Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) that Graduate Center staff receive from current and prospective students. Browse the categories below to find the information and resources you need. In addition, two important sources of information are:

Finally, please be aware of the following emergency resources:

Graduate Admissions

You can request an appointment with one of the Graduate Center Coordinators if you would like to talk about your graduate school options. You can also attend one of the Graduate Center’s “Grad School 101” workshops, which are offered each semester as part of the Center’s workshop offerings. In addition, you can review the Graduate Writing Specialist’s webpage on how to apply to grad school, which may be helpful. 

It is a good idea to talk to trusted mentors in your field (or intended field) to figure out which graduate programs can prepare you to meet your goals. If you are interested in a particular CSULB graduate program, you can contact that program’s Graduate Advisor to ask questions about careers, internship opportunities, and the curriculum. In addition, you can request an appointment with one of our Graduate Coordinators to discuss your graduate school options. If you are a current CSULB student or a CSULB alum, you can make an appointment with a career counselor in the Career Development Center to learn more about career opportunities. 

Here are some other initial steps you can take:

  1. Review the CSULB Admissions Office's informative page on the application process.
  2. Check your target program's website for specific details about the application and materials required.
  3. If you haven’t already, make a Cal State Apply account.  You must submit your application to CSULB programs via Cal State Apply. A few CSULB programs also require a separate application in a different portal. Check the program’s website for those details.
  4. Gather the materials you need for your application. These materials may include a statement of purpose, résumé, and letters of recommendation. The Graduate Center has helpful pages on how to write statements of purpose and CVs/résumés. If you completed your bachelor's degree at a university other than CSULB, you must also submit your official transcripts; so, you should order those from the institution you attended (see the next question below for more information).
  5. If you have further questions, connect with your target program's Graduate Advisor, who can also provide guidance on the application process.  

U.S. Domestic Applicants

You must submit one set of official transcripts from the college or university where you earned your bachelor’s degree. If you completed your bachelor's at CSULB, you do not have to submit an official transcript because the university already has it on file. If you completed your bachelor's degree at another institution (i.e., not CSULB), you can submit official transcripts to Enrollment Services in one of the following ways: 

  1. Electronically: Official transcripts may be submitted electronically directly from a U.S. college or university to ES-IDPTrans@csulb.edu.

  2. Mail: Official transcripts may be submitted—directly from the university or by the applicant as long as they are in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution—to the following address: 

    Enrollment Services/Admissions
    California State University, Long Beach
    1250 Bellflower Blvd.
    Long Beach, CA 90840

International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with a Foreign Bachelor's Degree

Both international applicants (F1 or J1 visa) and domestic applicants with a foreign bachelor's degree may have additional requirements for submitting transcripts. For detailed information, please visit the following pages from the Center for International Education (CIE):

If you have further questions, please contact the Center for International Education (CIE) (see the “Contact Us” section of the CIE homepage).

The best way to confirm that CSULB has received your transcripts is to use Applicant Self Services. If you still have questions, you can contact the program's Graduate Advisor, who may be able to answer questions about your application.

The Graduate Center has helpful pages on how to write statements of purpose and CVs/résumés. In addition, you have several options for getting further help with your application materials (e.g., statements, CVs):

  • If you’re a current CSULB undergraduate, an alum of a CSULB undergraduate program, or a prospective CSULB student, you can request an appointment with a Graduate Center Coordinator to get one-on-one help with your application. You can also upload drafts of your materials to the Graduate Center’s materials feedback service or attend the Graduate Center’s drop-in hours, which are posted on the Graduate Center homepage.
  • If you’re a current CSULB student (grad or undergrad), you can request an appointment with the University Writing Center (UWC).
  • If you’re a current CSULB graduate student, you can request an appointment with the Graduate Writing Specialist, who also maintains a webpage with helpful resources on on grad admissions.

