Admission Procedures for International Applicants

International students (those who require a student visa) seeking admission to graduate studies at CLU should submit the following:

  1. A completed International Student Application along with the $50 application fee (in U.S. dollars, by cashier's check or money order).

  2. An English translation of official transcripts sent directly from the institution granting the bachelor's degree, as well as transcripts of any graduate work previously undertaken. Photocopies sent directly by the applicant are not acceptable. A detailed equivalency transcript evaluation is required. This can be done through a credentials evaluation agency. In the Los Angeles area, an agency meeting professional standards and the California teacher credentialing requirement is: The International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF). Applicants must request that evaluation results be sent directly to the California Lutheran University, Graduate and Adult Programs Office. There is a fee of approximately $150 for this service, which must be paid directly to the evaluation service. Application for the service may be requested by contacting:

    International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
    Credentials Evaluation Service
    P.O. Box 66940
    Los Angeles, CA 90066, U.S.A.
    Telephone: (310) 390-6276 Fax: (310) 397-7686
    Website: www.ierf.org   Email: info@ierf.org

  3. An official copy of the test results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score is 570 for the paper-based test and 230 for the computer-based test. Students may be required to enroll in English classes after arrival in the United States if it is deemed necessary. Students who are graduates of an accredited college or university in the United States, or who have a degree from a college or university outside the United States in which the language of instruction is English, may request that the TOEFL requirement be waived.

  4. Required admission tests appropriate to the degree program (GRE or GMAT). Scores should be sent to the CLU Graduate and Adult Programs Office. This requirement cannot be waived.

  5. A current statement verifying that the applicant has sufficient financial resources to provide for academic and personal expenses while attending California Lutheran University.

  6. A personal statement of no more than two typewritten pages, describing the reason for pursuing a graduate degree with California Lutheran University. This part of the application provides the candidate with the opportunity to demonstrate writing competency and communication skills, specify examples of leadership and discuss career goals. Applicants may also provide pertinent information that will assist program directors in selecting candidates who can most benefit from and contribute to the program.

  7. Three letters of recommendation.

  8. A certified check in the amount of $250 as a nonrefundable deposit toward the student's first semester tuition to be sent after notification of official acceptance. This must be received at least 45 days prior to the start of classes as confirmation of the student's intent to enroll. Once the deposit is received, the Form I-20 will be mailed to the student which will enable the student to secure a visa from the nearest United States embassy or consulate.

Note: International Applicants are only eligible for degree programs at CLU (not for certificate or credential only programs). Financial Aid is not available to international students.

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