Academic Qualifications

An applicant who has completed a college-preparatory secondary program and has not attempted any college/university classes after graduation.

• Completion of a university-preparatory secondary/high school program with a 3.0 (B in the U.S. system) or "Very Good" GPA
• University-preparatory mathematics courses include beginning algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra. All must have passing grades (C or better, or the equivalent)
• Must have English Proficiency
• The SAT/ACT test is not required for admission. Although not required, higher-level test scores may allow you to be placed into higher-level English and/or Math courses

An applicant who has completed college/university credits in the US after high school.

Lower Division Transfer - Fewer Than 60 Transferable Credits

• Successful completion of a secondary/high school program
• Completion of at least 24-semester credits (remedial coursework will be counted toward unit total)
• Minimum 2.0 GPA in all transferable-level coursework
• GE Area A courses completed with a grade of C- or higher
  • A1 – Oral Communication
  • A2 – Written Communication
  • A4/B4 – Quantitative Reasoning/Mathematics
• Language proficiency is met by completing GE Areas A1 and A2 with a grade of C- or higher

Upper Division Transfer – 60 or More Transferable Credits

• Completion of at least 60 transferable-level credits
• Minimum of 2.0 GPA in all transferable-level coursework
• Must have GE Area A courses completed with a grade of C- or higher
  • A1 – Oral Communication
  • A2 – Written Communication
  • A4/B4 – Quantitative Reasoning/Mathematics
• Language proficiency is met by completing GE Areas A1 and A2 with a grade of C- or higher

An applicant who has completed college/university credits outside the US after high school. 

Overseas Transfer Student (Lower Division) – Fewer Than 60 Transferable Credits

• Completion of a university-preparatory secondary/high school program with a 3.0 (B in the U.S. system) or "Very Good" average
• University-preparatory mathematics courses include beginning algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra. All must have passing grades (C or better, or the equivalent)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.40 in all college coursework
• Must have English Proficiency
• The SAT test is not required for admission
  • Although not required, higher-level test scores may allow you to be placed into higher-level English and/or Math courses

Overseas Transfer Student (Upper Division) – 60 or More Transferable Credits

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.40 for all college coursework
• Must have English Proficiency
• The SAT test is not required for admission
  • Although not required, higher-level test scores may allow you to be placed into higher-level English and/or Math courses

*Your international transcript will be evaluated in two phases:

• Phase I evaluation – initial evaluation – an Admission Advisor will determine if you are eligible for admission to CSU, Chico
• Phase II evaluation – secondary evaluation – once you are admitted and you notify CSU, Chico of your intent to enroll, you are eligible to have your international transfer credits evaluated.  Your Admission Advisor will assist you with this process.

An undergraduate applicant who wishes to study at CSU, Chico for one or two semesters as a visiting student. Degrees cannot be awarded to students on a visiting status.

Non-Degree applicants should review qualifications on this page for Freshman or Overseas Transfer based on their current academic level.

An applicant who has completed the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree and is looking to enroll in a graduate/master’s degree program.

• Must have completed a 4-year university degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.  Equivalencies will be determined by International Admissions Evaluators.
• Must have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 in an acceptable earned bachelor's degree and attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester credits. A lower grade point average may be considered based on overall qualifications. The grading system in the U.S. is on a four-point scale:
  • 0 = Failing Grade
  • 1.0 = Below Average
  • 2.0 = Average or Good
  • 3.0 = Above Average or Very Good
  • 4.0 = Excellent
• Must have English Proficiency
• Applicants must select a program at Chico State that is demonstrably different than their first bachelor's program. 

An applicant who has completed the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree and is looking to enroll in a graduate/master’s degree program.

• Must have completed a 4-year university degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.  Equivalencies will be determined by the International Graduate Admission Evaluator.
• Must have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 in an acceptable earned bachelor's degree and attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester credits. A lower grade point average may be considered based on overall qualifications. The grading system in the U.S. is on a four-point scale:
  • 0 = Failing Grade
  • 1.0 = Below Average
  • 2.0 = Average or Good
  • 3.0 = Above Average or Very Good
  • 4.0 = Excellent
• Must have English Proficiency
• Some programs may require additional test scores.  Refer to the Graduate Programs and Coordinators page.