Graduate Students

Prospective Students
国產aⅴa麻豆offers a variety of graduate programs and certificates for students who have completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. For detailed admission process and application requirement information, please visit the appropriate admission office for your program of interest.
Seaver College Graduate Programs
- Visit:
- Email: seaverspecialacademicprograms@pepperdine.edu
- Call: 310.506.4280
Graziadio Business School
- Visit:
- Email: pgbs@pepperdine.edu
- Call: 310.568.5500
School of Public Policy
- Visit:
- Email: sppadmissions@pepperdine.edu
- Call: 310.506.7493
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
- Visit:
- Email: gsep-admissions@pepperdine.edu
- Call: 310.258.2850
School of Law
- Visit:
- Email: lawadmis@pepperdine.edu
- Call: 310.506.4631
- Email: dracademics@pepperdine.edu
- Call: 310.506.4655
- Email: admissions@onlinelaw.pepperdine.edu
- Call: 844.707.9208
Newly Admitted Students
Fall Term
- July 1: Submit Deposit and Intent to Enroll
- July 15: Submit a Complete International Student Data (ISD) Form
- August 15: SEVIS Transfer Release by previous school
Spring Term
- November 1: Submit Deposit and Intent to Enroll
- November 15: Submit a Complete International Student Data (ISD) Form
- December 15: SEVIS Transfer Release by previous school
Summer Term
- March 15: Submit Deposit and Intent to Enroll
- April 1: Submit a Complete International Student Data (ISD) Form
- April 15: SEVIS Transfer Release by previous school
The Form I-20 is the document that you must present at the U.S. embassy or consulate in order to apply for your F-1 visa. Wait times to secure a visa appointment can be weeks to months, so it is important that students submit their deposit as soon as possible to allow sufficient time.
Upon deposit, students will receive an email with login instructions to the OISS portal to submit the required International Student Data form. This form requires passport and visa information, evidence of financial support, etc.
Requirements:
Students must demonstrate sufficient and readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of studies through credible documentary evidence. Adequate funds should be available for each additional year of study from the same source or from one or more other specifically identified and reliable financial sources. Programs less than one year will need the full amount.
Designated School Officials are required to assess documentary evidence on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security and the University and therefore, reserve the right to assess whether submitted documentation is deemed credible, reliable and sufficient to issue and sign a Form I-20.
Students should utilize the before uploading documentary evidence of financial support to confirm the combined sources of funding are equal to or more than the estimated cost of attendance. The estimated cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, living expenses, and other expenses such as books, supplies, insurance, and transportation for the first year of study. Add an additional $1000 per month for each dependent for your first year of study.
All documentation must be in English (unofficial English translations acceptable with original document) and dated no less than 6 months. Additionally, documentation must show the account holder name, financial institution, date and account number. Local currency will be accepted, but it will be converted to USD.
It is preferred that funds be presented in U.S. dollars.
Unacceptable Documentation (Please note that this list is not exhaustive):
- Documents dated more than 6 months
- Documents not in/translated to English
- Investments or stock portfolios, bonds, Mutual Funds etc.
- Income Tax or Salary Statements
- Lines of Credit from Credit Cards
- Property deeds or rental agreements or other property documentation
- Promissory Notes
- Statements from Chartered accountants
- Statements regarding non-liquid assets
Types of Acceptable Financial Documentation
Personal or Family Funding
- Funding sources may be a combination of personal, family funds, or other approved sponsors.
- Bank Account on Letterhead for Checking or Savings Account.
- Bank statements and/or letters cannot be more than 6 months old and should include name of bank account holder, date of issuance, type of account (e.g. checking, savings, certificate of deposit), total available account balance held by the account holder, official bank name and address by means of a logo or a heading.
- Bank Statement for Checking or Savings Account (please do not include transaction history).
- Certificate of Deposit (maturity/expiry date must be prior to start of the academic program).
- Funds from sources outside of the United States must be assessed for restrictions on the transfer of funds from the country concerned.
- If the bank account is in the name of a business, official documentation linking the account to the sponsor signing the Affidavit of Support is required.
Scholarships
- Letter from 国產aⅴa麻豆University or another entity awarding a scholarship or fellowship with the amount and duration of the award.
