International Students

As a global online university, CDU receives many applications each year from all over the world, and we understand the difficulties students may have in communicating with universities in a different country. Our goal is to make the admissions process as smooth as possible. Contact Admissions at 1.888.254.4238 ext 700 or admissions@cdu.edu to answer questions about special requirements for international students.

Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent

International students applying for a graduate degree at Catholic Distance University need the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. An official transcript must be submitted in an envelope sealed by the institution.

International students seeking admission must present an English evaluation (not just a translation) of their credentials. An English translation differs from an English evaluation in that the evaluation refers to the quality of the foreign school attended, the equivalency of the student’s coursework to the CDU undergraduate degree, and the equivalency of the student’s international scores into a U.S. equivalent grade There are several recognized agencies throughout the country that provide this service. It typically costs around $100.

English language proficiency and testing

Applicants whose native language is not English must provide verification of English proficiency by submitting the results of a standardized test that measures language proficiency. Exemptions are granted for students whose native language is English, or who have obtained a four-year undergraduate degree or a graduate degree from an accredited institution in the United States or other English-speaking countries.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Please see the chart below for the minimum TOEFL PBT (paper based test) and iBT (Internet based test) scores. Registration materials for these exams can be obtained from Educational Testing Service. Please have scores sent directly to CDU. Our TOEFL institutional code number is 6986. TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Please see the chart below for the minimum IELTS score. There is no department code or institutional code for CDU. Please have scores sent directly to Catholic Distance University. IELTS scores are valid for two years. Information about the IELTS exam can be found at the IELTS web site.

Minimum Test Scores
Test Type Undergraduate Applicant Graduate Applicant
TOEFL PBT
57
60
TOEFL iBT
61
71
IELTS
6.0
6.5