Submission of the $60 application fee (non-refundable) is required for all international applicants. The fee covers the processing costs to help you gain admission to SEMO. Application fee payment is required before an application will be processed. 

Applicants will be prompted to pay the application fee online immediately after they submit the online application. Paying the fee immediately will ensure the fastest processing time.  

At this time, Southeast does not offer application fee waivers for international applicants.

If online payment is not an option, applicants can mail a money order or check payable to “Southeast Missouri State University” for USD $60 for the international application fee. However, this process may take time as it will need to be mailed and then processed. If you choose this method, please ensure you add your complete legal name and date of birth to the memo as well as the mailing documents.  

Payments can be mailed to:

For transfer applicants, official copies of transcripts and test scores are required before admission decisions can be made.    

Graduate application deadlines vary. Please be sure to check the grad programs page for deadline information.

Undergraduate and Intensive English Program (conditional admission) Application deadlines are below.

Fall (August)

Fall II - October (IEP Only and IEP Conditional)

• October 1

Spring (January)

Spring II - March (IEP Only and IEP Conditional)

• March 1

Summer (IEP Only and IEP Conditional)

• May 1

Note:

• To meet the application deadline, the online application and all required admission documents must be submitted before the deadline.
• Some graduate programs have earlier application deadlines (including MS Applied Computer Science and MS Cybersecurity). Click here to see the early application deadlines.
• Students seeking admission for Bachelor's or Master's may only apply for Spring (January) or Fall (August) entry terms. Any summer IEP student who submits a passing English proficiency test score may begin degree studies only in the following Spring or Fall term.
• We do not guarantee to offer an acceptance letter or issue the I-20/DS 2019 after these dates.  However, late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mailing Address:

International Education and Services
One University Plaza, MS2000
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

If a student cannot attend in their admitted semester, they can defer their admission to a future term. To defer admission, simply complete the online portion of the application again, this time with the new entry term, and enter your SEVIS ID when prompted. After submitting the deferral application, email international@semo.edu to let us know. Following these steps helps us identify and prioritize deferral requests.

Applicants will not have to pay the application fee again. The fee will be waived from your new application when it is processed by our team. Deferral applicants will be required to submit a new Proof of English Proficiency if the previously submitted proof is not dated within two (2) years of the start of the new admission term. Similarly, financial documentation must be dated within one (1) year of the start date. Find more information about the Affidavit of Financial Support and financial proof standards (detailed below).

NOTE: We cannot guarantee a student will be able to retain their previously issued SEVIS ID (if applicable) unless we receive their deferral application AND resolve any pending admission items before the start date listed on the original I-20. 

Applicants can expect a decision on deferral in 2-4 weeks for undergraduates and 4-6 weeks for graduates. Please keep these times in mind when scheduling visa appointments, as our ability to expedite applications is limited.

Our processing times vary throughout the year depending on application volume, academic calendar, and holiday schedules.  However, we strive to meet or exceed the following estimated times:  

• Initial processing of completed application:
  • Within 4-6 week  
• Finalizing processed applications:
  • First-time Undergraduate, IEP-only, and IEP conditional: 2-4 weeks
  • Graduate, transfer, and IEP graduate conditional: 4-6 weeks (varies based upon the graduate department’s review process)  

Applicants to SEMO’s IEP Pathway programs must prove they have the English proficiency necessary for academic success. Applicants can demonstrate their proficiency in the ways listed below.

• IELTS Academic 5.0 OR
• TOEFL iBT 52-60, OR
• PTE Academic 40-43 OR
• Duolingo English Test 80-90

Applicants to SEMO’s undergraduate/Bachelor's degree programs must prove they have the English proficiency necessary for academic success. Applicants can demonstrate their proficiency in the ways listed below.

