicant is a student who wishes to study at our university on an F-1 (student) visa or J-1 (exchange) visa.
For more resources and information please check our International Students page.
All Sonoma State University applicants must submit official documents required with their application. All transcripts (academic records) must be submitted through a third party evaluation service and official transcripts transmitted directly to Sonoma State University. Please refer to the How to Submit Transcripts to Sonoma State page and the Foreign Coursework Evaluations section for third party evaluation service. Be sure to visit the admissions webpage for instructions on how to submit official and unofficial documents.
Official Document Deadlines
- Fall Semester: May 15
- Spring Semester: October 15
English Language Proficiency Requirement
In addition to minimum admissions requirements, international student applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum English proficiency required to attend Sonoma State University. International applicants may meet English proficiency by:
- Having attended 3 years full-time at an institution (secondary or postsecondary) where English is the primary language used OR
- Having been educated in one of the countries that qualify for an English waiver (listed below) OR
- Completion of GE Area A2 (Written Communication) at a US institution with a grade of C- or better OR
- Submit official verification of English proficiency via an exam
TOEFL iBT is the world’s most trusted and accepted English proficiency test to demonstrate your academic readiness. Take it at home or in a test center in less than 2 hours. Register now to begin realizing your dreams to study, work and live abroad.
| Test | Undergraduate Minimum Score | Graduate Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| iTEP | 3.7 | 4.5 |
| TOEFL iBT Total Score** | 61 | 80 |
| TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition Total Score | 61 | 80 |
| TOEFL Paper-Based Exam | 500 | 550 |
| IELTS Overall Total Band Score (Academic) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| IELTS Indicator Overall Score | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Pearson PTE | 47 | 56 |
| Cambridge English Exams | 170 | 182 |
| Duolingo | 95 | 105 |
| Sonoma State American Language Institute (Conditional Admission available) | Successful completion of Advanced Level | Successful completion of Advanced Level |
| English Language School (ELS) | Level 112 Certificate | Level 112 Certificate |
| USC International Academy | Level 5 | Level 5 |
**There are several English Proficiency exam options available to prospective students. At least one alternative, the TOEFL iBT Test is known to be accessible and has disability accommodations available.
**While we are currently accepting Duolingo to meet English Language Proficiency requirements, Duolingo is not affiliated with Sonoma State University and does not allow SSU to review or validate their Information Security practices. SSU does not endorse or recommend Duolingo in any way and if you choose to use them, you do so entirely at your own risk.
Countries eligible for English proficiency waiver
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Commonwealth Caribbean, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Micronesia, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Kenya, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), Virgin Islands, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The SSALI program is not accepting students for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Requirements
A First-Time First-Year (FTFY) applicant is any student applying directly from secondary school (high school) who has earned no college or university credit. International applicants who have completed some high school within the United States must meet the same minimum requirements listed on the First-Time First-Year (FTFY) page. Sonoma State University admits students based upon a First-Time First-Year Multi-factor Score.
FTFY applying with academic coursework from outside the U.S. should:
- Complete a high/secondary school curriculum which totals 12 years of primary-secondary education, and earn a graduation diploma or certificate
- Complete high school curriculum with above satisfactory grades or marks which is equivalent to a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 grading scale or a qualifying multi factor score.
A Transfer Student is any student who is or has enrolled in an accredited college or university following high school graduation. International applicants must meet the same minimum requirements listed on the Transfer Requirements webpage.
Lower Division Transfer
If you have completed 59 or fewer transferable semester units, or 89 or fewer transferable quarter units, by the time you plan to enter SSU, you are considered a lower-division transfer (LDT) applicant.
Upper Division Transfer
If you have completed at least 60 transferable semester units or 90 quarter units by the end of the term prior to your intended enrollment at SSU, you are considered an Upper Division Transfer (UDT) applicant.
Applying to a graduate program at Sonoma State University is a two-part process. Applicants must apply to the University as well as the specific graduate program. The university has minimum requirements for graduate admissions eligibility including:
- Have completed at least four years of study at and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association;
- Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended;
- Have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 grading scale in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted;
Graduate applicants must also meet the additional requirements of individual graduate programs. Please visit the Application Deadlines page and click on the graduate program of your interest to learn more about individual program requirements.