Graduate Admissions

Office of Graduate Studies


Valera Hall (VH) 275

Phone: 818-677-5800

Domestic Graduate Admissions
Email graduate help

Credential Programs

Michael D. Eisner College of Education


Education Administration (EA) 103

Credential Office

Phone: (818) 677-2733

Send email

Graduate Admissions

You're ready for the next stage of your career. You're determined to succeed no matter what obstacles come your way. At CSUN, we have programs that will help you advance in your field or pivot to a new profession. Your work will make an impact in your local community and on the world. Rise to the challenge and begin your journey as a Matador.

How to Apply as a Graduate Student

At CSUN, we offer a variety of graduate programs across our eight academic colleges and one college of graduate and mid-career education. They are:

  • Master's degrees
  • Doctoral degrees
  • Graduate certificates
  • Credentials*

Use our program finder to find one that fits your educational needs. Note that you can apply to only one program per admission term. Please review details in the Apply Via Cal State Apply row below.

*See the "How to Apply to a Credential Program" section below for more detailed instructions.

Two applications are often required for prospective students: one to the university and the other to the individual graduate program. While CSUN sets minimum requirements for admission, each of our graduate programs will have its own criteria. This may include GPA, test scores, pre-requisite classes and recommendation letters. You can find requirement information on the program page, its department website or catalog listing.

Applications for admission to CSUN graduate and credential programs are accepted starting Oct. 1 for the fall and Aug. 1 for the spring. University application deadlines vary by program. Use the CSU Application Dates & Deadlines tool to find individual closing dates.

The additional application to an individual program, as well as transcript and other document deadlines, may differ for each program. Visit the program's department website for specific dates.

Once you know your program requirements and deadlines, start gathering the materials you need. You will need a copy of your transcripts, test scores, household annual income and your Social Security number, if you have one.

You may also need additional materials based on your graduate or credential program requirements. Please check your department requirements to determine where to send these items. The additional items may include:

  • Letters of recommendation or contact information for people who will write your letter
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • A statement of interest
  • A research paper

As soon as you submit your Cal State Apply application, you’ll need to send official transcripts and possibly additional supplemental materials required by your graduate program. Please review the next three rows.

Create an account and complete your application on Cal State Apply, the CSU's online application system. Be sure to carefully review your information and all sections of the application before submitting.

Please note: 

You can apply to as many campuses as you wish, each with a $70 application fee, but you can only apply to one program per campus per admission term. Select only one state-supported or one self-supported extension program in Cal State Apply because a refund will not be available if you apply for two programs or submit two separate applications for the same term. Please choose your program carefully.

You must submit official college transcripts to the Office of the Registrar. Be sure to send:

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

For electronic transcripts:

  • Choose "CSU Northridge" as the recipient. If this option is not available, use registrar@csun.edu as the recipient email address.
  • If you have any California community college transcripts, please review eTranscript California and have the transcripts sent through this system.
  • Please do not send identical, duplicate paper and electronic transcripts.

For paper transcripts:

  • Paper transcripts must be received in sealed, unopened envelopes.
  • Ask your previous school(s) to send your official transcripts directly to:
    • California State University, Northridge
      Office of the Registrar
      18111 Nordhoff Street
      Northridge, CA 91330-8207

You may also hand deliver transcripts in sealed, unopened envelopes to the Office of the Registrar, at the Records and Registration window of the Student Services Center, Bayramian Hall lobby (BH 100) during office hours.

Important! You may also need to provide additional materials based on your graduate program requirements. Be sure to check your department’s website for a list of needed items and deadlines for submission. Please review “Apply to Specific Program” below.

Complete any supplemental application required by your program. This often includes filling out a separate application and submitting additional documents. Be sure to meet their deadlines for submission.

Visit the graduate programs A-to-Z list to find your program’s department website. Review the website for admissions information and supplemental requirements.

After you apply, you'll receive an email from CSUN with the information you'll need to activate your CSUN Portal. Once you've set up an account, you can check your application status. Each department has its own criteria for admissions and will notify you when it has reached a decision.

CSUN Admissions Criteria

You will be considered for admission to CSUN as a graduate student when you meet both university and individual program eligibility requirements.

You must first meet the following university requirements:

  1. Have a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
  2. Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended
  3. Have satisfied one of the following conditions:
    • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all undergraduate units
    • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units from all post-secondary institutions
    • Hold an acceptable post-baccalaureate degree earned at a regionally accredited institution and:
      • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all units attempted as an undergraduate, or
      • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units attempted from all post-secondary institutions attended.

You must also meet the higher admission standard of the individual graduate program.

CSUN will first review your application to be sure you meet university standards. Then your application will be reviewed by the appropriate graduate department. The department will then determine if you meet the criteria for admission to its graduate program.

