Graduate Regulations
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, GRADUATE
PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH
Dorota Huizinga
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF GRADUATE
STUDIES
Katherine Powers
EVALUATION TECHNICIANS
Cathy Hess
Lynn Winter
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
COORDINATOR
Erinn Banks
GRADUATE STUDIES OFFICE
McCarthy Hall 112
GRADUATE STUDIES WEBSITE
http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate
GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
Student Responsibility
Application Procedures
Admission Procedures
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
Each student has a responsibility to understand and apply the information
contained within the University Catalog. is includes following all processes and
policies contained in this chapter on “Graduate Regulations.” For example, key policies
include (but are not limited to) making certain that you are properly admitted to the
degree program, meet or complete all academic prerequisites and grading standards,
le an ocial Study Plan in a timely manner, meet the program requirements of the
specic degree you are seeking, and apply for graduation according to the published
deadlines. In order to be eligible to register and eventually to graduate with a degree, a
student must maintain continuous enrollment status until the award of the degree (see
“Continuous Enrollment”).
All master’s or doctoral students must apply for graduation by completing a
Master’s or Doctoral Graduation Check form and paying a graduation processing and
diploma fee. If you need to change your projected date of graduation, you must inform
the Graduate Studies Oce as soon as possible by ling a Change of Graduation Date
form and paying a fee to the university cashier.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
All applicants for any type of postbaccalaureate or graduate standing (e.g., Ed.D.
applicants, master’s degree applicants, and those seeking credentials or certicates) must
le a complete application within the appropriate ling period. Applicants considering
admission to more than one CSU campus must submit a separate application (including
fee) to each campus.
Applicants who completed undergraduate degree requirements and wish to
continue postbaccalaureate or graduate study are required to complete and submit a
Graduate and Postbaccalaureate application and the nonrefundable application fee.
Applications may be accessed online at http://www.csumentor.edu. Instructions for
completing the application forms are included online. Since some programs require the
completion of an additional form as part of the application process, students should inquire
concerning this possibility at the oce of the academic unit oering the particular program.
For questions on application status, call 657-278-7788.
Application Deadlines
e application period for fall admission opens the previous October 1; applica-
tions for spring admission are accepted beginning the previous August 1. In most cases,
applications need to be postmarked no later than March 1 for the fall semester and
October 1 for the spring semester. However, deadlines may vary for individual programs
based upon program cycles and capacities. Check the website of the specic program of
interest for current information.
Transcripts
Ocial transcripts in sealed envelopes are required from each college or university
previously attended. Students should arrange to have ocial transcripts sent at the same
time applications are submitted. Transcripts should be sent directly to the university
Admissions and Records Oce.
Graduate Admissions
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GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
Students who receive their baccalaureate degree at Cal State
Fullerton and attend elsewhere subsequent to graduation, or
continuing graduate students who change their declared objective
subsequent to admission, must obtain whatever additional tran-
scripts are needed to provide two complete sets of transcripts. Cal
State Fullerton alumni do not need to request Cal State Fullerton
transcripts.
All transcripts must be received directly from the issuing insti-
tutions and become ocial records of the university; such transcripts
therefore cannot be returned or reissued. Transcripts that include
coursework from other than the issuing institution are not sucient
evidence of coursework taken elsewhere. Foreign language tran-
scripts must be accompanied by certied English translations.
Tests
e Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or another test,
may be required for conditionally classied admission, or subse-
quently for the granting of classied standing. Test requirements vary
from department to department. Students should refer to master’s or
doctoral degree requirements outlined in the academic department
section of this catalog. Applications and information on test dates
for nationally administered tests (e.g., GRE, GMAT) are available
in Testing Services, University Hall 229, e-mail testingcenter@ful-
lerton.edu.
TOEFL Requirement
All graduate and postbaccalaureate applicants, regardless of
citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose prepara-
tory education was principally in a language other than English,
must demonstrate competence in English. ose who do not possess
a bachelor’s degree from a postsecondary institution where English is
the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum score
of 550 (paper) or 80 (Internet-based test, iBT) on the Test of English
as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Computer-based TOEFL scores
are not accepted. Certain master’s degree programs require higher
TOEFL scores than the university’s minimum; contact the degree
program of interest for their requirements. For specic information
about the test’s availability and scoring system, please consult the
Educational Testing Service website at www.ets.org. For Interna-
tional English Language Testing System (IELTS) language test, a
minimally acceptable score for graduate applicants is a 6.5 for most
graduate programs, and 7.0 for master’s degree programs in business
administration (MBA), music and TESOL programs. e language
test results submitted must not have been earned more than two
years prior to the desired enrollment date.
International Students
See procedures outlined in the international student portion of
the “Admissions” section of this catalog.
Second Master’s Degree or Concentration
Application for admission to graduate standing in a second
degree program or concentration will be accepted only aer the
rst degree has been awarded. Units used for the rst degree or
concentration may not be applied to the second. Students who have
completed a master’s degree at Cal State Fullerton in one concentra-
tion and wish to complete another within the same degree program
will not be awarded a second degree.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Following completion of application procedures and subse-
quent review of the student’s eligibility by the Admissions Oce
and appropriate academic unit, the student will be notied by the
Admissions Oce concerning admission. Written notice from the
Admissions Oce is the only valid proof of admission. Academic ad-
visement prior to admission is tentative and should not be construed
as granting ocial admission to a program or establishing require-
ments for the degree.
Students may apply for a degree objective or a credential or
certicate objective. General admission requirements are as follows:
e minimum requirements for admission to master’s and
postbaccalaureate studies at a California State University campus are
in accordance with university regulations, as well as Title 5, Chapter
1, Subchapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations. Speci-
cally, a student shall at the time of enrollment: (1) have completed a
four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaure-
ate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting
association, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation
as determined by appropriate campus authorities; (2) be in good
academic standing at the last college or university attended; (3) have
attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 in an acceptable earned
baccalaureate degree or attained a grade point average of at least 2.5
in the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units) attempted; and (4)
satisfactorily meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other
standards for graduate study, including qualifying examinations, as
appropriate campus authorities may prescribe. In unusual circum-
stances, a campus may make exceptions to these criteria.
