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Graduate Handbook
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN
FACULTY
AND GRADUATE STUDENTS*
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- One of the purposes of graduate education is to instill in each
student an understanding of and capacity for scholarship, independent
judgment, academic rigor, and intellectual honesty. It is the
joint responsibility of faculty and graduate students to work
together to foster these ends through relationships which encourage
freedom of inquiry, demonstrate personal and professional integrity,
and foster mutual respect.
Graduate student progress toward educational goals is directed
and evaluated by an advisor and a graduate committee. These individuals
provide the intellectual environment and guidance in support of
the scholarly and artistic activities of graduate students. The
advisor and graduate committee are also charged with the responsibility
of evaluating a graduate student's performance in research and
creative activities. The graduate student, the advisor, and the
graduate committee, then comprise a basic unit of graduate education.
It is the quality, breadth, and depth of interaction in this unit
that largely determines the outcome of the graduate experience.
High quality graduate education depends upon the professional
and ethical conduct of the participants. Faculty and graduate
students have complementary responsibilities in the maintenance
of academic standards and the creation of high quality graduate
programs. Excellence in graduate education is achieved when both
faculty and students are highly motivated, possess the academic
and professional backgrounds necessary to perform at the highest
level, and are sincere in their desire to see others succeed.
In academic units, faculty mentors support the academic promise
of graduate students in their program. In some cases, academic
advisors are assigned to entering graduate students to assist
them in academic advising and other matters. In other case, students
select faculty advisors in accordance with disciplinary interest
or research expertise. Advising is manifold in its scope and breadth
and may be accomplished in many ways.
A student's academic performance and a faculty member's scholarly
interests may coincide during the course of instruction and research.
As the faculty-graduate student relationship matures and intensifies,
direct collaborations may evolve which entail the sharing of authorship
or rights to intellectual property developed in research or other
creative or artistic activity. Such collaborations are encouraged
and are a desired outcome of the mentoring process. -
- *Adapted from Guidelines for Good Practice in
Graduate Education, University of Oregon.
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GRADUATE STUDENT'S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES*
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Each graduate student has a right to
· be respected as a junior colleague upon gaining admission
to a graduate program.
· be informed about opportunities and probability of financial
and resource support within his/her program.
· be informed about specific requirements for achieving
an advanced degree upon enrollment in the graduate program.
· have his/her progress toward an advanced degree evaluated
in an objective manner based on criteria understood by the graduate
advisor and student.
· receive regular feedback and guidance concerning his/her
academic performance.
· expect reasonable confidentiality in his/her communications
with professors.
· expect to perform work related to his/her academic or
professional development program.
· be a co-author in publications and conference presentations
involving significant contributions of student's ideas or research/creative
work.
· expect his/her department or graduate program to request
student input on issues affecting graduate students.
· expect due process when a problem arises using the Office
of the Ombudsman.
Each graduate student has a responsibility to
· conduct him/herself, in all educational activities, in
a mature, professional, and civil manner befitting an academic
colleague. The behavior should be a credit to him/herself, the
higher academic unit, and the university.
· devote appropriate time and energy toward achieving academic
excellence and earning the advanced degree, except when special
circumstances apply.
· take care to develop well-conceived research/creative
activities so they reflect favorably on the student, faculty mentor,
and the University.
· provide work to be evaluated by faculty in a timely and
professional manner (i.e., allow for reasonable time periods to
read and grade assignments, papers, and theses drafts).
· communicate regularly with faculty advisors on one's
progress in the graduate program.
· provide accurate and honest reporting of research data
and to uphold ethical norms in research methodology and scholarship.
· participate in and enrich the campus community to the
extent possible, i.e., academic development, social environment,
administration of the graduate program, student government, and/or
University.
· take the initiative in asking questions that promote
the understanding of academic requirements, policies, and financial
particulars of one's specific graduate program and to advance
the discipline.
· understand the faculty's role in the development of the
relationship between a faculty mentor and graduate student, i.e.,
awareness of time constraints and other demands on faculty and
staff, communicate regularly with faculty mentors and advisors
especially in matters related to research and progress within
the graduate program.
· uphold, at an appropriate level, the public service aspects
of the University.
· recognize that the faculty mentor provides the intellectual
and instructional environment for the graduate student to conduct
research/creative activities.
