ASU Graduate Admissions (Requirements Guide)
ASU graduate admission depends on the degree, program, campus or study format, and start term you choose. Most applicants need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and the university’s general GPA benchmark is typically 3.00 in the last 60 undergraduate semester hours or in an applicable graduate degree. That benchmark is not a promise of admission; check each program’s current requirements and deadlines.
If you are sorting through application pages, transcripts, test policies, and funding options, it can be hard to know what applies to your plans. The safest approach is to work from the exact ASU program page, then confirm each requirement for your intended start term. In my college-planning work, I have found that a clear checklist helps applicants avoid relying on assumptions that may not fit their program.
ASU Graduate Programs, Admissions Standards & Application Requirements
ASU’s graduate application process starts with choosing a specific degree and reviewing its entry rules. Requirements can differ by program, degree level, campus, and start term. Use the program’s own application instructions for deadlines, required documents, and selection criteria rather than treating one university-wide checklist as final.
Choose the exact program and application term
A graduate program is a particular degree path, such as a master’s or doctorate, with its own courses and admission review. Before starting an application, use ASU’s degree search to confirm the program name, location or study format, available start terms, and application instructions.
Check whether the program offers the concentration or academic focus you want. If your intended career depends on programmatic accreditation, verify that status for the specific program. ASU’s institutional accreditation is separate from program-level accreditation; one does not automatically mean every degree has its own specialized accreditation.
Understand the general academic standard
ASU’s general graduate admission standard typically calls for a bachelor’s degree, or recognized equivalent, from an appropriately accredited institution. The usual GPA benchmark is 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in the last 60 semester hours of the bachelor’s program, or 3.00 in an applicable completed graduate degree.
This is a baseline, not a guaranteed-admission cutoff. A program may set a higher GPA standard, require prerequisite courses, or review other parts of your record. If your grades are close to the published standard, ask the program how it applies the GPA rule and what other evidence it considers. Do not assume experience or a strong statement will replace a stated academic requirement.
Confirm every required application item
Program instructions may ask for official transcripts, a résumé, a statement, recommendation letters, a portfolio, an interview, or test scores. Submit only the materials requested for your intended program and term. A GRE or GMAT score is not a universal ASU graduate requirement, and you should not assume it is required or waived without checking the program page.
Applicants whose prior education does not meet ASU’s English-proficiency exemption rules may need to provide an approved test result. The accepted tests and required scores can change or vary by program. Review ASU’s current graduate admission requirements and follow the instructions for your application term.
| Requirement | What to check | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Prior degree | Degree type, recognized equivalency, and institution eligibility | Confirm you will meet the degree requirement before enrollment |
| GPA | ASU’s general benchmark and any higher program standard | Calculate the relevant last 60 undergraduate semester hours, if applicable |
| Prerequisites | Required courses, skills, or prior preparation | Compare your transcript with the program’s listed prerequisites |
| Tests and English proficiency | Whether scores are required for your program and term | Verify current rules on the official program and ASU pages |
| Supporting materials | Essays, recommendations, résumé, portfolio, or interview | Prepare each item in the format and by the deadline requested |
Next step: Save the program page and turn its requirements into a checklist. Treat that page, not another student’s application, as your source of truth.
Degree Curriculum, Prerequisites & Completion Requirements
Admission is only the first step. Before enrolling, learn what courses and milestones the degree requires, how long completion may take, and whether your prior coursework can count. Confirm these details with the program because transfer-credit decisions and course sequencing are not automatic.
Match your preparation to the curriculum
Read the degree plan and prerequisite list before you apply. Note required courses, electives, research or capstone work, internships, and any other listed milestones. If a prerequisite is missing from your record, ask the program whether it must be completed before admission or can be taken another way.
Do not count on prior coursework, professional experience, or other learning to reduce the degree requirements until the program confirms how it will be treated. Ask in writing which courses may transfer, what review process applies, and whether a decision is made before or after enrollment.
Estimate time and cost from the actual plan
Time to completion depends on the program’s course sequence, your enrollment pace, and any required research or experiential work. Ask whether courses are offered in the terms you expect to attend and whether required classes have prerequisites or limited availability.
Use ASU’s current cost information and ask the program about costs that may apply to your degree. Do not compare options using tuition alone: include fees and other expected expenses, and check the cost for your campus or study format. Your final budget should reflect the number of terms you may need, not only the first term.
Planning case: An applicant changing fields finds a required course that is not on their transcript. Before applying, they ask the program whether the course is a firm prerequisite, how it can be completed, and whether taking it will affect the application timeline. That answer can prevent a mistaken assumption about eligibility or time to degree.
Academic Success, Advising & Graduate Student Experience
Graduate study brings more independent work and program-specific expectations than many students encounter in college. Before accepting an offer, learn how advising works, what academic milestones apply, and where to get support. A clear picture of these systems can help you plan a realistic path to completion.
Ask about advising and milestones
Ask who advises students and when you should meet with an advisor. For a research degree, find out how students identify a faculty mentor and what research milestones apply. For a professional or coursework-focused degree, ask about course planning, capstone expectations, and internship or practicum options if these are part of the program.
Review ASU’s Graduate Policies and Procedures for university-level rules, then ask the program how those policies apply to your degree. Useful questions include how academic progress is reviewed, what happens if a required course is not passed, and whether students must meet specific milestones by set times.
