Graduate Programs, Coordinators and Requirements
Learn about the master’s degrees offered by Chico State. Each graduate program has a faculty member serving as a graduate program coordinator. You are encouraged to contact the program coordinator for specifics about courses, requirements, career paths, and research opportunities.
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Applications are now being accepted! U.S. News & World Report has ranked Chico State a top 10 U.S. public university in the West for over a decade. With one of the lowest average student debt amounts in the country, Chico State offers one of the nation’s highest return on investment.
International applicants (those requiring a J-1 or F-1 visa) should consult with our office of International Admissions & Outreach for additional requirements.
Agricultural Education (MS) - Online
Application Deadlines
- Fall: July-1
- Spring: No spring admission
Requirements
Statement of purpose.
Program Coordinator
Mollie Aschenbrener

Anthropology (MA)
Options
Option in Museum Studies
Application Deadlines
- Fall: January-10
- Spring: No spring admission
Requirements
GRE test, two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, curriculum vitae, and writing sample.
Program Coordinator
Matthew O'Brien

Art (MA)
Application Deadlines
- Fall: March-1
- Spring: October-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and two upper division art history papers.
Program Coordinator
Cameron Crawford
Art (MFA) - SUSPENDED

Biological Sciences (MS)
Options
Option in Botany
Application Deadlines
- Fall: March-1
- Spring: October-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae, and statement of purpose. Contact and identify a faculty mentor.
Program Coordinator
Christopher Ivey

Business Administration (MBA) - Campus-Based or Online
- Business Administration Course Catalog
- Business Administration Website
- Business Administration Brochure
- Online MBA
Options
- General MBA (GEN)
- Project Management (PRMG)
- Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) - now a STEM Degree; only offered campus-based, not online
Application Deadlines
Campus-Based
- Fall: April-29 (April-1 for international applicants)
- Spring: November-1 (September-30 for international applicants)
Online MBA
- Fall: July-5
- Spring: December-10
Requirements
One letter of recommendation, statement of purpose, and resume.
Program Coordinators
- Campus-Based - Carol Trivedi
- Online MBA - Ken Chapman

Communication Sciences and Disorders (MS)
Application Deadlines
- Fall: January-15
- No spring admission
Requirements
In addition to the Cal State Apply application, submit three letters of recommendation, resume, personal essay, and transcripts using the CSDCAS application(opens in new window). GPA of 3.0.
Program Coordinator
Susan Steffani

Communication Studies (MA)
Application Deadlines
- Fall: June-1 (April-1 for international applicants)
- Spring: November-1
Requirements
Three letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, two writing samples, and GPA of 3.0.
Program Coordinator
Jennifer Malkowski

Computer Science (MS)
Application Deadlines
- Fall: March-1
- No spring admission
Requirements
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for Fall 2022 admissions (graduates of an ABET accredited program in computer science are exempt from this requirement). A GRE score of 300 or higher is preferred. Two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose are required.
Program Coordinator
Tyson Henry

Education (MA)
Application Deadlines
- Fall: May-1 (April-1 for international applicants)
- Spring: December-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation, department letter of recommendation access waiver form (PDF), and writing assessment. See this application process website for instructions.
Program Coordinator
Ben Seipel
Information on the dual MA Teaching / Credential program (CLASS) can be found on the CLASS web page.

Educational Technology & Distance Learning Certificate
Application Deadlines
- Fall: July-1
- Spring: No spring admission
Requirements
Statement of Purpose
Program Coordinator
Tal Slemrod(opens in new window)
Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE) - SUSPENDED
Requirements
Fall Admission Only. Two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose and department letter of recommendation access waiver form (PDF). CSU, Chico graduates are not required to submit letters of recommendation or statement of purpose.
Program Coordinator
Kathleen Meehan

English (MA)
Certificates
The Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Application Deadlines
- Fall: March-1
- Spring: September-16
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and analytic writing sample. Additional creative writing sample required for creative writing applicants.
Program Coordinator
Erin Kelly

Environmental Science (MS)
Options
Professional Science Master's Option
Application Deadlines
- Fall: March-1 (February-1 for international applicants)
- Spring: November-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae, and statement of purpose. Contact & identify a faculty mentor.
Program Coordinator
Kristen Kaczynski

