Cleveland State University: GPA and Admission Requirements
Cleveland State University (CSU) is a public research university located in Cleveland, Ohio. For prospective students, understanding the university's admission requirements, particularly the GPA expectations, is crucial. This article provides a detailed overview of the GPA requirements for undergraduate and graduate programs at Cleveland State University, along with other important admission criteria.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
GPA and Standardized Test Scores
For undergraduate admission, Cleveland State University considers several factors, with GPA being a significant one. Students should have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be considered.
In addition to GPA, standardized test scores play a role in the admission process. Applicants are typically required to submit scores from either the ACT or SAT. A minimum ACT score of 23 (1070 combined critical reading and math SAT or SAT 1130 for tests taken March 2016 or later) is expected.
Additional Requirements for Undergraduates
Transfer applicants must earn at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA at all previous colleges and universities combined in order to be admitted to Cleveland State University as a degree-seeking student.
An official copy of the applicant's grade transcript sent directly from all regionally accredited colleges or universities attended. Note that applicants who have earned fewer than 12 semester hours of college credit must also send an official high school transcript directly from the high school. Applicants who graduated fewer than five years prior to their application date must also submit official ACT or SAT scores. This information will be considered in the admission process.
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Students currently enrolled in another college or university at the time of their application may be admitted conditionally to Cleveland State based on their previous academic performance pending receipt of their final, official transcript. Applicants who are unable to obtain an official transcript from a previous college/university because of financial or other obligations may not be considered for transfer to Cleveland State. Failure to list attendance at a college or university on the admissions application may be grounds for admission revocation or dismissal from the university. A one-time, $30 undergraduate application processing fee.
Undergraduate admissions also recommends that transfer applicants send an official copy of their high school transcript in order to provide documentation of meeting Cleveland State's foreign language requirement.
Graduate Admission Requirements
GPA Requirements for Graduate Programs
Admission to the master's program requires a minimum undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.0. Admission to the doctoral program requires a minimum grade-point averages of 3.00 at the bachelor's and 3.25 at the master's level.
Additional Requirements for Graduates
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and an English language proficiency examination are required for all international students. If the GRE is required, a minimum score on the Quantitative Reasoning section of the 60th percentile is required.
Individuals with a baccalaureate degree from a college or university with full academic accreditation and who present satisfactory evidence of the ability to pursue graduate study can be considered for admission. A baccalaureate degree earned outside the United States must be equivalent to a four-year United States degree. The individual has a grade-point average for the bachelor’s degree of at least 2.75 (A = 4.0), with a higher average in the major field. Some graduate programs require a higher GPA. The institution from which the student received the bachelor’s degree determines a student’s undergraduate grade-point average.
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Endorsement of the graduate program is necessary for admission to a graduate degree, certificate, or licensure program. The Office of Graduate Admissions Processing finalizes acceptance of an applicant for admission after a recommendation for admission by the appropriate graduate committee. Applicants may be considered for provisional admission with a baccalaureate GPA of at least 2.25 but less than either 2.75 or the program’s minimum GPA requirement.
Individuals may apply for admission to simultaneously pursue two graduate degree programs. Dual program students have six concurrent years to complete the two degree programs. Extension of the six-year limit for either degree requires the approval of the respective graduate program committees. With the approval of each program, dual degree students may apply up to a maximum of ten graduate credits taken to meet requirements for one program, to also meet degree requirements for the second program. The ten dual-counted credits do not need to be for the same courses.
Acceptance of a graduate certificate or graduate licensure applicant for admission is finalized by Graduate Admissions Processing after a recommendation for admission by the appropriate graduate committee is received in the Graduate Admissions Processing Office. The academic status of a graduate degree-seeking, certificate, or licensure applicant is determined after a review of admission credentials. Graduate Program Committees may recommend admission of applicants as Regular or Regular with Requirements.
Upon being accepted for graduate study the graduate student should confer with the appropriate departmental advisor to plan a program of study. Regular Graduate Students have satisfied all requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and to a graduate program, including submission of all documents (see the sections on Submission of Materials and Admission Procedures in this Catalog). and supplemental application materials as required by the program. A person admitted as a Regular Graduate Student, with requirements, has met the minimum admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, but has not met the minimum requirements of the graduate program.
