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Prospective Students

Contents
Who is eligible to apply for the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program?
What should be included in my GIS Program of Study?
What are the application procedures for the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program?

Who is eligible to apply for the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program (GISP)?

The minimum requirements for acceptance to the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program, in addition to general University requirements for post-baccalaureate admission, are as follows:

1. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Upper division or graduate level preparatory course work, as it is required by each department, (upper division units are CSULB 300-400 level courses or their equivalent at another institution; graduate units are CSULB 500-600 units or their equivalents at another institution).
3. A grade point average in the last 60 units of upper division and/or graduate course work completed at an accredited college or university as required by the major department. And a 3.0 average in all prerequisite course work listed on the Prerequisite Check Sheet for the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program . Please note that lower division courses (CSULB 100-200 level courses or their equivalent at another institution) must be excluded from qualifying G.P.A. calculations.
4. No more than nine units of program course work completed at the time a student's program and attendant application materials are submitted to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program Director for approval.

What should be included in my GIS Program of Study?

Graduate programs may be composed of graduate level (500-600) and certain upper division (300-400) undergraduate level course work. Upper division course work suitable for inclusion in a graduate program will appear in the University Catalog with an asterisk before the course number.

The unique nature of an interdisciplinary program of study may require more than the minimum number of course units in order to assure its academic integrity. Programs of Study in Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies frequently total 36 or more units; it is helpful to use the unit requirement of the primary department as a guide in determining an appropriate number of units for a proposed program.

The GIS Program of Study should consist of no less than 30 units of graduate (500-600) and upper division undergraduate (300- 400) course work, including the following requirements:

1. No less than 60% of course work shall be at the 500-600 level. These must be done in residence at CSULB. Extension 500-600 level courses are not acceptable as part of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program.
2. The largest number of graduate units (~60%) shall be completed within a primary department. The primary department will be the degree-issuing department.
3. No more than three units of independent study in addition to Thesis in a minimum 30-unit program. Exceptions to this regulation are as follows:
   1. Up to six units of independent study in addition to Thesis may be permitted in a minimum 30 unit program when the projected studies are not to be taken in the same department; when the focus of each projected independent study is clearly distinct from the other (as evidenced on Independent Study Agreement Forms for each study to be submitted with all other application materials.)
   2. In excess of six units of independent study in addition to Thesis may be permitted in cases when an Interdisciplinary Studies graduate program exceeds the minimum 30 units; when the focus of each independent study is clearly distinct from any others (as evidenced on Independent Study Agreement Forms for each study to be submitted with all other application materials). Programs with more than six units of independent study may be referred to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program Advisory Board for approval and recommendation.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREES IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES: The requirements for the Master of Science degree in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program is essentially the same as those for the Master of Arts with the following exception: A Thesis in the primary department is normally required for the Master of Science degree in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program.

What are the application procedures for the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program?

1. Determine if you are eligible to apply to the Graduate ISP.
2. If you do meet the eligibility requirements to apply to the Graduate ISP, consult with the Director of the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program at least one month prior to the application deadline (of May 15th) about your proposed program of study. Admissions occur in the Fall semester only.
3. After receiving approval from the Director, complete the University application through CSU Mentor.
4. Apply to the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program by submitting the following materials to the Director of the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program:
   1. A Statement of Purpose (3-5 pages in length, typewritten, on 8 ½ x 11 paper with standard margins): This document should indicate which departments and/or programs are being combined, and why; it should provide an explanation for why a conventional degree is not being sought; and it should describe how completing the special Master's degree through ISP will assist you in your academic pursuits as well as in your career aspirations.
   2. The Prerequisite Check Sheet for the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program , as completed in consultation with the Graduate Advisors in the primary and secondary departments/programs of interest.
   3. The student's proposed GIS Program of Study for the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program, as completed in consultation with the Graduate Advisors in the primary and secondary departments/programs of interest.

Make sure to keep a copy of all of your application materials for your own records!

Application materials should be mailed to:
Dr. Cecile Lindsay
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies
California State University, Long Beach
Brotman Hall, Room 303
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, California 90840-0118

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