Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies Newsletter
Our Office

Student Services Center, Room 460
530-898-6880
graduatestudies@csuchico.edu

The Office of Graduate Studies
Business Hours
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Monday–Friday

Mailing Address
Office of Graduate Studies
California State University, Chico
400 W. First St.
Chico, CA 95929–0875

More Contact Information

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Dates and Deadlines

Application deadlines by graduate program, fee & registration deadlines, class start dates, and deadlines associated with master's graduation and commencement. See also: International Applicant Deadlines(opens in new window).

Fall 2026 Application filing period begins: October 1, 2025
Spring 2027 Application filing period begins: August 1, 2026

  • Program Application Deadlines
    Application Deadlines by Program
    Graduate / Post-Baccalaureate ProgramsFall DeadlinesSpring Deadlines
    Agricultural Education  (MS)July 1No spring admission
    Anthropology (MA) - Biological December 15No spring admission
    Anthropology (MA) - Archeology, Cultural, Museum StudiesMarch 1No spring admission
    Art  (MA)March 1October 1 
    Biological Sciences  (MS)March 1October 1
    Business Administration  (MBA) - CampusApril 29November 1
    Business Administration  (MBA) - OnlineJuly 25December 9
    Business Analytics  (MS)April 29No spring admission
    Communication Sciences & Disorders  (MA)January 15 No spring admission
    Communications Studies  (MA)April 1No spring admission
    Computer Science (MS)April 1No spring admission
    Computer Science (MS) - OnlineJuly 25December 5
    Credential Conditionally Classified   July 1December 7
    Data Science and Analytics (MS)April 1No spring admission
    Education  (MA)May 1December 1

    Educational Technology & Distance Learning Certificate

    		July 1No spring admission

    Electrical & Computer Engineering

    		May 1November 1

    English  (MA)

    *Certificate in Teaching College-Level Writing

    		April 1November 1 
    Earth and Environmental Science  (MS)   March 1November 1

    History  (MA)

    *Certificate in Advanced Study in History 

    		April 1November 1
    Interdisciplinary Studies  (MA or MS)May 1November 1
    Interdisciplinary Studies: MS Regenerative AgricultureMay 1No spring admission
    Interdisciplinary Studies: MS Wildland ManagementMay 1No spring admission
    Kinesiology  (MA)April 1November 1

    Language Teaching  (MA)

     *Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)   

    		July 1December 1

    Nursing  (MS) 
        Nursing Leadership option - Fall admissions for even years only                        Nurse Educator option - Fall admissions for odd years only    

    		May 10No spring admission
    Nutritional Science  (MS)

    May 1

    		November 1
    Nutritional Science  (MS Dietetics option)January 15 No spring admission
    Political Science  (MA)May 1November 1
    Preliminary Admin Services CredentialJune 1No spring admission
    Psychology - MA Applied/School PsychologyFebruary 13No spring admission
    Psychology - MS Marriage and Family TherapyJanuary 16No spring admission
    Psychology - MA Psychological ScienceJanuary 18No spring admission
    Public Administration  (MPA) May 1November 1
    Social Science  (MA)April 1November 1
    Social Work   (MSW)January 15No spring admission
  • Fee, Registration, Graduation, and Other Deadlines
    Graduate Studies Deadlines
    DescriptionSpring 2026Summer 2026Fall 2026Spring 2027
    Registration for New Students12/1/2025 to
    12/5/2025    		4/1/2026 to 5/25/20267/13/2026 to
    8/6/2026
    Registration for Continuing Students10/27/2025 to
    12/30/2025    		4/1/2026 to 5/25/20264/20/2026 to 5/29/2026
    Fee Payment Deadline1/8/20265/14/20268/13/2026
    Add/Drop Registration1/12/2026 to
    1/30/2026    		05/25/2026 to 08/18/20268/10/2026 to
    8/23/2026
    Classes Begin1/20/20266/1/20268/24/2026
    Application for Graduation Master's Degree2/16/20266/15/20269/21/2026
    Continuous/Adjunct Enrollment2/16/2026NA9/21/2026

    Culminating Activity Deadline
    Final Progress Sheets due to Graduate Studies 

    		4/17/20268/3/202611/20/2026
    Thesis/Project submitted to
    Graduate Studies    		4/17/20268/3/202611/20/2026
    Commencement Registration Deadline2/25–4/19/20264/19/2026 (for May 2026 ceremony)2/24–4/18/2027
    Commencement Day5/13/265/13/2026 (can also walk in the May 2027 ceremony5/19/27

Exceptions

  • In the event that a deadline falls on a day in which the campus is closed, the deadline will be extended to the next campus work day.
  • Deadlines may be extended - Call the Office of Graduate Studies at 530-898-6880 or email graduatestudies@csuchico.edu to verify program closures or extensions.

For information on non-state sessions call the Office of Professional and Continuing Education at 530-898-6105.