STEM Designated Degrees

What is STEM?

Department of Homeland Security maintains a complete list of fields that fall within the regulatory definition of “STEM field” that qualifies certain degrees to fulfill the extension requirement. This list is known as the STEM Designated Degree Program list. The Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) taxonomy system serves as the basis for the STEM OPT extension. Know more about the STEM program here.

The Graduate School at Wichita State University offers several STEM Designated Degree Programs and concentrations. In general, STEM programs will include fields involving research, innovation and/or development of new technologies using engineering, mathematics, natural sciences or computer science. Check out the STEM Programs that are being offered here:-

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Business Analytics
  • Chemistry
  • Computing
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Earth, Environmental, and Physical Science
  • Economics and Quantitative Analysis
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Engineering Management
  • Exercise Science
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Innovation Design
  • Management Science and Supply Chain Management
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematical Data Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Physics
Programs not eligible under F-1 Visa

Some programs are unable to meet the enrollment requirements necessary for F1 Visa eligibility.  International students who wish to study on an F1 Visa at Wichita State University should apply to one of our other programs.

  • Aging Studies*
  • Arts Leadership & Management*
  • Health Administration*
  • Human Resource Management*
  • Nursing
  • School Psychology
  • Special Education*
  • Sport Management
  • Teaching

*These programs may be completed online. 

Graduate Coordinator

The Graduate Coordinator is the primary faculty contact person when you have questions about the degree program or course. They can assist you in understanding why the program will be the correct one for you. There are a variety of reasons you may contact the Coordinator. Some of those include:

  • Students will be knowing the prerequisites and core requisites of the program well before the students start their program.
  • Students can talk to the program coordinator and get know about the various graduating options available.
  • Students can know about the credit system and the coordinator can also clarify the students about the process of registering for subjects.
  • Students can know about the technical and option electives which would be included in the coursework.

If you have a question, please contact your Coordinator by email.

SEVIS Fee Information

What is the SEVIS Fee?
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires people who want F-1 or J-1 visas to pay a one-time SEVIS Fee before applying for a visa. The SEVIS Fee for F-1 visas is $350. The SEVIS fee for J-1 visas is $220. This is in addition to the normal visa processing fee of US$160. The SEVIS fee helps to pay for SEVIS (Student and Exchange Information System) that U.S. schools use to issue I-20 forms.

How do I pay the SEVIS Fee?
The SEVIS Fee can be paid to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) online, by mail with a check or money order, or by Western Union. To pay your SEVIS Fee, you must have:

F-1 Visas:
School Code for Wichita State University: KAN214F00668000
SEVIS Identification Number: Located above the bar code on the right side of your I-20 starting with "N"

J-1 Visas:
Program Code: P-1-01549
SEVIS Identification Number: Located on your DS-2019

To pay your SEVIS Fee, please go to the following website for complete details: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html

When must I pay the SEVIS Fee?
The fee should be paid at least three business days before you apply for your visa, change of status, or reinstatement application.

Visa Tips

1. Apply Early!


2. Documents Required for a Visa Interview


3. During the Visa Interview

  • Most visa interviews are only about 3 minutes long.
  • During the interview, be honest, friendly, and organized.
  • You must convince the visa officer that you are not trying to immigrate to the U.S.
  • Be prepared to explain what companies in your country that you would like to work for after you finish your studies in the U.S. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER say that you would like to get permanent residency and remain in the U.S. after you graduate.
  • Visa officers often ask why you chose a specific major, why you chose to study at Wichita State, or why you chose to study in Wichita. You must be prepared to answer these questions.
    Information About Wichita State
    Information About Your Major
    Information About the City of Wichita


4. Reasons for Visa Denials

The most common reasons for visa denials are:

  1. The visa officer suspected the student of wanting to immigrate to the U.S. You must prove to the visa officer that you plan to return home after graduation. Examples of proof:
    * Owning a house or business in your country
    * Having a guaranteed job when you return home
    * Having a spouse, children, or close family at home
    * You will inherit property, a business, or assets in your country
    * Have admission to a major that will allow you to get a job when you return home. For example, if you major in Aerospace Engineering, an aerospace industry must exist in your country so that you can find a job after you graduate.
  2. You do not have enough money to study in the U.S.
  3. You did not bring all required documents with you to the U.S. Embassy for the interview.
  4. You lied about something on your visa application or during the visa interview.
  5. You failed a security background check (called "Administrative Processing)

5. Help! I Was Denied a Visa!

  • Visa Denial Help
  • If you are denied a visa and would like to try again, you may need to request readmission for a future term and get a new I-20.
  • No university in the U.S. can control the outcome of a visa application. We cannot require the embassy to grant you a visa or influence their decision in any way.
Pre Departure Information

COVID-19 Update:

International travelers are no longer required to to show proof of full vaccination prior to boarding their flight to the U.S. 

