International applicant materials | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

International applicant materials

The Ford School encourages applications from qualified international students.

International student application material

A major requirement of the Ford School's masters program is that each applicant not only be fluent in conversational, day-to-day English, but also be able to handle the technical reading and writing requirements of our program. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also requires that international students certify they have sufficient funds to complete their programs of study.

International applicant requirements

International applicants must complete all of the requirements listed on the Checklist For All Applicants, including the five supporting documents (statement of purpose, test scores, resume or curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts). 

In addition, international applicants must submit English Language Test Scores, and a certified translation of official transcripts from non-English speaking universities. Please note: after being admitted to the University of Michigan, international students will also need to fulfill the requirements of the Affidavit of Financial Support.

English proficiency

Unless international applicants have completed a degree from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction, they must also submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). These results must be less than two years old. International applicants must obtain a satisfactory score on one of these tests, which are administered in numerous overseas areas. The Rackham Graduate school website lists the minimum required scores. Please use University Code 1839 on the TOEFL order form.

Transcripts

All transcripts that are not in English must include a certified translation with each copy of the transcript. All other application materials must be submitted in English, including letters of recommendation. Applicants who have received any degree from a non-US institution are required to go to use our third party vendor, Scholaro, and order their GPA report and then upload the Scholaro PDF on the application. Please review Rackham Graduate School's instructions for submitting transcripts.

Affidavit of financial support

After being admitted to the University of Michigan, international students must provide an Affidavit of Financial Support in order to meet federal requirements that they have sufficient funds for graduate study in the U.S. Students will be contacted with further details by the Rackham graduate school upon admission to the university. Fellowships or financial aid supplied by the university can be included in calculations. View the requirements for providing proof of financial support.

More information

For prospective students, please use this calendar to schedule appointments.

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