Graduate Admissions - International

Springfield College accepts applicants to graduate programs who possess personal and professional potential for effective educational and social leadership. Springfield College students are a diverse group and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. The curriculum of the graduate programs relies on this breadth of diversity and experience. Applicants should be prepared to participate fully and contribute to the educational environment. In harmony with the philosophy of Springfield College, consideration is given to the whole person including maturity, motivation, and purpose. At the same time, attention is given to conditions that may interfere with the applicant’s performance in their academic work; therefore, the following guidelines have been developed. (Departments and/or schools may have additional specific admission requirements.)

This page contains information about the following topics:

• Admissions Requirements
• Required Application Materials
• English Language Proficiency Requirements
• Admissions Deadlines
• Application Review
• Admissions Decisions
• Steps to Obtain Your I-20 and Apply for the F-1 Visa
• International Student Welcome Program
• Deferred Admission
• Degree Completion Period
• Readmittance
• Changes in Admission

Additional information is also available on the Admissions home page on the Springfield College website.

A bachelor’s degree is required in order to advance to graduate level study. International applicants must have completed education levels equivalent to an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Admission to a graduate program may be granted on a contingent basis upon successful completion of a degree when a degree is in progress. The student’s undergraduate degree must be conferred prior to their beginning graduate-level coursework. 

Admission to graduate study requires the submission of a completed application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to have the registrars of all institutions previously attended forward official transcripts directly to the Office of International Admissions. All coursework completed at the time of application will be considered in determining an applicant’s cumulative grade point average for admissions purposes.  

• Online application form. 

• $100 application fee 

• Official transcripts from all colleges attended, including a final transcript from the institution from which the bachelor’s degree was awarded showing conferral of the degree. Coursework must be equivalent to a United States baccalaureate degree. Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English applicants are required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations. Applications will not be reviewed until all official transcripts are received. (Copies of transcripts sent directly from the applicant are considered unofficial and will not meet this requirement).

• A current copy of a personal résumé.

• A typed, two to three page personal statement in response to questions specified on the application. Both the content of the essay and the quality of the writing will be evaluated. Personal statements must be the applicant’s own original work. Plagiarism and use of AI are grounds for denial.

• Two to three letters of reference (dependent upon program of interest) from individuals who can speak to the content of your personal statement and who can address the following qualities: academic readiness, interpersonal skills, ability to analyze and think critically, imagination and creativity, clarity and precision in oral expression, clarity and precision in written expression, effectiveness in chosen profession. Letters of reference must be in English and submitted by the recommender. Recommendations submitted by applicants will not be considered. References from family members or personal friends will not be accepted. 

• An interview with a faculty or staff member - as required by program of interest

All application materials must be accurate, complete to the best of your knowledge, and your own original work completed fully on your own accord. Submitting fraudulent or plagiarized materials is grounds for immediate denial. If fraudulence or plagiarism is discovered following an acceptance, the admissions decision may be reversed. 

Springfield College requires minimum English Language Proficiency (ELP) scores. If an applicant does not meet the minimum ELP score they will not be admitted. Conditional acceptances based on low scores will not be granted. 

A student may retake ELP tests in order to attempt to achieve a qualifying score and resubmit results for consideration. It is the applicant’s responsibility to communicate their plans to retake tests or complete additional coursework in order to meet the College’s ELP requirements to the Office of International Admissions prior to receiving an admissions decision in order to avoid a denial of admission. Any replacement scores must be submitted for consideration prior to the admission deadline for the intended term of entry. 

Certificates of Completion from Intensive English Language Schools or Programs may also be considered on a case by case basis.

Fall Semester (September)

• Application Deadline: May 1

• Enrollment Deposit Deadline: June 15

• I-20 Issuance Deadline: June 30

Spring Semester (January)

• Application Deadline: October 1

• Enrollment Deposit Deadline: November 1

• I-20 Issuance Deadline: November 15

Summer Semester (May)

• Application Deadline: February 1

• Enrollment Deposit Deadline: March 15

• I-20 Issuance Deadline: March 30

Once the application is complete and all supporting materials have been submitted, the file is reviewed. All application materials are reviewed to evaluate demonstrated commitment to serving the community, ability to succeed in the program, and ability to complete the program. Files are reviewed as they are completed; therefore, it is advantageous for candidates to complete the application process as soon as possible.

Applicants will receive one of the following decisions: full acceptance, contingent acceptance, waitlist, or denial. All decisions will be communicated via email. Denied applicants may reapply for admissions and may contact the Office of International Admissions to discuss reapplication.

• Full Acceptance: Prospective graduate students may be given full acceptance in the event that their bachelor’s degree has been officially conferred, their ELP scores meet Springfield College standards, and they meet all academic requirements (including minimum cumulative GPA) of the program for which they applied.

