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University of Washington

Visiting Graduate Students

Visiting Graduate Student Status

The University of Washington (UW) School of Nursing accepts a limited number of Visiting Graduate Students on a space available basis from institutions with which the School has a global partnership agreement. Students from other institutions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. This opportunity is intended to enable pursuit of nursing content at the graduate level unavailable at the student's home institution; it is not intended to provide individualized study or faculty mentorship.

Inquiries should be e-mailed to Bette Horishige, Manager of International Programs (bette@uw.edu).

Eligibility for Application to Visiting Graduate Student Status

Applicants must:

  • be enrolled in a masters or doctoral degree program at an institution with which the School has a global partnership agreement at the time of application and throughout the period of study at the UW. Students from other institutions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • submit complete application materials by the relevant deadline, following the application instructions below in their entirety.
  • be accepted by both the University of Washington Graduate School and the School of Nursing in order to begin the program of study.

Please note: Visa regulations require that international students enroll full time (at least ten credits) during their stay in the United States.

Application Timeline Applicants to Visiting Graduate Student status must apply at least 6 months ahead of the date they wish to enroll in courses at the UW School of Nursing. Because of the length of time necessary to process visa documents, the University will not accept applications submitted less than six months before the intended start date. Visiting Graduate Students cannot come to the University of Washington for less than a full quarter of study and must enroll full time. Students seeking Summer enrollment as a visiting graduate student must also attend for an additional consecutive quarter.

Application Instructions

Application can be made much easier by reading the following directions. Please read all directions before you start the application process.

  • Visit the University of Washington's Graduate School web page for the online application.
  • Visiting Graduate Student applicants must submit an online application to the University of Washington Graduate School and also submit a signed printout of the same application to the School of Nursing. Complete information and application forms are available here. Pay special attention to the information for international applicants and for Visiting Graduate Students.
  • When you begin the application process, the first screen you will see will ask you to select a graduate program. Do NOT select Nursing! Select "Visiting Graduate" and then click "Save and Continue."
  • Applicants for Visiting Graduate Student status must submit, at least 6 months ahead of the date they wish to enter the UW School of Nursing:

    To the Graduate School (effective Winter 2012):

    • An application fee of $75, payable online by credit card, and
    • Upload unofficial transcripts
    • Upload Statement of Financial Ability and supporting documents


    To the UW School of Nursing (Box 357260, Seattle, WA 98195-7260):

    • An appropriate score on the TOEFL-IBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) as described by the Graduate School Memorandum #8.
    • Curriculum Vitae (CV), and
    • A statement of no more than two pages, clearly titled 'Visiting Graduate Student Goal Statement', that includes:
      • identification of the applicant's area of focus within nursing
      • a statement of goals for the applicant's proposed period of time as a Visiting Graduate Student

Send documents for the School of Nursing to Bette Horishige, Manager of International Programs (bette@uw.edu).

What To Expect as a Visiting Graduate Student

This opportunity is intended to enable pursuit of nursing content at the graduate level unavailable at the visitor's home institution; it is not intended to provide individualized study or faculty mentorship.

Visiting Graduate Students at the UW School of Nursing must enroll for a minimum of one quarter of study, taking at least 10 credits each quarter. Students seeking Summer enrollment as a visiting graduate student must also attend for an additional consecutive quarter. Course enrollment is on a space-available basis.

Visiting Graduate Students do not have a faculty advisor and thus do not receive faculty advice or oversight for thesis or dissertation preparation. Students cannot enroll in clinical courses, independent study courses, or individual tutorial courses such as NURS 599 or NMETH 600. Other restrictions may apply.

Excellence in written and spoken English is key to a successful experience.

Visiting graduate students often benefit greatly by connecting with the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS) prior to and during their stay.

Summer-only Students

Applicants, including those from institutions which do not have partnership agreements with the UW School of Nursing, are welcome to apply for Summer Quarter.

Please note: The University cannot provide I-20 forms or give other assistance in obtaining F-1 (student) status for attendance in Summer Quarter only. Summer-only students must have F-1 (student) status already through enrollment at another U.S. college or university, or be able to enter the United States without a student visa. The B visa is not appropriate for persons whose purpose in coming to the US is enrolling in a course of study. All international visitors to the University of Washington MUST check in with International Student Services (ISS) Office within 7 days of arriving in the United States. For more information on Summer-only at the UW, see: http://www.summer.washington.edu/summer/enroll/international.asp

Potential Visiting Doctoral Students from Chiang Mai University

Please contact Bette Horishige (bette@uw dow edu), Manager of International Programs, with your interest.

Important Note

Any and all international students MUST check in with International Student Services within 7 days of arriving in the United States.

If international students do not check in with International Student Services in a timely manner, they risk having their registration canceled, deportation, and potentially being permanently barred from entering the United States.

For more information, please contact ISS at (206) 221-7857, at 459B Schmitz Hall, or on the Web at http://iss.washington.edu/index.html.