Graduate Admissions Requirements

Students who have obtained a degree comparable to a U.S. bachelor’s degree are considered graduate students. See below for CSULB admission criteria for a graduate degree. 

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

  • Completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by appropriate campus authorities
  • Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended
  • Minimum GPA: 2.5 (recommended 3.0) for the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted (typically your last 2 years of university coursework)

 Department Requirements:

Please visit the Graduate Studies page to review program specific application deadlines and requirements. Some graduate programs may also require GRE or GMAT or have a higher GPA requirement.

Graduate admission process is two-fold. International Admissions will perform a preliminary evaluation of coursework to determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements. From there, the graduate department will make the final admission decision.

To apply, all international graduate applicants must submit the following items: 

  1. File a CSU Long Beach application through Cal State Apply.
    • Spring application period: August 1 – October 1*
    • Fall application period: October 1 – April 1*

      *Some programs have earlier deadlines. Please see Graduate Studies page above for specific requirements. Applications submitted after the departmental deadline may be withdrawn.

  2. Submit original and certified English copies of transcripts/individual mark sheets from all institutions attended:
    • Transcripts must show grades for at least 6 semesters. Please do not send transcripts until those grades are posted to avoid having to submit multiple transcripts.
    • If you have already graduated, we will require a degree conferred date or diploma to be sent along with the transcripts.
    • Students who submit consolidated transcripts/mark sheets will be required to provide individual mark sheets before an evaluation is completed.
    • Applicants submitting electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions (National Clearinghouse, Parchment, etc.) must submit transcripts to ES-IDPTrans@csulb.edu
  3.  English Language Requirements
    • CSULB waives the English Language requirement for students who have met certain conditions. Visit English Language Requirements for more information.
    • If you have already taken one of our accepted English tests, please send your official scores to CSULB. Please also submit an unofficial copy of your test scores with your supporting documents.

Please note:

  • For departments that require a GMAT or GRE, please send the official scores at the time you apply.
  • Students holding a 3-year bachelor's degree (e.g., India) are encouraged to fill out a degree equivalency questionnaire to determine if the 3-year degree is equivalent to a U.S. 4-year degree. International Admissions will determine final equivalency.

Post-Baccalaureate Programs:
Second Bachelor’s, Certificate, Credential Students

Students who have obtained a degree level comparable to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree are considered post-baccalaureate students. See below for CSULB admission criteria for post-baccalaureate programs.

All post-baccalaureate applicants must submit the following items:

  • File a CSU Long Beach application through Cal State Apply.
  • Submit all transcripts from all institutions attended with a degree conferred date or diploma.
  • Meet CSULB English Language Requirements
    • If you have already taken one of our accepted English tests, please send your official score to CSULB. Please also submit an unofficial copy of your test scores with your supporting documents.

Please note:

  • Applying to Credential Programs in the College of Education: 
    Applicants with foreign coursework and a degree from an institution outside the United States must have all foreign transcripts and degree certificates evaluated by a state-approved agency such as Foreign Transcript Evaluation. International Admissions recommends using WES (World Education Services).
  • Students interested in a second Bachelor’s degree must meet the major-specific criteria to be eligible for admission. 
  • Students who do not hold a 4-year degree should fill out a degree equivalency questionnaire to determine if their 3-year degree is equivalent to a U.S. 4-year degree. International Admissions will determine final equivalency.