Admission Requirements Cal State Monterey Bay

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for first-time freshman admission if they meet the following requirements:

  • Have graduated from high school, have earned a Certificate of General Education Development (GED), or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE);
  • Have a qualifiable eligibility index (see "Eligibility Index" below); and
  • Have completed with grades of C- or better, each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements also known as the "a-g" pattern (see Subject Requirements)

Contact a high school or community college counselor, or CSUMB Office of Admissions if you have questions.

The eligibility index is the combination of the high school GPA and scores on either the ACT or the SAT. GPA is based on grades earned in courses taken during the final three years of high school. Included in calculation of GPA are grades earned in all college preparatory “a-g” subject requirements, and bonus points for approved honors courses. Up to eight semesters of honors courses taken in the last three years of high school, including up to two approved courses taken in the tenth grade can be accepted. Each unit of A in an honors course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; and C, 3 points.

A CSU Eligibility Index can be calculated by multiplying your GPA by 800 and adding your total score on the SAT exam (mathematics and critical reading scores on the old SAT, or mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing on the new SAT). For students who took the ACT, multiply the GPA by 200 and add 10 times the ACT composite score. Persons who are California high school graduates (or residents of California for tuition purposes) need a minimum index of 2900 using the old SAT, or 2950 using the new SAT, or 694 using the ACT. The Eligibility Index Table illustrates several combinations of required test scores and averages. The University has no current plans to include the writing scores from either of the admission tests in the computation of the CSU Eligibility Index.

Persons who neither graduated from a California high school nor are a resident of California for tuition purposes, need a minimum index of 3502 using the old SAT, 3570 using the new SAT, or 842 using the ACT. Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries must be judged to have academic preparation and abilities equivalent to applicants eligible under this section. An applicant with a grade point average of 3.00 or above (3.61 for nonresidents) may not be required to submit test scores. However, all applicants for admission are urged to take the SAT or ACT and provide the scores of such tests to each CSU campus to which they seek admission. Campuses use these test results for advising and placement purposes and may require them for admission to impacted majors or programs. Impacted CSU campuses require SAT or ACT scores of all applicants for freshman admission. CSUMB is an impacted campus and therefore, SAT or ACT scores are required from all freshmen for admissions purposes.

SAT Eligibility Index Table of California High School Graduates or Residents of California

A GPA of 3.00 and above qualifies for any score in SAT.

GPA New SAT Score
2.99 560
2.98 570
2.97 580
2.96 590
2.95 590
2.94 600
2.93 610
2.92 620
2.91 630
2.90 630
2.89 640
2.88 650
2.87 660
2.86 670
2.85 670
2.84 680
2.83 690
2.82 700
2.81 710
2.80 710
2.79 720
2.78 730
2.77 740
2.76 750
2.75 750
2.74 760
2.73 770
2.72 780
2.71 790
2.70 790
2.69 800
2.68 810
2.67 820
GPA New SAT Score
2.66 830
2.65 830
2.64 840
2.63 850
2.62 860
2.61 870
2.60 870
2.59 880
2.58 890
2.57 900
2.56 910
2.55 910
2.54 920
2.53 930
2.52 940
2.51 950
2.50 950
2.49 960
2.48 970
2.47 980
2.46 990
2.45 990
2.44 1000
2.43 1010
2.42 1020
2.41 1030
2.40 1030
2.39 1040
2.38 1050
2.37 1060
2.36 1070
2.35 1070
2.34 1080
GPA New SAT Score
2.33 1090
2.32 1100
2.31 1110
2.30 1110
2.29 1120
2.28 1130
2.27 1140
2.26 1150
2.25 1150
2.24 1160
2.23 1170
2.22 1180
2.21 1190
2.20 1190
2.19 1200
2.18 1210
2.17 1220
2.16 1230
2.15 1230
2.14 1240
2.13 1250
2.12 1260
2.11 1270
2.10 1270
2.09 1280
2.08 1290
2.07 1300
2.06 1310
2.05 1310
2.04 1320
2.03 1330
2.02 1340
2.01 1350
2.00 1350

GPA below 2.0 does not qualify for admission. For admission purposes, the CSU uses only the new SAT scores for mathematics and evidence based reading and writing.

