Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I want to apply to graduate school. What should I do?
A: Go to www.csumentor.com to submit an online application. Beginning fall 2005, the
paper application process will discontinue and online applications will become the only
way to apply to the Office of Graduate Studies. Admission to CSUS involves a two part
process. First, you must meet the minimum requirements for admission to CSUS as a
post-baccalaureate or graduate student.
1. An acceptable baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
2. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) of
coursework.
In addition, you must gain admission into a specific program. Please note that each
program may have additional requirements, including a higher minimum grade point
average. Please contact the department office of the program to which you are interested
in applying for specific admission requirements.
Q: I’m having trouble with the online application process. Who can I
call for help?
You may call (800) GO-TO-XAP for technical assistance.
Q: How long does it take to process my application?
Once applications are complete, processing time averages 6-8 weeks but varies
depending on how long the department takes to make a decision. Please contact your
individual department for more information on their requirements for admission. This
process will be expedited if official transcripts are submitted with the university
admission application.
The Office of Graduate Studies gathers the necessary documents to create each student’s
permanent record and verifies that the student has a minimum GPA of 2.5 or above in
their last 60 semester units (or last 90 quarter units) of coursework attempted as well as
a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. An application from a candidate who meets those
university requirements are then forwarded to the department for their consideration.
Once a decision is made and the Office of Graduate Studies is notified, admission or
denial letters are mailed to the students.
Q: I applied to the department; do I still need to apply to the
university?
Yes, the application process at Sac State consists of two tiers. In addition to applying to a
specific department, you must also submit a university application to the Office of
Graduate Studies in order to be considered for admission.
Q: Do I have to submit official transcripts from all the institutions I
have attended?
Yes, transcripts are required from all institutions of higher education that you have
attended, including institutions outside of the U.S. However, CSUS transcripts are not
required. Applications that lack transcripts will be considered incomplete which may
delay an admission decision and/or registration.
Q: Why do I need to send two official transcripts? Do you take copies?
What if I graduated from CSUS with my undergraduate degree?
Two sets of official transcripts should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies
unless your department instructs you to do otherwise. Some departments prefer that you
send one set directly to the department so they can begin an admissions file immediately.
Please check with the department first.
Students who completed (or are in the process of completing) their bachelor’s degree at
CSU Sacramento and have not taken any other coursework elsewhere since they
graduated are not required to submit transcripts with their university application.
Q: Do I need transcripts from my junior college if the classes I took
appear on the transcript where I earned my bachelor’s degree? What if
I am just doing a credential program?
Individual transcripts from each university, college, junior college or community college
attended are required by the university to complete your graduate application. Transfer
credits from one institution that appear on the transcript of another institution may not be
substituted for an individual official transcript.
Q: Where should I mail my transcripts? Can I submit them in person?
Submit Transcripts to the following address:
California State University, Sacramento
Office of Graduate Studies
6000 J St
Sacramento, CA 95819-6112
Please be sure to include the entire 9 digit zip code when sending documents to different
university departments. Not including the last 4 digits of the zip code (6112) is the most
common reason transcripts do not arrive in a timely manner. You may submit official
transcripts sealed in the issuing institution’s envelope in person. Transcripts that have
been opened will not be accepted.
Q: What is the cost of attending Graduate School?
Fees are subject to change. Current fees directly related to registration can be found in
the class schedule.
Q: Is financial assistance available?
Application fee waivers, to be submitted with your University admission application, are
available upon request. Loan applications are available through the campus Financial
Aid office. Graduate Assistant and Teaching Associate positions may be available
through individual departments or the Career Center. You may also want to visit
fastWEB for custom scholarship opportunities.
Q: I have been admitted as a “conditionally classified” student. Does
this affect the amount of financial aid that I am eligible to receive?
Conditionally classified graduate students who enroll in less than 4 units of 200-level
coursework per semester are only eligible for financial aid at the UNDERGRADUATE
level ($10,500 annual maximum). In order to be eligible for financial aid at the
GRADUATE level ($18,500 annual maximum), conditionally classified graduate students
must enroll in 4 or more units of 200-level coursework per semester. These conditions
apply until the requirements to become a fully classified graduate student have been
satisfied.
Q: Is the class schedule online? Where can I view semester course
schedules online?
Yes, use this link to connect to the current class schedules:
http://www.csus.edu/webpages/schedule.htm
How do students at CSU Sacramento register for classes?
Newly admitted students use the CASPER phone system to register for classes for the first
time. CASPERWeb may be used in subsequent semesters after students receive a SacLink
account (see below). Students pay fees at least 5 business days before their registration
date in order to be eligible to use CASPER. Please follow the instructions on the
following web page on your registration day:
http://www.csus.edu/schedule/Fall2004Spring2005/onreg.stm
Q: Who can I call if I am having problems with CASPER?
Please call the CASPER Help line: (916) 278-8088
Q: When should I get a Student Identification Card (One Card)?
After you have been admitted, new students may obtain a One Card beginning the 1st
week of August during fall semester and the 1st week of January during spring semester.
You must pay your tuition fees first before obtaining a One Card
Q: What services are available for One Card users (Why should I get
one)?
This card is required for checking out books from the library. Additional information
about the One Card can be found here: http://www.csus.edu/onecard/ocfaq.htm
Q: Does the library offer orientation tours?