Many graduate programs require a standardized admission examination (e.g., GRE, GMAT, MAT). Consult individual program descriptions in this Catalog for specific admission examination requirements. When an admission examination is required by the College of Graduate Studies, applicants must score on average at the 50th percentile or above across the sections of the examination to qualify for degree, certificate, or licensure admission. Some graduate programs require higher admission examination scores to qualify for admission. All applicants should consult individual program descriptions in this Catalog for specific admission examination requirements.
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Application Process
A completed application should be submitted not less than six weeks prior to the term of desired entrance. Consult the admission requirements in individual program descriptions in this Catalog for further information. At the time of application, applicants should request that every college or university previously attended send one official transcript to Graduate Admissions Processing. CSU will obtain official Cleveland State University transcripts. Some departments may require only degree-posted transcripts. For applicants who have not yet been awarded their baccalaureate (or higher) degree, a second official transcript with the degree posted also must be submitted. Hand-delivered transcripts, sealed in the original envelope as provided by the issuing institution, are also acceptable as official documents. Transcripts which have been photocopied, faxed, or opened by the applicant are not acceptable as official documents.
Additional Requirements for International Students
All non-native English speakers must demonstrate proof of English language proficiency. An international student is an individual who holds a visa while enrolled at Cleveland State University. Examinations: Several graduate programs require students to submit a standardized admissions examination (e.g., GRE, GMAT, Miller Analogies Test) score. Successful completion of 30 semester credit hours of college-level coursework from an accredited college in the United States or English speaking country with a cumulative 2.0 GPA, including the equivalent of CSU’s ENG 101 and ENG 102 with a grade of C or better.
All international students must supply to the Center for International Services and Programs proof of adequate financial resources before I-20 (F-1) or IAP-66 (J-1) documents can be issued to obtain the appropriate visa to enter the United States to study. The only financial aid for which international students may qualify are graduate assistantships and graduate tuition grants. International students attending Cleveland State University are required to present results of a tuberculosis test before being permitted to register at the University. All international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa must show proof of adequate health insurance before they are allowed to register.
Non-Degree Admission
The University provides an opportunity for individuals who hold a baccalaureate (or higher) degree to enroll in graduate courses without admittance to a graduate degree, certificate, or licensure program. Applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate degree (or higher) from a fully accredited academic college or university. All non-degree applicants are required to provide proof of degree conferral. Proof may take the form of an official transcript or a copy of the official transcript from the institution where the highest posted degree was earned. Proof of degree conferral for applicants who graduated from Cleveland State University will be retrieved internally. Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States must be equivalent to baccalaureate degrees earned in the United States. The University requires all nonnative English speakers to demonstrate proof of English-language proficiency. institution, in which the primary language of instruction is English, is not required to take an English-language proficiency examination. Submit a completed application form and proof of baccalaureate (or higher) degree to the Graduate Admissions Processing Office. Applicants are strongly advised to submit an online application to facilitate processing their requests for Non-Degree admission. For Non-Degree graduate admission, the application deadline is ten business days prior to the start of the term.
Non-degree graduate students may qualify for the Federal Stafford Loan Program if their course work is required as a prerequisite to qualify for admission to a graduate degree program. Eligibility for these loans continues for one consecutive twelve-month period. Students are required to register for at least six credit hours in order to be eligible for the loan. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be on file with the Financial Aid Office in order to be considered for the Federal Stafford Loan programs.
An academically dismissed non-degree student must petition the College of Graduate Studies Petitions Committee for readmission consideration. A recommendation from the Director of the Graduate Program in which the student wishes to take classes is required before action will be taken by the Graduate College Petitions Committee. Students must meet course prerequisites unless waived by the instructor. Students are permitted to enroll in classes on a space-available basis. Priority is given to graduate degree, certificate, and licensure students when enrollment is limited.
