International Students FAQ

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What do I need to do to obtain a Student Visa?

1. Apply for admission at OSU-Oklahoma City
2. Receive an acceptance letter from OSU-Oklahoma City and be issued an I-20
3. Apply for the Student Visa at the American Embassy or Consulate in your country. When you are applying for your visa, you will need to bring your financial statement, passport, and I-20. You may have to bring additional documents. The required documents vary by country, so please check what is specifically needed for your country when scheduling your Student Visa Application Appointment.

What level of education is offered at OSU-OKC?

Attending OSU-OKC offers several advantages for students that want to pursue an American college education. Lower tuition rates and more one-on-one interaction through smaller class sizes are just a couple of the advantages of attending OSU-OKC. OSU-OKC serves a variety of students.

1. For students wanting to directly enter the workforce, OSU-Oklahoma City offers several Associate of Applied Science Degrees (AAS). These degrees normally take two to three years to complete.
2. Students seeking to transfer to a four year institution to complete a bachelors degree have two options:
   1. Earn an Associate of Science Degree (AS). When you earn an AS Degree, every class transfers to a four year institution. This degree normally takes two to three years to complete.
      OR
   2. Take general education courses (History, English, American Government, etc.) and transfer to a four year college. It normally takes students a year to a year and a half to complete their general education requirements.

Does OSU-OKC have an international student admissions deadline?

Deadline dates are: August, 1 for the fall semester and January 1 for the spring semester.

When does each semester start and when should I arrive in Oklahoma City?

Classes start at three different times throughout the year. The fall semester starts in August, the spring semester starts in January and the summer semester begins in June. You should arrive in Oklahoma City at least two weeks before the semester starts, but no more than 30 days, to establish your living quarters, complete the admissions process, take placement tests, and enroll in classes.

Does OSU-OKC provide student housing?

No; however, there are several affordable housing options located close to the campus.

How will I get to and from school?

You can use the public bus transportation system or drive your own vehicle. Although driving is more convenient, it also comes with several costs. In addition to buying a car and paying for gasoline, laws require that you obtain an Oklahoma drivers license, purchase automobile insurance, and pay a yearly tax.

What happens if I get sick?

If you get sick or spend time in the hospital it can cost thousands of dollars. Health care is not provided by the government. For U.S. citizens and international students, medical insurance is the only protection against rising medical costs and unexpected medical issues. Please contact okc.international@okstate.edu for more information on health insurance.

How many classes do I have to take each semester to remain in status?

International students must complete 12 credit hours during each fall and spring semester. The number of credit hours varies per class. Most students generally take at least four classes each semester. The summer semester is optional unless it is your first time attending college in the United States. If the summer semester is your first semester in the U.S., you must be enrolled in at least six hours.

Can I take online classes?

Yes. But you must take at least nine hours of your coursework in the standard traditional classroom setting.

If I took classes in another country will the credits transfer to OSU-Oklahoma City?

Maybe. If a student completes coursework in another country, it must be evaluated by an international credential evaluation service. Once it is evaluated, we will determine if it is the equivalent of the course at OSU-Oklahoma City. Please contact the international advisor at OSU-OKC if you have further questions regarding courses transferring.

Can I work?

You are eligible to work a regular part-time job on campus if you are in good academic standing. If you do work on campus, you cannot work more than 20 hours a week. International students wanting to work off campus must receive permission from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Do I have to take the TOEFL Test if I want to attend OSU-OKC?

If English is your second language, you will be required to take the TOEFL. Students from Australia, Bahamas, British Isles (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, South Africa, Tobago, Trinidad and West Indies do not have to take the TOEFL because English is the primary language in each of these countries.

When can I take the TOEFL?

OSU-OKC offers the paper based TOEFL in May and December. Students can take the TOEFL at the Oklahoma State Campus in Stillwater, OK throughout the semester by appointment. For more information on the TOEFL please go to www.ets.org/toefl. For more information on the TOEFL in Stillwater, please go to http://uat.okstate.edu

What is Oklahoma City like and how is the climate there?

The Oklahoma City Metro Area has a population of more than one million people and includes many shops, museums, and parks. The temperature in the summer varies between 70° F and 100° F while the temperature in the winter generally ranges between 20° F and 60° F. Oklahoma weather varies and it is recommended to bring plenty of lightweight clothing (t-shirts, shorts, jeans) and heavy clothing (coats, jackets, sweaters). For more information about Oklahoma City please visit http://okccvb.org.

How much will it approximately cost for tuition, books, and living expenses?

Our tuition and the Oklahoma City annual cost of living are very reasonable compared to many other parts of the United States. Estimated cost of tuition, books, and living expenses is $17,880.00 per academic year.

Since I am in the United States on an F-1 Visa, what immigration documents should I always keep?

1. Passport/I-94
2. I-20

When do I need to get a new I-20?

You will need to get a new I-20 when you change majors, colleges, or graduation dates.

After I take the TOEFL, do I have to take another test before I can enroll?

Yes. The TOEFL is required for admissions purposes only. Once you are admitted, you are required to take the COMPASS test to determine what academic level you start at. It is very important to prepare for the COMPASS test so you can bypass remedial courses. Remedial courses are pre-college courses that may be required if students do not have placement scores that allow them to enroll in college-level courses. Information and test guides are available on our web site at http://www.osuokc.edu/assessment. The test guides have only a few sample questions. Therefore, some students find it helpful to review math or English-grammar text books or to prepare for the COMPASS exams by using ACT or SAT study guides or preparation materials. Free sample questions are available at http://www.act.org/compass/sample.

We recommend that international students try to arrive in Oklahoma City two to three weeks before classes begin but no more than 30 days. That allows them time to rest a little and get settled down before they take their placement tests and then, if the test scores are disappointing the first time, they have time to retake the exams before classes begin. Sometimes students who first test into remedial classes will raise their scores and test into college-level classes when they retest. The COMPASS test is free the first time, and only $4 per sub-section the second time. Sub-sections are Math, Reading, and Writing. The Writing section does NOT require actual writing; it focuses on grammar and usage.