Graduate Admissions

International Students

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Office of International Services

Jefferson sets a high priority on the exchange of ideas, related research, education and patient care with members of the international community. We welcome people from all over the world to study and engage in research. As a graduate student at Jefferson, you’ll join a collaborative community, explore big ideas and prepare to help shape the world.

Pursuing graduate studies in another country is a big decision. That’s why we do everything we can to make our international students feel as welcome, safe and supported as possible.

Our graduates go on to prestigious graduate schools in cities all over the world. They’re hired by companies like Target, Amazon and Pfizer. They’ve invented new machines, founded non-profits and become best-selling authors of fictional works.
The Jefferson Alumni Network includes 63,500 graduates & counting.
Make green homes greener. Develop healthcare solutions for at-risk communities. And reimagine what humankind can accomplish. With more than 200 certificate, master’s and doctoral programs in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion & textiles, health and the sciences, Jefferson gives you the freedom to explore the intersections between disciplines—and prepare you for what’s yet to come.
The Philadelphia region is blooming with lively urban parks, re-imagined recreational landscapes, spirited pop-up gardens and scenic running and biking trails. From the massive trail systems of Fairmount Park and Wissahickon Valley Park to the delightful riverside enclaves of the seasonal Spruce Street Harbor Park and Race Street Pier to regional attractions like Longwood Gardens and Valley Forge National Historical Park, residents and visitors enjoy relaxing, exercising and playing in these public spaces.

Academics

In a fast-changing world, you need an education that keeps you nimble and constantly learning. No matter which of our graduate programs you pursue, you’ll collaborate with organizations like IBM, NASA, QVC, Verizon, Johnson & Johnson and Comcast. You’ll have extraordinary opportunities to learn from industry leaders and apply what you know to the real world.

Explore Our Graduate Programs

Application requirements and deadlines are specific to each graduate program. Visit our Program Finder to learn more about your specific program of interest and the next steps to apply for admission to Jefferson.

International applicants may be required to submit results from an English Language Proficiency Exam. Additional information about the English Language Proficiency requirement can be found on the Admissions Information page for your program of interest.

Students who have taken coursework outside of the United States should submit a course-by-course academic credential evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member credentialing organization. Applicants who do not have a NACES evaluation are required to submit official transcripts, along with an official English translation, to Jefferson for review. Thomas Jefferson University reserves the right to outsource student academic credentials to our NACES member partner for evaluation.

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Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a 12-month work authorization that permits F-1 students to be employed in the U.S. in a job directly related to their degree. 

The acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and refers to academic programs that integrate these subjects into their principal subject area.

STEM OPT allows eligible F-1 students an additional 24 months of OPT for a total of 36 months of employment within their discipline.

Below is a complete list of graduate programs at Jefferson that are eligible for STEM OPT.

Financing Your Education

Thomas Jefferson University remains committed to providing our students with the high quality education they deserve. Tuition and fee rates are contingent upon the academic program that students enroll in at Jefferson. Find your applicable tuition and fees information on the Tuition & Fees website.

Tuition & Fees

There is very limited financial aid available for international students wishing to study in the U.S. Unfortunately, Thomas Jefferson University does not currently offer scholarships or financial aid that is specific to international students, although there are a limited number of stipends available for PhD students. Non-immigrants are not eligible to accept U.S. government student loans or financial aid.

If additional funding is needed in order to attend, international students are encouraged to explore student loan opportunities available in their home country or to contact their local banking institutions. Reaching out to an Education USA Office near you may also help to explore available options.

The resources below offer information about scholarships and financial aid for foreign nationals studying in the U.S.

Financing Your Education

International Funding Requirements for I-20 Issuance

An international student needing an I-20 for F-1 status must first be admitted to an eligible full-time, on-campus degree program at Jefferson. Part of I-20 issuance requires a minimum proof of funding equivalent to US dollars for the first academic year. Please review the Office of International Services' website for specific requirements and further information.

Center City Campus

  • Tuition and Fees: varies by College/Program
  • Cost of Living: $24,915
  • Student Health Insurance: $5,709
  • Dependents (if applicable): $5,000 for spouse and $3,500 per child

East Falls Campus

  • Tuition and Fees: varies by College/Program
  • Living Expenses: $13,587
  • Personal Expenses: $10,000

International Funding Requirements for DS-2019 issuance and J-1 status (Center City Campus)

An international student needing a DS-2019 for J-1 status must first be admitted to an eligible full-time, on-campus degree program at the Center City Campus. Part of DS-2019 issuance requires a minimum proof of funding equivalent to US dollars for the entire duration of the program. Funding must have substantial (51%) institutional financial support explicitly provided for the educational program to obtain the initial document and request any extensions of the DS-2019. 

Please review the Office of International Services’ website for additional information on the difference between F-1 and J-1 student status. 

Life at Jefferson

Graduate school is more than an education—it’s an experience. From social and professional activities on campus to Philadelphia’s parks, sporting events and incredible music scene, life at Jefferson includes time and space to live. As an international graduate student, you’ll also make friends through our Welcome Month events, complete with informal outings, coffee breaks and more.

Explore Graduate Student Life at Jefferson
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See the Liberty Bell or tour Independence Hall. Explore art and science at world-class museums like The Barnes Foundation or The Academy of Natural Sciences. Our hometown is not only rich with history and culture, it’s also a great place to live. One of the most walkable cities in the U.S., Philadelphia has a robust public transportation network, easily accessible from our campuses. With a low cost of living and job-market growth above 10 percent, Philadelphia is a fantastic place to be.

Campus Philly
Visit Philly & Uwishunu

On-campus graduate student housing is not available at our Jefferson - East Falls Campus. International students are encouraged to learn more about off-campus housing options. Many affordable and convenient options are located close to our campus in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia.

University housing is available to graduate students studying on our Jefferson - Center City Campus. Jefferson offers a variety of on-campus options ranging from traditional dorm-style to apartment-style housing. Students studying in Center City may also opt to live off-campus.

Admitted International Students

Once a student receives an offer of admission and confirms their intent to enroll at Jefferson, our international team will invite them to join an International Services Portal where they can submit all of their required documentation and manage the process to secure their needed I-20 or DS-2019 for Visa purposes.

Our international offices work with all University departments and individuals to facilitate exchange and to offer orientation to international visitors.

F-1 or J-1 students are supported by appropriate offices after they have been admitted to an academic program at the University. Permanent Residents in the U.S. are considered to be immigrants with employment authorization incidental to their immigration status and therefore, do not need any additional documents from our office to work or study at Jefferson.

New International Student Orientations are held each year prior to the start of a student's first semester.

Office of International Services