Apply Online for Fall Admission, or Request an Application Packet.
The M.A. in International Studies Program (MAIS) starts every fall (late August). The priority application date for fall applications is February 15. Completed applications will be reviewed for admission and a limited number of scholarships. Since applications that are complete are reviewed on a rolling admission basis, it is best to apply as early as possible. Once the class for the fall program is filled during any of these rounds of admission review, later qualified applicants may be placed on a waiting list.
Applicants need to hold a Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) in any academic subject from a recognized university-level institution. Students may complete the program in three semesters (fall, spring, summer) or four semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall).
Required Application Items
- Application Form – Application form and application fee of $55.
- Transcript – One official transcript from each university or college (university-level institution) attended.
- Letters of Recommendation – Two letters of recommendation (at least one is an academic recommendation from a professor; preferably both letters are academic recommendations). Recommendation letters are submitted by individuals who can attest to the applicant's ability and competence to succeed in the studies, research and writing required by this graduate program.
- Statement of Purpose – A two-to-three page Statement of Purpose that describes the strengths and any weaknesses of your academic background, research interests, reasons for pursuing a Master's Program in International Studies at the University of San Francisco and your educational and career goals.
- International students are required to submit their official TOEFL or IELTS score and a copy of their passport. If an F-1 visa is sought by the applicant, then a completed Certification of Finance form with supplemental official bank statements or bank letter (see International Students) must be submitted before the application can be considered for admission. Applicants seeking an F-1 visa need to provide a non-U.S. mailing address in their application, in addition to any other address provided.
See the inside of the application for more details about each item required in the application. Do not submit any application items to the Department of International Studies. Submit these items to:
University of San Francisco
Office of Graduate Programs, Arts and Sciences
2130 Fulton Street, HR 240
San Francisco, California 94117
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Tests and GPA Requirements
The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) is optional and not required for admission. An applicant may want to submit their GRE results if they believe it might strengthen their application.
An official TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score is required of international applicants. A minimum TOEFL score of 79 (internet-based) or 550 (paper-based) is required for consideration. The USF school code for the GRE and the TOEFL is 6966. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or higher and a PTE score of 53 or higher is required for admission review. The department code is not necessary. After review of an application, coursework in USF's Intensive English Program may be recommended or required.
There is no strict GPA requirement for admission to the graduate program. In general, however, a GPA of 3.0 or higher strengthens an application to any graduate program.
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Notification of Admission Decision
When an application and all required documents are on file in the Office of Graduate Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences (see address above), the application is complete and will be forwarded to the MAIS Program for admission review. Admission decisions are mailed after the February 15 deadline. Included in the admission decision letter will be notification of any scholarship awarded by the graduate program. Applicants can check their application status online, but cannot check their admission status online.
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Tuition Deposit
All students who are admitted to the graduate program are required to submit a tuition deposit to reserve a space in the program after notification of admission is received. The tuition deposit deadline is included in the student's letter of admission The tuition deposit must be received at the Department of International Studies at USF on, or before, that date or the admitted student is not guaranteed a place in the graduate program and the admission will be canceled.
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Application Status
Once an application form is processed by USF, you will be mailed a web account so that you can check your application status online. Or you can contact the Office of Graduate Programs at 415.422.5101 or by email at asgraduate@usfca.edu. A student's admission status cannot be accessed online.
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Financial Aid Application
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you can begin the free application process for a U.S. federal student loan at www.fafsa.ed.gov . The USF federal school code for the FAFSA is 001325. All U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for $20,500 in U.S. federal student loans in each year of graduate studies, unless if a student has defaulted on a previous student loan. There is no application deadline for these loans, although students are encouraged to submit a FAFSA as soon as possible since the loan process can take eight weeks to complete.
For any financial assistance offered by the Department of International Studies, all applicants (US domestic and international) will be considered and notified of such an award in the admission letter. There is no separate application for this assistance. International students, and U.S. students, can contact the One Stop/Financial Aid Office for other student loan programs available to graduate students.
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Advising, Registration, Orientation and Start of Classes
Admitted students should contact the Department of International Studies for details about the advising and registration schedule in late August for new students each fall. The department can be contacted at 415.422.5541 or mais@usfca.edu .
International students are highly recommended to arrive at USF at least 10 days before the first day of classes in the fall in order to finalize housing arrangements and attend the International Student Orientation. Contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services for details and dates about the International Student Orientation at isss@usfca.edu .
International students should note that the earliest arrival in the United States that an F-1 visa allows is 30 days before the start date on the I-20 form issued to you.
International Student Orientation
New international students are required to attend the International Student Orientation in fall (late August). Please visit www.usfca.edu/isss for the latest details or contact ISSS at isss@usfca.edu . International students are highly recommended to arrive at USF at least 10 days before the first day of classes in the fall and spring to finalize housing arrangements and attend International Student Orientation.
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