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ADMISSIONS

Texas A&M International University is an equal opportunity educational institution. In compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 11246, Texas A&M International University is open to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam Era who are otherwise eligible for admission as students.

For more information on admission requirements, please refer to Undergraduate and Graduate admissions information section of the catalog.

Admission Deadlines 

The deadlines below are applicable to the semester of entry:

Undergraduate Applicants

U. S. Students' Deadlines:
Fall Semester July 1st
Spring Semester November 1st
Summer Session I April 1st
Summer Session II May 1st
International Students' Deadlines:
Fall Semester June 1st
Spring Semester October 1st
Summer Session I March 1st
Summer Session II April 1st

A first-time freshman or transfer applicant who is planning to enter Texas A&M International University must submit all required documents to:

Office of Admissions
Texas A&M International University
Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center 129
5201 University Boulevard
Laredo, Texas 78041-1900
Phone: 956.326.2200
Fax: 956.326.2199
email: adms@tamiu.edu

A graduate applicant who is planning to enter Texas A&M International University must submit all required documents to:

Graduate School
Texas A&M International University
Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center 223
5201 University Boulevard
Laredo, Texas 78041-1900
Phone: 956.326.3020
Fax: 956.326.3021
email: graduatestudies@tamiu.edu

Applications will not be processed for a specific semester after the official University census date: University's twelfth (12th) class day for the long semesters and the fourth (4th) class day for the summer sessions.

Applicants may apply for admission through the electronic state-wide application at: http://www.goapplytexas.org.

All questions on the application for admission must be answered fully. Failure to answer all questions correctly and completely is grounds for rejection of application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, cancellation of enrollment, or appropriate disciplinary action. The application for admission requests that an applicant provide a Social Security Number (SSN). However, a Student System Identification number (TAMIU ID) will be assigned to each student and will be used solely for identifying all records concerning that student except in state and federal reporting.

All required official transcript(s) from college/university or high school must be requested from each individual institution attended. Official transcripts must be certified by a school official, have the school seal, and be sent in a sealed envelope by the institution directly to the Office of Admissions or the Graduate School. International students need foreign official transcript(s) to be translated to English. Failure to list on the application form all institutions attended and to submit official transcripts required is grounds for rejection of application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, cancellation of enrollment, or appropriate disciplinary action.

All required test scores must be mailed directly from the testing service. SAT, ACT and STAAR/EOC scores may be reported on an official high school transcript. Some test scores are only valid for a certain period of time; for more information, verify guidelines stated on specific test scores in the section for Student Enrollment

Incoming freshmen or transfer students pursuing a degree in nursing, music or seeking teacher certification are required to apply for program admission to their desired program. The Office of Admissions only grants admission to the university, and not to a specific program.

Admission Requirement for Entering Freshman

A person having earned a high school diploma, GED, or who is in the process of completing the high school credits within two (2) semesters is considered an entering freshman. To be admitted as an entering freshman, an applicant must meet the submit the following (if required):

  1. The application for Undergraduate Admission.
  2. Official High School Transcript showing rank in class or Official GED passing scores. Final acceptance will be granted upon submission of official transcript showing the official date of graduation and completion of high school credits. Official transcript must be sent directly from the institution attended.
  3. Official college/university transcript(s) from institutions other than Texas A&M International University must be sent directly from each institution attended, if any college credit has been earned while the applicant is still in high school. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 is required.
  4. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT) scores.
  1. HS Class Rank SAT Score (Minimum) ACT Score (Minimum)
    Top 40% Test Optional Test Optional
    Lower 60%, GED, Home School, Non-ranking high school Redesigned SAT Total: 980 SAT test date prior to March 2016: 900 (Critical Reading and Math only) 19
    Provisional Redesigned SAT Total: 920 SAT test date prior to March 2016: 840 (Critical Reading and Math only) 17
  2. One of the following language examinations is required for English Proficiency*:
Language Proficiency Requirement Score
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Minimum score of 69 ibtTOEFL or 523 Paper-based
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Minimum score of 5.5
Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic) Minimum score of 47
Duolingo English Test Minimum score of 100

Test scores must be sent directly from the testing service and dated within two (2) years of enrollment.

* Language proficiency exemptions are listed in the International student admission section. 