SAT Eligibility Index Table for Non-resident or Non-graduates of California

(A GPA of 3.61 and above qualifies for any score in SAT)

GPA New SAT Score
3.60 690
3.58 710
3.56 730
3.54 740
3.52 760
3.50 780
3.48 790
3.46 810
3.44 820
3.42 840
3.40 860
3.38 870
3.36 890
3.34 900
3.32 920
3.30 930
3.28 950
3.26 970
3.24 980
3.22 1000
GPA New SAT Score
3.21 1010
3.19 1020
3.17 1040
3.15 1050
3.13 1070
3.11 1090
3.09 1100
3.07 1120
3.05 1130
3.03 1150
3.01 1170
2.99 1180
2.97 1200
2.95 1210
2.93 1230
2.91 1250
2.89 1260
2.87 1280
2.85 1290
2.83 1310
GPA New SAT Score
2.82 1320
2.80 1330
2.78 1350
2.76 1370
2.74 1380
2.72 1400
2.70 1410
2.68 1430
2.66 1450
2.64 1460
2.62 1480
2.60 1490
2.58 1510
2.56 1530
2.54 1540
2.52 1530
2.50 1570
2.48 1590

GPA below 2.47 does not qualify for admission. For admissions purposes, the CSU uses only the new SAT scores for mathematics and evidence based reading and writing.

ACT Eligibility Index Table of California High School Graduates or Residents of California

A GPA of 3.00 and above qualifies for any score in the ACT

GPA ACT Score
2.99 10
2.97 10
2.95 11
2.93 11
2.91 12
2.89 12
2.87 12
2.85 13
2.83 13
2.81 14
2.79 14
2.77 14
2.75 15
2.73 15
2.71 16
2.69 16
2.67 16
GPA ACT Score
2.66 17
2.64 17
2.62 17
2.60 18
2.58 18
2.56 19
2.54 19
2.52 19
2.50 20
2.48 20
2.46 21
2.44 21
2.42 21
2.40 22
2.38 22
2.36 23
2.34 23
GPA ACT Score
2.33 23
2.31 24
2.29 24
2.27 24
2.25 25
2.23 25
2.21 26
2.19 26
2.17 26
2.15 27
2.13 27
2.11 28
2.09 28
2.07 28
2.05 29
2.03 29
2.01 30

GPA below 2.0 does not qualify for admission.

ACT Eligibility Index for Non-resident or Non-graduates of California

A GPA of 3.61 and above qualifies for any score in ACT.

GPA ACT Score
3.60 13
3.58 13
3.56 13
3.54 14
3.52 14
3.50 15
3.48 15
3.46 15
3.44 16
3.42 16
3.40 17
3.38 17
3.36 17
3.34 18
3.32 18
3.30 19
3.28 19
3.26 19
3.24 20
3.22 20
GPA ACT Score
3.21 20
3.19 21
3.17 21
3.15 22
3.13 22
3.11 22
3.09 23
3.07 23
3.05 24
3.03 24
3.01 24
2.99 25
2.97 25
2.95 26
2.93 26
2.91 26
2.89 27
2.87 27
2.85 28
2.83 28
GPA ACT Score
2.82 28
2.80 29
2.78 29
2.76 29
2.74 30
2.72 30
2.70 31
2.68 31
2.66 31
2.64 32
2.62 32
2.60 33
2.58 33
2.56 33
2.54 34
2.52 34
2.50 35
2.48 35
2.46 35

GPA below 2.45 does not qualify for admission.

The CSU requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with grades of C- or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A unit is one year of study in high school.

  • 2 years of social science, including 1 year of U.S. history, or U.S. history and government
  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of math (algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra; four years recommended)
  • 2 years of laboratory science (1 biological and 1 physical, both must have laboratory instruction)
  • 2 years in the same foreign language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence)
  • 1 year of visual and performing arts: art, dance, drama/theater, or music
  • 1 year of electives: selected from English, advanced mathematics, social science, history, laboratory science, foreign language, visual and performing arts, or other courses approved and included on the UC/CSU "a-g" list.

Subject Requirement Substitution for Students with Disabilities

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to complete college preparatory course requirements. In certain circumstances, if you are judged unable to fulfill a specific course requirement because of a disability, alternate college preparatory courses may be substituted for specific subject requirements. Substitutions may be authorized on a case-by-case basis after review of disability documentation and academic records and recommendation by your academic advisor or guidance counselor in consultation with the director of a CSU disabled student services program. You should be aware that failure to complete the courses required for admission may limit later enrollment in certain majors, particularly those involving mathematics. For further information and substitution forms, please contact CSUMB Student Disability Resources.

Provisional Admissions

CSUMB may provisionally admit first-time freshman applicants based on their academic preparation through the junior year of high school and planned coursework for the senior year. The campus will monitor the final terms of study to ensure that admitted students complete their secondary school studies satisfactorily, including the required college preparatory subjects, and graduate from high school.

