Frequently Asked Questions
- The Application Process
- Standardized Testing
- Transcripts
- Program Offerings
- Class Schedule Information
- Accreditation
- Tuition and Financial Aid
- Transfer Students
- Visiting Campus
The Application Process
How do I apply for admission?
You can fill out the Application for Graduate Admission online. The online application will give you a space to upload your resume and statement of purpose. For master's, credential and certificate applicants there is also a space in the online application for you to indicate your recommenders and allow the system to prompt them (via email) to upload their letters of recommendation electronically.
Any supporting application materials (such as official transcripts and official test score reports) that cannot be transmitted electronically should be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions at:
University of San Diego
Office of Graduate Admissions
Serra Hall 202
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
What are the requirements for admission to your programs?
Our program pages include an application checklist and requirements for admission for each of our programs.
Where can I find the deadline for submitting my application?
Access our online list of upcoming application deadlines.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all application materials, including official transcripts, foreign transcript evaluations, test scores, and letters of recommendation, are received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by midnight on the date of the deadline. Program faculty begin reviewing completed applications for admission once the deadline has passed and incomplete applications are not considered. Applicants to programs with early or priority deadlines are strongly encouraged to apply to the early deadline if they plan to relocate to attend USD.
If you are interested in applying for admission to a program for which the deadline has passed, you may contact the Office of Admissions and Outreach at (619) 260-7988 or solesadmissions@sandiego.edu to inquire about this possibility of submitting your application late. Some programs may admit students on a space-available basis.
Does SOLES offer spring, summer or fall admission?
Some programs offer admission for the fall or summer semesters only, while others admit students for spring, summer and fall semesters. Access our online list of upcoming application deadlines for more information.
How much does it cost to apply?
University of San Diego’s graduate application fee is $45. If you need to request a fee waiver due to financial hardship, please contact the University of San Diego Office of Graduate Admissions at grads@sandiego.edu.
I am an international applicant. How will my admission process differ?
International applicants are required to submit additional testing and documentation. For information on these additional requirements please see the application checklist for international students.
I have questions about using the online application system. Can someone help me?
Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (619) 260-4524 or grads@sandiego.edu for support with the online application system.
How can I make sure all of my materials have been received?
You can track the status of your application online via the MySanDiego portal. Log-in instructions will be sent from the Office of Graduate Admissions approximately one week after your application is received.
Your application status can change daily. Please note that processing time for materials can be one week or more during busy periods, so even though your materials may have been received, they may not yet show as such because they have not been processed by Graduate Admissions staff. If you are afraid that a piece of your application has not been received, you may call the Office of Graduate Admissions at (619) 260-4524. We encourage applicants to be proactive in ensuring that their applications are complete.
What is the difference between the University of San Diego Office of Graduate Admissions and the SOLES Office of Admissions and Outreach?
The University of San Diego Office of Graduate Admissions is the central unit for the processing of all application materials for all University of San Diego graduate divisions, including SOLES (but excluding the School of Law). Staff ready application materials for review by faculty, communicate admissions decisions via mail, accept enrollment confirmation deposits and assist international students with obtaining student visas. Graduate Admissions staff also represent the University of San Diego at graduate school fairs and conduct application status checks.
The SOLES Office of Admissions and Outreach coordinates SOLES-specific recruitment events such as Information Sessions and Open Houses, and represents SOLES at graduate school fairs and off-campus events. Our office also maintains SOLES' web presence for prospective student information, sends out email communications to interested students, and creates SOLES marketing materials. SOLES Admissions staff provide SOLES-specific admissions advising and can assist prospective students with connecting with current students, alumni, faculty and relevant campus offices. Our office may also assist SOLES departments with various communications to applicants as well as analysis of overall SOLES admissions trends and practices.
Prospective students may also communicate with the University of San Diego's One Stop Student Center. This office's counselors provide advising and assistance in the areas of Financial Aid, Student Accounts and the Office of the Registrar.
How long does the admissions process take?
The admissions timeline varies by program, but most programs notify students of their admissions decision within 4-6 weeks after the application deadline. Please note that an application will not be reviewed until the deadline has passed and all required materials have been received and processed.
