Information for Applicants
Admission
Applicants for admission to the University of San Diego graduate programs must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited and approved institution. Applicants for admission to the doctoral programs must also hold a master’s degree. Selection for admission to the USD Graduate School is competitive and is based on evidence that the applicant will be able to pursue successfully a program leading to a post-baccalaureate degree, certificate, or credential in the field to which the student is applying. The applicant’s undergraduate training should reflect breadth as well as appropriate preparation for advanced study in the field selected.
Applicants should thoroughly check the departmental sections of this Bulletin for special requirements such as special application deadlines, minimum GPA, standardized tests, required prerequisite courses or credentials, and other requirements specific to the program.
The university does not admit applicants on provisional status to graduate programs. A department may recommend that an individual take additional courses or examinations prior to further consideration for admission, or it may require additional courses beyond program requirements as a condition for granting the degree.
Procedure
Application for admission must be made directly to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
(619) 260-4524 or (800) 248-4873
Application Priority Filing Dates for Admission
Unless otherwise indicated in the program sections of this Bulletin, the application priority filing dates shown at the bottom of this page will be in effect (applicants for financial aid must meet the deadlines established by the Office of Financial Aid). In most cases, applications are reviewed by departments as the application files are completed (see program sections for the following exceptions: M.S.N. and Ph.D. in Nursing; Ph.D. M.A., M.Ed. in Leadership Studies; M.Ed., MAT in Learning and Teaching; M.Ed. in Special Education; M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy; M.A. in Counseling; School of Leadership and Education Sciences Credential programs; M.F.A. in Dramatic Arts; M.S. in Marine Science).
Applications that are received by the priority filing date will be givencareful consideration, but please note: that a program might be filled before the final filing date. Applicants are expected to ensure that all supporting credentials are received in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the final filing date. Applications will not be accepted after the final filing date indicated below.
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Materials to be Submitted by Applicants for Degrees, Credentials, or Certificates
Applicants must make sure that all of the following materials are sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions in order for their applications to be reviewed.
- The Application for Admission.
- The stipulated Application Fee made payable to the University of San Diego. This is a nonrefundable fee and is subject to change. International students must pay in currency of the United States using an International Postal Money Order or a bank draft on a United States bank.
- An official transcript documenting each course taken beyond the high school level (whether or not within a degree program) and all degrees awarded. Transcripts that do not bear the registrar’s signature and/or the institution’s seal are not official and are, therefore, unacceptable. Applicants from outside the United States must give evidence of eligibility for university entrance by furnishing official records covering all university work. English translations must accompany the records if the original is not written in English.
- Three letters of recommendation (preferably on special forms provided with the application materials) from professors familiar with the applicant’s scholarly work or from professional supervisors who have had experience in a graduate program and who can provide information regarding the applicant’s potential for success as a graduate student.
- Current résumé (required for Business, Nursing and School of Leadership and Education Sciences; recommended for others).
- Standardized admission test scores when required
by department (see program sections and Admission Tests below).
Admission Tests
Some departments require applicants to submit the results of one of the standardized tests (see Additional Requirements for Admission in the program sections). Registration forms, fee schedules, priority deadlines, and additional information for these tests are available from the Office of Graduate Admissions or by writing or calling the testing services at the locations listed on page 36. USD’s Institution Code number for all of these tests is 4849, this number must be included on the test registration form in order to have the official results sent to the university.
International Student Applicants
The University of San Diego welcomes applications from international students who can demonstrate their ability to undertake graduate work successfully in the United States. Applicants for admission from foreign countries must give evidence of eligibility for university entrance by furnishing official records covering all collegiate work as well as academic recommendations. All non-English academic records must be accompanied by an English translation certified true by the issuing school, a consulate official, or an official translator. International applicants are required to have their transcripts evaluated by an independent credentials evaluation service. School of Nursing and Health Science applicants must submit a course-by-course report from World Education Services, Inc. (WES). All other applicants must submit a detail report from the International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF), or a course-by-course evaluation report from WES.
