GSAS Admissions FAQ

We welcome applicants from all academic and professional backgrounds who have completed or will be completing an undergraduate degree before enrollment in GSAS. However, individual program requirements vary and you should review specific program requirements on their program websites.

You must hold an undergraduate degree (U.S. baccalaureate or equivalent) from an accredited institution before enrollment. For international students, if you have a three-year bachelor's degree from a member institution within the Bologna Process, you are eligible to apply to GSAS programs. If your institution is not part of this organization, you will need to provide GSAS Admissions with an official course-by-course evaluation of your higher education history by an international credential evaluation company that is a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) or AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators). See International Students below for more information.

While it is possible to submit applications to more than one GSAS program and receive separate admission decisions, we strongly encourage prospective students to focus on the program that most closely aligns with their career goals and interests. GSAS students may enroll in only one graduate program at a time, except in cases where a specific joint or dual degree option is available (e.g. the Dual MA/MS Degree in Economics and Data Science).

If you are admitted to more than one GSAS program, you will need to select a single program for enrollment, as enrolling in more than one program at a time is not permitted.

You may also choose to apply to programs across different Fordham graduate schools. However, please note that we cannot share application materials between schools, so you must fulfill each school’s application requirements separately.

Under certain circumstances, a student may be enrolled in a GSAS Advanced Certificate program while being simultaneously matriculated in a  degree program. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved in writing by the dean.

Yes, there is a non-refundable $80 application fee.

After you have submitted your application, you will be prompted via email to make the application fee payment through your Application Status Page.

Some applicants may be eligible for a waiver of the application fee. Please review the Application Fee Waivers page for detailed information on eligibility and how to request a fee waiver.

Deadlines to submit applications vary by program. See our application deadlines.

We strongly encourage international applicants outside the U.S. to submit their completed applications by the program's earliest application deadline to ensure ample time to complete the student visa application process.

The non-degree application process is very similar to the degree program application process, but there are some differences. Learn more about Applying for Non-Degree/Non-Matriculated Classes.

Log into your application status page using the same email and password credentials you used to create your application. There you can review your application checklist for any missing documents needed to complete your application.

The How to Apply page provides a general outline of application materials, but required materials can vary depending on your program of choice. Before applying, please visit the GSAS Programs of Study page and carefully review the specific admissions information/requirements for your chosen degree program.

To ensure timely review of your application, all of your supporting materials must be received by no later than the published application deadline for your program. We cannot guarantee that your application will be reviewed or considered for admission or possible funding opportunities past the deadline.

 Yes, official final transcripts confirming prior degree conferral are required for all applicants. However, we recommend that you upload unofficial copies of your transcripts to your application while you are completing the online application. This will allow our Review Committee to begin the review process while the Office of Admissions awaits receipt of your official transcripts. You should order your official final transcripts from your prior institutions as early as possible to ensure timely delivery. Only transcripts sent directly from your university are considered “official transcripts.”

 You can submit your transcripts electronically or by mail. We prefer electronic transcripts when available. You can request your previous institution(s) to send your official transcripts electronically to [email protected]. If you have your transcripts sent  by mail, please have them sent to this address:

Fordham University
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Office of Admissions
Keating Hall Room 216
441 E. Fordham Road
Bronx, NY 10458

If your school uses a third-party transcript system such as Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse, please be sure to specify that the transcript is sent to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Fordham University.

No, we do not require high school transcripts as part of the application.

When applying, you are asked to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript. Once you have been admitted, the school requires you to submit a final official transcript, which is sent directly from your prior institution(s) to Fordham University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. If you are an admitted student, log into your admitted student portal to check if your final official transcript, sent directly from your prior institution, has been received.

We strongly recommend that all admitted students submit their final official transcripts before the start of the entry term. While it is possible to submit your final transcripts after the semester starts, failure to do so by the course add/drop date listed on the GSAS academic calendar can lead to a hold on your Fordham student account and may prevent you from registering for classes.

Letters of recommendation are letters written to support your application by individuals who can speak to your suitability and potential for success in an advanced degree program. Strong recommendations are crucial to a graduate school application package. When choosing someone to write a recommendation letter, it is best to select someone who knows you well and positively and can speak objectively about your academic abilities and achievements. Educational and professional sources should write recommendations; current or former professors and work supervisors are good options. We suggest that two of your recommendations come from an educational source for applicants completing their undergraduate degree. We discourage letters from relatives and family friends.

 Requirements vary by program: 

• Ph.D.: Three letters
• M.A./M.S./M.T.S.: Three letters (except the M.S. in Health Administration and M.S. in Biotechnology, which requires two)
• Advanced Certificate: Two to three letters
• Accelerated Master’s: Two letters from Fordham faculty

Review the specific admissions information/requirements for your chosen Program of Study.

