Your journey begins here

Here we go! Carefully review all that you need for your graduate school application.

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Admissions Requirements

Bachelor's Degree

Admission to a UMN graduate program requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S., or a comparable degree from outside the U.S.

GPA

Many graduate programs prefer an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher for admission. Consult your program of interest for specific GPA requirements.

Caculate grades received in a letter-grade format, to calculate GPA into 4 point scale use the grade calculator from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. For international transcripts where numerical grading scales are used, such as 1-10, 1-20, or 1-100, enter your GPA as calculated on your transcript.

GRE

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be required by your program of interest.

English language proficiency

International and domestic applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. A TOEFL, MELAB, IELTS, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced test is required for applicants whose first language is not English.

Recommendation letters

Many graduate programs require letters of recommendation, submitted and uploaded online. Consult your program of interest for specific requirements.

Transcripts and credentials

Unofficial copies of all post-secondary coursework and degrees are required with your application.  Please follow instructions on the Transcripts & Credentials page, as well as the specific information given on the International Student Resources page.

You're Ready to Apply

You’ve reviewed the admission requirements. The Graduate School can help guide you through the application process.

Choose your program

Learn and explore the specific application requirements of your program of interest. Application requirements include the upload of all unofficial transcripts. Each graduate program may require additional application materials, such as test scores, letters of recommendation or other requirements not set by the Graduate School. Please adhere to the requirements of the graduate program in which you are applying.

Know your application deadline

We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that we can process your application as efficiently as possible. Deadlines vary from program to program. It is important you know the application deadline of your program of interest.

Application fees

You will be prompted to pay an application fee while applying online. You can find more information on the Application Fees page.

Apply Now

Apply online

Create and complete your application Note that you can save the form and return to it as often as you wish prior to submission.

Check your application status

For more information, visit the Application Status page, or log in to the admissions system you used to submit your online application.

Questions or concerns

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Graduate School Admissions Office or your program of interest.

International Requirements

Student Visa Process

To attend the University of Minnesota Graduate School, you will need to apply for a student visa. Explore Student Visa Process

English Language Proficiency

International and domestic applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. Explore English Language Proficiency

Transcripts & Credentials

Unofficial copies of all post-secondary coursework and degrees are required with your application.  Please follow instructions on the Transcripts & Credentials page, as well as the specific information given on the International Student Resources page.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective Students

What are the requirements for graduate school?

Requirements for admission vary from program to program. For the most accurate information, please contact your program of interest.

Can I talk to/make an appointment with an academic adviser or counselor to decide which program I should apply?

The Graduate Admissions Office does not provide this service. We strongly encourage prospective applicants to reach out to programs they’re interested in and request information and/or a meeting with someone in the department to discuss their interests and fit. Most program websites provide detailed information about their program’s focus and curriculum, along with admissions requirements. If you are unsure of whom you should contact, please contact the Graduate School Admissions Office.

What graduate programs do you have? Do you have a list of all of the masters (insert Phd, professional degree, certificate, etc.) programs that your University offers?

To view what programs the University offers, please refer to our Graduate Programs page.

How long does it take to get a graduate degree?

Completing a graduate degree can take anywhere from one to eight years. Much of this will depend on whether you pursue a degree as a part-time or full-time student, level of degree, and program requirements.

Can I get an application fee waiver?

The Graduate Admissions Office does not provide application fee waivers. We encourage you to reach out to your program of interest to determine if this is something your program can support.

When do I need to submit my official transcript(s)?

Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded to your application. Official transcripts are required only if you’ve been admitted. Please do not send official transcripts until we request them from you, as this may delay the processing of your application. For more information, please visit the Transcripts & Credentials page.

What is my program’s application deadline?

Deadlines vary from program to program. Please contact your program of interest for specific application deadlines.

Can I apply to more than one graduate program at the same time?

Yes, you may apply for admission to as many graduate programs as you wish. To do so, you must:

  1. Create an online application account.
  2. Click on "Start New Application" for each application you intend to submit, and follow your program's application instructions. Please note that you will need to pay a separate application fee for each application you submit.

We highly encourage you to contact your program(s) of interest regarding their individual admissions requirements, timelines, and processes.

International Applicants

I am an international student. Can I apply with the degree from my country?

Anyone who has or will obtain a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or a comparable degree from an officially recognized college or university outside the U.S. may apply for graduate admission. If you are unsure that your degree meets these requirements, you can email copies of your credentials to the Graduate School Admission Office and a member of our staff will do a preliminary evaluation.

Do I need to have my credentials evaluated? Do you take WES evaluations?

Credentials are evaluated by our in-house staff, so we require copies of documents issued by the institution, in original language and translations.  We do not accept credential evaluations as a replacement for documents issued by your institution. 

  • Please contact your program as they may have additional requirements.

Do you offer conditional admission?

Please contact your program of interest to find out if they offer a conditional admission.

Are TOEFL/IELTS scores required? English is one of the main languages spoken in my country, do I have to provide a TOEFL score?

International and domestic applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency, which is measured by a number of exams and/or coursework. For more information, please visit our English Language Proficiency page.

Funding

Can I get a scholarship/funding/financial aid?

Fellowships, grants, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and loans provide the most common forms of support for graduate students. Please visit our Funding page for more information.

What is the cost of tuition?

After You Submit

When is my decision posted?

All programs have different admissions processes and timelines. Most admissions decisions for Fall term are sent between February and April. For more information, contact your program of interest.