MS in Business: Information Systems

International Students

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. Do not send cash. Please pay by credit card as you submit your application online. The application fee is not refundable under any circumstances.

Academic Credentials

By the application deadline date, the Admissions Office must receive:

  • complete transcripts/ mark sheets (in the original language). We can also accept notarized copies of these documents if official copies are not available.
  • an authorized transcript with literal English translations*
  • copy of diploma/degree received if this information is not listed on transcript/mark sheets and English translation of diploma/degree received

Only applicants who have completed the full sequence of preparatory studies and examinations equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an approved institution and who have demonstrated high academic achievement will be considered.

  • Translations should not be interpretive, and actual names of all degrees, diplomas, and certificates must appear in the translation. If you are in need of a translation service, a list of English translation companies can be found here.

Bachelor of Commerce Degree

Students who hold the three-year Bachelor of Commerce degree from India are eligible to apply for the MS program at Maryland only if they also possess one of the following qualifications:

  • a Masters degree, or
  • a Chartered Accountancy certificate, or
  • a two-year postgraduate diploma from the Indian Institutes of Technology.

English Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS)

All students at Maryland are expected to read, write, and speak English fluently. International students must demonstrate a proficiency in the English language by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IELTS. To view a list of countries exempt from taking the TOEFL exam please click here. Applicants must achieve the following scores to qualify for full admission. Provisional admission is not an option for MS students.

For the TOEFL, applicants must score at least 100. In addition, on the individual sections applicants must score at least:

  • Reading: 26
  • Listening: 24
  • Writing: 24
  • Speaking: 22

Applicants who take the IELTS must score a minimum of 7.0. In addition on the individual sections, applicant must score at least:

  • Reading: 7.0
  • Listening: 7.0
  • Writing: 7.0
  • Speaking: 6.5

When requesting that official scores be sent, please refer to the University of Maryland institutional code 5814.

Financial Resources

International applicants applying for an F-1 visa must submit the Certification of Finance Form and supporting financial documents at the time of application. Applicants to the information systems program must show $74,500 in available funds.

International Applicants Who Reside in the U.S.

International applicants who have U.S. addresses need to submit information about their visa status with their application packet.

  • Immigrants need to copy both sides of their Alien Registration cards while non-immigrants need to provide copies of both sides of their I-94 form and a copy of the most recent visa stamp in their passports.
  • F-1 visa holders are also required to copy both sides of their I-20 form.
  • J-1 visa holders are also required to copy both sides of the original and most recent IAP-66 form.

Immigration Documents

International applicants admitted to graduate study will be issued student visas where appropriate. Foreign students should not leave their home country before obtaining an official offer of admission from the Dean for Graduate Studies.

To enter the United States most foreign students will need a passport from their government and a visa from the U.S. Consulate. To apply for a visa, the student must provide evidence of a minimum of 48 graduate unit hours, or the equivalent of a full course of study. The accompanying spouse or child of an F-1 student enters the U.S. on an F-2 visa, which does not permit employment of any kind. Another commonly granted visa is the Exchange Visitor visa (J-1), generally for students sponsored by agencies, foundations, or their home governments. It is granted only with the presentation of a Certificate of Eligibility Form (IAP-66). The accompanying spouse or child enters the U.S. on a J-2 visa, which may in some circumstances permit employment with approval from the U.S.

For further information, please refer to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or U.S. Department of State.

U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

It is important to note that, in many cases, an Exchange Visitor must leave the U.S. at the conclusion of the program, may not change visa status, and may not be eligible for any other visa until a two-year home country residency has been completed.

For further information concerning visas, please consult with the U.S. Consulate in your country.

Note: The Visitor’s Visa (B-2) is not appropriate for students intending to study in the U.S. Once an individual is in the U.S. on a B-2 visa, it is difficult to change to a Student or Exchange Visitor visa unless that individual has previously discussed study plans with the U.S. Consulate and has been issued a B-2 visa designated “prospective student.”