Organizer Information
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is a public university in Northridge, Los Angeles, California, United States. Its Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication includes the Department of Art & Design and programs in cinema, television, media, and the visual arts. The university offers undergraduate and graduate study, with admissions requirements determined by the program and applicant category.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: California State University, Northridge
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral study across the university; relevant arts offerings include bachelor's and master's degrees.
- Degrees Offered: BA, MA, MFA, and other university-wide degrees.
- Academic Fields: Fine arts, animation, art history, graphic design, illustration, photography, video, film production, television production, screenwriting, and entertainment media management.
- Relevant Programs: Art, B.A.; Art, M.A. — Visual Arts Option; Cinema and Television Arts, B.A. — Film Production, Television Production, Screenwriting, Media Theory and Criticism, and Entertainment Media Management options.
- Language of Instruction: English.
- International Applicants: Yes.
- Application Period: Fall 2027 undergraduate applications generally open 1 August 2026; international undergraduate and graduate applicants have separate filing periods.
- Application Deadline: International applicants — 31 October 2026 for Spring 2027 and 15 May 2027 for Fall 2027, subject to program-specific exceptions.
- Start of Studies: Spring and fall semesters; exact program start dates should be confirmed through the relevant admissions calendar.
- Application Fee: US$70 per application.
- Tuition: Undergraduate mandatory tuition and fees for 2026–2027 start at US$2,726 per semester for 0–6 units for the listed fee categories; international students may incur additional charges.
- Funding: Scholarships and financial aid are available subject to eligibility and award conditions.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- CSUN's Department of Art & Design offers undergraduate concentrations in animation, art education, art history, ceramics, communication design, drawing, illustration, painting, photography/video, printmaking, and sculpture. Graduate visual-arts study includes the M.A. in Art, Visual Arts Option, and Master of Fine Arts opportunities.
- The Mike Curb College also offers cinema and television study covering film production, television production, screenwriting, media theory and criticism, and entertainment media management. These programs are relevant to applicants interested in filmmaking, audiovisual media, creative production, and media industries.
- Applicants should review the requirements for their intended major or graduate program rather than assume that the same eligibility criteria apply across all disciplines.
General Eligibility
- CSUN accepts applications from domestic and international students. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for their chosen level and program. International applicants seeking an F-1 or J-1 visa must follow the university's international admissions process and meet applicable academic, English-language, and financial documentation requirements.
Educational Background
- First-time undergraduate applicants must meet the university's applicable high-school preparation and admission requirements. Transfer applicants are assessed under transfer admission rules. Graduate applicants must satisfy the academic prerequisites of their intended graduate program.
- The Cinema and Television Arts B.A. — Film Production option has additional progression requirements: students must earn the required grades in designated prerequisite courses and submit a portfolio approved by the Film Production faculty. This is a program-specific condition, not a university-wide portfolio requirement.
Language Requirements
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an official exemption. For international undergraduate applicants, CSUN lists the following accepted minimum scores:
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT (previous scale) | 61 |
| TOEFL paper-based | 500 |
| PTE Academic | 50 |
| iTEP Academic | 3.8 |
Requirements and accepted score formats may differ by applicant category or change with test revisions. Graduate applicants should verify the requirements for their specific program.
Application Fee
| Application category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate application | US$70 |
| Graduate application | US$70 per campus application |
CSUN states that applicants who qualify for a fee waiver will be notified through the application process
Tuition
The following mandatory tuition and campus fees apply to the listed 2026–2027 semester categories. Nonresident tuition is additional for students who are not California residents.
| Study level | Units per semester | Tuition and campus fees | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 0–6 units | US$2,726 | Per semester |
| Undergraduate | 6.1 or more units | US$4,164 | Per semester |
| Graduate/post-baccalaureate | 0–6 units | US$3,225 | Per semester |
| Graduate/post-baccalaureate | 6.1 or more units | US$5,019 | Per semester |
For 2026–2027, nonresident students pay an additional US$471 per unit per semester. International applicants should therefore calculate their expected costs using their intended course load and the university's current fee schedule. Housing, food, transportation, books, and personal expenses are additional costs.
Funding & Financial Support
- CSUN provides institutional scholarship opportunities, including awards specifically for continuing international students. The International Matador Scholarship offers US$3,000 to selected eligible continuing F-1 students; undergraduate applicants must have a CSUN GPA of at least 3.0, and graduate applicants must have at least 3.5. Full-time enrollment and other conditions apply.
- International applicants should distinguish scholarships open to continuing students from awards available to incoming students. Federal financial aid is generally restricted to eligible U.S. categories, and international students should not assume that need-based aid will be available.
University Services & Academic Support
- The Department of Art & Design provides access to facilities relevant to visual arts education, including sculpture, printmaking, and animation facilities. The department also operates the CSUN Art Galleries, where students have opportunities to engage with exhibitions and display their work
- Art students are encouraged to meet with academic and faculty advisers to plan their studies and degree requirements. The university's International Admissions team assists international applicants with admissions-related questions and documentation.
Application Requirements
Requirements depend on the selected program and applicant category.
- Undergraduate applicants: Submit the application and required academic records. International applicants may also need English-proficiency results, financial-support documentation, certified English translations, and passport information.
- Cinema and Television Arts — Film Production option: Students must complete designated prerequisite courses with the required grades and obtain faculty approval of their portfolio for entry into the option.
- Art, M.A. — Visual Arts Option: The department lists 8–10 recent work samples, an artist statement or statement of intent of up to 500 words, a CV or résumé, two references, and academic records.
- Art, M.F.A.: The department lists 15–20 recent work samples, an artist statement or statement of intent of up to 500 words, a CV or résumé, two references, and complete academic records.
Graduate applicants should confirm whether additional department-level requirements apply in addition to the university application.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate and graduate university Application Portal
- Art Department M.A. and M.F.A. portfolio Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
Spring 2027
- International undergraduate application deadline: 31 October 2026.
- International applicant document deadline: 15 November 2026
- International transfer application deadline: 31 October 2026
Fall 2027
- International undergraduate application deadline: 15 May 2027
- International applicant document deadline: 15 June 2027
- General first-time freshman application period: 1 August 2026 – 15 May 2027
- Cinema and Television Arts — Film Production option deadline: 31 January 2027
- Cinema and Television Arts — Television Production option deadline: 31 January 2027
- Music application deadline: 15 January 2027
Art & Design graduate applications
- Art, M.A. portfolio deadline: 1 October for fall and 1 February for spring
- Art, M.F.A. application deadline: 1 February
Location
California State University, Northridge — Northridge, Los Angeles, California, United States
Additional Details
CSUN's Art & Design graduate portfolio process and its university admissions process are separate. Applicants to the M.A. and M.F.A. programs should complete both applicable applications and follow the Art Department's portfolio instructions.
International applicants should also review visa-related requirements and financial documentation requirements before applying. Requirements for students seeking a second U.S. degree may be affected by changing federal regulations; consult