Pay Tuition and Fees:

Students are not required to pay their tuition and fees before coming to Wichita. Tuition, fees, and housing payments are charged on a semester-by-semester basis. Deadline for payment is usually two weeks after school starts. There are several options to make payment to the university:

  • Direct Deposit from U.S. Bank Account: After you open a bank account in the U.S., you can setup direct deposit from your U.S. bank account to your student account at WSU.
  • Electronic Bank Transfer: Wichita State University uses a payment platform called Flywire to process international payments via wire transfers. Please visit our website for details: http://www.wichita.flywire.com
  • Check, Bank Draft, Money Order, or Traveler’s Checks: If you bring a check or bank draft with you to Wichita, it is very important that the check be made payable to “Wichita State University” (and not to you). Your check should include the address of the bank in the U.S. for collections. If the check is made payable to you, you may not be able to use the money for 1-2 weeks after the check is deposited to your bank in the U.S. If your check is for an amount that exceeds what you owe, any extra amount will be applied to your next semester’s tuition and will not be refunded to you.

    NOTE: For any student who does not have an existing bank account or has been restricted to pay by personal check, for your convenience you can take your cash and get a cashier’s check at the Campus Credit Union (located next to the University Police Department). Let them know that the cashier’s check is for payment of your tuition, fees, or housing so that you will not be charged a fee.
  • Credit Card: If you use a credit card to pay for your tuition, fees, medical insurance, or housing, a nonrefundable 2.85% service fee will be added.
  • Debit Card - VISA, MasterCard: Payment is made online only by going to the Student Account Suite. To avoid the 2.85% fee (min $3) associated with credit card payments, we encourage you to pay using electronic check process by entering the bank routing and account number attached to the debit card. Debit card payments cannot be made to a cashier in the Accounts Receivable office.
  • Installment Payment Plan: This allows you to pay for your tuition and fees in smaller installments each semester. With this plan, you can make a nonrefundable payment of US$130 (which includes a US$30 administrative fee) before the payment deadline in each semester. After the initial payment of US$130, the balance will be split into three equal installments due on the 15th of each month. You can arrange the Payment Plan by logging into your WSU student account.  
  • International Payments Through Flywire:  WSU accepts international payments through Flywire.  This allows payers to make payments in local currency or in US dollars by credit card, bank transfer (wire transfer), and other payment options from over 100 countries. 

Know the cost of your education:

The cost listed on your I-20 is an estimate. Actual cost of tuition and fees will depend on your major and the number of classes you take. The amount you owe will be posted in your WSU student account.

Buy an airline ticket:

The Wichita airport is called Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (airport code ICT). If you are coming from a country outside of the U.S., you will have at least one connecting flight before arriving in Wichita. We suggest you allow for at least a 3-hour layover in your first arrival city in the U.S. so that you have sufficient time for immigration processing, customs inspection, and a required security check before your connecting flight leaves for Wichita.

Please refer to dates in the pre-departure information when you book your air tickets.  You must arrive to the United States by the start date on the I-20 or you risk being barred entry.  The Graduate School does not permit late arrival entry after that date.

* Note: If starting classes in January, the University is typically closed between December 24 through January 2.  You should not plan to arrive on these dates.

Our free airport pickup service is available from Wichita D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT). Fall 2024 free airport pick up is available from August 7 to 14, 2024. Please note: you will need to submit your pick up request at least 48 hours before arrival. 

If you arrive before the listed dates, there are many options of ground transportation at the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. You may choose to take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to the University, taxi fare is approximately US$30. For details of airport amenities and ground transportation options, please visit www.flywichita.com. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Fee Waivers:

The Graduate School does not provide application fee waivers. All applicants are required to pay the fee in order to have their application processed and reviewed.

Application Status:

You can check the status of your application in your application portal. We cannot give you an estimated time of when a final decision will be made, however when there is an update to your status, your portal will reflect that.

Application Materials:

Admission requirements are listed on the website for each graduate program. We ask that applicants not submit materials that are not required as it can hold up the application/review process.

Global Select Scholarship:

The Global Select scholarship is assessed once at the time of your admission. It is based on your GPA with the transcripts you provide at that time. IF you are awarded the scholarship, you will be notified by email. If you are not awarded the scholarship, you will not be notified.

Decisions:

Depending on the program you apply for and the volume of applicants, decisions can take a few days to a few months. It’s important to check your application portal for missing materials. When a decision is made on your application, you will receive an email to check your portal for the decision.

