Image: Pictures around Burk Hall.

GRADUATE PROGRAM FAQ

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  1. I just got admitted and I don't know what to take or when to take it?
  2. I want to get credit for courses I took at another university?
  3. I want to use some undergraduate courses for my graduate program?
  4. I want to use some independent study courses for my program?
  5. I want to use some courses I took through extended education for my program?
  6. I took a lot of courses in a credential program or other program before I got into my current graduate program, and I want them to count for my graduate program?
  7. I want to take a course for CR/NCR?
  8. My department requires me to pass the "GET" (Graduate Essay Test) and I didn't pass it?
  9. I want to change some of the courses I had planned to take that were indicated on my GAP?
  10. I get a "C" in a course? What about a "C-"?
  11. I am in one graduate program and want to transfer to another?
  12. I need to be out of school for a few semesters?
  13. I need to take more than seven years to finish my graduate program?
  14. I don't know who to get for my committee chair or second reader?
  15. I want my committee chair to be a faculty member at the lecturer rank?
  16. I need to get a new committee chair because of retirement, sabbatical, or other reason?
  17. The Committee on Human Subjects did not approve my study proposal?
  18. My study topic changes in the middle of the study?
  19. I need to take 2 or 3 or 4 semesters to finish my thesis or field study?

 

 

I just got admitted and I don't know what to take or when to take it

 

 

See a faculty advisor in your program or department: consult the bulletin: consult your department's program guidelines; talk to other students in your program.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I want to get credit for courses I took at another university?

 

 

Talk to a faculty advisor in your department to see if the courses are acceptable in your program; obtain bulletin descriptions or syllabi describing the courses; complete the "Graduate Transfer Unit Evaluation Form" available online at http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I want to use some undergraduate courses for my graduate program?

 

See a faculty advisor in your department to determine what your department will accept; the University requires that more than half of the courses you use for your graduate program must be graduate-level (numbered 700 and above); if you do use some undergraduate courses, they must be upper division (numbered 300-699)

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I want to use some independent study courses for my program?

 

Check your department's guidelines regarding elective flexibility; according to the University Bulletin, the graduate program may include up to 6 semester units of special study courses (699 or 899) or experimental courses (674, 677, 874, 877).

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I took a lot of courses in a credential program or other program before I got into my current graduate program, and I want them to count for my graduate program?

 

The University's "12-unit rule" specifies that a graduate program may not include more than 12 units taken before a student was classified in the program in which the degree is to be earned; a waiver of this policy may be requested by filing a "Petition for Waiver of Graduate Regulations" available online at http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I want to take a course for CR/NCR?

 

Check with an advisor in your department; the University allows you to take up to 30% of the courses on your graduate program for CR/NCR grades.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

My department requires me to pass the "GET" (Graduate Essay Test) and I didn't pass it?

 

You will need to take EDUC 614, BUS 514, CHS 514 with a passing grade or consult your advisor for other options.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I want to change some of the courses I had planned to take that were indicated on my GAP

 

Obtain your advisor's approval; fill out the "Petition for GAP Substitution or Exception" form available online at http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I get a "C" in a course? What about a "C-"?

 

You must maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 (B), including courses with a grade of C or better. Grades of C- or lower may not be included in your graduate program.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I am in one graduate program and want to transfer to another?

 

Talk to faculty members in both your current program and the program you want to enter; fill out the "Graduate Status Change Form" available online at http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

 

I need to be out of school for a few semesters?

 


You are allowed to "skip" one semester of enrollment and remain a student in good standing; if you need to be out of school for more than one semester you must either: (a) apply for an "Educational Leave of Absence" or (b) reapply for admission when you wish to resume your coursework.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I need to take more than seven years to finish my graduate program?

 


The university requires that you finish all coursework and requirements (including any prior credit work) within a 7-year "window". If you have a compelling reason to take longer, consult your advisor and you may request an extension by filling out the "Petition for Extension of Seven Year Limit" form, available online at http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy. Be prepared to take some additional coursework to update possibly outdated courses from over seven years ago.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I don't know who to get for my committee chair or second reader?

 


Talk to a faculty advisor or a faculty member in your department whose courses you have enjoyed. The committee chair must be from your department; it is possible for the second reader to be from another department. Both committee members must be tenured or tenure-track faculty (lecturers are generally ineligible).

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I want my committee chair to be a faculty member at the lecturer rank?

 

This is not possible.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I need to get a new committee chair because of retirement, sabbatical, or other reason?

 


See the chair of your department or talk to another faculty member in your department to identify who your new chair will be; complete the "Request for Revision of Committee" form available in BH 502.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

The Committee on Human Subjects did not approve my study proposal?

 

Do not become upset-this is a normal research procedure and means the university is taking your research work seriously. Carefully review the letter you received from the committee; meet with your advisor to prepare an itemized response; feel free to ask your advisor to call the Chair of the Committee to clarify what changes are required; submit your changes ASAP and move on.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

My study topic changes in the middle of the study?

 

These things happen. See your advisor and complete revised versions of the same forms you filed to gain approval to conduct your original study (all available online at http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy & http://www.sfsu.edu/~protocol): (a) Proposal for Culminating Experience, (b) Protocol Approval Form - Human Subjects, (c) Description of the 895 project, and (d) Informed Consent Form.

 

 

Back to the top

 

 

I need to take 2 or 3 or 4 semesters to finish my thesis or field study?

This is generally not a problem, depending upon how much you have left in the overall "7-year window" of time you have to complete your graduate program. During the semester in which you are certain you will finish you must: (a) enroll in Education 897 at the start of the semester - come to BH 240 to do this; (b) file a "Petition to Graduate" before the end of the first month of the semester - do this in ADM 254; (c) file the other normal study completion form and Exit Survey by posted deadlines.

 

 

Back to the top