International Graduate Students coming to Penn State for Coursework
In most cases, international graduate students may take coursework at Penn State without a formal agreement. If such arrangements are developed as part of an agreement, the following policies should be considered:
- Application to Penn State: International graduate students can apply for degree or non-degree study at the graduate level by following the application procedures and requirements of the Graduate School and the respective college. (Visit the How to Apply page of the Graduate School website.)
- Non-Degree Courses, Research, and Assistantships: Visiting graduate students who are enrolled at a university outside the U.S. may register for graduate courses and research at Penn State. They may be appointed to a graduate assistantship provided by a Penn State host graduate program/academic unit/faculty grant- by completing the online graduate application for the program in which the visiting student will be hosted, and with a request by the graduate program for admission as “Provisional No-Time Limit.” No formal agreement is necessary. Graduate students admitted as “non-degree” students are not eligible for assistantships. For information about graduate student non-degree enrollment visa requirements, visit DISSA admission information.
- Medical Insurance: Health insurance is mandatory for all internationals in F-1 and J-1 status and any accompanying dependents. Refer to the Health Insurance information on the Global Program’s website for more information.
