TWU Home > Student Life > International Education
Frequently Asked Questions . . .
Q. Is Texas Woman's University only for women or can male students apply?
A. Although primarily for women, Texas Woman's University is a public, co-educational university that fully opened it's doors to male students in 1995.
Q. I was born in another country. Am I considered an international student?
A. Generally, any student who is not a United States citizen or who does not hold a Permanent Resident Alien card is classified as an international student.
Q. I live in Texas and pay U.S. taxes. Do I have to pay the non-resident tuition?
A. Some students in a non-immigrant status, such as H-1, H-4, and L-2, may be able to qualify for in-state tuition - even though they are considered international students. If you have a question about your tuition classification, please contact the Registrar's office at 940.898.3000 and ask for a "Residency Questionnaire".
Q. How much does it cost to enroll as a full-time student at TWU?
A. The annual full-time tuition and fees for non-resident undergraduate students is around $7600 and $3130 for residents. Full-time graduate tuition and fees are around $6000 for non-residents and $3144 for residents. Room and board charges are additional for students living on campus.
Q. Do I have to enroll full-time?
A. Immigration regulations state that all international students in F1 status (and most J-1 statuses) must enroll full-time each fall and spring semester. Students in other non-immigrant statuses do not have to enroll full-time.
Q. What is considered full-time?
A. Full-time enrollment is considered to be 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours per semester for graduate students.
Q. Does this mean that I have to take 12 classes each semester as an undergraduate and 9 classes each semester as a graduate student?
A. No. Credit hours and classes are not the same thing. Think of credit hours as points. You need a certain amount of points to graduate. Each class is worth points - or credit hours. Some classes are worth 1 credit, some are worth 3 credits, some are worth 4, etc. For example, ENG 1013 is worth 3 credit hours. (You can tell because the last digit in the course number is a 3). If you choose to enroll in 4 classes that are 3 credit hours each, then you have filled the 12 hours full-time enrollment requirement for undergraduate students.
Q. What is the difference between an undergraduate and graduate student?
A. An undergraduate student is someone who is pursuing a Bachelor's degree or a second Bachelor's degree. A graduate student is someone who already has a U.S. Bachelor's degree ( 4-year degree) or its equivalent and is pursuing either a Master's or Doctoral degree.
Q. What is the required TOEFL score for admission to TWU?
A. TWU requires a TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test and a 213 on the computer-based test. However, scores between 500-549 or 173- 212 may be considered for provisional admission at the undergraduate level. Scoring a minimum of 500 or 173, however, does not guarantee that your scores will be accepted for admission to a Master's or PhD program. Any student who is admitted with a score under 550 or 213 will be required to take two English for International Student classes at TWU.
Q. Is the TOEFL requirement ever waived?
A. Yes, please see the TOEFL exemption page.
Q. I saw in your requirements that students must take the THEA test. What's that?
A. The Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) is a test required by the State of Texas. All students, regardless of citizenship, are required to take the THEA if they wish to enroll at a Texas public college or university. Information on the THEA test can be obtained through TWU's Department of Academic Advising at www.twu.edu/aac/tasp.htm. THEA exemptions can be found on the TWU Academic Advising website.
Q: I live overseas. How can I take the THEA test if it's only offered inTexas?
A.The THEA test is not needed for admission to TWU. However, it is needed before you can register and attend classes. TWU offers a special QuickTasp test during orientation,which is usually the week before school starts.
Q: Can I send my transcripts directly to TWU?
A. Yes. All international students who plan to pursue a degree at TWU must send their official transcripts to the International Education Office.
Q. I have a 3 year Bachelor degree. Can I apply for a Master's degree at TWU?
A. Most 3 year degrees are not recognized as being equivalent to a 4 yr U.S. Bachelor degree and, therefore, are not recognized for admission to TWU's Master degree programs. However, some cases, such as 3 A-Level passes plus a 3 year degree may be accepted.
Q. If I have a 3 year Bachelor degree can I take one year at TWU and then enter the Master's program?
A. No. In order to receive a U.S. Bachelor degree, you must complete all of the courses that are required for the Bachelor's degree - this includes the basic general education courses that are required by all students, such as English, Science, Math, Fine Arts, etc. In addition to that, you must fulfill the major courses that are specified by your department. The time-frame allotted to complete the degree varies and depends on what subjects you studied in your country, what subject you wish to study at TWU, and how many classes you take per semester. Generally, however, you can estimate that it will take between 1 - 3 years to complete the Bachelor's degree.
Q. Does TWU offer financial aid for international students?
A. New full-time students can apply for the International Student Scholarship, which is available for students enrolling for the fall semester. The scholarship is renewable based on GPA and allows the student to pay the Texas in-state tuition, plus an additional $600 scholarship each fall and spring semester. Please go to Financial Aid office webpage located at http://www.twu.edu/finaid/ for more information regarding aid for international students.
Q. What are the chances that I will receive a scholarship?
A. Scholarships are very competitive and cannot be relied on to finance your education.
Q. Can I receive an assistantship position?
A. Yes. Some departments do offer assistantship positions, but the requirements vary for each department. Many departments prefer students to attend TWU for at least one semester before they apply for an assistantship position. Please contact your intended major department for specific requirements.
Q. Does TWU offer housing for students?
A. Yes. There are 5 dormitories at the Denton campus. Housing is not available at TWU's Dallas or Houston campuses. For more information about living on campus, please contact University Housing at 940.898.3676 or visit their website at http://www.twu.edu/o-sl/residencelife/.
Q. Does TWU offer meal plans for students living on-campus?
A. Yes. The Denton campus offers a vast array of meal plans and dining facilities for students living on-campus. You can view current meal plan options and rates by contacting Dining Services at 940.898.3663 or visiting their website at http://www.twu.edu/o-sl/foodservice/. |
