Graduate Application and Admission

As you review the information below, please take note of the following:

• Applicants must apply via the online Cal State Apply application. For some tips on how to complete the application, visit our Application Tips webpage.
  • Unofficial academic transcripts must be uploaded as part of the Cal State Apply application. Please plan to have them readily available at time of university admission application submission.
• Admission to graduate/post-baccalaureate programs is a two-step process. Applications are reviewed by the Admissions Office and the Academic Program department. Applicants must meet both university and program admission criteria, which may include program-specific admission/entrance exams (e.g., GRE, GMAT, etc.).
• In addition to the Cal State Apply admission application, some Academic Programs also require a separate supplemental program application. Please plan ahead. Supplemental application materials are due by the same deadline as the Cal State Apply application. To view which programs require a separate supplemental application, visit the Admissions Deadlines webpage, and select the desired graduate admission term.

To qualify for admission to these programs, you must meet the general university admission requirements as well as the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards as determined by the specific graduate/post-bac program.

The general university minimum admission requirements are:

• Completion of a four-year Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to the start of the desired admission term;
• Good academic standing at the last college or university attended;
• Grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 in an acceptable earned Bachelor's degree (or a GPA of at least 2.5 (out of 4.0) in the last 60 semester (or 90 quarter) units attempted);
• Meet English Language Proficiency if the Bachelor’s degree was not earned at an accredited college/university where English is the only language of instruction.

For additional minimum CSU admission requirements for doctoral programs, visit the links below:

• Doctor of Audiology Programs
• Doctor of Education Programs
• Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs

Supplemental Criteria for 2nd baccalaureate applicants

• Nursing BSN programs: In addition to meeting the above general university post-baccalaureate admission requirements, Cal State LA Nursing programs are in very high demand and have specific admission requirements and application procedures. Please consult the Patricia A Chin School of Nursing (PACSON) for details.
• Other 2nd bachelor programs: In addition to meeting the above general university post-baccalaureate admission requirements, applicants must also meet the Major Specific Criteria for the desired program.

Be aware: Admission to Cal State LA graduate/post-bac programs may be competitive and meeting the above minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to a program. Please check with the individual program for details.

Applicants must submit the appropriate admission application(s) and related materials by the indicated deadline. Each program has their own departmental review process. Students recommended for admission by the department must meet the minimum university admission eligibility requirements to be offered admission to Cal State LA.

Be Aware: Provisional offers of admission made to applicants with a degree in-progress will be subject to verification of degree conferral on official transcripts. Admission offers will be withdrawn if degree verification is not provided by the requested deadline.

1. Apply online at Cal State Apply by the program deadline
2. For programs with separate supplemental applications, also submit the additional Supplemental Program Application by the stated application deadline
3. Submit official academic records/transcripts and other requested information to the Admissions Office

STEP 1: Apply online at Cal State Apply by the program deadline

Visit Admissions Deadlines for specific deadline information for your program of interest. Applicants must apply during the appropriate CSU filing period (starting August 1 for Spring admission; starting October 1 for Fall admission).

• To apply to Cal State LA, visit Cal State Apply.
• Unofficial academic transcripts must be uploaded as part of the Cal State Apply application. Please plan to have them readily available at time of university admission application submission. For Fall admission, transcripts should include coursework completed through the preceding fall term (usually ending in December). For Spring admission, transcripts should include coursework completed through the preceding summer term (usually ending in August).
• Once the application is submitted, we will send you a notification by email to acknowledge the receipt of your application.

STEP 2: For programs with separate supplemental applications, also submit the additional Supplemental Program Application by the stated application deadline

In addition to the Cal State Apply admission application, some Academic Programs also require a separate supplemental program application. Please plan ahead. Supplemental application materials are due by the same deadline as the Cal State Apply application. To view which programs require a separate supplemental application, visit the Admissions Deadlines webpage, and select the desired graduate admission term.

STEP 3: Submit official academic records/transcripts and other requested information to the Admissions Office.

In addition to the admission application(s), all supporting academic records (and if applicable, test scores) must be submitted to the Admissions Office within 3 weeks of Cal State Apply application submission. For Fall admission, transcripts should include coursework completed through the preceding fall term (usually ending in December). For Spring admission, transcripts should include coursework completed through the preceding summer term (usually ending in August).

Visit Submitting Documents for information about sending in your academic records and test scores to Cal State LA.

Additional documents may be required in certain circumstances:

• For purposes of determining California residency, some students may be required to submit additional documents. Review the Residency site for information regarding the establishment of California residency for CSU tuition purposes.
• If you do not possess a Bachelor's (or advanced) degree from a postsecondary college/university where English is the only language of instruction, you will need to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or DuoLingo English Test (effective Spring 2022) test scores to the Cal State LA Admissions Office. Be aware, scores are only valid for two years from exam date.

Cal State LA uses email as the official means of communication with applicants. Initial admission communications are sent to the email reported in the Cal State Apply application. Applicants are required to maintain a current email address on file with the University, and to check their email regularly.

Throughout the admissions process, the Office of Admissions and Recruitment will send communications to the "preferred" email address as indicated in your GET Student Center. You may update your email address at any time by visiting your Golden Eagle Territory (GET) Self-Service Student Center.

To help prevent these important emails from being flagged as spam/junk mail by your email provider, please mark the calstatela.edu domain as a safe sender in your email account.

Please also regularly check your email, and GET To Do list to see if additional information is needed to complete your application.

What if I am not offered admission to Cal State LA?

In addition to applying to Cal State LA, we hope you have considered applying to one or two other colleges so that you will have alternatives in the event that you are not offered admission.

Here are some important items to consider if you are offered admission and decide to attend Cal State LA:

Admitted Student Information: If you have already been offered admission, refer to the Information for Newly Admitted Graduate Students.

Submit your Final Transcripts: Final, official transcripts with Bachelor’s degree posted, as well as all post-baccalaureate coursework, must be submitted to the Admissions Office. For fall admission, the official final transcript with the posted degree must be submitted by September 1; for spring admission, the final transcript is due by February 1.

Financial Aid: Check out Financial Aid to explore the programs that can assist in making Cal State LA affordable. Be sure to review the application procedures and priority deadlines.

Campus Housing: Living on campus offers numerous opportunities for students to build lifelong friendships, develop as leaders and achieve academic success. We offer graduate student apartments that are a short walk to class, the University-Student Union, and various campus resources. To learn more, visit the Housing and Residence Life webpage.

Orientation, Advising, and Registration: Newly admitted graduate students will be contacted by their departments regarding orientation, advising, and registering for classes.

Click on the picture above for the Graduate Application Process at a Glance pdf.