Graduate Admission
The application process requires the following steps for domestic graduate students. Interested students may submit documents in person, via fax, e-mail, or U.S. post. For application documents, please contact the Office of Admissions at the appropriate campus.
- All applicants must complete an Application for Admission and pay the non-refundable application fee. This may be completed on the University’s website or in the Office of Admissions.
- Complete the Enrollment Agreement which includes emergency contact information, acknowledgement of University policies, and student information release.
- Meet English language requirement, if English is not the primary language.
- Submit official bachelor’s degree transcript, official master’s degree transcript, or equivalent.
- Submit official transcripts or equivalent from all colleges or universities attended, if applicable.
- Students submitting international educational credentials must provide an original or certified copy of the documentation, along with an official evaluation from an evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services - NACES (www.naces.org) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators – AICE (www.aice-eval.org), or completed by the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) own International Educational Services. Education credentials recorded in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official translation completed by one of the aforementioned agencies. The evaluation alone will not serve as a translation.
- If Stratford University is the first university an international student attends in the U.S., a GMAT or GRE score is required. Exceptions to this requirement may be discussed with an admissions officer. Transfer students from accredited U.S. colleges and universities may have the GMAT or GRE requirement waived. Change of status applicants are not required to submit GMAT/GRE requirement.
- International applicants applying to a graduate degree program may be required to submit an updated copy of their resume. Acceptance requires a student meet one of the following two criteria:
- A 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate work supportive of their field of study
- Evidence of graduate potential demonstrated by relevant professional work experience related to the field of study. This requires evaluation of work experience by the designated department representative, a personal interview, or submission of employment documentation or resume is required. The student may be required to complete undergraduate foundation courses.
Students admitted without a 2.5 bachelor’s GPA must also submit a letter of intent to complete the program explaining the low GPA and strategy for success in the master’s program and a resume. In the case he/she does not have three years of working experience, a letter of recommendation from a supervisor.
Students who wish to upgrade from an undergraduate to graduate degree may do so through the Office of Admissions.
All admissions application documents should be scanned as one multi-page PDF (the size of the PDF file should be within 5MB) and sent to the International Student Office (isouaadmissions@stratford.edu) for initial applicants and to campus ISO (isofc@stratford.edu) for transfer applicants. The student is required to produce their supporting documents to the ISO. Failure to produce original documents may result in termination of SEVP status. The final decision is made by the PDSO (primary designed school official). Admitted students receive notification of their acceptance from the International Student Office. Notification of admission generally takes one to three weeks from the date the application is received. Applications received from within the U.S. may be processed within 24 to 48 hours. These packages include the acceptance letter, I-20, orientation information, and other information of value. These documents are mailed via UPS. Students interested in having their acceptance package mailed by expedited means should contact the University with credit card information. The cost for expediting documents can be found in the catalog addendum. With admission notification, proper documentation, and payment of Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVP) fees, students can apply for their F-1 visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country using the signed admission letter and an I-20 issued from Stratford University to support their visa request. Due to the implementation of SEVP, home country address, city of citizenship, and city of birth must be recorded before a student visa may be issued. The U.S. consulate issues an F-1 visa, which must be attached to the applicant’s passport.
Under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rules, a student affiliated with Stratford University must supply the University with up-to-date contact information including telephone number, address, e-mail address, and emergency contact information. If this information changes, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the University within ten days. Students who fail to maintain records could lose their status as a student.
F-1 students transferring from another institution in the U.S. also need to complete a transfer verification form and submit their documents to the International Student Office after they have received their acceptance documents. All courses reviewed for transfer must meet Stratford University’s policies before transfer credit can be awarded.
Accepted students are required to report to the University no more than 30 days prior and no less than one week prior to the beginning of the first term of attendance. During this time, they receive advising, orientation, and complete the course registration process. All international students must be enrolled full-time on-campus study each term. International students must maintain a zero balance when transitioning between terms.