A Special Message
from THE PRESIDENT
I welcome you to Governors State University, a world-class university
located just south of Chicago on a beautiful and friendly campus.
It is an honor to lead GSU, which offers one of the greatest values
of any university in the United States. GSU can prepare you for the
challenges of our 21st century global economy.
We provide fully accredited education programs that meet the highest academic
standards. Our faculty members are respected and renowned researchers and
scholars, who are available to meet with students on a regular basis. Class sizes
are small, providing excellent opportunities for faculty/student interactions.
GSU offers tutoring, mentoring, and counseling programs. Our mix of races,
ethnicities, and generations sets GSU apart from most other universities.
GSU’s diverse and multicultural atmosphere fosters the global ideas and
real-world solutions that make our university such an extraordinary place to
broaden your mind and discover your passion. You can share your interests
with other students and gain valuable leadership experience in more than
60 campus clubs and organizations.
I am excited about the unlimited opportunities GSU can offer international
students – both in education and in personal growth. Students like you are vital
to GSU’s vibrant community. Enclosed you will find information useful to you as
you make important decisions about your education. I am confident GSU offers
the top-notch academics and dynamic student life you are seeking, and I look
forward to welcoming you to campus.
Sincerely,
Elaine P. Maimon, Ph.D.
President, Governors State University
Imagine
yourself at GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY
Distinctive
GSU PROGRAMS
College of Arts
& Sciences
College of Business &
Public Administration
Imagine studying Art in
the city that invented the
skyscraper, and Literature
in a great theater center.
College of Arts and Sciences
programs include Analytical
Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry,
Criminal Justice, Computer
Science, Communications, and
Interdisciplinary Learning.
Consider the advantages
of studying Business in the
heartland of America.
Distinctive programs in
the College of Business
and Public Administration
include Accounting, Business
Administration, Management
Information Systems, and
Public Administration.
College of Education
College of Health
& Human Services
Think about the special
perspective you will gain
from studying Psychology
in a multi-cultural setting.
The College of Education
offers many popular programs,
including Counseling,
Educational Administration,
Elementary Education,
Multicategorical Special
Education, and Psychology.
Learn 21st century health
care skills in a world hub for
modern medical technology.
College of Health and
Human Services programs
include Addictions Studies,
Communication Disorders,
Community Health, Health
Administration, Nursing, and
Occupational Therapy.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Accounting
Anthropology and Sociology
Art
Biology
Teacher Education
Business Administration
Finance
Entrepreneurship
Human Resources Management
Management
Management Information Systems
Marketing
Operations Management and Supply
Chain Management
Public Administration
Business and Applied Science
Chemistry
Teacher Education
Communication Disorders
Communications
Advertising and Public Relations
Film-Making and Multimedia
Human Communications
Journalism
Community Health
Gerontology—Long-Term Care
Gerontology—Healthy Aging
Health Promotion Education in the
Community Setting
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Corrections and Punishment
Law Enforcement and Security
Restorative and Community Justice
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
English
Teacher Certification
Entrepreneurship
Health Administration
Information Technology
Interdisciplinary Studies
Mathematics
Teacher Certification
Nursing
Psychology
Forensic
Industrial/Organizational
Mindful Studies
Pre-Clinical
Social Sciences
Social Work
Master’s Degree Programs
Accounting
Addictions Studies
Analytical Chemistry
Art
Business Administration (MBA)
Communication Disorders
Communications and Training
Communication Studies
Media Communications
Human Performance and Training
Computer Science
Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Marriage and Family
School Counseling
Criminal Justice
Early Childhood Education
Education
Computer Education
Curriculum and Instruction
Mathematics Education
Educational Administration
Administrative Endorsement
(General)
Chief School Business Official
Higher Education Administration
English
Environmental Biology
Health Administration
Independent Film and Digital Imaging
Management Information Systems
Mathematics
Multicategorical Special Education
Nursing
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Family Nurse Practitioner
Nursing Administration
Nursing Informatics
Occupational Therapy
Political and Justice Studies
Psychology
Clinical
Theoretical
Public Administration
Reading
Social Work
Teaching - Urban Teacher Education
Doctoral Degree Programs
Counselor Education and Supervision
Interdisciplinary Leadership
Nursing Practice
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy (Transitional)
Certificate Programs
Alternative Teacher Certification
English Education
Mathematics Education
Reading Teacher Endorsement
Biology Education
Chemistry Education
Health Services Research
Health Care Informatics
Post Master’s School Counseling
Certification
• GSU was ranked 14th in the nation in 2010 for
the number of graduates of the Master’s of Science
in Analytical Chemistry.