Check the website of your program of interest for a list of prerequisites. You can find the websites of all CSULB graduate programs on the Graduate Programs and Academic Advisors page. If you have detailed questions about prerequisites, contact the Graduate Advisor for your target program. Graduate Advisors can be looked up on the Graduate Programs and Academic Advisors page.

The Graduate Center does not review applications directly nor do we have access to application materials. If you would like to view your application status, please use the Applicant Self Services. You can also contact the program's Graduate Advisor, who may be able to answer questions about your application.

Each graduate program may have a different application submission deadline. Please visit the Graduate Programs and Academic Advisors page to look up your program of interest (the application deadline will be listed there). International Students: Please refer to the Center for International Education's Application & Document Deadlines page (because the deadline for international students may be different). 

The CSULB admissions office maintains a helpful page on applying to a second bachelor’s degree at CSULB. In addition, CSULB Graduate Studies has a page on programs, advisors, and deadlines for second bachelor’s degrees. In some cases, it may make more sense to pursue a master’s degree (e.g., some programs may offer “conditional admission” to graduate applicants who have deficiencies in prerequisite preparation for their program). For more information on such options, contact the Graduate Advisor for your target program. 

Unfortunately, CSULB is unable to offer application fee waivers for graduate applicants. 

You will have to apply for admission to the graduate program as if you were a first-time graduate applicant (that is, there is no separate “graduate transfer” application process). However, if you are admitted, you may be able to transfer some course credits (units) from your previous institution. As explained in the Policy on Master's Degrees, a student may transfer up to 30% of the total required units for the CSULB program as long as (1) the current CSULB degree program agrees to the transfer and (2) these units were not already applied towards completion of a previous degree. For more information, contact your target program’s Graduate Advisor, who can be found on the Graduate Programs and Academic Advisors page.

Congratulations and welcome to the Beach! Please consult the Steps for Newly Admitted Graduate Students page maintained by CSULB Admissions, which provides helpful information and tutorials for getting started. International Students: See also the Newly-Admitted International Student page. 

International Students

Graduate Studies at CSULB strongly recommends that all current and prospective international students contact CSULB’s Center for International Education (CIE) for all inquiries (see the “Contact Us” section of the CIE homepage).

You can start by reviewing the list of graduate programs CSULB offers. You should also visit the Future International Students page, which lists information on the various options for international study at CSULB. If you have further questions, please contact the Center for International Education (CIE) (see the “Contact Us” section of the CIE homepage).

Detailed information about submitting transcripts as an international student (J1 or F1 visa) is listed on the following pages from the Center for International Education (CIE):

If you have further questions, please contact the Center for International Education (CIE) (see the “Contact Us” section of the CIE homepage).

The Graduate Admissions Requirements page for international students explains what types of degrees are considered comparable to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. If you have further questions, please contact the Center for International Education (CIE) (see the “Contact Us” section of the CIE homepage).

You will have to apply for admission to the graduate program as if you were a first-time graduate applicant (i.e., there is no separate "graduate transfer" application process). Once admitted, you may be able to transfer some course credits (units) from your previous institution. As explained in the Policy on Master's Degrees, a CSULB graduate student may transfer up to 30% of the total required units for their degree program as long as (1) the current CSULB degree program agrees to the transfer and (2) these units were not already applied towards completion of a previous degree. For more information, contact the Center for International Education (CIE) (see the “Contact Us” section of the CIE homepage).

Information on fulfilling CSULB’s English language requirements for international students can be found on the English language requirement page. If you have further questions, please contact the Center for International Education (CIE) (see the “Contact Us” section of the CIE homepage). 

The New Student Requirements page provides information on applying for the appropriate visa. The Frequently Asked Questions page for newly admitted international students might also be helpful. If you have further questions, please contact the Center for International Education (CIE) (see the “Contact Us” section of the CIE homepage).   

