Students come to Lesley with a desire to make a difference; they leave prepared to impact the world. We seek students who demonstrate the creativity, knowledge, and skills that will allow them to thrive and achieve success in our academic programs, art studios, on-site at internships, and in study abroad opportunities throughout the world.
We admit qualified students regardless of race, religion, gender identity, gender expression, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Students may be accepted to the college for full-time or part-time study. In any given semester, a full-time student carries a minimum of twelve credit hours, with most students taking an average of fifteen credits per semester.
First-Year Students
Students may apply to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Art and Design, or both! We offer two admissions programs. The Early Action program serves students who wish to receive an early, non-binding admissions decision; the application deadline is December 1st. The Regular Admission program is available to students who submit their application by the preferred deadline of February 15. Lesley uses the Common Application exclusively. All first-year students must submit a completed application along with the following:
- an official copy of the high school transcript, HiSet, or GED. The high school transcript may be sent electronically through Naviance or the Common Application
- one teacher recommendation – we will accept up to two
- one counselor recommendation / Secondary School Report
Standardized Testing
- Lesley University is “test optional”
- Applicants to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Art and Design, or applicants to both undergraduate colleges do not need to submit SAT/ACT test scores.
- The SAT/ACT is also optional for international applicants
Portfolios
- Students applying to BFA programs in the College of Art and Design must submit a digital portfolio of 12-20 pieces.
College level coursework
If you are dually enrolled in college coursework or simply taking some college level classes, you may submit official college transcripts electronically through a variety of secure sites such as, but not limited to; Parchment, Credential Solutions, E-Scrip Safe, Clearinghouse, Naviance/Common Application, JST Services.
Successful candidates will be on track to graduate from high school or a program of home-schooled study with a total of at least 20 college-prep units including: 4 units of English; at least 3 units of math (must include Algebra II); at least 3 units of history/social science (must include U.S. History); and at least 3 units of science with a minimum of 2 lab courses. We strongly recommend that students take a fourth year of math, science, social science, and at least two years of a foreign language. Although not required, interviews or portfolio reviews are strongly encouraged.
Academic performance, rigor of curriculum, strength of portfolio, demonstrated motivation, along with commitment to community engagement form the basis of all admissions decisions. Students offered admission for Fall 2019 presented, on average, an academic cumulative GPA of 3.4 based on a 4.0 scale, where A = 4.0 or on a numeric scale where A = 93-100, with 60 considered passing.
We reserve the right to deny admission to any candidate determined by the Admissions Committee to be inadequately qualified to undertake Lesley's program of study.
Admissions decisions are "need blind," made without consideration as to whether a student is applying for financial assistance. Guaranteed merit-based scholarships are available for both first-year and transfer students at the point of admission.
Transfer Students
A student who has completed secondary education and has matriculated into a degree program at another college or university may apply as a transfer student. The maximum number of credit hours that may be transferred into the College of Liberal Arts and Sci
ences is 90 credits. The maximum number of credits that may be transferred into the College of Art and Design is 66 credits.
Students must apply online using the Common Application for Transfer Students. All transfer applicants must submit a completed application along with the following credentials:
- official secondary school transcript or high school equivalency (GED or HiSet). Applicants with more than 60 earned college-level credits are waived from this requirement.
- official college transcript from each institution previously attended. Transcripts may be submitted electronically through a variety of secure sites such as, but not limited to; Parchment, Credential Solutions, E-Scrip Safe, Clearinghouse, Naviance/Common Application, JST Services. Transcripts may be sent to Lesley University Undergraduate Admissions in a sealed envelope mailed directly from an institution’s Registrar’s Office.
- a recommendation from one college professor / the College Instructor Academic Evaluation
- students who have earned college credit from an institution outside of the U.S. must have their transcripts translated by a credential evaluation service, notarized, and forwarded to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Agencies include: World Education Services; the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
As a general rule, accepted transfer students present a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade point average in previous college-level work.
