International Students

Study from Anywhere in the World

Do you live outside the United States but want a degree from a well-respected American university? Empire State University provides several ways for international students to earn a degree from the State University of New York.

Review the options below to find the one that meets your needs.

If you have questions about your visa status or eligibility to study at Empire State University, contact the Center for International Education.

Option one: International Distance Learning

To learn more about international distance learning, contact the Center for International Education.

Option two: Center for International Education

Working with partners around the world, the Center for International Education offers programs at the following locations:

  • Tirana, Albania
  • Prague, Czech Republic
  • Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
  • Athens, Greece
  • Thessaloniki, Greece
  • Beirut, Lebanon
  • Eskişehir, Turkey

If you want to study in a classroom-based or blended learning environment at one of the above locations, learn more at: Center for International Education.

Admission Requirements

For international students wishing to study online, please submit the following with your application:

English Proficiency

Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate that they have sufficient English proficiency to study at Empire State University. Consult our English Proficiency page for details.

Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials

Foreign educational documents must be evaluated by an approved evaluation service and original evaluation reports submitted directly to the university. Copies of evaluations will not be accepted. For full information see the Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions page.

Canadian Students

Canadian students who maintain their residence in Canada and travel to the U.S. for required residencies or meetings with their mentors are considered border commuter students. See the Canadian Border Commuter Students pages for information about admission requirements.

Empire State University is authorized under federal law to issue Department of Homeland Security Form I-20 documents to nonimmigrant students. SUNY Empire limits its issuance of the I-20 document to Canadian nonimmigrant students who wish to study in the U.S. at one of our programs as border commuter students. Applicants who wish to travel to the U.S. to study should see State University of New York or City University of New York options.