The Center for International Education’s Current Students page provides resources and requirements to maintain your status as an international student pursuing a degree program, including information about F-1 visas. If you have further questions, please contact the Center for International Education (CIE) (see the “Contact Us” section of the CIE homepage).

No, CSULB is unable to offer application fee waivers for graduate applicants (international or domestic). 

The Tuition and Fees page for international students provides information on the costs of attending and on scholarship options available. 

Visit the Center for International Education’s OPT page. If you have further questions, please contact the Center for International Education (CIE) (see the “Contact Us” section of the CIE homepage).

Graduate Center Services

The Graduate Center offers an array of services and supports for current and prospective CSULB students and collaborates with other units on campus to provide additional opportunities. Explore the links below or on the Graduate Center homepage to learn more about these services, programs, and opportunities: 

Request an appointment with one of the Graduate Center coordinators, who can help you with: 

  • selecting a program;
  • determining what options are available;
  • understanding prerequisites and program requirements;
  • crafting strong admissions essays and other materials. 

In addition, current CSULB graduate students can request an appointment with the graduate writing specialist to get help with applications for further graduate study (e.g., doctoral programs). 

The Graduate Center offers three types of appointments: 

  • Graduate school support appointments (Coordinator appointments) are for students who are interested in applying to graduate school and have questions about any aspect of the process.
  • Graduate writing support appointments are for currently enrolled CSULB graduate/post-baccalaureate students who need assistance with academic writing.
  • Drop-in appointments are for students with quick questions (15-30 minutes max). Drop-ins are available during selected hours only. Please  visit the Graduate Center homepage for current drop-in hours. 

Visit the Graduate Center’s Request an Appointment page to get started. 

Tutoring, Academic Support, and Academic Advising

Graduate students receive advising through their program or college (e.g., the College of Liberal Arts; the College of Education), although the details may vary for each program. Graduate students with questions about their program, course schedules, and other academic advising needs should contact their program’s Graduate Advisor, who can be found on the Graduate Programs and Academic Advisors page. 

Undergraduate students can visit the Academic Advising at CSULB page for more information. 

CSULB has several forms of tutoring and support available:

In addition, CSULB graduate students in need of tutoring can connect with their Graduate Advisor, who may have course-specific options to recommend.

There are several sources of writing support at CSULB:

In addition, CSULB graduate students in need of tutoring can connect with their Graduate Advisor, who may have course-specific options to recommend.

The Thesis and Dissertation Office maintains a Formatting Resources page that lists all the resources needed to properly format theses and dissertations. These resources include:

The Thesis and Dissertation Office also hosts thesis formatting workshops each semester, which can be found on the Graduate Center’s Workshops and Events page. For further questions, you can contact the Thesis and Dissertation Office at thesis@csulb.edu. Finally, you can make an appointment with the Graduate Writing Specialist, who is familiar with CSULB’s thesis and dissertation guidelines.

Unfortunately, there is no service on campus that allows you to submit a paper and receive it back with all grammar and usage errors corrected. However, CSULB graduate students can receive writing support from the Graduate Center’s Graduate Writing Specialist, who assists with any stage of the writing process. Some proofreading may occur as part of that writing support, but the main goal is to teach you long-term writing practices you can use throughout your studies. There are also other sources of writing support on campus (see question 3 above). For simple error correction, you may consider using AI tools like Grammarly or others, but make sure to review CSULB’s Student Guidelines on Generative AI and the Graduate Studies Generative AI guidelines. In addition, if you would like to hire an editor, the Graduate Center maintains a list of local editors. If you would like a copy of that list, please email the Graduate Writing Specialist. Note that the Graduate Center cannot endorse or vouch for the quality of the editors on that list. 

Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activities

The Office of Research and Economic Development maintains a page on Student Research Opportunities on campus. The Office of Undergraduate Research Services (OURS) Undergraduate and Graduate Research Programs page might also be helpful. You should also check your campus email to see opportunities that are shared by your department, your Graduate Advisor, or the Graduate Studies Canvas page. 

