Admission (Graduate)

Admission Standards

In selecting students for graduate admission, Calvin looks for evidence of capacity and desire to learn. Students who are interested in the Christian perspective and curriculum of Calvin and who show an interest in its aims are eligible for consideration. Although the prospect of academic success is of primary consideration, the aspirations of the applicant, and the ability of Calvin to be of service will also be considered in admission decisions. The university admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

Applicants for graduate study must obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before commencing their degree. Additional academic requirements vary by program.

Procedures for Admission

Graduate applicants should submit the following:

1. Application for admission to each specific graduate program using the Calvin Application (www.calvin.edu/apply);

2. Application fee of $40. A non-refundable application fee is required but can be waived with an approved waiver code where applicable.

3. Official transcript from the undergraduate institution from which you earned a bachelor’s degree;

4. Unofficial transcript from any undergraduate institutions you attended;

5. Resume;

6. Statement of purpose;

7. Two letters of recommendation;

8. Please note that some programs may require additional materials as noted on the application.

All documents and supporting data required for admission become the property of Calvin and will not be returned to the applicant.

Completed applications are considered on a rolling basis (see deadlines below). Applicants will be notified of an admission decision soon after their files are complete.

Applicants are able to apply to multiple graduate programs by completing separate applications for each program. Additional materials may be required.

International Students: Procedure for Admission

Calvin welcomes graduate students from around the globe. We can issue immigration documents for on-campus programs; however, we cannot issue immigration documents for programs that are fully online. Students who complete online programs outside U.S. borders are not required to have a student visa.

Prospective students from outside the U.S. may apply to fully online programs (with the exception of certain programs that require residency).

The university is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant international students for approved on-campus programs. Calvin welcomes international students who demonstrate their ability to meet the academic standards of the university, who are prepared to do graduate-level work in English, who will contribute to a Christian learning environment and who show evidence of their ability to pay most of the cost of education (as required by the U.S. government).

International students studying within the U.S. must maintain a full load of in-person courses during each required semester. International students seeking to study on campus must carefully select their courses with guidance from their advisor to ensure a full in-person load while they are in the U.S. It is critical to plan ahead to schedule enough in-person courses to maintain a full load.

To apply for admission, international students are required to submit the following documents in addition to those noted in the above section:

1. Proof of English-language proficiency (as required)

2. Official transcripts that have been evaluated by a third party (as required)

3. Completed financial forms and supporting documents.

English-Language Proficiency Requirements

The following are Calvin’s guidelines for international graduate admission:

• Paper-based TOEFL: 600
• Computerized TOEFL: 250
• Internet-based TOEFL: 100
• IELTS: 7.0
• Duolingo: 125

The TOEFL code for Calvin University is #1095.

English proficiency can be demonstrated in a variety of other ways. For more up-to-date information, please visit our website for graduate admission.

Application Deadlines

Completed applications are considered on a rolling basis until the deadlines below.

* Ability of international students to enroll in on-campus programs is dependent upon acquiring an F-1 visa. More flexibility with deadlines may be allowed for international students who are already in the United States holding a F-1 visa.

Transcripts

Calvin requires unofficial transcripts from all institutions where an applicant has earned credit. We require an official transcript from the institution where the applicant received an undergraduate degree with the degree conferred listed as well as any institution where the applicant completed graduate coursework. If an applicant is currently finishing prerequisite coursework, the applicant should wait until their degree has been conferred to request the official transcript. Calvin can decide on admission with unofficial transcripts, but if admitted, an official undergraduate transcript must be submitted as soon as possible (preferably by the end of the first 8-weeks of enrollment) or students may be withdrawn from courses and required to defer to a future semester.

International transcripts that are in English and show a completed undergraduate degree, including a GPA or CGPA score, may require a transcript evaluation. An official transcript evaluation (document-by-document and course-by-course) is required when those items are not on the transcript and/or when an international applicant is seeking transfer credit.

International transcripts that are not in English must be evaluated by a third-party educational credential evaluator. Official document-by-document evaluations of any undergraduate and/or graduate level coursework must be provided by one of the evaluators approved by Calvin University (see list below). Additionally, course-by-course evaluations will be required to transfer graduate credit to Calvin University.