- Proof of an already obtained scholarship. Scholarship letter(s) from government sources or other scholarship awarding agencies, clearly indicating your name, scholarship year or dates, and covered amounts.
Loans
- Confirmation of loan approval from an entity specifying the amount and duration of the loan is required, in addition to a signed affidavit of the account holder. A loan application itself is not sufficient. An accompanying bank statement demonstrating funds of the organization may be required.
Sponsorship by an Organization
- Letter from sponsoring employer/government/organization (on official letterhead) referencing the student鈥檚 name, specifying the amount and duration of sponsorship, in addition to a signed affidavit and supporting company bank statements is required.
All persons who intend to visit the United States (US) temporarily to pursue a full course of study at an academic institution must be classified as an alien in F-1 student-visa status. The Form I-20 is the document you will present to the US Embassy or Consulate abroad when making application for a student visa, and also when making application for admission at the US port of entry.
US Eligibility by Modality
Obtain an Approved Visa for Study
Eligible Visas: International Students are non-citizens of the United States. Most commonly, international students maintain an F-1 student visa. may allow study incidental to the purpose of the visa but are subject to the same deadlines and must be approved by the Office of International Student Services (OISS). Please note the visitor visa (B-1/B-2) and visa-waiver visitor status (WB/WT) are prohibited.
Form I-20: The OISS assists new international students with time sensitive next steps to obtain their F-1 student visa once students submit their intent to enroll (deposit) and International Student Data (ISD) form by University deadlines. Students should consult the embassy/consulate website for interview wait times. Once the ISD is approved, students will obtain the Form I-20, which is the document students must present at the U.S. embassy/consulate in order to apply for an F-1 visa. The Form I-20 indicates the official start date of the program and students may be admitted to the US up to 30 days prior.
Cost of Attendance: Official and reliable proof of funding is required for non citizens for the Form
I-20 and the visa to be issued. Due to very limited University financial aid for international
students, there are limited merit scholarships for students who meet certain criteria.
Please note there is no other emergency funding available after enrollment, so students
should be prepared to fund the official International Student Cost of Attendance for
the duration of their program at Pepperdine, including health insurance and living
expenses. Authorized campus employment can only reasonably assist with books and other
miscellaneous expenses, so students should not expect a campus job to fund their cost
of study and living expenses. Please see more below regarding campus employment.
Key Enrollment Requirements for Students in F-1 status:
- F-1 students have a number of requirements they must abide by to remain compliant with the Department of Homeland Security.F-1 undergraduates must take at least 12 credit hours per term. Only one course or 3 credits may be an online course. Students must be authorized by the OISS for a reduced course load to drop below 12 credits in any term.
- F-1 students in graduate programs must take a full course of study each term, as defined by the Designated School Official, and only one course or 3 credits may be in an online course. Students should not enroll in graduate programs that are designed to be completed on a part-time basis. They should consult their program administrator to ensure maintenance of full-time enrollment. Students must be authorized by the OISS for a reduced course load to drop below full-time status in any term.
F-1 students may not be employed in either paid or unpaid capacities (volunteer, intern, work) while enrolled at 国產aⅴa麻豆unless first authorized by the OISS. The Department of Homeland Security authorizes international students to be employed on campus up to 20 hours per week, however international students may not be fully employed or work off campus, with the exception of designated employment authorization periods (i.e. CPT, OPT), which must be individually authorized by the OISS prior to beginning employment.
Obtain an Approved Visa for Study
Hybrid Program Modality: Programs that include a combination of online and in-person instructional methods are designated as Hybrid. International students enrolling in such programs must obtain a visa for the dates/periods of in-person instruction. Most commonly, international students maintain an F-1 visa, even for brief periods of in-person instruction, such as an orientation session or a short-term residency. Students should consult the program to confirm the specific in-person attendance requirements, with the understanding that the visa will only be valid for those specific dates. Upon the completion of the required in-person sessions, students must depart the United States within 15 days.
