How to Apply

Your GoSoka! account is your personal admissions hub — use it to upload documents, connect with your admissions counselor, schedule a virtual meeting, and receive status updates along with your admission decision.

Once your account is active, log in at go.soka.edu to upload required documents and monitor your checklist. It is important to ensure we receive your materials by the listed deadlines. Our Graduate Admission Timelines and Deadlines policies and guidance page will provide these details.

Everything listed below must be received by the February 15 deadline. Upload documents through your GoSoka! account after you apply.

• Application fee — A $30 (USD) nonrefundable application fee is required to submit the Soka Online Application. Payments can be made online through the applicant’s GoSoka! Account at go.soka.edu. Payments can also be mailed to the Admission Office. 
• Official transcripts — Applicants should request that all previous academic institution(s) send an official transcript covering all undergraduate studies (and graduate studies, if any) directly to the Office of Graduate Admission at Soka University of America.
  • Only official transcripts that are signed, stamped and sealed, or otherwise certified, by the issuing institution will be accepted. 
  • The applicant is responsible for ensuring complete, official transcripts are on file with the Office of Graduate Admission. 
  • Work in progress will be considered in fulfillment of requirements, and admission may be granted subject to the filing of final transcripts before enrollment, showing satisfactory completion of work in progress. 
• Two letters of recommendation — Ask two individuals who are qualified to evaluate your educational background and/or academic and professional achievement to complete a recommendation for you.
  • Recommendations are usually from the applicant’s former or current professors who are able to give an in-depth evaluation of the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses with respect to academic work. They should paint as full a picture of you as possible for the admission committee, saying how well and in what capacity they know you and frankly stating deficiencies as well as merits. They should provide a candid opinion of your ability to undertake graduate study and your potential for a career in educational leadership. 
  • Please ask your recommender's to use the official Reference/Recommendation Form provided by Soka University of America. Type or clearly print your name on each form and sign the waiver statement. Give each recommender the Reference/Recommendation Form and ask them to return the completed form directly to the Office of Graduate Admission in a sealed envelope. 
• Personal statement — Please write a brief statement in which you describe your ambitions, skills, experience, and why you have a passion for our MA program. The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to articulate your background/experience, past work in your intended field of study, your goals for graduate study and a professional career, experience, and any other information you feel is relevant or as it relates. 
• Resume or CV — A copy of your resume or CV is required. This document will outline your experiences and skills as they relate to the graduate program. 
• Academic writing sample — An academic writing sample is required for all applicants. This should be: 
  • A college-level research paper written for one of your classes 
  • A college-level research paper written or used as a graduation requirement (E.g., senior thesis) 
  • An independent research paper
  • The topic of the sample you submit is less important than the strength of the sample itself. The sample should clearly articulate your writing and research skills as a student. 
  • It is not necessary to include the grade or the instructor’s comments with your submission. 
• English proficiency — Any applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit either a TOEFL® iBT or Duolingo English Test score report. Soka University of America prefers a TOEFL® iBT minimum score of 100 or a Duolingo English Test minimum score of 130 (160 Scale). TOEFL iBT or Duolingo English Test must have been taken within the two years from the testing date.
  • All official test scores must be sent to Soka University of America’s Office of Graduate Admission directly from the testing agency. Student copies and self-reported scores are not accepted. 
  • The TOEFL® school code for Soka University of America is 4720. For Duolingo, please select “Soka University of America.” 
• Official GRE or MAT scores (optional) — Official GRE or MAT test scores are not required for admission consideration. For students who wish to provide official test scores, an official score report for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE®) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT®) taken within the past five years is required of all applicants. 
  • Official GRE® or MAT® scores must be sent directly to the Soka University of America’s Office of Graduate Admission. The GRE® school code for Soka University of America is 4720 and the MAT® school code is 3458. Student copies and self-reported scores are not accepted. 
  • For information about the test, the student should check the GRE® website or the MAT® website. 

Important Information:

* All materials received are subject to verification and validation for authenticity.

• Documents Not in English Policy
• Materials Received by Soka University of America Policy
• Graduate Admission Timelines and Deadlines policies and guidance
• Additional Admission Policies and Guidance

• Applicants can apply before receiving their final semester grades. 

• Applicants will need to either a) have completed a four-year bachelor's degree in the United States or equivalent; or b) will complete a four-year bachelor's degree in the United States or equivalent by July 8th in the year they are applying to.