· maintain the confidentiality of faculty mentor's professional
activities and research/scholarship activities prior to presentation
and/or publication, in accordance with existing practices and
policies of the discipline.
· inquire at Office of Academic Programs (LIB E-113) when
referrals are needed.
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- *Adapted from Guidelines for Good Practice in
Graduate Education, University of Oregon and Graduate Student
Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, University of California,
Davis.
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Orientation for Graduate Students
A Graduate Student Orientation Program will be held on Saturday prior to the start of the Fall semester. Contact the Academic Projects Office at (562) 985-4546 for more information.
§ The Orientation Program serves to
• introduce you to faculty, staff, and prospective colleagues.
• provide you with information about the variety of University services available.
• explain the expectations and differences between graduate and baccalaureate education.
• provide an opportunity for asking general and specific questions.
Academic Advisement and Placement Examinations
§ Meet with your department’s/program’s graduate advisor:
• locate the telephone number of the Department offering your master’s degree program in the CSULB Catalog or on the Graduate Studies webpage.
• check with the department/program for the name, location, and telephone number of the Graduate Advisor and schedule an appointment as early as possible.
§ Check with the department/program graduate advisor for the following:
• detailed information about the department’s/program’s graduate degree;
• placement examination requirements (are they required and, if so, when are the(se) examinations offered);
• specific degree requirements;
• whether additional foundation courses are needed;
• advising for the first semester’s courses and enrolling in them (see Enrollment for Courses);
• information about thesis and comprehensive examination options and what each entails so you can make an informed decision. (When a master’s degree program offers a thesis option, ask the graduate advisor for a list of available areas of research interests/creative activities).
§ Review the list of potential faculty mentors, their specific areas of interest, and
• Make an appointment to meet with each faculty member who may share scholarly research/creative interests with you. (In some disciplines, graduate students need to identify their scholarly research/creative interests early. Determine when you need to identify your research/creative interest.)
• At the appointment:
¶ ask the faculty member to share with you his/her areas of scholarly/creative interest(s) and a brief description of the research currently in progress,
¶ share your areas of research interest with the faculty member and what experience(s) you have had in scholarly research/creative activity,
¶ inquire about the availability of space to work on the faculty member’s research/creative activity team and, if currently full, when openings might become available.
§ Check in periodically with the graduate advisor to learn about changes/pending changes in the graduate program.
§ Sign up for the next available Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) or approved alternative examination. Sign up for the WPE or an acceptable alternative at the Office for Testing and Evaluation Services (BH- 216). If you are exempt from this requirement because you received your baccalaureate recently from a CSU campus or performed satisfactorily on a CSULB-recognized examination for English proficiency, you do not need to take the WPE (Policy 99-14).
§ If you change your degree objective from one program/department to another, you are required to submit an application to the University and the new program/department. You may enroll for and earn only one master’s degree at a time.
Enrollment for Courses
§ After receiving academic advising from the Graduate Advisor,
• check the current University Catalog for published course prerequisite(s) to be sure you possess the appropriate preparation. (Please note: with approval, students are permitted to include in their approved graduate program no more than 6 units of acceptable course work completed at other institutions or through approved extension offerings.);
• check the Schedule of Classes to determine when and where each course will meet;
• write down the code number for each course in which you are to enrolled. This includes not only the lecture/seminar portion of the course but also the code number for the activity/discussion/laboratory portion of the course, if applicable;
• follow directions published in the Schedule of Classes for on-line registration to enroll for the semester’s courses. Be certain to check the accuracy of each course’s code number. A different code number will result in enrollment in a different course/section.
§ If you need to change course(s) or course section(s),
• during first two weeks of the semester, use on-line registration;
• during the third week of instruction, submit the Late Registration Request form with appropriate signatures;
• during the fourth week, a fee payment and in-person submission of the Late Registration Request Form with the specified signatures are required;
• after the fourth week of instruction, changes are normally not permitted. Please check Schedule of Classes for published dates and policy on late adds. § If you need to withdraw from a course,
• use on-line registration during the first two weeks of the semester (a “W” or Withdraw will not be recorded on your transcript);
• in or after the third week of instruction, withdraws will result in a “W” recorded on your transcript for the course and will require the Request to Withdraw From A Class form with signatures indicated, and a fee. (Note: requirements for course withdrawals differ according to the week of instruction in the semester. The University’s Calendar and Withdrawal Policy is published in the semester’s Schedule of Classes. Also, check with the department and college offering the course for their policies.).
