Apply for Admission

Graduates: 

"Graduate” applicants need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for an international graduate application and instructions.  

Undergraduates:

UTPA currently accepts only the Texas Common Application for International Applicants for international “undergraduate” applicants.  You will need to read the special instructions and additional requirements for UTPA  international student applicants in order to assure that you are meeting all additional requirements and deadlines (see instructions below).   

Once at the website:

• click on “4-Year Universities”
• find the University of Texas-Pan American
• Click on “Get information”
• Click on  “Click here to view special application instructions for University of Texas Pan American”

Go to the bottom of the page to find “International Student Admissions”

Read this section carefully for application deadlines and special requirements for international applicants (failure to comply fully with these instructions will result in a delay in the application process; note only foreign transcripts evaluated by Foreign Credential Services of America will be accepted )

Also make sure that you complete the whole application per instructions before final submission.

Deadlines for Undergraduate Students

 

Graduate Student Deadlines are located on the Office of Graduate Studies web site.

Deadlines for international students are different than those for regular admissions deadlines due to the additional time needed to obtain immigration documents and to make travel arrangements.

All required documents and all test scores must be on file in the Office of Undergraduate Admission no later than the international admission deadlines:

July 1 (for fall semester)

November 1 (for Spring semester)

April 1 (for Summer 1)

May 1 (for Summer 2)

If you are currently enrolled in a U.S. institution on a visa that permits study, the deadlines for transfer admission are

August 1 (for fall semester)

December  1 (for Spring semester)

May 1 (for Summer 1)

June  1 (for Summer 2)

In addition to satisfying admissions criteria outlined in the catalog (see undergraduate admission requirements), international applicants must also meet the flowing requirements:

• 1.      English translation and evaluation of foreign high school or college transcripts.  Only evaluations completed by the following company are accepted for admission purposes to UTPA.  For questions and applications please contact:

  Foreign Credentials Services of America

  1910 Justin Lane
  Austin, TX   78757-2411
  512.459.8428
  FAX 512.459.4565
  info@fcsa.biz

• 2.      English Proficiency Exams:
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
    • Minimum score of 500 paper-based
    • Minimum score of 173 computer-based
    • Minimum score of 61 internet-based
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
    • IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
      
    • Minimum score of 5 overall band

If you are from an English-only speaking country or if you graduate from a high school in the U.S. or in an English-only speaking country you will receive a waiver of the TOEFL.

TOEFL exempt countries

American   Samoa Australia Bahamas Barbados Belize Canada (except Quebec)

Dominica Grenada Grand Cayman Guyana Ireland Jamaica Liberia

New Zealand Sierra Leone Trinidad/Tobago United Kingdom U.S.  Pacific Trust

Only test scores that are received directly from a national testing agency or from the UTPA Testing Center are acceptable for admission purposes.  Since it normally takes 8-10 weeks for test results to arrive at UTPA from the testing company,  you should plan to take the tests well in advance of the appropriate application deadline to insure that scores will arrive on time.  

UTPA will not accept residual TOEFL scores from exams taken at another institution.  Undergraduate students scoring between 500 and 550, but otherwise meeting department requirements, will be required to take prescribed courses in English.

 

Test scores are only valid for two years. 

• 3.      Proof of sufficient funds to pay for one year of educational and living expenses. This may be proved through the submission of financial documents and bank statements to the Office of International Admissions and Services.  All documents must show specific dollar amounts available.

• 4.      Mandatory Medical Insurance. Health insurance is required for all international students and is required for J-2  dependents; therefore, purchase of this health insurance will be mandatory for such students unless a waiver has been obtained from the Office of International Admissions and Services. The issuance of a waiver requires proof that the student has insurance coverage comparable to the minimum required $50,000 Major Medical, $10,000 Medical Evacuation, and $7,500 Repatriation. A waiver must be requested before the end of the first week of classes.   After that date no refunds or waivers are given.  A new waiver request form must also be submitted for every semester of enrollment.  Mexican nationals are currently exempt from this  requirement.  Contact Student Health Services 956/381-7033 or the Office of International Admissions and Services at 956/381-2922 for further information.
• 5.      The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is not a requirement for admission, but is required for enrollment at UTPA.  The TSI  will be used to determine placement in classes.  TSI state-approved exams are:  ASSET, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER, and THEA.   If you cannot complete this requirement before you arrive at UTPA, these exams are offered on a daily basis the week before classes begin  at the University Testing Services.  Please contact University Testing Services  for more information at (also see TSI information under general information in UTPA catalog)