Helpful Information for International Applicants
You may have questions about graduate business study in the U.S. and this section and our FAQs may help you. If you need additional information, we welcome a call (1-408-554-4539) or email (msadmissions@scu.edu).
In addition to submitting general application materials, international students should be aware of the requirements below.
TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo
Applicants whose first language is not English (regardless of whether your schooling was in English) must take the English proficiency test and send the scores directly to Santa Clara University.
TOEFL: A minimum TOEFL score of 100 is required.
IELTS: A minimum score of 7.0 is required.
Duolingo: A minimum score of 120 is required.
The TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo may be waived if the applicant receives a score in the 50th percentile or higher on the verbal portion of the GMAT/GRE or have obtained a U.S. degree from an accredited institution. You should confirm your eligibility for a waiver with the Graduate Business Admissions office.
Visas
You can start the process of applying for a visa once you are admitted to Santa Clara University, confirmed your intention to enroll, and have submitted your enrollment deposit. Please review our International Student webpage to learn how to request immigration documents and start the visa process.
NOTE: International students who are studying on the F-1 visa are not eligible for the Executive MBA programs.
Financial Aid
Federal financial aid is not available for non-US citizens, except in cases where they have attained Permanent Resident status and have made application for citizenship. International students are eligible for scholarships.
U.S. Employment for Foreign Students
To learn more about employment opportunities for international students on- or off-campus, please visit the International Student Services website here »
The program has been STEM-extension certified and more information about the regulations may be found at the University Global Engagement website here »
Do I need to take the TOEFL?
Applicants whose first language is not English (regardless of whether your schooling was in English) must take the English proficiency test and send the scores directly to Santa Clara University.
TOEFL: A minimum TOEFL score of 100 is required.
IELTS: A minimum score of 7.0 is required.
Duolingo: A minimum score of 120 is required.
The TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo may be waived if the applicant receives a score in the 50th percentile or higher on the verbal portion of the GMAT/GRE or have obtained a U.S. degree from an accredited institution. You should confirm your eligibility for a waiver with the Graduate Business Admissions office.
I have a three-year degree; am I eligible to apply?
Have your degree evaluated by World Education Services. WES is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping international students and professionals achieve their educational and professionals goals in the United States and Canada. WES is approved by the National Association Credential Evaluation Services, also known as NACES. NACES is an association of private foreign educational credential evaluation services committed to formulating and maintaining ethical standards in the field of foreign educational evaluation. If your WES evaluation confirms that your degree is equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree, you are eligible to apply.
As an applicant who would need an F1 Student Visa to study in the U.S., am I eligible for the MS in Information Systems program?
International applicants, those needing a student visa to study in the program, are eligible to apply for the MS in Information Systems program. The curriculum has been approved for STEM-extension.
Is it possible to receive conditional admission before taking the GMAT or GRE?
No. All required application materials must be received by the Admissions Office in order for an admissions decision to be made. The GMAT or GRE is required for all applicants.
How do I get my degree evaluated?
If you have a degree from a foreign institution, you are required to submit the WES course-by-course evaluation. Due to an increased incidence of fraudulent documents, we have decided to only accept documents from WES.org and no other NACES organization. Because of this increase in fraud, degrees from India and China may endure a longer processing time with WES. Plan early. Processing may take up to 12 weeks for an evaluation.
I have little work experience. Am I eligible for the MSIS program?
Exceptionally qualified international students with fewer than three years of professional work experience are eligible to apply to our MS in Information Systems program. Please consult with the Graduate Business Admissions office staff who can review your application with you and determine the best fit for you.
Is the MS in Information Systems program STEM-certified?
Yes! This means you may be eligible to remain in the United States for an additional period on an Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension after you earn the degree. For additional details, please see the Santa Clara University Global Engagement website.