Department of Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies

Access the California State University's graduate school application portal Cal State Apply, for admissions. The deadline to submit application materials for Fall 2023 is Tuesday, February 15, 2023 by 11:59 PM. Letter of recommendations are due by March 1, 2023. In addition to the Cal State Apply application, the department requires a supplemental section, a statement of purpose, answering a questionnaire, unofficial transcripts for academic work completed, and a minimum of two (2) faculty references (Recommendation letters). We do not require the GRE examination for consideration for admissions.

International students, please visit the International Graduate Application and Admissions webpage for more details.

After submitting the application, you will be required to submit the following:

1 . Official transcripts - Submit official academic records/transcripts and other requested information to the admissions office. Learn more about submitting documents.

2. International applicants - Submit official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE test scores, if you do not possess a Bachelor's (or advanced) degree from a postsecondary college/university where English is the only language of instruction. Read more about the english langauge proficiency requirements.

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

Academic Achievements: These include but are not limited to undergraduate (and, if applicable, graduate) GPA, instructors' written evaluations on performance in coursework, completed coursework in Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies and/or Ethnic Studies, academic awards, scholarships, or publications etc. GRE scores are not required. If your GPA falls below 2.75, please provide an explanation in your statement of purpose.

Statement of Purpose: The two-to-three-page single-spaced statement of purpose is a crucial component of your application and is required from all applicants. Please describe how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree.

In this section, you may also include any relevant information on the following: 1.) How you have come to understand the barriers faced by others, 2.) Your research or community organizing focusing on marginalized and underserved communities, 3.) Your leadership and/or skills developed among such groups, 4.) Your community and/or academic service to advance educational justice for individuals/groups that have been historically underrepresented in education, or 5.) How you have overcome barriers to access higher education.

Additionally, your statement should propose one or two related areas of interest you would like to pursue while a graduate student. This statement should make clear why Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies at Cal State LA is the ideal place for you to develop your project or purpose for graduate school. Feel free to also include any future career goals. For more information

visit /applyingtogradschools/personal-statement-advice If you are a Cal State LA student, we recommend you visit the Graduate Resource Center's Writing Support Program.

Letters of Recommendation: While it is at the discretion of the applicant to select individuals to write letters on their behalf, it is recommended that following letters writers be included in the application: 1. Provide two letters from people familiar with your academic performance, ideally from faculty. Letters from graduate student instructors (teaching assistants) and non-academic supervisors will also be considered. 2.We also accept one optional third letter from a volunteer or employer reference. 3. If you are a re-entry student without recent letters from professors, please explain your situation in your statement of purpose. Letter writers should have knowledge of the applicant's academic abilities and accomplishments. They should be familiar with applicant's ability to work with diverse groups and highlight any additional qualities that they believe are relevant to the applicant's preparation and suitability for graduate school.

Applicants should provide each letter writer a copy of their personal statement and any other relevant information which will enable the writer to submit a strong letter on their behalf. Lastly, it is the responsibility of the applicant to notify their letter writers through the on-line application system. Once applicants take this action, letter writers will receive an e-mail notification from CalStateApply.

Record of Community Service: The Admissions Committee takes into consideration an applicant's track record of serving various communities, such as student populations, marginalized groups, ethnic communities, etc.