• Successfully completed Level 5 of Southeast’s Intensive English Program (IEP). IEP students with conditional admission seeking to matriculate to their academic programs without attending IEP must submit official test scores before 5 p.m. on the last office day before the first day of the semester.*
• English proficiency test minimum score requirements:*
  • TOEFL iBT: 61
  • IELTS Academic: 5.5
  • ITEP: 3.7
  • PTE Academic: 45
  • Duolingo English Test: 95
  • Kaplan International certified level Higher Intermediate
  • Successful completion of Level 112 in the ELS Language School
  • Successful completion of HOFT Institute Level 5
  • SAT (2016 or later) score of 450 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section*
  • ACT score of 21 or better in the English and Reading sections*
• Diploma from a U.S. high school (other proof may be required if courses on the transcript are listed as ESL)
• O-level, A/S, and/or A-level results sufficient for undergraduate admission verified by Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel, Pearson BTEC, or Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC)
• West African Exam Council (WAEC) results sufficient for undergraduate admission
• Diploma from an international school with U.S. regional accreditation (as verified by Cognia)
• Diploma from IB curriculum school whose sole medium of instruction is English (as verified by IBO World Schools). If the applicant went to an IB school with two or more languages of instruction, the applicant’s transcript must specify that their program was English language.
• Diploma from a high school/secondary education from one of the following countries where English is known to be the official language of education
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Canada (All Provinces except Quebec)
  • Cayman Islands
  • Dominica
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Africa
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales)
  • Virgin Islands (British)
  • Zimbabwe

 Other proof of English proficiency may be considered on an individual basis

*Results must have been completed within two years of the applicant’s intended program start date.

Applicants to SEMO’s undergraduate/Bachelor's degree programs must prove they have the English proficiency necessary for academic success. Applicants can demonstrate their proficiency in the ways listed below.

Note: Students with less than 12 credit hours of U.S. higher education or less than one year of full-time credit from a non-U.S. institution must meet the New First-Time Undergraduate admission guidelines.

• Successfully completed Level 5 of Southeast’s Intensive English Program (IEP). IEP students with conditional admission seeking to matriculate to their academic programs must submit official test scores before 5 p.m. on the last office day before the first day of the semester.*
• English proficiency test minimum score requirements:*
  • TOEFL iBT: 61
  • IELTS Academic: 5.5
  • ITEP: 3.7
  • PTE Academic: 45
  • Duolingo English Test: 95
  • Kaplan International certified level Higher Intermediate
  • Successful completion of Level 112 in the ELS Language School
  • Successful completion of HOFT Institute Level 5
  • SAT (2016 or later) score of 450 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section*
  • ACT score of 21 or better in the English and Reading sections*
• Diploma from a U.S. high school (other proof may be required if courses on the transcript are listed as ESL)
• Diploma from a high school/secondary education in a country where English is known to be the official language of education (see list of countries here)
• O-level, A/S, and/or A-level results sufficient for undergraduate admission verified by Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel, Pearsons BTEC, or Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC)
• West African Exam Council (WAEC) results sufficient for undergraduate admission
• Diploma from an international school with U.S. regional accreditation (as verified by Cognia)
• Diploma from IB curriculum school whose sole medium of instruction is English (as verified by IBO World Schools). If the applicant went to an IB school with two or more languages of instruction, the applicant’s transcript must specify that their program was English language.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher on 12 or more college-level credit hours from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher education*
• Cumulative U.S. equivalent GPA of 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher for one year of full-time academic credit from a recognized non-U.S. institution of higher education from a country where English is known to be the official language of education (see list of countries here) *
• Diploma from a high school/secondary education from one of the following countries where English is known to be the official language of education
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Canada (All Provinces except Quebec)
  • Cayman Islands
  • Dominica
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Africa
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales)
  • Virgin Islands (British)
  • Zimbabwe
• Other proof of English proficiency may be considered on an individual basis

*Results must have been completed within two years of the applicant’s intended program start date

Applicants to SEMO’s Graduate/Master's degree programs must prove they have the English proficiency necessary for academic success. Applicants can demonstrate their proficiency in the ways listed below.

Note: Please check to see if your graduate program has different or higher English requirements than those listed below.