All letters of recommendation must be uploaded by the letter provider directly to the GSAS application system. You may not submit your letters of recommendation yourself, and letters should NOT be emailed or submitted on paper by postal mail service. The online application system will prompt you to enter your recommenders contact information (name, title, organization, email, etc.). Once entered, the system will automatically send the individuals an email notification requesting the letter. The recommender will upload their letter directly to the application through a link provided. 

Please note that you can submit your application even if your letters of recommendation have not yet been submitted. Once the letters are received, they will be added to complete your application. Applicants are able to check the status of the letter’s arrival through the application status page.

You should request letters of recommendation early, granting your recommenders at least one month’s notice to submit their recommendations. Once you enter each recommender’s name and email address into the online application, they will receive an email with instructions on how to upload their letter. Submit your application even if your recommendation letters are still in progress.

Submission of official GRE scores is optional or not required for some GSAS programs, but required for other programs. Please see GSAS Standardized Test Scores for Admissions to determine GRE requirements for your program and details for how to submit official test scores. Fordham’s GRE-ETS school code is 2259.

Where the GRE is required for admission, GSAS does not accept any other standardized test scores in place of GRE scores.

Accepted tests include the TOEFL, IELTS, DET, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English Qualifications. See International Students for more information.

This is a written statement explaining why you would like to attend Fordham and why you would be a good fit for your program of interest. It typically includes how your past experiences make you a good fit for the program, why you are interested in this degree, why you would like to attend Fordham specifically, and how this degree would help you achieve your long-term goals. Some GSAS programs require applicants to answer specific questions as part of their statement. See your Program of Study Admissions Information/Requirements page for specific information.

 Different from a statement of intent, the optional supplemental essay prompt is a part of the application that offers you an opportunity to discuss specific aspects of your life, experiences, or academic journey that you believe have not been adequately addressed in other parts of your application. It allows you to share any additional essential information with the admissions committee. It's important to note that there is no negative consequence if an applicant chooses not to complete this essay, as it is entirely optional.

When applying with academic transcripts from institutions outside the United States, we strongly recommended obtaining a course-by-course credential evaluation. A course-by-course evaluation provides a clear understanding of the U.S. equivalency for courses and grades from colleges and universities outside of the United States. Most applicants provide credential evaluations from World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators, but you may use another service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators). Credential evaluations should be uploaded directly to the application along with the original transcript from the issuing institution. Please note that GSAS Admissions reserves the right to require an applicant's credential evaluation, if necessary, to proceed with our admission review process.

Typically, credential evaluations can be waived if the Bachelor's degree transcript is from a four-year program, is written in English, includes a comprehensive list of completed courses and credits with grades received for each course, and contains an explanatory key that clearly describes the grading and credit system used.

Credential evaluations can be waived provided your transcript includes the following:

1. Bachelor's degree from a four-year program
2. Written in English
3. Includes a comprehensive list of completed courses and credits with grades received for each course
4. Contains an explanatory key that clearly describes the grading and credit system used. 

Ultimately, whether or not your transcript evaluation requirement is waived will be at the discretion of the Office of Admissions.

We urge all admitted students to submit the completed Application for Certificate of Eligibility (AFCOE) and required documents as soon as possible after paying the enrollment deposit and completing the Intent to Enroll process. After you complete your Intent to Enroll, GSAS Admissions will email you specific instructions on submitting your completed AFCOE and supporting documents for the I-20 process. The Office of International Services (OIS) can only process I-20 requests after receiving the completed AFCOE and supporting documents. You can expect to receive your I-20 by email within approximately 2-3 weeks after submitting your AFCOE. See the OIS Immigration and Visa Information page for more details.

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test score results from one of the following accepted English language competency exams: TOEFL, IELTS, DET, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English Qualifications.

Exemptions are generally permitted for international applicants who:

1. are native English speakers from countries where English is an official language;
2. have completed, within the past five years, at least two years of study at an undergraduate or graduate institution in the United States or in a country where English is the official language of instruction.

Test scores are valid for two years after the date you took the exam. See International Students for more information. 

Indicate on your AFCOE that you are transferring your visa, complete the transfer form, and include necessary documents. See the International Student Transfer Procedures.

The SEVIS codes for Fordham’s two campuses are:  

• Lincoln Center: NYC214F00708001
• Rose Hill: NYC214F00708000

If you have a three-year bachelor's degree from a member institution within the Bologna Process, you are eligible to apply to GSAS programs. If your institution is not part of this organization, you will need to provide GSAS Admissions with an official evaluation of your higher education history by an international credential evaluation company that is a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) or AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators).