Form I-20: The OISS assists new international students with time sensitive next steps to obtain their F-1 student visa once students submit their intent to enroll (deposit) and International Student Data (ISD) form by University deadlines. Students should consult the embassy/consulate website for interview wait times. Once the ISD is approved, students will obtain the Form I-20, which is the document students must present at the U.S. embassy/consulate in order to apply for an F-1 visa. The Form I-20 indicates the official start date of the program and students may be admitted to the US up to 30 days prior.
Cost of Attendance: Official and reliable proof of funding is required for non citizens for the Form
I-20 and the visa to be issued. Because the University does not offer financial aid
for international students, nor is other emergency funding available after enrollment,
students should be prepared to fund the official International Student Cost of Attendance for the duration of their hybrid program at Pepperdine, including health insurance
and living expenses.
Key Enrollment Requirements for Students in F-1 status:
F-1 students have a number of requirements they must abide by to remain compliant:
- Hybrid programs are delivered through a combination of online and in-person instructional methods and include a full course of study each term, of which only one course or 3 units may be in an online course. Through the Form I-20, graduate students must certify that their program is not entirely online, that they are not enrolled in an entirely online course load any semester, and that they are taking the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program.
- Graduate students should not enroll in programs that are designed to be completed on a part-time basis. They should consult their program administrator to ensure maintenance of full-time enrollment. Students must be authorized by the OISS for a reduced course load to drop below full-time enrollment in any term.
- F-1 students in online or hybrid programs with any required US residencies may only be present in the US to study when there is a physical requirement. Such students should apply for F-1 visas and should present a properly executed Form I-20 indicating appropriate program dates for this limited period of school attendance at Pepperdine and must be prepared to depart the US within 15 days of each residency, unless otherwise authorized on the I-20.
F-1 students enrolled in a hybrid program may not be employed in either paid or unpaid capacities (volunteer, intern, work) while enrolled at 国產aⅴa麻豆unless first authorized by the OISS. The Department of Homeland Security authorizes international students to be employed on campus up to 20 hours per week. However international students may not be fully employed or work off campus, with the exception of designated employment authorization periods (i.e. CPT, OPT).
These programs do not require any in-person residency in the United States. All program time 鈥 including orientation, class, and exam 鈥 will be conducted online, and therefore international students are ineligible to receive the F-1 student visa and may not reside in the U.S. while enrolled in a fully online program.
Eligibility Considerations:
- Some programs marketed as online actually have a required U.S. residency.
- Programs that have any required or optional in-person sessions in the United States have been defined by the OISS as 鈥渉ybrid鈥 and therefore require students to obtain an F-1 student visa.
- Students who reside outside of the U.S. and opt for a fully online program (100% online completion) are immediately eligible to enroll. However, they are ineligible for an F-1 visa to physically attend courses in the U.S.
- International students who already reside in the U.S. are ineligible to enroll in fully online programs on an F-1 student visa. Students should apply to a traditional program from within the United States.
- To ensure you are enrolling in a program that meets your expectations appropriately, please consult your admissions counselor to determine whether the program to which you are applying is fully online or has any in-person residency requirements.
