International Graduate Admissions
The University of Michigan-Dearborn is a vibrant, diverse campus community. International graduate students will find academic rigor, close faculty mentorship and opportunities to pursue research and other practice-based learning experiences.
Graduate admission requirements and application deadlines vary by program. This page provides details about next steps and links to helpful information and resources for international graduate applicants.
How to Apply as an International Graduate Student
- To apply, create a login with a valid email address using the provided link and follow the prompts. You can save your progress, as the system allows you to return and finish your application later using your login information.
- Submission requires a $60 application fee. UM-Dearborn offers limited application fee waivers on a first-come, first-serve basis. The fee is nonrefundable and cannot be applied toward tuition or other fees.
- If you are a former applicant or current UM-Dearborn student and your account appears disabled, you may need to reactivate your portal account by contacting the UM-Dearborn ITS Helpdesk.
- You may apply to one program at a time. If you wish to apply to a second program after a decision on the first is made, you must submit a new application and fee, with coordination from Graduate Studies.
- You can disclose previous names within your application. Reporting any name discrepancies for supporting documents ensures all materials are matched to your application.
If you have any questions during the admissions process, connect with the Office of Graduate Studies. We are here to support you every step of the way.
Required Materials
As part of the application process, various supplementary documents are required to create a comprehensive admissions profile. Some items require direct upload in the Online Application in order to submit your application. If these items require updates after submission, you can provide an updated PDF via the personalized upload URL received via email after your application has been processed. Any items not marked as required can be submitted separately, but a complete admissions file is required for consideration.
Statement of Purpose/Letter of Intent
These graduate programs require a statement of purpose or letter of intent that reflects your post-graduation career plans, how your current education and experience aligns with these goals, and how UM-Dearborn will help you achieve them. The preferred length is about 500 words. Here is additional guidance for each individual program.
Briefly describe events or experiences that demonstrate your potential as an effective health care professional. You may include work or school experience, life experiences, personal philosophy or other relevant information.
Explain your motivation for pursuing the EdD and identify one or more questions related to educational curriculum, policy or practice that you wish to explore as a focus for advanced study and dissertation research.
You are also required to respond to an additional writing sample prompt (options are provided in the online application) related to a current education issue. Please use APA format for any references.
Identify your intended field or fields of research. You must also submit a personal statement describing your unique background and life experiences, including any cultural, geographical, financial or educational opportunities or challenges that motivate your decision to pursue a doctoral degree at the UM-Dearborn.
Include a research topic and a corresponding plan. It is strongly recommended that you identify a potential faculty advisor at the application stage, as this is required for enrollment after admission.
Resume or CV
A resume or CV provides a summary of your qualifications, including your education, work and research experience, professional affiliations and any notable achievements. Master’s applicants have a limit of two pages; doctoral or specialist applicants have a limit of four pages.
Letters of Recommendation
Supporting recommendations are required for most degree-seeking applicants. The number of recommendations varies by college and program. Appropriate recommenders are typically current or former professional supervisors, research supervisors or faculty instructors. If you have questions about whether a potential recommender is suitable, contact your academic program for guidance.
In the online application, you must enter your recommender's name and email address. The application system will automatically notify your recommender. We highly recommend that you contact your recommender before completing this section of the application.
Required recommendations by college:
- College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL)
- Clinical Health Psychology: 3 recommendations
- All other programs: 2 recommendations
- College of Business (COB) - 1 recommendation
- College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) - 2 recommendations
- College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS)
- Master's level - optional; we recommend submitting one if your GPA is below 3.0 or if you have a non-traditional background for your program of interest.
- Doctoral level: 3 recommendations
Required College/University Transcripts
To apply to the UM-Dearborn, you must submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended, including transferred credits. You may upload unofficial records with your online application for admission consideration.
Before you enroll, you will also need to provide official transcripts. Request your institution(s) to send official records electronically to [email protected].
- Records must be sent directly from the Registrar through an institutional domain or approved third-party services (e.g., Parchment, National Clearinghouse) to be considered official.
- Mail official records to: Office of Graduate Studies, 1145 Renick University Center (RUC), 4901 Evergreen Rd., Dearborn, MI 48128.
