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 doctoral programs) 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:
- Observe all guidelines and application deadlines for
the graduate program to which the student is applying.
- Submit an application form with the $55
non-refundable application fee for that graduate program. Applicants may
request a paper application by contacting the appropriate Graduate
Admission Office or by downloading a PDF of the application. Applicants
may also apply electronically, which is the preferred method to apply.
To secure a paper application or access the online form go to
www.usfca.edu/graduate.
- Submit all required materials to the appropriate
Graduate Office. For a list of Graduate Admission Offices go to
www.usfca.edu/graduate.
- 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.
- Ask the registrar of each university attended to send
one official copy of all transcripts directly to the appropriate
Graduate Admission Office.
- 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 credits - eight credits,
or two courses. Doctoral students may transfer up to 12 credits. (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 Bologna Process
signatory countries will be accepted by the following University of San
Francisco School/Colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School
of Nursing and Health Professions, the 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
non-native speakers of English 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
Each school or program has its own minimum TOEFL Requirements that every applicant must meet.
- Please see the specific program description elsewhere in
this catalog, and on the application for admission, for further details.
-
Application
Applicants are encouraged to apply online at
www.usfca.edu/graduate. Paper application forms for specific graduate
programs may also be obtained at this same web address.
Please contact one of the following Graduate Admission offices for more information:
Office
of Graduate Admission
- University of San Francisco
- 2130 Fulton Street
- San Francisco, CA 94117-1046
- (415) 422-2090
- email: graduate@usfca.edu
College of Arts and Sciences
- Office of Graduate Programs, Harney 141
- University of San Francisco
- 2130 Fulton Street
- San Francisco, California 94117-1080
- (415) 422-5101
- email: asgraduate@usfca.edu
-
School of Management
- Graduate Admission Office
- School of Management
- 2130 Fulton Street
- Masonic 108
- San Francisco, California 94117-1080
(415) 422-2221
School of Education
- Admissions Coordinator, School of Education
- Dean's Office - Room 107
- University of San Francisco
- 2130 Fulton Street
- San Francisco, California 94117-1080
- (415) 422-6525
-
School of Nursing and Health Professions
- Cowell Hall, Room 102
- University of San Francisco
- 2130 Fulton Street
- San Francisco, California 94117-1080
- (415) 422-6681
Procedures for Obtaining and Maintaining Student
Visa Status for Graduate Students
All admitted students of graduate programs at the
University who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and plan to study at USF with an F or J Visa 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.
