DAC Admissions Requirements

IMPORTANT: Current students who are enrolled in the iSchool’s master’s degree programs do not apply for admission to the certificate program. They can complete both the master’s degree and certificate programs concurrently.

Admissions Requirements for Non-Master’s Students

• A bachelor’s degree from any regionally accredited institution in any discipline with a GPA of at least 3.0 at the bachelor’s degree institution* or in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units. Note that the institution must state that it is regionally accredited by one of the accrediting bodies listed: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges; Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). *If the institution did not issue grades / GPA, enter “N/A” into the GPA field in Cal State Apply. Narrative evaluations (minimum 5 – 6) need to be sent with your official transcripts.
• GPA can be raised by taking classes at any regionally accredited institution. The classes must be used in a degree program at that institution. They cannot be professional or personal development classes.
• A general understanding of computers and technology. See Technology Literacy Requirements.
• Access to a computer with Internet connection and appropriate software. See Home Computing Requirements.
• International applicants must have a TOEFL score of 600 (paper version), 250 (computer version), or 100 (Internet-based); or an IELTS score of 8.

Note: We do not require a GMAT or GRE test, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, or a resume. Therefore, please do not include these in your application.

We expect that all applicants seeking admission understand and comply with the stated technology literacy and home computing environment requirements. However, to ensure this, our school offers an optional self-paced, not-for-credit technology preparation course for free that students can complete before the start of their first semester.

In addition to the same requirements mentioned above, applicants from countries in which the native language is not English must achieve a minimum English-language proficiency test score on one of the tests, as indicated on the Graduate Program Test Requirement web page at GAPE. For further detailed information, please read Step 5 on the GAPE Steps to Admission website. Look for the School of Information scores, under University Required English Language Proficiency (ELP) Exams

Important Note for International Applicants: If you are taking the certificate program online from your own country – or any country outside the United States – there is no need to obtain a Visa. You apply as a Special Session student and complete the certificate program online from outside the United States. 

Due to the restrictions placed on online classes by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the certificate program cannot enroll international students who are in the United States and want to take classes while in the United States. The certificate program is only available in an online format.