Students are required to submit an official transcript after graduation to certify that all course work has been satisfactorily completed. Official high school transcripts must be received prior to the deadline set by the University. In no case may documentation of high school graduation be received any later than the census date for a student's first term of CSU enrollment.

The campus may rescind admission decisions, cancel financial aid awards, withdraw housing contracts, and cancel any University registration for students who are found to be ineligible after the final transcript has been evaluated.

Applicants will qualify for regular (non-provisional) admission when the University verifies that they have graduated and received a high school diploma, have a earned a qualifiable minimum eligibility index, have completed the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory "a-g" subjects, and, if applying to an impacted program or campus, have met all supplementary criteria.

The CSU uses only the ACT composite score, the mathematics and critical reading scores on the old SAT, or the mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores on the new SAT in its admission eligibility equation. The SAT or ACT writing scores are not currently used by CSU campuses.

The California Promise Program enables a specific number of CSU campuses to establish pledge programs for entering first-time students who are both interested and able to complete baccalaureate degrees in 4-years. All campuses have established programs for students with Associate Degrees for Transfer from any California Community College to complete their baccalaureate degrees in 2-years. The program is limited to students who are residents of California.

Students who commit to enter either the 4-year or 2-year pledge will be given a priority registration appointment for each state-supported enrollment period and will be provided with routine and thorough academic advisement. In order to remain in the program, students must meet with their advisors as prescribed, develop an enrollment plan, and complete 30 semester units or the quarter equivalent within each academic year, including summer. Participating campuses may stipulate other requirements as well. Interested students entering the CSU should contact campus offices or visit www2.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/getting_into_the_csu/pages/the-california-promise-program.aspx.

The CSU requires that all entering freshmen students be evaluated in terms of their preparation to complete first-year courses in written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning. This evaluation will utilize the broadest set of multiple measures including high school grades as well as performance scores on standardized exams such as the ACT or SAT. This evaluation of academic readiness is not a condition for admission to the CSU, but it is an important step for determining the best course placement for entering students.

At CSUMB we believe that with good information and guidance, you have the best chance to select the placement that will contribute to your success. Such a stance is in line with the Habits of Mind that lead to academic excellence, particularly metacognition and responsibility.

In order to provide you the information and guidance you need to make a thoughtful choice, we require all students who have not otherwise met the first-year general education (GE) requirement to complete a reflective experience that will introduce you to the expectations of college-level work. When you have completed that experience, you will respond to a survey inviting you to think about the work you just did and your previous preparation. That survey will result in a recommendation for our first-year course. After you have reviewed your options, you will make your own decision about the course in which you enroll.

Successful completion of general education (GE) written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning courses in the first year of CSU enrollment establishes a foundation for continuous learning. Unless the requirements have been completed, freshmen shall enroll in GE written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning courses appropriate to each student’s major and skill level, as demonstrated by applicable systemwide standards utilized in the review of academic preparation.

Based on the systemwide assessment standards for GE written communication below, freshmen shall enroll in appropriate GE written communication courses during their first academic year unless the requirement has been fulfilled.

Students whose skill assessments indicate academic support will be needed for successful completion of GE in written communication or mathematics/quantitative courses shall enroll in appropriate college-level, baccalaureate credit-bearing courses that strengthen skills development to facilitate achieving the appropriate general education student learning outcomes. Supportive course models may include, among others, co-requisite approaches, supplemental instruction or “stretch” formats that extend a course beyond one academic term. In these approaches, instructional content considered pre-baccalaureate may carry a maximum of one unit and shall be offered concurrently with a college-level, baccalaureate credit-bearing course.

  • Students who have met the following requirements have fulfilled the GE Written Communication requirement in preparation for advanced courses:
  • A score of 3 or above on either the Language and Composition examination or the Composition and Literature examination of the College Board Scholastic Advanced Placement Program
  • Completion and transfer to the CSU of the credits for a college course that satisfies the CSU GE requirement in written composition, provided such a course was completed with a grade of C- or better.

The CSU system has defined levels of preparation as follows. While CSUMB does not use these measures for placement, they may be useful for incoming students to consider as they make their own decisions about placement.

