Master's Program Admissions

Master of Science in Higher Education (MSHE)

Note: The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission to our MSHE program.

How to submit an application

1. Go to Cal State Apply and create an account.
2. Add the Higher Education program to your dashboard. 
3. There are four quadrants that make up the application. Be sure that you fill out each section completely.
4. Submit your completed application by the admission deadline (February 1st).
5. Once your application is complete, submit it and pay the application fee. 
6. Send in official transcripts from the institution where your bachelor's degree was earned.

Note: It can take up to five business days to recieve confirmation from CSU Fullerton that your application was recieved and to be issued your CWID (campus wide identification number).

How to find MSHE in Cal State Apply

There are a few ways to search for this program in Cal State Apply:

1. In the search bar, enter: Higher Education (select the one under "Fullerton Graduate")
2. In the search bar, enter: Fullerton. You will see a complete list of all CSUF programs (graduate and credential) open for fall admission.
3. Using the search filters, enter the following:

• Campus - CSU Fullerton
• Delivery - Face to Face
• Start term - Fall

Once you have located the correct program, click on the blue plus sign to the left of the name. Click "continue."

Review your selections. Be sure that you have selected the correct program at CSU Fullerton before you move forward.

If you run into any issues, please visit the Cal State Apply Help Center.

Prepare Supplemental Materials for the Application

All supplemental materials must be uploaded/entered directly into the Cal State Apply application.

1. Professional resume or CV.
2. Unofficial transcripts (from the bachelor degree granting institution).
3. Three (3) letters of recommendation (sent electronically via Cal State Apply).
   1. When filling out recommender information, applicants must copy and paste a statement in the “Personal Message/Notes” text box. There is a word/character limit, so if the paragraph found in the application does not fit, you may use the following: Please assess the applicant’s potential to carry on advanced study in higher education. This should include their leadership skills, persistence and motivation, ability to work collaboratively, intellectual and analytical aptitudes, as well as interest in serving and supporting students in higher educational settings. Finally, please comment on their demonstrated commitment to issues of social justice and experience working with diverse communities. Please submit on institutional letterhead.
4. Responses to four (4) writing prompts in the application.
   1. Responses to each of the following prompts should be equivalent to one page, double spaced or about 300 words:
      1. Describe your career goals and reasons for pursuing this program of study.
      2. Describe an educational challenge you encountered and then overcame.
      3. Describe one of your achievements in a higher education institution or your community that shows your persistence or ability to work collaboratively.
      4. Identify one person, experience, or event that influenced your commitment to diversity, inclusion, and/or social justice. Describe how that person, experience, or event shaped you as a person and the decisions you make.

Admission Deadlines & timeline

Our MSHE program only admits one cohort per academic year and has a fall start. The application cycle opens in Cal State Apply on October 1st.

Program priority application deadline is February 1st.*

*Note: You may submit an application after the priority deadline, however, admission decisions will be prioritized for those who submit an application by the deadline stated above. If you submit an application after the priority deadline, you will be placed on a waitlist and your application will be processed if a space becomes available. If you have any questions regarding this process prior to submitting an application, please email our department at edleadership@fullerton.edu.

Admission Timeline:

Completed applications will be reviewed by faculty a few days following the February 1st deadline. However, no admission decisions will be issued until after applicant interviews take place in late February/early March. 

• Students can expect to receive an email confirmation upon receipt of completed application within 3 business days from Cal State Apply.
• CSUF Office of Admissions will send an email to applicants whose materials have been recieved.
• Students should expect an update from our department on their admission status by mid-March.

Due to the large amount of applications this program receives, please do not contact our office directly to inquire about your admission status.

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

Post-baccalaureate applicants (post-bacc certificates, credentials, master’s, doctoral) are required to provide  transcripts from the institution in which their bachelor’s degree (and master’s degree, if applicable) was earned.* Note that CSUF Admissions may request additional transcripts after an application is processed.

Sending official transcripts

Official transcripts must be sent directly to CSUF Office of Admissions. *See the Office of Admissions web page for instructions. Transcripts should be ordered before the application deadline. CSUF Office of Admissions is unable to provide final admission decisions until official documents are processed by the university.

*If you attended Cal State Fullerton previously, you do not need to send CSUF transcripts since they may still be on file with the campus. You will be notified if any other documentation is required.

Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration (MSEDAD) and/or Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)

How to submit an application

1. Go to Cal State Apply and create an account.
2. Add the program of interest to your dashboard. See sections below about how to search for the programs.
3. There are four quadrants that make up the application. Be sure that you fill out each section completely.
4. Submit your completed application by the admission deadlines listed near the end of this page.
5. Once your application is complete, submit it and pay the application fee.
6. Send in official transcripts from the institution where your bachelor's degree was earned.

Note: It can take up to five business days to receive confirmation from CSU Fullerton that your application was received and to be issued your CWID (campus wide identification number).

It is highly recommended that those interested in the PASC should apply for the MSEDAD.

MS in Educational Leadership and Administration with Preliminary Administrative Services Credential

There are a few ways to search for this program:

1. In the search bar, enter: Educational Leadership and Administration
2. In the search bar, enter: Fullerton. You will see a complete list of all CSUF programs available (graduate and credential).
3. Using the search filters, enter the following:

• Campus - CSU Fullerton
• Start term - Fall
• Delivery - Hybrid

Once you have located the program, click on the blue plus sign to the left of the name. Click "continue."

Review your selections. Be sure that you have selected the correct program at CSU Fullerton before you move forward.

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC only)

In Cal State Apply, this program is named as "Services Credential - Preliminary Adminstrative Services." There are a few ways to search for this program:

1. In the search bar, enter the full name noted above.
2. In the search bar, enter: Services Credential or Preliminary Administrative Services.
3. In the search bar, enter: Fullerton. You will see a complete list of all CSUF programs available (graduate and credential).
4. Using the search filters, enter the following:

• Campus - CSU Fullerton
• Start term - Fall
• Delivery - Hybrid

Once you have located the program, click on the blue plus sign to the left of the name. Click "continue."

Review your selections. Be sure that you have selected the correct program at CSU Fullerton before you move forward.

Prepare Supplemental Materials for the Application*

*For the combined MSEDAD/PASC and the PASC standalone, all materials listed below are required as part of the application. Pay close attention to item #6.

All supplemental materials must be uploaded/entered directly into the Cal State Apply application.

1. CV/Resume
2. Verification of Teaching Experience Form (HEREOpens in new window )
3. Teaching Credential (with valid date)
4. Copy of unofficial transcripts (from the bachelor degree granting institution)
5. Three department recommendation forms (recommenders can access the form HERE and must upload to Cal State Apply)
   
   NOTE: Please contact your recommenders prior to listing them in the application. You should also provide them with the   link to the department recommendation form and share that they will be receiving a separate notification from Cal State Apply about submission.
6. Personal statement response. Please read instructions and preview the prompt HERE.

Fall Admission Deadlines

Application opens in Cal State Apply: October 1st
Priority deadline: February 1st*
Final application deadline: May 31st

* Please note: Applications may be submited after the February deadline; however, admission decisions will be prioritized for those who apply by that date. If the cohort reaches capacity, then applications received after the priority deadline, will be placed on a waitlist. At that time, applications will be processed if a space becomes available. Should applicants have any questions regarding this process prior to submitting, please email our department at edleadership@fullerton.edu.

Official Transcripts

Post-baccalaureate applicants (post-bacc certificates, credentials, master’s, doctoral) are required to provide  transcripts from the institution in which their bachelor’s degree (and master’s degree, if applicable) was earned.

*Note that CSUF Admissions may request additional transcripts after an application is processed.

Sending official transcripts

Official transcripts must be sent directly to CSUF Office of Admissions. *See the Office of Admissions web page for instructions. Transcripts should be ordered before the application deadline. CSUF Office of Admissions is unable to provide final admission decisions until official documents are processed by the university.

*If you attended Cal State Fullerton previously, you do not need to send CSUF transcripts since they may still be on file with the campus. You will be notified if any other documentation is required.

Credential Commencement Ceremony Participation Policy (PASC ONLY)

All program coursework, including all requirements for student teaching, must be satisfactorily met and the Credential Commencement Fee must be paid in order to participate in the commencement ceremony. This includes all MSCP paperwork and evaluations. Candidates that complete program requirements after the ceremony date will be invited to participate in the ceremony the following year. Special circumstances may be presented to a designated faculty committee and permission to participate will be considered. Please note the Credential Commencement Fee is a non-refundable fee, paid regardless of participation in the ceremony.