How to Apply: Graduate Admissions Requirements

Complete your graduate application at https://gradapply.clarku.edu/apply/

• The one-time graduate application fee is $75.
• To earn an application fee waiver you can join our Graduate Admissions Office Hours. This a great opportunity to meet with our team, learn more about the application process, and ask any questions you may have.

For your resume, please include all colleges attended, degree type, GPA, and month/year of graduation.

Work Experience: List & describe in 3-4 sentences all work/internship/volunteer experiences. Please include dates of employment/participation and job responsibilities.

Extracurriculars/skills: List & include dates of any extracurricular participation such as clubs, school projects, etc. Please also list any technical skills (especially computer/programming skills), or soft skills you have acquired.

In your written statement, please discuss your professional goals, your academic and/or research interests, and your plans for achieving these goals. Please outline your specific educational, professional, or other experiences that will contribute to your success in the program and your career.

This statement should not exceed 800 words.

The letters of recommendation can be from employers, supervisors, professors, instructors, or others who can comment on your professional and educational goals and potential (no friends or relatives, please).

These references should be able to judge your qualifications necessary for success in graduate coursework, including intellectual and analytical ability, oral and written communication skills, independence, initiative, and drive.

Note: Three letters are required for the M.A. in English and the M.A. in Teaching (MAT).

Please include transcripts from all institutions attended (individual mark sheets, consolidated transcript, and confirmation of degree).

International applicants must submit official test score results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo, or the Pearson Test of English (PTE-Academic). Applicants should check with the testing agency to ensure that their scores are still valid, and that the agency will be able to send an official score report.

See English Language Requirements below for additional details.

• Test scores and other program-specific requirements:
  • GMAT or GRE scores are REQUIRED for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and OPTIONAL for all other School of Business programs. (see GMAT/GRE Waiver Policy below)
  • GMAT or GRE scores are NOT required for other graduate programs.
  • GMAT/GRE Codes: GRE: 3279 for all programs | GMAT: Q4X-6X-30 for all programs

Although this process is not a requirement  to apply, our partnership with International Education Evaluations (MyIEE) supports students’ transcript evaluation and translation needs. Learn more about MyIEE at https://myiee.org/university/clark-university.

M.A. in English

• Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from academic professionals who have taught or supervised you and can attest to your academic capability.
• Applicants must submit a formal essay of at least 2,500 words on some aspect of American or English literature.

M.A. in Teaching (MAT)

MTEL Exam required for all applicants

Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from academic professionals who have taught or supervised you and can attest to your academic capability.

Master of Fine Arts in Interactive Media (MFA)

• Applicants must submit a portfolio that includes examples of traditional and/or digital works of visual art or interactive media. Portfolio pieces may represent classroom assignments as well as independent projects. The portfolio should be purposeful, demonstrate originality of concept, visual literacy, and an understanding of current industry standard software.
• Two Letters of Recommendation required

GMAT/GRE Scores: GMAT/GRE scores are required for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and optional for all other School of Business programs.

Students may qualify for a GMAT/GRE waiver if they meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• An earned bachelor’s degree in a business or STEM major with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.20 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants may be asked to obtain a credential evaluation to confirm equivalency.
• An earned bachelor’s degree in a major other than business or STEM with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants may be asked to obtain a credential evaluation to confirm equivalency.
• An earned graduate degree (master’s or doctoral) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants may be asked to obtain a credential evaluation to confirm equivalency.
• Fully completed business licensure, e.g. CPA, CFA, or Chartered Accountancy.
• Five years of post-bachelor’s degree professional managerial work experience, with increased responsibility over that time period.
• Membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society.
• Affiliation with an articulated relationship with Clark University, e.g. City Year, AmeriCorps, Fulbright. Applicants will be asked to show proof of affiliation and need to hold a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants may be asked to obtain a credential evaluation to confirm equivalency.

If you qualify for a GRE/GMAT waiver, the requirement will be automatically waived during the application review process. If you do not meet any of the above criteria for a GRE/GMAT waiver, you must submit GRE/GMAT scores for your application.

Prerequisite Requirements: Some programs in the School of Business have additional prerequisite requirements. These prerequisites must have been completed through an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate degree program. If you completed any prerequisites during your degree program, they will automatically be waived during the review process. If you did not complete them during your degree program, they must be completed prior to your first day of classes.  

