Graduate Admission

Our frequently asked questions make it easy for you to find answers to your most pressing questions about the University of Dayton.

Financial Aid

What financial aid is available for graduate students?

Many opportunities exist to help you pay for the cost of higher education, including scholarships, grants, loans and assistantships.

How do I apply for financial aid?

If you are interested in applying for assistantships or fellowships, please contact the department in which you plan to enroll or are enrolled. For loan and grant consideration, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Submit this form to the processing agency and list the University of Dayton (CODE #003127) to receive the results.

How do I get in touch with a financial aid counselor?

You may contact the Office of Recruitment and Admission by phone (800-837-7433) or email (admission@udayton.edu).

What does it cost to attend UD?

Tuition varies by program and degree. Visit Flyer Student Services for details.

Admission

How do I apply to a graduate program at UD?

The best way to apply to UD is online. Application requirements vary by program and may include transcripts and test scores. International students should review the additional application requirements necessary to complete their application.

Who should I contact about whether or not my application materials have been received?

You can log into your admission account to see what documents we have received and what is still needed to complete your application. If you have questions, contact gradadmission@udayton.edu.

Where should I send my application materials?

All application materials should be sent to:

Enrollment Services
University of Dayton
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469-2713

What are the application deadlines?

Application deadlines vary by program. Please review your program's admission requirements for specific deadlines. If the program does not specify a deadline, applications should be complete at least eight weeks prior to the beginning of the term you wish to begin study in order to ensure an admission decision can be reached. International students should review the international application deadlines.

When are incomplete applications deleted?

While partially-completed applications are not saved, any submitted application may be accessed through your admission account. All submitted applications and accounts will remain in the system indefinitely.

Can I get graduate transfer credit?

Each academic department determines if graduate transfer credit will be granted for courses that have not already been applied to another graduate degree. Generally, no more than six credit hours are transferable into master's programs, 15 into doctoral programs. If you are admitted to a graduate program and wish to obtain transfer credit, you should speak with your academic adviser.

What criteria are used in the application review process?

Admission criteria are determined by the program director for your area of study. Beyond application information and transcripts, program directors may consider test scores, letters of recommendation and a personal statement. Review the list of program requirements for the program to which you are applying.

Am I required to submit scores from a graduate entrance exam such as the GRE, MAT or GMAT?

Some program requirements include submitting results from the GRE or GMAT, while submission of test scores is optional for other programs. Please review the tests required for your individual program of study.

International students are required to submit additional information as part of their application such as results from the TOEFL. Visit the international admission page for specific requirements.

Online Application

What should I write about in my personal statement?

Review the program requirements before submitting your personal statement. Unless otherwise specified, your personal statement should address work experience, research and study experience, and professional development objectives.

Is there an application fee with my online application?

Our online application does not have a fee for domestic students or international students.

Do I have to complete the application form, request for letters of recommendation and personal statement at the same time?

No. You are welcome to submit these materials in any order.

How do I submit my personal statement?

Log in to the application and click the "personal statement" item on your checklist.

How do I submit letters of recommendation?

The letters of recommendation may be emailed to gradadmission@udayton.edu or mailed to:

Office of Graduate Admission
University of Dayton
300 College Park Dayton, OH 45469-1670

How will I know if my online application has been submitted?

You can login to your admission account see what documents we have received and what is still needed to complete your application.

Can I edit or update my application once it has been submitted?

Some, but not all, information on your application may be edited through your admission account.

Will my transcripts and recommendations be put with my online application if they are not sent at the same time?

All of your documents will be linked to your student record, regardless of when they are received.

Can I submit an application to more than one academic program at a time?

Yes. Within your admission account, you can click on the "create new application" link and begin a new application. However, you may only enroll in a single academic program, so you will need to choose which program you want to pursue once you are admitted.

Can I change my program of study after I have submitted my application?

If you wish to apply to a different program, please review the program's requirements. If you are certain you wish to change your program, login to your admission account and click the "create new application" link to begin a new program. You may only enroll in a single academic program, so you will need to choose which program you want to pursue once you are admitted.

International Admission

What if I only have a three-year degree?

