Students who have been continuously absent for two or more terms must file a petition
for readmission by completing an Application for Readmission Form with the GSEP Admissions Office. If readmitted, students are required to comply
with current program requirements.
Students who have been absent for more than two calendar years are required to file
a new application with the GSEP Admissions Office, pay the regular application fee,
and be considered for admission based upon current admission requirements. The readmission
applicants will be notified promptly after a decision has been made. All students
who are readmitted are responsible for clearing their student accounts before being
permitted to register. If returning students wish to change their original degree
objective, they must file a new application with the GSEP Admissions Office and pay
the regular application fee.
Pepperdine University has a robust international student population from over 70 countries.
At the Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP), we welcome international
students to apply to our academic programs.
We are committed to supporting international students every step of the way. In recognizing
the unique challenges of pursuing a degree abroad, we offer personalized guidance
through the admission, student visa, and enrollment processes to facilitate your seamless
transition into your degree program. From the resources provided by our Office of International Student Services to the nurturing community of the GSEP faculty and staff, we are devoted to providing
you with a smooth path to Pepperdine and a fulfilling educational journey.
International Applicants
In addition to the admission requirements based on program of interest by the deadline
date, international candidates for admission are required to provide the following:
Immigration or Visa Status
International students are required to indicate an F-1 student status or provide evidence
of lawful immigration status during the application process.
Language Proficiency
International applicants to GSEP whose native language is not English are required
to provide evidence of English proficiency. You must submit a test score for the Internet-Based
Test (IBT) of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination taken in the last two years with a minimum score of 85 for the 1-120 score scale exam or 4.5 on the new 1-6 score scale effective January 2026. Information concerning the availability of this test outside
of the US can be obtained by contacting TOEFL, Educational Testing Services, Princeton,
NJ 08540, USA or online. Our TOEFL code is 4630. As an alternative to the TOEFL, you
may submit a score of at least 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam taken within the last two years. IELTS scores can be sent electronically by
choosing "Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology" from
the dropdown menu.
Transcripts
All applicants who received or will receive their degree from a university outside
of the US (unless the degree is from a university which is already regionally accredited
within the US) are required to submit a detailed foreign transcript evaluation report
from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member, such
as the International Education Research Foundation or the World Education Services, Inc.
A detailed foreign transcript evaluation report will contain the following:
- Foreign transcripts translated into English.
- A detailed course-by-course report with the grade point average calculated on a US
4.0 scale.
- A determination of US degree equivalency (regional accreditation equivalency is required)
If you are attending school outside of the US and have not completed your bachelor's
degree at the time of application, we would need your current NACES member international
transcript evaluation (please see above for requirements). Upon degree completion,
you are required to provide an updated NACES member evaluation reflecting your final
courses, final cumulative GPA equivalency and US degree equivalency.
Please have the evaluation service, send your updated evaluation to gsep-admissions@pepperdine.edu.
International Student Data Form (ISD)
International students must submit their I-20 checklist documentation directly to
the Office of International Student Services (OISS) after admission and enrollment
confirmation. Please click here for forms and to access more information.
Important Note:
International students are not eligible for U.S. Federal Financial Aid. For international
students, financial aid provided by Pepperdine University is limited to scholarships
that may have been awarded upon admission. Additional/emergency funding will not be
available after enrollment. As such, students should ensure they can fund the entirety
of their education and living expenses.
International students admitted to select academic programs that require clinical
practicum, clinical experience, or experiential learning may have limitations or restrictions
in completing the required hours or courses for degree completion, state licensure
or credential eligibility. Please contact the Enrollment Officer for the program of interest or the Office of International Student Services for more information.