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Pepperdine University

Graduate Students

Two international students smiling together


 

Prospective Students

Pepperdine 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.

  Graduate Program Contacts

Seaver College Graduate Programs

Graziadio Business School

School of Public Policy

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

School of Law

Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution

Pepperdine Law Online Programs

 

Newly Admitted Students

  Enrollment Deadlines

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
  Obtain Your Pepperdine I-20

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. 

 

  Evidence of Financial Support Overview

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 OANDA currency converter 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 Pepperdine 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’s name, specifying the amount and duration of sponsorship, in addition to a signed affidavit and supporting company bank statements is required.

 

  Obtain Your F-1 Visa

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

  Traditional (In-person) Programs

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. Other visa types 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 Pepperdine 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.

  Hybrid Programs (online with some required US residency)

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 Pepperdine 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).

  Fully Online Programs

These programs do not require any in-person residency in the United States.  All program time – including orientation, class, and exam – 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 “hybrid” 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

  Seaver College
Degree & Certificate Programs Program Modality Program Start Date (Fall, Spring, Summer) 2023-24 Expected Completion Date
Nutritional Science Post-baccalaureate Certification Program (NSCP-ISPP) Traditional 8/29/2022 6/29/2023
Seaver Undergraduate Traditional Fall- 8/21/2023
Spring - 1/8/2024
12/16/2027 - 4/28/2028
Seaver Graduate       
Master of Arts in American Studies Traditional 8/29/2022 12/18/2024
Master of Arts in Religion Traditional 8/29/2022 4/27/2024
Master of Divinity Traditional 8/29/2022 4/28/2025
Master of Fine Arts in Screen and Television Writing Traditional 8/29/2022 4/28/2025
Master of Science in Ministry Traditional 8/29/2022 4/27/2024
  Graziadio Business School
Degree Programs Program Modality Program Start Date (Fall, Spring, Summer) 2023-24 Expected Program Completion Date
Full-Time MBA 12 Month  Traditional Fall: 8/21/23

8/9/2024 (12 Month)

