Graduate Admission

The Graduate Admission Office processes applications for all graduate programs, including master's, credential, and certificate programs.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Admission requirements for all graduate programs include a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a cumulative grade point average of 2.5.  However it is recommended that you also visit program specific web pages to learn more about additional requirements or varying minimum requirements.  For most master's and credential programs, grades in prerequisite/foundation courses must be C- or higher and two recommendations are required.  The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not an institutional requirement for entrance into NDNU graduate programs. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Program-specific Requirements

Admission requirements vary by program. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required for entrance to the MBA programs. Certain graduate programs may require an initial interview and/or test scores. See the relevant Catalog sections for program-specific requirements.

International Students

International students whose first language is not English are required to submit test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)* to be considered for admission. A minimum 550 (paper-based total), a minimum 213 (computer-based total) or 80 (internet-based total) is required.

* International students attending an NDNU approved English as a Second Language School are eligible to opt out of the TOEFL requirement if an articulated English proficiency level has been achieved. Please consult with the Office of Admission for specific agreements with partner schools. These international students will be required to take NDNU’s English as a Second Language (ESL) assessment exam prior to enrolling in classes to determine if NDNU’s English for International students (EI) coursework is appropriate.

International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service. We recommend World Education Services, Inc. (WES). Please refer to their website www.wes.org for an explanation of their services.

International students must also complete the International Student Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support, as part of the application process. This form is available from the Admission office and is downloadable through the NDNU web site. (Click here) This link points to an outdated document!! to download it as a printable document in Acrobat Reader PDF format.)

Immigration Services: For international students and applicants, the Office of Admission processes admission applications. The International Student Office manages immigration and intergovernmental documents related to enrollment at NDNU.

Application Procedure

For Master's and Credential programs:

Application and Fee

Online option: Fill out the application for graduate admission online, and then mail in supplementary forms, such as recommendations. The $60 nonrefundable application fee is paid online.

Traditional method: Fill out the application forms from Graduate Admission or print the forms from the web (Acrobat Reader required) and mail them in. Include the $60 nonrefundable application fee with your application.

Transcripts

Have one official transcript sent to Graduate Admission from each college or university attended. One transcript must show a bachelor's degree granted from a regionally accredited institution.

Prerequisites

If you feel you have already completed prerequisites for Master's, Credential, and Certificate programs, please download a pdf version of the Application to Apply Courses to NDNU's Prerequisites.  Please complete this form and forward it to the Graduate Admissions Office for inclusion with your graduate admissions application material.

Recommendations

Please refer to specific program requirements.  Most programs require two recommendations be sent to Graduate Admissions.  Forms are available from Graduate Admissions or you may download a pdf version of the personal reference form. These forms are to be completed by persons who are best able to judge your academic and professional qualifications and are to be included with letters of recommendation. If possible, recommendations should be from professors in your major academic department.  Applicants who have not been in school for some time should ask professional colleagues or administrators for references.

For Graduate Certificate Programs

Application and Fee

Fill out the application form available from Graduate Admission or print the application for graduate admission online from the web and mail it in. Include the $60 nonrefundable application fee with your application.  This link should point to the same application as above (this link here is dead and there is no separate app for certificates.)

Transcript

Send official transcripts from each college or university attended to Graduate Admission Office.  Transcripts must show proof of bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.  Note: All official documents submitted for admission consideration become property of the institution and cannot be returned or copied for distribution.

Submission and Acceptance Schedule

Acceptances are issued on a rolling basis. To facilitate the process, we encourage applicants to complete their application file well before the following dates

Domestic Students

August 1		Fall Admission
December 1		Spring Admission
April 1		Summer Admission

International Students

July 1		Fall Admission
December 1		Spring Admission
April 1		Summer Admission

Admission Status

Students may be admitted to a graduate program with any of the following statuses:

Full Admission

May be offered to a student who has met all admission requirements.

Conditional Admission

Students who have not met the formal admission requirements but whose accomplishments have convinced the University Graduate Admissions Committee and their major departments that they have potential for success as advanced degree candidates, will be considered for conditional admission. For conditional admission, graduate admission committees will make a holistic judgment on the applicant’s potential for success in the graduate program, and for contributing to the mission of the program. For specific conditions please contact your academic advisor of your program of interest.

Term of Admission

Admission is offered for a specific year and term. An acceptance is valid for one year from the term of admission. If a student does not enroll and complete courses within that year, his/her file will be destroyed.

Unclassified Graduate Status

For admission to Unclassified Graduate status, a student must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university or have the equivalent of a United States bachelor's degree. Admission to the Unclassified Graduate status does not constitute admission to a graduate program. Admission to and duration of Unclassified Graduate standing shall be determined by appropriate University authorities for those students not pursuing a degree. A maximum of six units taken in Unclassified Graduate status is allowed for students applying to a masters degree program. Those applying to a credential program may enroll in up to nine units as an unclassified student.

Students are not eligible for financial aid as an unclassified student. Degree and credential program students interested in financial aid must complete and submit a FAFSA- prior to the drop deadline for that term. For further information contact the Office of Student Financing at finaid@ndnu.edu or (650) 508-3600.

Notre Dame de Namur University 1500 Ralston Avenue Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 508-3500 www.ndnu.edu	Graduate Admission Notre Dame de Namur University Ralston Hall 1500 Ralston Avenue Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 508-3600 www.ndnu.edu/future grad.admit@ndnu.edu