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Admission Requirements
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GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION
Now Enrolling for the SPRING Term
If you’re ready to get started with your University of San Diego graduate school application, you’ve come to the right place. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, so you can apply now and then start in whichever semester you choose.
- Spring term: Classes start in January; Applications are due in early December
- Summer term: Classes start in May; Applications are due in mid-April
- Fall term: Classes start in September; Applications are due in early August
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission requirements vary by individual degree program, but across all programs applicants will need to have:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Official transcripts
- A personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
Please view your program’s Admission Requirements page for more detailed information. International students have additional requirements.
- M.S. in Applied Artificial Intelligence
- M.S. in Applied Data Science
- M.S. in Cyber Security Engineering
- M.S. in Cyber Security Operations and Leadership
- Master of Education
- M.S. in Engineering Management and Leadership
- M.S. in Engineering for Sustainability and Health
- M.S. in Health Care Informatics
- M.S. in Humanitarian Action
- M.S. in Information Technology Leadership
- M.S. in Innovation Technology and Entrepreneurship
- M.S. in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership
- M.S. in Learning Design and Technology
- M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership & Management
- Master of Theological Studies
academic calendar
Below is a list of significant dates regarding the registration process, payment deadlines and other important academic and program deadlines.
Fall 2023
Important Dates | Date |
---|---|
Application Deadline | August 1, 2023 |
Registration Opens | July 5, 2023 |
Registration Deadline | August 14, 2023 |
Orientation Course Due Date | September 1, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 100% Refund | September 4, 2023 |
Payment Due Date | September 5, 2023 |
Semester Begins | September 5, 2023 |
First Course Start Date | September 5, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 95% Refund/ Drop Deadline | September 8, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course A | October 2, 2023 |
First Course End Date | October 23, 2023 |
Second Course Start Date | October 24, 2023 |
First Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | November 6, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course B | November 20, 2023 |
Second Course End Date | December 11, 2023 |
Semester Ends | December 11, 2023 |
Second Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | December 25, 2023 |
Spring 2024
Important Dates | Date |
---|---|
Application Deadline | December 1, 2023 |
Registration Opens | November 1, 2023 |
Registration Deadline | December 15, 2023 |
Orientation Course Due Date | January 5, 2024 |
Last Day to Drop with 100% Refund | January 8, 2024 |
Payment Due Date | January 9, 2024 |
Semester Begins | January 9, 2024 |
First Course Start Date | January 9, 2024 |
Last Day to Drop with 95% Refund/ Drop Deadline | January 12, 2024 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course A | February 5, 2024 |
First Course End Date | February 26, 2024 |
Second Course Start Date | February 27, 2024 |
First Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | March 11, 2024 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course B | March 25, 2024 |
Second Course End Date | April 15, 2024 |
Semester Ends | April 15, 2024 |
Second Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | April 29, 2024 |
Summer 2024
Important Dates | Date |
---|---|
Application Deadline | April 8, 2024 |
Registration Opens | March 4, 2024 |
Registration Deadline | April 19, 2024 |
Orientation Course Due Date | May 3, 2024 |
Last Day to Drop with 100% Refund | May 6, 2024 |
Payment Due Date | May 7, 2024 |
Semester Begins | May 7, 2024 |
First Course Start Date | May 7, 2024 |
Last Day to Drop with 95% Refund/ Drop Deadline | May 10, 2024 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course A | June 3, 2024 |
First Course End Date | June 24, 2024 |
Second Course Start Date | June 25, 2024 |
First Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | July 8, 2024 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course B | July 22, 2024 |
Second Course End Date | August 12, 2024 |
Semester Ends | August 12, 2024 |
Second Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | August 26, 2024 |
Starting Your Application
Starting your application is easy! A great place to start is by viewing our series of short video tutorials that will walk you step by step through the application process.
Just create an account and begin filling in your personal information. You can save your progress and come back at any time to complete some of the more time-consuming requirements such as your essay or resume.
You’ll also have access to an enrollment advisor to help you through the application process and identify any additional items needed to complete your application. For example, you’ll also need to order your transcripts from your undergraduate degree, as well as request a letter of recommendation. Click the link below for more details on the application process.
International Students
If you are an international applicant, or if you earned your bachelor’s degree from a non-U.S. university, please allow extra time to complete your application as there will be additional requirements for admission.
Military Students
USD has a long history of partnering with active-duty military, veterans, and their families to provide an outstanding education while maximizing your benefits. Find out how to use your military benefits toward your online graduate degree.
Eligibility By State
Due to Department of Education regulations, the University of San Diego is unable to enroll students who reside in several states in its online degree programs. This does not affect applicants to campus-based programs. Read more about state authorizations and restrictions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Learn more about how much your degree will cost, how to get pre-approved for financial aid through FAFSA, and see other payment options such as interest-free monthly payments.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I still apply if I don’t meet one or more of the admissions criterion, but have a special circumstance that makes me a good candidate for the program?
Each applicant’s admissions packet is reviewed holistically, with full consideration of your professional experience, education, personal statement and letters of recommendation. Any exception to meeting the admissions requirements is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. An Enrollment Advisor will be happy to help you address all questions regarding your candidacy for the program.
How do I get started with the application process?
Click here to watch a series of short videos explaining how to fill out your online application.
If you are ready to apply to a program now start here.
It’s always best to connect with an Enrollment Advisor, who can also help you navigate the application details as well as help you order your official transcripts.
Are there special admission requirements for international students?
Yes. In addition to the admissions requirements, international students must also complete and submit the following:
- English Language Exam
- Course by Course Transcript and Credential Evaluations by one of our approved providers.
When is the application deadline?
Applications are processed on a rolling basis, which means the admissions committee will begin the review of your application soon after it is complete and all supporting documentation has been received. You are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible rather than wait for the published deadline to avoid any unexpected delays in tracking down official transcripts or requesting letters of recommendation.
- Fall applications are due in August
- Spring applications are due in December
- Summer applications are due in April
Specific deadlines are published on our academic calendar.
Do you accept transfer credit?
Admitted students can petition for transfer credits/units of graduate coursework, up to 6 credits, taken within the last 5 years, from a previously attended regionally accredited institution. Please note that the courses you are seeking to transfer in cannot have been taken as part of a completed graduate degree, and must be equivalent to a required course in your degree program. The M.S. in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership program provides additional opportunities for transfer credit beyond this 6 unit limit.
What is the admissions process timeline for international students?
International applicants should start three months before the deadline.
If you do not meet all the admission requirements (for example, if your undergraduate GPA is below the stated minimum for the program) and would like to ask for an exception, please allow extra time. You may be asked to provide additional support materials such as an essay as part of your application package to demonstrate your readiness to succeed in a graduate degree program.
What if I have a bachelor’s degree from a nationally accredited university?
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required for admission. National accreditation is not recognized as an equal standard. If you received your undergraduate degree from a nationally accredited university, please work with your Enrollment Advisor to request an evaluation of your specific situation.
What happens if I can’t start the program the same term to which I was admitted?
You can request to defer admission to your degree program for one year. For example, if you were accepted to the Fall 2021 term, you can request to defer your admission to as late as Fall 2022. Requests must be made via an online form that will be provided to you by your enrollment advisor or program coordinator.
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