International Student Resources
International Graduate Students
If you're an international student, welcome! You're in the right place. Over half of our students at the Integrated Innovation Institute come from outside of the United States. This page will serve as a resource for our international students.
As an international student, you should familiarize yourself with the Office of International Education at CMU. OIE supports international students and scholars with immigration advising, orientation, cultural integration and more. It fosters a welcoming, globally engaged campus community, and will ensure a smooth transition to the U.S.
Hopefully the information below will answer any questions you may have about being an international student at the iii.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Application & Admission
International student applicants should follow the same procedures for admission the the iii as U.S. citizens.
- All international and United States permanent resident applicants must take an English language proficiency exam. An English language proficiency test is not required if the applicant will have graduated from a US university by the time of enrollment or if the applicant is a CMU student or alum. It is also not required for applicants with United Kingdom, Canadian, or Australian citizenship. The following forms of English language proficiency assessments are accepted:
TOEFL – minimum score 95 with no sub-score below a 23
IELTS – minimum score of 6.5
Duolingo English Test – minimum score of 105
- Unofficial transcripts are sufficient to render an admission decision. Should you be admitted to the program, we will require official transcripts in English to be sent to the iii. We do not require a WES course-by-course evaluation, but will accept it if you have it.
- As a self-funded master's program, all enrolled students or their employers are responsible for paying full tuition and expenses. Click here to view the estimated expenses - it provides a detailed cost estimate for international students to demonstrate financial readiness for U.S. visa requirements. You can also take a look at our scholarship document for potential external funding opportunities.
Next Steps After Admissions
If you've gained admission to the iii, congratulations! Here are a few key points to take note of:
- As a self-funded master's program, all enrolled students or their employers are responsible for paying full tuition and expenses. Click here to view the estimated expenses - it provides a detailed cost estimate for international students to demonstrate financial readiness for U.S. visa requirements.
- You should submit required forms as soon as possible. You must submit your I-20 or DS-2019 documents promptly in order to allow sufficient time to obtain the certificate and schedule a visa interview. For any questions about this process, please contact OIE at oie@andrew.cmu.edu.
Transitioning to the U.S.
The iii team will be in contact with admitted students throughout the summer with some helpful information about transitioning to the U.S. In the meantime, here are some helpful resources.
- OIE Settling in Guide - The Settling In Guide from OIE is a comprehensive resource designed to help international students transition smoothly to life in the U.S. and at CMU.
- Pre-Arrival Instructions and Information- The Pre-Arrival Instructions page provides essential steps for international students to prepare for their studies, including submitting required documents, applying for a visa, and completing necessary health and financial forms.
- Travel Information and Resources - The Travel Information and Resources page from OIE offers support and resources for international students planning to travel, ensuring they follow necessary rules and procedures.
- Maintaining Status - The Maintaining Status page from OIE provides guidance for international students to maintain their U.S. immigration status.
Living in Pittsburgh
Living in Silicon Valley
The iii is a bi-coastal institute, meaning we have degree offerings in Pittsburgh and Silicon Valley. The MSSM program is located in Silicon Valley, a global tech hub in Northern California, known for its leading tech companies, startups, and innovation. Click here to learn more.