Non-degree students are graded on a letter-grade basis. Exceptions are made only if the student requests Audit (N/C) or Satisfactory/Fail (S/F) status at the time of registration or within the first week of classes. Non-degree students may NOT earn a graduate degree, certificate, or license awarded by the University. Students with non-degree status who wish to earn a graduate degree, certificate or license must apply and meet that program’s admission standards. A student who changes from non-degree to degree status may be permitted, with program approval, to apply a maximum of twelve graduate credits of non-degree course work toward fulfillment of master’s degree requirements. A student may petition for an extension of the twelve credit limit. If approved by the graduate committee, such requests do not require the review and approval of the College of Graduate Studies Petitions Committee.
Transient Students
There are two categories of transient students: 1) those enrolled in a graduate program at another college or university who wish to undertake a limited amount of graduate work at Cleveland State University; and 2) those enrolled in a graduate degree program at Cleveland State who wish to do a limited amount of graduate work at another institution. Students enrolled in a graduate program at another college or university who wish to undertake a limited amount of graduate work at Cleveland State University must complete the home institution’s Graduate Transient Application form and receive approval from the home institution to enroll for specified courses. The approval form and the completed CSU Enrollment Services Transient Student Enrollment Request Form should be forwarded to the Cleveland State University Office of the University Registrar. Admission as a transient student is valid for one semester only.
A student enrolled in a graduate degree program at Cleveland State who wishes to do a limited amount of graduate work at another institution is required to consult with his or her program advisor and/or department chair and complete a Cleveland State University Graduate Student Transient Approval Form. Only students who are in good academic standing in their degree programs qualify for transient student status. A transient student is subject to the same academic regulations that govern Cleveland State degree, certificate, and licensure students.
Additional Information
Submit letters of recommendation, test scores, or other materials as required directly to your academic department. The Director of the accelerated master’s program in your department will submit a letter of acceptance or denial to you with a copy to the Registrar’s Office and Graduate Admissions Processing. Once you have been accepted to an accelerated master’s program, you should consult your academic advisor about your program of study. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, you must register for graduate level classes within three semesters of completing the bachelor’s degree requirements (excluding summer) provided you have completed all 500-level classes with a grade of B or better and have met other requirements as set by the program.
*Each academic college has specific guidelines for direct entry. Students must be admitted to Cleveland State University as pre-business and then follow the College of Business admission process. Students must be admitted to Cleveland State as Pre-Education and then follow the admission process for teacher licensure programs. Students must be admitted to Cleveland State as Pre-Nursing and then follow the School of Nursing admission process.
Music students must complete an additional application and complete an audition. Students who have not completed a music theory course for college credit are also required to complete an oral and written placement exam.
Cleveland State University grants external test credit for qualifying scores earned in the Advanced Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations (both offered by the College Board).
MUST (Multicultural Urban Secondary Teaching) Program
For students interested in the MUST program, there are specific requirements to consider. A 3.00 GPA is required to apply to the Graduate College as degree-seeking. If your GPA is below 3.00, there are alternative paths to admission. Due to the accelerated nature of the program, it is not recommended that MUST interns take more than 2-3 licensure courses during their MUST experience.
The process includes:
- Reviewing entrance requirements
- Attending a MUST Information Session
- Completing the Graduate College Application
- Completing BCI/FBI Background Check
Due to Ohio Department of Education policies, students are required to get a background check. Additional information may be required upon receipt of a student's background check.
Understanding CSU's Acceptance Rate
Cleveland State University has a high acceptance rate of 91.3%, indicating that it is a nearly open admissions school. This means that the university accepts nearly all students who apply. However, it's important to note that while the acceptance rate is high, meeting the minimum GPA and standardized test score requirements is still necessary.
What GPA is needed to get into Cleveland State?
The average GPA at Cleveland State University is 3.37. accepts below-average students. It's OK to be a B-average student, with some A's mixed in.
SAT and ACT Requirements
You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to Cleveland State University. The 25th percentile SAT score is 970, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1210. The average ACT score at Cleveland State University is 22. The 25th percentile ACT score is 19, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 25.
To be safe, you should aim for a 970 SAT or a 19 ACT or higher.
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