How to Apply

Applications for the Chicana and Chicano Studies department are accepted for fall semester only. There is no spring admission. Students interested in applying to the graduate program must apply to the university and to the department. Make sure to send separate transcripts for each application

Deadlines

University Admission Criteria

To be admitted to CSUN, as a graduate student, students must meet the following requirements:

• Have baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college.
• Have been in good standing at the last institution attended
• Have at least a 2.5 grade point average in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units attempted, independent of when the baccalaureate was granted.
• GPA is lower than a 3.0, the university requires that you take the GRE.
• Have passed the CSU Upper-Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE). If you have not taken and passed the exam, the university is willing to accept you conditionally with the understanding that you must pass the exam within the first 12 units of graduate coursework. If you are not classified within this time frame you will not be allowed to continue your enrollment in the Masters program.

University Application Process

The CSUN applications is available on the CSU Mentor website: www.csumentor.com. The application fee is $55 and official transcripts are required.

Department Admission Criteria

The department endorses the university admission criteria. However, it is important to note that the department does not require a particular GRE score to be admitted into the program; it solely requires that students with a GPA lower than a 3.0 take the exam to adhere to the university policy.

Departmental Application Process

1. Letters of Recommendation - Obtain two letters of recommendation from current or former professors. An optional third letter from an individual outside of academia who can speak of your work in the community can also be included. The recommendation forms with letters must be received by the department no later than February 17, 2017.
   • CHS Masters Recommendation Form  must accompany Letters of Recommendation.
2. Submit a curriculum vitae or resume
3. Official transcripts
4. Complete a Statement of Purpose – The objective of the statement of purpose is twofold. First, it will be used as writing sample and provide the admissions committee an opportunity to examine your writing skills. Second, it allows you to share with the admissions committee why you want to pursue a graduate degree in our department. Please include your name on the first page of your document. The Statement of Purpose is two to three pages in length, double-spaced, and answers the following questions:

• How did you become interested in the field of Chicana and Chicano Studies?
• What experiences have contributed toward your preparation for further study in the field?
• What are your future goals?
• What are your research interests?
• How are you a match to the program and department? That is, what faculty member(s) would you like to work with?
• What experience do you have as an activist/scholar in the field of Chicana and Chicano Studies?

Departmental Application Checklist

All items below must be mailed or hand-delivered in one packet:

1. Statement of purpose
2. Curriculum vitae or resume
3. Official transcripts in a sealed envelope for every college and/or university attended

Mail or hand-deliver the entire application packet by February 17, 2017 to:

Dr. Yarma Velazquez-Vargas
Chicana and Chicano Studies Department
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Jerome Richfield Hall, 148
Northridge, CA 91330-8246