PROCEDURAL STEPS TOWARD EARNING A MASTER'S DEGREE AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY:
Click to access CFD Graduate online application.
1. Obtain a Graduate Bulletin (catalog) and consult your departmental graduate adviser. (Dr. Shulamit Ritblatt, e-mail her at ritblatt@mail.sdsu.edu)
Please note: We accept new graduate students in Fall semesters ONLY. There have been curriculum changes made for the Graduate Bulletin for the academic year 1999-2000. Deadline for completion of graduate applications for Fall semester is May 1st. Graduate bulletins (catalogs) may be purchased at the campus bookstore or ordered by mail beginning in May of each year. Read the following sections of the Graduate bulletin very carefully: Regulations of the Graduate Division, Basic Requirements for the Master's Degree, and Specific Requirements of the Department.
2. Attain Classified Graduate Standing: In order to be admitted into the graduate program, you must submit satisfactory scores on the GRE General Test (no less than a score of 500 on the verbal section and no less than a score of 500 on the quantitative section). Proof of GRE scores are required in order to attain classified graduate standing. When you have fulfilled the conditions specified at the time of your admission the Graduate Adviser will submit a 'Change of Status" form to the Graduate Admissions unit.
3. Submit an Official Program Form for the Master's Degree: Official Program forms must be filled out in consultation with the Graduate Adviser and submitted by the Graduate Adviser to the Graduate Division office for approval, after having received classified graduate standing. Any deviation from the specific masters degree requirements listed in the Graduate Bulletin must be requested on a 'Petition for Adjustment of Academic Requirements' form. This form must be completed, signed and forwarded by your Graduate Adviser. Any change made in the official program after its approval and filing in the Graduate Division office must be made on a "Change in Program" form. This form must be completed, signed and forwarded by your Graduate Adviser.
4. Attain Advancement to Candidacy: Your eligibility for advancement to candidacy will be reviewed at the time your official program form for the Masters Degree is filed in the Graduate Division office. If eligible, a form will automatically be sent to the Graduate Adviser in your department, requesting a departmental recommendation.
Child and Family Development departmental requirements for advancement to candidacy include: a grade of B or better in CFD 790 and approval of the thesis topic by the person who will serve as your thesis adviser. If not eligible for advancement at the time your official program form is approved and filed, your graduate file will be reviewed for advancement by the Graduate Division office at the end of each semester. You must be advanced to candidacy before you will be allowed to form your thesis committee officially or sit for the comprehensive exam.
A minimum of 9 units of courses listed on the official program form you filed must be enrolled in and completed concurrently with or after advancement to candidacy.
5. Submit a Thesis Committee form (Plan A student): Obtain the "Thesis Committee' form from the Graduate Division office located in AD-220 (594-5213).
Secure the required thesis committee members' signatures and return the form to the Graduate Division office for approval. You will not be allowed to register in "Thesis-CFD 799A" until you have an approved Thesis Committee" form on file In the Graduate Division office. Submit thesis proposal to thesis committee for approval and to Human Subjects Committee if human subjects are used. You will register for CFD 799A-Thesis by going to the Graduate Division office in order to obtain the schedule number. It is never printed in the class schedule. You must be registered in "Thesis' during the semester you plan to submit your thesis.
6. Collect data and write thesis! Good luck! Consult the SDSU 'Master's Theses and Projects: A Manual of Instructions" (on sale at Aztec Shops campus bookstore). This manual contains policies and procedures on preparing theses and projects.
Consult the current Graduate Bulletin or the "Class Schedule" for calendar deadlines by which theses must be submitted to the Graduate Division office and Thesis Review Service in order to ensure completion of processing for graduation.
7. Pass Required Final Examination: A final oral examination on the thesis or project is required prior to submission of the thesis or project to the Graduate Division office and the Thesis Review Service. Consult Graduate Adviser to schedule dates/time/location.
8. File an Application for Graduation: Graduation is not 'automatic" upon completion of degree requirements. The appropriate fee must be paid to the Cashiers office and an application for graduation filed in the Graduate Division office by the designated deadline of the semester in which you expect to graduate. Consult the Class Schedule for the filing deadline. If you do not graduate in the semester for which you applied, you must reapply (and pay again) in the subsequent semester in which you expect to graduate.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
Please print out and complete the GA/TA application if you are interested in applying for an graduate assistantship or teaching associateship. Completed applications can be submitted through the departmental office or the Graduate Adviser.