Minimum requirements for admission to the Ed.D. program
are: (1) an earned baccalaureate degree and master’s degree from an
accredited institution or institutions of higher education; (2) good
academic standing at the last institution of higher education at-
tended; (3) a grade point average minimum of 3.0 in upper-division
and graduate study; (4) demonstrated sucient preparation for,
experience in, and potential for educational leadership, including:
successful experience in leadership in school, postsecondary, or
community contexts, and/or policy leadership; academic excellence;
problem-solving ability; technological prociency; interest in criti-
cally assessing current educational policies and practices; and interest
in improving current educational policies and practices. Admission
shall be granted on a competitive basis; meeting the minimum
requirements qualies an individual for but does not guarantee
admission to the program.
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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON • 2011-2013 CATALOG
ree admissions categories are dened in terms of these
academic objectives:
Postbaccalaureate Standing – Classified
is category applies to students with a credential or certi-
cate objective. To qualify for admission, applicants must (1) meet
the general admissions requirements and (2) satisfy any additional
professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards, including
qualifying examinations. Refer to specic credential requirements
under the “Teaching Credentials” section or individual departmental
sections of this catalog.
Graduate Standing – Conditionally Classified
is category applies to students with a graduate degree objec-
tive. To qualify for admission in conditionally classied standing,
applicants must (1) meet the general admission requirements, and
(2) meet any additional requirements of the particular program
including a favorable recommendation from the academic unit.
An applicant who has deciencies in departmental prerequi-
sites or in departmental grade-point average requirements may be
considered for admission in conditionally classied standing with
the approval and recommendation of the academic unit. A student
admitted in conditionally classied standing may subsequently be
granted classied standing in a graduate degree program if profes-
sional, personal, scholastic, or other standards including qualifying
examinations are met.
Determination of the student’s prerequisites and assignment
of courses, units, and grade points required to remove deciencies is
made by the academic unit. For specic information on prerequisites
to classied standing, refer to the graduate degree requirements
described in the appropriate academic departmental section of this
catalog.
Graduate Standing – Classified
A student’s status is changed to classied standing when an
ocial Study Plan has been approved by the associate vice president,
Graduate Programs and Research (or designee). It is the student’s
responsibility to initiate the request for classied standing by making
an appointment with the departmental graduate program adviser
to develop a Study Plan. An eligible student may request classied
standing prior to the rst registration or during the rst semester of
registration. However, no more than nine units of postgraduate work
taken at this institution prior to classied standing will be applied
to a master’s or doctoral degree Study Plan. Any acceptable transfer
work is excluded from the nine units permitted.
Classied standing is granted when (1) all prerequisites and/or
deciencies have been satisfactorily completed; (2) the ocial Study
Plan has been developed and signed by the graduate program adviser
and committee; and (3) the Study Plan is sent to the Graduate Stud-
ies Oce and approved by the associate vice president, Graduate
Programs and Research (or designee). e Graduate Studies Oce
will send a copy of the approved Study Plan to the student, the
academic unit and university records. e original Study Plan will
remain with the Graduate Studies Oce. A student is not ocially
classied until an approved Study Plan is on le in the Graduate
Studies Oce.
To be granted the master’s or doctoral degree, a student must
have been classied, applied for graduation, and completed the
approved graduate Study Plan.
Requirements that apply to all programs are described in the
following section. For specic requirements of particular programs,
see the graduate program descriptions in the departmental section of
this catalog.
Each student’s program for a master’s or doctoral degree
(including eligibility, classied standing, candidacy, and award of
the degree) must be approved by the departmental graduate program
adviser, the student’s graduate committee, and the Oce of Gradu-
ate Studies.
84
GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
GRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
University Writing Requirement
Study Plan
Advisers and Committees
Graduation
Completion of Requirements and
Award of Degree
Graduate Academic Standards
UNIVERSITY WRITING REQUIREMENT
Students working toward a graduate degree are required to demonstrate writing
ability commensurate with the baccalaureate degree. is requirement should be met
within the rst nine units of graduate work. Master’s students may fulll the require-
ment by completing one of the following:
1. an upper-division writing requirement at any CSU campus;
2. an upper-division course at another university equivalent to a course that meets the
Cal State Fullerton requirement. Such equivalence must be certied by the depart-
ment or program responsible for the student’s academic work;
3. Cal State Fullerton Examination in Writing Prociency;
4. upper-division or graduate-level course(s) certied as meeting the writing require-
ment and approved by the department or program responsible for the student’s
academic work. e grade received must be a “C” (2.0) or better;
5. a minimum score of 4 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Writing Assessment Test; or
6. a minimum score of 4 on the Graduate Management Admissions test (GMAT)
Analytical Writing Assessment.
Note: Ed.D. students will fulll the writing requirement by taking EDD 600.
Any student who has not met the requirement within the rst nine units of gradu-
ate work will be required to enroll in a university-approved writing course at the earliest
opportunity. Departments and programs may, at their discretion and with approval of
the Graduate Education Committee, establish additional writing requirements for their
graduate students. For further information, students should consult their departmental
graduate program adviser.
STUDY PLAN
A Study Plan must be led with the Graduate Studies Oce before nine units of
Study Plan coursework have been completed at Cal State Fullerton toward a graduate
degree.
General requirements for all master’s degree Study Plans include the following:
1. a minimum of 30 approved semester units (Some programs require more);
2. at least 21 semester units must be taken in residence (For programs requiring 42 or
more units, at least half the units must be taken in residence. Transfer credits and Cal
State Fullerton extension credits are not residence units);
3. only 400- and 500-level courses may be used on the Study Plans (A graduate student
enrolled in a 400-level course will be required to complete additional assignments as
determined by the instructor. University policy does not allow 300-level courses on
graduate Study Plans);
4. normally 70 percent of all Study Plan courses will be at the 500-level (With prior
approval, upon the recommendation of the Graduate Education Committee, programs
may permit students to include up to 50 percent of coursework at the 400-level);
Graduate Degree Requirements
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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON • 2011-2013 CATALOG
86
GRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
5. no more than nine units of postbaccalaureate work taken at
Cal State Fullerton prior to admission to an approved graduate
program;
6. no more than six semester units shall be allowed for a thesis or
project;
7. maximum of six semester units of independent study;
8. no courses taken to satisfy prerequisite requirements;
9. no correspondence courses and/or credit by examination;
10. no courses with nontraditional grades (e.g., CR, S, P);
11. each course on the Study Plan must be completed with a grade of
“C” (2.0) or better;
12. a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (“B”) in all courses at-
tempted to satisfy requirements for the degree;
13. completion of all Study Plan courses within ten consecutive
semesters (ve years) or fourteen consecutive semesters (seven
years) with approved extension (e time limit starts with the
earliest course on the Study Plan);
14. all courses must be taken aer completion of the baccalaureate
(or postgraduate credit granted);
15. no courses credited toward another degree; and
16. a nal evaluation, which may be a thesis, a project, a comprehen-
sive examination, or any combination of these.