Students applying to transfer into a BFA program within the College of Art and Design must submit a digital portfolio of 12-20 pieces with first-year foundation studio skills clearly demonstrated along with an artist statement.
Bachelor's Degree Completion Programs Taught on the Cambridge Campus
Admissions Requirements:
Application instructions are online at https://www.lesley.edu/admissions-aid/how-to-apply/transfer-adult-degree-completion-programs
Required documentation:
- High School Transcript/G.E.D. or HiSet
- Applicants with less than 60 earned college credits must submit an official high school transcript or an official copy of their Graduate Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D. or HiSet). Transcripts must be original documents bearing the official high school stamp and date of graduation. Documents must be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in envelopes sealed by the granting institution or submitted electronically through a variety of secure sites.
- Students with academic credentials from outside the US must submit a translated, official, notarized, course-by-course evaluation.
- College-level Coursework. Submit official transcripts of all college-level coursework. Transcripts must be:
- Conferred by regionally accredited colleges or universities.
- Original documents bearing the official institutional stamp.
- Sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in envelopes sealed by the sending institution, or submitted electronically through a variety of secure sites such as, but not limited to; Parchment, Credential Solutions, E-Scrip Safe, Clearinghouse, Naviance/Common Application, or JST Services.
- Students with academic credentials from outside the US must submit a translated, official, notarized, course-by-course evaluation.
- NOTE: Catalog course descriptions from granting institutions may be required prior to credits being successfully transferred to Lesley University.
- Written Personal Statement; 250-500 words. This may be waived by the Admissions Counselor or Academic Advisor pending an interview, conversation, or pre-advising meeting,
- Proof of English Language Proficiency is required for all applicants whose native language is not English.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions works with students to complete their application file. Once all admissions requirements are met, the completed application is then presented to the Admissions Committee for review. Admitted students are assigned a professional Academic Advisor in the Center for the Adult Learner. The Academic Advisor will review prior learning experience and discuss the student's goals. Up to 90 transfer credits may be applied toward Lesley’s campus-based/hybrid 120-credit degree programs. Students may also earn up to 45 transfer credits (which are counted towards the maximum allowable 90 transfer credits) by documenting college-level knowledge gained via life and work experience, through our Prior Learning Assessment course (PLA). Our full-time academic advisors work with students from initial degree planning through to graduation!
Community College Partnerships
Lesley University partners with local community colleges to provide pathways to bachelor’s degree completion. Associate’s degree holders from specific local community colleges can transfer their 60 earned credits into a corresponding bachelor’s degree program offered by Lesley University and taught online, at Lesley University’s Cambridge campus, or on select community college campuses.
Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs on the Bunker Hill Community College Campus
Lesley University offers four bachelor’s degree completion programs on the Bunker Hill campus:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies, non-licensure program
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
*Certificate in Child Homelessness—students in any of the majors listed above, or students in any program on the Cambridge campus, may also pursue this 15-credit certificate program, as part of their degree plan.
Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs at the DeMello International Center in New Bedford, MA
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program on the campus of Urban College of Boston
- Bachelor of Science Studies, in Early Childhood non-licensure program
Admissions Requirements:
- Students interested in pursuing one of Lesley University’s degree completion programs at Bunker Hill CC or the DeMello International Center in New Bedford, MA, should have completed, or are in the process of completing, a corresponding associate’s degree program at either Bunker Hill Community College or another Community College (lesley.edu/bunker-hill/new-students). Students interested in pursuing the BS in Early Childhood Studies non-licensure program on the campus of Urban College of Boston should have completed an Associate’s degree from Urban College of Boston.
- Students must have a 2.5 or higher cumulative academic grade point average (GPA) in their associate degree
- Apply online at lesley.edu/admissions-aid/how-to-apply/undergraduate-programs
- Send all official community college transcripts to: Office of Undergraduate Admissions Lesley University 29 Everett Street Cambridge, MA 02138. Electronic transcripts are also accepted through a variety of secure sites such as, but not limited to; Parchment, Credential Solutions, E-Scrip Safe, Clearinghouse, Naviance/Common Application, JST Services.