State of Texas Uniform Admission Standards

Texas Education Code 51.803-51.809 (Uniform Admission Standards), requires that all students meet one of the following college readiness standards to be eligible for consideration for admission at a Texas Four-Year Public Institution.       

  • Successfully complete the recommended or advanced (distinguished) high school program or complete the portion of the program that was available to them; or
  • Successfully complete a curriculum that is equivalent in content and rigor to the recommended or advanced (distinguished) high school program at a high school that is exempt from offering such programs; or
  • Satisfy the College Readiness Benchmarks on the SAT or ACT assessment:
    • SAT – 1500 out of 2400
    • ACT – 18 English, 21 Reading, 22 Math and 24 Science

Student Curriculum Information and Academic Records

Texas public schools are to provide the curriculum information on the student’s academic record (transcript) no later than the completion of their junior year. Students graduating from private high schools in Texas can be documented by the students’ high school using one of the following forms available at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website:

Note: International students must also complete requirements listed under International Student Admission in this section.

All students must meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements before enrollment. See Texas Success Initiative in the section titled Student Enrollment

Transfer Student Admission

A student entering Texas A&M International University as a transfer freshman (24-29 hours), sophomore (30 to 59 hours), junior (60 to 89 hours), or senior (90 or more hours) level from a college or university is considered a transfer student. Those students who wish to transfer with less than 24 earned semester credit hours must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and must also satisfy the regular freshman entry requirements. Information regarding lower-level course equivalents may be found in Appendix D.

For admission to the university as a transfer student, an applicant must submit the following information to the Office of Admissions. Additional program-specific requirements may apply, and details can be found in the respective college sections of the university catalog.

  1. The application for Undergraduate Admission.
  2. Official college/university transcript(s) from institutions other than Texas A&M International University must be sent directly from each institution attended. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 is required. Even though a grade below "C" will be calculated into the grade point average, it may not satisfy degree requirements.
  3. One of the following language examinations is required for English Proficiency*:
Language Proficiency Requirement Score
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Minimum score of 69 ibtTOEFL or 523 Paper-based
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Minimum score of 5.5
Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic) Minimum score of 47
Duolingo English Test Minimum score of 100
  • Test scores must be sent directly from the testing service and dated within two (2) years of enrollment.
  • Language proficiency exemptions are listed in the International Student Admission section.
  • International students must also complete requirements listed under International Student Admission section.
  • All students must meet TSI requirements before enrollment. See Texas Success Initiative in the section titled Student Enrollment.

Transfer Curricula and Resolution of Transfer Disputes for Lower-level Courses:

  1. The transfer curricula shall be as prescribed by the current issue of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's guide to transfer curricula and transfer of credit.
  2. The following procedures shall be followed by public institutions of higher education in the resolution of transfer disputes involving lower-level courses:
  • If an institution of higher education does not accept course credit earned by a student at another institution of higher education, that institution shall give written notice to the student and the other institution that the transfer of the course credit is denied.
  • The two institutions and the student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules and/or guidelines.

Special Non-Degree Student (Transient) Admission

A person who is earning university credits which are not applicable to a degree at Texas A&M International University is considered a special non-degree student. It is the policy of this institution to allow any student to enroll in any course for enrichment or other purpose as long as the prerequisites are met or exceptions to these requirements are approved.

Students classified under this category are not entitled to claim the prerogative of graduating under the provisions of the catalog in force at the time of initial enrollment. Students may, on their own initiative, request at any time to be reclassified as a regular degree-seeking student. An updated application for admission with a written request for reclassification should be submitted to the Office of Admissions. The student will then become responsible for satisfying the requirements of the catalog in force at the time of the request or any subsequent catalog within the established five-year period of limitation. For additional information call the Office of Admissions at 956.326.2200.

To be admitted as a special non-degree transient student, an applicant must submit the following information to the Office of Admissions:

  1. Application for Undergraduate Admission.
  2. Official college/university transcript(s). Undergraduate students must submit an official transcript from the last institution attended. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 is required.
  3. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all students having academic studies from a country where English One of the following language examinations is required of all students having academic studies from a country where English is not the native language:
Language Proficiency Requirement Score
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Minimum score of 69 ibtTOEFL or 523 Paper-based
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Minimum score of 5.5
Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic) Minimum score of 47
Duolingo English Test Minimum score of 100

Test scores must be sent directly from the testing service and dated within two (2) years of enrollment.

