Admissions Policies

Admissions FAQ

Graduate Admission Requirements

Admission to the Utah State University School of Graduate Studies requires:  

  1. A bachelor’s degree (or, for some doctoral programs, a master’s degree) that is or will be completed before the student matriculates in the degree program.  
  2. A 3.0 or higher grade-point average.   
  3. Three letters of recommendation.  
  4. Transcripts.   
  5. English Language Proficiency for International Applicants.  
  • Some degree programs have additional admission requirements such as entrance exams.   
  • Applicants should refer to their intended department for questions about any required tests, minimum required scores, or any accepted score alternatives (such as a portfolio).  
  • It is expected that all applications submitted by the program’s deadline will be reviewed by the department.  

Application Procedures  

Application Requirements 

  • The following items (including supplemental items) must be received by the School of Graduate Studies before a student’s application will be marked complete:  

A Bachelor’s Degree   

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to a graduate program.  
  • Three-year bachelor’s degrees from accredited or similarly recognized institutions are accepted with the approval of the academic department or degree program and the School of Graduate Studies Admissions Officer.  
  • NOTE: The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program is the only graduate program at Utah State University that does not require a verified bachelor’s degree.
  • NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: The School of Graduate Studies does not accept Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).

A 3.0 or Higher Grade Point Average   

  • The School of Graduate Studies calculates GPAs as follows:  
    • From the semesters that contain 60 credits of the most recently earned undergraduate degree taken directly from official transcripts.  
    • The most recent 60 undergraduate credits of a degree in progress. In these situations, the Admissions Officers will use as many semesters as necessary to reach a minimum of 60 credits.  
    • Calculations are done by semesters and may exceed 60 credits.  
    • 30 graduate credits will be taken from an earned graduate degree or degree in progress.   
    • All credits calculated must be for degree yielding coursework. Pre-requisites and extracurricular coursework will not be calculated towards the School of Graduate Studies GPA requirement.  
    • NOTE: We do not use post-Bacc credits to calculate a GPA.

Application Fee 

  • The School of Graduate Studies requires a $55 ($25 for graduate certificates) nonrefundable application fee that must be paid electronically via debit/credit card at the time of the application submission (required of domestic and international applicants).  
    • Any other payment method will not be accepted.   
    • Refunds are not given for incomplete applications or for non-admittance to a graduate program.
    • NOTE: Applicants who have accidentally applied to the graduate school instead of general undergraduate admissions can contact the graduate admissions officers for assistance with a refund.  
  • If an applicant is having difficulties making the online payment with their debit or credit card, they can contact USU’s IT Department.   
  • Application fees will be waived for McNair Scholars and active USU Honors students.   
    • Applicants who qualify for one of these application waivers should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator from their prospective department for further action.  
  • The School of Graduate Studies does not give out application fee waivers.
    • Some departments offer financial hardship fee waivers for those who may require assistance.   
    • Applicants should contact the department to which they are applying for more information. 

Supplemental Application Materials

  • After an applicant has paid the application fee and submitted the initial application, they can log back into the application portal and open their submitted application.   
    • There will be a new tab for them to upload all required supplemental items.
    • Sometimes it can take a few minutes or longer for an application to update with the tab to upload supplemental items.
      • NOTE: The applicant may need to log out of their application portal, and then log back in, to upload the supplemental items required for their specific prospective degree. The supplemental items section of the application can take 24 to 48 hours to appear after submitting the initial application.  
  • If an applicant has questions about supplemental items required for their application, they should contact the program they are applying to for more information.

The following supplemental items are required before an application will be marked complete:

Transcripts

  • For admission, the School of Graduate Studies requires an official transcript from each previously attended college and/or university (except Utah State University).  
    • NOTE: Transcripts are considered official when they are:
      • Sent directly to the USU School of Graduate Studies by mail (see mailing address below) from the applicant’s previous institution(s).
      • Sent directly to the USU School of Graduate Studies by email from the applicant’s previous institution(s) to graduateadmissions@usu.edu
      • Presented by the applicant in-person in a sealed, unopened envelope from the previous institution(s). 
      • Degree verified (the degree has been awarded and shows the award/conferral date on the transcript).
  • Some departments require official transcripts to be uploaded during the application process that must be sent to USU from the issuing university, and do not accept unofficial transcripts at all.
  • Other departments accept unofficial transcripts for the application review process that can be uploaded by the student to their application.   
    • NOTE: Transcripts are considered unofficial when they are:
      • Student copy, or degree in progress.
      • Sent from a non-school email (e.g., gmail, yahoo, etc.).
  • Applicants will need to contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for the program to which they are applying to inquire if they allow unofficial transcripts for the application review process.
  • If an applicant is accepted into a program and matriculates at USU, official copies sent directly from each issuing institution to the School of Graduate Studies will be required within the first semester of attendance.  
    • Any student that does not provide official transcripts within the allotted timeframe will have a hold put on their student account by the end of their first semester, preventing future course registration.  
    • This hold will be removed when the School of Graduate Studies receives the student’s official transcript with the degree verification.
  • Transcripts must be submitted for all coursework above the high-school level and all prior degrees.  
    • If the applicant was awarded a degree from one institution and the transcript from that institution includes courses taken at a second college or university, and if the transcript includes the course title(s), credits, grade(s), and dates, then applicants do not have to submit a separate transcript from the second college or university.  
  • Applicants should have their undergraduate institutions submit their official transcripts at least 1 month prior to the application deadline.  
  • NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: If an applicant’s transcripts require translation, they will have to go through a certification company.
    • Applicants cannot submit transcripts that they translated by themselves, or that were not translated by their school, or a certified translation company and have them considered official.
  • Official transcripts from the applicant’s previous institution(s) can be sent to Utah State University School of Graduate Studies through mail or electronic clearing house.
  • To ensure timely processing, applicants should specify “Utah State University School of Graduate Studies” when sending their transcripts. 
  • Official Transcripts can be mailed to:

