International Applicants

Begin your profile registration and tell us some basic information. Then proceed to complete each tab within the application form. After creating an application login, you may check your status anytime.

Your reflective essay should summarize:

• Why you are interested in studying in the United States
• Why you are applying to Valparaiso University
• Your interest in the degree program
• How this program impacts your professional development

Applicants to our Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. program must submit a 4-6 page, double-spaced, essay describing their (1) academic background; (2) potential success in forming effective interpersonal relationships in individual and small-group contexts; (3) aptitude for graduate-level study; (4) career goals and objectives and their relevance to the program; and (5) openness to self-examination and personal and professional self-development.

Request two professional or academic recommendation letters to be submitted through our online recommendation form. 

• International students whose application shows completion of a non-U.S. accredited secondary education or college work outside of the United States must submit official transcripts to Valparaiso University, or have a credential evaluation done by a NACES member credential evaluation service. 
• If using a credential evaluation service, you do not need to submit additional copies of your transcript to Valparaiso University. Your evaluation will automatically be attached to your Valparaiso University international graduate application.
• We do not waive the official transcript requirement. 
• For more information on accredited institutions outside of the United States, please refer to the Council for Higher Accreditation (CHEA).

Applicants for whom English is a non-native language must demonstrate English proficiency. English proficiency may be demonstrated through a standardized test score or certain waiver criteria as listed below:

• 6.0 minimum IELTS.
  • At this time, we are also accepting the IELTS Indicator for applicants who cannot sit for the in-person IELTS.
• 75 minimum TOEFL internet-based
  • At this time, we are also accepting the TOEFL Special Home Edition for applicants who cannot sit for the in-person TOEFL
  • TOEFL score must come directly from ETS to be considered valid for admission.
• 780 minimum TOEIC
• 110 minimum Duolingo (the TESOL, ESC, MSN and DNP programs at Valpo do not accept Duolingo at this time)
  • Please make sure the verification link is saved below the name and date on the Duolingo English proficiency test. Before saving the Duolingo test result page as a PDF, make sure the link is ‘public’. When the option to make the link ‘public’ is clicked, the verification link will appear under the student’s name and date. Please see below:
  • 
• 56 minimum PTE
• Certain programs require a higher IELTS or TOEFL score. Please see the program pages for details.
• Completion of a recognized English language (ESL) program
• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an institution in a recognized English-speaking country

Degree-holders from English-speaking countries:

Graduate and post baccalaureate applicants who received a baccalaureate degree or higher from Valparaiso University or a recognized college or university in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Belize or Australia are not required to submit English proficiency test scores. The student must have undertaken their instruction in the aforementioned countries. Students who received degrees from English-language institutions at remote or distance-learning campuses in their non-English speaking home countries will still be required to submit a language test score.

Transfer applicants may be required to submit English proficiency test scores. The Graduate Studies maintains the right to require English proficiency testing when deemed necessary.

Conditional Admission Application Procedure

Valparaiso University offers conditional admission to international students who are academically eligible for admission, but do not meet the English language proficiency requirement on the sole condition that they first attend and graduate from an approved English language studies program, such as ELS level 112. Students who successfully complete an approved English language program are not required to provide a standardized language test score.

Please note: Students offered conditional admission are issued the I-20 form from their language center. Students must provide proof of financial support to their language center in order for the I-20 form to be issued.

Valparaiso University is required by the United States Department of Homeland Security to determine that international applicants have sufficient financial resources to cover their expenses while in the USA. All international applicants must complete:

1. The financial support form (found on this page under the New Students tab OR a letter of sponsorship from the person(s) assuming responsibility for all of applicant’s fees.

2. A sponsor’s original or official bank statement of sufficient funds or official scholarship notification letter from a governmental or private sponsoring agency (some restrictions apply).

These documents must be turned in before an admittance decision is made and the creation of the I-20. If the document’s original creation date exceeds 12 months, they are not valid.

Important: US immigration regulations require that students provide evidence of financial resources to be used to cover all expenses during the student’s proposed course of study. Please submit documentation of liquid funds for the first year of study. An I-20 or DS-2019 will not be issued without complete and official financial documentation.

Fees are subject to change and will be adjusted annually.
*Living expenses are tentative and can fluctuate due to the cost of: housing, health insurance, food, books/supplies, and personal expenses.
**Students participating in year-round (12-month) programs will need to allow additional costs. Please contact your department for details.
***Additional fees may apply based on your individual program, please contact your department for details.

Provide a scanned copy of both sides that is legible and clearly shows your picture.

• $50 for international applications

International Application Deadlines

International applicants must submit ALL application materials before each date in order to receive consideration for the corresponding entry term. If the application materials are not submitted before the deadline date, the application will automatically get deferred to the next available semester intake.

Please note: The only graduate programs that offer a Summer intake for international students are Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Public Health.

• Office of International Programs
• New Graduate Student Orientation
• Academic Support Systems
• Housing Information