An international applicant is anyone who is not a United States citizen or permanent resident. If you fit this definition, please check the UW Graduate School information website for important information about admission and application requirements.

For SMEA application required documents and deadlines, please see the SMEA Admissions section.

Statement of Financial Ability

International applicants must be able to submit a statement of financial ability. This statement will be available upon submission of their application. The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs is not able to guarantee funding of international students.

Testing

GRE is not required for 2027.

Graduate School Policy 3.2.1 Graduate School Language Proficiency Requirements (for applicants applying for Autumn 2027 entry)

English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Proficiency at the level required for admission to the Graduate School by applicants that are not native speakers of English can be demonstrated in one of the following ways.

1. An earned and bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree (or an internationally recognized academic degree at the same level) from an accredited institution for which English was the medium of instruction.
   • Residency: For applicants using an English‑medium‑of‑instruction (MOI) degree to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement, the following residency conditions apply [Note: students that are non-native English speakers will be asked if they meet these residency requirements in the Graduate School application]:
     • For institutions located in an English-speaking country: The student must have been in residence in that country for the full duration of enrollment in the degree program.
     • For institutions located in countries where English is not the official or dominant language: The student must have been in residence on, or in close proximity to, the degree granting campus for the full duration of enrollment. Remote, distance, online, or primarily offsite enrollment does not satisfy the residency requirement.
   • Documentation: Official documentation from the applicant’s degree-granting institutions verifying that all instruction is in English (as described in the Graduate Admissions page) is required, except for degrees from accredited institutions in the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Canada, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, the United States, or the Virgin Islands.
2. Official English Language Test Score (sent electronically to the University of Washington via testing center). An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores. Test scores are valid for two years and must be valid on the date the application is submitted or on the date the program requests a deferral petition

3. Previous UW Graduate degree completion or previous admittance and current enrollment in a UW graduate program.

Requirements for students not meeting recommended scores.

• An admitted applicant who scores below the Recommended level will be required to satisfactorily complete one or two UW Academic English Program (AEP) courses to meet the ELP requirement. Enrollment in any required AEP courses must begin in the student’s first quarter [Note: additional fees apply].
• An admitted applicant who is required to take AEP courses ENGL 103 and ENGL 104 may fulfill this requirement during the summer before the start of their graduate program by successfully completing the Graduate School Preparation Program through the International & English Language Programs [Note: additional fees apply].

Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary work authorization that provides F-1 students with an opportunity for hands-on work experience related to their academic field of study. Students are eligible for up to 12 months of full-time practical training per degree level. In addition, because SMEA’s Master of Arts in Marine Affairs degree and the Concurrent Degree between the Jackson School of International Studies and SMEA are STEM Designated Degrees, graduates may be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. For additional information on F-1 benefits like OPT, please visit UW International Students Services’ website, iss.uw.edu.