Potential Sources of Financial Assistance for Graduate Studies
§ For assistantship positions in your Department/Program, check with the
• graduate advisor or Graduate Studies’ web page under Graduate Student Assistantships (GA) or Teaching Associateships (TA) positions available (Policy 96-21); (A Graduate Assistant is a graduate student who assists faculty in their preparation for course(s). A Teaching Associate is a graduate student who teaches a section of a course under the direction of a faculty member.)
• Department Office to determine if any Student Assistantship positions are available; (Student Assistants help the department in variety of capacities and are paid at an hourly rate.)
• Department Office to determine if they have any Work Study positions available. (Work Study students assist the department in a variety of capacities. Students apply through the Office of Financial Aid (562-985-4641) for eligibility.
These positions are paid at an hourly rate.)
§ For financial aid and/or scholarships, check
• the website (http://www.csumentor.edu) for general financial aid information, links to scholarship databases, and other valuable campus information;
• the Office of Postsecondary Education Home Page for information on Federal Aid Programs,Fast Web for Scholarships and Fin Aid for additional scholarship information;
• with the Office of Financial Aid (562-985-4641) or via internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov to obtain a FAFSA application to complete and submit to determine eligibility and availability of federal and/or state financial support;
• with the Office of Financial Aid for available scholarships and/or loans;
• the current year’s copy of The Graduate Fellowship and Assistantship Guide (The Office of Federal Programs of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, 1307 New York Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, D.C. 2005-4701) to determine other possible sources of support;
• the website (http://www.csulb.edu/projects/grad/financial.html) for regional, state, and federal scholarships and CSULB scholarships;
• with your Department Office to determine availability of scholarships for students majoring in your discipline;
• with your Department Office to determine if there are any fellowships/scholarships available from local, regional, and/or national professional societies;
• with your graduate advisor to determine if there are scholarships available to support some of your research costs.
§ For assistance to travel to professional meetings for presentations, check with
• your department chair or graduate advisor.
• your College’s Coordinator for Student Life and Development to determine if there are travel funds to support you to present your research/work at a professional conference.
Graduate Writing Assessment (GWAR) Requirement
§ Take the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) or its approved alternative. (The WPE is a 75-minute analytical essay exam on a general topic accessible to students from any discipline or major.)
• All first-semester graduate students must register for and take the WPE or its approved alternative. Registration packets are available at the Office of Testing and Evaluation Services (BH-216). Failure to do so prevents a student from being allowed to enroll for second semester classes.
• If your department has an approved alternative, your graduate advisor can give you the necessary information. University-wide approved equivalents to passing the WPE are a score of “4” or higher on the writing portion of the GRE or GMAT.
• Any student who graduated from CSULB or another CSU campus in recent years should already have satisfied this requirement.
• Students who need help preparing for the WPE may enroll in WPE 10 or WPE 20, courses that provide instruction and extensive practice for this test.
§ Students unsuccessful on the WPE need to take the following steps:
• meet with a GWAR/WPE Advisor at the Learning Assistance Center (Horn Center) for assessment of their writing skills and identification of resources most appropriate to their particular needs;
• follow GWAR Advisor guidance in preparing for a subsequent WPE attempt or recommended GWAR alternative;
• pass the WPE or another GWAR alternative in order to complete their graduate program.
§ The GWAR requirement must be satisfied before Advancement to Candidacy can occur.
Advancement to Candidacy
§ In order to be Advanced to Candidacy, you must have
• satisfactorily completed the Writing Proficiency Examination or its alternative.
• satisfactorily completed six or more semester units in residence and earned a 3.0 GPA or greater.
§ In the Comprehensive Examination Option, you will work with the Department’s graduate advisor to develop your proposed Graduate Program and Advancement to Candidacy.
§ In the Thesis/Project Option, you will meet with the Department’s graduate advisor to review your proposed Graduate Program (see Appendix B) formulated with assistance from your proposed Thesis Chair.
