International Graduate Admissions Process
An Application for Graduate Admission must be filed with the UNO Office of Graduate Studies for students who:
- Desire a graduate degree or graduate certificate
- Desire graduate credit for renewal of a teaching certificate, or professional development
- Desire to transfer graduate credit to another university
Before You Apply
Review the admission requirements for your program of interest by referencing the UNO Graduate Catalog and the Criteria for Admission.
UNO Duolingo Policy
English proficiency exam update for Summer and Fall 2020 applicants impacted by temporary TOEFL/IELTS testing center closures.
For international graduate applicants, in response to national and some local testing centers closing temporarily due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Office of Graduate Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has approved the temporary use of the Duolingo English Test in place of the TOEFL and IELTS English proficiency exams. Duolingo English Tests taken for Summer and Fall 2020 applications will be accepted as part of the application process. Scores are valid for two years from the date the test was taken. A minimum Duolingo exam score of 105 is required to proceed with the application process. Students may be asked to complete an additional English proficiency assessment once admitted to a graduate program.
The exam costs $49 (USD) and may be taken from any computer that has a camera, audio and reliable internet. The exam portion of the Duolingo English Test contains a series of speaking, reading, writing and listening exercises. Following the exam, there will be an interview portion that will ask you to respond to various prompts in 30 to 90 seconds. The exam will take about 45 minutes to complete and you will need either a valid passport, driver license, or national or state ID to show the camera. The score results are generally received within a few days of exam completion.
Duolingo English Test access information:
Information on preparing for the exam | Take the exam or practice exam
A verification email will be sent to you a few days after completing the exam containing a link to send your score to UNO.
The Admissions Process
Step 1: Complete an application
Step 2: Pay the non-refundable application fee
Step 3: Submit official transcripts and test scores
Step 4: Submit financial requirements for I-20 processing
Step 5: Submit final degree evaluation
Step 1: Complete an application & upload requirements
The Application for Graduate Admission must be completed online. Unofficial transcripts (including mark sheets and degree certifications as certified by the issuing institution in the original language, along with English translations), course-by-course transcript evaluations, and test scores are now accepted along with all other requirements for consideration of graduate admission, and can be uploaded within the application. For further directions on how to upload, and what is accepted, please review the guidelines.
UNO only accepts TOEFL-iBT scores from a single test date, not MyBest scores.
International Transcripts: Applicants who have completed any undergraduate or graduate coursework at an international higher education institution outside of the United States may be required to submit a course-by-course transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), or Educational Perspectives. For further instructions on this requirement, please contact the specific program that you are applying to.
Step 2. Pay the non-refundable application fee
A non-refundable application fee of $50.00 (U.S. dollars) is required for all new applicants to UNO Graduate Studies.
Step 3: Submit official transcripts and test scores
If you are admitted, all official course-by-course transcript evaluations, transcripts and degree certificates (with an English translation), exam scores, and the financial affidavit and accompanying bank statement are required before Visa (I-20) documents are issued and before you can register for classes.
If you have attended any institutions in the U.S., official transcripts received directly from the issuing institution are accepted by mail, or electronically through Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse.
Official course-by-course transcript evaluations for credits completed at an international higher education institution must be sent to the Office of Graduate Studies directly from WES, ECE, or Educational Perspectives.
Evaluations will be accepted from WES, ECE, or Educational Perspectives by mail, OR, if using WES for your evaluation service we are able to accept the completed evaluation electronically through AccessWES, or through Parchment if you are using Educational Perspectives.
Official scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL) are to be submitted electronically, if available. If scores are unable to be sent electronically, please request that the scores be mailed to the address below. IELTS score reports are only accepted by mail at this time. Please note that, in order to be considered official, we must receive scores directly from ETS, GMAT, or IELTS.
Contact Information
UNO Office of Graduate Studies
6001 Dodge Street
203 Eppley Administration Building
Omaha, NE 68182-0209
Email: gradschool@unomaha.edu
ETS School Code: 6420
GMAT School Code: VWNW357
Step 4: Submit financial requirements for I-20 processing
A completed graduate Financial Affidavit and supporting bank documents are required before your I-20 can be issued.
- Current documentation from each funding source must be provided. Students and/or their sponsors must submit an original bank document, including English translations.
- The bank document must be signed, stamped by a bank official, and dated. Bank documents are valid for only 12 months from the date they are issued.
- Sponsoring organization (home government, international organization, university employer, etc.): Attach current official letter of award addresses to UNO, which includes terms of support, specific amount of support, and period of time covered by the grant.
If you are transferring to UNO, please complete the SEVIS transfer form and contact an International advisor.
Step 5: Submit final degree evaluation
Any person admitted to a graduate program at UNO during the final year of study at an international institution will be required to submit:
- An updated WES, ECE, or Educational Perspectives official course-by-course evaluation, showing final grades and completion of degree
Students will have a "Final Evaluation Hold" placed on their account in MavLINK and must have the revised evaluation sent to the Office of Graduate Studies within 12 months, following first semester registration. This hold prevents future registration.
To be considered official, the course-by-course transcript evaluation must be received directly from WES, ECE, or Educational Perspectives.
Contact Information
UNO Office of Graduate Studies
6001 Dodge Street
203 Eppley Administration Building
Omaha, NE 68182-0209
Email: gradschool@unomaha.edu
Admission to the Graduate College Policy
- Notification of acceptance by a department/school, Graduate Program Committee, or faculty member is advisory only. Only the Dean for Graduate Studies has the authority to grant admission.
- Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring all their materials have been received. They can do so by logging into MavLINK and checking their "To Do List."
Additional Information:
Taking graduate courses as a current junior and senior level student
Readmission to Graduate Studies
Students applying to graduate certificate programs
Students applying for a master's degree with a double major
Students who wish to pursue two graduate programs
Students who wish to change programs
Students who wish to add a minor to a current master's degree program