*CSUN’s admissions criteria for prospective credential students are similar to those for graduate students. Before applying, please review How to Apply to a Credential Program below.

How to Apply to a Credential Program

We offer programs for teaching, school services, school specialist and more. Get an overview of our credential programs.

Two applications are required for prospective credential students: one to the university and the other to the individual credential program. While CSUN sets minimum requirements for admission, each of our credential programs will have its own criteria. Specific credential program GPA requirements may be higher than the university requirement.

Review application requirements, instructions and deadlines for your program of interest. We also offer information sessions and application workshops. Get an introduction to our credential programs and learn how to apply to specific programs.

Applications for admission to CSUN credential programs are accepted starting Oct. 1 for the fall and Aug. 1 for the spring. University application deadlines vary by program. Use the CSU Application Dates & Deadlines tool to find individual program closing dates.

In general, credential program applications are accepted between these dates:

  • FALL semester admission: Oct. 1 to July 1*
  • SPRING semester admission: Aug. 1 to Dec. 1*

*Please check Credential Office How to Apply for exceptions. If the program is closed, do not complete the university application; contact the Credential Office for guidance.

You’ll need to complete both the supplemental credential program application and the university application. You may complete them separately or at the same time.*

Before you apply, be sure to:

  • Visit the credential application page and select the specific program to which you plan to apply.
  • Review the application instructions for the credential program you’ve selected.

Prepare any required materials and submit your credential application by the deadline listed for the specific credential program you've selected.

There is a nonrefundable $50.00 fee for the supplemental credential application. (An additional $1.38, nonrefundable service fee will be assessed at checkout.)

*Tip: If, after reviewing the credential application page, you complete your Cal State Apply application first, some information will carry over to your credential program application. See Step 4 below.

Create an account and complete your application on Cal State Apply, the CSU's online application system. A $70.00 application fee is due upon submission. Please refer to the credential application page for additional university application guidance. Be sure to carefully review your information before submitting.

PLEASE NOTE: If the application filing period for the individual credential program you selected is closed, do not complete a university application. Contact the CSUN Credential Office for guidance.

If you are a CSUN graduate, the only transcripts you are required to submit are for any other post-baccalaureate coursework that you have completed at another institution.

For electronic transcripts:

  • In your previous school’s transcript ordering system, choose "CSU Northridge" as the recipient. If this option is not available, use registrar@csun.edu as the recipient email address.
  • If you are submitting California community college transcripts, please review eTranscript California and use this convenient system.
  • Both Graduate Admissions and the Credential Office will have access to your electronic transcripts, so no duplicates are needed.

For paper transcripts:

  • If your previous school(s) do not supply electronic transcripts, have official paper copies of your transcripts sent in unopened envelopes to:

    California State University, Northridge
    Office of the Registrar
    18111 Nordhoff Street
    Northridge, CA 91330-8207
     

You may also hand deliver transcripts in sealed, unopened envelopes to the Office of the Registrar, at the Records and Registration window of the Student Services Center, Bayramian Hall lobby (BH 100) during office hours.

Please do not send identical, duplicate electronic and paper transcripts!

 

After you apply, you'll receive an email from CSUN with the information you'll need to activate your CSUN Portal and email accounts. Once you've set up an account, you can check your application status. Each credential program has its own criteria for admissions and will notify you when it has reached a decision. Get help at CSUN User ID and Password.

Certificate Programs

University Certificates and Professional Specialization Certificates are post-baccalaureate academic-credit programs designed to provide an integrated and focused program of study in selected academic fields. These programs are:

  • Designed to allow students to add an area of professional expertise to their credentials;
  • Added to and updated to offer highly valued fields of study in the contemporary marketplace;
  • Allow those with advanced degrees to add fields of study to their academic record to enrich or shift their career options, or to advance in their current professions.

Students who successfully complete a University Certificate or a Professional Specialization Certificate will have the Certificate award noted on their transcript and receive a formal Certificate approved by the Office of Graduate Studies and signed by the University president.

For a listing of current CSUN programs with links to admissions and contact information, visit University Catalog, Certificate Programs.

Additional Information

International Graduate Students

As an incoming international student, you will have additional steps in your master's or doctoral program application process.

Learn More About International Graduate Student Details

Veteran Graduate Students

If you are a veteran or the dependent of a veteran, our Office of Veterans Affairs will review your benefits documents and guide you through the master's or doctoral program application process.

Learn More About Veteran Student Details

 

Graduate Admissions

Office of Graduate Studies


Valera Hall (VH) 275

Phone: 818-677-5800

Domestic Graduate Admissions
Email graduate help

Credential Programs

Michael D. Eisner College of Education


Education Administration (EA) 103

Credential Office

Phone: (818) 677-2733

Send email

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