Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, Idaho and is a great institution for students to continue their education career. At ISU, students learn from highly skilled faculty who are committed to student success and academic achievement. ISU's accreditation ensures students receive rigorous, intellectually challenging, and high-quality education.

Outside of classes, students benefit from living in a town close to many outdoor activities. Students do not have to travel far from campus to go rock climbing, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, or other recreational activities. In addition, Pocatello is close to multiple, highly-visited natural areas, such as Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Park, and Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Idaho State University offers over 100 graduate programs ranging from Art to Health Informatics to Civil Engineering. A full list of our graduate programs and graduate certificates can be found here.

Applicants applying as degree-seeking students must request that each institution at which they have taken any post-secondary work submit one official transcript (i.e., in a university sealed envelope) directly to the Graduate School. Faxed, emailed and electronic transcripts will not be accepted. All official transcripts must be mailed directly from the school and cannot be collected and mailed in by the student. Idaho State University undergraduate transcripts are available to the Graduate School and need not be forwarded by the applicant.

Non-degree seeking applicants must provide a transcript showing proof of degree.

Degree-seeking applicants must clearly indicate the graduate program desired on the application form.

GRE/GMAT/MAT scores must be submitted for degree-seeking applicants, as per the sliding GPA/Test Score admissions scale:

• 3.5+ No GRE/GMAT/MAT required
• 3.0-3.499 40th percentile in at least one area GRE (40th percentile MAT, GMAT)
•  2.5-2.999 combined (Verbal/Quantitative) minimum score 1000 (45th percentile MAT, GMAT)

Generally, students applying for admission to a doctoral program must hold a master's degree and must have received a 50th percentile or higher score in at least one of the aptitude sections (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing) of the GRE.

Some departments and doctoral programs have higher admission standards. 

Please contact the department you are applying to for more specific information about your program. Review individual departmental sections of the Graduate Catalog for additional requirements.

Graduate School Application:

To apply to the Graduate School, you may access the application portal.

If you have withdrawn, declined, or been denied admission to the Graduate School, you need to reapply to be reconsidered for admission.

Classified, Classified (with Performance Requirements) and Unclassified (Non-degree seeking). Students receive classified status if they earned a grade point average of 2.5 or higher for the last 60 credits taken at the undergraduate level. Classified with performance requirements is a transitional status. Students cannot graduate if they have a classified with performance requirement status. For more information on how to receive classified status, visit our Graduate School Admissions.

Non-degree seeking students must enroll in specific classes. Please see the Graduate Catalog for information on 5597 and 5598P courses. These two courses are also professional development courses. Students do not have to be admitted to the Graduate School to enroll. However, they must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution at the time they enter the class or receive permission from the Dean of the Graduate School if they are last semester seniors.

Yes. 3-year academic bachelor's degrees are evaluated individually and assessed relative to the Graduate School and department admission requirements.

The cost of attending Graduate School varies by residency status, full- or part-time status, and the number of credits enrolled. To receive an estimated cost of attendance, visit ISU's Division of Finance for the Graduate Tuition details.

Yes, orientation is a combination of online (required) and live/in-person (recommended) events. Login/online registration information is included with admission notification letters.

Campus tours can be scheduled here.

Yes, please see our International Students page for additional requirements. International students transferring from a school within the United States must be in status with Immigration and Naturalization Services to be issued I-20 form from Idaho State University. A transfer form will be sent after the application has been received, to be completed as verification of acceptable immigration status.

International students who have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States and whose language is not English must achieve satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System test (IELTS). Options for Satisfactory TOEFL requirements are Classified admissions are:

• Internet-based test: a total score of 80 with a score of 20 on each section (graduate assistants who teach courses must score 23 or above on the speaking section) on the iBT.
• Computer-based test: a total score of 213 with a score of 21 on section 1 (listening comprehension) on the computer test.
• A level 112 from the ELS Language Centers.

The International Programs Office (IPO) serves to enhance international students' stay in the USA, and particularly at ISU, by providing quality academic and regulatory advising. In addition, IPO seeks to provide international students with advice and documentation to maintain their legal status in the United States and helps international students adapt to the American education system.

ISU's Intensive English Institute (IEI) provides English language instruction for international students who wish to study in a comprehensive, academically rigorous program. All classes are taught by instructors with advanced degrees, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) credentials, and relevant experience.

