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Graduate Programs

What graduate programs are offered at CSULB?

You are considered a graduate applicant if you hold a Bachelor's degree and wish to pursue a specific field of study that will lead to a Master's degree or a Doctoral degree. Visit Graduate Studies and the University Catalog for information about the variety of Master's programs and the three Doctoral programs offered at CSULB. Applicants must apply to a specific Master's degree or Doctoral program and meet the academic requirements of the program. If you wish to take classes for enrichment or to prepare for entry into a degree program, you can explore enrollment through the College of Continuing and Professional Education.

How do I qualify for graduate admission?

To qualify for admission to a Master’s or Doctoral program, you must meet the general university admission requirements for graduate standing as well as the professional, personal, scholastic and other standards as prescribed by the program. You can use the Graduate Studies site to link to information about these requirements as well as contact information for the various programs.

The general university minimum requirements for graduate standing consideration are:

  • Complete a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution by the end of  the summer term prior to Fall enrollment and the end of the Fall semester for Spring enrollment.
  • Be in good standing at the last college or university you attended.
  • Meet the minimum GPA requirements for admission to the university. This can be met in any of the following ways:
    • Hold an advanced degree
    • Hold a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
    • Hold a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units you attempted, excluding lower-division and/or extension coursework attempted after the baccalaureate degree.
    • Students in the process of completing a baccalaureate degree may be admitted on a provisional basis, subject to proof of degree completion, if their cumulative GPA is at least 2.7 or if the GPA in their last 60 semester or 90 quarter units are calculated at a 2.5 or higher. An official transcript showing degree completion must be submitted or the offer of admission will be withdrawn.

How do I apply for graduate admission?

You begin the process by submitting a Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate Admissions Application along with the $55 nonrefundable application fee on-line via CSUMentor. Be aware that the CSU does not offer application fee waivers for graduate applicants. CSULB graduates or candidates must reapply to the University under the same conditions and deadlines as all other students. We will send you a notification by email to acknowledge receipt of your application. During peak periods of application processing, it may take one to two weeks for acknowledgement notices to be sent.

In addition to the University application, some programs require supplemental applications or information. You must check with the program for specific information on these requirements. You can use the Graduate Studies site to link to the program websites.

Applicants must submit one set of official transcripts from each college or university attended. Official transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope to: Enrollment Services/Admissions, CSU Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840. Only one set of official transcripts is required and they must be sent directly to Enrollment Services.

CSULB applicants are required to maintain a current email address on file with the university and to check their email regularly, as the university uses email as the official means of communication. You may update your email address or check the status of your admissions application by visiting the application status web page at: www.csulb.edu/applicationstatus. You will need your 9 digit campus identification number when you log in. This number can be found on the upper right corner of your application acknowledgement notification. If you cannot locate your campus ID number, you will be given the opportunity to use your Social Security number instead.

When will I be notified of the admission decision?

Upon receipt of all necessary documents, the University Admissions Office will review your eligibility based on the minimum University requirements listed above. If you are deemed eligible, your application will be forwarded to your academic program for review. You will receive notification of your admission status after the department has made their decision.

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

What's the next step?

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

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