If the evaluation indicates that your degree is not equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree, GSAS may not be able to offer you admission. However, your application will still be reviewed by the department, the Director of Admissions, and the Dean of GSAS to assess your academic preparedness and strength for admission to the program you are applying for.  Please note that you must already have earned a three-year bachelor's degree at the time of application, and the degree should be in a field closely related to the field of study for which you are applying.

If your academic background includes a master's degree, the master's degree should be evaluated along with the three-year degree to determine if the combination is equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree.

Fall entry term decisions are typically made by late February or early March. Rolling admissions and Spring entry decisions are made within two to three weeks of application completion.

While the admissions team cannot comment on whether an individual applicant may be accepted to their program of interest, we can help you understand our admissions process. Applications are reviewed holistically by a program's faculty admissions committee, and the committees make admission recommendations to the Dean of GSAS. The Dean makes all final decisions, and selectivity rates vary by program.

Our holistic admissions process is personalized and thorough. Faculty members make nuanced distinctions among sizable pools of qualified candidates, necessitating a consistent and comprehensive evaluation of each application. Applicants are assessed based on their achievements and potential, taking into consideration the impact of the opportunities and challenges they have encountered. The holistic review process includes consideration of, among other things:

1. Academic performance (GPA, individual course grades, standardized test scores, where applicable)
2. Research and scholarly potential (research activities, publications, work experience, planning, problem-solving, academic engagement) 
3. Fortitude and determination to succeed (demonstrated leadership, community services, challenges overcome)
   

Application evaluations are completed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures found throughout a student's application. This holistic approach ensures a comprehensive and fair assessment of each applicant's strengths and potential contributions to the Fordham GSAS community.

Yes, the required enrollment deposit payment is currently $504.

The enrollment deposit is non-refundable and is not subject to waiver. The deposit is not an additional cost and will be credited toward your first semester’s fees. The deposit completes your intent to enroll and confirms your commitment to joining the program and GSAS.

Once you return your admission reply form confirming you will be joining GSAS, you will receive an email with instructions on how to pay the enrollment deposit through your Admitted Student Portal. See Payment Methods for accepted forms of payment. We do not accept checks or cash for deposit payments.

Admission is offered with the expectation that students will start in the semester selected during the application process. If your circumstances prevent you from enrolling, you may submit a request to defer your enrollment. Admitted master’s program students may seek permission to defer matriculation for no more than two semesters. Newly admitted Ph.D. program candidates cannot defer their start date. Deferrals require departmental and GSAS dean’s approval. You must complete and submit the Enrollment Deferral Request Form in your admitted student portal to request a deferral.

The GSAS does not defer merit-based financial aid awards to another academic term. Financial aid is offered for the entry term to which an applicant applies and is admitted.

All admissions decisions are final. However, you are welcome to reapply to a future term.

See Registration Information for registration dates and deadlines. Admitted students should first connect with their program’s Director of Graduate Studies for academic advising before registering for courses.

To maintain full-time student status, GSAS students typically need to take 9 credits per semester, but this number can vary by program. Check specific program requirements for full-time vs. half-time study.

It is not necessary to reach out to faculty before being accepted to the program. In the application some programs ask you to provide a list of preferred faculty. Check the Programs of Study page for a list of faculty and their research interests.

Transfer credits are subject to department approval. You can find information about transferring credits in section 7.2 - Transfer of Credits of the Academic Policies and Procedures Guidebook.

Fordham offers the option of a physical OR electronic ID. Visit ID Card Services for more information. Students may choose only one ID type.

Yes, all graduate students  must be enrolled in a health insurance plan. The University Health Center maintains a Student Insurance web page with detailed information about student health insurance. Whether you have your own insurance or require coverage through Fordham, please visit the Aetna website and follow the necessary steps to waive or confirm your enrollment before the deadline listed in Admitted Student Portal.

See GSAS Tuition and Fees for the current academic year. GSAS degree program tuition is billed per credit.

Total program costs vary and are subject to change. Visit the GSAS Cost of Attendance calculator to estimate costs for your program of interest.

All tuition and all fees not covered by a GSAS financial support package or external financial aid are assessed and billed directly to students. Tuition is paid through the E-bill suite which can be accessed through your student portal. Visit My E-Bill Suite  to learn more about the E-bill and how to access it.

Yes, Fordham offers payment plans. Visit Monthly Payment Plan for information about payment plans.

Payment is due approximately 3 weeks after you receive your invoice, typically posted in mid-June to early-July.

