Graduate Admissions

Office of Graduate Admissions

International Students

Application Procedures

Duquesne University welcomes applications from qualified international students interested in entry to a graduate program. Please refer to the appropriate graduate program for the specific process and documents that need to be submitted for admission.

Unless granted a waiver, students are required to obtain an official evaluation of your foreign credentials through a recognized service such as World Education Services (WES), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) or SpanTran or any of the organizations listed on the National Association for Credential Evaluation Services at naces.org.

The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.

Students interested in applying to the PhD nursing degrees or online nursing master's or certificate programs should refer to the School of Nursing websites for additional transcript evaluation instructions.

Graduate programs require you to submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or DuoLingo scores. Standardized test scores (e.g. GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) or GRE (Graduate Records Examination)) may also be required depending on the program of interest. Please check with the department for specific guidelines on these exams.

Duquesne University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant foreign nationals. However, immigration documents can not be issued until all application materials, including financial resource certification, have been received and verified. In order to complete on-campus arrival orientation, language proficiency testing, and registration, accepted international students should plan to arrive approximately one to two weeks before classes begin unless informed otherwise.

Where should I submit my documents?

You should submit all of your application documents directly to the academic school to which you are applying. The Center for Global Engagement does not evaluate or make admissions decisions for graduate programs; however, they will assist international students through the immigration process. Please refer to the Center for Global Engagement for specific forms (ex. affidavit of support) and details.

English Proficiency Requirements for Graduate and Professional Students

Duquesne University requires submission of standardized English language proficiency scores for graduate applicants whose native or primary language is not English. The University requires the following minimum scores for general admission consideration:

• TOEFL (iBT) 80
• IELTS 6.5
• Duolingo 105

Some academic programs may require higher general scores and/or sub scores (in Reading, Writing, Speaking, and/or Listening). The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, for example, requires a minimum TOEFL of 90 or IELTS of 7.0. Prospective students should consult their program of choice to determine the particular admission requirements. Information about Graduate and Professional Programs may be found on the Admissions website.

Some applicants may be exempt from English language proficiency requirements and/or English language testing if they have:

• completed four years of undergraduate coursework taught in English at accredited institutions of higher education in the United States;
• completed two years of graduate coursework taught in English at accredited institutions of higher education in the United States; or
• submitted with the application and have approved a petition recognizing four years of undergraduate work taught in English at an accredited institution outside of the United States; or
• submitted with the application and have approved a petition recognizing two years of graduate coursework taught in English at accredited institutions of higher education outside of the United States.

Applicants who have not met the required minimum English proficiency scores established by the academic program may be considered for admission through the Pathway Program, if applicable. Information about the Pathway Program may be found on the International Graduate Pathway Program detailed below.

Graduate Pathway Program (Conditional Admission)

International applicants who have not attained the required TOEFL, IELTS, DuoLingo, or other required standardized tests for admission into graduate programs may be eligible for conditional admission to either an academic program or admission into the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Through the Pathway Program for International Graduate Students, applicants may attend up to one year (twelve months) of the ESL program and academic coursework at Duquesne in order to be granted full admission into a graduate program. If, after twelve months, the student has not demonstrated satisfactory progress, the student may be dismissed from the program by the appropriate Program Director.

International Teaching Assistants

Pennsylvania state law and Duquesne University policies require certification of sufficient English language fluency for all faculty and teaching assistants. Teaching assistants whose first language is other than English are required to take additional language tests conducted by the Duquesne University Global English Institute and the Center for Teaching Excellence in cooperation with the teaching assistant's academic department. Results determine whether the candidate has sufficient fluency to teach. If the assessment indicates a need for assistance with English, the student will be enrolled in required language classes to be taken together with degree program courses. Teaching assistants with a sub-score of 26 or higher in Speaking on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) are excused from the oral test.

In addition to the above, supplementary academic support may be required for students following admission into a graduate program. In such cases, graduate programs should refer students to the Global English Institute to determine if there is a need for English support to facilitate academic success. Such academic support may include additional testing, enrollment in the appropriate type and number of ESL courses, or both. Additional testing may include the Writing Placement Test, the Speak Test, or the Michigan English Test. Costs for ESL courses and testing are not included in full-time graduate tuition costs. Current costs may be found at on the ESL Program website at www://duq.edu/esl.

Graduate assistantships require greater proficiency than the minimum general scores and certification of acceptable fluency. For information about assistantship requirements, please contact the Global English Institute at 412.396.5091.

Global English Institute

The Global English Institute is home to our English as a Second Language program that offers classes in speaking, listening, reading and writing skills to help students improve English. It enhances readiness to enroll in university degree programs which require English for academic study. No English Proficiency test scores are required for admission.

Students interested in applying only for English language study in the Duquesne University Global English Institute on either a short- or long-term basis may submit an application to study as non-degree students. ESL students must comply with all U.S. immigration regulations for maintenance of full-time student status. Additional information on the Global English Institute may be found at www.duq.edu/gei and in the catalog under Special Programs.

Additional Information on International Student Applications

Direct all inquiries and requests for additional information to:

Center for Global Engagement
Duquesne University
601 Duquesne Union
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282-1660
USA
412.396.6113
Fax: 412.396.5178
intladmissions@duq.edu