Murray State University: A Home For Exchange Students

Murray State University, a public university in Murray, Kentucky, offers exchange programs for international students. The application process for prospective exchange students at Murray State University involves submitting various documents, including proof of English language proficiency and financial statements. The university has a comprehensive checklist for exchange students, outlining the requirements for admission, housing, and other necessary arrangements. While the exact number of exchange students at the university is not readily available, Murray State University is home to a diverse student body, with 401 international students from 45 countries as of 2021. The university prioritizes student learning and excellent teaching, blending educational opportunities found at research institutions with the nurturing interactions typical of smaller universities.

Exchange student requirements

To become an exchange student at Murray State University, you must first be designated as an exchange student by your home university. Your home university must send confirmation of this via email to Bill McKibben at Murray State University. Once this has been received, you will need to provide the following documentation:

• The International Student Admission Application, which must be filled out and sent to Bill McKibben in the IIS Office. Exchange students are exempt from the usual $50 Murray State application fee.
• Official university transcript.
• Financial statement: you will need to show sufficient funds to cover housing, meals, and expenses. Bank statements should show a minimum of $14,500, although students are unlikely to spend this much. This is necessary to receive a visa.
• Proof of English language proficiency: the minimum requirements are an IELTS overall score of 6.0, a TOEFL overall score of 71, a GTEC overall score of 1190, a PTE overall score of 51, a Duolingo English Test overall score of 100 or higher, a TOEIC overall score of 790 or higher with 160 or higher speaking, a Kaplan English Certificate Advanced Level, admission to or completion of the ESL Program at Murray State University, or a British / Cambridge International Examinations: GCE, GCSE, IGCSE, AICE, HIGCSE certificate with five O-Level subject passes, or a level of B-2 or higher on the Cambridge English exam.
• Transcript Release Form.
• DS-2019 Information Form.
• Proof of Health Insurance: this can be purchased from Murray State University upon arrival for approximately $863 for one year's coverage. If you use insurance from your home country, it must meet certain requirements.

In addition to the above, you will also need to provide an updated CV/resume, a letter of intent outlining the purpose of your stay, and a completed DS-2019 Information Form. Once these have been received, Murray State University will send you an information packet with the appropriate visa documents for your interview.

Application process

To become an exchange student at Murray State University, you must first be designated as an exchange student by your home university. Your home university must send confirmation of this via email to Bill McKibben (bmckibben@murraystate.edu). Once this has been received, you will need to provide the following documentation:

• Murray State application for admission (sent to Bill McKibben in the IIS Office)
• Official university transcript
• Financial statement (showing funds totalling at least $14,500)
• Proof of English language proficiency (see below for details)
• Transcript Release Form
• DS-2019 Information Form
• Proof of Health Insurance

The deadlines for applications and documentation are 15 October for spring admission and the first week of May for fall admission.

English Language Proficiency Minimum Requirements:

• IELTS overall score of 6.0 (5.5 for full admission with condition)
• TOEFL overall score of 71 (61 for full admission with condition)
• GTEC overall score of 1190 (1100 for full admission with condition)
• PTE overall score of 51 (45 for full admission with condition)
• Duolingo English Test overall score of 100 or higher (90 for full admission with condition)
• TOEIC overall score of 790 or higher with 160 or higher speaking ( 700 with 140 or higher speaking for full admission with condition)
• Kaplan English Certificate Advanced Level (Higher Intermediate Level for full admission with condition)
• Admission to or Completion of the ESL Program at Murray State University
• British/Cambridge International Examinations: GCE, GCSE, IGCSE, AICE, HIGCSE certificate with five O-Level subject passes, or a level of B-2 or higher on the Cambridge English exam
• Completion of one semester of full-time university-level classes (minimum of 12 credit hours) with a 2.5 GPA or higher at an accredited US institution
• Graduation from a high school in the United States

Please note that students from the following countries are not required to submit English proficiency scores: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, British Islands, Cameroon (University of Buea and University of Bamenda), Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom.

Costs and scholarships

The costs of studying at Murray State University as an exchange student will depend on the type of degree you are pursuing. Here is a breakdown of the costs for each level of study:

Bachelor's Degree

For a bachelor's degree, the cost of attendance for one academic year is $28,948. This includes tuition and fees ($15,036), housing and meals ($11,680), and incidental expenses such as books and insurance ($2,232). It is important to note that exchange students are exempt from the $50 Murray State application fee.

Master's Degree

The cost of attendance for a master's degree for one academic year is $16,870. This includes tuition ($7,122), housing and meals ($7,516), and incidental expenses ($2,232). Master's degrees typically require 30 to 36 credit hours to complete, and the cost per credit can vary depending on the specific program.

