Whether you are pivoting careers, deepening your practice, or stepping into graduate study for the first time, the application path is meant to be readable. Start with Cal State Apply, gather your portfolio and records, then keep an eye on transcript timing.
Apply Here through Cal State Apply
Admission Dates
Applications open October 1 for each Fall Semester. IxDIA accepts applications for Fall admission only.
- Priority Application Period (Fall 2027): October 1 – November 30, 2026. Applying early is highly recommended.
- University Application due dates (Fall 2027): international students must submit by May 1, 2027; resident students must submit by May 15, 2027.
- Official transcripts received by: June 1, 2027.
- CSUEB will evaluate your application only after official transcripts have been received.
- The IxDIA program will evaluate your application once you have submitted your application on Cal State Apply.
- The program cannot admit you until the university has approved all required documents.
- The program cannot evaluate your portfolio until the university has approved all required documents.
Admission Requirements
- Minimum GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester units of relevant undergraduate work.
- Portfolio: A portfolio of work reflecting your talents and abilities in digital and interactive media.
- Professional experience: Evidence of professional experience in relevant fields.
- English proficiency: TOEFL or IELTS scores, when required.
- NO GRE needed.
Application Checklist
1. Cal State Apply application
Submit your online graduate application through Cal State Apply and pay the application fee. Choose the correct graduate term, confirm that Interaction Design and Interactive Art is selected, and use an email address you check regularly.
Start this step early enough to resolve account, payment, or document upload issues before the May 15 deadline.
2. CV/Resume (Required)
Include a Personal resume and/or Curriculum Vitae that shows your academic preparation, work history, creative practice, technical experience, and community work where relevant.
If you are changing fields, foreground transferable experience such as research, storytelling, collaboration, prototyping, teaching, organizing, technical production, or client work.
3. Portfolio (Required)
Include work that reflects your talents and abilities in digital and interactive media. If your background is not in design, show the strongest evidence of your creative, technical, research, or systems-thinking skills.
Your portfolio can include design projects, interactive prototypes, media work, research studies, code-based experiments, installations, service design, community projects, writing, or other evidence of inquiry and making. Process is as important as polish.
4. Unofficial transcripts (Required)
Upload Unofficial transcripts for the initial program review. Translations and evaluations may be required as part of your program application.
You will still need to request an official transcript to be sent to the university. Request official transcripts as soon as you apply, especially if documents must be mailed, translated, or evaluated.
5. Two letters of recommendation (Required)
Provide Two letters of recommendation from people familiar with your academic preparedness and ability to succeed in a graduate program. At least one letter must be an academic reference.
You can choose to have recommendations sent directly to the graduate program and opt out of attaching them in Cal State Apply. If you proceed with recommendations, your application is not processed until the letters are received.
Ask recommenders early and share the program name, deadline, your resume, portfolio link, and a short note about what you hope they can speak to. It is your responsibility to ensure recommendation letters are received on time.
Document Guidelines
As required by our university, accreditation officials, and California law, your admission is not complete until we receive and verify all:
- Official transcripts/mark sheets
- Proof that you earned a diploma and/or degree, if applicable
- Official English proficiency test scores
- Proof of your diploma or degree can be either indicated on your transcripts or on a separate degree certificate
The university reserves the right to determine what constitutes an Official Transcript. Documents submitted to the university become the property of the university and will not be returned under any circumstance.
Useful Contacts
- Program questions: ixdia@csueastbay.edu
- International admissions questions: iao@csueastbay.edu
- Campus address: California State University, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd. Hayward, CA 94542-3035