Graduate International Checklist

Required Credentials

As a service to applicants, the Office of International Admissions evaluates all foreign academic credentials. All documents submitted during the application process become the property of Old Dominion University and cannot be returned.

  • Transcripts, translations and standardized tests must be official, sealed, stamped by the institution or testing agency and sent directly to the Office of International Admissions at Old Dominion University.
  • Testing authorities may include the Registrar or the Principal/Controller of Examinations.
  • When English is not the language of instruction, academic transcripts are required in both English and one's native language. Certified official translations by a licensed or professional translator must accompany academic documents not written in English. Translations of official documents completed by the student will not be accepted.
  • Once submitted, no additional documents can be uploaded through the online application. If you wish to include additional credentials, attach and send them directly to intladm@odu.edu. Please be sure your name and date of birth are clearly indicated in the email subject line.

Provisional Admission

Graduate provisional admission is granted at the discretion of the department of study, and may not be available for all degree programs. Examples of provisional admission may include completion of additional required course work, standardized tests, or other requirements set forth by the graduate program director.

  • Highly qualified applicants holding a three-year Bachelor's degree may be considered for provisional admission at the Master's level.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission to Old Dominion University is offered only to those highly qualified applicants meeting University admission requirements with the exception of English language proficiency. Granting of conditional admission is subject to program approval, and may not be available for all programs of study.

Distant Learning

Beyond the traditional, face to face classroom instruction, Old Dominion University offers live course delivery, or Distant Learning, anywhere a high speed internet connection is available.

  • Programs of study include over 70 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate & licensure programs.
  • There are four regional Higher Education Centers, and dozens of designated on-site learning locations throughout Virginia, Arizona and the state of Washington.
  • Students in F-1 or J-1 visa status must attend classes on the main Norfolk campus.

Deadlines & Financial Assistance

Graduate admission at Old Dominion adheres to strict application deadlines.

  • A complete application and supporting credentials must be received by the stated program deadline, or admission consideration will be applied to the next available semester.
  • International graduate students are eligible to apply for financial assistance in the form of departmental research and teaching assistantships.
  • Certain graduate programs require much earlier deadlines for both admission consideration and financial assistance. Direct inquires regarding assistantship awards to the Graduate Program Director of your desired program of study.

Application/Admission Deferment

General deferment requests are honored for up to one academic year from the initial term of application or admission, though, any new course work completed in the interim will be reviewed before a final approval is granted. After one academic year, students may re-apply with updated transcripts, supporting credentials and application fee. Students in F/J status must submit updated financial documents, and return all unused forms I-20 or DS-2019.