Academic Level

The ASP Program welcomes students from the following levels: 

• Undergraduate/Bachelor level
• Graduate/Masters level
• Gap Year/recent high school or secondary school graduates

Academic Performance 

Students must be in good academic standing at their home university.  Specific requirements and prerequisites may apply to certain courses or academic departments at MSU.

English Language Proficiency

Standardized English Language test results are required unless English is designated as the primary language of instruction at the student's home institution. Minimum testing scores for admission are as follows (choose one):

• Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) 79, with no sub-score below 17
  An IELTS score of 6.5, with no sub-score below 6.0.
• Duolingo score of 110

Note: MSU will accept the TOEFL Home Edition test. 

Please note that graduate level students may have different requirements pending their intended coursework or faculties.

English Language Center

Students with English levels below our minimum requirements are invited to participate in programming through the MSU English Language Center (ELC). This partnership allows students actively studying the English language to enroll in the ELC's English for Academic Purposes courses, a program focused on improving international student English language abilities through credit-bearing language coursework taught by ELC faculty.

Proof of Financial Support

To obtain a visa to study in the U.S. all prospective students must provide documentation verifying that they will have sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies at MSU. This documentation must be included with the initial application and can be personal (student or parent) bank account statements or bank letters stating the student will have sufficient funds for each semester at MSU.

• All documents must be in English, on bank letterhead and stamped, signed and dated by the bank.
• Financial funds must be liquid and available to the student during their exchange program at MSU.

More information about required funding proof can be found on our Program Fees page.

Need to have a document translated? Visit the MSU Translation Center website for assistance. 

Statement of Purpose

Applicants will be asked to submit an essay (500 word maximum) addressing the following prompts:

• Why do you want to study abroad? Why are you are interested in the American Semester Program?
• How will studying abroad help you meet your academic, professional and personal goals?
• What personal strengths do you have that support your acceptance into this program?
• How do you plan to apply your experience upon returning to your home institution?

Have questions? Contact us at american(at)msu.edu.