  • Students who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the GE Written Communication requirement:
  • A result of ‘Standard Exceeded: Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in English’ earned on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam
  • A score of 550 or higher on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section of the new SAT Reasoning Test sponsored by the College Board
  • A score of 500 or higher on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section of the old SAT Reasoning Test sponsored by the College Board
  • A score of 22 or above on the ACT English test
  • Completion of an approved 12th grade, year-long, English course with a grade of C- or better AND a score of 510 – 540 on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section of the new SAT Reasoning Test or a score of 460-490 on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
  • Completion of an approved 12th grade, year-long, English course with a grade of C- or better AND a score of 19-21 on the Act English test
  • A result of ‘Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in English’ on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam AND completion of an approved 12th grade, year-long, English course with a grade of C- or better
  • Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.3 OR a high school GPA ≥ 3.0 and completion of an approved 12th grade, year-long, English course (AP, IB, ERWC) or Honors English or more than 5 years of high school English
  • Students who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the GE Written Communication requirement and includes supported instruction:
  • Completion of 4+ years of standard college preparatory high school English courses AND a score of 510-540 on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section of the new SAT Reasoning Test or a score of 460-490 on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section of the old SAT Reasoning Test or a score of 19-21 on the ACT English test
  • Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.0 and 4 years of standard college preparatory high school English courses
  • Students who have met the following requirements are required to participate in the Early Start Program and are ready to enroll in a course that meets the GE Written Communication requirement and includes supported instruction:
  • A score less than 510 on the Evidence Based Reading Writing section of the new SAT Reasoning Test or a score less than 460 on the old SAT Reasoning Test AND achievement of a high school grade point average of ≤ 3.0
  • A score less than 19 on the ACT English test and the achievement of a high school GPA of ≤ 3.0

Based on the systemwide assessment standards for GE mathematics/quantitative reasoning below, freshmen shall enroll in appropriate general education mathematics/quantitative reasoning courses during their first academic year unless the requirement has been fulfilled.

  • Students who have met the following requirements have fulfilled the GE Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement and are permitted to enroll in the next level of math:
  • A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Calculus AB or Calculus BC tests
  • A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Statistics test
  • A score of 4 or above on the International Baccalaureate Mathematics Higher Level (HL)
  • A score of 50 or above on the College Board College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Calculus, College Algebra, College Algebra-Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, or Trigonometry
  • Completion and transfer to the CSU of the credits for a college course that satisfies the CSU General Education requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning, provided such a course was completed with a grade of C- or better.

The CSU system has defined levels of preparation as follows. While CSUMB does not use these measures for placement, they may be useful for incoming students to consider as they make their own decisions about placement. Please note that STEM majors typically require Calculus I, MATH 150: Calculus I (4 units), as a part of the major, such as Mathematics, Biology, and Computer Science. Non-STEM majors typically require MATH 100: Quantitative Literacy (4 units), MATH 115: Finite Mathematics (3 units), or STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics (3 units) depending on their major. Please check your intended program and concentration requirements or check with your adviser.

  • Students who are STEM majors who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the GE Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement:
  • A result of ‘Standard Exceeded: Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics’ on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam
  • A score of 570 or above on the mathematics section of the new SAT Reasoning Test
  • A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
  • A score of 550 or above on the SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2)
  • A score of 23 or above on the ACT Mathematics test
  • Completion of a 12th grade mathematics course beyond algebra 2 with a grade of C- or better and a score of 520-560 on the new SAT mathematics test or a score of 490-540 on the old SAT mathematics test
  • Completion of a 12th grade mathematics course beyond algebra 2 with a grade of C- or better and a score of 20-22 on the ACT Mathematics test
  • A result of ‘Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics’ on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam AND completion of a 12th grade mathematics course with a grade of C- or better
  • Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.7
  • Achievement of a weighted high school mathematics GPA ≥ 3.5 and 5+ years of mathematics or quantitative reasoning courses
  • Achievement of a weighted high school mathematics GPA ≥ 3.5 and completion of an approved senior year course
  • Students who are Non-STEM majors who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the GE Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement:
  • A result of ‘Standard Exceeded: Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics’ on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam
  • A score of 570 or above on the mathematics section of the new SAT Reasoning Test
  • A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
  • A score of 550 or above on the SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2)
  • A score of 23 or above on the ACT Mathematics test
  • Completion of a 12th grade mathematics course beyond algebra 2 with a grade of C- or better and a score of 520-560 on the new SAT mathematics test or a score of 490-540 on the old SAT mathematics test
  • Completion of a 12th grade mathematics course beyond algebra 2 with a grade of C- or better and a score of 20-22 on the ACT Mathematics test
  • A result of ‘Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics’ on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam AND completion of a 12th grade mathematics course with a grade of C- or better
  • A result of ‘Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP exam) and 4 years of mathematics or quantitative reasoning courses
  • Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.7
  • Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.5 and 4+ years of mathematics or quantitative reasoning courses
  • Achievement of a weighted high school mathematics GPA ≥ 3.0 and completion of 5+ years of mathematics or quantitative reasoning courses
  • Achievement of a weighted high school mathematics GPA ≥3.0 and completion of an approved senior year course
  • Students who are STEM majors who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the GE Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement and includes supported instruction:
  • Achievement of a high school mathematics GPA ≥ 3.3
  • Students who are Non-STEM majors who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the GE Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement and includes supported instruction:
  • Achievement of a high school mathematics GPA ≥ 3.3
  • Achievement of a high school GPA ≥ 3.0
  • Students who have met the following requirements are required to participate in the Early Start Program and are ready to enroll in a course that meets the GE Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement and includes supported instruction:
  • A score less than 510 on the mathematics section of the new SAT Reasoning test or a score less than 490 on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning test AND a high school GPA ≤ 3.2
  • A score less than 20 on the ACT Mathematics test AND a high school GPA ≤ 3.2

