Master of Arts (M.A.) Major in International Studies (International Business Concentration)

Application Requirements

Application requirements consist of institutional and program requirements for applicable semesters of entry during the current academic year. Additional information and changes to admission requirements for semesters other than the current academic year can be found on The Graduate College's website.

Unless otherwise noted on The Graduate College program page, AI tools can only be used to correct spelling and grammar errors in application materials.

Institutional Requirements

Institutional requirements are the minimum standards for admission to any graduate program at Texas State. These include:

• Completed online application
• Nonrefundable application fee
  • Degree Programs (Doctoral and Master’s)
    • $55 fee, or
    • $90 for applications with international credentials
  • Post-Baccalaureate Programs (Certificate, Certification, Non-Degree, and Visiting)
    • $20 fee, or
    • $60 for applications with international credentials
• Official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted. Final transcripts showing degree completion are required before the student may register for their second term of enrollment. 
• GPA requirements (a higher GPA may be listed in the Program Requirements)
  • Doctoral programs require a 3.00 overall GPA or a 3.00 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
  • Master’s and Specialist programs require a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
  • Post-Baccalaureate programs require a 2.50 overall GPA or a 2.50 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)

Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list. Some programs may restrict acceptable tests or require higher scores than the institutional scores; this will be noted in the Program Requirements.

• official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall if taken on or before January 21, 2026
• official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 4 overall if taken after January 21, 2026
• official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
• official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
• official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
• official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
• official Texas State Intensive English Program score of 90% or higher in the highest-level course (level 5)

The institution does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

Program Requirements

• a 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)*
• GRE not required*
• proficiency in the speaking, reading, and oral comprehension of a modern language other than English as demonstrated by the following:
  • grade of B or better in modern language course work beyond the second year that was taken within the last three years at an accredited college, university, or language institute**
  • examination for proficiency levels in reading, speaking, and listening that would place you beyond the second year of language courses
  • recent foreign living experience of at least six continuous months in a single non-English-speaking culture outside the U.S.
• resume/CV
• statement of purpose (2–5 pages) describing the following:
  • why you are considering the international studies program
  • how it fits into a process of professional development
  • what you hope to accomplish by enrolling in the program
• two letters of recommendation from professors

*If the overall GPA or last-60-hours GPA falls between 2.8–2.99, the student must submit the following:

• official GRE (general test only) scores with competitive scores

**If the last language course was taken more than three years before the date of admission, and there has been no significant involvement in the language in the interim, the student may be asked to take a refresher course(s) in the language.