General requirements for all Study Plans for the Ed.D. include
the following:
1. a minimum of 60 approved semester units;
2. at least 42 units must be taken in residence (Transfer credits and
Cal State Fullerton extension credits are not residence credits);
3. only 500- and 600-level courses may be used on the Study Plan;
4. no more than 12 semester units shall be allowed for a dissertation;
5. maximum of six semester units of independent study;
6. no courses taken to satisfy prerequisite requirements;
7. no correspondence courses and/or credit by examination;
8. no courses with nontraditional grades (e.g., CR, S, P);
9. each course on the Study Plan must be completed with grade of
B- or better;
10. a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) in all courses at-
tempted to satisfy requirements for the degree;
11. completion of all Study Plan courses within 10 consecutive se-
mesters (ve years) or 14 consecutive semesters (seven years) with
approved extension (e time limit starts with the earliest course
on the Study Plan);
12. no courses credited toward another degree; and
13. a dissertation as a nal evaluation;
e approved Study Plan is valid as long as the student main-
tains continuous enrollment in regular semesters at the university;
otherwise it is necessary to reapply and meet any changed or ad-
ditional requirements approved in the interim.
Culminating Experience Guidelines
Each master’s program includes a nal evaluation (culminating
experience) that marks the end of the graduate program: a thesis, a
project, a comprehensive examination, or any combination of these is
required of all students. An oral presentation is strongly encouraged.
Doctoral students are required to write a dissertation and complete
an oral defense.
rough culminating experiences, individual students
demonstrate mastery of disciplinary materials. Because these demon-
strations of mastery are specic to individual students, dissertations,
theses, projects, performances, exhibitions, and comprehensive
examinations shall be composed of individual student work, unless
more than one culminating experience is required in the program.
Individual student work shall include exhibitions in which
individual work is clearly identied but displayed alongside the work
of others. Individual student work shall also include accompanied ar-
tistic performances, or performances rendered in ensemble, in which
individual student performances are clearly identiable. In programs
that require more than one culminating experience, at least one
culminating experience must be based on individual student work.
Students whose programs require a culminating experience
that is undertaken in groups (e.g., for the MBA) shall receive an
individual assessment based on a component of the work identiable
as authored or created by each individual student.
Election of Curriculum
A student remaining in continuous attendance in regular
semesters and continuing in the same curriculum may elect to meet
the degree requirements in eect either at the time of entering the
curriculum or at the time of completion of degree requirements,
except that substitution for discontinued courses may be approved
by the graduate program adviser.
Changes in Study Plan
If a classied graduate student needs to make a change in the
approved Study Plan, a request should be made to the student’s de-
partmental graduate program adviser. Requests must be made prior
to registration for any coursework to be substituted or added. No
course may be removed from the Study Plan aer a student has taken
it. Forms which may be used to le a request for change in Study
Plan are available from graduate program advisers, in the Graduate
Studies Oce, or on the Graduate Studies website.
Changes in Study Plans may also be required because of
outdated coursework or grade-point average deciencies (see “Time
Limit for Completion” and “Graduate Academic Standards”).
Time Limit for Completion
All requirements for the graduate degree, including all course-
work on the student’s Study Plan, normally should be completed
within ve years. is time limit begins with the semester of the
earliest course used on the student’s Study Plan and consists of a total
of ten (10) consecutive semesters. When individual circumstances
warrant, this time limit may be extended for up to two years (four
additional consecutive semesters).
A student may request an extension of the ve-year time limit
by ling a petition with the Graduate Studies Oce. e petition
must contain a full explanation of the circumstances that prevented
completion of the degree requirements within the normal ve-
year limit and must be approved (signed) by the graduate program
adviser, the chair of the appropriate graduate committee, and the
associate vice president, Graduate Programs and Research. Approv-
als for extension must be obtained prior to the expiration of the
ve-year limit.
Outdated Master’s Degree Courses
Outdated coursework (coursework older than the student’s
approved time limit; i.e., ve or seven years for the master’s degree)
should be repeated. However, a maximum of nine units of course-
work may be exempt from repetition if course content can be
validated. Validation is allowed at the discretion of the graduate pro-
gram adviser, the academic unit oering the subject course, and the
associate vice president, Graduate Programs and Research. Copies of
the “Petition for Validating Outdated Coursework” may be obtained
from the Graduate Studies Oce or website.
Validation must be accomplished by passing a written compre-
hensive test of the materials covered by the course being validated or
by some equivalent method with prior approval of both the graduate
program adviser and the associate vice president, Graduate Pro-
grams and Research. Courses completed more than ten years prior
to the completion of requirements for the degree are not eligible
for validation. Any outdated coursework that cannot be validated
either because of a denial of the petition or because it is in excess of
the nine units allowed for validation must be repeated or updated
through enrollment in additional Study Plan coursework. If course-
work is repeated or additional coursework is required to update,
those units and grades will be added to the Study Plan.
Outdated transfer coursework cannot be validated.
ADVISERS AND COMMITTEES
University policy provides that each student’s program for the
master’s degree shall be under the guidance of an adviser and for
some programs, a thesis or project committee as well. Each doctoral
student will have a dissertation committee. A graduate program
adviser is designated in each department or program to give overall
supervision for the graduate program. In some departments, the
graduate program adviser also serves as the individual student’s
adviser. Policies and procedures related to graduate committees are
available in the Graduate Studies Oce.
It is the responsibility of the student to arrange appointments
for advisement and other information in the oce of the academic
unit oering the degree program. As a minimum, the student should
obtain advisement (1) either prior to or during the rst semester of
attendance, (2) when requesting classied standing, and (3) when
applying for a graduation check prior to the nal semester.