For questions about your bill, please contact the GSAS Office of Academic Operations and Support at [email protected].

Qualified students are considered for various funding options, including merit-based stipends, scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and grants. You can also apply for need-based financial aid programs using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For detailed information, visit the GSAS Financial Support pages.

Indicate your interest in merit-based financial support by checking "Yes" on the GSAS application and submitting your completed application before the program’s financial aid application deadline. Some fellowships may require you to express interest in your Statement of Purpose.

All applicants admitted to GSAS Ph.D. programs receive full financial support packages with Graduate Assistantships. These packages cover full tuition, partial health and dental insurance, and a stipend to assist with  cost of living expenses. Individual student funding details are supplied with the admission offer letter.

Yes, international students are eligible for merit-based financial support and should follow the same application steps as domestic students to be considered.

There are many options for funding your degree. Log into your Admitted Student Portal and go to the “Billing and Funding Resources” tab to access information about fellowship, on-campus jobs, external scholarship databases, and more. We encourage domestic applicants to visit the Graduate Financial Aid website to learn more about using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for other forms of financial aid.

U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents can apply for federal student loans through FAFSA. Visit Graduate Loans for more information about student loans and which type of loan is right for you. For questions about loans, please reach out to [email protected].

Assistantships are typically part of merit-based scholarships and are included with the admission offer letter. GA positions are limited. We recommend that students review GSAS Job Opportunities for students and the GSAS Financial Support pages for information about additional funding resources. Student job openings will vary based on availability.

Fordham University’s Office of Military and Veterans’ Services (OMVS) provides extensive support for military-connected students. U.S. News ranks Fordham University as one of the Best Colleges for Veterans. For more details, visit the Fordham Veterans website for more details. You can find answers to many questions regarding veteran benefits there.

 Yes, Fordham participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and has increased its Yellow Ribbon commitment to cover all tuition and fees for eligible Post-9/11 veterans or their dependents. This guarantee applies to any of our graduate degree programs.

Yes! Register for info sessions on the Admissions Events page. You can also contact GSAS admissions at [email protected] for a one-on-one appointment with an Admissions Counselor.

Prospective students are welcome to visit Fordham University’s campus; there are a number of different ways to get to know Fordham.

• Campus Tours: For a general tour of campus, the Undergraduate Admissions Office offers campus tours on a regular basis.
• Virtual Campus Tours: You can also take a virtual tour of both the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses.
• Visit GSAS Admissions: You are welcome to visit with us in GSAS Admissions to meet with an Admissions Counselor. For more information on setting up a visit, please contact us at [email protected]. 
• Program/Academic Department Visits: You can email the Director of Graduate Studies for your program of interest to inquire about arranging to visit with the program. During a visit, prospective students may have the opportunity to speak with current students, sit in on a class, and speak with faculty.

GSAS offers a variety of Master’s (M.A., M.S., and M.T.S.), Doctoral (Ph.D.), and Advanced Certificate programs. See the full list of GSAS Programs of Study.

Class details vary by program. GSAS classes are usually small to foster close relationships. Many programs offer evening classes to accommodate working students. One of the best ways to learn more about individual program classes is to reach out to program directors and/or chat with GSAS student ambassadors to discuss your questions.

Please refer to the GSAS Programs of Study pages for information about prerequisites. For any program-related inquiries not covered on program web pages, kindly direct your questions to the program director.

We strongly recommend securing housing in New York before arriving for classes to reduce stress and ease your transition to Fordham. The university offers limited graduate student housing. Visit GSAS Graduate Housing for more information and to access the Graduate Housing Application.

The majority of GSAS students rent apartments outside university housing. As an admitted student, please log into your Admitted Student Portal for more information and resources on renting an apartment in the NYC area.

International students can use third-party services or companies that assist with rental approvals. Alternatively, you can have a co-signer or guarantor, such as a parent, guardian, or elder sibling, to help you secure an apartment. Review your Admitted Student Portal for more information and suggestions.

A parent, guardian, or elder sibling can act as your guarantor. Additionally, you can search for the third-party companies that offer cosigner services to help you rent an apartment.

New York City has specific tenant laws outlining your rights and responsibilities. You can explore these rights by visiting the Tenants' Rights and Responsibilities website.

Individual creed or religious belief does not play a role in our admissions process, nor are students expected to engage in religious practice or coursework as a part of their education while at Fordham. While our educational philosophy is informed by the Jesuit tradition, emphasizing interdisciplinary, rigorous, and open-minded study to cultivate well-rounded, eloquent, inclusive, and socially conscious individuals, our community includes people from diverse religious and non-religious backgrounds. Fordham’s chaplaincy includes multiple faith traditions.