§ Your Proposed Graduate Program must include your signature and the signature of each member of your Thesis Committee, if appropriate; the Department Graduate Advisor; the Department Chair; and your College’s Associate Dean for Graduate Accountability.
§ Once your Graduate Program has been approved, changes in the Graduate Program require the same signatures as those appearing on the graduate program of record.
§ Once your Graduate Program has been approved, you will receive a letter from your College’s Associate Dean/Graduate Dean indicating the semester you were Advanced to Candidacy as well as the semester the master’s degree must be finished in order not to lose credit for courses completed earlier in your program.
§ Following approval of your Graduate Program, file the Request for Graduation form (see Appendix B) with the Office of Enrollment Services (BH-Ground Floor Courtyard) and pay the associated fee.
§ You must be Advanced to Candidacy before you can arrange to take the Comprehensive Examination or initiate research for the Thesis.
§ Policies and degree requirements (catalog rights) applicable to the candidate are those in effect at time you are Advanced to Candidacy (instead of time of admission).
§ You must be advanced to candidacy at least one semester prior to completion of your degree program.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement
§ Graduate students are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 both in their program and all other university coursework.
Credit/No Credit Grading
A graduate student may take courses at the 100/200/300/400 levels under the Credit/No Credit grading policy; however, no course in which a grade of “CR” has been assigned may be used to fulfill the requirements for a master’s degree, except that the grade of “CR” may be permitted for master’s theses or projects to a maximum of six units when the individual department has specifically designated Credit/No Credit grading for the thesis/project course in the department and for field work, practicum, and/or internship courses.
For graduate students, courses at the 300/400/500/600/700 levels require “B” level proficiency to merit award of the “CR” grade; at the 100/200 levels “C” level proficiency or better is required for award of the “CR” grade.
The option of Credit/No Credit grading for graduate students on 100/200/300/400-level courses is subject to specific regulations of the individual departments regarding their graduate students and regarding the authorization for this option intrinsic to the approved course. Otherwise, no limitation exists as to the number of courses taken under this policy.
§ Graduate students without a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 will be placed on probation, and must raise their cumulative GPA to at least 3.00 within the following two semesters, otherwise they will be disqualified from the graduate program and the university. The university does not have an undeclared status for graduate students.
§ Graduate students with less than a cumulative GPA of 3.00 may enroll in University College and Extension Services (UCES) for courses, but are subject to limitation of units transferable to a master’s degree program (Policy 92-10) if they apply to the university for reinstatement.
§ Graduate students do not qualify for the “repeat-delete” option. Graduate students cannot repeat courses either for credit or to improve their GPA. If required by the graduate program, however, graduate students can repeat a course to demonstrate competency in a subject, and both grades will be used in the computation of the cumulative GPA.
Grade Appeals
§ Students have the right formally to appeal only the final course grade. Information about grade appeals is available from your college dean’s office (Policy 94-07).
§ Grade appeals are limited to situations in which the student believes the course grade was “prejudicially,” “capriciously,” or “arbitrarily” assigned.
§The appeal must be initiated during the first regular semester following assignment of the course grade.
§ The appeal must first be directed to the course’s instructor, orally or in writing. If further action is necessary, the student should appeal, in writing. to the department chair. If the matter remains unresolved, the written appeal can be directed to the Grade Appeals Committee in the department (in which course was offered), the college, and, if needed, to the University Grade Appeals Committee.
Graduate Student Grievances
§ A graduate student may only file a grievance (Policy 95-06) on an alleged violation of specific University regulations, policies, or accepted principles of due process, and only if another specified remedy (such as the University Grade Appeals Policy in the case of all course grades) does not exist. The grievance may not be on basis of a graduate student’s judgment of an instructor’s or administrator’s competence; such judgements are solely the province of the academic department involved or of the administrator’s supervisor; and must be initiated within one calendar year of the alleged violation.
§ A copy of the Policies and Procedures for Resolving Graduate Student Grievances may be obtained from your college dean’s office.
Educational Leave
§ If it is necessary for you to take a leave from the University, it is strongly advised that you complete and file a Request for Educational Leave before leaving the University. This will exempt you from an application fee when you apply for readmission.
§ An educational leave will request your reason(s) for seeking the leave and an indication of when you expect to resume at CSULB.