It is advisable for the student to maintain a personal le of tran-
scripts and other evidence of grades and achievements, and to have
these documents available whenever seeking advisement.
GRADUATION
A student who has been granted classied standing becomes
a candidate for graduation aer a request is led and the fee is paid
for graduation by the student and an armative recommendation is
made by the graduate program adviser. An overall minimum gradu-
ate grade-point average of 3.0 (B) for all 400-, 500- and 600-level
coursework attempted subsequent to admission to a degree program,
including all transfer work and previous coursework approved for
use in the graduate career, and an overall minimum grade-point aver-
age of 3.0 for all Study Plan coursework is required. Other scholastic,
professional and personal standards, the passing of examinations, and
other qualications, may be required.
COMPLETION OF REQUIREMENTS AND
AWARD OF DEGREE
Deadlines
All coursework for the degree, except nal course examina-
tions, should be submitted by the last day of classes, in order to
assure granting of the degree by the end of the semester or session.
e degree is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of all state
and university requirements, as well as the specic requirements
approved on the student’s graduate Study Plan. Award of the degree
also requires the recommendation of the appropriate graduate
program adviser and committee, the approval of the faculty, and
approval of the associate vice president, Graduate Programs and
Research (or designee).
If a dissertation or thesis is required, it must be deposited in
the campus bookstore according to instructions shown under “Dis-
sertations, eses and Projects,” no later than the last day of nal
examinations for the semester or session in which the degree is to be
awarded.
Applying for Graduation
Students must apply for a graduation check and pay the gradua-
tion and diploma fee prior to the deadline.
e last date to le the application is listed in the Registra-
tion Guide for each regular semester and is posted on the Graduate
Studies website. Candidates for summer (August) graduation must
also obtain departmental approval prior to the summer term by
ling a Petition for Summer Completion. e form is available in
the Graduate Studies Oce. e approved form must be returned to
Graduate Studies during the spring semester.
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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON • 2011-2013 CATALOG
88
GRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Students who fail to complete requirements as planned must
update the application for a graduation check and do so by the
appropriate deadline. A fee is required to change the graduation date.
Forms for changing the graduation date are available at the
Graduate Studies Oce.
Graduation and Commencement
e eective date of graduation will be the last day of the
specic term in which requirements are completed.
Commencement ceremonies are held only at the end of the
spring semester. Once you have completed the graduation check
process, i.e., led for graduation check and paid the graduation fee,
you are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremonies
appropriate to your graduate date. Students completing requirements
at the end of the fall and spring semesters and during the following
summer may participate in those ceremonies.
Information concerning commencement activities is sent to
students by college dean’s oces usually in April of each year. Check
the university’s website (www.fullerton.edu/commencement) for
further details about commencement events and procedures. Ar-
rangements for cap, gown and hood rental are made in the campus
bookstore, Titan Shops.
GRADUATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS
Grade Point Average Requirements
A grade point average (grade points divided by units attempt-
ed) of at least 3.0 is required for graduation with a graduate degree.
is grade point average applies to (1) all 400- , 500- and 600-level
units attempted subsequent to admission to a degree program; and
(2) all units required on the graduate Study Plan including transfer
courses. Each course on the master’s Study Plan must be completed
with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better. Each course on the doctoral
Study Plan must be completed with a grade of “B-” (2.7) or better.
Some programs require higher minimum grades for specic courses.
A master’s degree student may request a change in the Study
Plan in order to raise the Study Plan grade point average by:
1. adding no more than six units of approved coursework, or
2. repeating no more than six units of coursework in which a “C”
(2.0) or lower was earned, or
3. a combination of 1. and 2. not to exceed six units.
Requests to add courses to the Study Plan, repeat courses,
or add courses to raise the overall grade point average, must be
approved by the graduate program adviser and the associate vice
president, Graduate Programs and Research (or designee) prior to
registration. When a course is added or repeated, the original course
remains on the Study Plan and on the student’s transcript and both
grades are used in calculating the student’s grade point average.
A grade point average of at least 2.5 is required for continuing
status as a credential, certicate or undeclared postbaccalaureate
student.
Repeated Courses
For master’s degree students, if a grade less than “C” (2.0) is
received in a Study Plan course, the course must be repeated and
passed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better. For doctoral degree stu-
dents, if a grade less than “B-” (2.7) is received in a Study Plan course,
the course must be repeated and passed with a grade of “B-” (2.7) or
better.A course may be repeated only once. If a course is repeated,
both grades are included when computing the student’s Study
Plan and cumulative Cal State Fullerton grade point average.
Repetition of a course carries no additional unit credit toward the
degree; however, the additional units are included in the cumulative
units shown on the Cal State Fullerton transcript.
In extenuating circumstances, the student may petition the
associate vice president, Graduate Programs and Research (or desig-
nee) to add another course to the approved program with the unit
value equivalent to that of the course in which the unsatisfactory
grade was received.
Probation
A student enrolled in a graduate degree program will be placed
on academic probation if either the graduate or the Study Plan grade
point average falls below 3.0. A graduate student may also be placed
on probation for reasons other than graduate and/or Study Plan
grade point average. is is known as administrative-academic pro-
bation. e reasons for this may include repeated withdrawal, failure
to progress toward an educational objective, non-compliance with an
academic requirement, failure to demonstrate a level of professional
competence or tness commensurate with the standards of the stu-
dent’s discipline, or inappropriate behavior as dened in the Student
Bill of Rights and Responsibilities and in the Academic Dishonesty
sections of this catalog (see “University Regulations”).
Master’s degree students will be allowed two semesters on
academic probation, following the semester in which the grade point
average fell below the minimum 3.0 standard, before being subject to
disqualication. Ed.D. students may not have a grade point average
below 3.0 in two successive terms. e student will be placed on
probation the rst term in which their grade point average drops be-
low 3.0; a grade point average below 3.0 in the next term is grounds
for disqualication from the Ed.D. program. Students will remain
on administrative-academic probation contingent upon conditions
required for their continuing in the program. e Graduate Stud-
ies Oce maintains a list of students on probation and subject to
disqualication.
Disqualification
e associate vice president, Graduate Programs and Research
(or designee), in consultation with the student’s graduate program
adviser, will disqualify a master’s student who is on probation if the
student does not, or cannot, raise the Study Plan and graduate grade
point average to 3.0 by the completion of the second regular semester
following the semester in which the grade point average fell below the
minimum 3.0 standard. An Ed.D. student is subject to disqualication
the second term the student’s grade point average is below 3.0.
