How to Apply

Follow these steps to complete your application as a USD graduate student.

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The Application Process

Starting Your Application

The application process for all USD graduate programs is completed online.

Create Your Account

To begin your graduate program application click on “Create an Account.” If you have previously started a graduate application with University of San Diego, you can enter your username and password to sign in to your existing account. This brief video (length: 1 min, 22 secs) walks you through the process of creating your account.

Select Your Program

Now it’s time to select the program that you intend to apply for. Available degree programs are categorized by the school or academic unit that offers the program. Don’t worry – if you don’t know the school, you can use the search bar toward the top of the page. Be sure to select the program with the correct start term and start year when choosing your application. Spring terms start in January, summer terms start in May and fall terms start in September.

FILL IN BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Enter Personal Information

To get your application ready for submission, you’ll need to complete each of the four quadrants: “Personal Information,” “Academic History,” “Supporting Information” and “Program Materials.” You can work on these sections in any order you wish. Take a look inside the Personal Information section in this video (1 min, 19 secs).

Enter Academic History

To complete the “Colleges Attended” section, locate and add the institutions you have attended via the drop-down menu. Provide the requested information in all areas that are marked with a red asterisk (*). Be sure to add all colleges and universities that you have attended in the past, even if the courses you took there did not lead to a degree.

Just take your best guess at your GPAs – we’ll get this information from your official transcripts when they arrive.

Provide Additional Documents

The “Supporting Information” section is where you will upload your CV/Resume and other documents that may be required for your program application. Before uploading anything, review all of your documents and remove any sensitive information they may contain, such as your Social Security number. The top of the page includes helpful tips for uploading documents, including which file types are accepted and a reminder to remove any password protection you might have on your documents. Each file you upload will need to be less than 15 megabytes in size. See video (length: 43 secs).

Your Essay & Letters of Recommendation

First, click on the “Program Materials” section, and then click the blue section that includes the name of the program to which you are applying. Then, click on the “Documents” tab to find the instructions for completing the personal statement or essay requirement. Next, click on the “Recommendations” tab to create a Recommendation Request. Most programs require two recommendations, however, some only require one. Your program’s requirements will be listed at the top of the page. If your degree offers different learning tracks or specializations, you’ll see a Questions tab. Click on that tab to select your desired specialization from the drop-down menu. See video (length: 2 mins, 9 secs).

Ordering Transcripts & Troubleshooting

Submit Official Transcripts

The online portion of your application will be complete once all of the application quadrants are green with a white checkmark. But don’t forget to order your official transcripts! Have them sent directly to University of San Diego’s Office of Graduate Admissions.

This video (length: 2 mins, 10 secs) will review the instructions for ordering your own transcripts, where to send them and how to have USD request them on your behalf. If you received your bachelor’s degree outside the U.S., this video also reviews additional instructions for you. Finally, if you encounter troubles with your online application, you’ll find some troubleshooting tips toward the end of the video.

Ready

To get started?

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