The Early Start Program serves CSU admitted freshmen who have not demonstrated proficiency in written communication and/or mathematics/quantitative reasoning as determined by systemwide placement standards. Participation in the Early Start Program is required for students needing skills development in these areas; students will be expected to enroll in a written communication course or a mathematics/quantitative reasoning course (but not both) during the summer period prior to the start of the fall term. Students required to participate in the Early Start Program may choose to enroll at any CSU campus; the earned baccalaureate credit will be transferred seamlessly to the student’s destination campus.

The goals of Early Start Program are to:

  • Better prepare students in written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning before the start of the fall semester of the freshman year;
  • Add an important and timely assessment tool in preparing students for college; and,
  • Improve the opportunity for students to successfully complete their college degrees.

Freshman and transfer applicants who have fewer than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable college credit are strongly encouraged to submit scores, unless exempt (see “Eligibility Index” on page 21), from either the ACT or the SAT of the College Board. Persons who apply to an impacted program may be required to submit test scores and should take the test no later than November or December. Test scores also are used for advising and placement purposes. Registration forms and dates for the SAT or ACT are available from school or college counselors or from a CSU campus testing office. Or students may contact:

The College Board (SAT)
Registration Unit
Box 6200
Princeton, New Jersey  08541-6200
ACT Registration Unit
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, Iowa  52240

English Language Requirement

All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English and who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full time where English is the principal language of instruction must present a sufficient score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some majors and some campuses may require a higher score.

A few campuses may also use alternative methods of assessing English fluency:

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP). Each campus will posts the tests it accepts on its website and will notify students after they apply about the tests it accepts and when to submit scores.

CSU minimum TOEFL standards are:

Internet: 61 for Undergraduate Students; 80 for Graduate Students

Paper: 500 for Undergraduate Students; 550 for Graduate Students

CSUMB TOEFL code is 1945

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

CSUMB requires a minimum score of 6 for Undergraduate Students. CSUMB requires a minimum score of 6.5 for Graduate Students.

See International Student Requirements for more information.

Most commonly, college level credits earned from an institution of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting agency is accepted for transfer to campuses of the CSU; however, authority for decisions regarding the transfer of undergraduate credits is delegated to each CSU campus.

California Community Colleges and other authorized certifying institutions can certify up to 39 semester (58.5 quarter) units of General Education-Breadth (GE-Breadth) or 37 semester (55.5 quarter) units of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for transfer students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus prior to transfer.

"Certification" is the official notification from a California Community College or authorized institution that a transfer student has completed courses fulfilling lower-division general education requirements. The CSU GE-Breadth and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification course lists for particular community colleges can be accessed at www.assist.org.

CSU campuses may enter into course-to-course or program-to-program articulation agreements with other CSU campuses, any or all of the California community colleges, and other regionally accredited institutions. Established CSU and CCC articulations may be found on www.assist.org. Students may be permitted to transfer no more than 70 semester (105 quarter) units to a CSU campus from an institution which does not offer bachelor’s degrees or their equivalents, for example, community colleges. Given the university’s 30-semester (45-quarter) unit residency requirement, no more than a total of 90-semester (135-quarter) units may be transferred into the university from all sources.

Applicants who have completed fewer than 60 transferable semester units (fewer than 90 quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. Applicants who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students. Applicants who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements for first-time freshman admission.Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or university offering the courses and accepted as such by the campus to which the applicant seeks admission.

Lower-division Transfer Requirements

Due to enrollment demands, most CSU campuses do not admit lower-division transfer applicants.

Generally, applicants will qualify for CSU admission consideration as a lower-division transfer if they have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 (C or better) in all transferable units attempted, are in good standing at the last college or university attended, and meet any of the following standards:

  1. Will meet the freshman admission requirements (GPA and subject requirements) in effect for the term to which they are applying (see “Freshman Requirements”); or
  2. Were eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation except for missing college preparatory subject requirements, have been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation, and have made up the missing subject requirements with a 2.0 or better GPA.