If a student’s grade point average becomes so low that it cannot
be raised to 3.0 within the prescribed limits of coursework, the stu-
dent will be disqualied from the graduate degree program.
Students placed on probation for reasons other than grade
point average will be disqualied if:
1. the conditions for removal of administrative-academic probation
are not met within the period specied;
2. the student becomes subject to academic probation while on
administrative-academic probation; or
3. the student is removed from administrative-academic probation
and subsequently becomes subject to administrative-academic
probation for the same or similar reasons as originally placed on
probation.
Disqualication removes a student from graduate standing and
prevents further enrollment in university courses (except through
University Extended Education). A student who has been disquali-
ed from a master’s degree program may not apply for readmission
to that program. A student who has been disqualied from one
degree program may apply for readmission to a dierent degree pro-
gram. A readmitted student must le a new Study Plan that meets
current requirements and policies. Any disqualied student who
wishes to use previous coursework must have it approved by the asso-
ciate vice president, Graduate Programs and Research (or designee).
Appeals related to graduate degree probation or disqualica-
tion should rst be directed to the departmental graduate program
adviser. Please contact the Graduate Studies Oce for further
information and procedures.
Probation and Disqualification for Credential, Unclassified
or Undeclared Postbaccalaureate Students
A postbaccalaureate student (credential, unclassied or
undeclared status) will be subject to academic probation if aer
completing 12 or more units, the cumulative grade point average falls
below a 2.5 average.
A postbaccalaureate student (i.e., credential or certicate
objective) on probation will be subject to disqualication if the
cumulative grade point average is not raised to 2.5 the semester aer
being placed on probation.
Appeals related to postbaccalaureate (credential or unclassied)
probation or disqualication are submitted on a reinstatement form
available in the Graduate Studies Oce.
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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON • 2011-2013 CATALOG
GRADUATE ENROLLMENT POLICIES
Residence Requirement
Continuous Enrollment
Leave of Absence
Study Load
University Extended Education
Enrollment in 500-Level Courses
by Seniors
Postgraduate Credit
Transfer Credit Policy
RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT
A student is considered to be in residence when registered during regular semesters
at this university. At least 21 semester units or half the units required by the master’s
program, whichever is larger, must be taken in residence at this university. e Ed.D.
program requires a minimum 42 units for residency. Approved units earned in summer
sessions may be used to meet regular semester unit requirements on a course by course
basis. Extension credit may not be used to fulll the minimum residence requirement.
CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT
A graduate degree student is required to maintain continuous enrollment in every
fall and spring semester from the beginning of the program of study until award of the
degree. is policy is designed to eliminate the need for readmission to the university,
provide opportunity for continuous use of facilities, including the library, and assure the
development of an integrated program, which is adequately supervised and eectively
completed within the time limitations allowed by regulations.
Unless granted an approved leave of absence, a graduate student who fails to
register each semester has discontinued enrollment in the graduate degree program. In
order to resume study, the student needs to reapply for admission to the university and
to the degree program and meet any changed or additional requirements approved in
the interim.
Students who may have completed all coursework, but who may not have satisfac-
torily completed a comprehensive examination or other requirement, are expected to
maintain continuous enrollment until award of the degree.
A master’s student who nds it impossible to attend during a certain semester and
is not eligible for a leave of absence must register in Graduate Studies 700. Registration
in this course is restricted to conditionally classied or classied graduate students. It
carries no unit credit and does not require class attendance. Registration in this course
in each semester when no other coursework is taken will be necessary until award of the
degree.
Similarly, Credential Studies 701 is available for students with a credential-only
objective who nd it impossible to enroll in coursework and are not eligible for a leave
of absence.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Graduate degree or credential students may request a leave of absence for up to one
year. Conditionally classied or classied graduate students qualify for a leave if they are
in good academic standing and have completed at least six units (if a master’s student)
or eight units (if an Ed.D. student) of work toward the degree in residence at Cal State
Fullerton. Students with a credential-only objective qualify if they have completed at
least one semester of coursework in good academic standing. Forms to request a leave of
absence are available at the Graduate Studies Oce and on the Graduate Studies web-
site. Students are encouraged to submit requests for leave of absence prior to the start of
the semester for which they are requesting a leave.
Graduate Enrollment Policies
90
GRADUATE ENROLLMENT POLICIES
Any one of the following circumstances may be grounds for
requesting a leave of absence:
1. illness or disability (permanent or temporary) or similar personal
exigencies including pregnancy which make it impossible or
inadvisable for a student to register for classes.
2. activities that enhance a student’s professional career objectives.
3. active duty in the armed forces of the United States; or
4. other reasons at the discretion of the associate vice president,
Graduate Programs and Research.
Aer review by the Graduate Studies Oce, the academic unit
(where applicable), and the Registrar’s Oce, a response is mailed to
the student.
A rst-time leave of absence of one semester only will normally
be granted upon request for students who qualify and will not
require an application for readmission to the university. Registra-
tion materials for the semester following the leave will be sent to the
student.
Students requesting a subsequent leave or a leave longer than
one semester are required to provide appropriate documentation
(e.g., doctor’s recommendation, verication of employment). Such
requests must also be endorsed by the graduate program adviser.
A leave granted to a degree objective student preserves the elec-
tion of curriculum rights regarding catalog requirements. However,
leaves of absence do not change the time limit for completion of the
degree. For credential students, a leave granted by the university does
not exempt them from new requirements imposed by the State re-
gardless of the catalog year and also does not extend time limitations
imposed by the State for completing specic teaching credential
requirements.
STUDY LOAD
To qualify for full-time enrollment certication by the
university, graduate students must carry a study load of 12 units of
coursework a semester, or nine units of which six are in 500-level
courses. A normal full-time load in summer session is one and one-
third units per week of instruction.
As required by federal regulations for non-immigrant “F-1”
and “J-1” visa students, the Graduate Studies Oce maintains a
listing of programs that allow fewer than 12 units per semester to
qualify for full-time status. ese departmental unit requirements do
not change the ocial denition (stated above) that is used to certify
full-time enrollment for nancial aid eligibility or loan deferment.
e maximum study load for students working toward a mas-
ter’s degree is 12 units per semester; in exceptional cases, however, a
student may take more with the approval of the graduate program
adviser. Forms to request excess units are available in the Graduate
Studies Oce or on the Graduate Studies website.