US Eligibility by School/Program
| Degree & Certificate Programs | Program Modality | Program Start Date (Fall, Spring, Summer) 2025-26 | Time Frame for Completion of Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nutritional Science Post-baccalaureate Certification Program (NSCP-ISPP) | Traditional | 8/18/2025 | 6/30/2027 |
| Seaver Undergraduate | Traditional | Fall - 8/18/2025 | 04/27/2029 |
| Seaver Graduate | |||
| Master of Arts in Religion | Traditional | 8/18/2025 | 4.5 Years |
| Master of Divinity | Traditional | 8/18/2025 | 4.5 Years |
| Master of Fine Arts in Screen and Television Writing | Traditional | 8/18/2025 | 4.5 Years |
| Master of Science in Ministry | Traditional | 8/18/2025 | 4 Years |
| Master of Science in Nutritional Health | Traditional | 8/18/2025 | 5 Years |
| Degree Programs | Program Modality | Program Start Date (Fall, Spring, Summer) 2026-27 | Expected Program Completion Date | I-20 Issuance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time MBA 12 Month | Traditional | Fall: 8/22/2026 |
Fall Start: 8/20/2027 |
Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| Full-Time MBA 20 Month | Traditional | Fall: 8/22/2026 | Fall Start: 4/28/2028 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| MS in Applied Finance | Traditional | Fall: 8/22/2026 | Fall Start: 8/20/2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| MS in Business | Traditional | Fall: 8/22/2026 | Fall Start: 8/20/2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| MS in Business Analytics | Traditional | Fall: 8/22/2026 | Fall Start: 8/20/2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| MS in Global Business | Traditional | Fall: 8/22/2026 | Fall Start: 12/17/2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| MS in Real Estate | Traditional | Fall: 8/22/2026 | Fall Start: 8/20/2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| Executive MBA | Traditional | Fall: 8/22/2026 | Fall Start: 4/28/2028 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| Presidents & Key Executives MBA | Short Duration Low Residency | Fall Start: 8/22/2026 | Fall Start: 12/17/2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| MS in Organization Development | Short Duration Low Residency | Residency Start Dates for Fall 2026: 11/12/2026 - 11/20/2026 3/18/2027 - 3/26/2027 6/9/2027 - 6/18/2027 |
Fall Start: 8/18/2028 | F-1 students with an issued Form I-20 are only permitted to remain in the U.S. for required in-person coursework and must depart during periods of online-only study. Students must submit a Leave of Absence before their last class and are responsible for notifying OISS one month prior to coordinate a SEVIS reactivation request, though this reactivation is not guaranteed by SEVP. |
| Part-Time MBA (Hybrid) | Short Duration Low Residency | Residency Start Dates for Fall 2026: 11/12/2026 - 11/20/2026 3/18/2027 - 3/26/2027 6/9/2027 - 6/18/2027 |
Fall Start: 8/11/2028 | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. |
| Online MBA (with Short Term Residency) | Short Duration Low Residency | Residency Start Dates for Fall 2026: 09/10/2026-09/12/2026 | Fall Start: 8/11/2028 | Form I20 issued for the initial residency only; Students must depart the US within 15 days; |
| Online MS in Management & Leadership (with Short Term Residency) | Short Duration Low Residency | Fall Start Date: August 31, 2026 Fall residency dates - 09/10/2026-09/12/2026 |
Fall Start: December 10, 2027 | Form I20 issued for the initial residency only; Students must depart the US within 15 days; |
| Online MS in Human Resources (with Short Term Residency) | Short Duration Low Residency | Fall Start: August 31, 2026 Fall residency dates - 09/10/2026-09/12/2026 |
Fall Start: December 10, 2027 | Form I20 issued for the initial residency only; Students must depart the US within 15 days; |
| Online MS in Business Analytics (with Short Term US Residency) | Short Duration Low Residency | Fall Start: August 31, 2026 Fall residency dates - 08/26/2026-08/28/2026 |
Fall Start: December 10, 2027 | Form I20 issued for the initial residency only; Students must depart the US within 15 days; |
| Doctor of Business Administration | Short Duration Low Residency |
Program Start Date: 8/22/2026 Residency Dates for incoming fall 2026 cohort: Residency 1: 10/26/2026 - 10/31/2026 Residency 2: 2/22/2027 - 2/27/2027 Residency 3: 6/11/2027 - 6/17/2027 Residency 4: 10/4/2027- 10/9/2027 Residency 5: 2/7/2028 - 2/10/2028 Residency 6: 6/7/2028 - 6/12/2028 |
Fall Start: 8/17/2029 |
F-1 students with an issued Form I-20 are only permitted to remain in the U.S. for required in-person coursework and must depart during periods of online-only study. Students must submit a Leave of Absence before their last class and are responsible for notifying OISS one month prior to coordinate a SEVIS reactivation request, though this reactivation is not guaranteed by SEVP. |
| Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM) | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | |||
| MBAJ (Joint BSM + MBA) | Short Duration Low Residency | N/A | N/A |
| Degree Programs | Program Modality | Program Start Date (Fall, Spring, Summer) 2026-27 | Program End Date | I-20 Issuance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Public Policy | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/31/2026 | Fall Start: 4/21/2028 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| Master of Middle East Policy Studies | This new program has not been approved by SEVP and therefore ineligible for issuance of an F1 visa. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. |
| Degree Programs | Program Modality | Program Start Date (Fall, Spring, Summer) 2026-27 | Expected Program Completion Date | I-20 Issuance *Extensions Likely Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | ||||
| MA in Teaching (with preliminary teaching credential) | This program has paused its enrollment of F-1 students for the time being | |||