Utah State University
School of Graduate Studies
0900 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-0900

If by electronic clearinghouse, transcripts can be emailed to graduateadmissions@usu.edu 

  • Official Transcripts will not be copied for or returned to the applicant.  
    • NOTE: International Students who may only be able to obtain one copy of their official transcript may request that the originals be returned after they have been verified by the School of Graduate Studies. 
  • USU alumni do not need to provide USU transcripts; the School of Graduate Studies will pull them for the applicant.   
  • Once an official transcript is received, it can take the graduate school 10-14 business days to process the transcript on the application.   
  • Transcripts sent electronically must still be processed and therefore do not automatically appear on the applicant’s application.  
  • Any exceptions to the official transcript policy will be based on a departmental review of the applicant’s circumstances and materials.  

Admissions Tests

  • Scores for tests such as the GRE or MAT are not required by the School of Graduate Studies but may be required by individual departments/programs.  
    • Applicants should refer to their intended program for any required tests, minimum required scores, or any accepted score alternatives (such as a portfolio).
  • Applicants should request their test report be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies by the testing agency.  
    • GRE: Send scores using the institution code 4857.
    • MAT: Send scores using the institution code 2273.
  • To prevent delays in test score processing, applicants should ensure the personal information on their test scores (i.e., first name, last name, email address, and physical address) matches what is listed on their USU application.  
  • Expired test scores will not be accepted.  

Three Letters of Recommendation   

  • Each letter should address the applicant’s potential for success in the proposed graduate degree program.  
  • If the applicant has been enrolled in school during the last five years, at least two of the letters must come from individuals who are familiar with and can make an authoritative assessment of the applicant’s recent academic performance.  
  • In order for the applicant to submit a request for letters of recommendation to be sent the applicant must provide their prospective recommenders’ names and email addresses.
    • This step is completed once a prospective student has filled out the online application and paid the application fee.   
  • The School of Graduate Studies cannot fill out or edit a letter of recommendation request form.   
  • Applicants can edit the letter of recommendation requests at any time before it is submitted. 
  • The School of Graduate Studies must receive letters of recommendation from the recommender directly and cannot accept copies submitted by the applicant.  
  • NOTE: Once the applicant has filled out the information for the letters of recommendation on their application, the Recommenders may need to look in their email SPAM folder or wait a few hours or more for the link to arrive to fill out the form.

Statement of Purpose

  • IF an applicant’s program requires a statement of purpose, they can contact the intended program for statement of purpose details.
  • Some programs may automatically populate a prompt within the application.

International Admissions

English Language Proficiency

Applicants who have completed two years of college in one of the countries listed below, and the primary language of instruction is in English, are considered proficient in the English language and will not be required to provide additional evidence of English language proficiency. 

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Canada (except Quebec Province)
  • Cook Islands
  • Dominica
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guam
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • Mauritius
  • Namibia
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • The Philippines
  • Rwanda
  • Singapore
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Africa
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)
  • United States
  • Zimbabwe

For applicants that did not attend a minimum of two years in one of the countries listed on the website, the English proficiency requirement can be fulfilled in a few ways:  

  • Applicants that attended schools in countries outside of the list that have English as the official Language of Instruction may request an official letter from their previous institution’s registrar’s office and have it sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies.   
    • This requirement can also be fulfilled if English is clearly listed as the Language of Instruction on an official transcript.  
  • Applicants can take one of the approved English Proficiency exams listed below. Applicants should request the testing agency send official exam scores directly to Utah State University.  
  • TOEFL internet-based (iBT) exam score of 79 or paper-based exam score of 550.   
    • The institution school code for Utah State University is 4857.*°  
  • IELTS score of 6.5 overall band score with a minimum of 5.0 on each subscale.*°**   
  • The Michigan English Test (MET) score of 55.  
  • Cambridge English Exam results of B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency score of 176.  

