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As part of Graduate and Research Affairs, the Graduate Division is the administrative unit responsible for postbaccalaureate and graduate study at San Diego State University. The division is composed of the academic units that offer graduate study in the University. The faculties of these units provide programs in over 50 fields of study leading to advanced degrees in the arts and sciences and in professional areas at both the masters and doctoral levels as well as a wide variety of programs leading to advanced certificates and basic and advanced credentials. The Graduate Council, on which sit representatives of the seven academic colleges of the University, has delegated University-wide jurisdiction over graduate study. The council's responsibilities are broadly defined and include the development of policies on such matters as graduate programs and curricula, graduate student affairs, and graduate student scholarship.
The Dean of the Graduate Division and Vice President for Research is the chief administrative officer of the division and serves as chair of the Graduate Council. Assisted by three -associate deans, the Graduate Dean has general responsibility for implementing the policies of the Graduate Council and for the development, improvement, and administration of all postbaccalaureate study. The Dean of the Graduate Division and Vice President for Research is also chair of the University Research Council and has a major role in the planning, policy development, and coordination of all research and research-related activities within the University; and in promoting and facilitating the research activities of both graduate students and faculty.
Graduate study at San Diego State University is considered a highly exacting intellectual pursuit that demands intense study and scholarship that goes well beyond the mere completion of a prescribed set of courses. Thesis and dissertation research especially requires the development of individual intellectual skills and the demonstration of the creativity that can be achieved only through persistent scholarship. The University has the necessary faculty and facilities to offer a broad range of such opportunities to the dedicated student.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is offered in the following fields:
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Biology | Geography |
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Chemistry | Language and Communicative |
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Clinical Psychology | Disorders |
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Ecology | Mathematics and Science |
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Education | Education |
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Engineering Sciences/Applied Mechanics | Public Health |
The Master of Arts degree is offered in the following fields:
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Anthropology | Liberal Arts |
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Art | Linguistics |
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Asian Studies | Mathematics |
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Biology | Music |
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Chemistry | Philosophy |
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Communication | Physical Education |
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Communicative Disorders | Physics |
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Economics | Political Science |
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Education | Psychology |
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English | Sociology |
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French | Spanish |
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Geography | Television, Film, and New |
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History | Media Production |
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Interdisciplinary Studies | Theatre Arts |
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Latin American Studies | Women's Studies |
The Master of Science degree is offered in the following fields:
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Accountancy | Geological Sciences |
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Aerospace Engineering | Interdisciplinary Studies |
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Applied Mathematics | Mechanical Engineering |
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Astronomy | Microbiology |
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Biology | Nursing |
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Business Administration | Nutritional Sciences |
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Chemistry | Physics |
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Child Development | Psychology |
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Civil Engineering | Public Health |
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Computer Science | Radiological Health Physics |
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Counseling | Rehabilitation Counseling |
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Electrical Engineering | Statistics |
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Exercise Physiology | |
Master of Science in Geological Sciences and Doctor of Science in Earth Sciences
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.
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Art (MA)
Concentrations:
studio arts
art history
Biology (MA or MS)
Concentrations:
ecology
molecular biology
physiology
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
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:
natural resources and environmental policy
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)
biostatistics
Theatre Arts (MFA)
Concentrations:
acting
design and technical theatre
musical theatre
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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
Education specialist for the deaf and hard of hearing
Reading/language arts
Resource specialist certificate of competence
Special education:
Early childhood special education
Mild/moderate disabilities
Moderate/severe disabilities
Physical and health impairments
Service Credentials
Administrative
Clinical-rehabilitative
Health services:
school nurse
Pupil personnel:
school counseling
school psychology
school social work
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Certificate in applied linguistics and English as a second language (ESL)
Certificate in bilingual (Spanish) special education
Certificate in early childhood special education
Certificate in early intervention
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 rehabilitation technology
Certificate in supported employment and transition specialist
Certificate in teaching the emotionally disturbed/behaviorally disordered
Certificate in workforce education and lifelong learning
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.
Appointments as 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, economics, educational technology, engineering, English, exercise and nutritional sciences, French, geography, geological sciences, linguistics, mathematical sciences, microbiology, music, physics, psychology, sociology, Spanish, television, film, and new media production, and theatre arts. 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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).
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, 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.
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.
Tuition and Fee Assistance Program: The University has available a program to provide waivers of non-resident tuition for a limited number of well qualified students, including foreign students. Normally, these waivers require that the applicant be eligible for appointment as a teaching associate. Further information can be obtained from the Graduate Division or from the departmental program graduate adviser.
For doctoral students, some scholarship and endowment funds are available to pay both fees and non-resident tuition. Students seeking more information about such financial support should contact the program coordinator of the doctoral program to which they wish to apply. See also the section of this Bulletin on "General Requirements for Doctoral Degrees."
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. Not more than nine units taken in a summer session prior to admission to an advanced degree or certificate program will be acceptable subsequently on a program of study. Of those nine units, not more than six may be at the 600, 700, 800-numbered level. Students pursuing an advanced degree in summer only must attend for a minimum of three summers to complete a degree. No more than 12 units of coursework earned each summer may be included on a program of study for an advanced 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.
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.
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, Room 1510 for information and counseling regarding veterans' benefits prior to the date of registration.
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