UNIVERSITY EXTENDED EDUCATION
In addition to its state-supported academic programs, the
university oers self-supported courses through University Extended
Education. is includes intersession, special session credit courses,
summer session and Open University enrollment. e applicabil-
ity of credit earned in courses taken through Extended Education
may be subject to approval by the graduate program adviser and the
associate vice president, Graduate Programs and Research; there-
fore, consultation with the program’s graduate adviser before taking
courses is strongly recommended.
Any student desiring a master’s degree must be admitted to the
university and maintain continuous enrollment every fall and spring
semester until award of the degree. Enrollment through University
Extension does not maintain continuous enrollment for students in
state-funded degree programs.
Intersession/Special Sessions/Summer Session
Appropriate courses taken during special sessions or interses-
sion may be applied to a graduate degree program, provided the
courses are approved in advance by the departmental graduate
program adviser.
Enrollment in courses taken during intersession or summer
session does not constitute admission to the university or enrollment
as a continuing student.
Extension Credit
No more than nine units of extension credit may be applied
to a graduate degree. Extension credit is granted for courses with an
“X” prex in the Extended Education Class Schedule.
Open University Enrollment
Open University enrollment through Extended Education
permits students who are not formally admitted to the university
to enroll in university courses, on a space available basis. However,
Open University participation does not constitute admission to a
CSUF degree program. Open University courses cannot be used
to fulll the graduate residence requirement. In addition, Open
University is not available to (1) students currently admitted CSUF;
(2) foreign students with scores of less than 500 on the paper-based
(PBT) TOEFL or 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) examina-
tion, or 5.5 on the IETS; (3) foreign students without an I-20 from
another educational institution.
ENROLLMENT IN 500-LEVEL COURSES BY SENIORS
Undergraduate students may enroll in graduate level courses
(500-level) if they:
1. have reached senior status (i.e., completed a minimum of 90
semester units);
2. have the academic preparation and prerequisites required for
entry into the course; and
3. gain the consent of the instructor.
91
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON • 2011-2013 CATALOG
Students wishing to use 500-level coursework taken during
their undergraduate degree toward a master’s degree should read the
following section on Postgraduate Credit.
POSTGRADUATE CREDIT
A master’s student may petition for a maximum of nine units
of postgraduate credit for coursework (either 400 or 500 level) taken
during the undergraduate degree at California State University, Ful-
lerton, if:
1. the coursework was not used to meet any of the university’s
requirements for the baccalaureate degree (including major,
minor or concentration);
2. the coursework was taken during the twelve months immediately
prior to the student’s graduation; and
3. each course was completed with a grade of “B” (3.0) or better.
Petition forms are available at the Admissions and Records
Service Center.
If approved, appropriate notations will be entered on the
student’s transcript.
e use of postgraduate coursework on a student’s graduate
Study Plan is governed by the general regulations for all graduate
degrees and must be approved by the graduate program adviser, the
appropriate graduate committee, and the associate vice president,
Graduate Programs and Research (or designee).
TRANSFER CREDIT POLICY
Graduate students may request to apply a limited amount of
transfer coursework towards unit requirements for a graduate degree.
e use of transfer coursework on a student’s Study Plan is subject to
the following provisions.
1. Each course being transferred must:
a. have been taken at an accredited college or university;
b. be acceptable for credit toward a graduate degree at the insti-
tution where the coursework was taken; in the case of transfer
work for the Ed.D., the course must be acceptable for doctoral
credit at the intsitution where it was taken;
c. have been completed with a grade of “B” (3.0) or better;
d. not have been used in meeting the requirements for another
earned degree (either graduate or undergraduate); and
e. have been completed within the student’s ve-year time period
which is required for completion of the requirements for the
graduate degree at CSUF.
2. For the master’s degree, an absolute minimum of 21 semester
units or half the units required by the program, whichever is
larger, must be taken in residence at this university. A minimum
of 42 units must be taken in residence for the Ed.D. program.
Residence units are granted for courses taken at the university
during regular sessions of fall and spring and any special session;
3. use of transfer work on a student’s Study Plan is subject to all
other policies concerning Study Plan coursework;
4. in all cases, the use of transfer coursework on a student’s Study
Plan is subject to the acceptance and approval of the academic
unit’s graduate program adviser and the associate vice president,
Graduate Programs and Research (or designee). Coursework
taken at another institution aer admission to CSUF as a gradu-
ate student is rarely accepted for credit toward a graduate degree
and can only be accepted if the student has received prior
approval of both the graduate program adviser and the associate
vice president, Graduate Programs and Research (or designee);
5. all approved transfer units and grade points will be entered on the
CSUF transcript at classication or graduation; and
6. a unit of coursework taken at a college or university on the quarter
system will be considered as equivalent to two-thirds of a unit
when such coursework is considered acceptable as transfer work.
92
GRADUATE ENROLLMENT POLICIES
DISSERTATIONS, THESES AND
PROJECTS
Denition
Giles T. Brown Annual esis Award
Dissertation, esis and Project
Regulations
Format Guidelines and Style Manuals
Deadlines
Final Procedures
DEFINITION
A thesis is dened as the written product of a systematic study of a signicant
problem. It identies the problem, states the major assumptions, explains the sig-
nicance of the undertaking, sets forth the sources for and methods of gathering
information, analyzes the data, and oers a conclusion or recommendation. e
nished product demonstrates originality, critical and independent thinking, appropri-
ate organization and format, and thorough documentation. Normally, an oral defense of
the thesis is required.
A project is a signicant undertaking appropriate to the ne and applied arts or to
professional elds. It also evidences originality and independent thinking, appropriate
form and organization, and a rationale. It is described and summarized in a written ab-
stract that includes the project’s signicance, objectives, methodology and a conclusion
or recommendation. An oral defense of the project is strongly encouraged.
An oral defense of either a thesis or a project normally includes a presentation by the
master’s candidate to a group of faculty capable of assessing the quality of the student’s
work, and/or a period of questioning directed to the master’s candidate by said group
of faculty. Oral defenses should include not fewer than three such faculty members, one
of whom should be the student’s supervisory committee chair and one other commit-
tee member, though they may include more than three faculty members, even the entire
program faculty. Any member of the university community may attend the defense.
e defense will be held in an appropriate academic environment, normally on campus.
