Graduate Students
Ways to learn more:
- Request info to learn more about our graduate programs
- Explore the programs we offer, including Master's degrees and certificates
- Schedule a visit
- Apply to Calvin
- Find your financial aid checklist
How to apply
The first step is easy—complete your application!
After you apply, you'll have time to gather and upload the rest of the required materials:
- Unofficial transcript from any undergraduate institutions you attended
- Official transcript from the undergraduate institution from which you graduated*
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
- Two letters of recommendation
- Please note that some programs may require additional materials
*Please send official transcripts to robin.w@calvin.edu
Admissions Office
3201 Burton St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
When to apply
We accept graduate applications on a rolling basis. These are the application deadlines by term:
- Spring / Spring 1: January 7, 2025 | January 5, 2026
- Spring 2: March 3, 2025 | February 23, 2026
- Summer / Summer 1: April 29, 2025 | April 20, 2026
- Summer 2: June 23, 2025 | June 15, 2026
- Fall / Fall 1: August 18, 2025
- Fall 2: October 13, 2025
Guest Students
Interested in taking a graduate course as a guest? We welcome you!
- Complete Calvin's guest application to get started.
- Browse Calvin's course offerings.
International Students
We welcome 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.
Additional steps for international (non-Canadian) students
Students outside the U.S. may take fully online programs, but 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.
Here are criteria to consider for obtaining a student visa:
- Each fall and spring semester, an international student must be taking at least 8 credits, 6 of which must be in on-campus rather than online courses, in order to get a visa to study in the U.S.
- A "semester" refers to a full 16 week term, so students taking sessions in fall 1 term and fall 2 term can add those credits together to get to 8 credits.
- Taking courses in the summer is optional. International students are not required to take credits in the summer if summer session is not part of their program of study.
- If a class spans a semester and is offered online for most of the semester but culminates in an intensive period on-campus (such as a 16 week online class culminating in a one week on-campus experience), an international student can obtain a visa for the one week period, but not for the online portion.
- Students are not required to have a full in-person load during their final semester. However, they must be fulfilling at least one in-person requirement for their degree.
- Calvin University Application
- English Language Test Score to ensure you're ready to succeed. Accepted tests/scores are as follows:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Internet-based: 100
- Paper-based: 600
- Computer-based: 250
- Calvin University Institution Code: 1095
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Score of 7.0
- Calvin University Institution Code: 1095
- Duolingo
- Score of 125
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Official undergraduate university transcripts and transcript evaluation
- Official transcripts need to be sent to Calvin University directly from the undergraduate institution from which you received your bachelor's degree to prove validity. Institutions should send official transcripts to us at either admissions@calvin.edu or mail to Calvin University Admissions, 3201 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA.
- If your transcripts are in English and show a GPA or CGPA and a bachelor's degree conferred, we do not require a transcript evaluation. If not, then an official course-by-course evaluation of any undergraduate and/or graduate level coursework must be provided by one of these foreign educational credential evaluators from the list below:
- Please note that you need a valid passport to study in the U.S. We encourage you to send us a scanned copy of the ID page of your passport, or begin the necessary paperwork to obtain or renew your passport.
Complete the International Graduate Declaration of Finances Form.
Note: We require all supporting documents to be original or certified copies.
Email supporting financial documentation (income and bank statements) to graduate-programs@calvin.edu. We require:
- Income statement – This can be a statement issued by your employer, person in charge of company finances, or it can be government issued tax document with the income amount listed.
- Savings statement – Amount in your savings, checking or investments.
- Sponsor’s letter of intent (if applicable) – This is a letter written by your sponsor indicating the amount they pledge towards your educational costs for each year. Sponsors should use this form for their letter of intent.
- Sponsor’s savings statement (if applicable) – This bank statement must be recent and should demonstrate that your sponsor can cover at least two years of their pledged amount from savings. If this is a checking account, the transaction history must not exceed 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Calvin University provides a variety of graduate programs, including:
- Master of Accounting (MAcc)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Education (MEd)
- Master of Science in Exercise Science (MES)
- Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (GIS)
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology
- Master of Arts in Media and Strategic Communication
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
- Certificates in various fields
Some of these programs are online, while others are on-campus or hybrid, with multiple start dates throughout the year.
Program durations vary:
- MAcc: 9-12 months
- MBA: 13–25 months
- MEd: 20–36 months
- MES: 12–24 months
- GIS: 9–24 months
- MSW: 24 months
- Speech-Language Pathology: 24-36 months
- MMSC: 12-24 months
- MAT: 12 months
Specific timelines depend on the program and whether you attend full-time or part-time.
Graduate admission requirements generally include:
- A graduate application
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- 2 Letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- A current resume or curriculum vitae
- A minimum undergraduate GPA, typically 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Please note that some programs may have additional prerequisites or requirements.
Yes, Calvin University offers several graduate programs online, including:
- MBA*
- MEd
- MES
- GIS
- MSW*
* Includes a residency requirement
These online programs are designed to be flexible and rigorous, allowing students to balance their studies with other commitments.
Yes, Calvin University offers both full-time and part-time options for its graduate programs. This flexibility allows students to tailor their study schedules to fit personal and professional commitments.
Applications can be submitted through Calvin University's online application portal. It's advisable to review the specific program's admission requirements and deadlines before applying.
Tuition rates vary by program. You can find the 2024-25 tuition rates here.
Yes, graduate students can access various financial aid options, such as:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Federal and private loans
- Employer tuition reimbursement
It's recommended to contact the financial aid office for personalized assistance.
Calvin University welcomes international students into its graduate programs. International applicants should ensure they meet specific visa requirements and may need to provide proof of English language proficiency. Please note that we can not provide a visa for an online graduate program.
Yes, international students are required to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the admission process. Accepted tests include:
- TOEFL: Internet-based score of 100, paper-based score of 600, or computer-based score of 250.
- IELTS: Minimum score of 7.0.
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 125.
These scores help ensure that students can effectively engage with the curriculum.
Calvin University has a test-optional policy for graduate admissions. This means that applicants are not required to submit standardized test scores such as the GMAT or GRE. However, certain programs may have specific requirements, so it's advisable to check the individual program's admission criteria.
Calvin University is affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church (CRCNA) and integrates a Christian perspective into its curriculum. While the university holds a Christian mission, students from all religious backgrounds are welcome.
While Calvin University is a Christian institution, it welcomes students from all faith backgrounds. The university values diversity and encourages students to engage with its Christian mission, regardless of their personal religious beliefs.
Calvin offers a limited amount of on-campus housing options for graduate students, including apartments in Knollcrest East and select single residence hall rooms. Upon admission into one of our graduate programs, you will be able to complete a form to tell us more about your plans. For questions, please email housing@calvin.edu.
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