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 and website 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 should be made online at the University of San Diego’s Office of Graduate Admissions website. Supporting documentation, such as official transcripts, must be mailed to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
(619) 260-4524
Application Priority Filing Dates for Admission
Most graduate programs at the University of San Diego have different deadlines. Please refer to the department of the program to which you are applying for the appropriate admission deadline.
Applications that are received by the departments priority filing date will be given careful 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 accepte after the final filing date indicated below.
Admission Filing Dates
Term of Matriculation: Fall
College of Arts and Sciences
MFA in Dramatic Arts: January 4 (postmark no later than January 4)
MA in History: Rolling admissions
MA in International Relations: Priority: March 15, Final: June 1
MS in Marine Science: Priority: January 31, Final: July 31
School of Business Administration
MBA: 1st: December 15, 2nd: February 1, 3rd: April 1. Rolling admissions on a space available basis after priority deadlines.
MBA, Evening: April 1
IMBA: 1st: December 15, 2nd: February 1, 3rd: April 1. Rolling admissions on a space available basis after priority deadlines.
MS in Accountancy: April 1. Rolling admissions based on space availability after deadline.
MS in Taxation: April 1. Rolling admissions based on space availability after deadline.
MS in Supply Chain Management: August 1. Rolling admissions on a space available basis after deadline.
MS in Real Estate: Early: December 15, Standard: March 15, Late: June 1. Rolling admissions on a space- available basis after late deadline.
MS in Executive Leadership: May 15
MS in Global Leadership: July 1
School of Leadership and Education Sciences
MA in Marital and Family Therapy: January 15 (early) - March 1 (final)
MA in Counseling/School Counseling, PPS Credential: February 1
MA in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling: February 1
PhD in Leadership Studies: February 1
MA in Leadership Studies: March 1
MA in Higher Education Leadership: March 1
MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management: March 1
Preliminary Administrative Services Credential: March 1
Professional Administrative Services Credential: March 1
MEd Special Education: March 1 (early) - July 15 (final)
MEd in Curriculum and Instruction: March 1 (early) - July 15 (final)
MEd in Curriculum and Instruction/Montessori: March 1 (early) - July 15 (final)
MEd in Literacy, Culture and TESOL: March 1 (early) - July 15 (final)
MEd in Mathematics, Science and Technology: March 1 (early) - July 15 (final)
MAT in History/Social Science: March 1 (early) - July 15 (final)
Preliminary Single Subject Credential: March 1 (early) - July 15 (final)
Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential: March 1 (early) - July 15 (final)
Level I/II Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities: March 1 (early) - July 15 (final)
TESOL/CTEL Certificate: March 1 (early) - July 15 (final)
School of Nursing
Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (for Non-RNs): November 1
MS in Nursing/Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist: March 1
MS in Nursing/Clinical Nursing: March 1
MS in Nursing/Executive Nurse Leader: March 1
MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner; Dual Adult/Family Nurse Practitioner; Dual Pediatric/Family Nurse Practitioner; Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: March 1
Doctor of Nursing Practice: Fall Admission Application Deadline: March 1
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing: Fall Admission Application Deadline: March 1
School of Peace Studies
MA in Peace Studies: February 15
Term of Matriculation: Spring
College of Arts and Sciences
MA in History: Rolling admissions
MA in International Relations: Priority: October 1, Final: December 1
School of Business Administration
MBA, Evening: October 15
MS in Global Leadership: November 1
MS in Supply Chain Management: February 1
MS in Accountancy: October 1. Rolling admissions based on space availability after deadline.
MS in Taxation: October 1. Rolling admissions based on space availability after deadline.
School of Leadership and Education Sciences
MEd in Special Education: December 1
MEd in Curriculum and Teaching: December 1
MEd in Literacy, Culture and TESOL: December 1
MEd in Mathematics, Science, and Technology: December 1
MAT in History/Social Science: December 1
Preliminary Single Subject Credential: December 1
Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential: December 1
Level I/II Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities: December 1
TESOL/CTEL Certificate: December 1
MA in Marital and Family Therapy: October 15
School of Nursing
MS in Nursing/Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist: November 1
MS in Nursing/Clinical Nursing: November 1
MS in Nursing/Executive Nurse Leader: November 1
Term of Matriculation: Summer
College of Arts and Sciences
MA in History: Rolling admissions
MA in International Relations: In exception
School of Business Administration
MS in Global Leadership: March 1
MS in Accountancy: Rolling admissions
MS in Taxation: Rolling admissions
School of Leadership and Education Sciences
Master’s Credential Cohort Program (Single Subject Credential and MEd in Curriculum and Teaching): February 1 (early), March 1 (final)
MEd in Special Education: June 1
MEd in Curriculum and Teaching: June 1
MEd in Literacy, Culture and TESOL: June 1
MEd in Mathematics, Science and Technology: June 1
MAT in History/Social Science: June 1
Preliminary Single Subject Credential: June 1
Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential: June 1
Level I/II Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities: June 1
TESOL/CTEL Certificate: June 1
USD Financial Aid Deadline*: April 1
(All deadlines are subject to change. Please refer to program website for further information.)
*Students applying for USD Financial Aid must submit applications for both admission and financial aid by April 1 for consideration for the fall and/or spring semesters. In addition, they must have all application documents on file and be accepted to the program no later than August 1.
Materials to be Submitted by Applicants for Degrees, Credentials, or Certificates
Applicants must make sure that all of the following materials are submitted 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 having a transcript evaluation submitted from either World Education Services (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE).
- Three letters of recommendation preferably submitted through the online application, 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. Applicants for the School of Business are required to submit two professional letters of recommendation.
- Current résumé.
- Personal statement or research interest statement. Certain programs require multiple statements. Please refer to the departmental website for more detailed information.
- 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 on page 41. USD’s Institution Code number for ETS exams is 4849 and the institution code for Pearson is 29B-Q2_68; these numbers 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. International applicants are required to have a course-by-course transcript evaluations performed by an independent credential evaluation service such as World Education Services, Inc. (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE).
World Education Services (WES)
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274, USA
www.wes.org
Education Credential Evaluators (ECE)
PO Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 USA
www.ece.org
Students from non-English-speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). See English Proficiency.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
TOEFL/TSE Services
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151
Phone: (609) 771-7100, Fax: (609) 771-7500
www.toefl.org
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
IELTS International
825 Colorado Boulevard, Suite 112
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Phone: (323) 255-2771
www.ielts.org
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 is eligible for an Immigration Form I-20. The Form 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 Office of International Students and Scholars, Serra Hall, Room 315, (610) 260-4598.
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) or receive a minimum IELTS overall band score of 7.0.
The School of Business Administration graduate programs require a minimum score of 92 on the Internet-based exam. The minimum score required on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an overall band score of 7.0. 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. The IELTS is jointly managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) and delivered through more than 500 locations in over 130 countries.
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 six 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 Dual-Degree Programs
Students desiring to pursue two degrees in one of USD’s dual-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 the Schools of Business Administration are included in this bulletin. For information regarding these joint graduate degree programs, please call the Office of Graduate Admissions at (619) 260-4524. Information and materials regarding admission to the School of Law should be requested from the Law School Admissions Office at (619) 260-4528.
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.
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.