Program faculty may approve oral defenses undertaken partly or wholly in mediated
environments, including via conference call or online, provided that the defense takes
place in “real time.” e oral defense, normally a graded pass/fail event, is documented by
a signed statement attesting to the outcome of the defense. Such records must be complete
enough to aord protection for both the student and the faculty members involved.
A dissertation is the written product of systematic, rigorous research on a
signicant educational issue and in accordance with an approved proposal. It shall
demonstrate originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate form and
organization, and a rationale for the research problem examined. e dissertation shall
identify the research problem and question(s), state the major theoretical perspective,
explain the signicance of the undertaking, relate it to the relevant scholarly and profes-
sional literature, set forth the appropriate sources for the methods of gathering and
analyzing the data, and oer a conclusion or recommendation. An oral defense of the
dissertation is required.
GILES T. BROWN ANNUAL THESIS AWARD
An award of $1,000 along with an engraved plaque will be given each year to the
student whose master’s thesis represents the highest standard of scholarly accomplish-
ment as determined by a panel of judges chosen from emeriti professors. Interested
students should contact the Graduate Studies Oce or their graduate program adviser
for further information on eligibility and deadlines. Finalists from each college may also
be recommended for Honorable Mention by the judges; these will receive a certicate of
Honorable Mention and a $100 cash award.
Dissertations, eses and Projects
93
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON • 2011-2013 CATALOG
94
DISSERTATIONS, THESES AND PROJECTS
DISSERTATION, THESIS AND PROJECT REGULATIONS
Of the minimum of 30 semester units of approved coursework
required for the master’s degree, no more than six are allowed for a
thesis or project. Of the minimum 60 units for the Ed.D., no more
than 12 units are allowed for a dissertation.
When a dissertation or thesis is required, the Pollak Library
will be provided with an approved original in the approved binding
and an acceptable microlm of the work. An abstract accompanies
the work and will normally be published in the University Micro-
lms International Journal. Copies are thereby made available for
order by interested scholars.
An approved copy of the dissertation, thesis or project may also
be required by the student’s academic department. Students should
check with their graduate program adviser as to whether a copy is
needed by the department as part of the requirements for graduation.
When a project is required, some record of the project, or the
project itself, is led in the academic unit and, in some cases, in the
library.
A student’s thesis committee is composed of a minimum of
three faculty members who supervise and approve the thesis. A quali-
ed person who is not a regular Cal State University faculty member
may serve as a visiting examiner and join in the approval of the thesis.
is person serves as the fourth member of the committee.
Variations from procedures and regulations should be referred
to the Oce of Graduate Studies for review.
FORMAT GUIDELINES AND STYLE MANUALS
All-university format guidelines are included in a dissertation/
thesis manual that has been developed to assist the student. An
electronic version of the manual, as well as templates, are available
on the Graduate Studies website. It is the student’s responsibility to
make certain that the requirements are met. e student is strongly
advised to become familiar with the instructions in the manual.
Copies from the library or departmental oces should not be used
as examples of correct format.
e academic unit, through the student’s adviser and/or com-
mittee, is responsible for the academic content and English usage in
the dissertation or thesis and for the student’s correct use of forms
of documentation and bibliography. In addition to the university
format guidelines, each academic unit may select a supplementary
style manual to be followed in matters of documentation and bibli-
ography. Students should consult their graduate program adviser or
committee chair concerning the style manual used.
If the supplementary style manual presents regulations that
conict with the all-university format guidelines published in the
university dissertation/thesis manual, the university regulations take
precedence.
Some graduate programs require style manuals or guides
designed for journal articles. Although these are helpful for ab-
breviations, tables, gures and footnoting, as well as other purposes,
students should be aware of the dierence between a thesis and an
article and make appropriate adaptations when formatting their
thesis, approved by the graduate program adviser.
If the academic unit does not recommend a specic style
manual, the student should refer to the most recent edition of “A
Manual for Writers of Term Papers, eses, and Dissertations” by
Kate L. Turabian or “e Chicago Manual of Style,” published by
the University of Chicago.
e student makes all necessary arrangements for preparing
the dissertation/thesis for nal approval. A list of independent word
processing professionals is available in the Oce of Graduate Stud-
ies. e university Career Center also maintains a listing of students
and others who have indicated their availability for word processing
assignments.
DEADLINES
Adequate time should be allowed for typing, reading and
approval by the adviser, the committee members, and the university
thesis/dissertation reader. Specic deadlines are listed each semester
on the Graduate Studies website. Ample time should be allowed for
any special arrangements, such as duplication of the dissertation or
thesis by the campus bookstore or elsewhere, prior to the deadline.
e nal version of the dissertation or thesis should be submit-
ted to the student’s committee for nal review and approval at least
six weeks prior to the last day of classes. Deadlines for submission are
available on the Graduate Studies website or in the Graduate Studies
Oce.
For summer completion, the student should check with the
academic unit and the Graduate Studies website for appropriate
deadlines. eses and dissertations are reviewed by the university
thesis/dissertation reader in the order in which they are received by
the Graduate Studies Oce.
e Graduate Studies Oce must receive notication that the
dissertation or thesis has been received for binding and microlming
by the ocial graduation date for each semester.
FINAL PROCEDURES
1. Approval Signatures – When the nal dra is completed, the
student obtains signatures on the approval page of all of the
members of the committee. If there is a disagreement within
the committee concerning the acceptability of the work, the
approving signatures of a majority of the committee will be suf-
cient. Nonavailability of one member of the committee is not an
adequate reason for acceptance of signatures by less than the full
committee. No changes or additions will be allowed aer the nal
signatures have been obtained.
e title/approval page may be photocopied onto the correct
paper stock; however, the signatures must be original. Photo-
copied signatures are not acceptable for binding or microlming.
e signatures must be in black ink. e student should arrange
for at least three original title pages to be signed by the commit-
tee members. One original is submitted to the bookstore with
the dissertation, thesis or project; the other originals may be used
as the student’s personal copy or for the departmental copy, if
required.
