Graduate Required Documents

The Graduate School processes and evaluates graduate applications according to admission standards set by the Graduate Council.

Step 1. Application to OSU-Cascades

All admissions application forms are available online.

The current application fee is $75 for domestic applicants and $85 for international applicants. Fee waivers are available but must be completed before your application is submitted. An individual application and fee is required for each application submitted. Applying for multiple graduate majors requires multiple applications and fees.

Materials such as transcripts and letters of recommendation should be mailed or emailed to the OSU-Cascades Enrollment Services:

admit@osucascades.edu

OSU-Cascades
Enrollment Services
1500 SW Chandler Avenue
Bend, Oregon 97702

Transcripts

Please send:

  1. Official transcripts from all previous academic work, undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate and must be issued by the school and arrive directly in our office in an unopened envelope. Electronic transcripts are acceptable and must come directly from the school to admit@osucascades.edu.

    Note: Current and former Oregon State University students do not need to provide OSU transcripts. Transcripts for additional coursework completed and/or degree earned at another institution must be provided at the time of application.

  • Please provide academic records from each institution attended, showing graded course work for all academic work attempted or completed.
  • Please provide the front and back of each record if information is included on both sides. Grade slips and/or web-printouts are not acceptable.
  • If the institution is outside the United States, both an original language version and certified English translation of all academic records and degree statements are required. Please include certificates/diplomas for all degrees earned.

Step 2. Requirements of your program of study

Application requirements vary by program. The processing of your application will not be completed until your program receives all the required documents.

For specific instructions review requirements for Graduate Programs.

Graduate admissions generally requires the following:

  1. A statement of objectives and particular fields of interest. This is normally completed as part of the on-line application.
  2. Three letters of professional reference are required of all students. Letters of reference are submitted through our on-line system, and reference requests are sent out through the on-line application. Letters of reference must be received directly from the recommender, and will not be accepted from the student.
  3. Certain departments and programs may require official test scores (example: Praxis, CBEST, etc).

Contact your proposed program if you have any questions regarding the letters of professional reference, or other program requirements.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

  • I am a current/former OSU student. Do I need to send OSU transcripts?
    No, OSU-Cascades Enrollment Services has access to your records. However, transcripts for additional coursework completed and/or degree earned at another institution after OSU must be provided.
  • If I am a permanent resident of the U.S. but have lived abroad most of my life, do I need to submit TOEFL scores?
    If your native language is not English, you need to submit language proficiency scores. The requirement is not based upon country of citizenship or residency.
  • Can I wait and turn in my financial documents until after an admission decision has been made?
    Yes, we do not need your financial documents when making preliminary admission decision.  However, your financial documents are required for official admission.  
  • Can you let me know what the status of my application is?
    Please follow the directions on this page: Log In to check the status of your application online. If your questions are not resolved, please contact us by email at admit@osucascades.edu
  • Can I send transcript before I complete an application form?
    Yes, we can quickly match your application and transcripts if the application arrives first. Make sure to include all previous last names on your application.
  • Where do I send my TOEFL or other test scores?
    Official TOEFL and other test scores should be sent by the testing agency. Use institution code 4586 to have score sent to OSU-Cascades. If you are sending paper copies of unofficial scores, please use the mailing address above. Electronic copies can be uploaded into your application.

Letters of Reference/Recommendation

  • Is a letter of professional reference the same as a letter of recommendation?
    The terminology refers to the same thing in most cases, but please refer to the specific instructions given by your proposed major/program web site.
  • Do I send three or four letters of recommendation?
    The minimum number of letters of professional reference is three.
  • Who qualifies as a professional reference?
    Letters of recommendation should come from faculty because they are in the best position to assess your ability to do academic work. Other professional references may be compelling if the work experience is directly related to the graduate field of interest and/or has provided a specialized skill set necessary to be competent in the field. Letters from non-faculty contacts may be relevant if there has been a significant lapse in time since you completed your prior degree.
  • Is there a letter form to complete?
    Yes, you will send a reference request via the online application and your recommender will receive a request email. They will submit their recommendation directly to us per the instructions in the email.
  • Do they (the writer) mail it in or can I send it with my application material?
    You can have the professional reference sent through the online application request, or they can email their reference directly to us at admit@osucascades.edu
  • Does OSU-Cascades contact writers to ask for letters? Or should I?
    You must obtain the letters of professional reference. OSU-Cascades will not ask for them.
  • Do I send them to each department to which I am applying?
    If you are applying for more than one program/major you will need to send letters of reference to each department.
  • Where do I send the letters?
    To the mailing address above (top of page).
  • I put 3 references in the on-line application but I wish to add a 4th. How would I do that?
    You can send additional letters of professional reference to admit@osucascades.edu
  • I applied on-line. Can I send my reference letters electronically?
    Yes, please have your references email their letters directly to admit@osucascades.edu.