California State University Bakersfield
9001 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93311, United States

California State University, Bakersfield is a public university in Bakersfield, California. It was established in 1965 as Kern State College and officially in 1968 as California State College Bakersfield on a 375-acre campus, becoming the 20th school in the California State University system.

Master of Science in Biology

The Department of Biology offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Biology degree. The Master of Science with a thesis option is intended to prepare students for professional positions in state and federal agencies, the environmental consulting industry, and for further graduate studies.  The Master of Science with a non-thesis option is intended for working professionals, especially public-school teachers, and emphasizes course work.  

A broad range of faculty research interests, easy access to diverse biological environments, and a range of modern research facilities permit the student to select from a broad spectrum of research topics.  Faculty interests include field biology, conservation biology, physiology, comparative morphology, plant ecophysiology, plant anatomy, micro- and molecular biology, vertebrate paleontology, evolution, ecology, systematics, and behavior.

Some of the special features of our program include: 

  • Close, individual guidance by highly skilled faculty 
  • ncorporation of science pedagogy and teaching experience 
  • Many late afternoon and evening course offerings Please view our M.S. Biology Graduate Guide on our Student Resources webpage for more information about our program:

This link provides basic information about this program: M.S. Biology (Thesis and Non-Thesis Option)

The CSUB Biology M.S. Graduate Guide provides comprehensive information: M.S. Biology Graduate Guide

The format guidelines for an M.S. thesis: M.S. Thesis Format Guide

https://www.csub.edu/biology/programs/index.html 

Important Updates:

Fall 2025 Confirmation Deposit:

Starting Fall 2025, CSUSB will require a non-refundable confirmation deposit of $150 before issuing an I-20. This deposit confirms a student's intent to attend CSUSB and will be applied toward their tuition. Please note the following key points:

  • The deposit is non-refundable and will be forfeited if the student does not attend the term they applied for.
  • The deposit cannot be deferred to a future term.

 

Before you begin your application, it is important to make sure that CSUB has the graduate program you are applying for. Please click here for a list of all our graduate programs. Visit our Graduate Admissions page for more detailed information regarding the application process.

How To Apply for Graduate and Masters

To apply to CSU Bakersfield, please go to www.calstate.edu/apply to begin an online application as soon as possible. When you go to this link, please follow the following instructions

  • Click on the semester you wish to apply for
  • Click Create an Account, then follow the instructions to create a username and password for this application. Then answer the next few questions.
  • You will then be directed to a section where you select a CSU campus and your intended major. Make sure you select CSU Bakersfield. Then select a major.
  • Follow the rest of the application process until you complete the four parts of the application. After the application is completed, the system will allow you to pay the $70 application fee.
  • Follow the instructions to pay the $70 application fee online, then click Submit.

This marks the end of the application process.

Once you complete the above steps, please gather the following documents

CLOSE ALL

1. AFFIDAVIT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

  • All international students must complete the CSUB Financial Affidavit.
  • If you are on a government scholarship, you still need to fill out this form. List your government as your sponsor. Your government does not need to sign.
  • If you are on an athletic scholarship, list CSUB Athletics as your sponsor. CSUB athletics does not need to sign; they must provide your scholarship or award letter.

2. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INSURANCE AGREEMENT FORM

All students must fill out the International Student Insurance Agreement Form, even if your government or athletic scholarship is covering your insurance. If you have dependents, they will be charged for health insurance.

3. BANK STATEMENT AND/OR PROOF OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

  • Bank statements in the English language reflecting and certifying $30,578 in your or your sponsors account (no older than 6 months). MBA students bank statement requirements are $33,818.
  • For students sponsored by a government, please provide your “Admissions Purposes Financial Guarantee.”
  • For students sponsored by Athletics, please provide your scholarship letter.

4. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

Transcripts from all institutions attended must be sent to the university for admission consideration. Must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. Each graduate program may require a higher GPA or prerequisite courses.
Any transcript from a college or university outside of the U.S. will require a course-by-course analysis. This can be done with a NACES approved organization such as: SpanTran or WES.

5. ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

ONE of the below

  • TOEFL Score of 80 iBT required. Request scores to be sent to school code 4110.
  • IELTS Score of 6.5 required.
  • Duolingo English Test Minimum score of 105.
  • Pearson Test Examination (PTE) Minimum score of 58.
  • Language proficiency waiver See whether you qualify for [language proficiency waiver].
  • International students whose bachelors degree is from an accredited U.S. university.

CSU Bakersfield may waive language proficiency requirements for students from these countries Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Ascension, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

6. COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT

A clear copy of the picture page of your unexpired passport.

7. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • A statement of purpose
  • Current professional resume
  • Letters of recommendation from former professors
  • GRE 148 Verbal and 149 Quantitative or higher
  • GMAT 500 or better (for MBA applicants)

For more updates, please check with the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Please submit your documents using the Document Upload page. Official Transcripts submitted from U.S. college and university should be emailed from the institution to incomingtranscripts@csub.edu.
Course-by-course evaluations from World Education Services (WES), SpanTran, and others should be emailed from the service used to incomingtranscripts@csub.edu.

Any hard-copy documents can mailed to the address below

International Admissions
California State University, Bakersfield
Office of Admissions 47 SA
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93311
U.S.A.

NOTE: It is important that all documents listed above are submitted. Missing documents will delay the application review process.

https://www.csub.edu/isp/earn-a-degree/admission-requirements.shtml 

Fall Semester: Cal State Apply application opens October 1st

Spring Semester: Cal State Apply application opens August 1st

University and program deadlines subject to change depending on academic year

Summer and Winter terms offered through Extended University

Cal State Apply Dates and Deadlines

https://csub.edu/graduate-admissions/how-to-apply.shtml 

Click Here for Undergraduate Application
Click Here for Graduate Application

Start the application online using the link provided above

Application Coding: In the Citizenship/Residency Information tab of the Cal State application, answer 'Yes' to the question 'Are you currently working with a representative or agency?'

Select 'Agency' from the dropdown to the question 'Representative Type'

Type 'Indo Global Studies' to the question 'Representative Name'

Please see the screenshot below.

Note - Please share tagging proof, student details and documents to admissions@indoglobalstudies.org after submitting the application.

IGS team will send the documents to Cal State on behalf of the student and provide status updates.