2. University esis/Dissertation Reader – e dissertation or thesis
is ready for review by the university reader aer the faculty have
signed o and the work has been produced in its nal form. One
unbound copy of the dissertation or thesis including the original
approval page is taken to the Graduate Studies Oce for review
by the reader for conformity to all-university format guidelines.
e dissertation or thesis submitted to the Graduate Studies Of-
ce for review may be photocopied or printed on plain, unlined,
white paper; however, the title/approval page should be on the
correct paper stock. e student will be notied of any revisions
or corrections that need to be made. Final approval on format is
given by the reader on the “esis/Dissertation Approval Form”
that is submitted with the work. e form is available in the
Graduate Studies Oce or on the website.
3. Binding and Microlming – e student takes the approved
copy of the thesis or dissertation, the signed title and approval
page, and the signed esis/Dissertation Approval Form to the
campus bookstore and pays the appropriate fees (approximately
$200 plus $80 if copyright is desired). e bookstore arranges for
the binding by a local bindery and other services by University
Microlms International (UMI). Once submitted and receipted,
the work may not be withdrawn by the student from the campus
bookstore. e campus bookstore sends the approved original
(including the original signed approval page) to University Mi-
crolms International for lming and publication of the abstract,
and upon its return sends it to the bindery.
An agreement is completed for UMI to publish the abstract in
University Microlms International Journal, prepare a microlm
negative, and sell microlm, photocopies and papers in electronic
format to interested scholars. Arrangements for copyrighting are
also possible through UMI.
4. Notication of esis/Dissertation Completion – e grade
for the dissertation or thesis is reported in the usual manner to
the registrar by the appropriate faculty. e bookstore noties
the Graduate Studies Oce that the approved thesis has been
deposited, the fees paid, and the agreement for microlming and
publication of the abstract completed by the student.
5. Depositing of Dissertation or esis in Library – When the
dissertation or thesis is returned by the bindery, the bound copy
is sent by the university bookstore to the library for circulation.
One set of the slides or separately mounted illustrative material is
housed with the bound copy.
95
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON • 2011-2013 CATALOG
ere may be additional steps for individual students in particular programs; for these, consult the program description and the
academic unit (college, department or program) oering the degree program.
☐ = Action initiated by student (as indicated below)
◊ = Action initiated by the university
1. ADMISSION TO GRADUATE STANDING: CONDITIONALLY CLASSIFIED
☐ Apply for admission and declare objective(s), using precise codes on the application form.
◊ Receive application acknowledgement from the Admissions Oce.
☐ Request ocial transcripts of all previous college-level coursework attempted be sent to Admissions Oce.
☐ Take tests, if required by program, and order test scores sent to Cal State Fullerton, designating appropriate academic unit on the test
registration form.
☐ Provide the departmental graduate program adviser with any other supporting statements or materials, as required.
◊ Recommendation for admission made by departmental graduate program adviser to Admissions Oce.
◊ Receive notication of admission from Admissions Oce.
☐ Make an appointment with the graduate program adviser to discuss your academic program. Advisers for each department are listed
on the Graduate Studies website.
2. GRADUATE STANDING: CLASSIFIED
☐ Complete any course prerequisites and/or remove deciencies.
☐ Apply for classied standing in the academic department oering the particular program prior to completion of nine units of Study
Plan coursework.
☐ Consult departmental graduate program adviser for advisement, including development of ocial Study Plan.
☐ Provide appropriate academic unit with any other supporting statements or materials, as shown in program descriptions in this catalog.
☐ Take tests if required by program, and order test scores sent to Cal State Fullerton, designating appropriate academic unit on the test
registration form.
◊ Recommendation for classied standing made by graduate program adviser by sending the signed Study Plan to the Graduate Studies Oce.
◊ Notication of classied standing granted is sent to the student from Graduate Studies along with a copy of the approved Study Plan.
3. COMPLETION OF REQUIREMENTS
☐ Apply for graduation prior to the beginning of the nal semester. Specic deadlines are posted on the Graduate Studies website.
You may apply for your graduation check online via your Titan Online Student Center. A graduation and diploma fee is required.
☐ Maintain Continuous Enrollment. e Study Plan is valid only as long as a graduate student maintains continuous enrollment in
both the fall and spring semesters until all requirements are completed. Otherwise, it will be necessary to reapply to the university
and meet any additional requirements approved in the interim. If you have completed all coursework on the Study Plan but have
not satisfactorily completed a project, thesis, dissertation or comprehensive examination or other requirements, you MUST register
and pay fees for Graduate Studies 700, which carries no credit and does not require attendance.
☐ Consult the departmental graduate program adviser to conrm nal requirements for the degree.
☐ Complete written and/or oral examination, if required. Complete dissertation, thesis or project, if applicable.
☐ Obtain committee approval for dissertation, thesis, project or results of comprehensive exam(s).
☐ If applicable, submit dissertation or thesis to university thesis/dissertation reader by deadlines on the Graduate Studies website.
◊ esis/Dissertation reader signs “esis/Dissertation Approval Form.”
☐ Take approved copy of thesis or dissertation with “esis/Dissertation Approval Form” to the bookstore (Titan Shops Copy
Center) and make arrangements for binding, microlming and publication. e cost is approximately $200 plus $80 if copyright is
desired.
☐ Final, approved Study Plan, with recommendation, sent by the department graduate program adviser to the Graduate Studies Oce.
◊ A copy of the Grad Check Review Form is sent to the student showing the adviser’s recommendation.
◊ Preliminary audit is completed by Graduate Studies Oce sta. e student’s Study Plan is checked for pending grades, and
completion of any other requirements.
☐ Deposit approved copy of dissertation, thesis or project in academic department (if required).
☐ Complete all general and specic requirements, other than nal course examinations, by the last day of classes, in order to assure
granting of the degree by the end of the semester.
☐ Final verication of completion of requirements sent by the Graduate Studies Oce sta to the registrar.
◊ Notication of award of degree received from registrar approximately ten weeks aer the end of the semester.
4. COMMENCEMENT
☐ Check procedures online for participating in commencement at www.fullerton.edu/commencement.
☐ Make appropriate arrangements for cap, gown and hood rental in the campus bookstore.
◊ Commencement information sent by the College Dean’s oce.
Graduate Student Checklist
96
GRADUATE STUDENT CHECKLIST
