Admission Procedures for US Applicants

International applicants should also refer to "Admission Procedures for International Applicants" which describes additional requirements for applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

  1. Apply for Admission to Graduate Study

    Applicants must complete an application for admission to graduate study and return it to the Graduate and Adult Programs Office together with the nonrefundable $50 application fee.

  2. Transcripts

    An official transcript from the college or university granting the applicant's bachelor's degree is required and should be sent to CLU's Graduate and Adult Programs Office. Official transcripts reflecting records of any graduate work previously undertaken or completed should also be sent. Only degrees granted by regionally accredited U.S. institutions will be considered for acceptance. Applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and hold non-U.S. degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for equivalency to a U.S. bachelor's degree by an equivalency evaluation agency. Equivalency evaluation agency referrals are available from Graduate and Adult Programs.

    Students undertaking work for teaching credentials, or education or psychology degrees must also submit official transcripts to the School of Education, including transcripts which reflect all undergraduate course work taken at any college or university.

  3. Letters of Recommendation

    Three recommendations by associates who can attest to the candidate's suitability for graduate work are required. Recommendation forms are provided in the admission packet.

  4. Personal Statement

    Persons applying for admission to a graduate program must submit an essay of no more than two typewritten pages, describing their reason for pursuing a graduate degree with California Lutheran University. This part of the application provides the candidate with the opportunity to demonstrate writing competency and communication skills, specify examples of leadership and discuss career goals. Applicants may also provide pertinent information that will assist program directors in selecting candidates who can most benefit from and contribute to the program.

  5. Test Scores

    Applicants with academic records which do not satisfy items A-D listed below under "Waiver of Test Requirement" must submit appropriate test scores to demonstrate their potential to successfully complete a program of graduate study. Those seeking a program in Education or Psychology should submit scores for the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants for the Master of Business Administration should submit scores for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Applicants for the Master of Public Policy and Administration program may submit either GRE or GMAT scores. Applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who earned degrees from universities outside the U.S. are required to take either the GMAT or GRE depending upon the requirements for the individual program to which they applied.

    Waiver of Test Requirement

    Normally, the GRE or GMAT admission requirement may be waived for candidates who present an official transcript of previous college work from a regionally accredited college or university reflecting any one of the following criteria:

    • an undergraduate, upper division grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale); or
    • a combined grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the most recent 60 credits of study consisting of any of the following: graduate course work, upper division post baccalaureate course work (exclusive of extension or continuing education work), and upper division undergraduate course work; or
    • a minimum of nine credits of graduate course work completed with a 3.50 grade point average; or
    • a previously earned master's degree.

    Candidates who meet any of the above criteria and wish to have the test score requirement waived should complete and submit the "Petition to Waive the GRE or GMAT" form which is included in the admission packet.

  6. Admission Interview

    Applicants must arrange to meet with an admission counselor and/or program adviser prior to registering for courses.

  7. Specific Department or Program Requirements

    Some of the University's advanced degree programs and the Teacher Preparation Program have requirements for admission in addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate study which are listed here. Applicants should consult the section of the catalog which pertains to their program to determine if any additional admission requirements exist.

  8. Notification of Admission Decision

    Candidates are notified of the admission decision soon after their admission portfolio is complete and all of the requirements of the admission process are satisfied.