An international student seeking admission to any graduate program must have completed a minimum of 16 years of education, including the earned equivalent of a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

We recommend that applicants from India complete the two-year master's program before applying for graduate admission. Applicants who successfully complete the first year of the master's program may be considered for graduate admission. Course work taken at technical or non-university affiliated institutions may not be considered for academic credit. Any program of study must be officially recognized by the Ministry of Education in India as a degree-granting institution.

Is someone available to help me understand the special circumstances associated with applying as an international student?

The staff of the international admission office will be available to help throughout the process. They understand the differences in educational systems throughout the world, and they will identify the documents required to complete your application. You may contact the staff by phone at 855-664-5623 (toll-free) or 937-229-1850, or by email at goglobalgraduate@udayton.edu.

What score do I need to obtain on the TOEFL? Does UD have an English as a Second Language (ESL) program?

Yes, the Intensive English Program (IEP) can help if you need to enhance your English skills before starting your degree program. Located in the center of campus, IEP offers an intensive program to prepare you for graduate study at the University of Dayton.

What are the admission deadlines for international students?

Different admission deadlines exist for international students because of the time it takes to process international documents and complete a credential evaluation. We will continue to process complete applications received after the deadline. However, we cannot guarantee an admission decision will be reached in time to begin the desired term. We will send you a letter once a decision has been made. All pending applications will automatically be considered for the next available term.

What support services are available after I’ve enrolled?

The Office of International Student Services in the Center for International Programs offers international students assistance with areas such as immigration issues, counseling, personal advising, social and extracurricular activities, and emergencies. The friendly and experienced staff will assist you throughout your stay.

Am I required to submit a credential evaluation with my application materials?

Applicants who have completed or are in the process of completing an undergraduate or graduate degree at institutions outside of the United States are required to submit academic records to complete their credential evaluation.

Evaluations are a required component since they determine how your academics are graded compared to the U.S. education system. Be sure to follow the steps below to secure your credential evaluation:

  1. Applicants can create a WES account by visiting: https://applications.wes.org/createaccount/login/login
  2. Select the course-by-course evaluation option to ensure that your evaluation meets our requirements for admission review.
  3. To ensure that the University of Dayton receives an official copy of your evaluation, select it from the drop-down box and add it as a recipient.

If you provided a WES transcript reflecting in-progress study, a follow-up WES course-by-course evaluation showing the complete academic record and degree conferral may be required. Applicants are responsible for paying all fees for such evaluations, upgrades, as well as making arrangements with WES to send and receive their documents.

International applicants must have all transcripts officially translated into English. Both the unofficial and the English translated version must be submitted. WES evaluations do not include translation services. WES does not provide translation services.

For more information, WES applicants can visit: https://www.wes.org/contact-us/ for assistance.

What do I need to do if I have already been accepted to the University of Dayton for a previous term and would like to transfer from another U.S. institution?

Because you are attending another institution and are in the United States, you will need to complete an updated online application. Please include information regarding your current program of study. In order to transfer, you will need to maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at your current place of study. You need to have an official transcript from your current program sent to us at the end of the academic term. In addition, please submit the following to our office:

  1. Any documents indicated in your letter of acceptance
  2. A new bank statement with account balance and sponsor letter

If you are accepted as a transfer student, you will need to contact the International Student Coordinator at your current institution to begin the transfer process in SEVIS.

What is needed to issue a SEVIS I-20?

Current proof of financial support is needed before we are authorized to issue immigration documents. This proof may take a variety of forms, including bank statements, scholarship letters or assistantship contacts. The most common form of proof is a bank statement that should show the account number and balance. We cannot accept solvency certificates for the purposes of issuing an I-20. If the funds are from an account other than your own, we must also have a letter of support from the person(s) providing the funds indicating the extent and length of support. All financial statements must be on original stationary and less than six months old.

Can I defer my admission to the University of Dayton?

Your admission decision is good for one academic year (two semesters). If you plan to attend another school prior to coming to the University of Dayton, please submit an updated application to our office. The following is required to issue you a new I-20:

  1. Submit any documents indicated in your letter of acceptance (i.e. final transcripts, degree certificate)
  2. Submit new financial documents, including a current bank statement and sponsor letter