* Language proficiency exemptions are listed in the International Student Admission section.

All students must meet TSI requirements before enrollment. See Texas Success Initiative in the section for Student Enrollment.

Readmission (Undergraduate)

A student who previously enrolled at Texas A&M International University as a first-time freshman or transfer applicant and returns after one academic year is considered a readmit/returning student.

For readmission to the university, an applicant must submit the following information to the Office of Admissions. Additional program-specific requirements may apply, and details can be found in the respective college sections of the university catalog.

  1. The application for Undergraduate Admission.
  2. Official college/university transcript(s) from institutions attended after enrollment at Texas A&M International University must be sent directly from each institution attended. A minimum TAMIU institutional grade point average of 2.0 and an overall grade point average of 2.0 is required. Even though a grade below "C" will be calculated into the grade point average, it may not satisfy degree requirements.

Academic Probation and Provisional Admission

Freshmen applicants graduating below the top 40% are granted provisional admission for a single semester with a minimum of 920 Redesigned SAT total (840 total on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections for test taken prior to March 2016) or a minimum of 17 composite on the ACT. The applicant may also petition to have their academic credentials reviewed by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee for a single semester conditional admission. The required documentation, including the Applicant Review form, must be submitted to the Office of Admissions no later than two weeks prior to the start of the semester. The review form may be obtained at the Office of Admissions or online.  The committee reserves the right to place other requirements as deemed necessary.

Applicants granted admission will be placed on provisional status and allowed to enroll for one semester. During the first semester of enrollment, students must complete the semester with at least 2.0 grade point average (excluding grades obtained with credit by exams and including developmental courses).

Students that earn below an institutional cumulative 2.0 GPA (including developmental courses) the first semester will be placed on academic suspension.

Transfer or returning undergraduate applicants with an overall grade point average below 2.0 from all colleges or universities attended may petition to have their academic credentials reviewed by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee for a single semester conditional admission. The required documentation, including the Applicant Review form, must be submitted to the Office of Admissions no later than two weeks prior to the start of the semester. The review form may be obtained at the Office of Admissions or online. The committee reserves the right to place other requirements as deemed necessary.

Applicants granted admission will be placed on probationary status and allowed to enroll for one semester. Students must earn at least a 2.0 semester grade point average (GPA) by the end of the first semester. Students will be removed from probation when the institutional cumulative GPA is greater than or equal to 2.0. Students that earn below an institutional cumulative 2.0 GPA (including developmental courses) the first semester or combined summer sessions will be placed on academic suspension.

Academic Fresh Start 

Senate Bill 1321, passed by the 73rd Texas Legislature, entitles State of Texas residents to seek admission to public institutions of higher education without consideration of courses undertaken ten or more years prior to enrollment. This bill has been called the “Right to an Academic Fresh Start” and it gives students the option of electing to have the coursework taken ten years or more prior to the starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll either counted as usual or ignored for admission purposes. Applicants who elect to apply for admission under this law and who are admitted as students may not receive ANY COURSE CREDIT FOR ANY COURSES taken ten-years or more prior to enrollment.

Students with three or more semester credit hours awarded prior to Fall 1989, are exempt from the Texas Success Initiative regardless of election of academic Fresh Start.

The intent of Fresh Start legislation is to provide students with an opportunity to clear their academic records, if they choose to do so, of all college-level work accumulated ten or more years ago. This opportunity is not automatic and must be requested in writing to the Office of the University Registrar.

Enrollment at Texas A&M International at Another Institution 

Any student pursuing a degree at Texas A&M International University may elect to be enrolled at another college or university and transfer the coursework back to A&M International. The Office of the University Registrar should be notified of the concurrent/dual enrollment to monitor compliance of degree progress. Courses listed in the Texas Common Course Numbering Equivalency Chart will transfer in when the student requests an official transcript from the other institution at the completion of the semester.

International Student Admission 

A person who is not a citizen or Permanent Resident Alien of the United States, or when having academic studies from a country where English is not the native language is considered an International Student.