• GSU’s Health Administration program is ranked
in the top 100 Best Allied Health Administration
programs in the country.
• GSU is ranked within the top 100 Occupational
Therapy schools.
PRAIRIE PLACE Apartment and Suite-Style
Residences
Not your average dorm – the brand-new, secure residences at
GSU take student housing to a whole new level.
Rooms are fully furnished living spaces for freshman through
doctoral students, with cable, Internet, and Wi-Fi access. With
community rooms and lounges, a convenience store, study rooms,
laundry, and kitchen facilities, this student residence hall has it all.
First year students will live in suite-style units with double
occupant bedrooms. Each room is fully equipped. Social,
recreational, and informal educational activities enhance the
living experience. Trained residential advisors will serve on
each floor.
International Student Housing
Beginning in July 2014, Governors State University will offer
on-campus housing for its students. Students will be able to
submit applications for housing starting in January 2014. There
will be four different types of housing units, all fully furnished.
For more information about on-campus housing at GSU as it
becomes available, continue to check out the university housing
website at www.govst.edu/housing. Additionally, the Office
of International Services (OIS) will help international students
locate off-campus housing.
For information about off-campus housing, please visit www.
govst.edu/ois or contact OIS directly at [email protected].
GSU’s diverse student body
provides a global context for
student learning. Our location,
close to Chicago, is ideal for
recreation, entertainment and
employment.
Discover your passion. Become
a leader. Make new friends.
Join GSU’s many clubs and
organizations. At GSU, you’ll be
part of our rich campus life.
STUDENT
Life AT GSU
VISIT US
www.govst.edu
60
More than
student organizations
Governors State University is known
for its diverse student population.
You can join any one of 62 organizations
at GSU. Find out more about these clubs,
as well as other student life offerings,
by visiting the Student Life site at
www.govst.edu/studentlife.
Additionally, the Office of International
Services is designing programs that allow
new international students to connect
both with current international students
and domestic GSU students. OIS plans
multiple events for international students
throughout the year, both on and
off-campus. To find out more information
about these future offerings, visit
www.govst.edu/ois.
A new student club,
International Culture
Organization (ICO), will
begin operations in
Spring 2013. This student
club is designed for both
domestic and international students to work
together to bring cultural
awareness to the GSU
campus. The club
will host many events
throughout the year.
Please send an email
to [email protected] if
you are interested in
more details.
OFFICE OF
International Services
The Office of International Services (OIS) assists international students with a variety of
issues. These include visa and immigration issues, help adjusting to the United States,
guidance on how to prepare for your trip to the U.S., and assistance connecting with GSU
students, faculty, and staff. OIS also offers programs and events throughout the year to
ensure your academic success at GSU and your adjustment to the Chicago area.
Once international students have applied to GSU, they can start the process of obtaining
their student visas by submitting their International Student Information Form and their
Proof of Financial Support to the Office of International Services. The initial I-20 or
DS-2019 documents can be issued after students are admitted to the university. The I-20
or DS-2019 can be used to arrange a visa interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad.
Please visit www.govst.edu/ois for more information. Prospective and admitted
students can also send questions directly to OIS by emailing [email protected].
Admissions Information
We are excited to hear that you are interested in applying to Governors State University.
The information located below is for international students who want to apply to GSU.
