Fall 2024 Welcome Information for all International Graduate Students

 

Contacts

Office for International Students and Scholars: oiss@msu.edu

MSU Graduate School: GradSchool@grd.msu.edu

Graduate Teaching Assistant Program: GRADTeaching@grd.msu.edu

English Language Center Testing Office: testing@elc.msu.edu

International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Program: ITAProgram@elc.msu.edu

 

 

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

  1. F-1 Students: Enroll in this course, J-1 Students: Enroll in this course
  2. Review modules, complete course quiz & score at least 80%
  3. Download and save the course completion certificate

Step Two: Arrive in the U.S.  

  1. Carefully follow the step-by-step Check-In Instructions to complete the International Student Immigration Check-in e-Form online.
  2. 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 on the Social Security Number page on the OISS website.

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 OISS at oisslive@msu.edu
      • Monthly Webinars Pre-Departure to East Lansing
      • OISS Welcome Weekly Newsletter
        • OISS will send updates to your MSU e-mail with resources, important deadlines and reminders as well as helpful information
      • OISS In-Person Orientation and Welcome: Events to help you adjust to campus and meet other new international students (watch your MSU e-mail for more information and to RSVP)
        • Monday, August 19
        • Tuesday, August 20
        • Wednesday, August 21

Helpful information for incoming international graduate students can also be found at  https://oiss.isp.msu.edu/pre-arrival-orientation/orientation-overview/

More useful information while settling in at MSU and in East Lansing can be found at https://iteach.msu.edu/pathways/205/playlist

INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT INFORMATION SESSION

July 12, 2024, 9 – 10:30 am (EST)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://msu.zoom.us/j/732599810

  Meeting ID: 732 599 810
  Passcode: GREAT

REQUIRED GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT PREPARATION (GTAP) AUGUST 16, 21, and 22, 2024 

The 2024-25 GTA Preparation D2L Course will be available on August 1, 2024, for self-enrollment. All who have registered by July 30, 2024, will receive detailed information about all components.

  •  NEW GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT INSTITUTE (Virtual via Zoom)
    • August 16, 2024, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (EST)
  • INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT ORIENTATION
    • Location: STEM TEACHING LEARNING FACILITY (642 Cedar Rd); Parking in Lot 79
    • August 21, 2024, 8:00 AM (EST) (Check-In) – 2:30 PM (INCLUDES LUNCH)
  • PEDAGOGY WORKSHOPS FOR ANY GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT
    • Location: STEM TEACHING LEARNING FACILITY (642 Cedar Rd); Parking in Lot 79
    • August 22, 2024, 8:00 AM (EST) (Check-In) – 4:00 PM (INCLUDES LUNCH)

GRADUATE STUDENT WELCOMING & RESOURCE FAIR (sponsored by The Graduate School) 

https://grad.msu.edu/graduate-student-welcoming

  • August 24, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, MSU UNION
  • COGS Fall Welcome Celebration (sponsored by Council of Graduate Students (COGS))
    • August 24, 2024 – 12:00 – 3:00 PM, BENEFACTORS PLAZA
    • Food, Games, Giveaways, tables & resources – fun for the whole family!
  • Graduate School Professional Development Workshops TBD

For more information about Graduate School Teaching Professional Development and the Graduate Teaching Assistant Program and to register, please see the GTAP 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.

INTERNATIONAL TEACHING ASSISTANT (ITA) PROGRAM

The ITA Program helps prepare international graduate students with English as an additional language to function effectively as teaching assistants in their departments.  The program facilitates an understanding of the cultural norms of the American educational context as well as the English language skills necessary for effective classroom communication.

  • The ITA Program offers the following courses for students with an MSU Speaking Test score of 40 or 45: