California State University, Bakersfield

Graduate Student Center

 

Prospective Students

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Welcome to the Graduate Student Center at California State University, Bakersfield! Our priority is serving prospective and continuing graduate students. We are excited you are considering CSUB for graduate school, and look forward to helping you take this exciting endeavor. Throughout these pages, you will find details about various facets of the Graduate School, including but not limited to admissions, degree programs, financial aid, forms, and policies and procedures. Exploring this website will provide you with a broad overview of what is offered at CSUB.

"IT’S YOUR UNIVERSITY!"

General Information

  • Graduate Program Offerings
  • Applying to CSUB

    • All graduate and postbaccalaureate applicants (e.g., master's degree applicants, those seeking credentials, and those seeking a second bachelor's degree) must file a completed graduate application as described in the California State University Graduate Application for Admission, or online at http://www.csumentor.edu/.

      Paper applications may be obtained from the Graduate Student Center Office. Graduate students must apply to the university AND to a specific graduate program. Each program establishes its own minimum admission requirements and makes its own admission decisions based on these and other criteria.

      Please refer our Graduate Programs for more information about the programs CSUB offers and their admission requirements. Click on the following link for further information on applying to CSUB as a post-baccalaureate student.

    • Open University may be an option for those who are not seeking a degree or would like to examine a new field before enrolling into a degree program. Open University, allows individuals to register for regular university courses on a space available basis without being admitted to CSUB.

      Admission to CSUB is not necessary in order to take Open University courses; however, enrollment in Open University courses does not constitute formal acceptance into CSUB. For more information, you may contact Extended University at (661) 654-2441 or e-mail eud@csub.edu

  • Application Steps

    • Application Acknowledgment: After your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email indicating the receipt of your application. In approximately two weeks, you should receive an acknowledgment email that will provide you with a unique applicant ID number and information to log on to the one-stop student portal called myCSUB.

      This information is sent to the email address you provided on your application so it is very important that the email address you provided is current. You are expected to track the status of the submitted application and the receipt of all required documents using this online tracking system.

    • Submit Application Materials: Most, if not all post-baccalaureate programs require both a program specific application and a university application (CSUMentor). Each program is different, therefore you are encouraged to apply early and pay close attention to the specific requirements of the academic program you are seeking.

    • Evaluation of Eligibility: Upon receipt of all necessary documents, the Graduate Programs Admissions Coordinator will review your eligibility based on the minimum university requirements. If you are deemed eligible, your academic program will be notified. A decision letter will be sent upon completion of the departmental review of your qualifications.

    • Application Decision: Your status will also be reflected on myCSUB.

      Be sure to monitor your "To-Do" list regularly even after you have been admitted; there may be additional documents or requirements you will need to submit.

  • Admitted Students
  • Request to Change Application/Admission Term
  • Testing Information
  • Deadlines
    • California State University, Bakersfield does not have an application filing deadline. However, submitting your application early is strongly encouraged so you can take advantage of any other requirements such as placements tests, entrance exams, etc. you may need to fulfill before the term begins. Also, make sure to check with the specific graduate department you are pursuing for any deadlines they may have.
  • Financial Aid
  • FAQs
      1. I've recently graduated from CSUB. Do I need to reapply to enter a post-baccalaureate or graduate program?
        Yes! You must reapply to the university just like a new student. You must complete a graduate application and submit appropriate supporting documentation such as transcripts if necessary. There are several ways to apply to CSUB. We encourage you to apply to CSUB by visiting CSUMentor. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may request an admissions application packet be sent to you. Just call the University Outreach office at (661) 654-3138 or e-mail at outreach@csub.edu and let them know you need a graduate application sent to you. If you are graduating as an undergraduate student and wish to continue for the subsequent quarter, you are highly encouraged to apply early to faciliate your course registration for next term. You must still meet the admission requirements of the university and the program you are seeking. The application fee requires a non refundable $55.00 filing fee whether sent via CSUMentor or on paper. Fee waivers are available if you qualify.
      2. When will I know if you received my application?
        You may check your status online at myCSUB. You will also receive an e-mail from us acknowledging the receipt of your application along with your specific CSUB ID number with instructions on how to login. This information will be sent to the email address you provided on your application so it is very important that the email address you provided is good, maintained, and will not reject messages. Your status online will also let you know of any outstanding "To-do" list items you will need to complete or submit. Processing time depends on when all required documents have been received and whether it is the peak period of application processing. Most if not all programs require both a program specific application and a university application (CSUMentor). Each program is different, therefore you are encouraged to apply early and pay close attention to the specifc requirements of the academic program you are seeking.
      3. When will I be notified of my admission status?
        Upon receipt of all necessary documents, the Graduate Programs Admissions Coordinator will review your eligibility based on the minimum university requirements listed above. If you are deemed eligible, your academic program will be notified. An admission letter will be sent upon completion of the departmental review of your qualifications. Your status will also be reflected on myCSUB. Be sure to monitor your "To-Do" list regularly even after you have been admitted; there may be additional documents or requirements you will need to submit.
      4. What if I received my degree from an institution outside of the U.S.A.?

        Official Translation of Transcripts

        International students must submit foreign transcripts in the original language and a certified English translation. Foreign transcripts must be professionally evaluated by a reputable company. A suggested list of companies that evaluate foreign transcripts is found at:
        http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl635.pdf

        Three year degrees from India are generally not considered the equivalent of a four year degree from the U.S. Exceptions would be degrees in areas such as science and engineering.

        For additional information regarding international student requirements, please contact the Director of International Students and Programs, at (661) 654-6113.

      5. What are the fees and tutition at CSUB?
        (note that fees are subject to increase) please contact Student Financials Services (661)654-3225 for the most current information.
      6. The class I want to register is closed. What should I do?

        If the course you are registering for is full, try selecting another section for the same course. The Admissions and Records office does not retain waiting lists for instructors. If an instructor allows to add students to the course, you must obtain a signature on an "Add" slip. Submit the "Add" slip to the records office for processing.

      7. When I registered for a course, it says I have a "prerequisite" error. What is this?

        If the registration system says you have a prerequisite problem with a specific course, you will have to go to complete an Add/Drop Slip and submit it to the Graduate Student Center for processing.

      8. What is the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)?

        All graduate students must satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) as soon as possible. Graduate students may meet this requirement by passing the regularly scheduled examination (offered once a quarter) or by earning a “C” or better in one of the approved GWAR courses. Waivers for Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Students

        You will be exempt from the GWAR if you meet any of the four criteria below:

        1. You graduated from a CSU or UC since 1980.
        2. As of Fall 2006, post-baccalaureate and graduate students with the following test scores (provided the test(s) were taken since 1980):
          GMAT - 4.5 or higher on the writing portion of the GMAT
          CBEST - 41 or higher on the writing portion of the CBEST
          GRE - 4.5 or higher on the analytic writing portion of the GRE General Test

      Post-baccalaureate and graduate students who have one or more articles published as first author in a refereed professional journal may submit their work for review to the chair of the university-wide GWAR committee with a formal request to waive the GWAR.

      Post-Baccalaureate and graduate students who already have an MA or MS in any discipline that included a master’s thesis or project and are working on another degree or credential may submit their thesis or project for review to the chair of the university-wide GWAR committee* with a formal request to waive the GWAR.

      In the last two situations, waiver requests and supporting documents will be reviewed, and you will receive a decision in approximately two weeks. For further information and exemptions contact the English Department at (661)654-2144.

    • Forms
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