Information about the application process can be found online.
The following links will assist you in the application process.
Office of Admissions: www.govst.edu/admission
Prospective Students: www.govst.edu/opportunity
Degree Programs: www.govst.edu/degree
Tuition and Fee Information for International Students
For the most up-to-date figures on tuition and fees, visit www.govst.edu/tuition.
International students must show proof of financial support to pay for the first academic
year at GSU, a necessary requirement to obtain immigration documents. The estimated
expenses for international students are listed at www.govst.edu/ois/prospective.
Students must send their original financial document to the Office of International
Services.
International Student Visa Procedures
The Office of International Services will work with international students to obtain their
visas. All international students interested in attending GSU in either F-1 or J-1 status
must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) in order to apply for their student
visas. To obtain your I-20 or DS-2019, submit the following documents to the Office of
International Services:
• Proof of financial support for the first academic year of study. For more information regarding what type of financial documentation is supported, please visit the OIS
website at www.govst.edu/ois/prospective.
• International Student Information Form (also located on the OIS website)
Please note: International students can submit their proof of financial support and their
International Student Information Form once they have applied to GSU. However, the I-20
or DS-2019 cannot be issued until the student has been officially admitted to GSU.
Please direct any questions regarding the visa application process, the proof of financial
support, or the International Student Information Form to OIS at [email protected].
Chicago
ATTRACTIONS
Governors State University is located in University Park, Illinois,
less than one hour south of downtown Chicago. GSU is an easy train
ride away from abundant cultural attractions, exciting sporting events,
and fascinating museums in Chicago, one of the world’s great cities.
The university is part of the Chicago Southland, a diverse and vibrant
collection of small suburban towns where you will be able to
experience first-hand the best that the United States has to offer.
Our home, the Chicago Southland, is filled with four-season recreational
opportunities, fine dining, state-of-the-art health care facilities, music and
theater, and shopping. In the Southland, you can cheer on the Chicago
Fire professional soccer team and be part of electrifying NASCAR auto
racing. Throughout the year, our Southland communities host numerous
celebrations, highlighted by parades, band concerts, dancing, and food.
You’ll always be welcome to join in the fun.
GSU is close to the city but minutes from unspoiled natural wonders.
Our communities are surrounded by lush forest preserves crisscrossed
with peaceful streams and hiking trails. One popular destination is the
Old Plank Trail, a 22-mile bicycle path winding through native prairie and
working farmland; it is minutes away from GSU. Lake Michigan, one of
the largest fresh-water lakes on the planet, is an inland sea with pristine
sandy beaches that are only a short drive away.
Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States, has been a dominant
force in American business for more than 100 years. Commerce is spread
throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, home to some of the world’s
leading corporations. In the Southland, GSU has numerous partnerships
that lead to internships and other field work in business, health care, the
sciences, education, and other fields that equip students with practical
experience for 21st century careers.
Chicago’s vibrant downtown is home to multiple architectural gems and
a stunning lakefront, dotted with parks and museums. But Chicago is also
known as the city of neighborhoods. Among them is Hyde Park, home to
President Barack Obama. Located on the city’s South Side, Hyde Park is
easily reached by train from GSU. Stroll among its 100-year-old houses on
quiet, leafy streets and visit some of Obama’s favorite spots, including the
Medici Bakery and 57th Street Books.
In Chicago … You start with the lions in front of the Art Institute. Stroll up
to The Bean. North Side. South Side. Cubs. Sox. Bears. Bulls. CTA. Metra.
Go for a spin on the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel. Walk down State Street, or
Michigan Avenue. Weather permitting, you can jump into the lake at Oak
Street. Take a pick of cuisines – Chinese, Thai, Soul Food, deep dish pizza,
hot dogs (with all the trimmings), Italian, Polish, Mexican, Middle Eastern,
and lots more. That’s it for your first day. It only gets better.
Photos: Bruce Crooks, Tammy Leathem, Ann Needham