• SpanTran: The Evaluation Company

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

• World Education Services (WES)

​Admission of Transfer Students 

Students transferring from other colleges or universities should follow the guidelines as noted above in the Admissions Procedures section. Transcripts from ALL previous colleges attended must be received prior to consideration for admission. Applicants are invited to submit a request for graduate transfer credit during the admission process. Additional information on the evaluation and awarding of transfer credit can be found in the academic section of the graduate catalog.

Admission into Accelerated Pathway Programs

4+1 and 3+2 Programs

4+1 programs exist to help Calvin undergrads accelerate their degree by completing a specified number of graduate-level courses as part of their undergraduate program. Application for admission of undergraduate students into a 4+1 or 3+2 pathway program normally occurs in the junior year. Applications are due on January 15 for classes beginning in either the fall or spring semester of the following academic year. Those who apply after the submission deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. The application process is completed online. Details are given to students at their advising appointments.

Application into a 4+1 or 3+2 programs requires the following:

• at least junior standing by the application due date;

• completed or enrolled in prerequisite courses, if any. These courses must have been completed within the last seven years. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed or will complete all prerequisite courses at Calvin. All prerequisite courses must be completed before graduate coursework may begin;

• a minimum grade point average (GPA) that is defined the by the program of study for prerequisite courses, if any; and

• a minimum overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) that has been defined by the program of study at the application due date.

In addition to these minimum requirements, specific graduate degree programs may require additional evidence. Completion of the prerequisite courses and achievement of the minimum criteria do not guarantee admission into the graduate program.

Graduate student status is contingent upon completion of all requirements for the relevant bachelor’s degree. Students who do not earn the relevant bachelor’s degree prior to starting the graduate program may have their admission revoked.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing programs allow certain students to transfer up to 50% of their undergraduate experience and relevant coursework toward a graduate degree program. Application for admission with advance standing is communicated in the regular graduate admission process for each program.

Application for advanced standing requires the following:

• completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution prior to matriculating into the graduate program;

• a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for all courses being pursued for advanced standing (some programs have more restrictive requirements); and

• submitted course syllabi and descriptions for all related course work, if these courses were completed outside of Calvin University.

In addition to these minimum requirements, specific graduate degree programs may require additional evidence. Achievement of the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission into the graduate program.

Application Review Process

Calvin University seeks students who will thrive in the academic, spiritual, and community life at Calvin. Admissions counselors are available to help throughout the entire application process.

Each completed application is given careful consideration to assess the student’s academic profile based on several important markers of student success:

• academic performance
• strength and quality of curriculum
• demonstrated leadership and service
• college transcripts indicating readiness for graduate-level coursework

Applicants with low academic profiles or those not meeting all admission criteria will be reviewed individually by a graduate admissions review committee.

Calvin reserves the right to deny or revoke an applicant’s admittance to the University in certain situations, including but not limited to the following: 1) student involvement in a serious disciplinary situation prior to enrollment, 2) falsification or misrepresentation of information provided to the University during the application process, or 3) if the University learns that an enrolled student has engaged in serious misconduct prior to the first day of classes.

Any appeal of an admission decision must be made formally in writing through the admissions counselor.

Immigration Procedures for International and Canadian Students

International and Canadian students in F-1 status are required to have a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) to attend college or university in the United States. An application for the I-20 will be sent to international and Canadian applicants at the time of their admission to Calvin. Immigration documents will be processed upon receipt of the completed I-20 application, clearance of financials, and placing the deposit. In addition, an I-901 Fee Remittance is required of all international students with an initial Certificate of Eligibility I-20. Admitted students will receive further information along with the I-20 application.

Nondegree Student Admission

Students who wish to enroll as a nondegree student in a graduate course must show proof of a baccalaureate degree and approval from the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies. 

Deferral

Admitted graduate applicants can defer admission for up to one academic year without needing to submit additional documentation. Some programs might have more limited deferral policies. Prospective students considering a deferral should check with the relevant program director.

International Student Deferral: due to federal law, international students may need to resubmit financial verification documents if they defer beyond the term to which they were admitted.

Participation in classes is mandatory starting from the first day of classes. Students who miss the first week of classes for any reason must defer their admission to the following available term.

Nondiscriminatory Policy 

Calvin does not discriminate with regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in any of its education programs or opportunities, employment, or other activities. Questions pertaining to Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, and Section 504, which prohibits discrimination based on disability, may be directed to Calvin’s director of admissions at 3201 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546, (616) 526-6106.