Advancement to candidacy is the next step after achieving classified status and confers the equivalent of catalog rights on graduate students. Advancement to candidacy also signifies approval of a plan of study by the student's major department and college or, in the case of an Interdisciplinary Studies graduate student, approval by the Director of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies or designee. The prerequisites to advancement to candidacy are:
1. Classified status;
2. Fulfillment of the CSULB Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). Information is available in Testing and Evaluation Services (Brotman Hall 216);
3. A minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and a 3.0 grade-point average in all units undertaken for the student program (at least 6 units);
4. Enrollment.
All graduate students are required to advance to candidacy when the above prerequisites have been successfully completed. Advancement to candidacy is to occur at least one semester or summer session prior to the semester (session) in which the student expects to graduate. It must occur prior to a student filing the Request to Graduate form with the Office of Enrollment Services. Filing deadlines are the same as for baccalaureate degree candidates. A student must be enrolled in the semester or summer session in which advancement to candidacy takes place. All students must consult with their graduate advisor regarding advancement to candidacy as well as to determine any departmental requirements to graduate from the University.
An approved graduate student program remains in effect as long as a candidate is making satisfactory progress. To insure minimum satisfactory progress toward the degree objective, the student must enroll every fall and spring semester and complete all degree requirements within seven years after completion of the first course on the student program. See also information about Graduate Studies 700 later in this section. The student may not change the graduate major without filing a new application for admission. If admitted to the new discipline, the student must then follow the steps indicated above for obtaining approval of a new student program and advancement to candidacy.
A student entering military service after having been advanced to candidacy will not be considered as having withdrawn from candidacy, provided that the student is inducted, enlisted, or called to active duty during a semester in which enrolled or not more than one semester thereafter, and provided that the student enrolls for work toward a degree within one calendar year of the date of release from service.
Students who have been advanced to candidacy and absent themselves from the University on educational leave will be considered as not having withdrawn from candidacy for an advanced degree, provided the terms of the educational leave are fulfilled. Such students must reapply when returning to the university, but the application fee will be waived.
A department or college recommends a student for advancement to candidacy by forwarding a graduate student program for approval to the college dean or director of graduate studies or the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies or his/her designee. After the student's program has been processed and approved, a copy of the completed student program and a letter advancing the student to candidacy will be mailed to the candidate, with copies filed with the department or college and the Office of Enrollment Services.
A student must be enrolled in the semester or summer session in which advancement to candidacy takes place, and this must occur no later than one semester or summer session prior to completion of course requirements. Normally, a student is eligible and should file for advancement to candidacy after completing six units of graduate coursework for the graduate degree program with a 3.0 grade-point average.
During the first semester of residence, the graduate student should ascertain from the faculty advisor what preparation will be expected. Early in the final semester of study for the degree, the candidate should contact the departmental graduate advisor to make arrangements for taking the examination. The department or college will notify the Office of Enrollment Services whether the student has passed or failed the final comprehensive examination. A candidate who has failed will usually be allowed to take the final comprehensive examination a second time, and the departmental graduate advisor should be contacted for specific procedures for the second attempt. To award a candidate the master's degree for a particular semester, the results of the comprehensive examination must be reported to the Office of Enrollment Services prior to the end of the semester.