The College of the Arts (COTA) maintains a COTA Events page.

Opportunities to present and showcase research and creative work at CSULB include:

The Office of Research and Economic Development also provides information on research activities taking place across campus. Check your campus email for other opportunities promoted by your program, your Graduate Advisor, or Graduate Studies (through the Graduate Studies Canvas page). 

One way to learn about conferences is to speak to your faculty, mentors, and Graduate Advisor(s). They will know of opportunities for both attending and presenting at conferences. Another way is to monitor your campus email for opportunities promoted by your program, your Graduate Advisors, or the Graduate Studies office (through the Graduate Studies Canvas page). In addition, numerous websites list calls for papers (CFPs) for academic conferences, including Wiki CFP, the UPenn CFP list, and the CFPList.

Visit the Graduate Center’s On-Campus Funding page to find information about grants that are available to support students attending or presenting at an academic or professional conference, which include:

Culminating Activities (Thesis, Comps, etc.) and Academic Milestones

The most important graduate milestones are:

  1. Completing coursework,
  2. Advancing to candidacy, and
  3. Completing a culminating activity. 

Visit the website for your graduate program or contact your Graduate Advisor for department-specific information. 

Some programs require a thesis or dissertation, others give students an option.  To learn about your program’s requirements for culminating activities, you can: 

Each graduate program may set its own requirements for advancement to candidacy. To find out your program’s requirements, you can:

Each graduate program may set its own requirements for culminating activities. To find out what your program’s options are:

Please note that switching your culminating activity option can only occur if (1) you have not already completed a significant portion of the thesis and (2) your program offers a comprehensive exam as a culminating activity option.

The Thesis & Dissertation Office maintains a list of deadlines for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer on its Submission Deadlines page. 

There are three key steps in submitting your manuscript to the Thesis and Dissertation Office:

  1. Have your thesis or dissertation approved by your committee. Each degree program has different rules and internal deadlines for this process. Connect with your thesis/dissertation chair or Graduate Advisor for details. Once this process is complete, you can move on to Step 2 below.
  2. Submit a completed signature page by the appropriate deadline. Note that your signature page is not considered complete until it has been signed by your committee members (who must sign it by the deadline). Within 1 business day of your signature page being completed, you will receive emailed instructions from the Thesis and Dissertation Office about how to complete Step 3 below.
  3. Upload a PDF of your manuscript to the online platform. Note that a payment of $95 is required when you upload the PDF. After you upload your manuscript, you will receive a confirmation email from the Thesis and Dissertation Office regarding next steps. 

After submitting, routinely check your CSULB email for updates from the Thesis and Dissertation Office. The Office will contact you regarding any edits that are needed before your thesis or dissertation is cleared and you can graduate.

For more information, visit the Thesis and Dissertation Office’s submission process page. If you have further questions, you can email the Thesis and Dissertation Office at thesis@csulb.edu. You can also attend workshops on thesis formatting and submission, which are offered regularly and are listed on the Graduate Center’s Workshops and Events page. 

The Thesis and Dissertation Office maintains a Formatting Resources page that lists all the resources needed to properly format theses and dissertations. These resources include:

The Thesis and Dissertation Office also hosts thesis formatting workshops each semester, which can be found on the Graduate Center’s Workshops and Events page. 

You can email the Thesis and Dissertation Office at thesis@csulb.edu with your questions about formatting. You can also make an appointment with the Graduate Writing Specialist, who is familiar with CSULB’s thesis and dissertation guidelines. 

CSULB’s Student Guidelines on Generative AI and the Graduate Studies Generative AI Guidelines provide guidance on the use of AI in thesis or dissertation writing.

Graduation/Commencement

When you are eligible to graduate, you should receive an email informing you of your eligibility. For more information, please visit the CSULB Commencement FAQ, which explains eligibility to graduate in the section entitled “Steps to Graduate.” You can also contact Student Records with questions. 

