Requirements for International Students Upon Arrival

1. ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST. All international students whose native language is not English are required to take the English Placement Test, prior to enrollment, for the purpose of validating previous English study and/or placement in English courses, including English as a Second Language (ESL) and/or English composition. The cost of the English placement test is $10.00 and $20 for any retakes thereafter. To take the English Placement test, a student must bring an id. Students who score below the established norm for placement in ESL 1010 will not take regular courses which require reading and writing (for example psychology, US History and literature) until their English is at an acceptable level.
2. ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL). Unless specifically exempted by the English Placement Test score, all international students are required to take ESL 1010 and 1020 during their first two semesters at TTU. International students will take ESL courses concurrently with their major program of study courses. ESL 1010 and 1020 are prerequisites to English 1010 and 1020, as well as to American History 2010 and 2020.
3. COMPASS/ASSET TEST. The COMPASS/ASSET math test will be administered to first-semester undergraduate international students who score less than 19 in the math portion of the ACT or less than 430 in the math portion of the SAT prior to enrollment. Some undergraduate international students are required to take the English and reading portions of the COMPASS/ASSET test after passing the English Placement test or completing the ESL (English as a Second Language) course requirements. The purpose of these tests is to validate previous math and English study and/or placement in math and English courses. These tests are required by TTU's governing body, the Tennessee Board of Regents.
4. AMERICAN HISTORY. All undergraduate international students who have not completed one unit in American history at the secondary school level or six hours of American history in previous college work must enroll in American history the first semester in residence and continue in consecutive semesters until they have earned six hours of American history (History 2010 and 2020), if exempted from ESL 1010 and 1020.
   International students who are required to take ESL 1010 and 1020 must enroll in American history upon completion of the ESL courses and continue in consecutive semesters until they have earned six hours in American history (History 2010 and 2020).
5. International students who are required to take ESL 1010 and 1020 must enroll in American history upon completion of the ESL courses and continue in consecutive semesters until they have earned six hours in American history (History 2010 and 2020).
6. All international students should report to the Office of International Education on arrival at TTU. The staff will assist the international student with checking into the residence hall, depositing checks, registration, etc., at the beginning of the semester. International services and programs are administered in this office.
7. All non-immigrant F-l and J-1 international students will be required to purchase and maintain health insurance. The student's coverage must include medical expenses for accident, illness, evacuation, and repatriation.

International students who wish to apply for admission to the Graduate School should address correspondence to the Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies and should use the Graduate School application forms which will be furnished upon request.

Exchange Students

If you wish to be an exchange student at Tennessee Tech first check to see if your institution has an agreement with Tennessee Tech. Many institutions are affiliated with Magellan and ISEP or we have a one-to-one exchange agreement. At present, Tennessee Tech has one-on-one agreements with schools in Korea, Japan, Sweden, Germany, Egypt, Brazil, Austria, and the Ukraine.

Admissions Requirements for Exchange Students Attending Tennessee Tech

This is your online application guide. The steps below explain the application process. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of International Education.

Step 1 - Apply for Admissions

Complete an International Exchange/Visiting Student Application (PDF) for admissions.  Exchange visitors for admission to the university are encouraged to complete an application as early as possible.

Step 2 - Request Official Transcripts

A letter of good standing or transcript sent to TTU from your institution sent to the Director of IE. All transcripts must be in English.

Step 3- Affidavit of Support and Passport

All international exchange applicants are required to submit adequate evidence of financial support to cover the cost of living expenses for the period they will study at TTU before the Certificate of Acceptance to the university is mailed.

Students requesting a DS2019 are required by Federal law to submit financial verification to be issued the documents. You will take the DS2019 and apply for your  J-1 visa in your country. Be sure to pay the SEVIS fee prior to your visa appointment; go to http://www.fmjfee.com to pay the SEVIS fee via Western Union (see www.fmjfee.com).

Students already in the USA, who have a visa, must submit copies of your passport, I-20/DS2019, I-94 and visa.

Step 4 - Submit Proof English Language Proficiency

Exchange students may submit documentation to the Director of International Education to verify proof of English proficiency.
Students may submit a form to verify English skill from their coordinator to verify their English skills.

Step 5- Complete Health Forms

Two forms must be completed and submitted to Health Services before a student can enroll:

• Health Form(PDF)
• Meningitis/Hepatitis Form(PDF)

Step 6 - Submit All Materials

Send all materials to:

International Education
Tennessee Tech University
1 William L. Jones Dr., Derryberry Hall Rm. 103, Box 5093
Cookeville, TN 38505 USA

Phone: (931) 372-3634        Fax: (931) 372-3674

Upon being admitted to the university, you will receive a letter congratulating you on your admittance. Your acceptance letter will also contain instructions on the next steps you need to take to become a full-time TTU student. Please see our Quick Information Page  for dates and other important information.  You will also need to the International Education  website for more information about courses offered, course descriptions, insurance, etc.

If you have any questions, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

New Freshmen Coming From Abroad

This is your online application guide. The steps below explain the application process. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of International Education.

If you have taken college work previously, STOP here, you need to apply as a Transfer Student.
 
Any student who applies as a new freshmen due to policy cannot receive any transfer credit after admission.

Step 1 - Apply for Admissions

Complete an International Undergraduate Student Application.pdf for admissions or ONLINE APPLICATION. The application fee is $40. This fee can be submitted by check or credit card and is non-refundable.  International freshmen be sure to complete the international application because with this application you can fill in an international address (with the US application you cannot).