To be admitted as an International Student, an applicant must submit all the required documentation according to the student's classification. (Refer to the ENTERING FRESHMEN ADMISSION or TRANSFER STUDENT ADMISSION section for this information). All international documents must be translated to English and submitted by the published deadline. Incoming first-time freshmen and transfer students must submit the documentation to the Office of Admissions. In addition, international applicants must submit the following:

1.    Proof of English Proficiency.

Language Proficiency Requirement Score
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Minimum score of 69 ibtTOEFL or 523 Paper-based
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Minimum score of 5.5
Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic) Minimum score of 47
Duolingo English Test Minimum score of 100

Test scores must be sent directly from the testing service and dated within two (2) years of enrollment.

English Proficiency Exemptions for undergraduate applicants:

  • ACT English score of 20 or higher OR
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 520 or higher OR
  • One year of full-time academic studies (does not include developmental or ESL courses) at an accredited U. S. College or University with satisfactory grades OR
  • U. S. High School graduate who completed all high school requirements satisfactorily within 10 years of enrollment OR
  • When English is the official spoken language of the applicant's country OR
  • Completion of level six with a grade of B or better from the International Language Institute at A&M International University, or from the Texas Intensive English Program (TIEP) affiliated with any of the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) member institutions OR
  • Applicants from the following countries do not need to submit a TOEFL score:
  • American Samoa
  • Ireland
  • Australia
  • Jamaica
  • Bahamas
  • Liberia
  • Barbados
  • New Zealand
  • Belize
  • Guyana
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Sierra Leone
  • Dominica
  • Trinidad/Tobago
  • Grenada
  • United Kingdom
  • Grand Cayman
  • U.S. Pacific Trust

2.   Financial Requirements:  SEVIS federal regulations 22 CFR 41.61(b)(1)(ii) and 9 FAM 402.5-5(G)(4) requires students to demonstrate proof of sufficient funds and a sponsor letter (if applicable) in order to qualify for an I-20 from TAMIU:

  • A completed Financial Statement Form. This form requires official certification of sources of funds from the student. If sponsor(s) are unable to sign the financial statement form, a sponsor letter will be accepted. 
  • A Bank Affidavit or bank statement certifying the sponsor to have sufficient funds indicated on the Financial Statement Form and dated within six months of the first enrollment according to the dates listed below:
Fall January 1 or later
Spring May 1 or later
Summer I and IIINew Row October 1 or later
Summer II November 1 or later

Upon completion of the application process, successful applicants will be issued an I-20. Students with an F-1 Student Visa are required to enroll full-time at Texas A&M International University. International Students are required to report any change in status immediately to the University Foreign Student Advisor located in the International Experiences department. For more information regarding student visa requirements, please contact International Experiences by phone at (956) 326-2282 or by email at international@tamiu.edu.

Immigration documents such as passport, I-94 and I-20 ID or DS-2019 must be carried at all times. This is in compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, December 24, 1952, Section 264(e).

3.   Medical Insurance Coverage: TAMU System Policy 26.99.01 requires that an international student under an F or J visa have health insurance coverage. For additional information regarding the medical insurance coverage requirement and waivers, please contact the Office of International Experiences by phone at (956) 326-2282, by email at international@tamiu.edu, or visit the office located in Student Center room 124.

Residency for Tuition Purposes

All students who are U.S. Citizens, Permanent Resident Aliens, or persons permitted by the Government of the United States to domicile in the U.S, and who have established a domicile in Texas, are eligible to pay in-state tuition if they meet all requirements as set forth in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's official publication, "Rules and Regulations-Residency Status." This publication may be obtained from the Residency Determining Officer(s) for the University at the Office of Admissions and the Graduate School. Information on these rules and regulations is also available at the THECB website at https://www.highered.texas.gov/.

Reclassification for Residency for Tuition Purposes

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's official publication, "Rules and Regulations-Residency Status" delineates certain instances where certain non-resident students can be allowed pay in-state tuition. Information on these rules and regulations is also available at the THECB website at https://www.highered.texas.gov/. Approval for reclassification of an enrolled student from non-resident to resident, or from resident to non-resident will be considered upon review of any proof presented to the Residency Determining Officer(s) which substantiates the need for the change. To receive approval the student must submit the proper documentation to the Office of Admissions or the Graduate School.

Other Exemptions

Other exemptions have been approved by the State Legislature in recent years. Please visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's web site at https://www.highered.texas.gov/ to find out about specific visas or early eligibility exemptions. For more detailed information on these exemptions or waivers call the Residency Determining Officer(s) at the Office of Admissions at (956) 326-2200 or the Graduate School at (956) 326-3020.