§ The completed form must be approved by the program’s graduate advisor and filed with Office of Enrollment Services.
§ Upon returning after an approved one-semester educational leave you will not be required to submit an application form. If you are on leave longer than one semester you must apply for readmission to the University, but an application fee will not be required.
§ If you return from an absence without filing an approved educational leave, you must reapply for admission and pay the reapplication fee.
§ If you plan to enroll for credit at another university during the leave period, you must obtain prior approval from the your graduate advisor, the department chair, and the College Dean or designee for the course credit to apply to your graduate program.
Enrollment in Graduate Studies 700 (GS 700)
§ Students enroll in GS 700 only when they have been advanced to candidacy and have completed all coursework for their master’s degree program. (GS 700 maintains residency while students are preparing for their Comprehensive Exam or completing their Thesis/Project.) Graduate students must maintain continuous attendance by enrolling in a course or in GS 700 every semester, or by taking an Educational Leave.
§ Students must enroll in GS 700:
• each semester they utilize any of the University’s resources (including but not limited to faculty, staff, library, or other facilities/services).
• once each calendar year when they are not utilizing any of the University’s resources.
• the semester they are taking the comprehensive examination, submitting their thesis to the University’s Thesis Office, or graduating; and they are not enrolled in any other courses at the University.
Selecting the Comprehensive Examination or Thesis/Project Option in a Master’s Degree Program
§ Students who have not been advanced to candidacy cannot take the Comprehensive Examination or initiate their research for their Thesis/Project.
§ Some master’s degree programs offer two options, a comprehensive examination option and a thesis or project option. If both options are available, you must select one of the two options. Discuss the options with your graduate advisor and select the option you believe would be more appropriate for you.
§ Option: Comprehensive examination—this is a final examination whose content is determined by the department or college. (See the section, The Comprehensive Examination for additional information.)
• a faculty committee will coordinate the department’s preparation of questions, administration, and grading of the examination.
• the comprehensive examination provides an opportunity for the master’s degree candidate to demonstrate analytic ability and knowledge of the discipline.
§ Option: Thesis/Project—this is a written product of the systematic study of a significant problem. (See the section, The Thesis/Project Report for additional information.)
• the thesis or project clearly identifies the problem, states the major assumptions, explains the significance of the undertaking, sets forth the sources for and methods of gathering information, analyzes the data, and offers a conclusion or recommendation.
• the finished product evidences originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation.
• normally, an oral defense of the thesis is required.
The Comprehensive Examination
§ Students selecting the Comprehensive Examination option will work principally with the Graduate Advisor to
• discuss the coursework needed to prepare for the comprehensive examination.
• learn when the comprehensive examination is usually administered and the deadline to sign up.
• get permission to take the examination.
§ At the start of the appropriate semester, make sure your enrollment at the university is current and then sign up with your department/program as soon as possible to take the examination.
§ You are permitted a maximum total of two opportunities to satisfactorily complete the comprehensive examination. An unsatisfactory performance on the second attempt will result in dismissal from your graduate program.
The Thesis/Project Report
§ Students selecting the Thesis/Project option (Policy 95-07) will work principally with the thesis chair or advisor.
• the thesis chair is a tenured/tenure-track faculty member in the department/program offering master’s degree program. This individual will:
§ assist you to formulate your graduate research project, your thesis committee membership, and your research proposal describing your anticipated overall research plan, methodology to be employed, and analysis of the results. You will then distribute the proposal to all members of your thesis committee to read and provide suggestions.
§ if appropriate to your research, guide your completion of applications for approval of protocol(s) to
• the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for Protection of Human Subjects, if there is involvement of human subjects in your proposed research. You will contact the Office of University Research (FND-310) for the appropriate applications.
• the University’s Animal Welfare Board (UAWB), if there is involvement of animals in your proposed research (FND-310).
§ guide your thesis research. Other committee members will provide expertise and advice on different aspects of your research.
§ review the first draft of your thesis.
§ canvas members of your thesis committee for final grade for completed thesis.
• in some instances, a thesis advisor (an individual with a required expertise for your research, but not a tenured/tenure-track faculty member in your degree granting department) will guide you in your research and be a member of your thesis committee.
