International Master’s Program Applicants
International Applicants
An applicant who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States is considered an international applicant.
Please note: The final deadline for international applicants to the Brown School’s master’s programs is March 1.
In addition to the standard admission criteria outlined for each degree program, international applicants must also meet the following requirements:
Foreign Transcripts and Credential Evaluation
International applicants who have completed or are in the process of completing their prerequisite degree outside of the U.S. or English-speaking Canada must submit their academic records to a U.S.-based evaluation service for a course-by-course equivalency report. A certified foreign credential evaluation is required to assess how the academic or professional coursework compares to U.S. educational standards. Applicants to Brown School master’s programs must hold a degree that is deemed equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
The Brown School accepts foreign credential evaluation reports from any NACES© member organization. However, Brown School applicants are eligible for a discounted rate and expedited processing through our recommended partner, The Evaluation Company.
Please note that foreign transcript evaluation services typically take two to six weeks to complete. Applicants should begin this process as early as possible in advance of application deadlines to allow for processing time.
Demonstration of English Proficiency
International applicants whose native language is not English must provide official English Language Proficiency test scores that are less than two years old. WashU accepts the following tests:
| Test Type: | Minimum Score: | Official Scores Released To: |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 100 | School Code: 6929 |
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 | Washington University in St. Louis, Graduate Programs |
| GATEWAY English Test | 500 | Washington University in St. Louis, Graduate Admissions |
| Duolingo English Test | 130 | Washington University in St. Louis, Graduate Admissions |
English Language Proficiency Test Score Exemptions
International applicants may be exempt from the English proficiency test score requirement if they meet one of the following criteria:
Automatic Exemption
Applicants are automatically exempt if they meet either of the following conditions:
- Applicant is a citizen ofone of the following countries: Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Commonwealth Caribbean nations, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, or Zimbabwe
- Applicant has completed two or more years of consecutive full-time study within the last five years in the United States or an accredited English-medium institution in one of the above-listed countries
Exemption Considered Upon Request
Applicants may request an exemption if they meet one of the following conditions:
- Applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree or equivalent within the last five years from an accredited English-medium institution in a country where English is the official language based on the CIA World Factbook (cia.gov/the-world-factbook)
- Applicant has two or more years of continuous full-time work experience within the last four years in the United States, as documented by a resume or CV and a certified employment letter on official company letterhead verifying dates of employment
International applicants who do not meet any of the above criteria are not eligible for exemption and must submit valid English language proficiency test scores.
Proof of Financial Support
cover all educational and living expenses before WashU can issue a Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20).
If admitted to a Brown School master’s program, international students must complete the following steps in a timely manner to complete their intent to enroll and initiate the visa process:
- Review the financial support requirements for the intended program of study
- Review the acceptable sources of funding and financial documentation requirements
- Assemble sufficient funding sources and financial documentation
- Submit a completed WashU Affidavit of Financial Support and supporting documents to the Brown School Office of Admissions
- Log in to the WashU Graduate Admissions Portal to complete the Admission Offer Response form to accept admission and submit the non-refundable $200 enrollment deposit
The Affidavit of Financial Support and supporting financial documentation must be received by the Brown School no later than May 15. Submitted materials must demonstrate sufficient funding to cover all educational and living expenses for the first year of study, as determined annually by the University.
Estimated Financial Support Requirement for 2026-2027
Includes Brown School master’s program tuition and fees, student health insurance, and estimated living expenses: $80,000 USD
Admitted students may deduct the value of two semesters of any Brown School scholarship award from the required amount. Students planning to bring dependents must add $4,500 USD per dependent.
While documentation is required for the first year only, students are responsible for securing adequate, dependable sources of funding for the entire duration of their program. The Brown School does not offer full funding support (e.g., assistantships, stipends, or tuition waivers) for its master’s programs, and all available scholarships are awarded at the time of admission.
International students should be prepared to meet the financial support requirement with external funding sources, such as personal funds, sponsor support, employer or government support, private loans, and external grants or scholarships.
Once an admitted student has confirmed their intent to enroll and completes the proof of financial support requirements, the WashU Office for International Students & Scholars (OISS) will issue the I-20, allowing the student to apply for an F-1 visa.
Students must secure a visa appointment no later than August 1 to ensure sufficient time for travel and arrival before the start of the fall semester.
Admitted students will receive detailed instructions and support to guide them through this process. Additional information and resources can be found on the OISS website.
MSW Advanced Standing Eligibility for International BSW Applicants
Applicants who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from an international institution may be eligible for Advanced Standing status in the MSW program through the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service (ISWDRES).
ISWDRES evaluates international social work credentials to determine their comparability to CSWE-accredited social work degrees in the United States. Application instructions and additional details are available on the CSWE website.
The ISWDRES evaluation process may take several months to complete. Eligible applicants are strongly encouraged to begin this process as early as possible and must notify the Brown School Office of Admissions of their ISWDRES application status. If the degree is recognized, an official copy of the ISWDRES determination letter must be submitted to the Brown School prior to enrollment in the MSW program.
Questions related to the ISWDRES process or associated fees should be directed to CSWE at iswdres@cswe.org.