Graduate Admission

To be considered for admission, you must meet both:

• General university eligibility requirements
• Any additional criteria set by your specific program

 General University Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree: A completed four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Academic Standing: Must be in good standing at your last institution
• Minimum GPA:
  • 2.50 cumulative GPA in your completed bachelor’s degree or
  • 2.50 GPA in the last 60 semester (or 90 quarter) units
• English Language Proficiency: Required if your degree was earned at a school where English was not the sole language of instruction

 Additional Requirements for Doctoral Programs

• Doctor of Audiology
• Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

 Additional Requirements for Second Bachelor’s Applicants

• Nursing BSN: Highly competitive. See Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing for full details
• Other 2nd bachelor’s programs: You must meet the program’s Major-Specific Admission Criteria

⚠️ Note: Admission is competitive. Meeting the minimum university requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Check your program’s admissions page for additional details.

Applying to Cal State LA as a graduate student involves two application layers - one to the University and, if required, one to the academic program. We’ve outlined the full process in 3 steps below.

 Step 1: Apply to the University through Cal State Apply

• Visit Cal State Apply and submit your application by the program’s deadline
• Check Admissions Deadlines for term-specific dates and availability
• Upload your unofficial transcripts as part of the Cal State Apply application
• For Fall admission: transcripts should include coursework through the preceding Fall term (typically ends in December)
• For Spring admission: transcripts should include coursework through the preceding Summer term (typically ends in August)
• You’ll receive a confirmation email once your application is submitted
• Need tips? Visit our Application Tips page

 Step 2: Submit a Supplemental Program Application (if required)

Some programs require a separate departmental application or materials in addition to Cal State Apply. These supplemental requirements must be submitted by the same deadline as the Cal State Apply application and may include:

• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statements or writing samples
• Test scores (e.g., GRE, GMAT)

To see if your program requires a supplemental application, check the Admissions Deadlines page and select your desired admission term.

 Step 3: Submit Academic Records and Supporting Documents

Within three weeks of submitting your Cal State Apply application, send all official academic transcripts and test scores to the Admissions Office.

• Visit Submitting Documents for mailing and electronic delivery instructions
• Some applicants may be asked to submit documents for California residency determination — see the Residency page for details
• If your degree was not earned at an English-only institution, submit official English language proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DuoLingo)
• English test scores are valid for two years from the exam date

 Not sure where to start?

• Explore program-specific requirements via the Graduate Studies site
• Browse all Degrees and Programs with links to departmental websites
• Refer to the University Catalog for curriculum details

 Applying for a Second Bachelor’s Degree?

Cal State LA currently accepts second baccalaureate applicants in the following programs:

• Aviation Administration BS (effective Spring 2024)
• Civil Engineering BS (effective Fall 2022)
• Communicative Disorders BA (effective Fall 2024)
• Electrical Engineering BS (effective Fall 2022)
• Mechanical Engineering BS (effective Fall 2022)
• Nursing BSN

Not all programs are open every term — visit the Admissions Deadlines page to see what’s available.

Want a printable version? Download the Graduate Application Process at a Glance (PDF).

We’ll notify you about your admission status by email - so make sure your contact info is up to date and check regularly!

•  Cal State LA uses email as the official means of communication with applicants.
•  Messages are sent to your preferred email address listed in your GET Student Center. Update it there if needed.
•  Add @calstatela.edu to your safe senders list to prevent emails from going to spam.

Also regularly check your GET To Do List to see if we’ve requested additional documents or steps to complete your application.

Admitted? Visit the Newly Admitted Graduate Students page for your next steps, deadlines, and helpful links.

 What if I’m not admitted?

If you're not offered admission, we hope you’ve also applied to other institutions so you have alternative options. You’re still building toward your future goals!