International Graduate Admission Requirements

What do I need to submit in order to apply?

  1. Submit a completed Graduate Application for Admission.
  2. Submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A professional credential evaluation service must evaluate international university transcripts. We require a course-by-course evaluation. We accept evaluations from members of NACES  or AICE  and recommend World Education Services, Inc. or SpanTran. International students applying to the Teaching Credential Program need to check with program representatives to verify which evaluation services are approved by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing.
  3. Letters of recommendation are required, either academic or professional. The number depends on the program for which you are applying. (See catalog for details)
  4. Submit any program-specific requirements. (See catalog for details)
  5. International students whose first language is not English are required to submit proof of English language proficiency.

Citizens of the following countries are exempt from an English language proficiency:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (other than Quebec), Cayman Island, Dominica, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Applicants are also exempt from the English Language Proficiency if an international applicant’s bachelor’s degree course work was completed at an English-speaking regionally accredited college or university. For an international college or university, the institution must be listed on WHED and English must be listed as the only language to be exempt from the language proficiency assessments.

Test & Graduate Exam Score Minimum

  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
    79 (Internet Based)
    500 (Paper Based)
    213 (Computer Based)
    60 (Revised Paper Test)
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
    6.0
  • ITEP (International test of English Proficiency)
    4.5
  • PTE (Pearson Test of English)
    45
  • Cambridge English Scale
    B2
  • Duolingo
    100
  • MET
    58
  • GTEC
    1175 (Computer Based)
    1127 (Paper Based)


An international student who attends an NDNU-approved English as a Second Language School is eligible to opt-out of the TOEFL requirement if they meet the minimum requirement of the TOEFL waiver agreement.


What is the deadline for applying to NDNU as an international student?

NDNU accepts applications for admission year-round, but for international students, the following dates are advisable:

Fall Admission
August 1 (July 1 with no F-1 Visa)

Spring Admission
December 1 (November 1 with no F-1 Visa)

Summer Admission
April 1 (March 1 with no F-1 Visa)

Note: Some graduate programs require an earlier application submission. For more information, please call 650-508-3600 or email grad.admit@ndnu.edu


If I am admitted to NDNU, what do I do next?

If you are admitted to NDNU, you’ll need to do the following before we can process your I-20:

  1. Submit the International Decision Form to your admissions counselor and pay your required $100 International Enrollment Deposit (refundable only if your visa application is rejected, otherwise this deposit applies to your tuition). Instructions will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. If you prefer, you can pay online with PayMyTuition.
  2. Submit your International Certificate of Finances, along with required bank statements/financial documentation.
  3. If you are transferring your I-20 from another institution, you will also be required to fill out the NDNU I-20 Transfer Form and submit this to the DSO/International Services Office at your current institution.

Once you have completed these steps, the International Students Office will contact you regarding the creation of your NDNU I-20.


How soon will I get my I-20? What if I need to apply for a new student visa?

The International Students Office will create your I-20 after all required documents have been reviewed. Occasionally, we will ask you to submit additional documentation (extra bank statements, etc.), if your original documents were insufficient in any way.

Following submission of required documents, and review by the International Student Advisor, the International Students Office can usually create and send your I-20 within about two weeks. Please submit your documents as early as possible to ensure ample time to create your I-20 prior to the start of your program. This is particularly important if you are currently residing in your home country and need to apply for a new student visa before you travel to the United States.

For more information about applying for an F-1 visa, please contact the U.S. Embassy/Consular Office in your home country. Procedures and processing times can vary, so we encourage you to make an appointment as early as possible. You can find more information by visiting http://www.usembassy.gov/.


Is there an International Student Orientation for new students?

Yes—NDNU requires that all international students attend an International Orientation prior to the start of the first semester. This orientation is separate from the orientations conducted by individual departments.

Mark Dee

Magellan Solutions USA launched under the visionary leadership of Mark A. K. Dee, Chief Executive Officer – a consultant and service provider for healthcare administrative support, IT development, energy, call center, and business process outsourcing. Mark has served in various multi-level management positions in his 21 years of service in the United States Air Force (USAF). He performed as Immunology and Microbiology department manager, Medical Laboratory Assistant Director, Facility and Security Manager, and finally retiring in the military in 2008 as Superintendent/Assistant Chief of Operations of 330 personnel Medical Group. Mark has experiences in the services industries since he retired, including running a restaurant chain as the CEO. He has also developed other businesses in the Martials Arts studio and 3d-printing industries. He has a BS in Health Sciences and Hospital Administration, Board Certified in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Graduated in the Senior Executive Leadership School from the USAF, Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s of Science in Systems Management at Notre Dame De Namur University.

Chosen Cheng

Chosen Cheng is owner of CMC Group, a privately held engineering and marketing consultancy for small business startup ventures. He currently works with project teams developing patented award-winning solar roofing systems and patent pending drone-based augmented reality geological and thermal mapping solutions. He was formerly a Silicon Valley marketing and innovative corporate training manager. As an avocation and a way to “pay it forward” he enjoys teaching and career coaching college and graduate MBA students many of whom are pioneering first generation college students from underserved communities. He and his wife, a Notre Dame alum, celebrated their wedding reception at the Ralston Mansion in the 70’s and have two stupendously successful, married adult children who between them have four stupendously adorable grandchildren.

Arthur Chait

Entrepreneur, Executive, Engineer, Investor, Professor, Mentor. Founder & CEO EoPlex Inc. ($31 million VC funded startup acquired by ASTI Singapore). President Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Consulting Division (800 staff worldwide). SVP Flextronics (responsible for $8 Billion in global accounts). President Zitel Software. Principal Booz Allen. R&D Director Halliburton. Adjunct Professor Menlo College, Visiting Professor Universidad Francisco Marroquin (Guatemala), Mentor Draper University, Judge Startup Chile. BS Engineering Rutgers, MBA Strategy University Pittsburgh.

Kelly Cansler

Kelly completed both her BS (Finance/Economics) and MBA from NDNU. She utilized her business education to launch an insurance agency in 2008 with Farmers Insurance. It’s grown into multi-million-dollar agency, organically and through acquisition. She has been recognized by Farmers Insurance being ranked within the top 10% of agents nationwide, but also as a speaker, trainer, and mentor within the Farmers Insurance Community. Kelly is extremely connected with local businessowners through several networking channels.

Cliff Burnette

Cliff is the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Rambus, a global chip and IP provider that advances data center connectivity and solves the bottleneck between memory and processing. Cliff has over 20 years of experience leading global human resources operations for publicly traded companies with expertise in employee relations, organizational development, and compensation strategy. Prior to Rambus, Cliff worked for several other high-tech companies in the semiconductor and medical device space and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Texas State University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Organization Development from the University of Texas at Austin.

Memo Morantes

Memo Morantes has been a San Mateo County resident for more than 45 years. He has been a three-term San Mateo County Board of Education incumbent, a Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce board member, a Sequoia Hospital Foundation member, a co-chair of the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo, and a civic/community activist. 

Sheryl Young

Sheryl serves as a director for Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, which provides $10M each year for innovative teachers and social entrepreneurs throughout the Bay Area. Prior Sheryl served as CEO of Community Gatepath and AbilityPath.org. She has over 30 years of managerial experience in operations, finance, and marketing. Young is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, earned an M.A. of Public Health from UC Berkeley, an M.A. in Special Education from Ball State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University.

Brian Schumacker

Brian manages South San Francisco-San Bruno’s wastewater treatment plant and with a dedicated staff of over 40 professionals who safeguard community health and protect the fragile San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, both from Notre Dame de Namur University. Brian has also earned the highest levels of professional certifications in wastewater treatment.

Mario Rendon

Mario Rendon serves as District Director for State Assemblymember Kevin Mullin. He develops the communications, public relations and constituent service strategy for the office and supervises a small team that represents Mr. Mullin in the 22nd Assembly District within San Mateo County. He has over twenty year’s experience working with elected officials at the local, state and federal level developing public policy.

Jerry Hill

Jerry’s public service started with his local neighborhood association that progressed to the California State Assembly and Senate where he authored legislation resulting in laws on issues related to consumer protection, utility safety, coastal protection, public health, education and the environment. Jerry was born and raised in San Francisco, receiving his BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University.

Magda Gonzalez

Magda was most recently the City Manager for the City of Half Moon Bay, California. Prior she was the City Manager of East Palo Alto, California and Assistant City Manager, Redwood City. Magda was President of Cal-ICMA, representing the Local Government Hispanic Network and serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo County. Magda is also a member of ICMA and the State Bar of California and received several awards and recognitions, including Career Excellence Award (WLG) and the Ethical Hero Award from Cal-ICMA.

Jeremy Dennis

Jeremy currently serves as Portola Valley Town Manager. Previously, he’s worked for elected officials at all governance levels, including twice as District Director for local assemblymembers. He worked as the Palo Alto Long Range Planning Director, and for San Mateo County in management roles. Jeremy has a Masters in Urban Planning from the London School of Economics, and graduated from UC Davis studying US History/Political Science.

Kate Comfort-Harr

Kate is Executive Director of HIP Housing, a nonprofit specializing in creative affordable housing solutions throughout San Mateo County. Kate is a frequent speaker on a wide array of affordable housing topics and is passionate about the cultivation of collaborations between the private, public and social sectors. She serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and was awarded the Chamber San Mateo County’s 2020 Business Woman of the Year Award.

Jeff Cox

Program Director for Master of Public Administration

Jerome Nadel

Jerome Nadel is Internationally experienced design-led marketing executive (CMO and GM) with a track record of improved market position, revenue growth, and M&A. He is an advance degreed psychologist and user experience product/service design expert, board member and advisor. Jerome recently retired from Rambus as where he was CMO and GM of the security software division that he led the sale to Visa. He has had a variety of chief marketing officer and chief user experience officer roles at companies including Human Factors International, SLP InfoWare, Gemplus, and Sagem. He started his career in the IBM Human Factors Labs. He is also an avid cyclist with National and multiple California State Champion titles.