To complete your prerequisites, you have several options:  

1. You can complete your prerequisites through Clark University. The School of Business offers prerequisite courses online throughout the academic year. The courses last 4-6 weeks. You must achieve a passing (C) grade in the prerequisite course to enroll in your respective program. Please contact gradadmissions@clarku.edu for more information.  
2. You can complete your prerequisites through an accredited university. Please submit a copy of your transcript showing completion of your prerequisites to gradadmissions@clarku.edu.  
3. You can complete your prerequisites through a Clark-approved online course (listed below). Once completed, please email your completions certificate to gradadmissions@clarku.edu. Please note that if you have multiple incomplete prerequisites, you may only take one online course; the others must be completed through Clark University or an accredited university.  

Programs with prerequisite courses are listed below. You may complete one of your prerequisite courses using the online links listed below:  

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

• Economics: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-market-forces-of-demand-supply-equilibrium/

M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA)

• Statistics: https://www.udemy.com/course/statshelp/ 
• Programming: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/python-essential-training-18764650?u=72020170 OR https://www.udemy.com/course/python-programming-beginners/  

M.S. in Finance (MSF)

Traditional Finance concentration 

• Economics: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-market-forces-of-demand-supply-equilibrium/  
• Statistics: https://www.udemy.com/course/statshelp/ 

Fintech concentration 

• Economics: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-market-forces-of-demand-supply-equilibrium/  
• Programming: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/python-essential-training-18764650?u=72020170 OR https://www.udemy.com/course/python-programming-beginners/ 
• Statistics: https://www.udemy.com/course/statshelp/ 

M.S. in Management (MSM)

Economics: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-market-forces-of-demand-supply-equilibrium/ 

International applicants must submit official test score results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo, or the Pearson Test of English (PTE-Academic). Applicants should check with the testing agency to ensure that their scores are still valid and that the agency will be able to send an official score report.

All master’s programs have the following requirements:

• TOEFL (ETS code 5969): 85 overall, sub-score minimum of 20, or
• TOEFL: ITP Plus Scores, or
• IELTS: 6.5 overall, sub-score minimum of 6, or
• PTE: 61 overall with no band below 55, or
• Duolingo: 120, sub-score minimum of 100, or
• Completion of ELS 112, or 
• Completion of EC English B2+ Pre-Advanced Level

EXCEPTIONS: Students who are citizens of the following countries, or who have studied abroad (in person) and earned a degree at an accredited degree program at a university in these countries are exempt from the English language requirements:

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, Lesotho, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Rwanda, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, St. Helen, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, The U.S. Virgin Islands, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

If you are not from an above-listed exempt country or do not meet the minimum English language requirements, you may be offered admission into the English for Academic Success Program or the Graduate Pathway Program before starting your graduate degree program. These programs have specific language requirements, noted here:

English for Academic Success

Students will be placed into the English for Academic Success program if scores meet or fall under the below mentioned scores. This program offers up to five levels of learning, each level taking one semester to complete, with some programs offering GPP for their final semester instead of level 5. The scores required for entering Level 4 can be found below. However, the American Language and Culture Institute may use a student’s speaking and writing samples found in application materials to place them in the level most appropriate to their ability.

EAS Level 4:

• TOEFL 65
• IELTS 5.5
• Duolingo 80 – 95

Scores that fall below the above-mentioned will be evaluated and the student could be placed into EAS levels 1, 2, or 3.

If ALCI is unable to determine your placement after reviewing your application materials, you will be required to take a Duolingo placement test, at cost to you ($65). It should be noted that speaking and writing samples will be taken into consideration in addition to your Duolingo numerical score. Taking the placement test may be done before submitting your application. If the Duolingo test is not part of your application and is required, an email will be sent to you with details about how to take the Duolingo test, including deadlines for submission.

Graduate Pathway Programs

English requirements for Graduate Pathway Programs: TOEFL 75, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 95 – 120, ELS 110, and EC English B2 Upper-Intermediate Level. (This will be reviewed holistically and will take into consideration writing and speaking skills before a final decision is made.)

Applicants must meet the academic admission requirements to their chosen master’s program.

A fee of $75 must accompany the application for admission to the University. This fee is not refundable.

We grant waivers for the following populations:

• Applicants from organizations partnered with Clark (e.g., AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, City Year, Fulbright, Teach for America, McNair Scholars, National Association of Black Accountants, among others)
• Clark alumni
• Current Clark employees

GMAT/GRE scores are not required for application to master’s programs in the School of Professional Studies, the department of Sustainability and Social Justice, or the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (MAT and M.A. English). GMAT/GRE scores may be required for certain scholarships.

GRE/GMAT Score requirements:  GMAT/GRE scores are required for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and optional for all other School of Business programs.

