Admission Information
Applicants seeking 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 seeking admission to either of the doctoral programs must also hold a master's degree. The University of San Diego Graduate School's applicant selections is competitive and based on evidence that the applicant will be able to successfully pursue 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.
The University of San Diego does not admit applicants on provisional status to graduate programs. A department may recommend that an individual take additional courses or examinations prior to further consideration for admission, or it may require additional courses beyond program requirements as a condition for granting the degree.
General Application Filing Dates for Master's Programs
| Term | Admission Priority Filing Date | Admission Final Filing Date | USD Financial Aid Deadline* |
| Fall Semester | May 1 | August 20 | April 1 |
| Summer Semester | March 15 | May 15 | March 19 |
| Spring Semester | November 15 | January 15 | April 1 |
Applicants should thoroughly check departmental requirements and deadlines as they may vary by program.
*Students applying for USD Financial Aid must submit applications for both admission and financial aid by April 1 for the Fall and/or Spring semesters. In addition, applicants should have all documents on file and be accepted to the program no later than July 1.
Doctoral programs, along with several master's programs in the School of Business, School of Leadership and Educational Sciences, and School of Nursing have different deadlines. Please consult with the department web site or graduate bulletin for specific application deadlines.
Unless otherwise indicated in the program sections of the Graduate Bulletin, the above application priority filing dates will be in effect (applicants who are also applying for financial aid must meet the deadlines established by the Financial Aid Office). In most cases, applications are considered by departments on a rolling basis as the application files are completed (see program sections for the following exceptions: MSN and PhD in Nursing; EdD, MEd; MFA in Dramatic Arts; MS in Marine Science).
Although it is possible that a program might be filled before the final priority filing date, applications that are received by the priority filing date will be given careful consideration. Applicants are expected to ensure that the Office of Graduate Admissions has received all supporting credentials by the final filing date. In order to finalize application processing and prepare matriculating student records, applications will not be accepted after the final filing date indicated above.
Materials to be submitted by Applicants for Degrees, Credentials, or Certificates
Applicants must make sure that all of the following materials are sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions in order for their application to be reviewed:- The completed Application for Graduate Admission.
- The application fee of $45 made payable to the University of San Diego. International students must pay in currency of the United States, using an International Postal Money Order or a bank draft from a United States bank.
- An official transcript documenting each course taken beyond the high school level (whether or not within a degree program) and all degrees awarded. Transcripts that do not bear the registrar's signature and/or the institution's seal are not official and are, therefore, unacceptable. Applicants from outside the United States must give evidence of eligibility for university entrance by furnishing official records covering all university work. English translations must accompany the records if the original is not written in English.
- Three letters of recommendation 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.
- Current resume (required for Business and Nursing; strongly recommended for others).
- Standardized admission test scores when required by department (see program
section and "Admission Tests" below).
Admission Tests
Some departments require applicants to submit the results of one of the following standardized tests listed below. Registration forms, fee schedules, priority deadlines, and additional information for these tests are available from the Office of Graduate Admissions or by writing or calling the testing services at the following locations. USD's Institution Code number for all of these tests is 4849; this number must be included on the test registration form in order to have the official results sent to the University.
- California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
CBEST Program, National Evaluation Systems, P.O. Box 340880, Sacramento, CA 95834-0880
Phone: (916) 928-4001, Fax (916) 928-9242 - Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
Phone: (609) 771-7670, (510) 873-8100, Fax: (609) 771-7906, Internet: http://www.gre.org - Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6103, Princeton, NJ 08541-6103
Phone: (609) 771-7330, Fax: (609) 883-4349, Internet: http://www.mba.com - Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
The Psychological Corporation, 555 Academic Court, San Antonio, TX 78204-3956
Phone: (210) 921-8802, (800) 622-3231, Fax (210) 921-8861 - Administration Site: USD Office of Continuing Education
Phone (619) 260-4585 - Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Written
English (TWE)
TOEFL/TSE Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151
Phone: (609) 771-7100, Fax: (609) 771-7500, Internet: http://www.toefl.org
