Graduate Program Directors
Welcome Information for all International Graduate Students
Contacts:
IMMIGRATION CHECK-IN
All new F-1 and J-1 international students are required to complete the International Student Immigration Check-in process upon arrival in the United States.
Step One: Student must complete the OISS Student Visa D2L Course
- F-1 Students: Enroll in the F-1 Student Visa Basics course, J-1 Students: Enroll in the J-1 Student Visa Basics course
- Review modules, complete course quiz & score at least 80%
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Download and save the course completion certificate
Step Two: Arrive in the U.S.
- Carefully follow the step-by-step Check-In Instructions to complete the International Student Immigration Check-in e-Form online.
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An OISS advisor will review the submission and will follow up via email.
Social Security Process
Students who will work for MSU must obtain a Social Security Number. The required steps to obtain this number can be found at the OISS Social Security Number webpage.
F-1 Students must wait 72 hours after completing their immigration check-in before requesting their SSN Endorsement letters.
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENT RESOURCES AND WELCOME EVENTS
- Online Pre-Departure Orientation Program
- OISS will enroll new students in an orientation D2L course
- Modules in the course contain information about entering the US, life at MSU and resources for new students for their transition to East Lansing.
- International students should be automatically enrolled in this D2L course as soon as they have their MSU NetID. If you are not, please e-mail Clara Graucob at graucobc@msu.edu.
- Monthly Webinars Pre-Departure to East Lansing
- June – International Graduate Student Life Panel
- July – Traveling to the US and US Customs and entry
- OISS Welcome Weekly Newsletter
- OISS will send a weekly update to your MSU e-mail with resources, important deadlines and reminders as well as helpful information
- OISS In-Person Orientation and Welcome (watch your MSU e-mail for more information and to RSVP)
- Monday, August 21st
- International Student Welcome from OISS and MSU Leadership
- Kellogg Center, 1:30 p.m.
- Meet your OISS Advisor
- Various campus locations, 3:00 p.m.
- International Graduate Student Coffee Hour
- People’s Park, 4:00 p.m.
- International Student Welcome from OISS and MSU Leadership
- Tuesday, August 22nd
- International Student Resource Fair
- People’s Park, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
- International Student Sports Night with Campus Recreation
- IM West, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
- International Student Resource Fair
- Wednesday, August 23rd
- International Students Engage with MSU Campus
- Various campus locations, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
- International Graduate Student Reception with the Graduate School
- Erickson Kiva, 5:00 p.m.
- International Spartan Ice Cream Social
- People’s Park, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
- International Students Engage with MSU Campus
- Monday, August 21st
- OISS will enroll new students in an orientation D2L course
GRADUATE STUDENT WELCOMING & RESOURCE FAIR (sponsored by The Graduate School)
Graduate Student Welcoming & Resource Fair webpage
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August 26, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., MSU UNION
- COGS Fall Welcome Celebration (sponsored by Council of Graduate Students (COGS))
- August 26, 2023 – 12:00 – 3:00 p.m., BENEFACTORS PLAZA
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Food, Games, Giveaways, tables & resources – fun for the whole family!
- Graduate School Workshops
- August 28, 2023, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Paving Your Own Pathway for Professional Success
- August 29, 2023, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Wellbeing & Graduate School: The Key to Your Success
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August 30, 2023, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Setting Expectations in Graduate Education
Helpful information for incoming international graduate students can also be found on the OISS Orientation Overview webpage.
More useful information while settling in at MSU and in East Lansing can be found on the iTeach: Resources for New Spartans webpage.
REQUIRED GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT PREPARATION (GTAP) AUGUST 16, 23, and 25, 2023
The 2023-24 GTA Preparation D2L Course will be available on August 1, 2023, for self-enrollment. All who have registered by July 30, 2023, will receive detailed information about all components
- NEW GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT INSTITUTE (Virtual via Zoom)
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August 16, 2023, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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- PEDAGOGY WORKSHOPS FOR ANY GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT
Location: STEM TEACHING LEARNING FACILITY (642 Cedar Rd); Parking in Lot 79
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August 23, 2023, 8:30 AM (Check-In) – 4:30 PM (INCLUDES LUNCH)
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- INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT ORIENTATION
Location: STEM TEACHING LEARNING FACILITY (642 Cedar Rd); Parking in Lot 79
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- August 25, 2023, 8:30 AM (Check-In) – 1:30 PM (INCLUDES LUNCH)
For more information about Graduate School Teaching Professional Development and the Graduate Teaching Assistant Program and to register, please see the Graduate Teaching Assistant Program webpage.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTER
ELC TESTING OFFICE
The MSU Speaking Test is used to determine whether graduate students who have demonstrated English proficiency as a condition for regular admission to Michigan State University also meet MSU’s speaking proficiency requirement for teaching assistants.
- MSU SPEAKING TEST REGISTRATION BEGINS 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE TEST DATE
- SEE THIS LINK FOR DATES THROUGH 2023
INTERNATIONAL TEACHING ASSISTANT (ITA) PROGRAM
- Provides support courses AAE 451, 452, and 453 for international teaching assistants.
- Visit the ELC International Teaching Assisstant Program webpage for additional information about how to register for a class for Fall or Spring semester or contact ITAprogram@elc.msu.edu.