Selecting a Faculty Mentor for Thesis/Project Report
§ Make an appointment with your Department’s graduate advisor to learn more about the faculty and their research/scholarly activities. Inquire how your department selects a thesis committee and thesis chair.
§ If your program/department has the option of the graduate student proposing the name of his/her thesis chair and committee members, you should select two or three faculty members whose research/scholarly activities are of greatest interest to you and make appointments to meet with each of them to
• learn more about what their areas of study include;
• assess how effectively you communicate with each faculty member;
• review your notes of meetings held with each faculty member and place in rank order the individuals you would want to serve as chair of your prospective thesis committee.
§ Make a second appointment with the faculty member who is your first choice.
§ Determine if the faculty member is willing/has space for you to join their research/creative team and is available to serve as chair of your thesis committee.
§ Repeat this process for each name on your prioritized list until you are successful.
§ When a faculty member has agreed to serve as your thesis research/creative activity mentor/advisor, ask the person for a reading list so you will be able to learn more about the study/work being pursued.
§ You may wish to make another appointment with the faculty member after completing your readings/inquiry into proposed study/work,
§ After you have satisfactorily completed six semester units in residence, you may work with the Department’s graduate advisor or prospective Thesis Chair to initiate the Advancement to Candidacy process.
Writing the Thesis/Project Report
§ A semester prior to initiating writing of thesis, attend Thesis/Project Report Workshops offered by the University’s Thesis Office. The Thesis Office is located in University Library, W-104. Check the CSULB Graduate Studies’ web page for business hours.
§ University Bookstore’s Copy Center has copies of the University’s Style and Format Manual for Theses and Project Reports available for purchase and on-line. The Manual contains all the University’s formatting requirements. Also, check with Departmental graduate advisor to determine if there are additional requirements for your program’s theses/project reports.
§ The Thesis Chair/Advisor is usually the individual to review the first draft of your thesis/project report. Some thesis chairs/advisors will review each individually completed section of the thesis/project report; others will want the entire thesis/project report before initiating review of the manuscript. You need to work with your thesis chair/advisor on the review process to be employed.
§ Remember faculty are not expected to be available during academic recesses or the summer. Candidates need to plan accordingly and check on availability of Committee members.
§ Once the thesis/project report has received approval for reproduction, you need to determine who is to review the thesis in its entirety before submission to the University’s Thesis Office. Note submission deadline for each term/semester. Theses/project reports are not accepted after the published submission deadline.
§ Candidates need to allow four to six weeks following submission before review of thesis/project report may be completed. Theses and project reports are reviewed in the order received by the Thesis Office. Those received closer to the published submission deadline will likely require the full period before completion of review.
§ Candidates wishing to obtain a copyright for their thesis/project report must file the required form included in the Manual and enclose the associated fee to the University Thesis Office at the time thesis/project report is submitted.
§ Candidates need to complete the Bell and Howell Education Institute’s agreement for duplication of the thesis/project report. The binding fee is paid at the Campus Copy Center in the University Bookstore and receipt(s) brought to the University Thesis Office.
§ Candidates need to indicate the number of copies of the thesis/project report to be bound and amount paid. These fees are paid at the Campus Copy Center in the University Bookstore and the receipts are brought to the University Thesis Office.
§ Names on the thesis/project report’s Signature page need to be the formal names of each committee member as well as the individual accepting thesis/project report on behalf of the University. Check in the University Style and Format Guidelines for Master’s Theses and Project Reports.
Presentation of the Thesis Research
§ On occasion, graduate students have opportunities to present their research before professional societies. This involves working with your thesis advisor/director to compose an abstract for submission to the society for review and consideration for inclusion on the society’s program/symposium/conference or in a publication.
§ Presentation before a professional society—
• Presentation before the professional society may be in one of the these three formats: a poster session, exhibition, and/or oral presentation. Check with your thesis chair/advisor to determine and develop content and format of presentation.
• When you receive notification of your presentation being accepted for presentation, check with your department chair, graduate advisor, thesis chair/advisor, student service director/coordinator, college office, and professional society for availability of travel funds to support travel and conference expenses.
• If you are being supported partially/in total on your travel, please see your Department to complete and file an Authorization for Travel form with your department office.
• Upon return, bring receipts for air travel/mileage, limousine/taxi fare, conference registration fee, and paid lodging statement to enclose with your Expense Report which must be filed within 10 days after completion of travel.