- By earning your Associate’s Degree, you should have completed 60 college-level courses and therefore will not need to submit an official high school transcript or GED/HiSet
- If any college credits are earned in an institution outside the U.S., please have the official transcript translated with a course by course description completed.
Admitted students with an associates degree will receive 60 transfer credits toward their 120-credit Lesley bachelor’s degree (transfer credit decisions are based on Lesley’s transfer policies). Additional transfer credits may be considered on an individual basis. International students will need to submit the materials listed in the section “International Students.”
Transfers between the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), Lesley Art and Design (LA+D), and degree completion programs advised by the Lesley Center for the Adult Learner (LCAL)
Students who wish to transfer from LA+D to CLAS or vice versa should first meet with their academic advisor to clarify their academic status, transcript, and rationale for transferring. They then petition the Dean of the school to which they wish to transfer. If approved, the student is referred to the appropriate Director of Academic Advising to complete the process.
Traditional CLAS students who wish to transfer to LCAL should first meet with their academic advisor to clarify their academic status, transcript, and rationale for transferring. They must then petition the Assistant Vice President for Adult Learning (AVP). Upon approval, the student is referred by the AVP to the appropriate academic advisor or coach (this includes professional advisors in 13 Mellen, Bunker Hill CC advisor, or THLH/eLIS) and/or Division Chair.
LCAL students who wish to transfer to CLAS traditional status should first meet with their academic advisor or coach to clarify their academic status, transcript, and rationale for transferring. They should then petition the CLAS Director of Academic Advising. Upon approval, the student is assigned to the appropriate Division Chair and/or academic advisor.
Online Programs
Lesley University offers select majors online. These majors include:
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:
- BS, Business Management
- BS, Human Services
- BA, Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Humanities
- BA/BS, Liberal Studies
- BA, Psychology
College of Art and Design:
- BS, Design for the User Experience
Please refer to the department sections in the catalog for specific degree requirements.
To apply for an online program, students will need:
- To follow application instructions: https://www.lesley.edu/admissions-aid/how-to-apply/undergraduate-programs
- Official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended
- High school transcript (unless you are transferring at least 60 credits)
- Personal statement
- Résumé
International Students
International applicants must apply by and meet the same deadlines as U.S. first-year or transfer students for January or September.
In addition to the credentials required for first-year and transfer applicants, an international student must also submit proof of English proficiency. To ensure a student’s ability to participate successfully in the Lesley curriculum, students whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency through one of these five options:
- Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80 on the internet-based test is required. Equivalencies include: a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test). The Lesley University code for TOEFL is 3483.
- Official IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 or higher is required. To submit IELTS scores, contact the center where you took the test and request an official Test Report Form be sent to Lesley.
- Official Cambridge English Exam. Take the Cambridge English Exam at the "Advanced" level and achieve a score of "C1".
- Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 150.
- ESL Program Partnerships in Boston
We have partnered with five English Language Schools in Boston where you can attain English proficiency and satisfy the English language requirement for our programs. You must provide proof of successful completion of one of the programs, and a letter of reference from the program coordinator or teacher in support of your English capabilities at the college level.
- ASC English in Boston
Successful completion of "Level 5"
- Boston International Academy
Undergraduate Applicants: Successful completion of "High Advanced I Level 4"
- Embassy English
Successful completion of "Level C1"
- English Language Centers in Boston
Undergraduate Applicants: Successful completion of "Advanced Level"
- FLS International
Successful completion of "Level 15"
- Applicants who graduate from high school, secondary school, pathway programs or associate’s degree programs taught in English may qualify to have the English proficiency requirement waived. If this is not noted on your transcript, please request a letter from your school, college, or university stating that English was your language of instruction.
