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: $65.
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 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.
   - 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. Receipt of the deposit, along with the student's acceptance form, will secure a place in our Fall class of Teacher Education students. If deposit and acceptance form are received after the fall class has been filled, students will be put on a waiting list for the spring semester. Students on the waiting list who do not have the opportunity to matriculate in Fall will be the first to be offered a spot in our Spring class.
2. Preliminary Administrative Credential Applicants must also submit:
   - Evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree and one of the following:
   A. A valid teaching credential with verification of a minimum of two years successful, full-time classroom teaching experience in public or private schools; or
   B. 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:
   A. Passing CBEST scores.
   B. 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 Certificate of Clearance you can apply for one through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Download the Application for Credential Authorizing Public School Service (41-4) application and the Request for Live-Scan Service (41-LS) from this site:
   http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/how-to-apply.html
   Once the Live-Scan process has been completed, send the 41-4 application and the 41-LS form to the CTC.  Submit a photocopy of the 41-4 application and 41-LS forms with your application packet as proof that a Clearance is in process. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for the Commission to process your application. You can check the status of your Certificate application at:
   https://teachercred.ctc.ca.gov/teachers/PersonalSearchProxy
   Once the system reflects your clearance, print a copy of the web-page and submit to the USF School of Education Admissions Coordinator (see mailing address at the beginning of this section).

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

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 or Michigan Test scores. Required scores: 570 (Paper Test), 230 (Computer-based Test) or 88 (Internet-based Test) for MA applicants; 600 (Paper Test), 250 (Computer-based Test) or 100 (Internet-based Test) for doctoral applicants.
   - 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.