Doctoral Degree

For a doctoral degree, the cost of attendance for one academic year is $17,476. This includes tuition ($7,728), housing and meals ($7,516), and incidental expenses ($2,232).

Scholarships

Murray State University offers a range of scholarship opportunities for international exchange students to help offset these costs. Here are some of the scholarships available:

• International Leadership Scholarships: $1,000 scholarships awarded to bachelor's and master's students who demonstrate leadership and a passion for advancing inter-cultural learning at the university.
• Partner University Scholarships: $2,000 per year awarded to all admitted undergraduate students from partner universities.
• Transfer Scholarships: Non-refundable scholarships for first-time transfer students enrolling full-time, which can be applied to direct costs such as tuition, housing, meals, or textbook charges.
• Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: Awarded for two years or until a bachelor's degree is received, this scholarship is for members of Phi Theta Kappa.
• Non-traditional Student Scholarships: Scholarships for non-traditional students with a deadline of June 1.
• Competitive Scholarships: Awarded based on merit and need, with a deadline of February 5, 2024.

It is important to note that all undergraduate students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be eligible for any university scholarships and/or discounts. Additionally, students must provide proof of financial support and sufficient funds to cover their expenses while studying at the university.

Student life

Murray State University (MSU) is a public university in Murray, Kentucky, with a rural setting and a campus size of 253 acres. The student body is 63% female and 37% male, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,111 as of Fall 2023. The university has a diverse student population, with students from 53 countries, 49 states, and 111 counties in Kentucky represented. The average undergraduate class size is 18, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15.5 to 1.

MSU offers a range of housing options for its students, including apartments for married students, single apartments, and special housing for disabled students. As of Fall 2012, 2,831 students lived on campus. The university was the first public university in the US to adopt a successful campus-wide residential college program, with eight residential colleges on campus. All faculty, staff, and students, even those living off-campus, are assigned to one of these residential colleges and remain members throughout their time at the university.

The university has a six-year graduation rate of 62% and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The fields with the highest enrollment include Animal Health Technology, Agricultural Science, Business Administration, and Occupational Safety and Health. The university also offers a range of extracurricular activities, including Greek life, with 26 chapters of social and professional Greek organizations on campus. The Student Government Association (SGA) governs all students and student organizations, promoting the welfare, growth, and development of student life.

MSU also has a variety of sports and recreation facilities, with the majority located on the northernmost edge of the campus. The Roy Stewart Stadium, home to the Murray State Racers football program, seats 16,800 and includes the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range. The CFSB Center, completed in 1998, is home to the men's and women's basketball teams, while the Susan E. Bauernfeind Student Recreation and Wellness Center offers a swimming pool, racquetball courts, a jogging track, and more.

University history

Murray State University (MSU) is a public university in Murray, Kentucky, with a rural setting and a campus size of 253 acres. The university was founded in 1922 after the passage of Senate Bill 14 by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which created two normal schools to address the demand for professional teachers. Murray was chosen as the site for the western normal school, while Morehead was selected for the eastern school.

The first president of the Murray State Normal School was John Wesley Carr, elected by the State Board of Education. However, there was a dispute with the Normal School Commission, who believed they had the authority to elect the president and selected Rainey Wells. Eventually, on May 15, 1923, the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled in favour of the State Board of Education, and Carr became the first president. The school opened on September 24, 1923, and the first building on the MSU campus, the Administrative Building (later Wrather Hall), was constructed in 1924. The building housed classrooms, offices, a dining hall, and a chapel. All students lived at home or boarded with local families until the first dormitory, Wells Hall, was built in 1925.

In 1926, Rainey T. Wells became the second president of Murray State. That same year, the Normal School was renamed Murray State Normal School and Teachers College, with a four-year curriculum and the authority to confer baccalaureate degrees. The college was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1928. The name was changed to Murray State Teachers College in 1930, and it was authorised to offer liberal arts and pre-professional courses. The college expanded its programs to include graduate-level courses in 1948, leading to another name change to Murray State College. Finally, in 1966, the General Assembly authorised a change to the name Murray State University.

The university has a rich history in academics, sports, and student life. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs and is known for its NCATE-accredited education programs and fine arts programs. The university is also recognised for its nationally ranked bass fishing team and its men's basketball program, which has made 18 appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

Murray State University has a comprehensive process for admitting exchange students. Prospective exchange students must first be designated by their home university, which needs to send an official confirmation to Murray State. Additionally, exchange students are required to submit various documents, meet language proficiency requirements, and provide proof of financial support and health insurance.

Frequently asked questions