Candidates for admission to the university are encouraged to complete an application as early as possible.

Step 2 - Request Official Transcripts

Submit originals or certified copies of all marked sheets, transcripts, diplomas and certificates from high school or other academic institutions. Official translations must be provided when originals are not in English.

If transfer credit is required, a course description of each class must accompany the transcripts before the student will be admitted to TTU.

*Students from nations where it is difficult to send more than 1 copy may send a copy for initial review.

Step 3- Affidavit of Support and Passport

All international applicants are required to submit adequate evidence of financial support to cover the cost of attendance for at least one full year of studies at TTU before the Certificate of Acceptance to the university is mailed. Permanent residents are not required to provide this for admissions.

Students requesting a SEVIS I-20 or DS2019 are required by Federal law to submit financial verification to be issued the documents. The estimated amount required for issuance of the I-20/DS2019 is $30,000 U.S. dollars. You will take the I-20/DS2019 and apply for your F-1 or J-1 visa in your country. Be sure to pay the SEVIS fee prior to your visa appointment; go to http://www.fmjfee.com to pay the SEVIS fee via Western Union.

Students already in the USA, who have a student visa, must submit copies of your passport, I-20, I-94 and visa.

Step 4 - Submit Proof English Language Proficiency

New Freshmen may submit documentation to their school coordinator to verify proof of English proficiency.
Any of the following will be accepted:

Step 5- Complete Health Forms

Two forms must be completed and submitted to Health Services before a student can enroll:

• Health Form(PDF)
• Meningitis/Hepatitis Form(PDF)

Step 6 - Submit All Materials

Send all materials to:

International Education
Tennessee Tech University
1 William L. Jones Dr., Derryberry Hall Rm. 103, Box 5093
Cookeville, TN 38505 USA

Phone: (931) 372-3634        Fax: (931) 372-3674

Some documents must be originals, however, you may fax us a copy also.

Upon being admitted to the university, you will receive a letter congratulating you on your admittance. Your acceptance letter will also contain instructions on the next steps you need to take to become a full-time TTU student.  Please see our Quick Information Page for dates and other important information.  You will also need to the International Education website for more information about courses offered, course descriptions, insurance, etc.

If you have any questions, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Transfer Students

This is your online application guide. The steps below explain the application process. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of International Education.

Step 1 - Apply for Admissions

Complete an International Undergraduate Student Application (PDF) for admissions or apply online:  ONLINE APPLICATION

Pay the application fee of $40.

Candidates for admission to the university are encouraged to complete an application as early as possible.

Step 2 - Request Official Transcripts

Submit originals or certified copies of all marked sheets, transcripts, diplomas and certificates from high school or other academic institutions. Official translations must be provided when originals are not in English.

Any undergraduate student (domestic, permanent resident or international) who completed coursework abroad (with the exception of study abroad with TTU) is required to have coursework evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) www.naces.org.  A course by course evaluation is required for any transfer credit to be awarded.

The credit will be posted as elective credit and the grades will be posted based on the evaluation report and transcript.  To appeal credit for a specific course offered by TTU, the course description must be supplied in English to the International Education Office or the Undergraduate Admissions Office.  The department chair of the course’s discipline will review to determine if the course is equivalent.

A student who does not submit their transcripts to a NACES organization for evaluation will not receive any credit. Transcripts must be submitted to Undergraduate Admissions Office and to the Office of International Education for admission purposes. Not submitting the information could be grounds for dismissal from the University.

If transfer credit is required, a course description of each class must accompany the transcripts before the student will be admitted to TTU.

The Office of International Education DOES NOT evaluate transfer credits for incoming student. The evaluation is completed by the department of your major. Please contact the department to see the status of your transfer evaluation.

Step 3- Affidavit of Support and Passport

All international applicants are required to submit adequate evidence of financial support to cover the cost of attendance for at least one full year of studies at TTU before the Certificate of Acceptance to the university is mailed. Permanent residents are not required to provide this for admissions.

Students requesting a SEVIS I-20 or DS2019 are required by Federal law to submit financial verification to be issued the documents. The estimated amount required for issuance of the I-20/DS2019 is $30,000 U.S. dollars. You will take the I-20/DS2019 and apply for your F-1 or J-1 visa in your country. Be sure to pay the SEVIS fee prior to your visa appointment; go to http://www.fmjfee.com to pay the SEVIS fee online.

Students already in the USA, who have a student visa, must submit copies of your passport, I-20, I-94 and visa.

Step 4 - Submit Proof English Language Proficiency

Exchange students may submit documentation to their school coordinator to verify proof of English proficiency.
Any of the following will be accepted:

Step 5- Complete Health Forms

Two forms must be completed and submitted to Health Services before a student can enroll:

• Health Form(PDF)
• Meningitis/Hepatitis Form(PDF)

Step 6 - Submit All Materials

Send all materials and application fee to:

International Education
Tennessee Tech University
1 William L. Jones Dr., Derryberry Hall Rm. 135, Box 5093
Cookeville, TN 38505 USA

Phone: (931) 372-3634        Fax: (931) 372-3674

Upon being admitted to the university, you will receive a letter congratulating you on your admittance. Your acceptance letter will also contain instructions on the next steps you need to take to become a full-time TTU student. Please see our Quick Information Page for dates and other important information.  You will also need to the International Education website for more information about courses offered, course descriptions, insurance, etc.

If you have any questions, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it