Graduate Division

Graduate Concentrations

Credentials Offered

Graduate Certificate Programs (nondegree)

Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate Teaching Associates

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Scholarships and Awards

Fellowships

Financial Aid

Graduate Study in the Summer Sessions

Graduate Study for Foreign Students

Veterans and Graduate Study

Students who need specific information or assistance are invited to visit the Graduate Division, which is located in Room 220 of the Administration Building or in Room 3320 of Centennial Hall, or telephone (619) 594-5213. Students may also find considerable information on the University website: http://www.sdsu.edu.

The Graduate Division is composed of all departments and academic units of the University that offer graduate study and programs leading to advanced degrees. The Graduate Council is delegated University-wide jurisdiction over all matters relating to graduate studies, subject only to the right of review by the Senate. The Council's responsibility is broad and includes, but is not limited to, the development of University-wide policy on graduate programs, graduate student affairs, graduate research and scholarship, and the participation of faculty in graduate programs.

The Graduate Dean is the chief administrative officer of the Graduate Division and is assisted by two associate deans and an assistant dean. The Graduate Dean takes general responsibility for the development, improvement, and administration of all postbaccalaureate and graduate study at the University, as well as for the research activities of faculty and graduate students.

Graduate study is highly exacting and requires intense study and scholarship and not merely the completion of a prescribed set of courses. Further, thesis and dissertation research requires the development of intellectual skills and the demonstration of creativity that can only be achieved through dedicated and persistent scholarship. The University has the necessary faculty and facilities to offer such opportunities in over 50 different areas of knowledge.

Authorized Graduate Degrees

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

MASTER OF ARTS

The Master of Arts degree is offered in the following fields:

MASTER OF SCIENCE

The Master of Science degree is offered in the following fields:

MASTER DEGREES

Master of Business Administration

Master of City Planning

Master of Fine Arts in Art

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Master of Fine Arts in Drama

Master of Music

Master of Public Administration

Master of Public Health

Master of Social Work

CONCURRENT DEGREES

Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Latin American Studies

Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work

Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor

COOPERATIVE DEGREE PROGRAM

Master of Science in Geological Sciences and Doctor of Science in Earth Sciences

Graduate Concentrations

A concentration is defined as an aggregate of courses within a degree major designed to give a student specialized knowledge, competence, or skill. Completion of a concentration is noted on the student's transcript.

Art (MA)

Concentrations:

studio arts

art history

Biology (MA or MS)

Concentrations:

entrepreneurship

ecology

molecular biology

physiology

plant sciences

systematics and evolutionary biology

Business Administration (MS)

Concentrations:

finance

financial and tax planning

human resource management

information systems

international business

management

marketing

production and operations management

real estate

taxation

total quality management

Communicative Disorders (MA)

Concentrations:

speech-language pathology

audiology

education of the deaf

communicative sciences

Drama (MFA)

Concentrations:

acting

design and technical theatre

musical theatre

Education (MA)

Concentrations:

counseling

educational leadership

educational research

educational technology

elementary curriculum and instruction

policy studies in language and cross-cultural education

reading education

secondary curriculum and instruction

special education

Geography (MA)

Concentrations:

resources and environmental quality

transportation

Nursing (MS)

Concentrations:

advanced practice nursing of adults and the elderly

community health nursing

nursing systems administration

Psychology (MS)

Concentrations:

applied psychology

clinical psychology (included within the Ph.D. program; not available separately)

Public Administration (MPA)

Concentrations:

city planning

criminal justice administration

public telecommunications

administration

Public Health

Concentrations (MPH):

biometry

environmental health

epidemiology

health promotion

health services administration

maternal and child health

occupational health

Concentrations (MS):

environmental health science

industrial hygiene

toxicology

Statistics (MS)

Concentration:

biostatistics

Credentials Offered

Teaching Credentials

Adapted physical education

Multiple subject

Multiple subject cross-cultural language and academic

development (CLAD) emphasis

Multiple subject bilingual cross-cultural

language and academic development (B/CLAD)

emphasis: Spanish

Single subject

Single subject cross-cultural language and academic

development (CLAD) emphasis

Single subject bilingual cross-cultural language and academic

development (B/CLAD) emphasis: Spanish

Specialist Credentials

Bilingual/cross-cultural

Reading/language arts

Resource specialist certificate of competence

Special education:

Communication handicapped

Gifted

Learning handicapped

Physically handicapped

Severely handicapped

Service Credentials

Administrative

Clinical or rehabilitative

Health (school nurse)

