Must I have an undergraduate degree in the subject I wish to pursue at the M.A. level?
No. Our students come to us with degrees in a variety of fields within the social sciences, humanities, and the arts as well as other academic backgrounds. Obviously, the greater the background you have in your chosen field of study, the better prepared you will be to complete the assigned work.
Music and Art applicants should have demonstrated ability in their medium or performance area and are required to submit supplemental information along with their application (see Music and Art pages for specific requirements).
Must I have completed a Master’s Degree to be accepted into a Ph.D. program?
Usually, but again, exceptions have been made. Because the nature of Ph.D. work is so highly specialized, we want to make sure that our faculty and resources will be sufficient for research and scholarship at that level. Additionally, we want you to succeed. If you choose to apply to a Ph.D. program and the admissions committee feels you are not quite ready to enter at that level but are a strong applicant, they will likely offer you admission to the M.A. program. After completing your Master's course work, should you and your faculty advisor believe it would be beneficial for you to enter the Ph.D. program you can submit a Change of Degree form and will not have to reapply to the Ph.D. program. At the same time, you have the option of earning your M.A. “on the way.”
Is there a specific undergraduate GPA required?
Again, the answer is no. Every effort is made to review transcripts of previous academic work carefully and to consider the many factors that can affect the picture they present. We are aware of the differences that occur between one’s freshman and senior years, and of the many outside factors that may impact a student’s academic performance. We do expect a student to do well in his/her major, but we do not set a requisite grade point average. We take into consideration not merely the grades received, but also the quality of the institution, the difficulty of courses taken, and the reputation of the professors with whom an individual studies.
What test scores must be submitted for my application?
Applicants to all of the programs within the School of Arts and Humanities, with the exception of Art, must submit test scores from the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Please note that Music applicants are not excused from the GRE requirement. We will only accept official GRE scores from tests administered within the last five years. GRE subject tests are not required for any of our programs, but we will be happy to review any additional exam results that you choose to send. Applicants to the M.A. in Arts and Cultural Management program may submit scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in lieu of the GRE. When reporting your GRE or GMAT scores to CGU, use Institutional Code 4053.
International applicants must submit additional items (please read below for more information).
Is there a minimum score required on the GRE/GMAT?
No. There are many factors that are taken into consideration when reviewing test results.
Most other programs require writing samples. Are they required here or just optional?
Except for Cultural Studies and English, writing samples are not officially required, we highly recommend them. You may submit samples of any length you feel indicate your writing ability, but please note that we will be unable to return any items submitted as part of your application (please, no books). Most applicants submit one or two scholarly papers or excerpts of around 5-15 pages. Applicants to the English Department's creative writing program should submit samples of their creative work. Cultural Studies writing samples should not exceed 30 pages.
I am a Music Department applicant. Where can I find information on the audition requirements?
You can find that information here. Please note, Music applicants are required to submit scores from the GRE as part of their application.
I already have a Master’s/graduate degree from another institution. Must I still submit test scores?
Yes. All applicants must submit current GRE scores, regardless of whether a previous graduate degree has been obtained. Test scores must be no more than 5 years old at the time your application is received.
Do extracurricular and professional activities count when applying?
Yes. The admissions committee is careful to weigh community and campus activities, as well as professional experience, when considering an applicant. While we are clearly an academic institution, we know that “real life” experiences contribute significantly to a students’ education. We therefore respect the time, effort, and learning a student gains from work outside the classroom.
Can I get an application fee waiver? How?
Application fee waivers are only granted to CGU Alumni and undergraduates from the Claremont Colleges, as well as to McNair Scholars and Project 1000 participants. If any of these categories applies to you, please indicate in the section provided on your application. The documents you submit as part of your application will verify your eligibility.
Do you allow students to attend courses part-time?