Student Records maintains a helpful FAQ that explains how to apply to graduate. You can also contact Student Records with questions. 

Degree clearing is conducted by Enrollment Services 4-8 weeks after the end of your last semester or after the clearance of your culminating activity (whichever is later). You will be notified by email when your degree has been granted, and you will receive diploma information at that time.

Enrollment Services will send you an email when your diploma is available (approximately 4-8 weeks after your degree has been granted). Be sure to check your MyCSULB Student Center to verify that your mailing address is up-to-date (for instructions on how to do so, visit the Using MyCSULB Personal Information page).

Please visit the CSULB Commencement FAQ, which answers most of the commonly-asked questions regarding commencement. Those graduating with their master’s or doctorate should also plan to attend their program’s hooding ceremony. Please contact your Graduate Advisor for the relevant information. 

General Campus Resources & Student Life

In addition to the answers below, you should check out the helpful list of Graduate Student Resources provided by CSULB Graduate Studies. 

For information about accessing the Student Rec and Wellness Center (SRWC), visit their Membership and About Us pages. If you’re a currently enrolled CSULB student, your membership fee for the SRWC has already been paid through the University Student Union fee.  

Visit ID Card Services on the second floor of the University Bookstore.

There are several sources of help in registering for classes:

  • The Registration Information page explains rules and procedures for registering for classes at CSULB.
  • CSULB Admissions maintains a helpful Steps for Newly Admitted Graduate Students page that discusses registering for classes. 
  • To ensure that you are meeting the requirements for your program, contact your Graduate Advisor or academic advisor to review your course schedule.
  • Depending on your department, you may be invited to a program-specific orientation, which may explain procedures for academic advising and registering for classes.
  • The information and videos on the Guided Registration page may be helpful (although they are primarily intended for first-time undergraduate students). 

CSULB's Day 1 Textbook Access Program will automatically charge you $250 for electronic textbook access, unless you opt out. For more information, visit the Day 1 Textbook Access Program page. For those who opt out of Day 1 Textbook Access, the CSULB University Bookstore’s Textbooks page provides information on looking up and ordering required textbooks.   

CSULB cannot guarantee student housing for incoming students, and nearly all CSULB graduate students live off campus. University Housing & Residential Life has an Off-Campus Housing Resources page that links to helpful resources like the CSULB-focused Rent College Pads page. 

The Parking FAQ provided by CSULB Parking and Transportation Services explains rules for parking on campus and how to purchase student permits. 

There are several orientation resources:

Academic and Technology Services (ATS) provides a list of computer labs on campus. 

Contact the Technology Help Desk.

Visit the Campus Software site. The Academic Technology Resources for Students page might also be helpful. 

The Office of Belonging and Inclusion maintains a list of cultural resource centers on campus. In addition, students can access programming and support through: 

More information can be found by:

Cultural resource centers on campus may offer spaces for prayer or reflection (e.g., the Muslim Resource Center in FO4-282). Another possibility is the Interfaith Center on the 5th floor of the University Library--visit them for details. 

Visit the CSULB Study Abroad Programs page.

Job and Career Resources 

There are several ways to seek on-campus work opportunities:

  • Contact your Graduate Advisor, who may have department-specific opportunities to share.
  • Visit Graduate Studies’s TA and GA page, which describes opportunities to work as a teaching associate (TA) or graduate assistant (GA) for CSULB departments.
  • Check your campus email address for opportunities shared on department-specific lists or through the Graduate Studies Canvas page.
  • Visit the Career Development Center’s Job & Internship Search page, which includes several helpful resources for finding on- or off- campus work, including the Career Link Job board.
  • Visit the Federal Work Study page if you received Federal Work Study as part of your financial aid package. 