Changing Majors/Switching programs:

At the graduate level, you cannot simply notify us that you want to change your major. In order to get into a new program, you have to apply, submit the app fee, and be re-evaluated based on that programs admission requirements. Please be aware that the app fee amount is based on date and cannot be changed and certain programs have deadlines for application submission.

Conditions/Pre-requisites:

If you have certain conditions or pre-requisite courses listed in our admission letter, the expectation is that you clear those within your first semester to first year as a graduate student. These were assigned to you based on the review the program did of your transcripts/marksheets. They are to help prepare you for the rigor of the graduate program and make sure you are successful in higher level coursework. If you think you should not have been assigned certain pre-requisite courses, please reach out to your academic advisor listed in your admission letter.

English Proficiency:

It is mandatory for international applicants to provide an acceptable TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo score report for admission. We understand that many countries have English as an official language along with other languages that are native to that country. Many, if not most, of our foreign students are educated (at least at the college level) in English. However, we find that the experience of being educated in English vs. living in a country where the native language is English, to be very different. To ensure the success of our graduate students, we require demonstration of high level of proficiency in English. The only time the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo requirement is waived is when the applicant has graduated from a university located in the US/UK/Canadian/New Zealand, or Australia within the last 2 years. Testing English proficiency is not only to our benefit, but yours as well. It will help you measure your preparedness for reading, writing, and comprehending English at a level sufficient for a higher education setting. We want all of our students to be successful, and excellent English language skills are a key to that success.

Graduate Assistantships:

Financial assistance for graduate students usually comes in the form of an assistantship with the department. Assistantships provide a wage and, if you work enough hours, may entitle you to the much lower in-state tuition rate. Each department does its own hiring. You should contact the graduate coordinator of the department regarding assistantship opportunities, however Handshake is a great place to start looking. You can search and apply for on-campus employment via the Handshake website. Keep in mind that most departments will not consider a student for an assistantship until they have completed at least one semester of study at WSU. Assistantships are very competitive so there is no guarantee you will be given an assistantship.

Upon Arrival Information

WHEN YOU ARRIVE ON-CAMPUS

 All University offices are open Monday - Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. If you did not present official final transcripts and degree certification when you applied for admission, please bring your official final transcripts and degree certificate with you to Wichita. These need to be provided to the Graduate School so your admission can be finalized. This should be done by the end of the first week of classes. What you uploaded in your application portal is not considered official.

CHECK-IN

You will receive further email communication from the Office of International Education on how to schedule your check-in time approximately one month before the start of classes. You will not be allowed to enroll without completing the check-in process.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Graduate students may choose to live on campus in one of our apartment style residence halls: The Flats and The Suites. Information on these on-campus housing opportunities can be found at www.wichita.edu/housing .  Most graduate students prefer to live off campus. While the University cannot assist in finding these locations, International Education does provide information that can assist in locating housing within walking distance to the WSU campus. In addition to paying rent, students living off campus should also expect to pay for utilities (electric, water, gas), as well as internet and cable television, if desired). Expenses are estimated on the I-20 cost of attendance and may vary significantly, depending on where you chose to live. Remember that housing costs on the I-20 are only estimated for 9 months. Students staying in the U.S. all year should expect to contribute more to their cost of living expenses.

New students should not expect the University to have housing available upon arrival to Wichita. Many incoming students find the need to reserve a hotel room for a few days while coordinating housing upon arrival. Additionally, students may connect with international student organizations through social media to find accommodations.

Apartment Hunting?

The Wichita Apartment Guide is available online at: www.apartmentguide.com  

HEALTH MATTERS

 Insurance:

Wichita State University requires that all international students have medical insurance. The cost of medical care in the U.S. is very expensive so we want to make sure that you are covered by insurance in the event of illness, pregnancy, or serious injury. You will be automatically charged for medical insurance unless you can provide proof of medical insurance coverage from another provider that meets U.S. Affordable Care Act benefit requirements. For more details, please visit: 

Medical Insurance:  http://wichita.edu/MedicalInsurance 

Please bring your vaccination records with you to the U.S. If you need any vaccinations when you arrive, your student health insurance will cover them and you can get them at Student Health. We recommend that you take care of any existing medical or dental problems at home since student medical insurance does not cover routine dental work or eye examinations.

TB Testing: All new students are required to complete state-mandated TB testing prior to enrollment. All appointments are scheduled online by following the instructions on the provided link. University health insurance begins on August 1, 2022. Any services you receive prior to this date are not covered by insurance. If you plan on scheduling your tuberculosis test prior to this date you will need to pay the $80 fee at the time of the appointment.

