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Admission Requirements – Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

International students have a separate application procedure that precedes the standard admission process. View international requirements below or contact the International Center at +1-626-812-3055 or by email.

Applicants must possess:

  • A bachelor’s degree
    A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required. (Applicants for the TESOL programs are not required to have undergraduate majors in fields such as English, linguistics, or education; however a strong background in one of these is recommended.)
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA
    A 3.0 baccalaureate or master’s grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale is required. [Applicants with a GPA between 2.5-2.99 may be considered for provisional admission.]
  • A TOEFL score of 600 or above (nonnative speakers only)
    Nonnative speakers of English must score 600 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), at least 250 on the computer-based TOEFL or 100 on the IBT, and must pass a test of written English. Applicants who score between 550 and 600 (213-249 on the computer-based TOEFL; 79-99 on the IBT) may be granted conditional admission, but will be required to complete TESL 500 English for Internationals (3 units) during their first semester of graduate work.

Applicants must submit:

  • A Graduate Application (Apply Online | Download PDF)
  • $45 nonrefundable application fee
  • Official transcripts (Download PDF)
    Request that official transcripts be sent to APU's Graduate Center for all degrees, certificates, and credentials earned prior to application to APU. Learn more about APU's domestic applicant transcript policy.
  • A statement of purpose
    Submit a written statement describing educational and professional goals, including reasons for studying TESOL at APU.
  • A résumé or statement of experience (Download PDF)
  • Three letters of recommendation (Download PDF)
    Submit at least one recommendation must be from a professor or teacher acquainted with the applicant's academic work.
  • TOEFL scores (nonnative speakers only)
    For nonnative speakers of English: Request official TOEFL scores to be sent directly to Azusa Pacific University

All materials should be sent to:
Graduate Center: Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
Fax: (626) 815-4545
graduatecenter@apu.edu

What to Expect

Once all admission materials have been received by the appropriate office, the Graduate Admissions and TESOL faculty review the applicant's file. The applicant is then notified of the committee's decision.

*The downloadable version of this document is provided in a Portable Document Format (PDF). To learn more about PDFs or to install Adobe Acrobat Reader, visit Internet Utilities.

Admission Requirements – International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. CIS and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply to be a graduate student at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and other admission requirements specified by the program.

International applicants must:

International applicants must also submit:

  • An International Graduate Application
    (Apply Online | Download PDF)
    Note: This application is submitted in place of the domestic graduate application.
  • A $65 (U.S.) nonrefundable application fee
    Note: This fee is submitted in place of the $45 nonrefundable application fee for domestic applicants.
  • Official transcripts
    Request that official transcripts be sent to APU's International Center for all degrees, certificates, and credentials earned prior to application to APU. Learn more about APU's international applicant transcript policy.

  • Official TOEFL/IELTS score report (if applicable)
    Request official TOEFL/IELTS test scores sent directly from the academic institution to APU. For more information, read our English Proficiency Requirements for Graduate and Doctoral Programs.
  • An affidavit of support and a bank statement
    International applicants must provide an affidavit of support and a bank statement proving financial ability to pay for educational costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
  • A recent photo
    International applicants must submit one recent photo of yourself.
  • A résumé showing work experience
    International applicants must submit a current résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) that demonstrates recent work experience.
  • Three recommendation letters (Download PDF)
    International applicants must request recommendations completed by professors or employers (non-family members) who have knowledge of the applicant's academic ability and potential. Some programs require specific information in their recommendations.
  • Essays (international master's applicants only)
    International applicants must submit a typewritten essay addressing the following questions:
    1. How do you hope to benefit from an academic experience in America?
    2. Describe your current religious or philosophical beliefs.
    3. Explain why you would be a good candidate to study at APU, including any leadership roles you have experienced.

Submit all materials to:

International Center
Azusa Pacific University
901 E. Alosta Ave.
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
USA
+1-626-815-3055
Fax: +1-626-815-3801
Email IC

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the International Center, the department reviews the applicant’s file. The student is notified of the committee’s decision within approximately two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prerequisites for the program?
Admission to the program requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. No prerequisite courses must be completed, but courses in English and linguistics are recommended. Before graduating, however, you will need to have completed the equivalent of six semester units of college-level foreign language with a grade of B or better. This requirement may be satisfied by language courses taken within 10 years prior to beginning your program at APU.

What is the language requirement for international students?
Nonnative speakers of English must score 600 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or at least 250 on the computer-based TOEFL or 150 on the IBT, and must also pass a test of written English. Applicants who score between 550 and 599 (213-249 on the computer-based TOEFL; 79-99 on the IBT) may be admitted as conditional students, but they will be required to enroll in TESL 500 English for Internationals during their first semester of graduate work, and may enroll in only two regular graduate courses during that semester.

Is the GRE required or recommended for admission?
No.

What are the application deadlines?
We have rolling admissions, but you should allow at least one month for your application to be processed from the time that all materials are received, including three recommendations. All materials should be received by the end of July for fall admission and by the end of December for spring admission. International applicants should contact ISS for current deadlines.

Note: This information is current for the 2009-10 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Academic Catalog for the most current and controlling information. For additional information, please contact the appropriate office.