An I-20 form is an immigration form required for international students wishing to enter the United States for graduate study. To receive an I-20 form, please visit the International Programs Office Document Request page.

GTA and GRA positions may be available for qualifying international students. Aside from GTA and GRA positions, ISU awards a limited number of non-resident tuition waivers (NRTWs) to select students based on academic merit. Your application to the graduate school will be considered as your application for the NRTW. Graduate student NRTWs are non-renewable awards, so students must reapply each year. Visit here for more information regarding the different types of NRTWs available to Graduate students.

Yes, international students may receive GTA and GRA positions. In order to qualify for such a position, international students must score a 6.5 or above on speaking test component of the IELTS.

Native American students have access to ISU's Native American Student Services (NASS). Here, the staff assist students with admission procedures, financial assistance, professional development, and academic support. visit their website or contact NASS at (208) 282-3382 or via email at nass@isu.edu for more information.

After the application paperwork is processed in the Graduate School, it varies somewhat by department and time of year. Typically, applicants receive a decision 2 to 4 weeks after they submit their applications.

While some programs have earlier and/or specific application deadlines, priority deadlines for applications to be completed and returned to the Graduate School are:

• April 1 for summer semester enrollment,
• April 1 for fall semester enrollment
• November 15th for spring semester enrollment

If you have questions on your application deadline, contact the department you are applying to for additional information.

You can track your application online via your online application process, or contact the Graduate School Admissions Clerk at (208) 282-2150.

All accepted and rejected applicants will receive a notification letter from the Graduate School via email. those who have been admitted will receive an Approval for Admission form.

Students who were previously admitted to the Graduate School are required to reapply and pay the application fee if they fail to enroll for over 2 years.

Students should fill out a deferment request form. This is a one-time request to defer their admission for up to six semesters (not including summers) after the semester they were offered admission.

Applicants applying as degree-seeking students must request that each institution from which they have taken any post-secondary work submit one official transcript (i.e., in a university sealed envelope) directly to the Graduate School. Idaho State University undergraduate transcripts are available to the Graduate School and need not be forwarded by the applicant.

Non-degree seeking applicants must provide a transcript showing proof of degree. Please see additional requirements for degree-seeking, last semester seniors, and international students under those headings in the Graduate Catalog.

GPA is calculated based on the last 60 credits (90 quarter credit hours), using complete semesters of undergraduate coursework.

The applicant will need to request current official transcripts from these universities be sent to the Graduate School. Applicants do not need to request Idaho State University transcripts be sent to the Graduate School.

Supporting materials are held by the Graduate School until the application file is complete. Completed application files are forwarded to departments for evaluation.

Fax documents are typically not considered official.

Idaho State University uses a sliding GPA/Test Score scale:

• 3.5+ No GRE required
• 3.0-3.499 40th percentile in at least one of the area GRE (40th percentile MAT)
• 2.5-2.999 combined (Verbal/Quantiative) minimum score 300 (45 percentile MAT)

Some departments and doctoral programs have higher admission standards. Generally, students applying for admission to a doctoral program must hold a master's degree and must have achieved at least the 50th percentile in one of the aptitude sections (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing) of the GRE. The GRE/MAT/GMAT scores are also used for other graduate purposes (e.g., NRTW awards, assistantships, etc.).

To register for the GRE/GMAT/MAT, contact the Idaho State University Counseling and Testing Center at (208) 282-2130. Use code 4355 to send your test scores. Specific departmental codes may vary and are available from the Counseling and Testing Center.

Yes, the Graduate School will accept the highest GRE/MAT/GMAT score submitted.

GRE, MAT, and GMAT scores are valid for five years.

Applicants must include a $55 non-refundable application fee with each application form. Students who do not pay the required application fee will not be processed for admission. The application fee may be paid by check, payable to Idaho State University and submitted with the application; or by credit card. To pay by credit card, call the University Cashier's Office at (208) 282-2900.

While there is no designated graduate housing, graduate students are given priority at all ISU on-campus apartments. Visit ISU's Housing for more information on apartment living. If you are not interested in living on campus, there are various off-campus housing options close to ISU's campus. We encourage you to search through Zillow, Truila, and other online listings. You may also learn about housing options by talking to other students, looking at bulletins, and searching the classified ads section in the Idaho State Journal.