International Students
Thank you for your interest in IDEA! We are a consortium of 20 renowned public universities from across the United States, offering online master’s and bachelor’s degree and certificate programs in a range of in-demand human sciences and agriculture topics. Each of our member universities holds regional accreditation, ensuring you receive a high-quality online education.
Anytime, Anywhere Online Learning
Achieve your personal and professional goals through convenient, high-quality online coursework you can complete anytime, anywhere. All courses are offered entirely online, fitting seamlessly within your schedule.
Through this online format, your professors provide access to endless academic resources, deepening your understanding of course concepts, and strengthening your ability to conduct research and utilize the wealth of information available to you to advance your career.
"I was approaching my third year volunteering in West Africa when I decided to find a degree program that would allow me to continue my work supporting children overseas. IDEA has been perfect! Learning online has allowed me to focus on the children I foster and my family while providing information that supports my work in child development and helping me care for children better. The incredible faculty have been flexible about the environmental challenges I face with unstable electricity, network, and time differences."
Jennifer Theriac, Early Care & Education Graduate
Find Your Program & Choose Your University
Learn what to expect and how you can benefit from an online degree or certificate through IDEA.
Once you’ve determined which program is right for you, you need to choose which university you’d like to call home. You’ll find a list of participating universities on the program’s webpage. That list will connect you to each university so you can learn more about how the program is facilitated there.
"As a non-traditional college student in my early 50s, living and working in the Pacific Island of Guam, choosing the right program for graduate studies was very important to me. The process of selecting the right program was intentional – it had to offer a diverse student population, professors with real-life experiences, a safe space to share cultural perspectives, and a curriculum that offered classes that were aligned with students’ educational and professional goals. The IDEA program met and exceeded all my expectations... IDEA was definitely the right program for me!"
Reuel C. Drilon, Gerontology & Aging Studies Master's Graduate
Application Requirements
You apply for admission at one university, which becomes your home university. Most universities require you to complete an application, pay a fee, and submit transcripts of previous college credits. Additional requirements may include GRE scores, a resume, a statement of objectives, and letters of recommendation.
We recommend that you apply at least six to eight weeks in advance if at all possible in order to have plenty of time to complete the admissions process.
Applicants From Outside the U.S.
At many universities, the application process will look mostly the same for everyone, but applicants from outside the U.S. sometimes have a few additional requirements. IDEA member universities each have their own application process and expectations for international students. Visit our Directory of Application Information to access links to international admissions websites at member universities.
If you have trouble finding the information you’re looking for, contact the campus coordinator at the university where you wish to apply.
Degree Equivalency
In the U.S. educational system, bachelor's degree recipients have 16 years of formal education — 12 years of elementary and secondary education plus four years of post-secondary study — which qualify them for admission to advanced degree programs. This is the benchmark most of our member universities use to evaluate foreign educational systems. The international admissions office at each university can provide more information.
Find the INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS OFFICE
U.S. Visa Eligibility
Acceptance into an online bachelor’s or master’s degree program does not necessarily make you eligible for an F1 Visa (this is the visa for international students enrolled in U.S. college).
If you plan to take online courses from your home country, you do not have to follow the university’s immigration criteria. However, if you are an international student living in the U.S. and would like to take online courses you must comply with the university’s visa criteria.
All courses are taught online so you will not need to travel to the university campus. You may choose to travel to campus for the optional graduation ceremony.
English Language Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to U.S. universities who are non-native speakers of English must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement for admission at the university they wish to attend. Our member university requirements will differ, and we encourage you to visit our Directory of Application Information to access links to the international admissions websites at member universities.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Funding for an advanced degree typically comes from one or more of the following sources - personal or family sources, a government sponsorship from the student’s home country, or scholarships.
Your home university likely has scholarship resources on their international student's website, or your campus coordinator can also direct you to scholarship information at your home university. We have numerous resources and tips.
Built on a Mission for Collaboration
There are many online degree programs available in the higher education marketplace today. However, IDEA stands out in the field with our foundation of academic and resource collaboration across all member institutions, staff, and faculty. It’s like choosing four or five universities rather than just one.
