International Graduate Admission Requirements
What do I need to submit in order to apply?
- Submit a completed Graduate Application for Admission.
- 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.
- Letters of recommendation are required, either academic or professional. The number depends on the program for which you are applying. (See catalog for details)
- Submit any program-specific requirements. (See catalog for details)
- 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.
- American English College: Level 6
- EF International Language Centers: Level C1
- English Language Institute at UC San Diego Extension: Level 109
- ELS Language Centers: Level 112
- Golden Gate Language Schools: Level 12
- Kaplan International: Advanced Level (or Institutional TOEFL exam)
- Language Pacifica: Level 6
- Language Studies International: Level 5
- SJSU International Gateways: Complete one session of all level 800 classes OR Complete one semester of the MBP program; Receive ‘B’ or higher grades in all classes; Maintain 90% overall attendance in classes.
- Stafford House: Advanced Level 6
- TALK International: Level 9 (85% or higher grade)
- The Language Company U.S.A.: Level 9 and score of 4.5 on the International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) taken on site.
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:
- 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.
- Submit your International Certificate of Finances, along with required bank statements/financial documentation.
- 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.