Each career path and field may differ, so there is no single-most-effective way to look for work post-graduation. At CSULB, the following resources can help you get started: 

  • Graduate Advisors or academic mentors, who may be able to offer discipline-specific advice, support, and tips for finding a job.
  • The CSULB Career Development Center (CDC), which assists students with career planning, job search, and other professional development opportunities. Visit the CDC homepage for resources, programming, hours, and contact information.
  • The Graduate Center, where you can request an appointment to discuss general career preparation skills like résumé writing or interviewing. The Graduate Center also offers workshops on career-related topics (e.g., job search; résumé writing).

This list of Career Planning sites provided by CSULB Educational Talent Search might also be helpful. 

You have a few options:

Student Health and Wellbeing

CSULB Basic Needs supports students’ well-being by helping them access essential resources, including those related to food and housing security and financial wellness. 

As explained on the Student Health Services Health Insurance page, CSULB does not provide health insurance to cover hospitalizations and other specialty services not available on campus. However, the on-campus Student Health Services clinic provides basic care for acute medical conditions, injuries, and illnesses, as well as support services such as behavioral health, psychiatry, case management, laboratory, pharmacy, and X-ray. Most care and services are free of charge with the exception of the pharmacy, laboratory, and immunization clinic. Please note that the Student Health Fee is not health insurance and Student Health Services does not bill or accept insurance. 

International Students: Although international students can access the Student Health Services clinic (which is available to all students), CSULB also requires all F-1 international students and J-1 exchange students to purchase and maintain adequate health insurance coverage prior to registering for classes. Visit the Center of International Education’s Health Insurance page for more information.

Visit Student Health Services’ Reproductive Health page to access available services.   

The Student Affairs Pregnant and Parenting Students page lists resources available to support pregnant and parenting students. 

The Isabel Patterson Child Development Center offers affordable on-campus child care for CSULB student-parents. 

Student Affairs provides a Lactation Rooms, Changing Rooms & Free Menstrual Products Map.

Cultural resource centers on campus may offer spaces for prayer or reflection (e.g., the Muslim Resource Center in FO4-282). Another possibility is the Interfaith Center on the 5th floor of the University Library--visit them for details. 

CSULB provides an interactive map of all-gender restrooms.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides support for students facing personal challenges and mental health concerns. Services offered at CAPS include short-term individual counseling, group counseling, case management and referral, psychoeducational workshops, and crisis intervention. To get started, request an initial consultation. For emergency support, visit the Crisis and Mental Health Resources provided by Beach Wellness. 

The Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC) supports students with disabilities. Visit their homepage to learn more. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

U.S. domestic students can visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information. The CSU’s Paying for the CSU page may also be helpful. International students should visit the Tuition and Fees for International Students page. 

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office’s page How to Apply for Aid--Graduate Students explains the process. The CSU’s Paying for the CSU page may also be helpful. 

Contact Financial Aid and Scholarships (see their “Contact Us” page for FAQs and contact information). 

No. Instead of completing the FAFSA, undocumented students should complete the California DREAM Act Application by the March 2nd deadline. See the Financial Aid Office’s How to Apply for Aid page for more information. Additional support for undocumented and DACA students is provided by the Dream Success Center.

The following pages can help you find scholarships to fund your CSULB education:

CSULB Veterans Services can assist you (See their “Contact Us” page for more information). 

CSULB American Indian Services maintains a Scholarship and Grants page that describes financial supports available to American Indian/Native American students.

The Residency for Tuition Purposes page provides detailed information. See also the CSU policy on exemptions from non-resident tuition. 

Unfortunately, CSULB cannot offer application fee waivers to graduate applicants. However, undergraduate applicants should check the CSU’s Application Fee Waiver page for eligibility and application information. 

Visit the Graduate Center’s On-Campus Funding page to find information about grants that are available to support students attending or presenting at an academic or professional conference, which include:

CSULB Basic Needs' Financial page describes how to apply for emergency financial assistance.

The Graduate Center is open and available to all, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.