Admission of Graduate Students

For more information, please visit http://www.usfca.edu/graduate.

The domestic applicant for admission as a graduate student must have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent (and a master's degree for the Ed.D. program) from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. The student's academic record must give evidence of the ability and preparation necessary to pursue graduate work. Ordinarily the minimum GPA requirement for admission to regular graduate status is a record of 3.0 (B) in all upper division major courses and 2.70 (B-) overall average for upper division courses.

The applicant whose undergraduate preparation does not include a proper foundation for graduate work in the field of his or her choice may be required to take some specified undergraduate courses.

Applicants to graduate programs should consult the appropriate college section of this catalog for additional information concerning specific program requirements. Separate admission standards apply to the School of Law. Please contact them directly for a catalog and admission material.

To ensure the proper processing of applications for admission, applicants must:

1. Observe all guidelines and application deadlines for the graduate program to which the student is applying.
2. Secure an application form for that graduate program from the Graduate Admission Office or its website at www.usfca.edu/graduate.
3. Submit all required materials to the Graduate Admission Office except for School of Education materials. They should be sent directly to the School of Education.
4. Return the completed application form, enclosing the non-refundable application fee of $55.
5. Request letters of recommendation from two persons (three for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program) who are familiar with the applicant's academic and personal achievements. Certain programs require only one letter of recommendation.
6. Ask the registrar of each university attended to send one official copy of all transcripts directly to the Graduate Admission Office.
7. For purposes of admission, the University normally disregards any failing grades that applicants may have received ten years or more prior to their application to USF.

Some graduate programs require additional information such as a statement of purpose, official test scores, and a resume.

Transfer of Credit

In exceptional cases, graduate course work taken at other colleges or post-baccalaureate courses completed at USF may be accepted in partial fulfillment of the graduate program requirements. The student must petition the dean through his or her faculty advisor and the program chairperson, if applicable. The petition must contain justification and explicit approval of the advisor and the chairperson, if applicable. Credit is typically limited to six units - eight units, or two courses. Doctoral students may transfer up to 12 units. (General Education core requirements may not be satisfied by transfer of credit for School of Education students.)

To be acceptable for transfer of credit, courses must:

• be regular graduate or post-baccalaureate level courses
• be taken at an accredited institution of higher learning, or an institution that is a candidate for accreditation, within the last seven years
• not be supervised field work, directed study, or field practice, and
• have an earned minimum grade of "B".

The School of Education does not accept transfer of credit for Extended and/or Continuing Education courses. An official transcript record of the course work and course descriptions must accompany the approved transfer petition and should be sent to the Office of the University Registrar.

International Applicants to Graduate Programs

The international applicant for admission to USF master's level programs and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Three year undergraduate (bachelor's) degrees within the 45 Bologna Process signatory countries will be accepted by the following University of San Francisco School/Colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies and the School of Nursing, the Masagung Graduate School of Management and the School of Law (for the LLM program).

The School of Education will review 3-year bachelor's degrees from countries within the Bologna Process on a case-by-case basis, as California licensure and/or credential requirements may limit or prohibit acceptance into some School of Education programs based on these degrees.

Three-year undergraduate degrees from all other countries (e.g., in Africa, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan) will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by all schools and colleges at the University of San Francisco.

In all cases, the University of San Francisco will only accept degrees from colleges and universities that are recognized by a governmental ministry of education (or its equivalent) as a degree-granting institution for the country within which the institution of higher learning is located.

Applicants for admission to graduate programs must request that official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended be sent directly to USF. Applicants who attended institutions that do not issue complete academic records in English must submit official copies of native language records and literal translations prepared by an appropriate university or government official. Official transcripts must show all courses and subjects taken and all grades (marks) received. If the degree conferral date or graduation date is not posted on the transcript, additional documentation, such as degree and graduation certificate or a copy of the diploma must be submitted.

Diploma supplements must accompany transcripts from European institutions.