Pupil personnel:

school counseling

school psychology

school social work

Graduate Certificate Programs (nondegree)

Certificate in applied linguistics and English as a second language (ESL)

Certificate in bilingual (Spanish) special education

Certificate in early intervention

Certificate in exercise leadership

Certificate in instructional software design

Certificate in instructional technology

Certificate in cross-cultural language and academic -development (CLAD)

Certificate in preventive medicine residency

Certificate in professional services bilingual/multicultural

Certificate in rehabilitation administration

Certificate in supported employment and transition specialist

Certificate in teaching the emotionally disturbed/behaviorally disordered

Certificate in workforce education and lifelong learning

Graduate Certificate Programs

The advanced certificate at the postbaccalaureate entry level provides a program of coursework leading to a specific applied goal. The general educational background of a bachelor's degree with a major in the appropriate field(s) of study is prerequisite to such a certificate.

The advanced certificate at the postmaster's entry level also provides a program of coursework and supplemental practical experience leading to a specific applied goal. The theoretical and methodological subject matter obtained from the master's or doctoral degree is prerequisite to such a certificate. A certificate at this level is an endorsement of the specialized competence beyond that obtained in the student's graduate degree program.

Graduate Teaching Associates

Graduate teaching associates may be obtained by qualified graduate students pursuing a master's degree in the areas of anthropology, art, astronomy, biological sciences, business administration, chemistry, child and family development, communication, communicative disorders, drama, economics, educational technology, engineering, English, exercise and nutritional sciences, French, geography, geological sciences, linguistics, mathematical sciences, microbiology, music, physics, psychology, sociology, Spanish, and television, film, and new media production. In addition, all doctoral programs offer such appointments.

Qualifications for appointment include admission to San Diego State University with classified or conditionally classified graduate standing for the purpose of obtaining an advanced degree. Appointment is for a period of either one semester or the academic year. Reappointment following an appointment of one semester or one academic year is dependent upon satisfactory performance in graduate studies, as prescribed by the Graduate Division, departmental need for the continued service in the department, and upon satisfactory teaching performance.

The combined teaching assignment and coursework permitted during one semester is 15 units unless an excess of this amount is authorized by the Graduate Dean.

Information concerning an appointment as a graduate teaching associate may be obtained from the head of the department, school, or college in which the applicant wishes to obtain the advanced degree. A Handbook for Graduate Assistants and Graduate Teaching Associates is published by the Graduate Division.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships not involving teaching duties and permitting up to 20 hours of service per week for full-time appointment are available in most of the departments and schools. Applicants for graduate assistantships must be admitted to San Diego State University with classified or conditionally classified graduate standing, and enroll in and complete each semester at least six units of coursework listed on the official program of study.

Appointment to a graduate assistantship is for a period of either one semester or the academic year. Reappointment or continuation of an appointment is dependent upon satisfactory performance in graduate studies, as prescribed by the Graduate Division, satisfactory completion of assigned duties, and upon departmental need for the continued service in the department.

Information concerning an appointment as a graduate assistant may be obtained from the head of the department, school, or college in which the applicant wishes to obtain the advanced degree.

Graduate Scholarships and Awards

A scholarship is a monetary award given to outstanding students in recognition of their academic excellence, leadership, achievements, and promise. They are provided by private donors, corporations, professional associations, and alumni.

Students apply on their own initiative. Occasionally, scholarships with requirements and deadlines other than those established for the general University scholarship program are designated for specific majors. Eligible students will be notified through a faculty announcement or, if time permits, by the Scholarship Office through the mail.

Competition is based on outstanding academic achievement, campus and extracurricular activities, employment, and an essay. Graduate and postbaccalaureate students must have a 3.50 overall graduate GPA for work completed after the bachelor's degree or in the absence of completed postbaccalaureate units, a 3.50 overall undergraduate GPA or a 3.70 in the last 30 units of university work.

Applications for the SDSU scholarship program are available in the Scholarship Office and all department secretaries. You may also write or call the SDSU Scholarship Office, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-7438, (619) 594-6180. Please indicate that you are a graduate student.

Applications are available each year during one application period November through early-February. The SDSU scholarship application must be filed or postmarked not later than the established early-February deadline. Students need to submit only one application for the general SDSU scholarship program. Individual results will be mailed to all applicants during June for the following academic year.

The average SDSU scholarship award is $500-$750. There is no limit to the number of scholarships for which a student may be considered.

