Program Admission

Application Process

Graduates students must apply to the university AND to a specific graduate program simultaneously. Admissions decisions are made at the program level by the faulty. It is essential to follow the guidelines for applying to both the university and the program. Failure to do so, and to do so in timely manner, may result in not being considered for program and/or university admission. If you have questions about completing the university or program application, please contact the Graduate Studies Office at 562/985-8476 or ced-gradstudies@csulb.edu.

Once the Graduate Studies office has processed C & I Secondary applications, the program faculty will review all complete application files, make decisions on admissions, and inform applicants of their admission status. The admissions process takes approximately four weeks from the deadline. Please note that applications are not reviewed on a rolling/continuous basis. Applicants will receive notice regarding admission to the program through email and a formal letter. The university will send notification separately.

All master’s degree students must take the GWAR during the first semester in residence.  Students who have met the GWAR requirement during their baccalaureate degree program at CSULB or at another CSU campus are exempt from retaking the GWAR as a graduate student.  Credential Only students are not required to take this examination.  For more information, or to request a GWAR registration packet, please contact CSULB Testing and Evaluation Services at (562) 985-4007.

When students are first admitted to the program, they are not yet candidates for the master's degree. Advancing to candidacy is the process through which students create a contract with the program and the University regarding the planned course of study, secure their "catalog rights," and become degree candidates. Securing catalog rights is important because it locks in the program requirements of the current CSULB Catalog, and protects the student if the program requirements should change. Students are advised to advance to candidacy as soon as they are eligible to do so, and must advance one semester prior to applying to complete the exit requirement. Students must have completed the following steps in order to advance to candidacy:

• Met with their advisor to plan a course of study
• Completed six units of core requirements (EDCI 500 and EDP 400 recommended)
• Completed the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR); See the Catalog for full details
• Maintained a 3.0 GPA in all program course work
• Resolved all incomplete grades

Please note that students must be enrolled during the semester in which they apply for advancement to candidacy.