SLP Application Procedures

Complete the Graduate Online Application at Cal State Apply. The University application requires a $70 non-refundable application fee. Visit the Graduate Studies Application Guide for more information, as well as the Cal State Apply Instruction Guide. You will apply to one of the following programs:

1. School Leadership MA - Option to add the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential

2. School Leadership MA (CASLA: Charter & Autonomous School Leadership Academy) - Option to add the Preliminary Administrative Services credential

3. Classified Post-bacc: Graduate Ed Cred (Education Administration Credential) - Preliminary Administrative Services Credential ONLY

After you have completed the application in Cal State Apply, but before the application deadline, submit one official electronic set of transcripts for all undergraduate and any postgraduate work. Electronic official transcripts from domestic institutions are encouraged and preferred to be sent to admissions@csudh.edu. Transcripts are considered official only when sent directly from the issuing institution to the CSUDH Office of Admissions:

CSUDH Office of Admissions & Records
1000 Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747

A minimum 3.0 or better grade point average (GPA) is required in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units. If you do NOT meet this requirement, then provide verification of a minimum combined score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Aptitude Test OR a minimum score of 500 on the Miller Analogies Test. Applicants who do not meet this criteria will need to complete and upload a Low GPA Petition for Exception.

You will be asked to include the names and emails of two (2) recommenders:

One letter of recommendation must be from current site principal: letter of recommendation from your current site principal (or equivalent) clearly stating their support of your application for graduate studies. 

Second letter of recommendation from an individual who can evaluate your leadership potential, success as an educator, and character.  

Your referrers will be contacted directly by the University to request letters of recommendation on your behalf. You will not be able to view these recommendations. 

Please answer the following three (3) questions and upload your saved responses (each response 500 words or less):

• 1. Describe a time when you worked collaboratively to develop other adults
  2. Explain the leadership qualities and characteristics of an exemplary administrator or leader
  3. How should leaders work with the change process and resistance to such change?

The Target Success is an easy-to-use online questionnaire that assesses your disposition towards becoming an effective school leader. Please download the SLP Target Success Instructions 2024-2025 and complete the questionnaire. You will receive your School Leader Sketch Results (Detailed Profile) in a pdf format that you will upload here.

Please upload a Letter of Interest expressing why you are applying for admission to this program (no more than one page).

Please submit one of the following:

1. A valid California clear or life teaching credential requiring a bachelor’s degree and a program of professional preparation, including student teaching
2. A valid California clear or life Designated Subjects Teaching Credential, provided the holder also possesses a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university
3. A valid clear or life California Pupil Personnel Services Credential, Teacher Librarian Services Credential, Speech Language Pathology Services Credential, Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential, or a School Nurse Services Credential, requiring a bachelor’s degree and a program of professional preparation, including field practice or the equivalent. 

The Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) must be met for admission. The BSR can be met through earning a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited college or university. For additional information, please see the Commission on Teacher Credentialing Basic Skills Requirement webpage.

Five years of successful, full-time experience in a public school, nonpublic school, or private school of equivalent status located in California or another state, or a combination of experience earned in California and another state. Substitute or part-time service does not apply. This experience may be teaching, pupil personnel work, school nurse, teacher librarian, or speech-language pathology or clinical or rehabilitative services, or a combination of teaching and school services equal to five years. Verification of experience must be on the district or employing agency letterhead and signed by the superintendent, assistant superintendent, director of personnel, or director of human resources. School or district personnel other than the applicant must verify all experience.