Applicants must have earned their Bachelor's and/or Masters' degrees from a regionally accredited institution and they must provide a background of academic preparation and/or professional experience that demonstrates their ability to pursue graduate level programs.

Required of All Applicants:

1. Completed and signed application form with non-refundable application fee.
   • Domestic students: $55.
   • International students: $55.
     
     
2. One set of sealed official transcripts from each university/college previously attended. For U.S. applicants, the degree must be from a regionally accredited university/college. An applicant with a pending degree must provide official verification of expected degree completion from institution's Registrar or school official. An undergraduate degree is required to apply to a master's program. A master's degree is required to apply for a doctoral program.
   • MA and Credential applicants: Minimum GPA of 2.75
   • Doctoral applicants: Minimum GPA of 3.0 from a graduate program
     
     
3. Two current original, signed letters of recommendation, noting suitability for graduate work, in sealed envelopes. (Letters must be on provided recommendation forms).
   
   
4. Typed statement of intent outlining purpose for seeking admission to programs and career/academic goals.
   
   
5. Current résumé.

Faxed copies of documents will not be accepted.

Credential Applicants:

1. Teaching Credential Applicants must also submit:
   • Passing CBEST scores. Multiple subject candidates can substitute the Multiple Subject CSET Writing Exam.
   • Proof of subject matter competency (CSET for multiple subject candidates; CSET or waiver for single subject credentials).
   • A $250 deposit, applicable toward tuition, is required from Teacher Education students at the time of acceptance to the program.
     
     
   Teaching credential applicants living outside California at the time of their application should contact the department for testing requirements.
   
   
2. Preliminary Administrative Credential Applicants must also submit:
   • Evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree and one of the following:
     1. A valid teaching credential with verification of a minimum of two years successful, full-time classroom teaching experience in public or private schools; or
     2. A services credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services, library services, health services, clinical rehabilitation services, or a designated subject credential with verification of at least two years of successful, full-time experience appropriate to the credential held.
        Verification of all credential(s) and experience(s) must be on school district letterhead and signed by a school district official.
   • Passing CBEST scores.
   • Copy (front and back) of California Basic Teaching Credential.
     
     
3. Clear Administrative Services Credential Applicants must also submit:
   • Evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree and one of the following:
     1. Passing CBEST scores.
     2. Copy (front and back) of California Preliminary Administrative Services Credential.
        
        
4. Pupil Personnel Services Credential Applicants must also submit:
   • California Basic Teaching Credential
   • or Copy of Certificate of Clearance *
   • Passing CBEST scores.
     
     
   * If you do not hold a valid Certificate of Clearance, you can apply for one through the School of Education Credential Analyst. Please review this CofC Information Sheet for more information.

Copies of passing scores can be accepted until official scores are submitted.

Please note that international applicants are not eligible to apply for California state credential programs, including Teaching, School Counseling, Special Education, Teaching Reading, and Administrative Services.

Doctoral Applicants:

1. Doctoral Applicants must also submit:
   • Abstract of MA thesis or graduate level paper.
   • Official scores for either the Graduate Record Examinations or Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Test scores must be sent directly to USF by the Education Testing Service (GRE) or the Psychological Corporation (MAT). No photocopies of the results will be accepted. Scores must have been obtained within the past five years.
     
     USF's GRE Code is 4850 (no department code is required).
     
     
2. Note to all Doctoral Applicants:
   The initial admission to a School of Education doctoral program is a preliminary decision. During their first year, students develop a portfolio in order to demonstrate competence in research methodology and department-specific content. Completion of portfolio requirements is necessary for final admission into a doctoral program.

International Applicants:

1. International Applicants must also submit:
   • Copy of passing TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores. Required scores* are the following:
     • TOEFL
       580 (Paper Test) or 92 with no sub score lower than 20 (Internet-based Test) for M.A. applicants
       600 (Paper Test) or 100 (Internet-based Test) for doctoral applicants
     • IELTS
       7.0 for M.A. and doctoral applicants
     • PTE
       62 for M.A. applicants
       68 for doctoral applicants
       
       * These are required scores for students applying for Fall 2010 and later. If you plan to apply for Spring or Summer 2010, please contact us at schoolofeducation@usfca.edu for testing requirements.
     
     
   • Certificate of Finances.
     
     The USF TOEFL code is 4850.
     
     
2. International students are encouraged to apply early.
   
   
3. Important Notice for international students currently living and attending school in the USA as of April 2003:
   • Inform the international student advisor (ISA) at your current school or college that you have been accepted to USF and plan to transfer here.
   • Ask your current school or college ISA to release your SEVIS record to USF as soon as possible. The release date will probably be the end date of your current school’s academic session/semester/quarter. If you need USF to issue your SEVIS I-20 form before the academic session end date, you may request an earlier release date.
   • Once the release date has passed, USF will have access to your SEVIS record so we can issue and mail a SEVIS I-20 to you.

Immunization Requirement:

If you plan to live on University-owned property, you must provide proof of immunization before registering for classes. For more information, please see our Immunization Requirements page.