International Applicants

Welcome to Claremont Graduate University! We thank you for your support for our programs and look forward to receiving an application from you soon. We truly believe that you will find a level of academic and personal satisfaction unparalleled by any other and invite you to learn more about CGU as you make the important decision of furthering your studies with us.

Please feel free to visit the How to Submit an Application webpage for detailed application instructions.  In addition to keeping our rolling deadlines in mind, we would encourage all international applicants to submit their applications no later than 2-3 months before your intended program start date to allow sufficient time to obtain your visa.

As an international student, there are also a few additional application requirements that you should be aware of (these requirements and more are discussed in detail in the CGU Bulletin):

International Transcripts

International transcripts often do not meet CGU's academic requirement showing that a degree was conferred, which can lead to the need for you to submit additional documentation. This may also result in a provisional or conditional admissions (please view the classifications of admission for more information). To possibly avoid this process, and to ensure that your submitted transcripts meet CGU requirements, please visit our International Transcript Guidelines page.

Additional Testing Requirements

In addition to the testing requirements required of all applicants, international applicants are also required to submit a valid (no more than 2 years old) TOEFL score, unless you have been granted or are earning a degree from a US institution or foreign university whose main language of instruction is English. Please contact the Office of Admissions & Records at admiss@cgu.edu for more information on this policy.

• You may sign up and learn more about the TOEFL test by visiting www.toefl.org. Applicants requesting institutional fellowship aid should take the tests in time for the results to be submitted prior to the priority deadline for completed applications. CGU's institutional reporting code is 4053.
• To be considered for admission, applicants are required to achieve a minimum score of 213 (CBT), 80 (iBT), or 550 (PBT) on the TOEFL exam. Official scores of 6.5 or higher from the University of Cambridge's International English Language Testing System (IELTS) may be considered in lieu of a TOEFL score.
• Admitted students who score less than 250 (CBT), 100 (iBT), or 600 (PBT) on the TOEFL, or who score below a 6.0 on the IELTS, will be required to take the Global Communications Course, a non-credit English course, during their first semester at CGU. For more information on the course, please contact contact the International Assistant Director of International Services or review the information in the CGU Bulletin.

Financial Support Requirements

International applicants must prove their ability to financially support themselves for one academic year by submitting a completed Affidavit of Financial Support (form #I-1) and supporting documents. These documents are required in order for the International Student Coordinator to issue an I-20/DS-2019 form. You may submit this form at the time of the application, but it is not required until after you are accepted into the program of your choice. Please view the information on Obtaining an I-20 or DS-2019 to CGU for a guide on how to obtain this documentation.