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Admission Criteria

All international students applying to Graduate programs must meet the required standards for admission at Arkansas State.

Graduate Admission Criteria

Graduate Admission Criteria

All international students applying to Graduate programs at Arkansas State University must meet requirements related to academics, English proficiency, and program-specific standards. This page will help you understand the most important milestones before preparing your application.

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Overview

Core requirements for a graduate application

At the graduate level, A-State focuses on three main groups of requirements: undergraduate GPA, English proficiency, and program-specific standards. Some programs have higher academic requirements than the general standard, so students should carefully review the requirements of their program of interest before applying.

2.75/4.0 General minimum undergraduate GPA
3.0/4.0 Minimum GPA if you have prior graduate coursework
79 Minimum TOEFL iBT
6.0 Minimum IELTS
International Graduate Program-Specific GPA English Proficiency Official Documents
Academic requirements

Academic Criteria

General academic requirements

  • You must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent to apply to a Graduate program.
  • The general minimum undergraduate GPA is 2.75/4.0.
  • Some programs require a higher GPA than the university's general minimum.

If you have previous graduate coursework

  • If you have completed or previously enrolled in master's/graduate-level coursework, the minimum required graduate GPA is 3.0/4.0.
  • This helps the university assess an applicant's academic readiness at the graduate level.
Meeting the Graduate School's minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into every program. Some programs have their own admission standards and may require higher qualifications.
Program GPA standards

Required GPA by Program Group

Below is a quick overview by GPA group. This is a very important part of a graduate application, since not every program uses the same admission threshold.

2.75/4.0 Requirement Group

  • Accountancy
  • Agriculture
  • Applied Digital Technology
  • Business Administration (MBA)
  • Chemistry
  • Communication Studies
  • Engineering
  • Engineering Management
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Heritage Studies

3.0/4.0 Requirement Group

  • Athletic Training
  • Computer Science
  • Exercise Science
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Psychology and Counseling (Ed.S.)
  • Psychological Science
  • Sociology
  • Sports Administration
  • Statistics

2.5/4.0 Requirement Group

  • English (M.A.) is one example of a program with a lower admission GPA than the general standard.
  • This is why you should carefully review each program's specific requirements rather than relying only on the general minimum.

Important Note

  • Programs not listed in detail on the summary page will default to the university's general minimum, unless the department states otherwise.
  • If your program of interest is highly competitive, you should prepare an application stronger than the minimum requirement.

English proficiency is a required part of a graduate application

All international Graduate applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the university's accepted formats. Test scores are generally valid for 2 years from the date of application submission.

TOEFL IELTS Duolingo PTE A-State ESL
English proficiency

Accepted English Proficiency Levels

Current score requirements

  • TOEFL iBT: 79
  • IELTS Academic: 6.0
  • Duolingo English Test: 120
  • PTE Academic: 56
  • iTEP Academic Plus: 3.7
  • EIKEN: Grade Pre-1

Other alternative options

  • Complete the A-State ESL program with a minimum score of 90%.
  • Complete an accepted ESL program such as CEA or HOFT.
  • Graduate from a university in the US, UK, Canada (excluding Quebec), Australia, or New Zealand, meeting the university's minimum required study duration.
  • Applicants from certain exempt countries may not need to submit an English proficiency certificate.
Program timing

Admission Terms by Program

Not all graduate programs are open for Fall, Spring, and Summer. Some programs only admit in the Fall, some admit in Fall and Spring, while others are more flexible and admit in every term.

Programs with more flexible admission terms

  • MBA
  • Applied Digital Technology
  • Engineering Management
  • Exercise Science
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Sociology

Programs with fixed admission terms

  • Athletic Training: Summer only
  • Occupational Therapy: Fall only
  • Psychological Science: Fall only
  • Physical Therapy: Summer only
  • Statistics: Summer and Fall
  • Many science/engineering programs: Fall and Spring
Before applying, you should carefully check the appropriate admission term for your program of interest, as this is a detail that is often overlooked when preparing a graduate application.
Documents & notes

Notes before submitting your application

Documents you should have

  • Bachelor's degree and official transcripts.
  • English translations if the original documents are not in English.
  • English proficiency results that meet current requirements.
  • Any additional documents required by your specific program.

You should prepare early if

  • You are targeting programs with higher admission GPA requirements.
  • You need to demonstrate English proficiency through a standardized test.
  • You want to enroll in a highly competitive term such as Fall.
  • You need support choosing the right program and the right application term.
Need help?

Need assistance?

For more information about A-State, or for help checking admission requirements, preparing your application, and choosing the right Graduate program, please contact our Vietnam Office via email at study@astate.edu.vn or hotline +84 96 330 6060.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum GPA to apply to a Graduate program at A-State?
The general minimum GPA is 2.75/4.0 at the undergraduate level. If you have previously completed graduate-level coursework, the minimum graduate GPA required is 3.0/4.0.
Which English proficiency certificates does A-State accept for graduate applicants?
The university accepts TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test, PTE Academic, iTEP Academic Plus, EIKEN, and certain alternative pathways such as A-State ESL or CEA/HOFT ESL completion.
Do all graduate programs use the same GPA requirement?
No. 2.75/4.0 is the general minimum, but some programs require 3.0/4.0 or have their own higher standards.
Do graduate programs admit students in every term?
No. Some programs admit in every term, while others admit only in Fall or only in Summer/Fall. You should check the correct admission term for your program of interest before applying.
What should I do if I'm not sure what my chosen program requires?
You should contact A-State's Vietnam Office for support in reviewing admission requirements, choosing the right program, and determining the appropriate admission term before submitting your application.

Need help checking your graduate admission eligibility?

If you would like your profile reviewed to see whether it meets A-State's Graduate admission requirements, please contact our Vietnam Office for support before you begin your application.

Contact Us Back to Graduate Admissions

This page was translated from Vietnamese and is being reviewed by our admissions team.

Updated August 22, 2026

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