International applicants are defined as those who hold or intend to apply for a non-immigrant visa. You must have the equivalent of a U.S. undergraduate degree, and a minimum grade-point average equivalent to 3.0 (“B”) to be considered for admission.
If English is not your primary language, you must demonstrate that your English language skills are strong enough to complete a degree program in journalism, and to report and write in English on deadline. We use standardized test scores, samples of your work in print, radio, or television, and an interview to assess your skills. Please note that all application materials, including work samples and letters of recommendation, must be submitted in English. In addition to the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), we require that all international applicants whose undergraduate institution was not taught in English, take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), including its writing component, the TWE. The suggested score is 260 on the Computer-Based test (CBT) and 105 on the Internet-Based test (iBT), though most students who will be admitted to the program will score above 260 on the CBT and above 105 on the iBT.
University and departmental financial assistance for which international students are eligible to apply is extremely limited and is usually not adequate to fund a student’s total expenses. Students are asked to review their financial situation carefully because the cost of living in New York City is high, and immigration regulations restrict employment. F-1 and J-1 status students should not expect to finance their education through work in the United States.
The Office of International Students provides information and assistance to students from outside the United States. This office issues Certificates of Eligibility and advises students regarding immigration regulations for the F and J immigration categories. Admissions candidates must submit completed Eligibility Forms and supporting documentation. Prospective international students may contact the Office of International Students for information or assistance at 1.212.817.7490 (voice); 1.212.817.1626 (fax); or via email: intstu@gc.cuny.edu.
