The Palm Desert Campus of Cal State San Bernardino (PDC) offers a variety of graduate programs geared to both full-time and part-time students. Graduate students at PDC are part of a vibrant learning community, actively participating in projects and activities that develop real-world skills while giving back to the Coachella Valley and beyond. Whether it is an internship in a local business, or teaching in a public school, our students gain the experience that gives them an edge in their respective fields.
We encourage you to explore our website and learn more about our graduate programs, admission requirements, and student life. We look forward to welcoming you to the Palm Desert Campus of Cal State San Bernardino!
Applying to Graduate School
Please note that graduate students must apply to the university. There are some graduate programs that also require a supplemental application to the program directly.
Admission Requirements
CSUSB campus policy for admission to a post-baccalaureate program is a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. However, applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 will be considered for exceptional admission by some programs. If the cumulative GPA is below 2.5, the graduate admissions evaluators will also calculate the GPA of the last 90 units attempted. Title V regulations state that the absolute minimum GPA for admission is 2.5; therefore, if both the cumulative GPA and the last 90 GPA are below 2.5, admission will be denied. Applications that meet the minimum GPA requirements are sent to the program for an admission decision. Please keep in mind that programs have additional admission requirements.
Writing Requirement for Graduate Candidacy
Graduate students are required to complete their program’s writing requirement before being classified or advanced to candidacy. Each program determines how the requirement will be satisfied. Once admitted, students should contact their graduate coordinator to discuss options for meeting this requirement.
Admission Deadlines
Apply Early! Programs may close before posted deadlines if enrollment cap is met.
Program Deadlines
Most programs require an additional application and supplemental materials, and set their own deadlines. For information about program-specific application deadlines, please contact the program.
How to Apply
- Contact the program/department office for their application requirements and deadlines.
- Apply online at Cal State Apply https://www2.calstate.edu/apply
Categories of Admission
Graduate and post baccalaureate applicants may apply for a degree, a credential or a certificate. Depending on their objective, applicants may be accepted in one of the following categories:
Unclassified Post Baccalaureate Standing (Not currently offered)
Students wishing to enroll in courses at the university with a professional growth objective, but not necessarily with an objective of a graduate degree or a teaching credential, may be considered for admissions with unclassified post baccalaureate standing when they meet the standards specified under General Requirements. No more than 12 units of credit earned in unclassified standing may be used to demonstrate fitness to complete a program or may be counted toward meeting requirements for a graduate degree. Such units will be accepted only upon approval of the department in which the student is taking a degree. Admission to the university with unclassified post baccalaureate standing does not constitute admission to credential or graduate degree programs.
Classified Post Baccalaureate Standing
Students who have satisfied the general requirements for admission may be granted classified standing for the purpose of enrolling in a particular postbaccalaureate credential or certificate program. They must also satisfy such additional professional, personal, scholastic and other standards as are prescribed for the program, including qualifying examinations. Postbaccalaureate students interested in working toward a multiple subjects credential, a single subject credential, a services credential or a specialist credential must achieve classified standing. Credential candidates should check credential requirements for minimum grade point average with the appropriate credential program.
Conditionally Classified Graduate Standing
Students who have not satisfied all of the general requirements for admission, and/or have deficiencies in prerequisite preparation which can be met by specified additional preparation, including qualifying examinations, may be admitted to a graduate degree curriculum with conditionally classified graduate standing. These deficiencies must be corrected in the specified manner in order for a student to continue in the graduate degree program.
Classified Graduate Standing
Students who have satisfied the general requirements for admission may be admitted to a graduate degree program as classified graduate students, if they satisfactorily meet the professional, personal, scholastic and other standards for admission to the program, including qualifying examinations, and if they have removed deficiencies in the specified manner while in conditionally classified graduate standing. Only those students who show promise of success and fitness will be admitted to graduate degree programs, and only those who continue to demonstrate a satisfactory level of scholastic competence and fitness shall be eligible to continue in such programs.
For more information visit The Office of Graduate Studies or contact the graduate admissions advisor at the Palm Desert Campus.