International Programs Homepage
(check here for most current information)

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICE
Located in the International Student Center at 12th and Richardson Streets (behind the Reynolds Science building), the office assists international students in all phases of adjustment. It is the best source of information for international student concerns, and provides immigration, academic, and personal counseling. The International Programs Office also provides airport pick-up of incoming international students from the Little Rock airport upon request, excluding weekends and holidays.

Throughout the school year, the International Programs Office co-sponsors with the Henderson International Student Association (H.I.S.A.) many educational, recreational, and social activities for students.

New students must check in with the International Programs Office prior to registering for classes. All international students must follow Immigration and Naturalization Service rules and regulations.

International graduate students must:

• Be enrolled full-time (at least 6 hours per semester)
• Keep a valid passport
• Notify the International Programs Office of any change of address
• Obtain permission for off-campus employment
• Maintain HSU international student health and accident insurance
• Live on campus if under 21 and unmarried

New students are required to attend an International Student Orientation, which is scheduled at the beginning of each semester.

Admission of International Students to Graduate School

International applications (and all transcripts and relevent paperwork) must be received no later than June 30th for the Fall semester, and November 30th for the Spring semester.

In order to be considered for admission to graduate school, an international student must produce a complete set of official credentials to establish that he/she meets all requirements for full admission to the particular program for which application is made. An international student is not eligible for conditional admission. A complete list of credentials required for admission consideration are as follows:

1. Provide evidence of a TOEFL score of 550 paper based, or 213 computer based; OR provide an IELTS score of at least 6.0.  The Henderson State University code number is 6272.
   
2. Provide a completed financial statement form verifying that he/she can financially support him/herself while a student in the United States (approximately $16,000 per calendar year, including living expenses). This is only an estimate as tuition and housing costs are subject to change. All applicants must be financially independent, as there is no financial aid guaranteed to international students attending HSU. Limited graduate assistantships are available. Tuition and fees are required at the time of registration and must be paid in U.S. funds.
   
3. Provide a transcript(s) in English from an accredited translation agency, indicating satisfactory preparation to enter the graduate studies.  All international transcripts must be accompanied by a General Evaluation report generated by Educational Credential Evaluators.:  www.ece.org. 
   
4. International students are required to purchase medical insurance through HSU. The cost is approximately $67/month (this amount is subject to change). Payment of the insurance premium is to be made before or at the time of registration each semester. The medical insurance is mandatory.
   
5. A complete application for admission of international students, signed and dated. (Please return the necessary paperwork as listed via mail with a U.S. money order for $75. The Graduate School will then determine your eligibility for admission. Files must be completed by November 30th for spring admission and June 30th for fall).

When the above five (5) requirements are satisfactorily completed, the international student will receive a letter of admission and an I-20 form. In order to obtain a travel visa and to enter into this country, the international student must present the I-20 form to the American Consulate located in his/her country.

Upon receiving a letter of admission, international students should contact the Office of Residence Life at (870) 230-5083, or HSU Box 7554, or emailreslife@hsu.edu, so that living arrangements can be secured in one of the residence halls if such services are needed.

If an international student is chosen for a graduate assistantship, ALL paperwork and documentation must be completed and turned into the Graduate Office by the first day of registration in order for an international student to qualify for a graduate assistantship.   If any aspect of the student's paper work is not complete by the end of the first day of registration, then that position will be assigned to another student or will go unfilled for the remainder of the semester.

International students should review the university calendar carefully and must arrive no later than one day prior to registration; however, additional time is recommended. All international students entering HSU must attend a mandatory international orientation. LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENROLL AT HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY. If international or other students notify us of arrival date, time, airline and flight number into the Little Rock airport, HSU will attempt to coordinate travel accommodations to the campus, excluding weekends and U. S. holidays.

NOTE: Diplomas, the Higher National Diploma (HND) Certificates, memberships or associate memberships in professional organizations, and some bachelor's and technical degrees are not considered equivalent to a US bachelor's degree for the purpose of gaining admission to the Graduate School. Note to applicants from Bangladesh, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka: a 2-3 year bachelor's degree does not qualify an applicant for admission to the Graduate School.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for qualified students in business administration. Graduate assistants must work 20 hours per week and are provided a tuition waiver and a $4,000 stipend. The full time load for a graduate assistant is 6 credit hours per semester.