Note: If your documents are not originally in English, you must submit both the original and an official English translation. The translation should be precise and maintain the format of the original document. If your institution does not offer an official translation, a professional licensed translation is acceptable.
Test Scores
Our graduate programs do not require the GRE or GMAT. If you submit test scores, we will link them to your application file and the review committee may consider them during the admissions decision process.
If you choose to submit GRE or GMAT scores, official scores are required. GRE and GMAT scores are valid for five years from the test date. Here are the institution codes you will need:
Our ETS Institution Code for GRE registration is 1861. Individual department codes are not necessary for the GRE. As long as the institution code is used, your scores will be electronically delivered to us.
Our GMAC Institution Code for GMAT registration varies by program.
- Accounting (MSA): 1V5-HP-06
- Business Administration (MBA): 1V5-HP-19
- Business Administration (MBA) - Online: 1V5-HP-50
- Business Analytics (MS): 1V5-HP-93
- Finance (MS): 1V5-HP-12
- Information Systems (MS): 1V5-HP-38
- Marketing (MS): 1V5-HP-80
- Supply Chain Management (MS): 1V5-HP-71
- Dual Degree: Accounting (MSA)/Finance (MSF): 1V5-HP-22
- Dual Degree: Business Administration/Industrial & Systems Engineering (MSE): 1V5-HP-45
- Dual Degree: Business Administration (MBA)/Finance (MSF): 1V5-HP-58
- Dual Degree: Business Administration (MBA)/Health Services Administration (MHSA): 1V5-HP-56
- Dual Degree: Business Administration (MBA)/Information Systems (MS): 1V5-HP-40
- Dual Degree: Business Administration (MBA)/Supply Chain Management (MS): 1V5-HP-87
Non-US Academic Records and English Proficiency Requirements
If you have completed post-secondary courses outside the United States or if English is not your native language, there are additional steps to complete your application. This section outlines how to submit non-U.S. academic records, request credential evaluations and demonstrate English language proficiency.
Non-U.S. academic records require evaluation for institution accreditation, U.S. equivalency and grade conversion to the 4.0 scale. Most applicants can choose between two options to fulfill this requirement. However, if you are applying to the Teaching (MAT) program, you are required to submit an approved third-party course-by-course evaluation to develop your plan of study.
Option 1: Third-Party Evaluators
You are encouraged to compare accepted providers to find the best fit for your needs. Providers differ in cost, turnaround time, and documentation requirements. Because cost and processing time are determined by each organization — not by the University of Michigan-Dearborn — review each provider’s website for the most current information.
- Educational Credential Evaluators
- International Education Evaluators
- The Evaluation Company
- Educational Perspectives
- World Education Services
You may submit course-by-course evaluations from members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Reports must include accreditation status, degree equivalence and GPA conversion. Evaluation providers not affiliated with NACES are not accepted.
Option 2: Internal UM-Dearborn Evaluation
You may request an internal evaluation within your Online Application, used only for institutional assessment and not disclosed to you. If you choose this option, include your transcript legend or grading scale to avoid delays.
The internal evaluation begins only after all required materials are received and generally extend the timeline by 2 to 4 weeks for programs with rolling admissions. For programs with fixed deadlines, the evaluation will align with internal review dates if all materials are submitted on time. Please check your program’s deadlines.
Any applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- Submit official scores from an approved English language proficiency exam
- Meet the criteria for an exemption from taking an English language proficiency exam
English Language Proficiency Accepted Exams
The University of Michigan-Dearborn accepts the following exams:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Minimum score 6.5 (Academic)
- Send scores electronically to University of Michigan-Dearborn Graduate Studies. An institution code is not required.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT:
- For exams taken before January 21, 2026 (scale 0-120): Minimum score of 79 for most programs; 84 is required for all doctorate level, Education Specialist (Ed.S.) and Clinical Health Psychology (MS) programs
- For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026 (scale 1-6): Minimum score of 4.5
- Use ETS Institution Code 1861; department codes are not necessary.
- Only individual test scores are considered; TOEFL MyBestScores are not accepted.
- Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum score 105
- Send scores electronically to University of Michigan-Dearborn Graduate Studies.