After your application is submitted, the Office of Graduate Admissions must process all of your materials and ready each application for review. Each program’s faculty must then review all applications for admission to their program. Some programs also choose to interview applicants as part of this process. Once admissions decisions are rendered, this information is communicated to the Office of Graduate Admissions, which will mail decision letters, and the Office of Financial Aid, which will begin the process of creating financial aid awards for admitted students who have filed the FAFSA.
The status of your application can be tracked online via the MySanDiego portal. Log-in instructions will be sent from the Office of Graduate Admissions approximately one week after your application is received.
What are you looking for in an applicant? Who will read my application?
The strongest applicants can demonstrate an active passion for their chosen field of study through an academically rigorous background and a rich variety of experiences leading to their decision to pursue graduate education. Applications are carefully reviewed by SOLES faculty, who craft an incoming class by choosing to offer admission to individuals who will benefit most from the programs the faculty have developed. All parts of the application will be considered in a holistic review process. All of our graduate-level programs require that applicants have completed a bachelor’s degree, and our doctoral program requires a master’s degree. Many of our programs do not require that applicants have professional experience, but some strongly recommend or require it for admission. Carefully review the admissions requirements for your program of interest to ensure that you are eligible to apply.
My GPA is low, and I’m worried that it will impact my chance of being admitted. What should I do?
Though GPA is an important indicator of your readiness for graduate-level coursework, keep in mind that your GPA is only one piece of your application, and many other factors (such as experience in the field, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose) will be taken into consideration. We encourage students with low GPAs to demonstrate excellence in other parts of their application. Taking time to gain more experience by working or volunteering in the field you want to enter is an excellent way to demonstrate your understanding of and passion for this particular field of study.
If you are applying for a program for which the GRE or MAT is required, strong test scores can help to show your aptitude for graduate study. If your program does not require the GRE, we often recommend taking the exam if you feel that those scores will be a more accurate indicator of your abilities than your GPA.
Standardized Testing
Do I need to take the GRE?
The only SOLES programs that require the GRE for admission are the Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, the M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy, and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education Specialist program with the John Tracy Clinic. Students may submit GRE scores for other SOLES programs, but they are not required.
The Marital and Family Therapy program will accept the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the GRE. The program has no preference as to which test is submitted.
When should I take the GRE?
Applicants should plan to take the GRE at least one month in advance of the deadline in order to allow time for the official score report to be sent by ETS and received and processed by the University of San Diego. Score reports arriving after the deadline has passed will result in an incomplete application.
Can I substitute another exam (such as the GMAT) for the GRE?
The Marital and Family Therapy program will accept the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) in lieu of the GRE. However, no other exams may be substituted for the GRE for any of our SOLES programs. The Ph.D. and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing programs do not accept the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
How recent must my GRE scores be?
You must have taken the GRE less than five years ago in order for your scores to be valid.
Will you accept an unofficial score report for my GRE, MAT, TOEFL or IELTS?
No, score reports must be official in order to be considered valid.
Do I need to take the CBEST or CSET? Do I need my Certificate of Clearance?
All SOLES teaching and administrative services credential programs require that the CBEST be passed prior to admission, or that the student have a reservation to take the exam at the next available date. Students are not required to have passed the CSET at the time of admission, except for the Master’s Credential Cohort Program.
The Master’s Credential Cohort Program requires that all applicants have passed the CBEST and CSET exams at the time of admission.
Applicants to our teaching credential programs are encouraged to obtain their Certificate of Clearance from the County Office of Education prior to beginning their program, but it is not required for admission.
Transcripts
How far in advance should I request transcripts?
We encourage you to request official transcripts at least several weeks in advance of the deadline to ensure that your request is processed by your university in time for us to receive the reports.
Students with transcripts from foreign universities should allow more time because those transcripts will need to be evaluated by an outside evaluation agency. This process generally takes a minimum of seven days, though rush evaluations may be available.
Do you need transcripts from every college I have attended?
Yes. We need to receive official transcripts from any institution at which you completed undergraduate or graduate level coursework, even if you did not complete a degree there.
Where should I send transcripts?
Please have official transcripts mailed to:
University of San Diego
Office of Graduate Admissions
Serra Hall 202
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Program Offerings
Where can I find more information about the graduate programs offered by the School of Leadership and Education Sciences?