Applicants who graduated from high school prior to 1988 should contact the admission office to inquire about alternative admission programs.

Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways:

  1. Complete appropriate courses with a C- or better in adult school or high school summer sessions.
  2. Complete appropriate college courses with a C- or better. One college course of at least three semester or four quarter units will be considered equivalent to one year of high school study.
  3. Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations, e.g., SAT subject tests.

Please consult with the CSU campus admission office to which you are applying for further information about alternative ways to satisfy the subject requirements.

Upper-division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for upper-division transfer admission if they meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted;
  2. In good standing at the last college or university attended; and
  3. Completed at least sixty (60) transferable semester (90 quarter) units of college level coursework with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and a grade of C- or better in each course used to meet CSU general education requirements in written communication, oral communication, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning, e.g., mathematics.

The 60 units of coursework must include at least 30 units of courses that meet CSU general education requirements, including all of the general education requirements for communication in the English language (both oral and written) as well as critical thinking and the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually 3 semester units) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements for English communication and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.

CSUMB is an impacted campus. In the California State University system, a campus is designated as "impacted" when the number of applicants received from qualified students exceeds the number of available spaces. Those campuses are permitted to use supplementary admission criteria to screen applications.

The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees offered at the California Community Colleges (CCC) are designed to provide California Community College students the optimum transfer preparation and a clear admission pathway to the CSU degree majors.

CCC students who earn an associate degree for transfer (AA-T or AS-T) are guaranteed admission with junior standing to a CSU and given priority admission over other transfer applicants when applying to a local CSU campus, or non-impacted CSU program. AA-T or AS-T admission applicants are given limited priority consideration based on their eligibility ranking to an impacted campus/program or to campuses/programs that have been deemed similar to the degree completed at the community college. Students who have completed an AA-T/AS-T in a program deemed similar to a CSU major are able to complete remaining requirements for graduation within 60 semester (90 quarter) units. It is the responsibility of the student who has earned an AA-T/AS-T to provide documentation of the degree to the CSU campus.

CSUMB may provisionally or conditionally admit transfer applicants based on their academic preparation and courses planned for completion. The campus will monitor the final terms to ensure that those admitted complete all required courses satisfactorily. If applying to an impacted campus or program, supplemental criteria may also need to be completed. All accepted applicants are required to submit an official transcript of all college level work completed. Campuses may rescind admission for any student who is found to be ineligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. In no case may such documents be received and validated by the University any later than a student’s registration for their second term of CSU enrollment.

CSUMB is an impacted campus. In the California State University system, a campus is designated as "impacted" when the number of applicants received from qualified students exceeds the number of available spaces. Those campuses are permitted to use supplementary admission criteria to screen applications.

CSUMB uses articulation as a general term referring to written agreements between CSUMB and other institutions within the California Community College (CCC), University of California (UC), and California State University (CSU) systems, as well as various accredited independent colleges and universities. This general term is also often used in reference to the preparation to enter a CSUMB major.

Lower-division course-to-course articulation is a formal, written, faculty-approved agreement that identifies courses (or sequences of courses) taught at other institutions that are equivalent to, or acceptable in lieu of, specific courses/outcomes/requirements at CSUMB.

Course-to-course articulation agreements are developed for the transfer of coursework toward general transfer to CSUMB, transfer to CSUMB at the upper-division level, and transfer to CSUMB which includes meeting some of the lower-division requirements of an academic major at CSUMB. These articulation agreements spell out how specific courses completed at another institution match up with specific courses taught at CSUMB, satisfy specific University Learning Requirements (ULRs), or meet specific Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs).

Course-to-course articulation agreements for primary institutions are located on the CSUMB.EDU/articulation webpage.

Transfer Student Major Preparation

The dynamic of preparation to enter a CSUMB major is similar in that it provides a transfer pathway for students who are interested in a particular major; however, it is much more detailed. The preparation recommended for each major is unique.

Transfer to CSUMB in the following majors requires satisfactory completion, at the primary institution, of a selection of required and recommended courses:

  • Biology B.S.
  • Business Administration B.S.
  • Collaborative Health and Human Services B.A.
  • Communication Design B.S.
  • Computer Science B.S.
  • Environmental Science, Technology & Policy B.S.
  • Global Studies B.A.
  • Human Communication B.A.
  • Integrated Studies B.A.
  • Kinesiology B.S.
  • Liberal Studies B.A.
  • Mathematics B.S.
  • Music B.A.
  • Psychology B.A.
  • Cinematic Arts and Technology B.A.
  • Visual and Public Art B.A.

