ENROLLMENT
University policy requires that graduate students be continuously enrolled at the university
- while completing a grade of “RP” (formerly “SP”) or “I” in any course, most commonly the master’s thesis or project,
- while preparing to take a comprehensive examination, and
- during the semester in which they file an application for the degree to be granted.
Catalog Year
Master's degree requirements usually are based on the published requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of the student's advancement to candidacy. In certain circumstances, catalog requirements published in the year when the individual student was fully admitted to the program may apply.
Continuous Enrollment
All master’s degree students must maintain continuous enrollment from their initial point of enrollment in their graduate program. A full course load is encouraged in order to facilitate a timely completion of the degree.
Initial enrollment for Project 298 and Thesis 299 occurs in the departmental office. During the time that students are working toward completion of their culminating experience, when and if they have enrolled in all course units, they are expected to maintain enrollment by enrolling in zero units. Registration procedures for zero-unit enrollment are as follows:
Enrollment in Zero Units through Division of Continuing and Global Education (CGE)
(GS Continuation):Students who choose Graduate Studies (GS) Continuation through the Division of Continuing and Global Education (CGE) should go to the Division of Graduate Studies, Thomas Administration Building, Room 132, by the second week of the semester or third week of the summer term to have their eligibility verified (“Petition of Advancement to Candidacy” and “Master’s Thesis (299) Committee Assignment” [for thesis students] forms on file). After having the appropriate paperwork (The "Graduate Studies Continuous Enrollment Non-Credit Registration Form," also available online) approved by the DGS, students go to the Division of Continuing and Global Education (CGE), Education Building, Room 130, and pay the registration fee of $227.00 (Note: The fee will be increased to $350.00 in Summer 2010).
Enrollment in Zero Units through University Enrollment
(GS 299C):Students enrolling in GS 299C should follow the instructions for registration in the Class Schedule. These students must also go to the Division of Graduate Studies to obtain the class and permission numbers and have their eligibility verified prior to their assigned registration date and time. International Student Services and Programs has indicated that international students may fulfill the continuous enrollment requirement only through GS 299C.
CAMPUS DEFINITION OF FULL-TIME STUDENT STATUS
The university defines full-time study as 12 units, however, while undergraduate course units are counted at face value, graduate course units (those numbered in the 200 series) are weighted at 1.5 units per each course unit. Therefore, 8 units of 200 level courses constitute an equivalent full-time study load of 12 units.
Upon the recommendation of the student’s advisor and with an evaluation by the course instructor, the graduate dean may certify the following as meeting the full-time requirement with a study load of less that 12 weighted units: Thesis 299, Project 298, and the Comprehensive Examination and Graduate studies Continuation. In such instances, an evaluation will be required to demonstrate that the hours of study equate to full time study.
Full time VS. part-time status
For the purpose of reporting enrollment for graduate students, regardless of status:
- Part-time less than 9 units
- Full-time 9 or more units
For the purpose of financial aid (loans, etc.):
- Part-time:
3/4 time 9-11 1/2 equivalent units
1/2 time 6-8 1/2 equivalent units- Full-time
8 units of 200-level courses; or
12 equivalent units from combined 200 and 100 level
Note: “Equivalent units” are calculated at 1.5 units for each 200-level unit, and at face value for each 100-level unit.Students enrolled in zero units (GS Continuation or GS 299C) may need to verify their possible qualification for full- or part-time status. Coordinators should direct such students to the DGS Office, where appropriate paperwork is available. (See “Zero Units Verification Request”)
Requirement for Full-Time Enrollment International Students
The United States Office of Homeland Security (OHS) requires international students on non-immigrant F-1 and J-1 visas to pursue full-time study in a specific program for each semester of enrollment. Full-time study includes 12 weighted academic units of approved prerequisite, corequisite, or graduate program courses (Note: Graduate 200-series courses have weighting factor of 1.5 per course unit.)
- Using the definitions for full-time student status, international graduate students are advised to work closely with their faculty advisor to plan a program of full-time study for each semester of enrollment.
- Graduate program coordinators should not admit international students to their programs in those instances where a sufficient number of courses are not expected to be available during each semester of enrollment in the program.
Planned Educational Leave Requests
Students wishing to temporarily suspend their formal studies in order to pursue other activities that will help clarify and contribute to their educational goals may request a planned leave from the Dean of Graduate Studies.
- Students must submit a “Planned Educational Leave” request form
to the Division of Graduate Studies for approval. (Forms are available from Joyal Administration Building, Room 106, or the Division of Graduate Studies.)- Planned educational leaves of absence do not change the existing five-year time limit for completion of the degree.
Time to Degree
A time limit of five years from the oldest course listed on the student’s approved “Petition of Advancement to Candidacy” form is allowed for completion of the master’s degree. A limited number of outdated courses (older than five years) may be validated. (See the Course Validation form.)
In rare circumstances only, extensions beyond the five-year limit (no more than two additional years) may be granted, per Title 5, California State Education Code. Contact the graduate dean.
EXTENSION ENROLLMENT
On rare occasions, the master’s degree student may use a limited number of extension courses toward the degree. Conditions for enrollment include:
- Students must have special permission from the graduate coordinator;
- the purpose of enrollment may not be to bypass the university fee structure;
- a maximum of 9 units, including any other transfer work, may be used on a 30-unit program, and
- 300-level courses may not be used to satisfy requirements toward the master’s degree.
SUMMER ENROLLMENT
Students applying for the degree to be granted in the summer term must be enrolled.