SCA Application Procedure

Please note: As of the 2009-10 Academic Year, the program will no longer offer Spring program admission. The next application deadline is March 1, 2010 for Fall 2010 admission.

Consideration for admission to the program requires two simultaneous processes: application to the master's program in Social and Cultural Analysis of Education, and application to the university. Please note that acceptance to the university does not guarantee admission to the program.

Deadline: March 1 for Fall Semester consideration. Both the program application and university application must be received by this deadline. Late or incomplete applications may jeopardize admission to the program.

Program Application: Submit the following program application materials in the order listed below to the College of Education Graduate Studies and Research Office in one complete package:

1. A completed program application form.
2. A three page double-spaced typewritten personal statement. In the personal statement, please address the following three questions: 1) What are the academic, professional and personal experiences that led you to apply to the SCA program? 2) What are your academic, professional and personal goals, and how would the SCA program help you achieve them? 3) What are the issues that you are most passionate about related to social justice and education? Each question may be answered sequentially, or the applicant may integrate his or her responses to all three questions into one central discussion.
3. Two academic or professional letters of recommendation that evaluate the applicant's academic abilities and suitability for graduate level study. At least one recommendation should be from a former university instructor, and all letters must be typewritten and on letterhead.
4. One complete set of official transcripts from all educational institutions attended, including CSULB. Transcripts must verify a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 semester (or 90 quarter) units of course work for the undergraduate degree.
5. One representative sample of the applicant's academic writing. Ideally, the writing sample would consist of an essay or research paper written for a class or university requirement. Applicants who do not have such documents may submit another type of writing sample; however, academic writing samples are most helpful for the admissions committee in assessing applicants' preparation for the writing required during the program.

Program applications should be submitted as a complete set, containing items 1-5 listed above, and may be delivered in person or sent by postal mail to:

Office of Graduate Studies and Research
College of Education - ED1-7
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90840

University Application: Applicants must simultaneously file a "Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate Admissions Application" with the University Office of Admissions, along with one complete set of official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended. Please note that this set of transcripts is in addition to the set of official transcripts required for the program application. The transcripts must be submitted to Enrollment Services/Admissions, CSU Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Brotman Hall - Room 123, Long Beach, CA 90840.

The university application must be accompanied by the non-refundable application fee. Applicants are encouraged to apply online by visiting CSUMentor. Select "Apply online," and follow the instructions to create an account. When completing the application, please be sure to select the correct term, then click on the box "Select a Campus and Major." Select "Long Beach Campus," then click "Set Campus." The intended major box will appear. Be sure to select "EDUC Social & Cultural Analysis MA" from the pull down menu. Click "submit" when the application is complete. Remember to print a copy of the application confirmation number and application.

Applicants who do not have access to the Internet may obtain an admissions application from Enrollment Services in Brotman Hall at CSULB or another CSU campus. When using the paper application, follow these instructions:

Major/Program Objective: On Part A, line 10a, indicate MA Education and enter code ED_PMA03. On the option line, indicate the option, SCA. (CSU codes differ from CSULB codes; therefore, do not use codes that appear in the CSU Graduate Admissions booklet; note that the information you need to provide will require more than the allotted spaces.)

Please direct questions regarding either the online or paper application process to the College of Education Graduate Office (562/985-8476).

Last update: 7/23/09