Major preparation and articulated courses from all California community colleges are listed on assist.org. It is strongly recommended that you review this information with the assistance of the academic advising counselors assigned to you at your primary institution.

CSUMB Articulation oversees the articulation and major preparation process described above. This office ensures that appropriate CSUMB academic program faculty members review all requests from other postsecondary institutions for course-to-course articulation, that they approve all agreements, and that they sign off on all major preparation formats which CSUMB offers as the means by which you can enter a CSUMB major as a transfer student.

Assist

ASSIST is an articulation and transfer planning system providing information about California public higher education institutions. ASSIST is designated as California's official repository of articulation and transfer information. As such, ASSIST carries all of CSUMB's course-to-course articulation information as well as major preparation information.

Graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants may apply for a degree objective, a credential or certificate objective, or where approved, may have no program objective. Depending on the objective, the CSU will consider an application for admission as follows.

General Requirements - The minimum requirements for admission to graduate and post-baccalaureate studies at a CSU campus are in accordance with university regulations as well as Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations. Specifically, a student shall, at the time of enrollment:

  1. Have completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by appropriate campus authorities;
  2. Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended;
  3. Have earned a grade point average of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted; and
  4. Satisfactorily met the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards for graduate study, including qualifying examinations, as appropriate campus authorities may prescribe. In unusual circumstances, a campus may make exceptions to these criteria.

If you meet the minimum requirements for graduate and post-baccalaureate studies, you may be considered for admission in one of the four following categories:

Graduate Classified – To pursue a graduate degree, applicants are required to fulfill all of the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards, including qualifying examinations, prescribed by the campus; or

Graduate Conditionally Classified – Applicants may be admitted to a graduate degree program in this category if, in the opinion of appropriate campus authority, deficiencies maybe remedied by additional preparation; or

Post-Baccalaureate Classified (e.g. admission to an education credential program) – Persons wishing to enroll in a credential or certificate program, will be required to satisfy additional professional, personal,scholastic, and other standards, including qualifying examinations, prescribed by the campus; or

Post-Baccalaureate Unclassified – To enroll in undergraduate courses as preparation for advanced degree programs or to enroll in graduate courses for professional or personal growth, applicants must be admitted as post-baccalaureate unclassified students. By meeting the general requirements, applicants are eligible for admission as post-baccalaureate unclassified students. Admission in this status does not constitute admission to, or assurance of consideration for admission to, any graduate degree or credential program. (Most CSU campuses do not offer admission to unclassified post-baccalaureate students).

(These and other CSU admission requirements are subject to change as policies are revised and laws are amended. The CSU website www.calstate.edu and the CSU admissions portal calstate.edu/apply are good sources of the most up-to-date information.)

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements are available from the Department of Education & Leadership.

All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English must demonstrate competence in English.

If you do not possess a bachelor's degree from a post-secondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction, you must meet the following minimum scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

  • Internet: 80
  • Paper: 550

Our TOEFL code is 1945

Some programs may require a higher score. Several CSU campuses may use alternative methods for assessing fluency in English including Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP).

You must submit official test scores to Office of Admissions, 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA 93955-8001.

See International Student Requirements for more information.

Post-baccalaureate students (i.e. those already holding a bachelor's degree) may pursue a program leading to an additional baccalaureate degree. You should consult with a faculty advisor within your selected academic program to determine whether a second baccalaureate or graduate program best meets your needs.

Students who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education may be admitted to CSUMB as a post-baccalaureate student if they meet the same admission requirements as graduate applicants, and if they file a graduate application and pay the appropriate fee within the established filing period.

No credit may be applied to your second bachelor's degree from courses taken for an earlier degree. If you previously took required major courses, you must substitute other appropriate coursework with the approval of the academic program. Also, you may not apply graduate-level (500 or 600) courses toward the requirements for a second bachelor's degree.

Post-baccalaureate students may not earn minors, and are not considered for university honors. You cannot concurrently pursue a graduate degree objective and a second baccalaureate degree at CSUMB.

The CSU must assess the academic preparation of foreign students. For this purpose, foreign students include those who hold U.S. temporary visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other non-immigrant classifications.

The CSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of foreign students. Verification of English proficiency (see undergraduate and graduate English language proficiency requirements), financial resources, and academic performance are each important considerations for admission. Academic records from foreign institutions must be on file at least twelve weeks before registration for the first term and, if not in English, must be accompanied by certified English translations.

If you have foreign academic work, you must submit official copies of academic records directly from your school, college, or university along with a certified English translation.

