How to apply

For admission information and procedures, see students.asu.edu/graduate. Applications for all graduate degree, non-degree and certificate programs must be submitted via students.asu.edu/graduate/apply.

Prior to submitting an application to the Graduate College, applicants should review information regarding the degree program and academic unit application requirements and deadlines.

Application fee

Each application to an ASU graduate program must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee, payable by credit card at the time of submission. The application fee covers Graduate Education administrative costs of processing all applications and is not refundable under any circumstance.

  • Domestic application feel: $70
  • International application fee: $90

In addition to the normal application fee, a $50 nonrefundable late processing fee will be assessed for all applications submitted on or the application deadline. 

Applicants receive an email acknowledgment once the application has been successfully submitted. The acknowledgment includes an ASURITE ID and activation code so that students may follow the progress of their application through MyASU. Applicants should review MyASU to monitor their application status, “to-do” items, and “holds.”

Application deadlines

Complex Systems Science MS

Applications are reviewed for fall and spring acceptance only.

  • The deadline to apply for the fall semester: April 7
  • The deadline to apply for the spring semester: October 7

Biomimicry MS

Applications are reviewed for fall, spring, and summer acceptance.

  • The deadline to apply for the fall semester: July 7
  • The deadline to apply for the spring semester: December 7
  • The deadline to apply for the summer semester: April 7

For applicants who miss the deadline:

  • Complex Adaptive Systems: Completed applications are reviewed twice a year and can take 6-8 weeks for a decision. If the student applies past the deadline the unit will review the application for the following term.
  • Biomimicry:  While applications may be processed after the deadline, there are no guarantees that notice will be provided in time to enroll in that semester. If you miss the deadline, your application will be considered for the following semester.

Application requirements for graduate degree programs

The Complex System Science and Biomimicry graduate degree programs require 

  • an official application, 
  • a resume, 
  • a personal statement, 
  • official transcripts, and 
  • three letters of recommendation. 

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and may need to provide additional information (see below). 

Applicants must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended to Graduate Admissions (see addresses here). Applicants should consult the academic unit regarding program admission requirements prior to submitting an online application.

All application documents received by Graduate Admission Services become property of the ASU Graduate College and will not be returned.

Academic credentials

Applicants who attended school in the United States must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution in order to be eligible for admission. Applicants are required to provide proof that a bachelor’s or graduate degree was awarded before completion of their first semester of graduate studies at ASU.

Applicants who attended school outside of the U.S. must hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree or equivalent from an institution that is officially recognized by that country. If original credentials are issued in a language other than English, applicants must provide the original language transcripts as well as an official and literal translation. Applicants are required to provide proof that a bachelor’s or graduate degree was awarded before completion of their first semester of graduate studies at ASU.

Photocopied documents certified by a notary public are not official. For more information regarding official academic credentials, see students.asu.edu/graduate/apply. For additional information regarding official international academic credentials, see students.asu.edu/graduate/apply.

Applicants must have maintained a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate coursework.

Because ASU receives applications from many highly qualified students, some applicants may be denied admission for reasons not related to their academic performance, such as program capacity, mentor availability and program match, among others.

Additional international student requirements

Please consult the Graduate Admission Services websites at students.asu.edu/graduate and students.asu.edu/international/immigration for more information.

English language requirement

You must meet one of the following English language proficiency requirements.

Pass the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo English test.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
    Score of at least 80 on the TOEFL iBT® taken in a testing center. ASU does not accept TOEFL iBT® Home Edition, TOEFL iBT® Paper Edition, or TOEFL Essential Exams. ASU’s institutional code is 4007. ASU accepts only electronic copies of the TOEFL score report.
    Learn more about TOEFL.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
    ASU accepts IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, IELTS UKVI and IELTS Indicator exams Overall band score of the academic test of at least 6.5. The general training exam is not accepted. No institutional code is needed.
    Learn more about IELTS.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE)
    Score of at least 60. ASU does not accept the PTE Academic Online exam.
    Learn more about PTE.
  • Duolingo English test
    Graduate minimum score of 105.
    Learm more about the Duolingo English test.

The exam cost $49 (USD) and may be taken from any computer that has a camera, audio, and reliable internet. The exam portion of the Duolingo English test contains a series of speaking, reading, writing, and listening exercises. Following the exam, there will be an interview portion that will ask you to respond to various prompts in 30 to 90 seconds. The exam will take about 45 minutes to complete and you will need either a passport, driver’s license, or national or state ID to show the camera. The score results are generally received within a few days of exam completion.

For more information and other ways to demonstrate English proficiency go to: https://admission.asu.edu/international/graduate/english-proficiency

Graduate certificates

Students who are enrolled in a graduate degree program at Arizona State University may apply for a graduate certificate in Complex Adaptive Systems Science or Biomimicry to accompany their degree. Information about applying for graduate certificates can be found here. 

Graduate doctoral concentrations in Complex Adaptive Systems Science

PhD concentrations in Complex Adaptive Systems Science are offered in several graduate degree programs at Arizona State University. Application requirements are determined by each of those degree programs. More information about CASS concentrations and how to apply can be found here.  

Undergraduate certificates

Students who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at Arizona State University may apply for an undergraduate certificate in Biomimicry to accompany their degree. Information about applying for an undergraduate certificate can be found here. 

Post-baccalaureate non-degree programs

Applicants who do not immediately intend to pursue a graduate degree may apply as a post-baccalaureate student. More information about non-degree programs and how to apply can be found here.

The application process does not require the submission of academic credentials or test scores.

Non-degree applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s or graduate degree from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country.

Non-degree study may be restricted. Non-degree students may not be able to enroll in all courses offered.

Financial aid is not available to non-degree students.