How to Apply - International Students

Charting Your Course to Lesley 

As an international student at Lesley University, you can earn your bachelor’s or graduate degree, a post-baccalaureate certificate, or stay short-term through an exchange program. Whatever path you choose, we’ll ensure your transition to life in the U.S. is seamless, your credits efficiently integrated, and that your academic journey is clearly defined.

Application Requirements for International Students

In addition to the standard application requirements for your intended program of undergraduate or graduate study, as an international prospective student you must complete an additional series of steps, as outlined below.

Notarized Translation of Your Transcript 

Have your school counselor or principal send us your official high-school transcript. We’ll need original documents. If your transcript is not in English, provide a notarized translation of it.

  • If you did not complete high school, but took the GED or HiSET instead, submit an official copy of your test results to show you passed.
  • If you earned any college credits during high school, send us official transcripts for that coursework as well.

​​​Your official, final transcript needs to arrive at our Undergraduate Admissions Office unopened and have: 

  • Your date of graduation
  • School official’s signature
  • Seal affixed to the envelope

We also accept electronic transcripts through secure sites such as: 

English Language Proficiency 

We want you to be successful in your program. If your native language is not English, we require that you provide proof of your English proficiency. 

You can show your proficiency in one of these ways: 

We have partnered with several language schools to help you meet the English requirement. Complete the curriculum at one of the schools, at the specified level.
Then, get a letter from the program coordinator or teacher. The letter should explain that your English is proficient for college-level study.

Here are our partner schools and levels we require:

Notarized Translation of Your Transcript 

Have each institution where you earned an undergraduate or graduate degree send us your official transcript.

  • If your transcript is not in English, provide a notarized translation of it.
  • If you’re enrolled in a degree program when you apply, submit your transcript of the courses you’ve taken to date. Submit your final official transcript once you’ve completed the degree program.

Your transcripts need to be: 

  • Conferred by regionally accredited colleges or universities
  • Original documents bearing the official institutional stamp
  • Received by Graduate Admissions Services in envelopes sealed by the sending institution, or sent electronically directly from the institution

Send transcripts to: 

appstatus@lesley.edu

OR

Lesley University
Graduate Admissions
29 Everett Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 

Foreign Academic Credentials Evaluation 

A credential evaluation helps us understand the courses you’ve taken, the grades you’ve earned, or the degree you’ve received from an institution outside the United States.

  • Get an independent credential evaluation of your transcripts to determine U.S. equivalency.

You’ll need a document-by-document evaluation. Exception: Expressive Therapies master's degree programs require a course-by-course evaluation instead. 

  • Evaluation Agencies -- Contact one of these agencies to get your credentials evaluated:
    • World Education Services
    • Center for Educational Documentation
    • Educational Credential Evaluators Inc.
    • Global Credential Evaluators

If you’re submitting a foreign academic credential evaluation, unofficial transcripts are acceptable for your transcript requirement if official transcripts were provided to the evaluation agency. 

English Language Proficiency 

We want you to be successful in your program. If your native language is not English, we require that you provide proof of your English proficiency. 

You can show your proficiency in one of these ways: 

  • Option 1 - Duolingo English Test
    • We require a minimum score of 105 on this test.
  • Option 2 - TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
    • Minimum score of 80 on the Internet test.
    • Submit your score. Use Lesley University’s CEEB code: 3483.
  • Option 3 - IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
    • A score of 6.5 or higher
    • Contact the center where you took the test. Request that they send your official Test Report Form to Lesley University.
  • Option 4 - Official Cambridge English Exam
    • C1 Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English)
    • C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English)
  • Option 5 - English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Partnerships 
    We have partnered with several language schools to help you meet the English requirement. Complete the curriculum at one of the schools, at the specified level. 
    Then, get a letter from the program coordinator or teacher. The letter should explain that your English is proficient for college-level study.

Here are our partner schools and levels we require:

To see the general application requirements, deadlines, and prerequisites for your intended undergraduate or graduate program, click below: 

At Lesley University, we’re committed to preparing students to become the world’s best practitioners in the fields of education, mental health and well-being, art and design, and liberal arts and business. Deep professional partnerships are a crucial part of how we deliver on that promise, and our Scholar Partner Program is how we make these partnerships real for our students, from day one, and the organizations who depend on them.

Learn more about our Scholar Partner Program

Questions? Contact Our Admissions Team 

If you have any questions as you work throughout the application process, please reach out to our ​​Admissions Counselors who can assist you and provide additional information.

Mailing Address 

Lesley University
29 Everett Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

Phone, Email, and Documents 

617-349-8300 
admissions@lesley.edu

Take the next step

Ready to begin your journey with Lesley? ​Share some basic information by filling out one of the forms below so that we can reach out to you with more information about our programs. Or, email admissions@lesley.edu to connect with a member of our admissions team.

Undergraduate Inquiry Form  |  Graduate Inquiry Form  |  Threshold Inquiry Form