SOLES offers one doctoral program and nearly thirty graduate-level credential, certificate, and master’s programs in our three divisions: Leadership Studies, Learning and Teaching, and Counseling and Marital and Family Therapy. To learn about all the graduate programs we offer, visit our program pages.
Do you offer online degree programs?
No, the majority of our SOLES programs are not offered online. Students must plan to attend classes on campus at the University of San Diego, though some of our students commute from as far away as Los Angeles for their class meetings. The exceptions are the Character Development Certificate, which is offered online, and the Education Specialist Credential: Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which offers a distance learning option.
If you are interested in pursuing other online coursework through the University of San Diego, please contact the Division of Continuing Education at (619) 260-4585.
I don’t want a degree. Is it possible to take just one or two classes at SOLES?
The University of San Diego offers a Special Student Status program, which allows non-degree seeking students to take up to 6 units of graduate level coursework at the University of San Diego. Most SOLES courses are 3 units. Application instructions and additional information on special student status can be found on the Graduate Admissions website.
Please note that as a non-degree seeking student, those on Special Student Status are not eligible for university financial aid and must pay full graduate tuition on a per-unit basis. Availability of courses is on a space available basis after all degree-seeking students have registered. Permission must be granted by the department and course instructor. Permission to take courses on Special Student Status does not imply admission to the university, though if the student later applies and is offered admission to one of SOLES' graduate programs, units taken as a Special Student can be applied toward their program.
Class Schedule Information
Where and when are classes normally held?
The majority of our programs hold classes in the late afternoons and evenings on campus at the University of San Diego. Most classes meet for 2 hour and 50 minute sessions once per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Occasionally classes will be available on weekend days. The exception is our Marital and Family Therapy program, which holds most classes during the daytime hours.
Please keep in mind that some programs have required field-based components, such as student teaching or practicum, which often take place during the daytime hours.
Am I able to work while I pursue a degree?
Many of our students are working professionals who complete their SOLES graduate programs while pursuing a career. Programs in the Department of Leadership Studies and master's degrees in the Department of Learning and Teaching are structured to allow students to attend class after their workday has ended or on weekend days. Coursework in our counseling and teaching credential programs often takes place in the late afternoons or evenings, so some students work full-time until their field-based experiences begin (since these experiences typically take place during the day). Our Marital and Family Therapy students do not typically work full-time while pursuing their degree since coursework takes place during the daytime hours. It is not possible to work full-time while completing the Master's Credential Cohort Program.
How long will it take for me to complete my program? Can I take classes part-time?
Most of our master’s degrees and credentials are completed in 1½ to 2 years, but some can be completed more quickly or require more time. Our program pages include the estimated length of time to complete each program.
The length of time needed to complete the program will depend in part on whether the student is attending full-time or part-time. The majority of our programs offer a part-time option, in which students choose to take fewer classes each semester. Though they will complete the program at a slower pace, they will be in the same classes as full-time students and receive the same advising. The typical courseload for a Fall or Spring semester is:
| Full-Time Semester Load | Part-Time Semester Load | |
|---|---|---|
Credential |
12 units (approx. 4 courses) |
6 units (approx. 2 courses) |
Master's Degree |
9 units (approx. 3 courses) |
6 units (approx. 2 courses) |
Doctorate |
6 units (approx. 2 courses) |
3 units (approx. 1 course) |
Most students also take condensed courses during the shorter summer and Intersession (January) semesters.
Accreditation
Is SOLES an accredited institution?
Yes. The University of San Diego, of which SOLES is one division, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). SOLES programs are accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
Tuition and Financial Aid
What is the cost of tuition and fees?
SOLES tuition is assessed per unit and is currently set at $1,240 per unit for most of our master’s, credential and certificate programs and $1,255 per unit for our doctoral program (see exceptions below). Fees, which include the health services fee, student association fee and student life pavilion fee, typically total around $100 for each fall and spring semester for SOLES students. For the most current information, please visit Student Financial Services.
The ELDA administrative services credentials and the Master's Credential Cohort Program (both Single Subject and Multiple Subject options) grant discounted tuition to all students, beginning in summer and fall 2012. The M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership and Management offers discounted tuition to students currently employed by a nonprofit organization.
Do you offer scholarships and financial aid?