Full-Time MBA 20 Month  Traditional Fall: 8/21/23 4/18/2025 (20 Month)
MS in Applied Finance Traditional Fall: 8/21/23 8/9/2024
MS in Business Traditional Fall: 8/21/23 8/9/2024
MS in Business Analytics Traditional Fall: 8/21/23
Spring: 1/3/24
8/9/2024
12/6/2024
MS in Global Business Traditional Fall: 8/21/23
Spring: 1/3/24
12/6/2024
4/18/2025
MS in Real Estate Traditional Fall: 8/21/23 8/9/2024
Executive MBA Traditional Fall: 9/7/23 
Spring: 1/10/2024
Summer: 5/1/2014
Fall: 5/22025
Spring: 8/22/2025
Summer: 12/19/2025
Presidents & Key Executives MBA Traditional Fall: 10/4/23
Summer: 5/8/24
12/13/2024
8/16/2025
MS in Organization Development Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23 8/15/2025
MBA (Evening Format) Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23 
Spring: 1/8/24 
Summer: 4/29/24 
8/15/2025
12/12/2025
4/17/2026
Online MBA (with Short Term US Residency) Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23
Spring: 1/8/24
Summer: 4/29/24
8/17/2025
12/14/2025
4/19/2026
Online MS in Management & Leadership (with Short-Term US Residency) Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23
Spring: 1/8/24
Summer: 4/29/24
12/6/2024
4/18/2025
8/15/2025
Online MS in Human Resources (with Short Term US Residency) Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23
Spring: 1/8/24
Summer: 4/29/24
12/6/2024
4/18/2025
8/15/2025
Online MS in Business Analytics (with Short Term US Residency) Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23
Spring: 1/8/24
12/6/2024
4/18/2025
Doctor of Business Administration Hybrid Fall: 8/26/23 8/14/2026
Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM) Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23
Spring: 1/8/24
Summer: 4/29/24
8/15/2025
12/12/2025
4/17/2026
MBAJ (Joint BSM + MBA) Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23
Spring: 1/8/24
Summer: 4/29/24
8/15/2025
12/12/2025
4/17/2026
  School of Public Policy
Degree Programs Program Modality Program Start Date (Fall, Spring, Summer) 2023-24 Program End Date
Master of Public Policy Traditional 8/28/23 4/19/2024
  Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Degree Programs Program Modality Program Start Date (Fall, Spring, Summer) 2023-24 1st Term End Date Expected Program Completion Date
Education        
MA in Teaching (with preliminary teaching credential) Hybrid Fall 2023: 9/5/23 
Spring 2024: 1/2/24 
Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (8/2/24)
Spring intake (12/20/24)
MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Hybrid Fall 2023: 9/5/23 
Spring 2024: 1/2/24 
Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (8/2/24)
MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Change Hybrid Fall: 9/5/23  Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (4/18/25)
MS in Leadership in Pre-K to 12 Education (with short term US residency) Hybrid Fall: 9/5/23
Spring : 1/2/24 
Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (4/18/25)
Spring intake (8/1/25)
MS in Leadership in Higher Education Hybrid Fall: 9/5/23 
Spring: 1/2/24 
Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (4/18/25)
Spring intake (8/1/25)
MS in Organizational Leadership and Learning Hybrid Fall: 9/5/23 
Spring: 1/2/24 
Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (4/18/25)
Spring intake (8/1/25)
MS in Learning Design and Technology Hybrid Fall 2023: 9/5/23 
Spring 2024: 1/2/24 
Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (4/18/25)
Spring intake (8/1/25)
EdD in Educational Leadership Pre-K to 12 Traditional Fall: 9/5/23  Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (8/6/27)
EdD in Organizational Leadership Hybrid Fall: 9/5/23  Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (8/6/27)
EdD in Learning Technologies Hybrid Fall 2023: 9/5/23 Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (8/6/27)
PhD in Global Leadership and Change Hybrid Fall: 9/5/23  Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024: 8/2/24
Fall intake (8/6/27)
Psychology        
 MA in Psychology Traditional Fall 2023: 9/5/23 
Spring 2024: 1/2/24 
Summer 2024 
SSI: 4/29/24 
SSII: 6/17/24
Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024 
SSI: 6/14/24 
SSII: 8.2/24 
Fall intake (8/1/25)
Spring intake (12/19/25)
Summer intake (4/17/26)
MA in Psychology (Online Format) Online Fall 2023: 10/2/23 
Winter 2024: 1/8/24 
Spring 2024: 4/8/24 
Summer 2024: 7/8/24
Fall 2023: 12/17/23 
Winter 2024: 3/24/24 
Spring 2024: 6/23/24 
Summer 2024: 9/22/24
Fall intake (9/25/25)
Winter intake (12/18/25)
Spring intake (3/26/26)
Summer intake (6/25/26)
MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in
Marriage and Family Therapy (Daytime Format)
Traditional Fall 2023: 9/5/23  Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024 
SSI: 6/14/24
SSII: 8.2/24 
Fall intake (8/1/25)
MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in 
Marriage and Family Therapy (Evening Format)
Traditional Fall 2023: 9/5/23 
Spring 2024: 1/2/24 
Summer 2024 
SSI: 4/29/24 
SSII: 6/17
Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024 
SSI: 6/14/24 
SSII: 8.2/24 
Fall intake (8/7/26)
Spring intake (12/18/26)
Summer intake (4/16/27)
 MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in
Marriage and Family Therapy with Latinx Communities
Traditional Fall 2023: 9/5/23  Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024 
SSI: 6/14/24 
SSII: 8.2/24 
Fall intake (4/17/26)
MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in 
Marriage and Family Therapy (Online Format)
Online Fall 2023: 10/2/23 
Winter 2024: 1/8/24 
Spring 2024: 4/8/24 
Summer 2024: 7/8/24
Fall 2023: 12/17/23 
Winter 2024: 3/24/24 
Spring 2024: 6/23/24 
Summer 2024: 9/22/24
Fall intake (9/25/26)
Winter intake (12/18/26)
Spring intake (3/26/27)
Summer intake (6/25/27)
MS in Applied Behavior Analysis 18 Units Fall 2023: 9/5/23 Fall 2023: 12/15/23  Fall intake (12/19/25)
MS in Applied Behavior Analysis (Online Format) Online Fall 2023: 10/2/23 
Winter 2024: 1/8/24 
Spring 2024: 4/8/24 
Summer 2024: 7/8/24
Fall 2023: 12/17/23 
Winter 2024: 3/24/24 
Spring 2024: 6/23/24 
Summer 2024: 9/22/24
Fall intake (6/27/25)
Winter intake (9/19/25)
Spring intake (12/9/25)
Summer intake (3/27/26)
PsyD in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in
Marriage and Family Therapy
Traditional Fall 2023: 9/5/23  Fall 2023: 12/15/23 
Spring 2024: 4/19/24 
Summer 2024 
SSI: 6/14/24 
SSII: 8.2/24 
Fall intake (8/20/27)
  Caruso School of Law
Degree Programs Program Modality Program Start Date (Fall, Spring, Summer) 2023-24 Expected Completion Date (last day of classes in final term for each cohort)
Juris Doctor Traditional 8/14/23 5/17/24
LL.M. in Entertainment, Media & Sports Traditional 8/14/23 5/17/24
LL.M. in U.S. Law & Dispute Resolution Traditional Fall: 8/14/23
Spring: 1/8/24 Summer est. 5/20/24
Fall: 5/17/24, Spring: est. 7/27/24, Summer est. 12/13/24
LL.M. in U.S. Law Traditional Fall: 8/14/23
Spring: 1/8/24 Summer est. 5/20/24
Fall: 5/17/24, Spring: est. 7/27/24, Summer est. 12/13/24
LL.M. in International Commercial Law & Arbitration Traditional Fall: 8/14/23
Spring: 1/8/24 Summer est. 5/20/24
Fall: 5/17/24, Spring: est. 12/13/24, Summer est. 5/16/25
LL.M. in International Commercial Law & Dispute Resolution Traditional Fall: 8/14/23
Spring: 1/8/24 Summer est. 5/20/24
Fall: 5/17/24, Spring: est. 12/13/24, Summer est. 5/16/25
LL.M. in International Commercial Arbitration Traditional Fall: 8/14/23
Spring: 1/8/24 Summer est. 5/20/24
Fall: 5/17/24, Spring: est. 12/13/24, Summer est. 5/16/25
LL.M In Dispute Resolution Traditional Fall: 8/14/23
Spring: 1/8/24 Summer est. 5/20/24
Fall: 5/17/24, Spring: est. 7/27/24, Summer est. 12/13/24
Master of Dispute Resolution Traditional Fall: 8/14/23
Spring: 1/8/24 Summer est. 5/20/24
Fall: 5/17/24, Spring: est. 7/27/24, Summer est. 12/13/24
Online LL.M in Dispute Resolution Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23
Spring: 1/2/24 Summer: 4/29/24
Fall: 12/15/24 Spring: 4/27/25 Summer: 8/24/25
Online Master of Dispute Resolution Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23
Spring: 1/2/24 Summer: 4/29/24
Fall: 12/15/24 Spring: 4/27/25 Summer: 8/24/25
Online Master of Legal Studies Hybrid Fall: 8/28/23
Spring: 1/2/24 Summer: 4/29/24
Fall: 12/15/24 Spring: 4/27/25 Summer: 8/24/25