Students may qualify for a GRE/GMAT waiver if they meet at least one of the following criteria:

• An earned bachelor’s degree in a business or STEM major with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.20 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants may be asked to obtain a credential evaluation to confirm equivalency.
• An earned bachelor’s degree in a major other than business or STEM with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants may be asked to obtain a credential evaluation to confirm equivalency.
• An earned graduate degree (master’s or doctoral) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants may be asked to obtain a credential evaluation to confirm equivalency.
• Fully completed business licensure, e.g. CPA, CFA, or Chartered Accountancy.
• Five years of post-bachelor’s degree professional managerial work experience, with increased responsibility over that time period.
• Membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society.
• Affiliation with an articulated relationship with Clark University, e.g. City Year, AmeriCorps, Fulbright. Applicants will be asked to show proof of affiliation and need to hold a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants may be asked to obtain a credential evaluation to confirm equivalency.

If you qualify for a GRE/GMAT waiver, the requirement will be automatically waived during the application review process. If you do not meet any of the above criteria for a GRE/GMAT waiver, you must submit GRE/GMAT scores for your application.

Waiver Requests

Applicants do not need to complete a waiver request prior to application. If your application meets the waiver criteria, the test will be waived, and your application will move to committee. If your application does not meet the criteria, you will be notified, and your application will be placed on hold until your test score is received. Please note that Graduate Admissions has the final determination of waiver eligibility.

Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded for application review. Official final transcripts, including confirmation of earned degree, are required prior to enrollment, and can be sent via official electronic delivery service to gradadmissions@clarku.edu OR mailed directly from the institution to:

Clark University
Graduate Admissions
950 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610 USA

All transcripts submitted must include an English translation in addition to the original document. Submissions that do not include the original language and its English translation will not be considered.

Deposits are non-refundable unless the student receives a rejection to their visa application in the term of their original application. All refund requests must be submitted by the end of the semester’s add/drop period. After that date, refunds will not be issued, and applicants must re-apply and re-deposit if interested in attending Clark in a future term.

Deposit refunds are not granted if a student chooses to defer their admission. All deposit refunds are at the discretion of the Office of Graduate Admission.

Admitted students may defer admission for up to one full year from their term of admission (i.e. Fall 2023 admitted students can defer to Spring or Fall 2024). Only students that have accepted an offer of admission are eligible to defer. Clark University does not require students to submit an enrollment deposit when accepting their offer of admission.

All deferral requests must be submitted by the end of the semester’s add/drop period. You can review these details on the Academic calendar here. After that date, applicants will need to re-apply to their program of interest if interested in attending Clark in a future term.

Students may begin their studies at Clark by taking one or two courses as a non-matriculated student.  If you’re interested in taking a course, please contact gradadmissions@clarku.edu.

Complete your graduate application at https://gradapply.clarku.edu/apply/

The one-time graduate application fee is $75.

To earn an application fee waiver you can join our Graduate Admissions Office Hours. This a great opportunity to meet with our team, learn more about the application process, and ask any questions you may have.

Please indicate your reasons for undertaking graduate study, research interests, and the faculty member(s) whose research is of interest to you. Include your current research interests as well as your long-range research, teaching, or other professional objectives. Reference any relevant published articles, books, research, inventions, or other creative work in your discussion.

Three letters of recommendation are required from academic professionals who have taught or supervised you and can attest to your academic capability.

• For your resume, please include all colleges attended, degree type, GPA, and month/year of graduation.
• Work Experience: List & describe in 3-4 sentences all work/internship/volunteer experiences. Please include dates of employment/participation and job responsibilities.
• Extracurriculars/skills: List & include dates of any extracurricular participation such as clubs, school projects, etc. Please also list any technical skills (especially computer/programming skills), or soft skills you have acquired.

Please include transcripts from all institutions attended (individual mark sheets, consolidated transcript, and confirmation of degree).

International applicants must submit official test score results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo, or the Pearson Test of English (PTE-Academic). Applicants should check with the testing agency to ensure that their scores are still valid and that the agency will be able to send an official score report.

EXCEPTIONS: Students who are citizens of the following countries, or who have studied abroad (in person) and earned a degree at an accredited degree program at a university in these countries are exempt from the English language requirements:

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, Lesotho, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Rwanda, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, St. Helen, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, The U.S. Virgin Islands, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

It is not required for the Fall 2025 cycle but is strongly suggested for the Economics, Biology, Physics, Biochemistry, and Chemistry programs.

• Writing samples are required for Ph.D. Psychology, Ph.D. Geography, Ph.D. in History (Holocaust and Genocide History), and Ph.D. in Genocide Studies. Submissions should include a copy of one or more papers that the applicant has written that are good representations of their interests and how they think and write about them.
• The applicant should be the sole author of at least one of these papers.