| MA in Teaching (with preliminary teaching credential) | Distance Education | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | ||
| MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) | Hybrid | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | ||
| MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Change | Hybrid | Fall Start: 9/8/2026 | Fall Start: 4/14/2028 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| MS Education (online) | Distance Education | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | ||
| Psychology | ||||
| MA in Psychology | Traditional | Fall Start: 9/1/2026 | Fall Start: 8/1/2028 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| MA in Psychology (Online Format) | Distance Education | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | ||
| MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (Daytime Format) |
Fall Start: 9/8/2026 | Fall Start: 6/15/2028 | This program has paused its enrollment of F-1 students for the time being | |
| MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (Evening Format) |
Traditional | Fall Start: 9/8/2026 | Fall Start: 6/15/2028 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy with Latinx Communities |
Traditional | Fall Start: 9/8/2026 | Fall Start: 6/15/2028 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (Online Format) |
Distance Education | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | ||
| MS in Applied Behavior Analysis | Fall Start: 9/8/2026 | Fall Start: 12/17/2027 | This program has paused its enrollment of F-1 students for the time being | |
| MS in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online Format) | Distance Education | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | ||
| Doctoral Programs | ||||
| PsyD in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy |
Fall Start: 9/8/2026 | Fall Start: 8/2/2030 | This program has paused its enrollment of F-1 students for the time being | |
| EdD in Organizational Leadership | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | |||
| Doctor of Psychology | Fall Start: 9/8/2026 | Fall Start: 8/2/2030 | This new program has not been approved by SEVP and therefore ineligible for issuance of an F1 visa. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | |
| Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership | This new program has not been approved by SEVP and therefore ineligible for issuance of an F1 visa. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | |||
| Doctor of Clinical Psychology | This new program has not been approved by SEVP and therefore ineligible for issuance of an F1 visa. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | |||
| Doctor of Philosophy in Global Leadership and Change | Hybrid | Fall Start: 9/8/2026 | Fall Start: 7/29/2033 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| Degree Programs | Program Modality | Program Start Date (Fall, Spring, Summer) 2026-27 | Expected Completion Date (last day of classes in final term for each cohort) | I-20 Issuance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juris Doctor | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/10/2026 | Fall Start: May 18, 2029 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| LL.M. in Entertainment, Media & Sports - 2 Semesters | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: April 23, 2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| LL.M. in Entertainment, Media & Sports - 3 Semesters | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: July 31,2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| LL.M. in U.S. Law - 2 Semesters | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: April 23, 2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| LL.M. in U.S. Law - 3 Semesters | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: July 31,2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| LL.M. in International Commercial Arbitration - 2 Semesters | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: April 23, 2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| LL.M. in International Commercial Arbitration - 3 Semesters | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: July 31,2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| LL.M In Dispute Resolution - 2 Semesters | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: April 23, 2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| LL.M In Dispute Resolution - 3 Semesters | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: July 31,2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| Master of Dispute Resolution - 2 Semesters | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: April 23, 2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| Master of Dispute Resolution - 3 Semesters | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: July 31,2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date through the expected program completion date |
| Online LL.M in Dispute Resolution | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | |||
| Online Master of Dispute Resolution | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | |||
| Online Master of Legal Studies | Not eligible for F-1. Restricted to other eligible visas and statuses only. | |||
| Certificate in Entertainment Media Sports Law | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: April 23, 2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date; Must depart the US within 15 days of end date |
| Certificate in Dispute Resolution | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/17/2026 | Fall Start: April 23, 2027 | Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date; Must depart the US within 15 days of end date |
| Augsburg Exchange Program | Traditional | Fall Start: 8/10/2026 | Fall Start: December 18 2026 | International students are currently enrolled and in good standing at the partner school; Form I20 issued for US residency on the start date; Must depart the US within 15 days of end date |