Make a plan for support and workload
Before enrollment, consider how the program’s schedule fits your work, family, or other commitments. Ask about course delivery and the expected workload rather than assuming that an online or part-time option will have the same schedule as another program.
Planning case: A student receives an offer but is unsure whether they can balance study and work. They ask the program for a sample course sequence and clarify when required classes are usually offered. That information helps them judge whether their preferred pace is practical.
Career Pathways, Program Accreditation & Employment Outcomes
A graduate degree should connect to your academic interests and career aims, but a degree alone does not guarantee a particular job or salary. Check what the curriculum teaches, whether specialized accreditation matters in your field, and what outcome data the program can provide before you commit.
Check career and accreditation fit
Compare required courses and practical experiences with the skills employers or licensing bodies expect in your field. If a credential or license is part of your goal, confirm requirements with the relevant licensing authority. Do not assume that completing a degree automatically meets every state or professional requirement.
ASU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This institutional accreditation is not the same as programmatic accreditation, which applies to a specific program or field. If specialized accreditation matters for your plans, ask ASU and the relevant accrediting body to confirm the program’s current status.
Ask for outcome information
Ask the program what it can share about graduate outcomes, such as employment information, career services, or paths graduates pursue. Find out how the data were collected and what group they describe. A small or partial sample may not represent every student, so use outcome information as context rather than a promise.
Next step: List the career skills and credentials you need, then compare them with the program curriculum and confirmed accreditation status.
Application, Decision & Funding Roadmap
A reliable application plan follows the program’s instructions from research through enrollment. Deadlines and start terms vary, so build your calendar from the program page and track document status in ASU’s application portal. Admission and funding are separate decisions; confirm both before making an enrollment choice.
- Select and audit. Confirm the exact degree, campus or study format, start term, curriculum, prerequisites, and any accreditation relevant to your goal. Compare your academic record with the published criteria.
- Build the application. Request official transcripts early. Prepare the required statement, résumé, recommendations, portfolio, interview materials, test scores, or English-proficiency documents only if requested.
- Submit and track. Apply by the deadline listed for your program and term. Monitor ASU’s portal for missing items, interview requests, and decision updates. Contact the program if a requirement or status is unclear.
- Review the offer and budget. Confirm total expected cost, aid eligibility, course sequencing, and time to completion. Ask about assistantship or scholarship terms before relying on them.
- Plan enrollment. If you accept, work with an advisor to map courses, research or capstone milestones, and relevant career preparation.
Funding requires special care. Admission does not promise a scholarship, assistantship, or affordable net cost. For any award, get the amount, duration, workload, tuition coverage, fees, and renewal conditions in writing. Then calculate what you would still need to pay for the full program.
| Your situation | What to verify before acting |
|---|---|
| GPA meets the general benchmark | Whether the program has a higher standard or added selection criteria |
| GPA is below or near the benchmark | How the program evaluates eligibility and whether it recommends applying |
| A test is not mentioned in general ASU information | Whether the specific program requires it for your term |
| You expect a scholarship or assistantship | Award terms, renewal rules, workload, and remaining costs |
| You hope prior courses will count | Whether the program will approve transfer credit and when |
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers summarize common points, but the program page and ASU’s current admission guidance control. Requirements can change by degree, term, and applicant background, so verify details before submitting an application or making an enrollment decision.
What GPA do I need for ASU graduate admission?
ASU’s general standard is typically 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in the last 60 undergraduate semester hours or in an applicable completed graduate degree. A program may require more, and meeting the baseline does not guarantee admission.
Do all ASU graduate programs require the GRE or GMAT?
No single test rule applies to every program. Check the requirements for your exact degree and start term; do not assume a test is required or waived.
Does ASU require a bachelor’s degree?
Graduate-degree applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an appropriately accredited institution before enrollment. Check the program’s rules if your education followed a different system.
Are application deadlines the same across ASU graduate programs?
No. Deadlines and available start terms are program-specific. Use the deadline shown on the intended program’s ASU application page.
Will meeting the 3.00 GPA benchmark guarantee admission?
No. The benchmark is not a guarantee. Programs may use higher academic standards and other selection criteria, such as prerequisites, experience, essays, or interviews.
Do I need to prove English proficiency?
You may need to if your prior education does not meet ASU’s exemption rules. Check ASU’s current accepted tests and score requirements for your program and term.
Can I transfer graduate credits to ASU?
Possibly, but treatment depends on university and program rules. Ask the program to review your prior coursework before relying on it to shorten the degree.
Does admission include funding?
No. Admission does not guarantee an assistantship, scholarship, or other aid. Confirm the award terms and estimate remaining costs before accepting.
Is every ASU graduate program separately accredited?
No. ASU has institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, but programmatic accreditation is separate and does not apply automatically to every program.
Where should I check my application status?
Use ASU’s application portal to monitor your file and look for missing documents or updates. Contact the program if the portal or instructions leave a requirement unclear.
A strong application begins with the right program, not a generic checklist. Verify the academic standard, required documents, deadline, curriculum, and funding terms for your specific degree. Then track each item through ASU’s portal and get uncertain points confirmed by the program before you rely on them.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