• Contingent Acceptance: Full acceptance to a graduate program at Springfield College requires possession of a bachelor’s degree, completion of all prerequisite coursework prior to their matriculation, and the minimum cumulative GPA. Prospective graduate students may be given contingent acceptance in the event that they meet all other program requirements but:

  • Are currently enrolled in the academic year during which they anticipate conferral of their bachelor’s degree

  • Are missing prerequisite courses as determined by the academic program

In order to meet these contingencies, the student must submit an official, final undergraduate transcript that reflects degree conferral and completion of all prerequisite courses by the Drop Deadline of the semester in which they wish to enroll. 

In cases where this documentation is not submitted, the student will be administratively withdrawn from classes by the College Registrar and required to seek deferral of their application. 

In cases where the student submits an official, final undergraduate transcript that reflects degree conferral, completion of all prerequisite coursework, and a minimum of a 2.500 GPA, the student will be updated from contingent acceptance to full acceptance.   

In cases where the student submits an official, final undergraduate transcript that reflects degree conferral, completion of all prerequisite coursework but they no longer have a minimum of a 2.500 GPA, the student will not be permitted to start the program. 

• Waitlist: Applicants may receive a decision notifying them that the program for which they applied has added them to a waitlist. Applicants are ranked on the waitlist based on their application. As space becomes available, international students on a waitlist may be offered admittance to the program up to the deposit deadline for the term of entry (June 15 for the fall semester, November 1 for the spring semester, March 15 for the summer semester). There is no guarantee that a waitlisted student will be admitted to the program. If space does not become available, the Office of International Admissions will notify the applicant. Waitlisted students may reapply to the program for a future term of entry.

1. Submit the deposit required by the admissions office to confirm your plans to enroll in Springfield College.

2. Submit the Certification of Finances for your program, supporting financial proof, and a copy of your passport to the International Center at internationalcenter@springfield.edu.

3. All students are required to submit financial documents that demonstrate the ability to meet the estimated cost of attendance for the first year of their program of study (including tuition, fees, and living expenses) before Springfield College can issue the immigration document Form I-20 needed to apply for an F-1 student visa. All submitted documentation must be in English or include certified translations along with original documents.

4. The International Center will begin reviewing financial documents and issuing I-20s approximately 6 months before the start of each term. All documents should be submitted no later than 2 months before the start of your term of entry.

5. Keep all the original documents, as you will need them for your visa application.  

6. Receiving your I-20: Your I-20 will generally be issued within 1 week after receipt of acceptable documents. The I-20 will be emailed to your Springfield College email address as a PDF. You will need to print the Form I-20 and add your signature and date for it to be official.

7. Pay the SEVIS fee: Before applying for an F-1 visa, all first-time visa applicants are required to pay the SEVIS fee AND the visa application fee. They are two separate fees. Make sure to print and save the I-901 Receipt (SEVIS fee) to present during your visa appointment.

8. Apply for a Visa: After you receive your immigration documents and pay the SEVIS fee, you will apply for your F-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country. For how to apply for your F-1 visa, Go to the U.S. Department of State website. Do remember that the process takes time. See Visa Wait Times for more information. Please review these tips to help you prepare for your visa appointment.

9. Keep Us Informed: Please let us know when you receive your visa, if you have been denied or if you are having trouble getting a visa appointment. Students who are not able to secure a visa in time to arrive on campus by the start of classes will need to defer their enrollment.

The International Center provides programming and support services designed to help both international undergraduate and graduate students experience a smooth transition to Springfield College and U.S. culture. The program begins with pre-arrival sessions in August followed by a Welcome program that kicks off 3 days before the new student orientation with airport pickups. International students get to enjoy arriving on campus early, getting settled into their new environment, and building community with the help of the International Center and peer mentors. Notification of international arrival and welcome program dates is given upon receipt of the admissions deposit.

If a situation arises where a student is unable to enroll in the term for which they were admitted, the student may request the option to defer. In order to defer, the student must submit their enrollment deposit and request a deferral from the Office of Graduate Admissions in writing. A student may only defer enrollment for a maximum of 12 months. Students who are not able to start classes within 12 months will be required to reapply to their program of interest.

Springfield College utilizes a time limit (e.g. Degree Completion Period) for each graduate student to complete all of the degree requirements in their program.  Whereas the length of time an individual student takes to complete all degree requirements in their program may differ based on a myriad of factors, there is the expectation that all students will receive conferral of their degree within their respective degree completion period.  Please refer to the Degree Completion Period - Graduate  policy in the Academic Policies section for specific details.   

Please refer to the Time Limit section of the Graduate Study page.

The College reserves the right to make changes in admission requirements, fees, charges, tuition, instructors, regulations, and academic programs at its sole discretion prior to the start of any class or term. The College also reserves the right to divide, cancel, or reschedule classes or programs if enrollment or other factors so require.