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 or printed Program Brochures 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 79 (internet-based total) is required.
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 to download it as a printable document in Acrobat Reader PDF format.)
Immigration Services: For international students and applicants, the Office of Enrollment processes 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 $50 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 $50 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 form from the web and mail it in. Include the $25 nonrefundable application fee with your application.
Transcript
Have an official transcript of your highest degree sent to Graduate Admission. This transcript must show at least a bachelor's degree granted from a regionally accredited institution.
Submission and Acceptance Schedule
Acceptances are issued on a rolling basis. To facilitate the process, we urge you to complete the application file well before the following dates:
| August 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.
Provisional Status
May be offered to a student who meets all admission requirements except for a specific requirement such as the GMAT or CBEST test or an official transcript from an institution. Provisional status is removed when all requirements are met. A student on provisional status who does not meet all admission requirements by the end of the first semester of attendance may not register for the following semester unless written permission of the appropriate Program Director is delivered to Graduate Admission. A student on provisional status who does not meet all admission requirements by the end of the second semester of attendance is disqualified.
Probationary Status
May be offered to a student who meets all admission requirements except for a low GPA or a combined low GPA and GMAT score. Probationary status is removed after completion of six graduate units in the graduate program with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better. Students on probationary status who do not achieve a 3.0 GPA in their first six graduate units are disqualified.
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. To be eligible for financial aid in the first term, the application must be completed and the student admitted 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 |