An international applicant is anyone who is not a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States at the time of application to the Chicago Booth School of Business. Here’s what you need to know about our requirements for international applicants seeking admission into the Stevens Doctoral Program.
The application for Fall 2025 will open in September. For more information about applying, see Application Process.
Applicants to Stevens Doctoral Program, regardless of citizenship, must either meet one of our waiver criteria (below) or submit proof of English language proficiency. Only the TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic tests are accepted as proof of proficiency. Please find more information related to fluency determination here.
To be considered for admission, you must have the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (or expect to receive one by the time you enter the program).
Chicago Booth reserves the right to review the academic records of all international applicants to determine whether their academic credentials from a non-US institution are comparable to a US bachelor’s degree.
Applicants holding only professional diplomas or higher certificates or members of professional associations such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants are not qualified to apply for admission unless they also hold recognized university degrees.
You must submit academic records (transcripts or mark sheets) with grading scales for each year of college or university education completed or in progress, as well as copies of degrees awarded. Records must provide information on the content and quality of your performance, courses taken each year, and grades received. Class rank should be noted whenever possible.
You must submit both original language records and official English translations. All translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records, and must be prepared or verified by someone whose position requires a knowledge of both English and the original language. All supporting materials must also be in English.
Please upload all required academic records to the online application system. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit official academic records and official copies of degrees awarded (and official English translations where applicable). Photocopies and facsimiles of the documents are not acceptable.
Applicants to Stevens Doctoral Program, regardless of citizenship, must either meet one of our waiver criteria (below) or submit proof of English language proficiency. Only the TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic tests are accepted as proof of proficiency.
There are two ways to receive a waiver from the proof of proficiency requirement:
Please do not email us regarding your qualifications for a waiver. If you meet the criteria, we will process the waiver after you have submitted your application.
Acceptable Tests
In order to meet the proof of proficiency requirement, students may submit either:
Validity
TOEFL
Internet-based (iBT): 100 overall score, no subsection requirements
IELTS
Overall score of at least 7, with sub scores of at least 7 each
Please have your TOEFL scores sent directly from the testing agency to the Chicago Booth Stevens Doctoral Program. The TOEFL code for our program is 1819.
Please contact the PhD Office with your IELTS TRF number.
Visa eligibility forms are issued upon admittance to the program. Depending on your nationality and particular circumstances, you will receive either the I-20 or the DS-2019 form. These forms enable you to obtain an F-1 or a J-1 visa, respectively, when presented to a US consul. You will need to verify financial support before a visa eligibility form can be issued. A financial resource statement will be sent upon admittance.
If you still have questions after reviewing our doctorate in business FAQ, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
Phone: 773.702.7298
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