Geosciences (MS)
Options
Option in Hydrology/Hydrogeology
Application Deadlines
- Fall: March-1 (February-1 for international applicants)
- Spring: November-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae, and statement of purpose. Contact & identify a faculty mentor.
Program Coordinator
Kristen Kaczynski

History (MA)
Certificates
Certificate in Advanced Study in History
Application Deadlines
- Fall: April-1
- Spring: November-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and writing sample.
Program Coordinator
Stephen Lewis

Interdisciplinary Studies (MA/MS)
- Interdisciplinary Studies Course Catalog
- Interdisciplinary Studies Website
- Interdisciplinary Studies Brochure
Emphases
- Wildland Management emphasis
- Regenerative Agriculture emphasis
Application Deadlines
- Fall: May-1 (April-1 for international applicants)
- Spring: November-1
- No Spring admission for Wildland Management emphasis
Requirements
For general IDST: One letter of recommendation, justification statement, and a Program Plan Approval form (PDF).
For Wildland Management and Regenerative Agriculture emphasis: One letter of recommendation, justification statement, and resume.
Program Coordinators
General IDST
Sharon Barrios
Wildland Management
Eli Goodsell
Regenerative Agriculture
Garrett Liles

Kinesiology (MA)
Options
Option in Athletic Training Education
Application Deadlines
- Fall: April-1
- Spring: October-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and an article critique.
Program Coordinator
Cheng Tu Hsieh

Mathematics Education (MS) - SUSPENDED
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and writing assessment. Applicants must hold a teaching credential in mathematics and GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 units.
Program Coordinator
Pamela Morrell

Nursing (MS) - Online
Options
- Nurse Educator
- Nursing Leadership
Application Deadlines
Nurse Educator option - Fall admissions for odd years only (Fall 2023)
Nursing Leadership option - Fall admissions for even years only (Fall 2022)
- Fall: May-10
- Spring: No spring admission
Requirements
Statement of purpose, College level inferential Statistics within the last 5 years, BSN from an accredited Nursing program, and CA Nursing License.
Program Coordinator
Sarah Brown Blake

Nutritional Science (MS)
Options
- Nutrition Education
- General Nutritional Science
Application Deadlines
- Fall: May-1 (April-1 for international applicants)
- Spring: October-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, department pre-requisite course clearance form, writing sample, and resume.
Program Coordinator
Keiko Goto

Political Science (MA)
Application Deadlines
- Fall: June-1 (April-1 for international applicants)
- Spring: November-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation and statement of purpose.
Program Coordinator
Matt Thomas

Psychology (MA & MS)
Options
- Psychological Science
- Applied / School Psychology
- Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) - The MS in Psychology degree meets the educational requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) license in the State of California.
Application Deadlines
- Fall admission only
- Psychological Science: January-21 (January-15 for international applicants)
- Applied / School Psychology: February-15 (January-15 for international applicants)
- Marriage and Family Therapy: February-15 (January-15 for international applicants)
- No spring admission
See department website for guidelines.
Program Coordinator
Dave Hibbard

Public Administration (MPA)
Options
- Health Administration
- Criminal Justice
Application Deadlines
- Fall: June-1 (April-1 for international students)
- Spring: October-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation and statement of purpose.
Program Coordinator
Charles Turner

Recreation Administration (MA) - SUSPENDED
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation and statement of purpose.
Program Coordinator
Laura McLachlin

Social Science (MA)
Application Deadlines
- Fall: April-15 (March-1 for international applicants)
- Spring: October-1
Requirements
Two letters of recommendation and statement of purpose.
Program Coordinator
Diana Flannery

Social Work (MSW)
Application Deadlines
- Fall: January-15 (December-15 for international applicants)
- No spring admission
Requirements
Three letters of recommendation and a personal statement
Program Coordinator
Meka Klungtvet-Morano and Chelsea Cornell

Language Teaching (MA)
Certificates
TESOL Graduate Certificate
Application Deadlines
- Fall: May-15 (April-1 for international applicants)
- Spring: December-1
Requirements
Three letters of recommendation and statement of purpose.
Program Coordinator
Friederike Fichtner

Notes
- International applicants are not eligible to apply for the Agricultural Education, Math Education, Online MBA, and Nursing Programs.
- All graduate applicants whose native language is not English, must complete the TOEFL (minimum scores 550 PBT, 80 iBT), IELTS (6.5 band score) or PTE Academic (minimum score 59).
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