Apply Graduate Student

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Graduate students include those pursuing a master's or doctoral degree. California State University, Northridge (CSUN) offers 98 master's degree options and three doctoral programs.

• Explore CSUN graduate degree programs.
• Before applying, please read Academic Programs Leading to Licensure or Credentialing.
• International graduate students: Find requirements and deadlines at International Applicants.

Two Application Processes

• Applicants to master's and doctoral programs must typically apply to both the university and the academic department. Many departments have higher admission standards than the university admission criteria and require a separate departmental application.
• While most graduate programs continue accepting applications after the initial filing period, individual programs may have earlier filing deadlines than the university deadlines, or they may accept applications only for fall (not spring) admission. 

For individual program filing requirements and deadlines, find and contact the department of interest at Graduate Programs.

Admissions Criteria - Master's Degree Programs

Applicants are considered for admission to CSUN when they meet both university and individual department eligibility requirements. To be considered for admission to CSUN as a graduate student in a master's program, applicants must meet the following university requirements (items A - C below) and department requirements (item D below):

A. Have a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution;

B. Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended;

C. Have satisfied one of the following conditions:

1. Have attained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in all units attempted as an undergraduate, independent of when the degree was granted; or,
2. Have attained a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units attempted from all post-secondary institutions attended. The entire semester or quarter in which the 60/90 units began will be used in the calculation; or,
3. Hold an acceptable post-baccalaureate degree earned at a regionally accredited institution and:

• Have attained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in all units attempted as an undergraduate, or
• Have attained a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units attempted from all post-secondary institutions attended.

D. Meet the higher admission standards of the individual master's program even when the applicant has met the minimum university requirements (items A - C above). The applications of students who meet the university requirements for admission and who desire admission to a master's program will be reviewed in the appropriate academic department. The department will then determine whether or not the student meets requirements for admission to its program. Visit the website for the department of interest to review the professional, personal, scholastic and other standards for graduate study, including qualifying examinations or other screening processes as appropriate campus authorities may prescribe. 

MANY DEPARTMENTS REQUIRE A SEPARATE DEPARTMENTAL APPLICATION. For departmental application requirements and deadlines, contact the department of interest listed at Graduate Programs.

Classified Status

Students who meet both departmental and university requirements will be admitted as either conditionally classified  or  classified graduate students. Conditionally classified or classified graduate students may enroll in 500 and 600-level courses although in some programs enrollment is limited to the classified student. Graduate students must follow a specific course of instruction identified to them by the department graduate coordinator and described in the current University Catalog for individual master's degree options and doctoral options.

Admissions Criteria - Doctoral Programs

To apply to a CSUN doctoral program, begin by reviewing admission eligibility requirements on the individual program website. Complete the university application only after you have been accepted to the doctoral program.

How to Apply

1.  Check the graduate program status (open or closed) in the Admissions Calendar.

2.  Complete the CSU university application at Cal State Apply. Have important documents (grades, transcripts, test scores) handy when completing the application.

3.  Before submitting your university application, identify any additional departmental admission requirements:

• Master's program applicants: Review admission requirements for your desired graduate program in the University Catalog and contact the department to determine whether higher admission standards, an additional departmental application, and/or other documents are required. 
• Doctoral program applicants: Visit the program website for specific admission application instructions.
• Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, PreK-12 and Community College cohorts (Ed.D.)
• Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) Program
• Doctor of Physical Therapy Professional Degree (D.P.T.)

4.  Remit the $70 nonrefundable CSU application fee online in Cal State Apply. The fee must be paid to submit the application.

 Please note: Starting with the Fall 2020 admission cycle, the CSU application fee has increased to $70.

5.  Review Send Us Your Transcripts below.

After You Apply

After you have applied to CSUN, make the rest of your admission process go smoothly with these steps:

1. Set up your access to myNorthridge Portal and CSUN email. Watch for the “Activate Your CSUN Account” email from CSUN Admissions and Records sent to the address you provided in Cal State Apply. You should receive the email 1 or 2 days after you apply. For help, see account activation instructions.
2. Monitor your application status. Log into myNorthridge Portal, locate “My Checklist," and review your Incomplete Tasks such as missing transcripts. Helpful: How To Guides.
3. Check your CSUN email and myNorthridge Portal often for official communications. The university will stop sending email to your personal address. Helpful: Forwarding CSUN Gmail to Another Account
4. Send us your official transcripts (see below).

Remember, we want to communicate with you!

• Check your CSUN email often for the latest information.
• Take a moment to verify your paper mailing address in myNorthridge Portal. Learn how at Update Personal Information.

Send Us Your Transcripts

Your official transcripts are needed to determine your admission eligibility. Soon after you apply to CSUN, send Admissions and Records official transcripts for all of the following:

1. All courses taken at other colleges and universities previously attended even if the course work was not completed
2. All college courses in which you are currently enrolled (these are your preliminary, work-in-progress transcripts)
3. Your final transcripts for work-in-progress as soon as you complete the courses and grades are posted

Find out if you also need to provide a duplicate set of official transcripts to the individual graduate program/department.  

All transcripts, preliminary and final, must be official:

• Paper transcripts must be received in sealed, unopened envelopes. Ask your previous schools to send your official transcripts directly to us at the address below.
• Electronic transcripts: To send your California community college transcripts, save time with eTranscript California.

Send official paper transcripts to: 
CSUN - Admissions and Records
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8207

Admission Appeals

If your application for admission was denied or your offer of provisional admission has been withdrawn, see Admission and Deadline Appeals.