Graduate Student Requirements

Applicants must have a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 grade scale equivalent to U.S. bachelor’s degree. If your GPA meets the minimum admission requirements, the department of major will determine if your overall academic record and test scores meet department requirements.

Note: If you do not meet the minimum 3.00 GPA, your application can be considered for admission if you:

• Earned an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for your last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits.

OR

• Worked in the program specific profession for 5+ years. 
• Obtained a letter of support from a faculty member in the department. 
• Wrote a detailed statement/essay describing your professional experience and potential to succeed academically

All graduate school applicants must satisfy the following criteria to be considered for graduate admission to the University of Idaho: 
Have earned a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized accrediting body, a ministry of education, or an official quality assurance organization in another country. The bachelor's degree should consist of four years of study, equivalent to 120 semester credit hours or 180 quarter hours.

An official academic record from all post-secondary education institutions attended is required. This may take some time so start this early in your application process.

In the instance that official records cannot be obtained, unofficial records may be used to consider your application. These documents are typically issued to the student and may be considered official after further review. This applies to cases where it is impossible to obtain the official records, and will be considered only on a case by case basis.

Domestic Applicants

Students must have a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association. If the degree is from a recognized but not regionally accredited institution, the application will be reviewed by the department and by the College of Graduate Studies.

International Applicants

For information about equivalency and required academic credentials by country of education page, use the Degree Equivalency Guide.

The University of Idaho recommends, and reserves the right to require, a professional credential evaluation by an outside, independent party. Reasons for outside review include, but are not limited to, verification of document authenticity, potential transfer credits and the wish to expedite the processing of an application file. You are responsible for supplying the correct academic records and paying for the evaluation service. You will need to request a course-by-course evaluation. Transferring Internationally earned credits requires a course-by-course professional credential evaluation.

The preferred provider of transcript evaluations is:

• World Education Services, Inc.

There is a list of the five services from which the University of Idaho will accept evaluations.

• Visit our professional credential evaluation page.

Precise, word-for-word, English translations are required for all foreign language documents.

The most common and widely accepted test is the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

Our institution code for the TOEFL is 4843.

The following are acceptable as proof of English Language Proficiency:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum overall score of 79 
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): minimum overall score of 6.5
• MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): Minimum overall score of 77
• PTE A (Pearson Test of English Academic): Minimum overall score of 58
• U of I American Language & Culture Program (ALCP) with score of a Level 6/Advanced Pass
• U.S. Education Earned Bachelor, or higher, degree at accredited U.S. institution
• Duolingo English Test: Minimum Overall 110 (as of Spring 2024 admission, the minimum required score will be 115)

A waiver for this requirement is automatically granted to applicants whose education is from countries where English is an official/native language. For more information, visit our English language countries page.

Notes

• All tests must have been taken within two years of the semester.
• Some graduate programs have a higher requirement. If so, you will need to take the TOEFL, or equivalent test, and obtain the higher score prior to be granted regular admission.
• Some graduate programs allow admission to be granted to applicants who qualify academically, but have not yet achieved U of I minimum English language requirements. To view information and a list of programs accepting students on this admission, visit our international requirements webpage.

The number of letters is up to the academic department/program. Individual programs may require 1 to 3 letters of recommendation. Please gather the names and email addresses of your recommenders. You will need to enter this information to complete an online application. Remember to inform recommenders in advance that they will receive an invitation to upload their letter of support directly to your application.

Important:

• Please use your references institutional email address
• Preferably, letters of recommendation should be issued on the university or company letterhead
• Preferably, your recommendations should come from teaching or research faculty in an area related to your anticipated field of study or a company supervisor who has worked with you and can articulate your merits

For more information, visit our documental resources page.

Include your full name on ALL materials and ensure uploads are LEGIBLE.

Any change in specific degree, major or semester before enrollment requires a new application (including uploaded material) and a non-refundable fee.

To be considered official, all academic records and test scores (ie. transcripts, degree certificates, GRE, TOEFL) must be sent directly from the institution and/or testing center to Graduate Admissions. When these items are submitted by applicants or educational consultants/agencies, approved or not, they are considered unofficial.

Direct mailing address is:

Graduate Admissions
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 3019
Moscow, ID 83844-3019

Additional items that applicants upload into the application include (if required):

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (required)
• Statement of Purpose (required)
• Scans of Official Transcripts (optional, see below)
• Personal Information Form (some programs)
• Writing Sample (some programs)
• Portfolio (some programs)

Note: Failure to adhere to these requirements could delay your credential evaluation and/or admission to the University of Idaho. For more information or assistance, visit our documental resources page.

Unofficial Transcripts

• Applicants may upload scanned copies of official transcripts and translations via the online application. Only scans of high quality (600 dpi or higher, front and back with grading keys/scales) from the University Registrar’s office, also known as original documents from your institution, are acceptable. These scans may be used to determine your acceptance into the program. However, the official transcript documents will ultimately be required.

Official Transcripts

• International Institutions: Academic credentials of all post-secondary course work must be received according to the country specific directions on the Graduate Admissions website.
  • Transferring Internationally earned credits requires a course-by-course professional credential evaluation.
• U.S. Institutions: Academic transcripts from each college or university attended must be received by Graduate Admissions directly from the awarding institution in the officially sealed envelope bearing the institution’s official seal, stamp, and/or appropriate signature.
• Graduate Admissions accepts electronic transcripts from U.S. higher education institutions.
• Current or former U of I students: If you have or are currently attending the U of I, you do not need to order U of I transcripts. Graduate Admissions will secure them for you.

Test Scores

• ETS Institution Code (U of I): 4843

• GRE
• The GRE is only required for some graduate programs.
• Department code (if needed and not supplied): 5199
• TOEFL
• A waiver for English language proficiency requirement is automatically granted to students whose education is from countries where English is an official/native language.
• Department code (if needed and not supplied): 99

International

Complete and return the following to Graduate Admissions regardless of your source(s) of funding:

• Certificate of Financial Responsibility Form
• Copy of passport for applicant and all accompanying dependents requiring a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20)
• If currently in the U.S., copy of:
  • Visa
  • Current I-20

All students currently in F-1 status at any type of institution (college, university, intensive English institute) in the U.S. who plan to transfer to the University of Idaho must complete the transfer procedure through SEVIS. For more information, see the "Student Visa and SEVIS Information" drop-down below.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations require that every student verify the availability of funds to pay for educational and living expenses before an I-20 or DS-2019 form to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. can be issued.

Immigration regulations require that international students holding F-1 or J-1 student visas be certified as full-time students during the academic year. F-1 graduate students are required to be enrolled in nine credit hours and are allowed to take up to three credits of online coursework toward this requirement. J-1 visa holders are also required to enroll in nine credit hours, but are not allowed to take online classes toward the nine credit requirement.

Notes

• Additional documents are required for international students, see the "International" section of the "Submitting Documents" drop-down above.
• Not all programs are eligible for an F-1 or J-1. View the "Program Specific" drop-down or contact the program for information.
• All students currently in F-1 status at any type of institution (college, university, intensive English institute) in the U.S. who plan to transfer to the University of Idaho must complete the transfer procedure through SEVIS.

SEVIS Record Transfer Request (PDF Form)

Transfer Procedure:

1. Receive admission to the University of Idaho
2. Notify your current school of your intentions to transfer
3. Complete Part I of this form (only after you have been admitted and choose to attend U of I)
4. Have an international student advisor at your current institution complete Part II
5. After you and your current school have determined the date to have your SEVIS record electronically released to the University of Idaho, promptly return this form
6. After the release date, the University of Idaho will produce an I-20.