How to Apply

Welcome, Graduate Student Applicant

Thank you for exploring graduate program opportunities at California State University, Northridge. We’re looking for students who are determined to succeed no matter what obstacles they encounter. Students who want to make a difference in their communities. Talented, passionate inquisitive students who are ready to achieve their goals. If these statements describe you, you’ll fit right into the CSUN community. Join the Matador nation!

Graduate School Admissions Requirements

To be admitted to CSUN as a graduate student, students must meet the following 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:
   1. Attained a GPA of at least 2.5 in a baccalaureate degree program.
   2. Attained a GPA of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted.
   3. Hold a post-baccalaureate degree earned at a regionally accredited institution and 2.5 GPA in either the undergraduate cumulative GPA or the last 60 units.
4. Meet the professional, personal, scholastic and other standards for graduate study, including qualifying examinations or other screening processes as appropriate campus authorities may prescribe. In unusual circumstances, a program may make exceptions to these criteria. Some programs require higher standards for admission.

Program Specific Requirements and Deadlines

Your intended graduate program may have additional admissions and application requirements or unique admissions deadlines. Please contact the department directly for details.

Programs Catalog

Additional Information

International Graduate Students

As an incoming international student, you will have additional steps in your 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 application process.

Learn More About Veteran Student Details
 

Where to Send Transcripts

The fastest way to send your official transcript is electronically to the following email address registrar@csun.edu or by selecting “CSU Northridge” or “CSU Northridge (undergraduate)” from your institution's transcript system.

If mailing a hard copy in please do so to the following address below:

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

Please note: All transcripts must go directly to Admissions and Records. Our office does not accept official transcripts. In the event that an electronic transcript is sent to our office directly, it will not be accepted/processed.

For questions regarding the department’s application, letters of recommendation and other inquiries/ deadlines pertaining to the program, please contact the program’s graduate coordinator.

Allow at-least 24 to 48 hours for your CSU application to be uploaded to the university’s database after submitting.

• How to Apply as a Graduate Student

Apply Here Today!

Cal State Apply Link

Do You Have Academic Schooling outside of the U.S.?

A domestic student with international transcripts does not require a student visa (F-1 or J-1) to study in the U.S. but has completed some high school, college or university course work at an accredited educational institution outside the United States, its territories or protectorates. It may help to know that a domestic student with international transcripts is sometimes referred to as having "mixed records."

Please note: Due to CSUN's impaction status, we cannot accept applications for second or additional bachelor’s degrees. If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, we encourage you to apply to a CSUN graduate program.

To be considered for admission as a domestic student with international course work, you’ll need to do all of the following:

1. Review the CSUN admissions criteria and application steps for your class level either as a first-time freshman, first-time transfer, or graduate student.
2. Send us all official academic records for secondary and post-secondary course work taken outside the U.S., including certificates, degrees or diplomas in original language of issue. Do not fax academic records.
3. Send us official English translations of all academic records including certificates, degrees or diplomas. Do not fax translations.
4. Have official transcripts for course work taken in the U.S. sent directly from the U.S. institution(s) to CSUN.

• • Electronic transcripts from a California community college: You may be able to save time and money with eTranscript California. Note: Please do not send us identical, duplicate paper and electronic transcripts!
  • Electronic transcripts from other U.S. schools: In your school’s transcript ordering system, choose “CSU Northridge” as the recipient.
  • Paper transcripts from U.S. schools must be received in sealed, unopened envelopes. Ask your previous schools to send your official transcripts directly to us.

5. Send official paper domestic and international transcripts and translations to:

          California State University, Northridge
          Attention: International Admissions
          18111 Nordhoff Street
          Northridge, CA 91330-8207
          U.S.A.

6. Depending on your situation, you may be required to meet the English language proficiency requirement by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or other acceptable exam. To find the required minimum scores, visit Future International Student Applicant and select your class level. Please note that some graduate programs require a higher score for admission than the university minimum. Graduate applicants, please check with the individual graduate program.
7. Please review the Pre-Admission Disclosure for Academic Programs Leading to Licensure and Credentialing.

Best wishes for your educational endeavors!