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
@chicostategradstudiesGrad Studies YouTube Channel (@chicostate-gradstudies)
Grad Studies YouTube ChannelNew Graduate Student Orientation
Welcome to Chico State! We are thrilled to have you as a new graduate student. We have a fantastic support system set up that includes your academic departments and the Office of Graduate Studies to help you succeed in your academic journey.
New Graduate Student Fall 2026 Orientation
Kick off your grad school journey—RSVP Today!Join us for the New Graduate Student Orientation, where you'll get the information, resources, and connections you need to begin the semester with confidence.
Hear from a panel of current graduate students and graduate alumni as they share what they wish they had known when they started, offer practical advice, and answer your questions about navigating graduate school.
We'll also introduce you to the many resources available to support your success—from navigating campus and accessing key services to managing coursework and building connections with faculty, staff, and fellow graduate students. Whether you're attending in person or online, you'll leave with valuable tips and a stronger sense of your graduate community.
Can't make it to campus? No problem! Online and distance students are welcome to join us via Zoom (passcode: Grad). We'd love to connect with you wherever you are.
One more tip: Many graduate programs also host their own orientation. We encourage you to attend both the Graduate Studies Orientation and your program's orientation, as each offers unique information and opportunities to meet faculty, graduate coordinators, current students, and support staff.
To give you a glimpse into the vibrant and supportive community that awaits you, we have put together a short video introducing some of our dedicated Office of Graduate Studies staff, who are here to help and provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the summer, during the orientation, and beyond.
Please also take a moment to read the New Graduate Student FAQs for detailed answers to questions from new grad students.
Our Grad Guides page(opens in new window) contains three important links for guides: Guide for New Graduate Students - to familiarize yourself with Chico State resources; Graduate Studies Guide to Policies, Procedure, and Format - an overview of rules, regulations, policies, and helpful information; and Grad Education Policies page - for regulations, student responsibilities, and other critical information.
Our Signing Up for Classes(opens in new window) page, Steps Toward Earning a Master's Degree(opens in new window) page, and Graduate Degree Progression(opens in new window) page also contain important information useful to new and continuing graduate students.