The School of Graduate Studies does not accept Duolingo English test scores as a measurement of English language proficiency.

*Departments may require a higher score.  
°Scores more than 2 years old are not accepted.  
** All language scores must be official and sent to Utah State University from the testing center where the student took the exam.    

Bachelor’s Degrees  

  • The School of Graduate Studies does not accept Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).

Transcripts

  • Please see the transcript policies above.   
  • Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a notarized translation.    
    • The USU School of Graduate Studies will need a copy sent to us from the applicant’s Institution, and if the Institution does not translate them, then the applicant will need to have a copy sent to a certified translation company.   
  • If there is a certificate or if it is listed on the applicant’s transcript that the language of instruction is English and they attended for two or more years, we can waive the language requirement once the School of Graduate Studies has received and processed the transcripts and certificate mentioned above. 
  • Companies such as WES and SPANTRAN are frequently used by International Applicants for notarized translations and certifications.  
    • The translation company can then send the translated copy to the School of Graduate Studies.   
  • We will need both an official copy sent to us from the applicant’s Institution, as well as the certified translated copy sent to us from the translation company.  
  • For questions, please contact the Utah State University Graduate Admissions Office at graduateadmissions@usu.edu  

I-20 Applications  

  • International students must also submit an I-20 application form and a financial guarantee.  
  • Because of immigration regulations, international students cannot be admitted to provisional matriculation.  
  • Please contact the Office of Global Engagement with further questions.  

Summer Semester Admission  

  • The summer semester consists of two 1-week pre-sessions for workshops and short special programs, an 8-week semester of regular coursework, and a post-session of 1 week for workshops and seminars.   
  • Nonresident students pay only resident tuition for summer semester credits.  
  • All summer semester students are eligible to register the following fall semester.   
  • For information regarding deadlines and course availability, applicants should contact the department to which they plan to apply.    
     

Application Deadlines and Processing  

  • Application deadlines are department or program specific.   
  • Applicants should be aware of all deadlines and plan accordingly.  
  • The School of Graduate Studies tracks applications from submission to completion.  
  • Applications are not typically processed and referred to departments or programs until they are complete and all required items (e.g., transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation) are received.   
  • Once all supplemental items have been submitted, the School of Graduate Studies refers applications to the appropriate departments.  
  • The time it takes to process and refer an application for department review is primarily dependent on the speed with which the School of Graduate Studies receives letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores.   
  • This process may take six to eight weeks.  
  • Once an application is reviewed by the department or program, the School of Graduate Studies is notified with the final recommendation.  
  • Recommendations to accept or deny admission are then reviewed and approved by the School of Graduate Studies.   
  • No notification of acceptance or rejection other than that from the School of Graduate Studies is official.  
  • Applicants who have a question about why they were denied can reach out to the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) for more information.  
  • Accepted applicants must decide whether to accept or reject the offer and inform the graduate admissions officers of their decision.  
    • NOTE: Deadlines to accept the offer of admission may vary depending on the program. Applicants will need to contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for questions.    

Closing Inactive Applications  

  • Applications that have had no activity for 90 days (approximately three months) after the application due date are considered inactive and will be closed.   
  • Once an application is closed, it cannot be reopened or considered for future application seasons.  
  • If for any reason an application will not be complete within the three-month period, applicants should contact graduate admissions to ask for a deferment of their application. 

Using Old Application Materials   

  • The School of Graduate Studies requires all applicants to submit new application materials for each application submitted.   
  • This includes transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores.  
    • NOTE: Only official transcripts will be transferred if they are within two years of being submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.

Deferment   

Deferments are available for students who 1) need to delay their admission to the university or for 2) those who need to extend their application period.   

  • Students who have accepted their offer of admission and have been admitted to the university have the option to defer their start date.   
  • Applicants have 90 days to defer their application for admission.
  • Once the 90-day deadline has passed, the application will no longer be deferrable, and the application will be closed out.
  • It is the applicant's responsibility to defer their application in order to keep it open for another term.
  • General acceptance into a program may be deferred for up to 1 year.   
    • Any amount of time beyond that is subject to approval by the Department, and the Vice Provost for the School of Graduate Studies.    
    • NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Please be aware that deferment for more than one year may require you to obtain a new I-20.   
  • To obtain a start-date deferral, students must contact their graduate program coordinator.    
  • If approved, the graduate program coordinator will contact the School of Graduate Studies to complete the process.   
  • Students have until the end of the semester of their entry term to defer their start date.   
  • If they do not take classes or request a deferral before this date, they will have to reapply in the next application cycle for a USU graduate program.   
  • Unfinished applications are closed 90 days after the end of the desired entry term.     
  • Once an application has been closed, applicants are required to reapply.   

Notifications of leave are also available for students who have already completed classes at USU but need to take a break from their graduate program.   

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