International Students and Visiting Scholars
Discover Fayetteville State University
Your Future. Your Community. Your World.
Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a proud constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System and offers students a high-quality education, a supportive campus community, and opportunities to prepare for an increasingly global world.
Located in southeastern North Carolina, FSU provides an ideal setting for students who want the energy and opportunities of a university environment while enjoying the close-knit feel of a welcoming campus community. The university is within driving distance of North Carolina's Atlantic coast to the east and the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains to the west.
Academic Excellence with Opportunity
At FSU, students have access to nationally recognized academic programs across the arts and sciences, business, education, STEM, and other fields.
The university offers:
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43 undergraduate degree programs
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23 master's degree programs
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1 doctoral program
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3+2 STEM and engineering pathways
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Opportunities for research, internships, experiential learning, and professional development
Students can pursue programs in fields such as forensic science, management, computer science, accounting, and many others.
Whether your goal is to become a scientist, educator, entrepreneur, technology professional, business leader, researcher, or scholar, FSU provides opportunities to build the knowledge and skills needed for your next step.
A University Where You Are Known
Your education is about more than earning a degree. At FSU, students learn in an environment designed to support their academic, professional, and personal development.
With an average student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 19 students per faculty member, students have meaningful opportunities to interact with professors, seek academic guidance, participate in research, and develop professional relationships.
Students can also take advantage of research opportunities, internships, campus organizations, leadership experiences, and other forms of experiential learning that connect classroom knowledge to the world beyond campus.
A national study recognized FSU as “a remarkably nurturing and supportive institution” that takes seriously its responsibility for students' overall personal development.
A Welcoming and Supportive Campus
FSU combines the resources and opportunities of a university with the personal atmosphere of a closely connected campus community.
Students have access to modern residence halls, academic facilities, recreational resources, student organizations, and campus activities designed to create a vibrant university experience.
For international students, the Office of International Programs provides additional support designed to help students successfully transition to life and study in the United States.
Support may include:
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Assistance with arrival and airport transportation
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International student orientation
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Guidance on immigration and academic requirements
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Opportunities to connect with members of the local community
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Host-family and community engagement opportunities
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Chaperoned cultural and educational outings
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Advising and support throughout the student's FSU experience
Our goal is to help international students feel welcomed, connected, and prepared to succeed from the moment they arrive.
An Affordable American Education
A high-quality U.S. education doesn't have to come with an extraordinary price tag.
FSU has been recognized for its affordability among four-year public institutions. A Lumina Foundation study examining approximately 2,800 colleges and universities identified Fayetteville State University among the more affordable four-year public institutions in the United States.
For international students seeking an American university experience that combines academic opportunity, personal attention, and affordability, FSU offers an attractive environment in which to pursue a degree.
Visiting Scholars
FSU also welcomes scholars from around the world who are interested in teaching, research, academic collaboration, and other international educational activities.
[Learn More About Visiting Scholars]
Important Information for F-1 International Students
Maintaining Your Full Course of Study
International students studying in the United States in F-1 status must follow federal regulations governing their enrollment and academic programs.
For students enrolled at FSU, federal regulations generally limit how much online or distance education can count toward the full course of study required for maintaining F-1 status.
F-1 students should consult with FSU's designated international student advisors before enrolling in online or distance-learning courses. Course requirements can vary by program and academic level, and immigration regulations may change.
What Is an Online or Distance-Learning Course?
For purposes of federal regulations governing international students, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines an online or distance-learning course as a course that is primarily delivered through technology and does not require the student's physical attendance for classes, examinations, or other activities integral to completing the course.
[Learn more about F-1 full-course-of-study requirements through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security]
Questions About Your F-1 Status?
The Office of International Programs is here to help international students understand their academic and immigration responsibilities.
Before registering for online or distance-learning courses, speak with an international student advisor to ensure that your course schedule complies with current F-1 regulations.
Begin Your FSU Journey
A world-class education. A supportive community. A global future.
Your experience at Fayetteville State University can be more than a degree—it can be the beginning of an international academic, professional, and personal journey.
Explore FSU. Discover your program. Meet your community. Build your future.

International Undergraduate Admission Requirements:
1. A completed undergraduate application form with a non-refundable $50 application fee in U.S. dollars.
2. International Student Certification of Finances (To be filled out by your bank). This form can be hand delivered or mailed but must be the original.
3. Original copies of your high school and undergraduate transcripts (If you have an Associate degree or over 24 hours of college hours, it is not required to submit a high school transcript)
AND
All Transcripts must be evaluated by WES at www.wes.org (This is not required for FSU Partner Institution students. FSU partner institution students can submit the Original Certified Transcripts Translated in English by partner university officials.)
4. Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report is required unless you are from an Official English language speaking country. The test needs to be electronically sent to Fayetteville State University. Our school code is: 5212. The test score report should be no more than two years old and must have a score at or above the minimum set by Fayetteville State University which is 61.
OR
Official IELTS (English for international Opportunity) is now accepted at Fayetteville State scoring 6. If you take the IELTS, please make sure that it is sent to Fayetteville State University Admissions Office. Make sure you take this test on time to meet FSU Admissions deadlines.
International Graduate Admissions Requirements:
These items are needed to complete your Fayetteville State University Admissions Packet.
1. A completed graduate application form with a non-refundable $50 application fee in U.S. dollars.
2. International Student Certification of Finances to be filled out by bank. This form can be hand delivered or mailed but must be the original.
3. Certified copies of your undergraduate transcripts
AND
All Transcripts must be evaluated by WES at www.wes.org - this is not required for FSU Partner Institution students.
Original Certified Transcripts Translated in English by partner university officials.
4. Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report is required unless you are from an official English Language speaking country. The test needs to be electronically sent to Fayetteville State University. Our school code is: 5212. The test score report should be no more than two years old and must have a score at or above the minimum set by Fayetteville State University,
OR
5. Official IELTS (English for international Opportunity) is now accepted at Fayetteville State also. If you take the IELTS, please make sure that it is sent to Fayetteville State University Admissions Office. Make sure you take this on time to meet FSU Admissions deadlines.
6. Students seeking a Graduate degree must submit an official copy of the test results from taking the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) - refer to program for specific requirements
7. Two/three Recommendation for Graduate School Forms - Refer to program for specific requirements. All official documents must be issued directly from persons writing the recommendations.
J-1 Application Process
FSU welcomes international visiting scholars and can issue international visiting scholar the Form DS-2019 forJ-1 Visa.
Applicant Prerequisites
International scholars who wish to visit FSU under the J-1 visa program must be currently working at a foreign university or research institution as a full time employee and must have earned graduate degree in the teaching or research area that he/she will work at FSU.
Requesting Form DS-2019
International scholars who wish to visit FSU under the J-1 visa program begin by securing the support of an appropriate FSU official sponsor -typically a faculty member, department chair, dean, or someone of similar academic standing. The FSU sponsor will work with the International Education Office (IEO) to prepare a recommendation, which must include the following:
J-1 Application for International Scholar/Visitor
- A summary of the visiting scholars' responsibilities while at FSU and an explanation of how the visitor's education and experience make him/her well qualified to carry out these responsibilities
- The international scholar's curriculum vitae or resume
- Photocopy of the biographical page(s) of the scholar's and dependents' passports
- Original documentation of the funds to support the visitor, expressed in U.S. dollars, if the sponsor is an organization other than FSU. If personal funds are shown, a bank statement including the current account balance must be provided with a currency conversion to U.S. dollars.
International scholars will work with the FSU sponsor and the International Education Office (IEO) to ensure that all required documents are accurate and complete. The recommendation must then be approved by the IEO, the chair of the department in which the individual will work, the appropriate dean, and the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. If the provost approves the recommendation, he/she will issue a letter inviting the international scholar to serve as a Specialty Faculty Member. This letter will specify the department in which the international scholar will work, the international scholar's responsibilities, the start and end dates of the visit, and other relevant information. The Provost's invitation letter and copies of all above mentioned documents will be transferred to the IEO, and IEO will then issue the Form DS-2019 to the international scholar.
STEP ONE: Submit your Completed Application
- Submit this application for admission and the non-refundable $50 application fee.
STEP TWO: Get your Course Evaluation done.
- A course-by-course evaluation is required for ALL international students.
- For high school transcripts, you can only use SpanTran.
- For college transcripts, you can use SpanTran or WES.
STEP THREE: Proof of Language Proficiency
Proof of Language Proficiency is required unless you are from a country where English is your official language. Proof of Language Proficiency is established by presenting one of the below scores (scores should not be more than 2 years old):
- Official SAT I reading score of 450 or higher
- Official IELTS Score: 6
- Duolingo English Test Score: 94
- Official TOEFL Scores
- Internet based: 61
- Paper Test: 500
STEP FOUR: Submit your Certificate of Finances
- A Certificate of Finances, signed by your bank, is required for ALL International Students.
- The form can be found here.
- Send the completed form to Mr. Head at mhead@uncfsu.edu.
If an I-20 is needed, please contact Dr. Rosemarie Igbo at rigbo@uncfsu.edu