Barry University has a long tradition of welcoming international students. There are currently students representing over 80 countries studying at the university.

Who is an International Student?

For the purpose of admission to Barry University, an international student is defined as a student who has received secondary school and/or university-level education outside the United States and/or a student who requires a student visa. For immigration purposes, an international student is one whose country of birth, citizenship, and permanent residency are not the United States.

Obtaining a Nonimmigrant Visa

U.S. immigration Law requires that international students obtain a nonimmigrant visa from the United States Embassy or Consular Office in their country in order to come to the United States to study. Most international students come on an F-1 Student Visa. The F-1 Visa requires that you:

• Pursue a course of study at the school you are authorized to attend as a full-time, degree-seeking student.
• Have a valid passport at all times.
• Obtain permission from INS before working off-campus or transferring schools.

Eligibility for Admission

You may be admitted to Barry University if you meet the University and MPH program admission requirements. Click here for more information on admission requirements.

Admission Procedures

Submit proof of a bachelor's degree from an institution which is regionally accredited or internationally recognized.

Submit a statement of purpose (goals).

Provide complete official transcripts/statements of marks from each college or university attended. Transcripts in the applicant's possession will not be accepted unless in an official envelope sealed by the institution issuing the transcript. An applicant whose degree has not yet been posted may submit a letter, on official letterhead, from the dean of the institution, verifying completion of degree requirements, until the official transcript reflecting degree is submitted. A transcript must contain the following information: subjects studied, marks (grades) awarded, length of class periods, number of periods per week for each subject, and grading scale with minimum passing mark.

Provide two recommendations in support of graduate study.

Supply GRE examination scores. GRE scores are required of all applicants who do not hold a terminal degree (MD, DO, DPM, DDS, DVM, DSC, or Ph.D.) or a health care provider master’s degree (MSN, MCMS, MPA). The only exceptions are students enrolled in the joint DPM/MPH program having taken the MCAT examination. Foreign medical graduates who are not licensed in the U.S. are required to take the GRE. Strong candidates will have a minimum combined score (verbal and quantitative) of 1000 on the GRE.

Submit any additional information required by the Office of Admissions or the individual schools.

Permanent Resident Status-If you have permanent resident status, your Alien Registration Receipt Card ("green card") must be presented to the Office of Admissions with the application.

English Proficiency

You must submit a TOEFL examination score if your university/college degree is from an institution in which English is not the language of instruction.

There are three versions of the TOEFL:

• The paper-based test score ranges from 310 to 677. Barry University requires 550 at the graduate level.
• The computer-based test score ranges from 0 to 300. Barry University requires require 213 at the graduate level.
• The Internet-based test (iBT) score ranges from 0 to 120. Barry University requires require 79 at the graduate level.

Please note: The minimum acceptable score is higher for the Physician Assistant Program. For more information, see the “Application Procedures for International Students” section of the graduate catalog.

For a TOEFL application, write to: The TOEFL Program, Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA (www.toefl.org).

The responsibility for obtaining all admission credentials rests with the applicant.

Certification of Eligibility (Form I-20A)

Once you have been accepted for admission to Barry University, a financial statement must be submitted in order to obtain the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status (Form I-20A). There are two types of financial statements:

1) A bank letter addressed to Barry University stating that you or your sponsor have the funds available to pay the total cost associated with attending Barry University for one year (see sample below). The University determines the required amount.

2) Government or institution-sponsored international students must submit a government sponsorship letter or a notarized letter of support guaranteeing payment of tuition and fees, books, room and board, medical insurance, and personal expenses for one academic year (two semesters).

As an international student, you should be familiar with the regulations of your government regarding sending money to the United States, and you should make arrangements to have the necessary funds available at the designated times of enrollment. Documentary evidence of a means of financial support must be attached to the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20A) when applying for the student visa at the United States Embassy or Consular Office.

Sample International Financial Verification Letter

The letter must express:

• The name of the person / account holder that is supporting the expense for attending Barry University.
• The name of the student.
• The total amount which must be verified is $26,700.00 for the 2001-2002 school year. This amount will be reduced for applicants who are awarded scholarships. The Office of Admissions will be able to provide you with the exact amount required.

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

The University does not award financial assistance to international graduate students enrolling in the MPH program. Click here for a list of websites you can check for financial assistance from other organizations. No other forms of financial assistance are available to international students. Payment of tuition and fees is required at the beginning of each term. All checks should be made payable to Barry University in US funds.

Medical Requirements

It is assumed that you will be in good health and able to maintain a serious program of study. Before coming to the university, you are strongly recommended (as an accepted student) to submit a physician’s report in English for approval by the Campus Health Center. Proof of adequate health insurance is required (with a specific amount of coverage). If proof is not available, you will be billed accordingly and issued health insurance by the University.

You must also demonstrate that you have had all vaccinations.

You may not register for classes without having met these medical requirements.

Housing

Limited graduate housing is available on campus. The Office of Residential Life also maintains a list of off-campus housing locations that you may find useful.