International students seeking an F or J visa must submit a Certification of Finances and supporting documentation of financial support for the first year of study at the University. In addition to the admission requirements specified by the individual graduate programs elsewhere in this catalog, and the general requirements stated above, an official TOEFL or IELTS score report is generally required of all international students before evaluation of academic credentials will take place. Official TOEFL or IELTS score reports must be forwarded directly to the Office of Graduate Admission by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at the time of application.

TOEFL Requirements

School of Education

At least:

570 (230 CB, 88 IBT) TOEFL or 6.5 IELTS for M.A. programs

600 (250 CB, 100 IBT) TOEFL or 7.0 IELTS for Ed.D. program

Masagung Graduate School of Management, School of Nursing, and College of Professional Studies

600 (250 CB, 100 IBT) TOEFL or 7.0 IELTS

College of Arts and Sciences

Minimum score: 550 (213 CB, 79 IBT) TOEFL or 7.O IELTS

• Except Asia Pacific Studies: 580 (232 CB, 92 IBT) TOEFL or 7.0 IELTS
• Except Biology, Chemistry: 570 (230 CB, 88 IBT) TOEFL or 7.0 IELTS

Please see the specific program description elsewhere in this catalog, and on the application for admission, for further details.

Application

Application forms for specific graduate programs may also be obtained online at

http://www.usfca.edu/graduate

or by contacting one of the following offices:

Office of Graduate Admission

University of San Francisco

2130 Fulton Street

San Francisco, CA 94117-1046

(415) 422-4723

email: graduate@usfca.edu

College of Arts and Sciences

Office of the Dean, Harney 240

University of San Francisco

2130 Fulton Street

San Francisco, California 94117-1080

(415) 422-6373

School of Education

Dean's Office, School of Education

University of San Francisco

2130 Fulton Street

San Francisco, California 94117-1080

(415) 422-6525

Masagung Graduate School of Management

Director, MBA Programs

Malloy Hall, Room 113

University of San Francisco

2130 Fulton Street

San Francisco, California 94117-1080

(415) 422-2221

email: mbausf@usfca.edu

School of Nursing

Cowell Hall

University of San Francisco

2130 Fulton Street

San Francisco, California 94117-1080

(415) 422-6681

College of Professional Studies

University of San Francisco

2130 Fulton Street

San Francisco, California 94117-1080

(415) 422-6000

(Applications to the College of Professional Studies and School of Education can also be obtained directly from USF Regional Campuses.)

Procedures for Obtaining and Maintaining Student Visa Status for Graduate Students

All admitted students of the graduate programs at the University who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or who hold a visa other than F or J must obtain an I-20 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Student Visa) from the Office of Graduate Admission before entering the United States or transferring from another school within the United States. The I-20 Form will be provided only to those students who have satisfied the admission requirements stated above and are accepted into a graduate program.

The I-20 Form must be presented to an American Embassy or Consulate abroad in order to obtain a Student Visa (F-1) or, if the prospective student is already in the United States studying at another U.S. school, he or she must have his or her SEVIS record transferred to USF by the international advisor at the current institution. Students accepted by more than one school must present the I-20 Form of the school they wish to attend at both the American Embassy and border crossing point. It is essential that admitted students of USF declare their intention to study at USF before leaving their own country and not expect to change their visa status after arrival in the U.S.

Anyone holding a B-2 (tourist) Visa who wishes to attend USF will be mailed an I-20 Form only to an address outside the U.S. and only prior to registration for classes. The University does not offer legal assistance to anyone attempting to change from tourist to student status.

The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service requires that all international students maintain a full-time program of study (at least 8 units for Master's students in Business, Education, and Nursing and for students in the Juris Doctor program in the School of Law; 10 units for LLM students in the School of Law; and 6 units for Master's students in Arts and Sciences and Professional Studies and for doctoral students in Education and Nursing), attend classes regularly and maintain normal progress toward completion of the degree objective. Additional information regarding INS regulations is available from the USF Office of International Student Services.