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 bachelor's degree and master’s degree. Selection for admission to a USD graduate program is competitive and 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 review the departmental sections of this course catalog 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.

Procedure

Application for admission should be made online at the University of San Diego’s Office of Graduate Admission website. Supporting documentation, such as official transcripts, must be sent electronically to grads@sandiego.edu or mailed to:

Office of Graduate Admission
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
(619) 260-4524

Application Filing Dates for Admission

University of San Diego application deadlines vary by program and are subject to change. In addition, programs may offer more than one entry term.  Please refer to the department or department website of the program to which you are applying for the appropriate application deadline and/or entry term.

Some programs offer priority and final application deadlines. 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 Admission by the final filing date. 

USD Financial Aid Deadline1: April 1

(All deadlines are subject to change. Please refer to program website for further information.)

1

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 financial aid application documents on file and be accepted to the program no later than Aug. 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.

  1. The Application for Admission.
  2. The stipulated application fee. This is a nonrefundable fee and is subject to change. International students must pay in United States currency.
  3. An official transcript from the university where you earned your undergraduate (bachelor's) degree. If you are a doctoral applicant, you are also required to submit an official transcript from the university where you earned your graduate (master's) degree. Transcripts that do not bear the registrar’s signature and/or the institution’s seal are not official and are, therefore, unacceptable. Foreign educated applicants submit a course-by-course transcript evaluation performed by an independent credential evaluation service such as World Education Services (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE). A list of approved transcript evaluation agencies can be found on the Graduate Admission website. 
  4. Two-Three letters of recommendation (if required by program) 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. Recommendations must be submitted in English. 
  5. Current résumé.
  6. Personal statement or research interest statement. Certain programs require multiple statements. Please refer to the departmental website for more detailed information.
  7. 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, available test dates and additional information for these tests can be found through the testing service Web sites. 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 course-by-course transcript evaluations performed by an approved independent credential evaluation service. Please see the Office of Graduate Admission website for a list of approved independent evaluators. 

Students from non-English-speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo Exam. 

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
www.toefl.org

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
www.ielts.org

Duolingo
www.duolingo.com

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, Saints Tekakwitha & Serra Hall, Room 201.

All F-1 and J-1 student visa holders are expected to enroll full-time, attend all classes on a regular basis, and expect to make satisfactory academic progress to complete the degree on time.

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 pce.sandiego.edu/english-language-academy/ 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), receive a minimum IELTS overall band score of 7.0, or receive a 120 on the traditional Duolingo exam.

The Knauss School of Business 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 require a higher minimum score.

The Kroc School of Peace Studies requires a minimum of 90 on the Internet-based exam, with at least a 20 for Speaking and a 17 for Writing. The minimum score required on the International English Testing System (IELTS) is an overall band score of 7, with at least 7 for Listening and at least 7.5 for Speaking.

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 800 locations in over 130 countries.  Information about the Duolingo exam may be found at www.duolingo.com.

Non-Degree Students

Any interested individual holding a bachelor’s degree from an approved and accredited institution may apply through the Open Campus process to take graduate coursework on a non-degree basis. All students applying though Open Campus need approval from the appropriate Graduate Director and Dean’s Office. After the student receives approval, the student will complete the Open Campus application process, which includes submitting official transcripts of all attempted college work. Please note that the Knauss School of Business restricts non-degree access to courses to students already enrolled and in good standing in graduate programs at USD or other accredited and approved institutions.

Students may take a maximum of 18 units per semester. However, typically only a maximum of 6 units may be eligible to apply to a USD graduate degree. Some, but not all, departments will consider allowing a student to take courses through Open Campus while completing the program application process. Admission and enrollment as an Open Campus student does not obligate the department to admit an otherwise unqualified applicant. Financial aid is not available to Open Campus non-degree students.

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 programs involved. Current admission requirements and procedures for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Knauss Schools of Business are included in this course catalog. 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.

Please Note: USD policy prohibits concurrent enrollment in more than one graduate and/or doctoral program unless they are part of a formalized dual degree program. 

Reconsideration for Admission

An applicant who has been denied admission to a USD graduate program may request reconsideration under the following conditions:

  1. The applicant must request of the Director of Admission in writing that his or her application be reconsidered
  2. In that written request, the applicant must indicate what new, substantial evidence is being provided for review by the admissions coordinator or committee
  3. 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 course catalog in effect at that time; the applicant will be informed of the committee’s decision at the appropriate time.