The Application Process

The graduate application consists of one component.

Cal State Apply graduate application (or Cal State Apply International graduate application).

Once your CSU Apply application is received and processed by the Office of Graduate Studies, you will receive an email with additional information including your Sac State Student ID number. At this time, you will be able to set up your Saclink username and password on the SacLink Account page.

CSU Graduate Application

The Office of Graduate Studies for Future Students webpage has detailed instructions and guides for submitting the Cal State Apply application. Please contact the office of Graduate Studies for technical assistance

You must submit all sections of the Cal State Apply application.

• Unofficial Transcripts: upload unofficial transcript from ALL colleges and universities attended. Do NOT email them to the department. You will only need to submit official transcripts if amitted into the program. If you are a former SacState student, you will not need to request your transcript as it's already on file. You may download an unofficial transcript from your student center for the application. Once accepted, please then email official e-transcripts to gradtranscripts@csus.edu
• Applicants with foreign documents see the Office of Graduate Studies for further instruction.
• Application Fees
• Statement of Purpose (1.5 single spaced pages with a maximum of two pages allowed) Why do you want to pursue a degree in public policy & administration (if possible, please provide an example of something you have done or aspire to do that illustrates your interest in the program)? Why do you believe Sacramento State’s program is right for you given your personal, academic, and/or professional objectives?
• Letters of Recommendation Minimum of three and a maximum of five references. Professional references only and we strongly recommend one be a professor. You will input their contact information in the designated section, triggering a survey to be sent to their email address to complete and submit. The form consist of a Likert scale to rank an applicant in different catgeories regarding performance as a student and adjacent comment fields for further elaboration.

Cal State Apply graduate application

International Applicants

International applicants submit English proficiency exam scores, if needed. See the Office of International Admissions for more information.

Cal State Apply International graduate application

Deadlines

Sacramento State operates under completion deadlines. Applications must be complete and all documents, including transcripts, must be received by the deadline in order to be considered for admission.

Applications available online October 1 to March 1 for Fall admission.

Following Up

You may log into your My.CSUS.edu account to check on the completeness of your Cal State Apply Graduate Application and the progress of your online University letter of recommendation requests.

Contact the Office of Graduate Studies at (916) 278-6470 or grad_admissions@csus.edu with questions about the Cal State Apply Graduate Application and for technical assistance.