- Doctoral programs and Clinical Health Psychology (MS) do not accept Duolingo English Test scores.
- Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum score 57 for most programs; 59 for doctorate and Clinical Health Psychology (MS) programs
- Send scores electronically to University of Michigan-Dearborn Graduate Studies.
You may take any of these exams more than once; only your most recent score will be considered. Scores must be no more than two years old. Achieving the minimum score does not guarantee admission, but your application will be considered. There are no sub-score requirements.
English Language Proficiency Exemption Policy
You are exempt from providing an English language proficiency score if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You have earned, or will earn, an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree from the United States of America, Australia or United Kingdom.
- You have earned, or will earn, an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree from an institution where the language of instruction is exclusively English. Verification is required. If the transcript does not include this designation, a supplemental letter from the institution may be required.
Application Deadlines
Some graduate programs require all application materials to be received by a strict deadline to be considered for admission. Complete applications (including all required materials) are reviewed after the posted deadline, and decisions are released by program. If you miss the deadline, you will need to defer your application to a later start semester. These programs admit for limited semesters, so planning ahead is essential.
To ensure a smooth admissions process, we strongly recommend submitting your application early and verifying your checklist for completeness before the deadline.
After Your Application is Submitted
Once you have submitted your application, the portal will not support additional uploads. Any further documents must be submitted through other specified methods.
After your application is processed, you will receive a personalized upload URL via email. Most documents required for admission consideration can be submitted through this link. If you have additional documents or information to provide that are not explicitly listed, submit them to the Office of Graduate Studies through your personalized upload URL.
If you need to make changes to your application, reach out to the Office of Graduate Studies via email instead of submitting a new application. A staff member will provide guidance or update your information for you.
Stay informed about the admissions process timelines as you move through the process. To ensure your application is complete, refer to the instructions provided for submitting any outstanding checklist items. If you need to submit additional documents not explicitly listed, upload them as PDF files through the personalized URL sent to you via email after your application is processed. The Office of Graduate Studies will review your materials and notify you of any updates.
All applicants applying to a fully online program must complete a supplemental Online Student Disclosures and Certifications form that will appear in your UM-Dearborn applicant portal alongside your application checklist once the application has been submitted. This covers important Distance Education Student Information and Procedures and Export Control Regulations our campus must follow.
If you need to change your start term, submit a deferral request to the Office of Graduate Studies using the Graduate Admissions Deferral Request Form. It is recommended to send your request by the advisory deadline for your new intended term.
Applications remain valid for one academic year from your initial term of application (ex. Fall 2025 is valid through Fall 2026). Deferral requests for programs with hard deadlines are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the academic program.
All previously submitted documents will be transferred to the new term if your deferral is approved. If you attend another university during the deferral period, you must submit transcripts from that enrollment. Admitted students required to pay an enrollment deposit must do so prior to requesting a deferral.
Deferral requests are processed in order of receipt, with priority given to immediate upcoming deadlines.
International Students
Deferring your admission does not automatically defer your I-20. You must work with the OIA to receive an I-20 with an updated program start-date to coincide with the semester of your arrival on campus. If you have been previously issued an initial I-20, you must submit an I-20 Deferral eForm via M-International. If you have not yet received an initial I-20, then you must submit the Initial I-20 Request eForm via M-International.
Financial Support and Student Visa Information
The Office of International Affairs manages I-20 and DS-2019 processing. You can contact them directly for further details related to:
- Proof of Financial Support
- Health Insurance
- Maintenance of F-1/J-1 status
Moving to a new country
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) for STEM-designated programs
Admitted international students who require an F or J student visa must provide certification of financial resources. Financial Affidavit and Bank Certification forms are not required for your admissions application to be reviewed.
Financial Support for International Graduate Students
International students are eligible for the Graduate Dearborn Scholarship with a yearly value of approximately $10,000 if you enroll full-time for fall and winter terms. Full-time enrollment is required for students sponsored on a student visa.
Our Ph.D. programs are fully-funded. Admitted students receive full funding through appointments as Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Research Assistant (GSRA), or a combination of both. Funding includes a competitive monthly stipend, health insurance and tuition waiver.