Students from non-English-speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See English Proficiency below. International students should read all admissions requirements for the program to which they are applying. It is the responsibility of the international student to see that all supporting documents are received one semester prior to enrollment.
International students cannot rely on financial assistance or awards from the university and must provide for their financial support from non-university sources. They must submit adequate proof of financial resources for all obligations for the full period of time for which they will be attending the university. Accepted students should send a nonrefundable tuition deposit which will be credited to the student’s account. The nonrefundable tuition deposit may vary with individual degree programs. Registration information will be sent upon receipt of the deposit.
USD is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. The applicant must be accepted as a full-time student working toward a degree before he or she s eligible for an Immigration Form I-20. The I-20 will be sent to the accepted student upon receipt of an affidavit of support indicating the amount and source(s) of finances and a commitment deposit.
International students must show proof of adequate health insurance coverage while enrolled at USD and may select from several plans designed specifically for international students. Should you need to purchase insurance, information and forms are available in the International Programs Office, Hahn University Center, Room 132.
English Proficiency
Students enrolled in graduate programs at USD must be able to comprehend written English easily, to understand rapid, idiomatic English used in lectures and group discussions, and to express themselves clearly in spoken and written English. A student who is not proficient in English may need to take courses in an “English as a Second Language” program at USD’s English Language Academy.
Applicants are advised to contact the English Language Academy at (619) 260-8808 about this learning opportunity. All graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose undergraduate education was principally in a language other than English must demonstrate competence in English. Those who do not possess a bachelor’s degree from a USD-approved post-secondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum score of 580 (paper-based), 237 (computer-based), or 83 (Internet based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The School of Business Administration graduate programs require a minimum score of 92 on the Internet-based exam. Individual degree programs may prescribe a higher minimum score.
The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is given at test centers throughout the world, including locations within the United States (see box below for address and phone number).
Non-Degree Special Students
Any interested individual holding a bachelor’s degree from an approved and accredited institution may apply for Special Student Status and may, with permission of the Office of Graduate Admissions and of the department or School involved, take up to 6 units of coursework offered by the University of San Diego Graduate School. Exceptions to the 6-unit limit must have the recommendation of the program director and approval of the dean of the College or School in which the course is offered. Some, but not all, departments will consider admission as a Special Student while the applicant is in the process of filing application documents. Admission and enrollment as a Special Student does not obligate the department to admit an otherwise unqualified applicant. Special Students may be prohibited from enrolling in specific courses.
The School of Business Administration restricts Special Student Status to students already enrolled and in good standing in graduate programs at USD or other accredited and approved institutions.
Admission to Joint-Degree Programs
Students desiring to pursue two degrees in one of USD’s joint-degree programs must be admitted separately to each of the two schools involved. Current admission requirements and procedures for the College of Arts and Sciences and for the Schools of Business Administration and Nursing and Health Science are included in this Bulletin. For information regarding these joint graduate degree programs, please call the Office of Graduate Admissions at (619) 260-4524 or (800) 248-4873. Information and materials regarding admission to the School of Law should be requested from the Law School Admissions Office at (619) 260-4600, ext. 4528.
Please Note: The School of Law operates on a different calendar, and students are responsible for meeting all law school deadlines for application, registration, payment, etc., as set forth in their own publication.
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Reconsideration for Admission
An applicant who has been denied admission to a USD graduate program may request reconsideration under the following conditions:
- The applicant must request of the director of admissions in writing that his or her application be reconsidered;
- In that written request, the applicant must indicate what new, substantial evidence is being provided for review by the admissions coordinator or committee;
- The applicant may then be reconsidered for admission, along with the total current applicant pool for the admission date in question, and will be subject to the policies and requirements of the Bulletin in effect at that time; the applicant will be informed of the committee’s decision at the appropriate time.
