Organizer Information
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a public university in Long Beach, California, and part of the California State University system. Its College of the Arts includes the School of Art, Department of Design, Department of Cinematic Arts, Dance, Music, and Theatre Arts. The School of Art offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in art, while the Department of Design provides undergraduate design degrees and an MA in Human Experience Design Interactions.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: California State University, Long Beach
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and other degrees across the university
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Art History / Art Education / Photography / Animation / Graphic Design / Design / Film & Cinematic Arts / Dance / Music / Theatre Arts
- Relevant Programs: BA in Art; BFA in Art options; BA in Cinematic Arts; BS in Industrial Design; BFA in Interior Design; BA in Design; MA in Art History; MFA in Studio Art; MA in Human Experience Design Interactions; MA/MFA in Dance; MFA in Theatre Arts
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Program- and level-specific; Fall 2027 undergraduate applications open for submission 1 October 2026
- Application Deadline: 30 November 2026 for Fall 2027 first-year and transfer undergraduate applicants; graduate deadlines vary by program
- Start of Studies: Fall term
- Application Fee: $70
- Tuition: Undergraduate base tuition and mandatory fees from $4,376/semester for California residents; nonresidents add $471 per unit
- Funding: Scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- CSULB provides arts-related study across the School of Art, Design, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Music, and Theatre Arts. The School of Art offers BA options in Art Education, Art History, and Studio Art, together with BFA options including Ceramics, Drawing & Painting, Graphic Design, Illustration/Animation, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture/4D, and 3-D Media.
- The Department of Design offers a BA in Design, BFA in Interior Design, BS in Industrial Design, and MA in Human Experience Design Interactions.
- The BA in Cinematic Arts requires major-specific lower-division preparation for transfer admission, including at least three approved cinema courses.
- Portfolio requirements are program-specific. School of Art BFA applicants must undergo portfolio review, while BA applicants in Art, Art History, and Art Education do not require a portfolio for university admission.
General Eligibility
- Eligibility depends on the degree and program. Undergraduate applicants must satisfy CSULB and, where applicable, major-specific admission requirements. For Fall 2026, for example, the BFA Art options require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and specified lower-division preparation; Cinematic Arts requires a minimum 2.75 GPA and specified cinema coursework.
- For graduate study in the School of Art, applicants apply to both CSULB and the School of Art. The MFA in Studio Art prefers applicants with undergraduate degrees in Art but does not require an Art bachelor's degree; applicants from other backgrounds may be considered, including conditionally classified admission where additional preparation is required.
- The MA in Art History has specific prerequisite coursework, including upper-division Art History study and foreign-language preparation.
Language Requirements
CSULB requires English-language demonstration from applicants unless an approved waiver applies. Current minimum scores include IELTS 6.0 for undergraduate applicants and 6.5 for post-baccalaureate applicants, TOEFL iBT 61 for undergraduate and 80 for post-baccalaureate applicants, and Duolingo English Test 105 for undergraduate and 115 for post-baccalaureate applicants. Approved waiver conditions include qualifying U.S. degrees and specified prior education in English-waiver countries.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Application | Fee |
|---|---|
| Cal State Apply university application | $70 |
| School of Art supplemental application | No additional School of Art application fee stated |
The $70 fee is payable through Cal State Apply.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition & Mandatory Fees | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | California resident, full-time | $4,376 | Per semester, 7+ units | Included in total |
| Undergraduate | Non-California resident | $4,376 base + $471/unit | Per semester + per unit | Included in base mandatory fees |
| Graduate | California resident, full-time | $5,231 | Per semester, 7+ units | Included in total |
| Graduate | Non-California resident | $5,231 base + $471/unit | Per semester + per unit | Included in base mandatory fees |
These are the published 2026–2027 CSU Long Beach rates. Fees may change before instruction begins. F-1 international students must also purchase mandatory university health insurance.
Funding & Financial Support
CSULB provides scholarships and financial-aid opportunities through university and other sources. The university's 2026–2027 calendar identifies scholarship opportunities for new and continuing students. The School of Art also identifies School of Art scholarships and graduate teaching opportunities, although teaching opportunities are competitive and generally become available after the first year.
University Services & Academic Support
Relevant arts support includes School of Art graduate studios, a graduate gallery, graduate workroom and classroom facilities, computer labs, equipment checkout, galleries, advising, and faculty mentoring. MA Art History students work with faculty mentors in developing individualized research programs. International applicants also receive dedicated admissions and immigration support through the Center for International Education.
Application Requirements
Requirements vary by program.
- Undergraduate: University application through Cal State Apply and any applicable major-specific preparation.
- School of Art BFA: Portfolio review is required for BFA admission. Portfolio specifications vary by option; for example, Photography requires 10–15 photographs, mixed-media, or video works.
- Graduate School of Art: Cal State Apply application plus the CSULB School of Art application through SlideRoom. Graduate applicants submit transcripts and a statement of purpose; program-specific materials apply.
- MA Art History: Required prerequisite coursework includes Art History theory/criticism, additional upper-division Art History, and foreign-language preparation.
- MFA Studio Art: Portfolio is the principal component of the studio-art review, with additional preparation potentially required for applicants admitted conditionally.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Fall 2027 Application Period Opens: 1 October 2026
- Fall 2027 Undergraduate Application Deadline: 30 November 2026
- Fall 2027 Undergraduate Admission Decisions: Mid-February – April 2027
- Fall 2027 Undergraduate Enrollment Deposit Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Fall 2027 School of Art Graduate Application Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Fall 2027 MFA in Dance Application Opens: 1 October 2026
- Fall 2027 MFA in Dance Application Closes: 1 December 2026
- Fall 2027 MFA in Dance Audition/Interview: 30 January 2027
Location
California State University, Long Beach — Long Beach, California, United States
Additional Details
CSULB distinguishes between university admission and major/program admission in several arts disciplines. In particular, admission to the School of Art BFA options, Design studio programs, Dance, and other specialized programs may involve an additional review, portfolio, audition, or supplemental application after or alongside the university application. International applicants should also review CSULB's separate requirements for F-1 applicants, including English proficiency, financial documentation, and mandatory health insurance.