Get Ready to Apply!
Our campus is excited to welcome future students ready to begin their application and join the California State University, Bakersfield community.
The application dates and deadlines page provides steps for applying and information about graduate program deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to review this page and use the guidebook to assist with completing their application.
Please note the following changes to the future application opening dates:
Fall 2027 Semester: The Cal State Apply application will open on August 1 (previously
October 1).
Spring 2027 Semester: The Cal State Apply application will open on July 1 (previously
August 1).
Steps for Applying
Information regarding upcoming application dates and deadlines is available on the California State University website at Cal State Apply Dates and Deadlines.
To apply to our campus, students must complete and submit their application through
Cal State Apply, the official application portal for all campuses within the California State University system.
Information regarding upcoming application dates and deadlines is available on the
California State University website at Cal State Apply Dates and Deadlines.
Please refer to the guidebook for step-by-step guidance to assist with completing the application.
Cal State Apply Graduate Student Application Guide
Graduate Program Deadlines
Graduate programs may request a supplemental application in addition to the application through Cal State Apply. The supplemental application is required for final program review and must be submitted by the program's deadline seen below. *University and program deadlines subject to change depending on academic year.
| Credential | Spring Program Deadlines | Fall Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple/Single Subject | Thursday,October 30, 2025 |
Bakersfield Campus: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Antelope Valley Campus: Monday, June 15, 2026 |
| Special Education - Mild Moderate Support Needs | Saturday, November 01, 2025 | Monday, June 1, 2026 |
| Special Education - Extensive Support Needs | Saturday, November 01, 2025 | Monday, June 1, 2026 |
| Graduate Programs | Spring Program Deadlines | Fall Program Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Biology -MS | Monday, September 15, 2025 | Saturday, March 15, 2026 |
| Business Administration (MBA)-Main | Sunday, November 30, 2025 | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 |
| Business Administration (MBA)-Online | Sunday, November 30, 2025 | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 |
| Counseling Psychology - MS | Closed | Friday, February 06, 2026 |
| Educational Administration - MA | Closed | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 |
| Educational Counseling - MS | Closed | Sunday, March 1, 2026 |
| English - MA | Sunday, November 30, 2025 | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 |
| Geology - MS | Sunday, November 30, 2025 | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 |
| Health Care Administration (MSHCA) | Closed | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 |
| History - MA | Monday, November 03, 2025 | Wednesday, April 01, 2026 |
| Nursing FNP - MS | Closed | Closed |
| Public Administration (MPA) | Sunday, November 30, 2025 | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 |
| Social Work (MSW) | Closed | Friday, January, 30, 2026 |
| Spanish - MA | Sunday, November 30, 2025 | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 |
| Special Education - MA | Saturday, November 01, 2025 | Monday, June 01, 2026 |
Educational Leadership (E.d.D.)
- Offers an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with two unique degree options:
- Pre-K-12 Educational Leadership and
- Postsecondary Educational Leadership (including Community College leadership and administration)
|
Fall |
Spring |
|---|---|
| Saturday, May 30, 2026 | Closed |
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Program (Two degree options)
1. Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) Program
The purpose of the DNP-FNP program is to produce doctorally prepared nurse practitioners
to address the critical shortage of primary care providers in the region and to meet
the emerging educational and scholarly standard for nurse practitioners. This three-year,
eight-semester, program is designed for registered nurses (RNs) who have a Bachelor
of Science (BS) or Master of Science (MS) in Nursing, and who are not Family Nurse
Practitioners and aspire to become doctorally prepared nurse practitioners.
Currently, our DNP-NP program only offers the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration. Students are accepted into the program every fall semester.
Graduates of the FNP Program are:
-
- Qualified to be certified as NPs by the State of California.
- Qualified to earn an FNP furnishing number from the state of California.
- Prepared to take National FNP Certification exams.
- Qualified to be certified as NPs by the State of California.
The purpose of the MSN-DNP Program is to meet the emerging educational and scholarly standards for advanced nursing practice. This four-semester program is designed for master’s prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), including Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Midwives, who are seeking the terminal degree in nursing discipline and to be prepared for autonomous clinical practice and interprofessional leadership at the highest level.
|
Fall |
Spring |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, April 01, 2026 | Closed |