Admissions

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Cal State San Bernardino recently advanced to the category of Doctoral University: High Research Activity (R2), raising the university’s status to a “national university” from a “regional university” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Read more about the R2 designation in Inside CSUSB. 

Admission Requirements 

• Commitment to social justice, equity, and educational transformation;
• Earned baccalaureate and master's degrees in education or a related field from accredited institutions of higher education. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in upper division and graduate study;
• Demonstrated sufficient preparation for, experience in, and potential for educational leadership, including: successful experience in leadership in school, postsecondary, or community contexts, and/or policy leadership; 
• Demonstrated academic excellence, problem-solving ability, technology proficiency, and interest in critically assessing and bringing about improvements in current educational policies and practices

The application cycle for Fall 2025 admissions will open in October 2024.  

Review our Educational Leadership's Bulletin Page, Admissions page, attend an information session (scroll all the way down this page), and apply through Cal State Apply. Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2025.

3 Step Application Process

1. First Step: Cal State Apply

2. Second Step: Request Recommendation Evaluation (as part of CSU Apply)

3. Interview: For selected Applicants

Graduate Application

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In addition to the $70 CSU Apply application fee, the following information will be required as part of the CSU Apply Application to the CSUSB Ed.D. Doctoral Program: 

• A current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume that includes a detailed list of professional experience, specific skills, and accomplishments. 
• Future Directions Essay (two to three pages): Address the challenges related to education in California, make recommendations for change, and note your potential leadership involvement in the process. 
• Scholarly Writing Example: This can be a paper you wrote for a course in your master’s program, a thesis chapter, or a report or grant you have written in your profession. The example you submit needs to demonstrate your analytical writing abilities and be error-free. 
• The GRE is no longer required for program admission.

• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended since high school graduation (if selected for admission). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the initial CSU Apply application. 

  You must submit the following unofficial transcripts (if applicable): 

  • An unofficial transcript from the undergraduate institution where your bachelor’s degree was earned (required) 
  • Unofficial transcript(s) from any institution(s) where the coursework counted toward your bachelor’s degree 
  • Unofficial transcript(s) for all post-baccalaureate coursework  
  • An unofficial transcript from the last college or university you attended 

If you are unable to upload your transcripts for any reason, we encourage you to finalize your application and email your unofficial transcripts      to gradadmissions@csusb.edu as soon as possible. 
Once admitted, please turn in your official transcripts as soon as possible to ensure you receive financial aid by the first day of class. We should receive your official transcripts no later than three weeks prior to the start of the semester. 

• Three confidential Recommendation Evaluations (in CSU Apply) from professionals in the field attesting to leadership and scholarship. One evaluation should be from a university faculty member (if possible) addressing your potential for academic success in a doctoral program, which can be detailed in the Evaluator Comments section. Recommendation evaluations are due back by June 1st. Evaluation responses are not required for application submission, but will need to be received prior to deadline for full consideration. Consider reviewing this example of the recommendation evaluation form. 
• Once all application materials have been received, selected applicants will be contacted for an interview. 

Please Note: Applications are NOT considered and CANNOT be reviewed until the $70 CSU Apply application fee is paid. Please be sure to submit payment, which allows the CSUSB Ed.D. Program to then access your application materials. 

If you have questions about the application process, please attend a CSU Apply information session or reach out to gradstud@csusb.edu. 

NEED HELP WITH APPLYING? 

CSUSB Graduate Studies offers several resources and workshops for completing the CSU Apply Graduate Application. Click the button below for current workshops and application assistance dates.

Graduate Application Assistance

Additional Resources

View past workshops or step-by-step tutorials for assistance any time you need it. CSUSB Graduate Studies and the CSU offer the following tools to help you get it done:

Cal State Apply Application Tutorial

Cal State Apply Application Videos

Workshop Recording (passcode nm4W+iA= )

Personal Statement Presentation

For personal assistance, make an appointment with our Graduate Resource Specialist, April Lane at alane@csusb.edu or call (909) 537-5058

For technical assistance with Cal State Apply, please use the Live Chat feature in the application or call 857-304-2087 or email CalStateApply@liaisoncas.com.  Please provide CAS ID # with the request (the CAS ID # located under your name in the upper-right corner of the application).

Due Dates & Deadlines

Interested in Learning about our Doctorate in Educational Leadership Program? 

Consider joining us, via Zoom, on one of the days listed below at 4:00 PM to learn more. Our information sessions are led by Director, Dr. Enrique Murillo and Program Specialist Dr. Stacey Ortiz. The information sessions outline why to pursue an Ed.D., an overview of the program, and process for admissions.