• Successful completion of Southeast’s IEP’s GradCAP*
• English proficiency test minimum score requirements:*
  • TOEFL iBT: 79
  • IELTS Academic: 6.0
  • ITEP: 3.9
  • PTE Academic: 53
  • Duolingo English Test: 110
  • Kaplan International certified level Higher Intermediate
  • HOFT Institute Level 5
• Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher education
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher on 9 or more graduate-level credit hours from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher education*
• Successful completion of Level 112 in the ELS Language School
• Completion of a secondary and/or higher education program from one of the following countries where English is known to be the official language of education:
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Canada (All Provinces except Quebec)
  • Cayman Islands
  • Dominica
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Africa
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales)
  • Virgin Islands (British)
  • Zimbabwe
• Other proof of English proficiency may be considered on an individual basis

*Results must have been completed within two years of the applicant’s intended program start date

Southeast Missouri State University is required by law to verify and retain valid financial information on international applicants who will study on an F-1 or J-1 student visa. This includes an Affidavit of Financial Support and Proof of Finances to cover anticipated expenses throughout their stay in the U.S. Financial documentation must be submitted along with other application materials for us to make an admission decision and issue immigration documents.

In most cases, the financial information we require will also be required at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate when applying for the visa. We recommend that the applicant keep a copy of the financial documentation submitted to the university for that purpose.

• The sponsor must verify financial support by completing the affidavit of financial support form. The sponsor must also provide a supporting bank statement showing available funds. Please upload both documents in PDF format to the correct category in your application portal.
• All financial documentation must be dated within 12 months of the applicant’s intended program start date.
• The financial documentation provided must be equal to or greater than the estimated minimum yearly cost. Please refer to the estimated cost sheet for estimated minimum yearly expenses. All fees are subject to change by the Board of Regents without prior written notice.
• Students may have multiple sponsors. Students may sponsor themselves.
• If the bank statement submitted is from a company (i.e., not a person), you will also need to upload a letter from an authorized individual from that company attesting that those funds can be used for your education.
• Financial documentation not in English must be accompanied by a Certified English translation. This must be provided by a translation agency and stamped by a qualified translator.
• Proof of funds must include the account holder’s name, document issue date, available balance, and currency. The account holder's name must match the sponsor's name on the Affidavit of Financial Support.
• You will be denied admission or expelled if you send falsified bank statements or any other documents

We consider O-level qualifications to be equivalent to a high school diploma. Therefore, the completion of O-levels meets the academic requirements for admission to our undergraduate program.

If you have completed A/S and/or A-Levels, you may submit your results to earn university credit. A/S and/or A-Levels credits can reduce the time required to complete your bachelor's degree. Please note that submitting A/S and/or A-Levels results is optional; however, once submitted, they will become a permanent part of your academic record at Southeast. 

A/S and/or A-Levels exams through Cambridge Assessment, Pearson Edexcel, AQA, and ZIMSEC can be considered for credits.

• Southeast Missouri State University requires official English translations for all documents issued in a foreign language.
• The official translation must be in the same format as the original document.
• English translations must be provided by a translation agency and stamped by a qualified translator.
• English translations that are provided by other students, friends, or family members will not be accepted.
• Official Credential evaluation reports can be used as English translations of official transcripts.

Translation service recommendations:

You are not required to use any of these translation agencies. There are many translation services available.

1. US Translation Company
2. Translation Cloud 
3. International Education Evaluation, Inc. 

In certain circumstances, evaluations of international academic credits conducted by external organizations may be used in the Southeast admissions process. Southeast will accept evaluations completed by any organization endorsed by AICE or is a member of NACES. Our preferred partner for credential evaluations are Scholaro and TEC(formerly SpanTran). Applicants are eligible for discounted rates and expedited services with our preferred evaluation partners. 

External evaluations may be requested or used in the following circumstances:

• Students with a 3-year bachelor’s degree applying to a master’s level program
• If an applicant disagrees with our GPA calculation, we will honor the GPA calculated in a report submitted by an approved organization. Reports submitted to revise a GPA for scholarship eligibility must be received by Southeast before the beginning of the student’s first term enrolled in non-IEP courses.
• Transcripts from an institution determined by us to be non-accredited.

