International students wishing to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa to attend Oakland University should submit application materials by the program and international student deadlines. Generally speaking, international student deadlines are

• May 1 for fall (September) admission
• September 1 for winter (January) admission
• January 1 for summer (May) admission

However, your program deadline may be earlier than these dates. If it is, please submit all application materials by the earlier date.

The Oakland University Graduate School offers simple steps to apply. Follow the steps prior to applying to a graduate program.

You must submit transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended. If your last degree was obtained from an international college/university, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.

Oakland University will only accept transcript evaluations completed by a current member of NACES. Most students choose World Educational Services, Educational Credential Evaluators or *SpanTran*. Graduate programs require a course-by-course (or detailed) evaluation report rather than the general evaluation report. Since official transcripts are required for your transcript evaluation, we will accept copies of your foreign transcript(s).

*SpanTran will ensure that you select the Graduate School's preferred evaluation report for your foreign university transcripts (course-by-course with GPA). It will also give you a discount on the cost of the evaluation ($170 $140). Once your application is submitted and your evaluation is completed, SpanTran will send a copy of your evaluation and your verified transcripts directly to Oakland at no extra charge.*

There are many graduate degree programs that require a supplemental application as well as the online application. Review our supplemental applications page for more information. Remember, your admission process could be delayed if all required documents are not submitted.

The Graduate School at Oakland University requires a non-refundable $45 USD charge for each new application submitted. This can be paid online by credit card at the time the application is submitted. Review the application charge page for additional information. 

For a full breakdown visit the current cost of attendance page. 

F-2 visa holders are permitted to engage in part-time study. Admitted F-2 students interested in pursuing full-time enrollment must obtain approval to change their status from F-2 to F-1. OU’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) can provide more information about maintaining or changing your status as well as F-2 study guidelines.

Visit the English language proficiency page where you will find complete information on the following topics: 

• Admission eligibility and requirements including test scores and results 
• Admission with limited standing  
• Admission and requirements to an intensive english program 

Interested in transferring from a graduate program at another institution to Oakland University? Simply complete the online application for admission and meet admission requirements to begin the process.

Upon admission, previous graduate coursework will be evaluated by a faculty adviser to determine your eligibility. Visit the transferring to OU page for more information. 

Campus resources

International Students and Scholars
The International Students and Scholars Office is committed to building an international campus through service, support and advocacy to nurture global citizenship and multicultural appreciation.

English as a Second Language Center
The ESL Center offers an intensive program to improve students' skills in English and to help each student reach his or her English language proficiency goals.

Off campus resources

Duolingo - Duolingo English Test

ECE - Educational Credential Evaluators

GRE - Graduate Record Examination

GRE Guide - Includes Tips & Tricks, Test-Taking Strategies and Commonly used Formulas. 

GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test

IELTS - International English Language Testing System 

IELTS Indicator - International English Language Testing System Indicator

MELAB - Michigan English Language Assessment Battery

NACES - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services

SpanTran - Transcript Evaluation Service System

Study in the States  - Study in the States serves as an innovative information hub for the international student community by bringing together the various federal agencies that play a role in implementing our student visa and exchange visitor programs.

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language

WES - World Educational Services 

Please visit the how to apply page and review the available frequently asked questions provided.