Financial aid is not available for international students; however, international students may be considered for merit scholarships. Admitted students who intend to enroll must submit a certification of finances from a bank stating that sufficient funds are available to cover the cost of a Lesley education.
An I-20 form, which is required for obtaining a U.S. student visa, will be provided after the student has been accepted and has submitted both the certification of finances and the required enrollment deposit signifying their intent to enroll. The certification of Finances must be dated and submitted no earlier than three months prior to the start of the student’s first semester so as to be a current reflection of funds.
Home-Schooled Students
In addition to the other application requirements, home-schooled students must present the admissions committee with either a degree from an accredited secondary school, or successfully complete a state secondary school equivalency examination (GED or HiSET), or demonstrate they have met the requirements of their home state with respect to graduation.
Part-time Degree Students
Part-time degree students apply for admission in the same manner as full-time students, and are subject to the same admissions policies.
Reactivated Applications
Any student who applied to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or Lesley Art & Design previously but did not enroll is able to reactivate his/her file within two years of the original date of application. This means that a student does not have to resubmit all the necessary documentation since the original application is still on file. We suggest that a student have a personal interview with a member of the admissions staff. During that conversation we will determine if any additional information is necessary.
Admission Decisions
Admitted:
This category grants the applicant admission by means of an official letter of acceptance. Admission permits the applicant to enroll as a degree candidate. Formal admission is contingent upon successfully meeting all admissions criteria.
Traditional full-time students admitted with an underload of four courses:
Based on review of an applicant’s work in the classroom, and to ensure success in a student’s transition to Lesley, the Admissions Committee may recommend that a student be admitted but enroll with an underload of four courses in their first semester.
Conditionally Admitted:
Applicants who are conditionally admitted must meet the condition(s) as stated in their letter of admission. If they fail to meet the condition(s), they may not be allowed to enroll, will not be allowed to continue in their program, or graduate from Lesley University.
NOTE: International students who meet all academic criteria for admission but have not yet met the University’s English Language proficiency requirement may be admitted with the condition of demonstrating and meeting our English language proficiency requirement. A student has up to one full year to meet the requirement, options for doing so are listed in the "International Students" section above.
Not Admitted:
Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria will receive an official letter of notification. Applicants who have been denied admission must wait one year before reapplying for admission.
Deferred Admission:
Accepted applicants can defer their start term to most programs for up to one year by submitting an Enrollment Contract and deposit where a deposit is required. All accepted applicants will have their documents retained in the Office of Admissions for twelve (12) months. An accepted applicant who fails to enroll within one year is required to submit a new application, and supporting materials. Applicants must keep the Office of Admissions informed, in writing, of their plans for enrollment.
Visiting Students
We welcome students who have already begun their college careers and who wish to study at Lesley as full-time non-matriculating students for either one or two semesters. In order to continue at Lesley for more than two semesters, a visiting student must complete the transfer application process and be formally admitted into a degree program. To be considered as a visiting student, applicants must complete the Visiting Student Application lesley.edu/visiting-students and submit the following credentials:
The preferred deadline for admission as a visiting student for the Fall semester is May 1; the preferred application deadline for visiting students interested in joining us for the Spring semester is December 1. Applications will continue to be accepted after these dates on a space-available basis. Visiting students are not eligible for financial aid
Part-time Non-matriculating Students
Students interested in taking coursework on a part-time basis and who are not, at that point, working toward a Lesley degree, should contact the Academic Advising Office in each undergraduate college to discuss course selection, availability, and pre-requisites. Once a course or courses are determined by both the Academic Advisor and student to be an appropriate fit, and if a course has the capacity to accomodate a part-time non-matriculating student, the student may then contact the Registrar's Office to enroll in the course/courses. A part-time non-matriculating student may take up to 15 credits at Lesley University. If a non-matriculated student wishes to take more than 15 credits, the student must initiate an application for admission to a degree program.