§ Preparation of an article for publication—
• Advanced students may submit their findings as an article to an appropriate professional publication.
§ Work with your thesis chair/advisor to map out the information to be included in proposed publication.
§ Utilize instructions for format, style, and citations indicated by the publication to prepare draft of proposed publication for review by your thesis chair/advisor.
§ Review and incorporate suggestions made by thesis chair/advisor.
§ After incorporating revisions, review manuscript to determine its readiness for submission to editor of chosen publication.
Requesting Transcripts
§ Students requesting copies of transcripts must complete a request at the Office of Enrollment Services and include the complete mailing address of the recipient.
§ A fee is required for this service. Expedited requests are also available.
Commencement
§ Honors and recognitions
• Each year, colleges nominate the top 1% of their graduate students to be recognized on the Graduate Dean’s List of Distinguished Scholars and Artists.
• Some colleges also select an Outstanding Thesis/Project Report.
• Some colleges also select an Outstanding Graduate.
• Some departments confer a limited number of Departmental Honors.
§ Attending Commencement
• The names of each master’s degree recipient is announced as the graduate walks across the platform.
• The colleges hood their master’s degree recipients. In some instances, the graduate’s thesis advisor/chair will hood candidates as part of the commencement ceremonies.
After Commencement
§ Employment Opportunities
• Discuss your career plans with members of your Thesis Committee and/or Graduate Advisor. They may be able to provide some leads for you to explore.
• Explore opportunities that may be available to you at the Career Development Center. You should sign up at the Center for career information as well as interviews being conducted by many companies.
§ Doctoral Programs
• Discuss your career plans with members of your Thesis Committee and/or Graduate Advisor. They may be able to provide some leads for you to explore.
• Review leads from conferences you have attended or where you have made presentations.
• Review the literature employed in your master’s research to identify individuals whose research interests appeal to you. You may wish to make contact with these individuals and inquire about positions available for doctoral students.
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A - LISTING OF CSULB EDUCATIONAL POLICIES
A copy of the following policies is available in Department
Offices or in the Office of the Academic Senate (LIBE-112).
Policy Title
80-05 Minimum Admissions Criteria for Credential Programs
85-05 Revised Deadline for Adding Classes
84-06 Educational Leave
85-08 Certificate Programs
85-18 Master's Degree Course Levels
85-19 Cheating and Plagiarism
86-03 Policy and Procedures for Safety Instruction Verification
and Agreement
91-08 Repetition of Courses for Satisfactory Grade (Repeat and
Delete)
92-10 Graduate Transfer Units by Extension
93-06 Policy on Conducting Oral Interviews to Verify Baccalaureate-Level
Command of Spoken English for Candidates for Teaching Credentials
94-06 Policy on Content of Independent Studies Courses
95-06 Policies and Procedures for Resolving Graduate Student Grievances
95-07 Definition and Regulations for Graduate Theses and Projects
95-12 Post-Baccalaureate Credit for Credential Candidates
96-00 General Education and Graduate Credit
96-11 Grades and Grading Procedures
96-18 Access to and Use of CSULB Computing Resources
96-21 Employment of Graduate Students as Student Assistants, Graduate
Assistants, and Teaching Associates
98-09 Discrimination, Including Sexual Harassment, Policy and
Complaint Resolution Procedures
99-14 Writing Proficiency of Master's and Doctoral Candidates
99-16 Grade Appeal Procedures
99-19 Grades and Grading Procedures
Enrolling in/Withdrawing from Classes During Third/Fourth
Week of Instruction
Name of Form: Late Registration Request
Available in: Office of Enrollment Services
Approval Required: Signature of instructor and department chair
Withdrawing from Classes After Fourth Week of Instruction
Name of Form: Request to Withdraw from a Class
Request for Consideration After Deadline
Available in: Office of Enrollment Services
Approval Required: Signature of instructor and department chair;
after eleventh week of instruction also the college's associate
dean/dean.
Request for Consideration After Deadline
Name of Form: Request for Consideration after Deadline
Available in: Office of Enrollment Services
Approval Required: Office of Enrollment Services
Enrolling for Extra Units - needs to be filed before enrolling
for extra units
Name of Form: Petition for Extra Units
Available in: Office of your College Dean
Approval Required: Signature of your program's graduate advisor
and department chair.
