Admission Requirements

International admissions requirements different significantly between undergraduate and graduate programs. Pay close attention to document requirements. Graduate programs may have additional requirements beyond the basic requirements for admission to the university. See application procedures for additional details, or contact us with any questions.

Undergraduate Application

Before beginning your application, make sure CSUB has the undergraduate program for which you are applying. View a list of all CSUB undergraduate programs.

How to Apply: Undergraduate/Bachelor's Degree

To apply to CSU Bakersfield, please go to www.calstate.edu/apply to begin an online application as soon as possible. When you go to this link, please follow the following instructions:

  • Click on the semester you wish to apply for
  • Click "Create an Account," then follow instructions to create a username and password for this application. Then answer the next few questions.
  • You will then be directed to a section where you select a CSU campus and your intended major. Make sure you select CSU Bakersfield. Then select a major.
  • Follow the rest of the application process until you complete the four parts of the application. After the application is completed, the system will allow you to pay the $70 application fee.
  • Follow instructions to pay the $70 application fee online, then click "Submit."

This marks the end of the application process.

Once you complete the above steps, please gather the following documents:

  • All international students must complete the CSUB Affidavit of Financial Support Form.
  • If you are on a government scholarship, you still need to fill out this form. List your government as your sponsor. Your government does not need to sign.
  • If you are on an athletic scholarship, list CSUB Athletics as your sponsor. CSUB athletics does not need to sign; they must provide your scholarship/award letter.
All students must fill out the International Student Insurance Agreement Form, even if your government or athletic scholarship is covering your insurance. If you have dependents, they are also required to purchase health insurance.
  • Bank statements in the English language reflecting and certifying $36,484 in the student or sponsor’s account (must be dated within the last 6 months).
  • For students sponsored by a government, please provide your “Admissions Purposes Financial Guarantee.”
  • For students sponsored by Athletics, please provide your scholarship letter.
  • First-time freshmen: Provide high school (high school transcripts must be in English and indicate proof of graduation). Must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • All Transfers: Provide official high school transcripts (high school transcripts must be in English and indicate proof of graduation) if transferring with less than 60 total college/university units and provide official transcripts from transferring institution. Must have an overall GPA of 2.4 or higher.
  • Any transcript from a college or university outside of the U.S. will require a course-by-course analysis. This can be done with a NACES approved organization such as: SpanTran or WES.
First-time freshmen must submit ONE of the following:
  • TOEFL: Score of 61 iBT required. Request scores to be sent to school code 4110.
  • IELTS: Score of 5.5 required (with a minimum of 5.5 in each section).
  • Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 95.
  • SAT with a score of 550 or higher in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section.
  • Pearson Test Examination (PTE): Minimum score of 43.
  • College level English course with a grade of C or higher:
    • CSUB will not accept online English courses to prove English Proficiency.
  • Language proficiency waiver: See whether you qualify for [language proficiency waiver].
CSU Bakersfield may waive language proficiency requirements for students from these countries: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Ascension, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
A clear copy of the picture page of your unexpired passport.

Please submit your documents using the Document Upload page. Official Transcripts submitted from U.S. college/university should be emailed from the institution to incomingtranscripts@csub.edu.
Course-by-course evaluations from World Education Services (WES), SpanTran, and others should be emailed from the service used to incomingtranscripts@csub.edu.

Any hard-copy documents can mailed to the address below:

International Admissions
California State University, Bakersfield
Office of Admissions 47 SA
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93311
U.S.A.

NOTE: It is important that all documents listed above are submitted. Missing documents will delay the application review process.

Graduate Application

Before you begin your application, it is important to make sure that CSUB has the graduate program you are applying for. Please click here for a list of all our graduate programs. Visit our Graduate Admissions page for more detailed information regarding the application process.

How to Apply: Graduate/Master's

To apply to CSU Bakersfield, please go to www.calstate.edu/apply to begin an online application as soon as possible. When you go to this link, please follow the following instructions:

  • Click on the semester you wish to apply for
  • Click "Create an Account," then follow the instructions to create a username and password for this application. Then answer the next few questions.
  • You will then be directed to a section where you select a CSU campus and your intended major. Make sure you select CSU Bakersfield. Then select a major.
  • Follow the rest of the application process until you complete the four parts of the application. After the application is completed, the system will allow you to pay the $70 application fee.
  • Follow the instructions to pay the $70 application fee online, then click "Submit."

This marks the end of the application process.

Once you complete the above steps, please gather the following documents:

  • All international students must complete the CSUB Affidavit of Financial Support Form.
  • If you are on a government scholarship, you still need to fill out this form. List your government as your sponsor. Your government does not need to sign.
  • If you are on an athletic scholarship, list CSUB Athletics as your sponsor. CSUB athletics does not need to sign; they must provide your scholarship/award letter.
All students must fill out the International Student Insurance Agreement Form, even if your government or athletic scholarship is covering your insurance. If you have dependents, they are also required to purchase health insurance. 
  • Bank statements in the English language reflecting and certifying $37,694 in the students or sponsor’s account (must be dated within the last 6 months). MBA students bank statement requirements are $39,314.
  • For students sponsored by a government, please provide your “Admissions Purposes Financial Guarantee.”
  • For students sponsored by Athletics, please provide your scholarship letter.
Transcripts from all institutions attended must be sent to the university for admission consideration. Must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. Each graduate program may require a higher GPA and/or prerequisite courses.

Any transcript from a college or university outside of the U.S. will require a course-by-course analysis. This can be done with a NACES approved organization such as: SpanTran or WES.

ONE of the below:

  • TOEFL: Score of 80 iBT required. Request scores to be sent to school code 4110.
  • IELTS: Score of 6.5 required.
  • Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 105.
  • Pearson Test Examination (PTE): Minimum score of 58.
  • Language proficiency waiver: See whether you qualify for [language proficiency waiver].
  • International students whose bachelor's degree is from an accredited U.S. university.

CSU Bakersfield may waive language proficiency requirements for students from these countries: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Ascension, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

A clear copy of the picture page of your unexpired passport.
  • A statement of purpose
  • Current professional resume
  • Letters of recommendation from former professors
  • GRE: 148 Verbal and 149 Quantitative or higher
  • GMAT: 500 or better (for MBA applicants)

For more updates, please check with the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Please submit your documents using the Document Upload page. Official Transcripts submitted from U.S. college/university should be emailed from the institution to incomingtranscripts@csub.edu.
Course-by-course evaluations from World Education Services (WES), SpanTran, and others should be emailed from the service used to incomingtranscripts@csub.edu.

Any hard-copy documents can mailed to the address below:

International Admissions
California State University, Bakersfield
Office of Admissions 47 SA
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93311
U.S.A.

NOTE: It is important that all documents listed above are submitted. Missing documents will delay the application review process.