Scheduling Instructions: https://www.wichita.edu/admissions/international/documents/Tuberculosis_Screening_Appointment.pdf

Location: https://g.page/SteveClarkYMCA?share 

OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT

After arriving in Wichita, you may open a bank account. We have popular banks nearby - Meritrust Credit Union at Braeburn Square on campus, and Bank of America has a branch next to our campus. All these banks have an ATM located in the Rhatigan Student Center.

In order to open an account, you will need to show the bank your passport, your I-20, and proof of your address in Wichita (such as your housing contract or apartment rental contract). You will receive an ATM card after opening an account so you can get cash quickly and easily.

ORIENTATION

We are excited you have chosen to attend WSU and we are here to support you. There’s a lot to love about being a part of Shocker Nation and it’s our mission to guide you in transitioning to life as a WSU student. New graduate student orientation is being held virtually. As a new graduate student, you will need to complete the online orientation. You will receive emails with directions prior to the start of the semester.

THE COST OF YOUR EDUCATION

You do not need to pay your tuition and fees before coming to Wichita. Estimated expenses for the term are listed on your I-20. Tuition and fees may vary depending upon the number of hours in which you enroll (minimum 9 credit hours) and the types of courses. Cost per credit hour does change periodically and the most current amount will be posted on the website (www.wichita.edu/tuition). Upon arrival in Wichita, you will be expected to pay your tuition and fees, housing, books, and medical insurance. You will not be allowed to attend classes or live in a University residence hall without making arrangements to pay all of the above items. An exact amount of tuition and/or expenses cannot be quoted to the student prior to arrival.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 

More than 700 graduate assistantships are awarded annually. These assistantships provide opportunities for teaching or research, a stipend, and benefits that may include tuition reduction and discounted health insurance. The actual dollar amount varies according to the employment length, number of hours worked per week, and the money available within the program area. Hiring for assistantships is handled by the individual departments. You should contact your academic advisor (listed on your admission letter) or the graduate coordinator of your area or program of interest. You are not restricted to working in the program to which you have been admitted. Please note: Assistantship offers for Master’s students prior to arrival on campus are rare. Most departments prefer the student complete at least one semester of study at WSU before being considered for a position. 

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Tuition and fees payments are charged on a semester-by-semester basis. Deadline for payment is usually two weeks after school starts. There are several options to make payment to the university:

Direct Deposit from U.S. Bank Account:
After you open a bank account in the U.S., you can setup direct deposit from your U.S. bank account to your student account at WSU.

Electronic Bank Transfer:

Wichita State University has partnered with Flywire to streamline the process of international wire transfers.  Please visit our website for more information: http://www.wichita.edu/pay

Cash, Check, Bank Draft, Money Order, or Traveler's Checks:

If you bring a check or bank draft with you to Wichita, it is very important that the check be made payable to “Wichita State University” (and not to you). Your check should include the address of the bank in the U.S. for collections. If the check is made payable to you, you may not be able to use the money for 1-2 weeks after the check is deposited to your bank in the U.S. If your check is for an amount that exceeds what you owe, any extra amount will be applied to your next semester’s tuition and will not be refunded to you.

Credit Card:
If you use a credit card to pay for your tuition, fees, medical insurance, or housing, a nonrefundable 2.85% service fee will be added.

Debit Card - VISA, MasterCard:
Payment is made online only by going to the Student Account Suite. To avoid the 2.85% fee (min $3) associated with credit card payments, we encourage you to pay using electronic check process by entering the bank routing and account number attached to the debit card. Debit card payments cannot be made to a cashier in the Accounts Receivable office.

Installment Payment Plan:

This allows you to pay for your tuition and fees in smaller installments each semester. With this plan, you can make a nonrefundable payment of US$130 (which includes a US$30 administrative fee) before the payment deadline in each semester. After the initial payment of US$130, the balance will be split into three equal installments due on the 15th of each month. You can arrange the Payment Plan by logging into your WSU student account.

Off Campus Housing

Most graduate students are choose to stay in off-campus housing because of the significant cost savings that comes with sharing a rented home.  The University is happy to provide a centralized place to start your search for an off-campus apartment or house.  Please visit

https://offcampushousing.wichita.edu/listing

Many communities which are located  within a radius of 1 mile around the campus:

  • 3 Community apartments on N Oliver Avenue.
  • 1 Community apartment on the 21st Street
  • 2 Community apartments on 17th Street beside the Garvey International Center.

There is a free shuttle service for all the Wichita state university students from Monday to Saturday in the timings that are being provided in the mobile application.  Communities further out may require other modes of transportation.