Credit by Examination
Name of Form: Petition to Establish Credit by Examination for
Unit Credit
Available in: Office of Enrollment Services
Approval Required: Signature of department chair administering
the examination; followed by faculty member who administered the
examination.
Applications for Approval of Proposed Protocols Involving Human
Subjects
Name of Form: Application for Approval of Protocol Involving Human
Subjects
Available in: Office of University Research
Approval Required: Signatures of Thesis Chair and Institutional
Review Board (IRB) for Involvement of Human Subjects. (Note: review
and approvals must be completed prior to use of protocol).
Petition to Earn Credit toward a Graduate Degree or Graduate
Certificate in the Senior Year
Name of Form: Same as above
Available in: Office of Enrollment Services or on-line
Approval Required: Signature of Graduate Advisor and Department
Chair
APPENDIX C - LOCATION AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF
CSULB SERVICES/OFFICES
| CSULB
Service/Office |
Location |
Telephone
# (562) 98- |
| Academic
Computing Services |
North Campus Center |
5-4505 |
| Admission/Registration/Records |
BH-123 |
5-5471 |
| Associated
Student, Inc. |
USU-220 |
5-5241 |
| Bookstore |
BKS |
5-5093 |
| Campus
Copy Center |
BKS |
5-5050 |
| Career
Development Center |
BH-250 |
5-4151 |
| Carpenter
Performing Arts Center |
CPAC-A135 |
5-4274 |
| Cashier's
Office |
BH-148 |
5-1752 |
|
Center for International Education |
BH-201 |
5-4106 |
| Child
Development Center (Patterson) |
IPCDC |
5-5333 |
| College
Offices |
|
|
| Arts |
LIB E-115 |
5-4364 |
| Business
Administration |
CBA-200 |
5-5306 |
| Education |
ED1-005 |
5-1609 |
| Engineering |
ECS-610 |
5-5121 |
| Health
and Human Services |
ET-200 |
5-4194 |
| Liberal
Arts |
MHB-214 |
5-5381 |
| Natural
Sciences and Mathematics |
FO5-104 |
5-4707 |
| Community
Service Learning Center |
LIB W-510A |
5-7131 |
| Counseling
and Psychological Services |
BH-226 |
5-4001 |
| Credential
Processing Center |
ED1-042 |
5-4109 |
| Disabled
Student Services |
BH-270 |
5-5401 |
| Division
Offices |
|
|
| Academic
Affairs |
BH-303 |
5-4128 |
| Administration
and Finance |
BH-320 |
5-5578 |
| Student
Services |
BH-377 |
5-5587 |
| University
Relations and Development |
BH-387 |
5-5197 |
| Educational
Career Services |
ED1-67 |
5-5772 |
| Enrollment
Services |
BH-123 |
5-5471 |
| Equity
and Diversity/Affirmative Action |
BH-238 |
5-8256 |
| Escort
Service |
PK Office |
5-4146 |
| Financial
Aid |
BH-123 |
5-4641 |
| Graduate
Information (General) |
LIB E-113 |
5-4546 |
| Housing
and Residential Life |
Earl Warren Dr. |
5-4187 |
| Installments/Short
Term Loans |
BH-173 |
5-8280 |
| Library |
LIB W-402 |
5-4047 |
| Lost
and Found |
REC WHSE |
5-1579 |
| Multicultural
Center |
FO3-003 |
5-8150 |
| Office
of University Research |
FND-310 |
5-5314 |
| Parking
& Transportation Services |
PK Office |
5-4146 |
| Sports
Athletics & Recreation |
SAR Trailer |
5-4655 |
| Student
Health Center |
HS |
5-4771 |
| Student
Life and Development |
USU-206 |
5-4181 |
| Student
Transition and Retention Services |
FND-160 |
5-5515 |
| Testing
and Evaluation Services |
BH-216 |
5-4006 |
| Thesis
Review Office |
LIB W-104 |
5-4013 |
| University
College and Extension Services |
FND-104 |
5-5561 |
| University
Police |
UP/FM |
5-4101 |
| Veterans
Services |
BH-226 |
5-5436 |
|
