Submission of an Application and Deadlines
For admission information and procedures, see graduate.asu.edu/admissions. Students are encouraged to apply via the website to expedite processing time. The application deadlines are set by the degree programs so applicants are urged to contact the programs directly. For fall enrollment, international applicants must submit application materials by the previous December. For spring enrollment (when allowed by the academic unit) international applicants must submit application materials by the previous August. Not all programs accept applications for both fall and spring semesters. Applicants are advised to contact the specific degree program departments for this information.
Application Fee
Each application to an ASU graduate program must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee. For current fees please see the Graduate Admission website.
Application Requirements
All applicants must submit official transcripts to the Graduate College from all post-secondary institutions previously attended (see graduate.asu.edu/admissions). Degree programs, departments, or colleges, may have admission requirements in addition to those of the Graduate College. Many graduate programs require scores from a national admissions test such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or the Miller Analogies Test. Some programs require a portfolio, letters of recommendation, and/or a statement of goals.Applicants should contact the degree program for specific additional requirements. Degree programs will make a recommendation to the Graduate College dean regarding their willingness to admit an applicant.
Because ASU receives applications from many highly qualified students, some applicants may be denied admission for reasons not related to their academic performance (e.g., program capacity, mentor availability, program match).
Additional International Requirements
International Applicants: Additional Requirements
Applicants who will hold an F-1 or J-1 visa must:
- Meet the regulations of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
- Obtain insurance coverage against illness and accident before being permitted to register. Insurance must be maintained throughout the student's enrollment at the university.
- Must submit additional materials as stated on the Graduate College's website at graduate.asu.edu/admissions.
- Verify that they have the financial resources to cover their expenses during graduate study at ASU. The Financial Guarantee form is available through the Graduate College website at graduate.asu.edu/forms.
The I-20 or the DS-2019 (documents needed to obtain a student visa) is issued only after the completed and properly verified Financial Guarantee form and supporting documents have arrived. International students may enroll at ASU only if they have been admitted to a degree program, a certificate program, or the post-baccalaureate teacher education program. Immediately upon arrival on campus, students must report to an advisor in the International Student Office (ISO), http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/ed/iso/.
English Language Requirement
Applicants from a country whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency as indicated by acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), as follows:
- The minimum TOEFL requirement for entry into any graduate program is 550 (paper-based) or 80 internet based TOEFL (iBT).
- The minimum IELTS requirement for entry into any graduate program is an overall band score of 6.5 with no individual band score below 6.0.
- Individual degree programs may have higher TOEFL or IELTS requirements for their various programs. Consult the individual department websites for more information.
The following exceptions apply to the English proficiency requirement:
- Applicants who have completed at least 90 semester credit hours (or equivalent) with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) at a regionally accredited institution in the United States are exempt from the English proficiency requirement.
- Applicants who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited university in the United States are exempt from the English proficiency requirement. This study must have been done within the United States.
- Applicants who have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate level study at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States with a GPA of 3.00 or higher are exempt from the English proficiency requirement.
- Applicants who have completed the ASU American English and Culture Program Advanced 2 Level (with grades of "B" or higher) are exempt from the English proficiency requirement.
All international applicants who are from a country whose native language is not English and who wish to apply for teaching assistantships must pass an examination that certifies their skill in speaking English-either the Test of Spoken English (TSE), which may be taken in the student's home country, or the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) test, which is administered at ASU. Some degree programs also require TSE or SPEAK scores of applicants whose native language is not English. For specific information about TSE requirements, contact the head of the program.
Graduate College Admission Requirements
An individual who holds a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) or a graduate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university of recognized standing is eligible to apply for admission to the Graduate College. Remedies for undergraduate deficiencies may be assigned by academic units if the undergraduate degree is based on credits not accepted by ASU, such as life experience, or noncredit workshops and seminars.Generally, an applicant must have a GPA of 3.00 (scale: 4.00 = A), or the equivalent, in the last two years of work leading to the bachelor's degree. A student who enters a graduate degree program is expected to have undergraduate educational experiences, including general education studies, that are similar to those required for the baccalaureate degree at ASU. The Graduate College evaluates the equivalency of the student's bachelor's degree to determine if the degree is acceptable for a graduate program at ASU.
Admission Decisions
Only the Graduate College dean can make formal offers of admission. The Graduate College notifies all applicants in writing of the admission decision. Applicants are admitted into the university for the semester and year indicated on their admission letter and must initiate their program by registering for courses in that semester.All academic credentials and supporting materials received by the university in connection with an application for admission become the property of ASU.
Deferral of Admission Decisions
A student may, with the recommendation of the degree program, defer his/her initial semester and year of admission to the next semester in which the program is admitting students. No further deferrals are allowed.
Admission Status
There are several admission status levels which can be applied to a student's application:Regular Admission Status:
Regular admission status is assigned to an applicant who fulfills all requirements for admission and is academically acceptable to both the degree program and the Graduate College.Regular Admission with Deficiencies Status:
Regular admission with deficiencies status is assigned to an applicant whose grades and test scores are at an acceptable level but who does not have the undergraduate background expected by the degree program and the university. Deficiency courses may not be applied toward the minimum hours required for the degree program.Provisional Admission Status:
Provisional admission status is assigned to a student who does not meet minimum academic standards but has additional evidence to suggest the potential for success. This status provides the degree program with an opportunity to better evaluate the student's academic potential. Students who do not meet the provisions of their admission will be withdrawn from their program. When students have completed their provisional requirements, they should check with their advisors to make sure that change of status has been recommended. A provisional student may also be assigned deficiency courses. Students with Provisional Admission are not eligible to submit their Plan of Study.Post-baccalaureate Non-degree Admission Status:
Students not immediately intending to earn a degree may enroll as post-baccalaureate non-degree students. The application process does not require submission of test scores or transcripts unless the student is applying to a graduate certificate program as well. For post-baccalaureate non-degree admission information and procedures, access the website at graduate.asu.edu/admissions/nondegree.html. See the Pre-Admission Credits paragraph in the Graduate Degree Requirements section of these policies for maximum credit hours that can be applied to a degree program. Please note that courses in some academic units are open only to degree-seeking students.