SEMO does not produce paper copies of admitted students’ I-20s or DS-2019s, as electronic forms of these documents are now fully acceptable in all circumstances, including for visa interviews and at U.S. ports of entry.

Federal regulations require us to send the documents directly to the admitted student, so the forms will be emailed directly to YOUR SEMO EMAIL ACCOUNT. The process is as follows:

• When a student is accepted for admission, an acceptance email will be sent to the email address given on the application. The acceptance email will include instructions on how to activate their SEMO Online account (SE Key). All admitted students are encouraged to activate their accounts as soon as possible.
• Once the account is activated, the student will have access to the SEMO student portal (portal.semo.edu) and their email account (mail.semo.edu). Southeast uses a "single sign-on" system, which means users can access all SEMO online resources with their SE Key and the password they create. Please be sure to remember your SE Key (which serves as the username for most programs) and the password you create.
• 5-10 business days after the acceptance email is sent, an electronic copy of the student's I-20 will be emailed to their SEMO email account.

• Documents to submit: We must receive official copies of all documents that apply to your educational history (including test scores and transcripts).
• For transfer students, Southeast requires official transcripts to be received directly from the educational institution before admission decisions and transfer credit evaluations can be made.
• To be admissible:
  • You must have a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (on a 4.00 scale) on all previous college work for undergraduate admission.
  • Southeast will consider for admission an international transfer applicant who does not meet standard admission requirements under certain conditions.
  • For graduate applicants, please refer to the Graduate Bulletin for specific program admission requirements. 
  • To be official: 
    • Physical copies of transcripts must be original or photocopy stamped/signed by a school official, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, or other government authority.  Attestations by notary publics are NOT accepted.
    • SEMO must receive physical copies of transcripts in a sealed envelope, sealed with the issuing institution's stamp on the outside flap. If your school does not seal their transcripts as a standard procedure, please request that they place your transcripts in a sealed envelope and stamp the outside flap with their school seal. Please do not open the envelope, as this will void the transcripts.
    • Physical copies of transcripts in a stamped, sealed envelope can be mailed to Southeast by the applicant OR directly by the issuing body, or they can be physically brought to SEMO when the student arrives.  
    • Electronic copies of transcripts will be considered official if they meet ALL the following criteria:
      
      • The email must be sent directly from the school's Registrar, Controller of Exams, or an equivalent to international@semo.edu. Transcripts sent by professors or other staff members will not be considered official.
      • The email must be from a verified university email, such as .edu or .org. Personal accounts like Gmail or Yahoo will not be considered official.
    • Official credential evaluation reports completed by a current member of NACES or AICE will be accepted instead of official transcripts for undergraduate freshmen and graduate applicants only. For an evaluation report to be considered official, it must be sent to SEMO directly from the evaluation company, and the report must indicate the evaluation was completed based on transcripts they officially received. 
    • Transcripts from U.S. or Canadian schools must be sent to us directly from the school.
    • Official transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a Certified English Translation. This must be provided by a translation agency and stamped by a qualified translator.

• If you do not list all schools on your application, you will be expelled, denied admission, or refused transfer credit. 
• You will be denied admission or expelled if you send falsified transcripts or any other documents.
• Transcript Retention Policy:  All physical copies of transcripts will be destroyed after they are scanned into our university database. Hence, do not send us your only copy.
• Address for Transcripts and other application Materials:
  Office of International Education and Services
  Southeast Missouri State University
  One University Plaza, MS 2000,
  Cape Girardeau, Missouri  63701, USA
  Telephone:  1-(573) 986-6863
  Email: international@semo.edu

Admission decisions and I-20s/DS-2019 are made for first-time freshman and first-time graduate applicants based on unofficial copies of transcripts and test scores. However, official copies are still required. Students will not receive any scholarship benefits and cannot enroll in a second term until their officials have been submitted and reviewed.

For transfer applicants, official copies of transcripts and test scores are required before admission decisions can be made.