Your academic records should include all of the following:

  1. Secondary school records;
  2. Yearly records from each college or university attended, indicating the number of hours per semester or per year devoted to each course and the grades received;, and
  3. Official documents that confirm awarding of a degree or diploma, with the title and date, if a post-baccalaureate applicant.

All official documents submitted become the property of CSUMB. The university will determine the acceptability of any foreign work.

Effective August 1, 1995, all F-1 and J-1 visa applicants must agree to obtain and maintain health insurance as a condition of registration and continued enrollment in the CSU. Such insurance must be in amounts as specified by the United States Information Agency (USIA) and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Evidence of sufficient financial support to complete a degree program is required for admission. The amount required is approximately $28,609 per academic year. Fees are subject to change. You must submit the required Affidavit of Financial Support form along with official bank, loan, or sponsor financial documentation.

To be eligible for an F-1 Student Visa, you must pursue a specific degree objective. Please refer to the descriptions of our majors and select a major that fits your educational objectives.

As an international student applicant, you must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in English. If you have attended a school where English was the primary language of instruction for at least three years immediately preceding admission to CSUMB or preceding completion of the A2 requirement at a Community College in the United States, you meet this proficiency requirement at CSUMB. For all other students, the following minimum scores on TOEFL or IELTS:

TOEFL Method Undergraduate Graduate
Paper 500 550
Computer 173 213
Internet 61 80

CSUMB's TOEFL code is 1945.

OR

International English Language Testing System (IELTS):

CSUMB requires a minimum score of 6 on the IELTS for Undergraduate Students. CSUMB requires a minimum score of 6.5 for Graduate Students.

For more information, please visit the international admissions page on our CSUMB.EDU/admissions website.

If still enrolled in high school, you will be considered for enrollment in certain special programs if recommended by the principal and the appropriate campus department chair and if preparation is equivalent to that required of eligible California high school graduates. Such admission is only for a given specific program and does not constitute the right to continued enrollment. For participating programs, contact CSUMB Office of Admissions.

High school students other than those accepted into the above programs may also enroll concurrently in college courses without fee reduction upon approval of parents, high school principal, appropriate CSUMB program directors, and Office of Admissions.

As an alternative to regular admission criteria, an applicant who is 25 years of age or older may be considered for admission as an adult student if he or she meets all of the following conditions:

  • Possesses a high school diploma (or has established equivalence through either the General Educational Development or California High School Proficiency examinations).
  • Has not been enrolled in college as a full-time student for more than one term during the past five years.
  • If there has been any college attendance in the last five years, has earned a 2.00 GPA or better in all college work attempted.

Consideration will be based upon a judgment as to whether the applicant is as likely to succeed as a regularly admitted transfer student and will include an assessment of basic skills in the English language and mathematical computation.

Although CSUMB is not currently on year-round operation, the campus does offer distinctive summer programs, and housing and food services are available. You can get information regarding summer session from:

Extended Education
CSU Monterey Bay
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955-8001

extended@csumb.edu ~ CSUMB.EDU/extended

Effective Fall 2012, CSUMB is not open for students interested in applying to the Over 60 program.

The CSU has established a program which allows California residents 60 years of age or older to enroll in regular session courses without payment of certain specified fees and with reduction in the amounts of others. If interested in this program, you must be admissible as stipulated in Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and you shall, at time of enrollment, register after regular students. Students requesting participation in the Over-60 Program must initiate contact with the Office of Admissions office, prior to the start of the term they wish to be considered. Further information is available from:

Office of Admissions
CSU Monterey Bay
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA  93955-8001

Phone: 831-582-5100 ~ Fax: 831-582-3783 ~ admissions@csumb.edu ~ CSUMB.EDU/admissions

If you are a former CSUMB student who has been absent for two or more semesters and you were not eligible for a Leave of Absence, you must apply for readmission and pay the application fee. You must submit official transcripts of all college work attempted during your absence from the university. Appropriate campus officials will base readmission decisions on a review of your academic status.

Former Students Who Were on Academic Probation

If you were on probation at the end of your last enrollment, you may be readmitted on academic probation provided any work you may have completed elsewhere in the interim is satisfactory. If readmitted on probation, you are subject to such conditions as appropriate university officials may prescribe.

Former Students Who Were Academically Disqualified

If you were a disqualified undergraduate or second baccalaureate degree candidate who has been absent for one or more years, you must apply for readmission and an application fee is charged. Contact Admissions & Records for procedures and documents that must be submitted. Appropriate campus officials will base readmission decisions on a review of your academic status and personal situation. Submit your application as early as possible.