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Admissions Requirements

The California School of Forensic Studies (CSFS) and Alliant International University have different admissions requirements for undergraduate and graduate level programs. 

Visit the undergraduate website to see Alliant's undergraduate admissions requirements.

CSFS Graduate Admissions Requirements:

1. A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution (BA or BS accepted)
2. GPA of 3.0 or higher
   • Student’s with a GPA below a 3.0 may still be accepted; a GPA exemption form must be submitted
3. Transcripts from all colleges/universities previously attended
4. Resume
5. Letters of recommendation
   
   • Masters programs require 1
   • Doctoral programs require 2 
6. Essay
   
   
   • Master's program
     
     
     • Requires one comprehensive essay of 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages, using distinct sections for each of the three following topics. Include your name and a page number on each page.
       
       
       1. A brief autobiographical sketch and your interest in the field of criminology. We are particularly interested in those experiences most relevant to this field.
       2. What competencies do you wish to gain from participating in this program?
       3. What do you believe you will contribute to the CSFS learning environment?
   • Doctorate
     
     
     • Requires one comprehensive essay of 6-7 typed, double-spaced pages, using distinct sections for each part. Include your name and a page number on each page.
       
       
       1. A brief autobiographical sketch. Discuss your life up to now: your family, friends, home, education, work and community. We are particularly interested in those experiences most relevant to your interest in forensic psychology and how those experiences have helped to formulate your career goals (3-4 page minimum).
       2. Many different graduate programs exist, and the choice is an important one; explain, very specifically, why you have chosen to apply to the forensic program at CSFS, including your choice in degree (PsyD or PhD), and which aspects of CSFS, its program, its approach to diversity and mission have attracted you to the university (1 page minimum).
       3. Explain briefly why you chose the degree to which you are applying and describe the research or applied research problem you would like to explore in your PsyD or PhD dissertation (1-2 pages).