Applications

UNDERGRADUATE

GRADUATE

Application Deadlines

Duration of exchange Deadline
Fall Semester March 3
Full Academic Year March 3
Spring Semester October 15

International & Domestic Exchanges 

International Exchanges

Please note that you must be nominated by your home university before you can apply as an exchange student to LSU.

To apply as an exchange student to LSU:

  1. Contact the Study Abroad Office at your home university. They will be able to confirm if you are eligible for an exchange at LSU and provide information. You must be selected by your home university to study at LSU.
  2. Decide which program you will apply for.
    • ISEP Program: Your home university must be a member of ISEP. You will complete and submit the ISEP application to the Study Abroad Office at your home university.
    • Bilateral Program: Your home university must be one of LSU’s bilateral partner schools. You or your home university will mail the LSU application and supporting documents to LSU.
      • Undergraduate applications and supporting documents can be sent via email only to exchanges@lsu.edu and must come directly from the home university.
      • Graduate applications and supporting documents must be sent by mail.
    • Global Engineering Education Exchange (Global E3): Your home university must be a member of this consortium. You will be nominated to IIE by your home university coordinator. Once you have been placed at LSU, you must fill out the undergraduate application for admission. You can submit that form by e-mailing it to exchanges@lsu.edu.  
  3. Complete and submit the LSU application and supporting documents by the deadline.

Course requirements: 

Before submitting the application, please ensure that the courses you intend to take at LSU will be offered in the semester of your exchange. To do this, please visit LSU’s course schedule booklet. Click on Course Offerings, select the appropriate semester under Semester/Year, select the appropriate department, and then click on Display Courses.

Course descriptions can be found in the General Catalog.

Exchange students are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 U.S. credits per semester (usually 4 courses) if undergraduate or a minimum of 9 U.S. credits per semester (usually 3 courses) if graduate. Check with your academic advisor to ensure that your first choices and alternatives will be acceptable at your home institution. It is your responsibility to ensure that credits earned at LSU will transfer and count towards your degree. Note that courses are subject to prerequisites and availability.

Supporting documents required for undergraduate applicants:

  • An official transcript from the home institution for all undergraduate work
    • An official English translation is also required if transcripts are not in English. A translation is considered official when it is certified as accurate by the home university.
  • If English is not your first language or your home university’s official language of instruction is not English, a minimum score on one of the following tests is required:
    • A minimum TOEFL report of 550 paper or 79 internet
    • A minimum IELTS report of 6.5
    • A minimum Duolingo score of 100
  • A copy of your passport’s identification page

Supporting documents required for graduate applicants:

  • An official transcript from each college or university attended
    • An official English translation is also required if transcripts are not in English. A translation is considered official when it is certified as accurate by the home university. 
  • A baccalaureate degree statement/diploma
  • A 2.5 cumulative grade average (A=4.0) on all undergraduate work completed and, if applicable, a 3.0 cumulative grade average (A=4.0) on all graduate work completed
  • If English is not your first language, a minimum score on one of the following tests is required:
    • A minimum TOEFL report of 550 paper or 79 internet
    • A minimum IELTS report of 6.5
    • A minimum Duolingo score of 100
  • A copy of your passport’s identification page

Send application and supporting documents to:

International Exchange Program
Academic Programs Abroad
103 Hatcher Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
USA

Undergraduate applications and supporting documents can be sent via email to exchanges@lsu.edu. Graduate applications and supporting documents must be sent by mail.

After your application has been submitted:

You will receive an email with an admission decision within a few weeks of submitting the application. If admitted to LSU, a MyLSU account will be created for you, and you will be emailed a MyLSU ID and instructions on how to log in. MyLSU is a web portal where you will be able to schedule and change classes, apply for on-campus housing, and access various student resources.

Domestic Exchanges

Information for Incoming NSE Students

Welcome! We are so glad you have chosen to spend your NSE exchange semester or year in Baton Rouge at LSU. We hope that you will find your exchange to LSU, and Louisiana, to be a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. We have a culture like none other, and I’m sure you will have a great time here! There’s nothing better than good food, good friends, and good times in south Louisiana. So, as we say down here, “Laissez le bon temps rouler” — "Let the good times roll!"

Note: In order to exchange to LSU through NSE, you must be nominated by your home campus and be accepted for placement through the NSE process.

In order to enroll at LSU as an NSE exchange student, you must complete four major steps:

NSE Placement Acceptance Form

NSE and LSU use the NSE Placement Acceptance Form (PAF) as your official acceptance form for exchange. Your PAF will be distributed by your home campus NSE coordinator. Please be sure that the form is 100% correct, as LSU also uses this form to begin the admission process. You cannot register for classes, housing, or other campus services until LSU has received this form and you have been admitted. Housing and courses fill up fast, so please submit it ASAP after placement. Please remember that you were accepted with the full understanding that upper-level courses in mass communications, business, physics, and engineering are very difficult to access.

LSU's NSE Application

In order to take classes at LSU, you must be enrolled. NSE has a simplified version of the full admissions application. A link will be sent to you via email to fill out this application.

Official Transcripts from Your Home University

LSU requires an official transcript (PDF or paper version) from your home university. Transcripts can be emailed to nse@lsu.edu

Proof of Immunization Compliance

For the health and safety of the entire LSU community, LSU requires all students to be in compliance with immunization requirements. The LSU Proof of Immunization Compliance form will be distributed by the LSU NSE coordinator. Please return the form directly to LSU Student Health Services:

LSU Student Health Center
Immunizations
150-B Infirmary Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Additional Information

LSU's NSE coordinator will be in contact with you throughout the time before your exchange. It is important to check your email regularly as certain deadlines and information are time sensitive.

Throughout this process, the NSE coordinator will explain various LSU-specific instructions, like registering for housing, courses, meal plans, etc. As always, please don't hesitate to contact nse@lsu.edu if you have any questions.