California State University Long Beach

California State University is a large public school system in the state that consists of multiple campuses, including California State University Long Beach. Its proximity to the ocean and the shore led to students often referring to the college as simply The Beach, but most know this campus as Cal State Long Beach. Founded in 1949 as Los Angeles Orange County State College, it opened as a tiny college that primarily taught returning veterans and operated out of two apartment complexes before building its own campus. When that campus opened, it became Long Beach State College. Cal State Long Beach went through several other name changes before finally choosing its current name.

Many students love the laid back environment and relaxing feel of the campus. The large campus features a spread out layout and ample places for students to sit and enjoy the scenery. You can even smell the ocean from the campus. When U.S. News and World Report created a list of the top colleges in the American west, it put Cal State Long Beach at number 28. Washington Monthly included the university on its own list of the top graduate schools in the United States. Money Magazine and The Daily Beast also called Cal State Long Beach one of the nation's top 200 schools.

California State University Long Beach Accreditation Details

Regional accreditation is one of the first things you should research when deciding where to go to college. With this type of accreditation, you can file the FAFSA and know that the government can provide you with aid. It also allows you to take courses at another accredited university and transfer those credits into your degree program. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) granted Cal State Long Beach regional accreditation. This California college also has some specialized accreditation that apply to programs that might interest you. Its aerospace, computer, civil, mechanical and other engineering programs have accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET). Some of the other accreditation that Cal State Long Beach has comes from:

• American Council for Construction Education
• Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
• Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
• Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
• National Recreation and Park Association
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

California State University Long Beach Application Requirements

Only those who are in good standing qualify for admission to one of the Cal State Long Beach graduate programs. The university requires that you have a college degree or can show that you will finish your degree before the semester you start the graduate program and that you have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on the standard 4.0 scale. Those who have a lower GPA will need to show that they maintained a 2.5 average in the last four semesters of classes they took. Though the university will ocassionally admit students with a lower GPA, those students must maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher during their first few semesters at Cal State Long Beach.

Provided that you meet those admissions requirements, you can apply for a spot in the university. The university charges a $55 application fee for all graduate students and does not offer a fee waiver. This application will go over the basic information that the school requires, including your GPA, the degree that you earned and the type of experience you gained. Each college you attended in the past must submit an official transcript to the university. You will also need to mail an official copy of your score from the GRE or a similar test. Some Cal State Long Beach departments also require letters of recommendation and/or a resume.

Tuition and Fees

Cal State Long Beach estimates that graduate students will pay a little over $6,700 per semester. When you add in the cost of all miscellaneous fees, this price increases to around $7,700 a semester. If you do not make arrangements to pay your tuition before the semester starts, the university will begin tacking on late fees to your account. If you cannot afford the total cost, you'll need to apply for financial aid. Start with the FAFSA. When you select Cal State Long Beach as the school you want to attend, the university will look at the total costs you face, the amount you can contribute and determine which programs can cover the balance.

CSU offers a loan forgiveness program that may appeal to some students. When you apply for this program, the school system will determine if you have the skills needed to work for the university later. If you qualify, the university will forgive your loans when you work for the school system after graduation. All departments also need assistants capable of helping professors lead classes, grade papers and do research projects. Those who qualify for an assistant position will receive a tuition waiver and may receive other perks, including a stipend each semester or year and health insurance.

Cal State Long Beach Graduate School

Cal State Long Beach offers more than 100 programs and options for graduate students. One of the professional programs available that ends in a terminal degree is its Master of Business Administration. The program includes 12 credit hours of core business classes like marketing concepts and financial accounting. Successfully passing these courses allows students to take the more advanced classes like managerial accounting, human resources management and marketing policies. The university offers both an evening program and a Saturday program for working students. Its Saturday program lets you earn your degree while taking just one class every Saturday afternoon, and the evening program lets you take your required classes at night and after work.

The Master of Social Work program at Cal State Long Beach is popular among students who want to work with those in need and for government agencies. You can select a concentration in adult and aging, integrated health or child and family well being. Students who take classes online through the distance learning department may qualify for a stipend that pays for their travel and personal expenses. California State University Long Beach offers a traditional two year program and a three year option for part time social work students.