International students add diversity and varied perspectives to USD programs
Application Instructions for International Students
Most, but not all, of our graduate degree programs are open to international students. Please be sure to check the admissions requirements for the program in which you are interested in enrolling.
International students currently in the U.S. on an F-1 or M-1 student visa are not eligible to pursue an online degree, per U.S. immigration regulations. Verify that your country allows access to essential software like VPN or DUO, which is vital for seamless online access during your studies.
If you are an Indian student interested in studying online with USD, see our USD Online in India admission information here. If you are an international applicant, it is recommended that you begin the application process up to three months before the application deadline. In addition to the standard admission requirements, you may also be required to submit the following items for acceptance to the program:
English Proficiency Examination Scores
An official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-iBT) , International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test is required of all international applicants. TOEFL iBT and IELTS scores must be no more than two years old from the time you submit your online application.
Minimum score requirements for TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic and Duolingo tests vary per program, please verify with your enrollment advisor what scores are required for the program you're applying to.
Applicants will need to designate the University of San Diego Office of Graduate Admission as a recipient of their score report.
Waiving out of the English Language Exam requirement:
The English Language Exam requirement may only be waived if you have earned a 4-year bachelor's degree or 2-year master's degree, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, from an institution where English is the official language of instruction. Waiver requests based on living or working in an English-language context, or based on educational pursuits that resulted in less than the conferral of a 4-year bachelor's or 2-year master's degree, will not be accepted.
Waivers are not automatically applied; all waivers must be requested. Waivers are granted on a one-by-one basis for a specific program and term. Obtaining a waiver is not guaranteed under any circumstances.
To request a waiver of the English Language Exam requirement:
- Submit the Online Application; your waiver request will not be considered until we receive your Online Application.
- Submit your official transcript or official course-by-course international transcript evaluation showing proof of your bachelor's and/or master's degree having been earned at an institution where English is the language of instruction. Please be aware that if you attended a foreign institution, that institution must clearly state on their website that English is the language of instruction. If no such statement is posted, you will need to obtain an official verification letter from that institution confirming English as the language of instruction, and submit it as part of your application for admission.
- Once you have submitted both your Online Application and your official transcript(s)/evidence of degree earned at an institution where English is the language of instruction, please email the program you are applying to in order to request the waiver. Your waiver request must be supported by the program you are applying to before it can be reviewed.
Transcript and Credential Evaluation
If you earned a degree from an institution outside the United States, you are required to submit an official international transcript evaluation (also called a foreign credential evaluation) as part of your application. Please note that the evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation. You must order your official course-by-course evaluation from one of the following evaluation services:
Sending Transcripts, Evaluations & Additional Application Materials to USD
The University of San Diego encourages applicants to have their supporting application materials (WES evaluations, official transcripts, standardized test scores, etc.) sent via secure electronic means so as to expedite processing. Please keep in mind that in order to be considered official, all materials must be sent electronically directly from the institution or organization providing them. Materials emailed from applicants will not be accepted.
Please send all supporting materials to: [email protected]
If your institution or organization cannot support electronic delivery, materials may be mailed to:
University of San Diego
Office of Graduate Admissions
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
More Information for International Applicants
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