Where to Begin

All admitted students must provide the Office of Graduate Studies with one official transcript from all accredited postsecondary institutions attended to complete admission to the University. Transcripts are considered official if received directly from the school issuing the documents, or from the student in the original sealed envelope, within two years of the date issued.

If you are presently an undergraduate student who expects to complete a baccalaureate degree at an institution other than Chico State, our office must receive an official transcript confirming degree conferral.

In the event that the baccalaureate is not received, your admission to postbaccalaureate studies will be revoked. It should be noted that any coursework completed prior to degree conferral is part of your undergraduate academic record and may not be applicable to a postbaccalaureate program.

If your graduation date changes, or if you have problems concerning the award of your undergraduate degree, it is imperative you contact the Office of Graduate Studies at 530-898-6880 or by email to graduatestudies@csuchico.edu.

Evidence of immunization against measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella) is required prior to registration for anyone born after January 1, 1957. For further information, please contact Records and Registration (530-898-5142) or visit their website.

You may be admitted to a program in one of the following categories:

Conditionally Classified
You may be admitted to a graduate degree program in conditionally classified status if your graduate department determines that you should remedy deficiencies by additional preparation. For example, you may be required to take specified undergraduate-level courses and earn a specified GPA in those courses prior to becoming a classified student.

Classified Graduate Student
You are a classified master's degree student if you have been formally accepted to pursue master's degree study by the department and the Office of Graduate Studies.

After demonstrating ability and aptitude for the discipline as a classified master's degree student and meeting specific departmental requirements, the department will recommend that you be Advanced to Candidacy:

Candidate
All students must be “Advanced to Candidacy,” in addition to completing all other degree requirements, prior to a degree being conferred.

For more information on specific admission categories, consult the “Admission to Master’s Degree Programs” section of the University Catalog.

All California State Universities are required to establish student residency to determine whether a student should pay University fees on an in-state or out-of-state basis. This is independent from other types of residency, such as for tax purposes or other state or institutional residency. The laws governing residency for tuition purposes are California Education Code sections 68000-68090, 68120-68134, and 89705-89707.5, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Subchapter 5, Article 4, sections 41900-41916. This information may be viewed online by accessing the California State University’s website at: https://www.calstate.edu/Pages/Resource-Center.aspx.

Admissions coordinators are responsible for determining residency status based on the Application for Admission, Residency Questionnaire, Reclassification Request Form, and, as necessary, other evidence furnished by you. Failure to submit adequate information to establish eligibility for resident classification will result in classification as a non-resident.

Generally, establishing California residency for tuition purposes requires a combination of physical presence and the intent to remain indefinitely. Evidence demonstrating intent may vary from case to case, but will include the absence of residential ties to any other state, California voter registration and voting in California elections, maintaining California vehicle registration and driver’s license, etc. View Determination of Residency for Tuition Purposes in the University Catalog for more details.

If it is your intention to establish California residency, you should schedule an appointment immediately upon your arrival with Nancy Parsons in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (530-898-6321) to discuss the California residence requirements. You must apply for a residence reclassification when you have satisfied the necessary criteria to become a resident. Residence Reclassification forms and information are available at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions located on the first floor of the Student Services Center. Upon qualifying your status will be changed to Resident.

University Fees
The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs at a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU reserves the right, even after initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees, without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees.

Fee information is available online through the Student Financial Services website at: http://www.csuchico.edu/sfin/fees-tuition/index.shtml. Fee payment deadlines are also online at: https://www.csuchico.edu/sfin/student-accounts/deadlines.shtml. Questions regarding fees may be directed to Student Financial Services at 530-898-5936 or by email at: cash@csuchico.edu.

The Wildcat ID Card is the official identification card for students, faculty, and staff at Chico State. Why do you need a Wildcat Card?

• To check out books at Meriam library
• To ride for free on the Butte Regional Transit (B-Line)
• Purchase software or hardware at the Chico State Wildcat Store
• For food service, if you live in a residence hall or have a meal plan
• Use campus computer labs
• Access to the Wildcat Recreation Center (WREC)
• WellCat Health Center
• Buy discount tickets at the University Box Office

The Wildcat Card office is located in the Meriam Library (MLIB), room 142. When campus is open, normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. 

Chico State considers e-mail an official method of communication with students. This method ensures that students have access to official communications through a standardized channel.

Official information sent to student Wildcat e-mail addresses may include the following: university, college, or department academic information, emergency announcements, security information, billing information, confirmation of major changes, deadlines, commencement, etc.

Your CSU, Chico Wildcat email (username@csuchico.edu) is powered by Google. You may elect to redirect (auto-forward) messages sent to your official Wildcat email address. But you do so at your own risk. Having email lost as a result of redirection is ultimately your responsibility. The entire student email policy may be viewed online: http://www.csuchico.edu/prs/EMs/2005/05-005.shtml. 

All students will be able to register for classes using real-time registration through the Student Center in their Portal account. Priority registration is by appointment only. The Registrar will send you registration information with your specific appointment via your Wildcat email. Registration help and step-by-step instructions are available online http://www.csuchico.edu/sro/registration/index.shtml. You must be officially admitted to the University before you are allowed to register.

• First, activate your Chico State Portal account prior to registration
• An Enrollment Confirmation Deposit is NOT required
• Assignment of a University email address will automatically occur upon activation of your Portal and will be used for all official communication with the University
• Registration and tuition fees are due after priority registration. Fee payment deadlines are online at: http://www.csuchico.edu/sfin/index.shtml.