In addition to SDSU scholarships, the Marshall, Fulbright, Rhodes, and Rotary scholarships are prestigious international scholarships that are given annually to students pursuing educational goals outside the United States. Eligibility standards for these scholarships are closely related to those established for the SDSU scholarship program, but application forms and deadlines are separate from the program. Students may seek advisement regarding application at the SDSU Scholarship Office during the spring semester.

Fellowships

The San Diego State University Scholarship Office receives the annual announcements on the Fulbright, Marshall, Kent, Rotary and other similar fellowship programs. Since limitations are placed on each college and university as to the number of applications it may endorse, students interested in fellowships of this type are encouraged to discuss their applications with the Scholarship Director and members of the University faculty who have themselves in the past received these fellowships. Since scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Test are required in applying for most fellowships, students should take this examination no later than the early fall of their senior year. The examination may be scheduled through the University Test Office.

Graduate Equity Fellowship Program

California residents who are members of underrepresented groups at the graduate level (ethnic minority, female, disabled) may apply for this grant administered through the Graduate Division. Applicants must file an Application for Federal Student Aid, at the Financial Aid office, by the stated deadline (see below, "Applying for Aid"). They must also file an application for the Graduate Equity Fellowship in the Graduate Division by early June for the annual award that begins with the fall semester.

California State Graduate Fellowship Program

California residents may apply for grants administered by the California Student Aid Commission, 1410 Fifth Street, Sacramento, California, 95814. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office during the annual application period (December to early February).

Financial Aid

Student financial aid programs are intended to provide assistance to students who do not have the necessary financial resources to meet educational costs. Most students quality for some type of assistance. For scholarships recognizing academic excellence and not generally based on financial need, refer to the section on Graduate Scholarships and Awards. Only United States citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for financial aid.

Information about all state, federal, and institutional aid programs is available from the Financial Aid Office, Student Services Building, Room 3605, (619) 594-6323. A financial aid brochure which describes the programs available, the eligibility requirements, rights and responsibilities of receiving aid, and the standards a student must maintain to be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress to establish and maintain eligibility for financial aid is available from the Financial Aid Office. Information is also available on the World Wide Web (Internet): http://www.sdsu.edu.

Applying for Aid

To be considered for first priority funding, aid applicants must file an Application for Federal Student Aid by March 1, and submit all required supporting documents to the Financial Aid Office by April 15 of the calendar year prior to the academic year for which aid is being requested. An application and supporting documents received after these dates will be processed and funds will be awarded to high-need applicants if funds are available. Applications for Federal Student Aid may be obtained from high schools and any college financial aid office in California.

An additional application form is required for the Guaranteed Student Loan which is a student loan made available from a participating lender.

Foreign Student Tuition Waivers: On recommendation of the graduate adviser in the department concerned, a limited number of tuition waivers are available for exceptionally well qualified foreign (non-resident) students. Information on these waivers can be obtained from the Graduate Division.

Doctoral Student Fee/Tuition Waivers: The Graduate Division makes available a certain number of fee/tuition waivers to doctoral students through two doctoral advisers. Students should contact the adviser of the specific doctoral program to which they wish to apply.

Graduate Study in the Summer Sessions

In San Diego State University summer sessions, a graduate student may earn credit in residence that may be used to satisfy the requirements for an advanced degree or for credentials. Students planning to offer work taken in a summer session only to satisfy the requirements for an advanced degree, must apply for admission to the University with classified graduate standing at the Office of Admissions and Records. No more than 12 units of coursework earned in each summer may be included on a program of study for an advanced degree. Students pursuing an advanced degree in summer only must attend for a minimum of three summers to complete a degree.

The acceptance of courses taken in the summer sessions by other colleges or by a teacher's local school board for salary schedule purposes is entirely optional with the college or school board concerned.

The regular Summer Sessions Bulletin, which includes the registration form and all necessary information about the summer sessions, is available for distribution after March 15.

Graduate Study for Foreign Students

The facilities of San Diego State University for graduate study are available to qualified graduates of foreign universities on the same basis and under the same regulations as apply to graduates of colleges and universities in the United States.

Admission procedures for foreign graduate students are stated in the section on Admission of Graduate Students in this bulletin.

Veterans and Graduate Study

San Diego State University is approved to train veterans under the G.I. Bill. Veterans who are interested in graduate work should visit the campus Veterans Affairs Office located in Student Services Building, Room 1510 for information and counseling regarding veterans' benefits prior to the date of registration.

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