Major-Specific Criteria

Some Cal State LA majors have "major-specific admission criteria" that are aligned with our commitment to provide access and timely graduation for students. The Major-Specific Criteria (MSC) for programs are reviewed annually for future admission cycles.

MSC By Admission Term

Click below to view the Major-Specific Criteria (MSC) for a specific admission term:

How Major-Specific Criteria Are Used In Determining Admission

Beginning with Spring 2025 admissions, the supplemental MSC will be used for admission consideration to these majors only:

  • Computer Science (BS)
  • Criminal Justice (BS)
  • Fire Protection Administration Technology (BS)
  • Music (BM)
  • Nursing (BS)
  • Psychology (BA)
  • Social Work (BA)
  • Television, Film and Media Studies (BA)
  • Urban Learning - Teacher Preparation (BA)

Local applicants

Except for Nursing, CSU eligible applicants who are considered local based on their community college, or their military veteran status, will be offered admission if they meet the required minimum cumulative GPA, required major preparation, and the required general education courses listed. We encourage local area applicants to also complete any recommended courses to promote timely graduation even though they will not be used in the admission determination.

Non-local applicants

CSU eligible non-local applicants who meet the required minimum cumulative GPA, required major preparation, and the required general education courses listed will be admitted on a space-available basis based on their cumulative GPA and any recommended courses specified in the criteria.

Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) recipients

While the ADT is not required for admission except for Psychology, priority consideration is granted to applicants who are on track for completing the specific AA-T/AS-T degree listed by the end of spring for Fall admission, or the end of summer for Spring admission. In this case, the Transfer AA/AS curriculum is used in lieu of the specific required and recommended courses listed. Under CSU guidelines, the minimum required cumulative GPA has been adjusted as indicated. Non-local applicants will also benefit from a 0.10 GPA bonus used in the ranking of non-local applicants.

Applicants who do not meet the Major Specific Criteria for admission

If space is available after all students meeting the required minimum major GPA and required major and general education preparation or the indicated Transfer AA/AS degree have been accommodated, then CSU eligible students without the minimum requirements will be considered based on a ranking of the criteria completed with local applicants receiving a 0.25 GPA bump.