Yes. The majority of our students receive some form of financial assistance from the University in the form of scholarships, grants and/or student loans. The SOLES Financial Aid site has more information on how to finance your education with us.
When will I know how much financial aid I will receive?
The Office of Financial Aid creates financial aid packages for applicants once a current FAFSA has been filed and the student has received an offer of admission from the university. For graduate students, the package is typically available around two weeks after both of these conditions have been satisfied. Admitted students are notified by email when their financial aid package is available on the MySanDiego portal.
Does SOLES offer graduate assistantships?
Doctoral Graduate Assistantships are available for students pursuing the Ph.D. in Leadership Studies and Student Affairs Graduate Assistantships are available for students pursuing the M.A. in Higher Education Leadership. Applicants for admission to these programs will be contacted by the department with information on how to apply for assistantship positions.
Does SOLES offer the Yellow Ribbon Veteran's Benefit?
Yes! SOLES welcomes veterans and their dependents and is proud to participate in in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. For further information please contact Marvin Veneracion, University of San Diego VA Coordinator, at marvinv@sandiego.edu, or visit the USD Veteran's Affairs website.
Transfer Students
I have already completed part of my graduate education at another university, and I want to transfer to SOLES. How will my application process differ?
Transfer students follow the same deadlines and requirements for admission as first-time applicants.
Can I transfer credits from another program?
You may be eligible to transfer a limited number of credits into a SOLES program. The eligibility of courses for transfer will be determined by department faculty after you have received an offer of admission.
Credits must be from graduate-level coursework taken within the past five years at an approved, accredited university, and those credits cannot have been applied toward another degree. You must have earned a grade of “B” or higher in the coursework to be transferred. The maximum number of non-USD credits permitted is:
- 30-44 unit program: 6 units
- 45-53 unit program: 9 units
- 54-63 unit program: 12 units
This policy is subject to change.
I have a certification or credential from out-of-state. Will it transfer?
Information on credentialing can be found on our credentialing site. Students with out-of-state certifications and credentials who wish to obtain a California credential or certification should contact the San Diego County Office of Education for assistance. SOLES staff cannot determine whether an out-of-state credential will transfer, and we cannot recommend candidates for a credential unless they completed their credential coursework at SOLES.
Visiting Campus
Where is SOLES located?
Mother Rosalie Hill Hall, completed in 2007, is home to the School of Leadership and Education Sciences. Hill Hall is located on the northwestern corner of the University of San Diego campus, overlooking the city of San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. Directions and maps are available online.
Our state-of-the-art, 80,000 square foot building includes classroom space, faculty and staff offices, department suites, an auditorium, two computer labs, a career services office, counseling observation rooms, a reading room, team project rooms and a café. Hill Hall is also home to nearly a dozen SOLES centers and institutes such as the Center for Education Policy and Law (CEPAL) and the Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research.
Can I visit SOLES?
Yes! The Office of Admissions and Outreach is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. We are located in suite 149, on the first floor of Mother Rosalie Hill Hall, the building that houses SOLES. If you would like to sit down with an Admissions and Outreach representative, please schedule a visit in advance to ensure that someone is available to counsel you.
SOLES also offers prospective student Information Sessions throughout the year. These events give you the opportunity to meet faculty and current students as well as our admissions staff.
Can I sit in on a class during my visit?
To inquire about setting up a class visit, please contact the Office of Admissions and Outreach by calling (619) 260-7988 or by sending an email to solesadmissions@sandiego.edu. A staff member will be happy to assist you in coordinating a visit to an available class.
Can I meet with a faculty member to discuss my program of interest?
If you are interested in meeting our faculty members we recommend attending one of our on-campus Information Sessions, which are offered throughout the year. These sessions give you the opportunity to meet with our faculty, as well as administrators and current students. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions but would still like to connect with a faculty member, please contact the Office of Admissions and Outreach at solesadmissions@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-7988.
I am not able to visit campus. Can I still speak to someone to get my questions answered?
You are always welcome to call the Office of Admissions and Outreach at (619) 260-7988. If you are not able to visit but would like to meet one of our representatives, review the SOLES Graduate Fair Calendar and the Office of Graduate Admissions Graduate Fair Calendar to see if a representative will be coming to your area. You can also communicate with us via Facebook and Twitter!