Absolutely. Our faculty and staff are aware that many students cannot devote themselves exclusively to full-time study, and we appreciate the time constraints that many students face. CGU requires a minimum of twelve units of coursework a year for domestic students (equivalent to three 4-unit courses), which can be arranged at your discretion.
Expection: International students are required to study full-time and must complete a M.A. degree within 2 years or a Ph.D. in 6 years. To learn more about new regulations for international students, including information on SEVIS, please contact the International Student Coordinator and review the information at this web site.
Do you have any distance or online learning options?
No. At this time all classes offered by the School of Arts and Humanities are taken at CGU or at the campuses of the other Claremont Colleges.
What is the cost of tuition?
You can find the tuition and fees schedule for the 2007-2008 academic year at this web page. The per unit tuition cost is $1,376, with a slight price reduction when taking 12 units per semester ($15,820). Students in the School of Arts and Humanities pay the "Standard" tuition rate, with the exception of students in the Art Department, who follow the "Art" tuition rate. Most full-time students take 12 units each semester, and part-time students take either 4 or 8 units each semester.
You can see that once you are through with your coursework and are writing your MA thesis, your Ph.D. dissertation, or are studying for your Ph.D. qualifying exams, your tuition costs are dramatically reduced.
What financial aid is offered, and how are the decisions made?
Most aid is provided in the form of fellowships, equal to a percentage of tuition. Tuition remission fellowships vary from program to program. The school endeavors to support as many qualified students as possible, but the budget is limited, and the competition for funds is high. At this time we are not providing any full funding opportunities, but most programs offer admitted students fellowships that cover somewhere between 25% and 40% the cost of tuition. All applicants (including international and out of state applicants) are considered for aid in the same manner. Application for fellowships is made at the same time as applying for admission. In order to be considered for departmental fellowships please indicate that you are applying for institutional aid on the CGU application.
The School of Arts and Humanities has a very limited number of Research Assistant (RA) and Teaching Assistant (TA) positions available for the simple reason that we educate only Masters and Doctoral students. The RAs and TAs that we do employ are selected directly by our faculty and receive compensation in the form of payment, rather than tuition reduction. As a general rule, the faculty select continuing students for these positions. If you would like to be considered for either an RA or TA position please contact your faculty advisor and let him or her know that you wish to be considered if such a position becomes available.
Federal loan programs are administered from a central CGU Financial Aid Office. For more information on Financial Aid please contact the CGU Office of Student Financing.
I am an international applicant, are there any additional requirements for me?
TESTS for International applicants: In addition to the GRE general exam, all applicants whose native language is not English or do not hold a degree from a U.S. college or university must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 PBT (paper based), or 213 CBT (computer based), or 80 iBT (Internet based) is required for admission. Please note, however, that those admitted international students who have scored below 600 PBT, or 250 CBT, or 100 iBT on the TOEFL will be required to enroll in the Global Communications Class at CGU in their first semester.
Students are not required to submit results from the Test of Spoken English (TSE) exam.
COSTS for International Students: CGU also requires that all international applicants prove their ability to support themselves financially for at least the first year of study. For the current academic year (2007-2008), we estimate that the total amount required for a student taking 12 units per term will be approximately $53,092 a year (which includes the cost of tuition, living expenses, books and supplies, and medical expenses). For a student taking 16 units per term we estimate that the total amount required will be approximately $64,100 for a year. Please note that these figures may change annually, so refer to the CGU website www.cgu.edu/international for the most current amounts. Students who are being sponsored by an organization or government agency must be aware of their sponsoring agency's regulations on payment of tuition and fees; the University will bill sponsoring agencies after registration at the student's request.
Also, please note that if you are awarded a CGU Fellowship by your department, it will reduce your costs by a percentage of the tuition amount only (and not by a percentage of the total costs estimated above).
CONTACT for International Students: For more information specific to international applicants, please visit our International Student Page or contact the International Student Coordinator, Nusha Shishegar by emailing nusha.shishegar@cgu.edu or by calling (909)-607-3371.