The Summer Transition to ECST Program (STEP) is a mandatory program for eligible incoming freshmen in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology, majoring in Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Engineering Technology.
STEP will be offered this summer at the Cal State LA campus.
STEP Application
STEP is by invitation only. Information on how to apply will be emailed to eligible incoming freshmen in the College of ECST as soon as we verify your eligibility for the program. Check your Cal State LA email and your personal email address for the invitation.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
STEP prepares Engineering, Computer Science, and Engineering Technology incoming freshmen to be successful in their course of study at Cal State LA by facilitating the transition from high school to college, reinforcing and developing math and chemistry skills necessary to meet ECST major requirements, and building community.
Students meet other students in their college, connect with ECST student organizations, obtain general information about the campus, and begin their relationships with their academic advisors and faculty.
What are the goals of STEP?
- Effectively prepare students for the challenge of college work in mathematics and chemistry through targeted instruction.
- Increase the retention and graduation rates of undergraduate students and improve their time-to-degree completion.
- Provide students with the necessary skills to help them evolve effectively academically and personally.
- Graduate the highest-potential, career-ready ECST students.
The goals are to be met through the following objectives:
- Invite Engineering, Computer Science, and Engineering Technology incoming freshmen who placed in Math Category II to attend.
- Assess student's math readiness through ALEKS PPL and provide each student and their corresponding instructor with a report summarizing their strengths and weaknesses in math.
- Cohort students based on their first proctored assessment score and individual needs.
- Connect participants with student leaders, student organizations, advisors, faculty, and campus resources.
- Provide students with the skills to help them evolve and become more effective in their personal lives.
HOW ARE STUDENTS PLACED INTO STEP?
When students are admitted to Cal State LA, the university looks at various measures to determine their Math and English placement category. CSU places students into one of four categories in Math and English. STEP is MANDATORY for all eligible incoming freshmen majoring in Engineering, Computer Science, and Engineering Technology in the College of ECST who place in Math Category II.
IMPORTANT: Students who place in Math Category III or IV will NOT participate in STEP. Instead, they will participate in Early Start/Summer Connections or Summer Bridge (if an EOP student).
EXEMPTIONS FROM STEP
The following students are exempt from participating in STEP:
- Students who have earned college credit for Calculus I.
- Students who earned a score of 4 or higher on the AP Calculus AB or BC.
- Students who placed in Math Category IV are required to participate in Early Start/Summer Connections.
- Students who placed in Math Category III and who choose to participate in Early Start instead of STEP.
- EOP students who will participate in EOP Summer Bridge.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN STEP?
If eligible expect to receive a formal invitation to STEP via email from the College of ECST once your math placement category has been verified. Make sure to take care of your Enrollment Confirmation Deposit (ECD), if you have not done so yet.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN STEP?
- Enrollment Confirmation Deposit: Pay your Enrollment Confirmation Deposit (ECD).
- STEP Application: Complete the STEP application once you receive it via email (around mid February)
- Attend the STEP Information Sessions for students and parents:
SATURDAY • JUNE 7 9:30 - 11:30 AM OR 1:30 - 2:30 PM (attend only one session) - Check your email and voicemail regularly. More information is forthcoming via the email address and phone number you’ve provided to the admissions office. This is the information we will use to communicate with you.
Contact: For additional information regarding STEP, to discuss specific concerns, or set up a phone appointment, please contact the ECST Student Success Center (ESSC) at 323.343.4574 or at [email protected], and one of the Student Success staff will be glad to help answer your questions and address your concerns.
STEP 2025 JUNE 16 - JULY 18
Students will participate in a five-week in-person program at the Cal State LA campus.
KEY DATES @ A GLANCE | |
|---|---|
| Application Due | MON • MAY 19, 2025 |
| Program Dates | MON • JUNE 16 - FRI • JULY 18 |
| Location & Time | CAL STATE LA • 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
| Info Session | SAT • JUNE 7 9:00 - 11:30 AM OR 1:00 - 2:30 PM |
STEP Information Session
Make sure to attend one of the information sessions to complete the application process.
The information session is for students and parents/guardians. Please make sure to communicate with us at 323.343.4574 if you have any questions or concerns regarding the information session. We're here to make sure you feel confident and ready to start STEP and join the Cal State LA, ECST family!
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| SATURDAY• JUNE 7 | SESSION 1: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM SESSION 2: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | TBA |
Click to view location on the University Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. STEP is required for all eligible Engineering, Computer Science, and Engineering Technology incoming freshmen in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology to start curriculum-ready.
STEP gives you the opportunity to start in Calculus I, which is the desired starting point for your major. Without STEP, you will not be able to start in Calculus I. STEP provides you with the opportunity to start curriculum-ready and to lay the foundation to be successful in your major. You will be able to graduate sooner because you will start on track.
June 16 – July 18, 2025, Monday through Friday.
Yes, STEP instruction is free for all students. However, students will need to provide their own transportation, and/or parking, meals, and laptop.
Yes. An AP score of 4 or above in Calculus AB may exempt you from STEP (5-weeks program). Since AP scores are usually available until July, we urge you to still submit the STEP application by the deadline. When the AP scores become available, communicate with our office to verify that you are eligible to be excused from STEP.
If you earn a score of 4 or above in the AP Calculus AB exam, you will be required to participate in one of the Calculus I Preparation Workshop Sessions (2-weeks program) to review key topics in this course before the start of Fall. You will also have the opportunity to meet other students in our college. These workshops will take place in-person.
Calculus I Preparation Workshops:
These workshops are for the following:
1) Students who place in Calculus I through the ALEKS proctored assessment #I or #2.
2) Students who pass the AP Calculus AB Exam with a 3 or higher.
| SESSION | DATES | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Session #l | Monday - Thursday Mon., June 16 - Thur., June 26 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Session #2 | Monday - Thursday Mon., July 7 - Thurs., July 17 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
Yes. If you need to attend an appointment (e.g., a doctor appointment, First Flight Orientation, etc.), you will be excused from attending STEP on that day. Make sure to communicate with your instructor if you will be out of class.
Participation in STEP is by invitation only. Only eligible students based on their math category (Category II) are invited. Some students may be required to participate in a different program during the summer such as EOP Bridge or Early Start/Summer Connections. It is always best to contact our office first to verify eligibility to participate before submitting a STEP application.
If you are an EOP student, you may be required to attend EOP Summer Bridge, and you may not be able to participate in STEP. Make sure to check with the EOP office first before submitting a STEP application.
If you have received an email telling you that you are required to participate in Early Start/Summer Connections, you may not participate in STEP. Please make sure to attend Early Start/Summer Connections since it is a University requirement for some students.
Yes, if you do not have a laptop, you may be able to borrow one through the Dean of Students Office for the duration of the summer program. Our office will provide you with instructions via email on how to proceed to borrow a laptop for the duration of the program once you submit a STEP Application.
CONTACT
For additional information regarding STEP, to discuss specific concerns,
or set up a phone appointment, please contact a Student Success staff at
323.343.3574 or send us an email at [email protected].