Graduate Admissions

The Office of Graduate Studies will accept applications from eligible graduate, credential and certificate applicants beginning October 1, 2022 for fall 2023 admissions.  Please review our list of Programs and Coordinators for an overview of the admission requirements.  The application deadlines vary by program.  Carefully review our list of Important Dates & Deadlines to ensure all application material is submitted accordingly.

Applicants must apply on-line at www.calstate.edu/app.  Application and admission questions should be directed to the Office of Graduate Studies at 530-898-6880 or via email at graduatestudies@csuchico.edu. 

Application deadlines may vary for International applicants.  All admission and application questions should be directed to International Student Services at 530-898-5415 or email apply@csuchico.edu.

To be admitted to graduate and postbaccalaureate study, a student must hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or must have completed an equivalent acceptable to the Office of Graduate Studies at California State University, Chico.

Applicants who wish to pursue a master's degree or teaching credential must have a grade point average of at least a 2.5 on the last degree completed or a grade point average of at least a 2.5 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted. Always refer to the University Catalog (opens in new window) for specific requirements.

Application Filing Periods: Applications for the fall semester may be submitted between October 1 and March 1 of the preceding academic year. Applications for the spring semester may be submitted between August 1 and September 15 of the preceding year. Please view our website or contact us for current information and exceptions.

Complete and submit an online application via Cal State Apply(opens in new window) by the posted application deadline along with the $70 nonrefundable application fee.

Click here to view videos of the CalStateApply Application process.(opens in new window)

International Applicants

If you are an international applicant planning to study on an F-1 or J-1 visa, please apply online at Cal State Apply(opens in new window) using the international application(opens in new window). For information, requirements and application procedures, please visit the Office of International Admissions website.

Official Academic Documents

Applicants to graduate programs who earned their Bachelor's degree in the United States an initial admissions decision can be made on the basis of unofficial transcripts. Electronic copies of unofficial transcripts from every college/university attended since graduating from high school will be uploaded in Cal State Apply. If admitted official transcripts must be sent to the Office of Graduate Studies before beginning your program (exception: Chico State graduates do not need to send official transcripts).

Applicants seeking admission as Conditionally Classified Credential student must send official transcripts before being evaluated for admission (exception: Chico State graduates do not need to send official transcripts).

If sending official electronic transcripts they must be sent directly from the campus or their clearinghouse to graduatestudies@csuchico.edu. 

Official paper transcripts must be received sealed in an original envelope from the issuing institution and be less than two years old. Official paper transcripts may be mailed to:

Office of Graduate Studies
California State University, Chico
400 West First Street,
Chico, CA 95929-0875

You may email specific questions to graduatestudies@csuchico.edu or contact us at 530-898-6880.

International Academic Documents

Any applicant with coursework or a degree from a college/university outside the United States but does not require a student visa (F-1 or J-1) must submit the academic documents listed below in order for your application to be considered for admission. We cannot make admission decisions on the basis of unofficial international documents. Third-party international evaluations cannot be used as a basis of admission.

• Submit one official transcript from all post-secondary colleges attended.
• Documents issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by an original certified word-for-word English translation.
• Applicants using a marks-based system of grading must submit university-attested semester format mark sheets and a degree certificate.

These documents should be submitted to Office of the Graduate Studies using the address information above under the Official Academic Documents section.

Any applicant that will require a student visa (F-1 or J-1) should consult the Office of International Admissions for the necessary documents you will need to provide to them.

Supplementary Application Material

Carefully review Program/Department admission requirements online at Programs and Coordinators to determine if your program requires supplementary application materials (letters of recommendation, writing samples, statements of purpose, test scores, etc.). Supplementary materials will either be collected electronically via Cal State Apply or sent directly to the Program Department. GMAT, GRE and English language proficiency test scores should be submitted directly from the testing company to CSU Chico. Incomplete applications will be denied.

English Language Proficiency Requirements (TOEFL / IELTS / PTE)

All graduate and postbaccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency. To demonstrate your English language ability, you should submit an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) score report to the Office of Graduate Studies. If you earned a U.S. Bachelor's or Master's degree, the English language testing requirement will be waived.

Exceptions to English Language Proficiency Requirements:
Students who have completed a degree (or three years of full-time academic study at secondary and/or post-secondary schools) in Australia, Great Britain, Anglophone Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United States.

Minimum English Proficiency Levels:
CSU, Chico minimum English language proficiency levels for postbaccalaureate admission are:

*Chico state's institutional code for electronic test score submission is 4048. Note: some graduate programs may require higher English language testing scores for admission.

All Applicants will receive their admissions decisions by electronic mail.

(If you need special accommodation to access any documents on this page, please contact the Office of Accessible Technology and Services.)