Future Students

The Graduate College does not waive application fees. General email requests for an application fee waiver will not be considered.

No. The Graduate College charges fees to apply to the Graduate College, and the Bursar’s Office charges tuition and fees for course registration.  These charges are separate, and cannot be combined.  If your organization pays all costs (application and attendance), you may need to present a receipt and ask for reimbursement.  Graduate College can provide a receipt of your paid GradApp fees, upon request.

To join the University of Arizona Graduate College, you must apply directly for admission, whether you hold a bachelor's degree or have previously attended graduate school. Transfer of graduate certificate units or other graduate credits is subject to the discretion of the department offering the degree, and there are limits on the number of transferable units. For detailed policies, refer to the Graduate Transfer Credit Policy.

• UA GradApp fee: The application fee for UA's GradApp is a standard cost. However, application fees for other colleges may vary.
• Common Application (CAS): Some graduate applicants must complete a common application (CAS), related to their major, before filling out their GradApp.
• Examinations: Some programs require applicants to take specific examinations before applying to graduate school.
• Transcript Evaluation: Some students may need to have their transcripts evaluated by a service like WES, though this is not a requirement for Graduate Admissions.
• Official Transcripts: Some students must pay to have official transcripts sent to Graduate Admissions. Admission can be completed with unofficial transcripts; however, all admitted students are required to provide official transcripts later. These can be sent electronically from the institution or clearinghouse, or mailed directly to our office. International students can also provide official copies of all documents in person upon arrival on campus.
• Additional Costs: Depending on the program, some graduate applicants may incur additional costs related to document preparation and services, such as resume preparation, portfolio submissions, etc.

First review the Graduate Admissions Guide (GAG) for application deadlines and check your department's website for program-specific deadlines and requirements. Make sure to apply before the posted deadlines to ensure your application is considered.  The application process depends on your intended major. All students must apply through the GradApp portal. However, specific programs such as Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Health Sciences require an application using a Common Application System (CAS) and therefore, must apply in both systems. Be sure to check the respective program’s website for the correct application platform and additional instructions.

• There are multiple qualifications to consider. Generally, you should review;
• Graduate Admission Requirements; an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, and proof of English language proficiency.
• Program Requirements; these vary widely by program, and may include prerequisite course completion and grades, work experience, recommendations, statements of purpose, writing samples, portfolios, and also the way graduate programs are designed by time, course sequence, costs, etc.
• International applicants must meet International Requirements for English proficiency, test scores, and provide additional documents such as financial guarantee documents. Financial guarantee documents are requested from ISS after admission and are not required up front. Students do not need to provide an I-20 initially. After admission and submission of financial documents to ISS, the ISS office will issue the I-20. This document is then used by students to schedule a consular appointment to apply for a student visa. Departmental funding will be deducted from the total amount students need to show as proof of financial support.

The main differences between degrees at the same level typically lie in the curriculum and focus of study. While the degrees may cover similar subject areas, they may differ in the specific courses, structure, or emphasis. These differences are often designed to align with career goals, prepare students for further graduate study, or meet the demands of specific industries. Comparing the degrees side-by-side will reveal variations in course requirements and overall direction.

A doctoral degree is awarded after completing a series of advanced graduate courses, often will include in-depth research, peer-review publication, may include teaching or supervisory responsibilities, and will conclude with preparing and defending a dissertation to be reviewed by a committee of academic leadership.

A master’s degree is awarded after completing a graduate-level course sequence with a specific focus, usually includes a combination of core courses and electives, and is designed to deepen your skills and knowledge and verify subject-matter expertise. A master’s program often requires a terminal product, such as a thesis, research project, practicum hours, or other final assessments.

A graduate certificate is a document awarded to a graduate student after completing a specific set of graduate-level courses, often focusing on a particular subject or skill area.  A graduate certificate can substantiate qualifications or help meet professional certification. Typically, a graduate certificate requires about one-third of the credits needed for a master's degree, and in some cases, you can combine (stack) multiple certificates to work toward a master's degree.