Yes, use this link to take a virtual tour:
http://www.library.csus.edu/services/inst/indiv/vtour/1welcome.htm For self-guided or
guided tours, please call the circulation desk at: (916) 278-6708
Q: How do I get a SacLink account?
Individual accounts may be requested by admitted or currently enrolled students, faculty
(current and emeritus), and staff (current and retired) by accessing the SacLink
registration Web page. Student applicants are eligible for limited accounts--see our
website for more information.
http://webapps1.csus.edu/admr/content/admission/online_services.asp
Q: Where is my class going to be (campus map)?
This link enables you to view a campus map:
http://www.csus.edu/scripts/asp/map/map.asp
Q: Where can I get a campus tour?
This link describes the campus tour process and allows you to sign up for a tour:
http://webapps1.csus.edu/prospective/content/campus_tour.asp
Q: Where can I find information on parking?
Weekly and semester parking permits are available for purchase by showing a valid CSU
Sacramento One Card at the Student Financial Services Center in Lassen Hall or the
UTAPS office in Foley Hall. These locations accept cash, personal check, Visa,
MasterCard, and CSU Sacramento One Card as valid forms of payment. Student
semester parking permits are also available through CASPER class registration. Parking
permits ordered through CASPER are mailed to students approximately two weeks prior
to the start of the semester. Daily parking permits are available from a daily parking
permit machine or at the UTAPS office. Use this link for more information:
http://www.csus.edu/utaps/parkinfo.htm
Q: I want to go to graduate school but I don’t know which program to
apply for. Who can I speak to for advising?
All of the academic advising for graduate students is done at the department level. Once
an area of interest has been established, that particular area will be responsible for all
advising. Please contact your department for any questions about prerequisites or
transfer credit. Procedural questions can usually be answered on a first come first serve
basis in the Office of Graduate Studies in River Front Center room 206 or by calling
(916) 278-6470 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm any business day.
Q: Do you offer career counseling services?
Yes, CSUS offers career counseling to students at the Career Center
http://www.csus.edu/careercenter/home.htm
Q: Do I have to take the GRE, GMAT or MAT? When should I take it?
The Office of Graduate Studies does not require test scores. (*Students who earned their
degree outside the U.S. at a university where English was not the language of instruction
need to submit TOEFL scores).
However, some departments require test scores. Please consult your department for more
information.
Q: I am a domestic student who earned my undergraduate degree or
attended a university outside the United States. What kind of
documents do I need to submit to be considered for admission?
Applicants with international transcripts should review our submission criteria in order
to ensure that the application packet is complete. See more info here.
Q: Where do I send GRE, GMAT, TOEFL scores?
GRE and GMAT score reports should be sent to the department that you intend to apply
to. The CSUS Institution code is 4671; please refer to the GRE Bulletin for the
department codes.
TOEFL score reports should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies. Use may
use the CSUS Institution code, 4671.
Q: What is a Special Major?
A Special Major for either a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree provides an
alternative for those individuals whose special needs and interests cannot adequately be
met by any single existing or planned master’s degree program. A student who wishes to
undertake such a program should obtain an information sheet and application from the
Office of Graduate Studies.
Q: What scholarships do you offer?
Please use the following link to access the Financial Aid office scholarship information
http://www.csus.edu/faid/
Q: Do I need letters of reference to gain admission to a program?
Please inquire with your department to determine if you need to provide letters of
reference for program admission consideration. The Office of Graduate Studies does not
require letters of reference for your university application.
Q: What is Open University? How many units can I transfer from
Open University into a master’s degree?
The College of Continuing Education offers courses through Open University to students
not regularly matriculated or admitted to CSUS and who are not maintaining continuous
enrollment status. Therefore, classified graduate students are not permitted to take
courses through Open University.
Students using Open University to explore graduate school options and later make a
decision to apply to CSUS for graduate studies should be aware that only six units
earned prior to classification can be applied toward a subsequent master’s degree
program. Units are also subject to departmental approval.
Q: I took a graduate level course while I was an undergraduate. Can I
transfer that course into my master’s program? Are there any forms
required?
Students may request graduate credit for an excess undergraduate course(s) taken in the
semester of graduation. The course(s) must be in excess of the bachelor’s degree. No
more than six semester units are allowed to be used toward a master’s degree. A Petition
for Exception form must be filed with the Office of Graduate Studies for consideration.
Q: I have completed 18 units of graduate level coursework at another
school. How many units can be transferred into a program at your
university?
A minimum of 21 approved semester units in 100-, 200- and 500-series offerings in a 30
unit program must be earned in residence at CSUS. The maximum number of
transferable units in a 30 unit master’s program is nine units and is subject to
departmental approval.
Q: The application deadline for my department has passed, is there
anything I can do?
Late applications will be accepted at the discretion of the program department and the
Office of Graduate Studies. If a student received departmental approval, they should
obtain a signature from the department chair or graduate coordinator at the top of the
university application prior to submission to the Office of Graduate Studies. Students
who miss the university’s deadline are not guaranteed that their application will be
processed before CASPER closes or the start of classes.
Q: I’d like to start my program during the summer. When should I
apply?
Please contact the Office of Graduate Studies for inquiries about beginning a program
during the summer, (916) 278-6470
Q: I want to apply as a second BA. What do I need to do?
Second bachelor’s degrees are administered through the Admission and Records
department. Please call (916) 278-3901 for application procedures.