Application Process

Please submit the following:
 

  • Our Application for Graduate Admission  (Follow this link to begin the application process). 
  • $65 application fee (non-refundable) submitted with application.
  • Completed Financial Guarantee Statement certified by a bank official or letter of financial sponsorship certified by a bank official. At least $34,380 (U.S.) should be available to international students planning to study at NAU.
  • An official transcript, or grade mark sheets, from each higher education institution you have attended. An official transcript is the academic credential issued and certified, bearing the original raised seal or stamp, by the institution attended. It must be received by the Graduate College in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution. Official transcripts must include verification of graduation. If the degree/diploma is not posted on the transcripts, a separate degree certificate must be included and indicate the degree awarded and the date of award. Transcripts must be in the original language of the country with an English translation that is officially verified by the issuing institution. Photocopies of official transcripts certified by a notary public are not official. 
  • Official scores on the TOEFL exam, unless you are a native speaker of English. The university requires a minimum TOEFL of 80 (on the Internet-based test, 213 (on the computer-based test) or 550 (on the paper-based test), although some programs require a higher score (see below). The TOEFL is waived for applicants who earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. university. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. Please note that you are exempt from this requirement if English is recognized as the official language of your country. You are also exempt if English is the primary language of instruction at the institution where you received your degree.  Some departments require a higher minimum score:

Graduate Programs with TOEFL Requirements above the Graduate College Requirement 

Program

Internet-based test

Computer-based test

Paper-based test

Applied Linguistics (Ph.D.) 

100

250

600

Business Administration 

83

213

550

Clinical Speech Pathology 

100

250

600

Mathematics and Statistics 

89

250

570

Physical Therapy 

100

250

600

Political Science 

93

230

580

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) 

89

237

570

 Equivalency Table for TOEFL and IELTS Scores 

TOEFL Internet Based

TOEFL Paper Based

TOEFL Computer Based

IELTS Equivalency

113-120

625-680

263-300

7.0-9.0

100

600

250

7.0

90-91

575

232

6.5

79-80

550

213

6.0

69-70

525

196

5.5

59-60

500

173

5.0

49-50

475

152

4.5

39-40

450

133

4.0

29-30

425

113

3.5

(If you do not have a TOEFL score, you can apply to NAU. If you are admitted with the department's approval on academic criteria, you can take the TOEFL at NAU before you enroll. However, if you do not achieve the required score, you must enroll in the Program in Intensive English.)

The Program in Intensive English (PIE) meets the academic needs of NAU international students by providing academic English preparation and support. It teaches the skills that are essential to your successful performance at the university. If you score below the required minimum TOEFL score, you may be conditionally admitted to NAU and admitted to PIE for intensive English training. While enrolled in PIE, you are entitled to all university privileges.

Most graduate programs require additional materials such as GRE scores, letters of recommendation, goal statement, resume, or writing sample.  These requirements will vary with each program.

After all of the required application materials have been received by Graduate Admissions, your file will be forwarded to the appropriate graduate program for review. Admission to most graduate programs is competitive, so not all qualified applicants can be admitted. If the decision is positive, official notification of admission by the Graduate College will be sent, with the appropriate immigration document (Form I-20) for acquiring a visa to the United States.