International PhD Applicants
An applicant who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States is considered an international applicant.
In addition to the standard admission criteria outlined for the PhD in Social Work, 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 the Brown School’s doctoral program must hold a degree that is deemed equivalent to a U.S. master’s degree.
The Brown School accepts foreign credential evaluation reports from any service that is an active member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). However, applicants may access 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 the application deadline 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 must submit valid English language proficiency test scores.