Graduate Degree Information

• Graduate Education: Defined
• Graduate Student: Defined
• Graduate Study Completion
• Master's Degree Requirements
• University Writing Skills Requirement
• Candidacy
• Capstone Experiences
• Policies and Procedures
• Post-Baccalaureate Classification
• Credit for Transferred Courses
• Change of Educational Objective
• Dual Master's Degrees
• Second Master's Degrees
• Applying for Graduation
• Doctorate Information

Graduate Education: Defined

The master's degree is awarded for completion of a planned and integrated program of advanced study. It recognizes that a student has mastered a particular field sufficiently to pursue creative or applied projects in that field.

When you complete your graduate degree, you will have acquired a mastery of a particular area of knowledge; an ability to relate that knowledge to knowledge in other disciplines; an ability to deal systematically with the concepts, theory, and principles in new situations; an ability to formulate and deal with problems on an advanced level; methodological, technical, and communication skills essential for advanced study; an ability to undertake independent investigation and research; abilities characteristic of professional performance; and attitudes conducive to continuous intellectual and professional development.

Every master's degree program includes what is termed a capstone experience. This may include a thesis or its equivalent, a comprehensive examination, a specialized internship, a project, or case study report, a musical recital, gallery showing, or other comparable achievement. Your completion of the capstone experience demonstrates that you have successfully integrated the various elements of the graduate learning experience and have gained an in-depth knowledge of your discipline.

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Graduate Student: Defined

You are considered a Graduate Student at Cal State East Bay if you have been admitted to a specific master's degree program as a "Conditionally Classified" or "Classified" student, or to an advanced credential program which can be earned in conjunction with a master's degree. Basic teacher credential programs constitute a separate area of post-baccalaureate work, and students in these programs are defined as "Classified Post-Baccalaureate" students.

You will find information regarding master's degrees and credentials under the appropriate department's listing in the graduate section of this catalog.

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Graduate Study Completion

If you have completed all the units required for your master's degree, but are still working on your thesis, project, or studying for a comprehensive exam, you can have continued access to university facilities by registering for GS X6990 Graduate Study Completion, through the Division of Continuing and International Education. This is a 1-unit course with a fee of $78 (fee subject to change). The other alternative is to register for 0.1 units through the regular registration process at a cost of approximately $1164 (tuition fee, as of Spring 2011). Registering for GS X6990 will provide you with a valid Student ID card, the ability to check books out of the library, remote access to computerized databases in the library, use of computer labs on campus, the ability to continue to work on projects in science labs, eligibility to purchase a parking permit, and access to other benefits enjoyed by regularly registered students.

Note: GS X6990 cannot be used to satisfy any unit or course requirements for your degree.

You can register by picking up a "GS X6990 Graduate Study Completion Form" in your department or in the Continuing and International Education Office in SAB 1700. You will need to obtain a signature from your major department.

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Master's Degree Requirements

You must complete the five requirements listed below

1. Fulfill the University Writing Skills Requirement;
2. Be Advanced to Candidacy;
3. Complete at least 45 quarter units applicable to your degree (45-52 in the Interdisciplinary Studies Major, 48 in Public Administration, 52-54 in Multimedia, 52-64 in the MBA, 72 in Counseling).
   
   • All units must be earned within the five calendar years immediately preceding the receipt of your degree. (Outdated units may be accepted for one additional year with the approval of your department and the Associate Vice President, Academic Programs and Graduate Studies. If not completed in the sixth year, currency in the subject matter of the outdated courses must be demonstrated. Courses older than seven years are only applied to the degree in exceptional circumstances.)
   • No more than 13 units, out of the total units required for your degree, can be completed when not in residence in your program (e.g., while at other schools, while an undergraduate with permission to take graduate courses, while pursuing an additional baccalaureate degree in "Unclassified Post-Baccalaureate" status, while enrolled in another graduate degree program, or while enrolled in Continuing Education courses-including Open University courses)
   • At least 1/2 of the units in your program must be 6000-level
   • No lower division units can be counted
   • No more than 9 units of university thesis or 5 units of departmental thesis or project work can be counted
   • No more than 15 units may be in CR/NC courses (16 in Public Administration, 24 in Counseling)
4. Complete a program of study approved by your department, which must include a thesis, project, or comprehensive examination; and
5. Earn a 3.0 grade point average in all units counted towards your degree.

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University Writing Skills Requirement

All CSU graduates must demonstrate competency in writing prior to receiving a degree by satisfying the University Writing Skills requirement (UWSR). Graduate students can meet this requirement in one of four ways:

1. If you have previously satisfied the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement at CSUEB or at another CSU campus, CSUEB will accept official certification of completion if the entire requirement, as specified by that CSU campus, was satisfied and you were a matriculated student at the time.
2. If you received an essay score of 4.5 or higher on the GMAT or GRE or an essay score of 53 or higher on the CBEST.
3. If you pass the Writing Skills Test (WST) at CAL STATE East Bay (see WST (Option One)) below for details.
4. If you pass a first-tier writing course and possibly a second-tier writing course (if needed). See Course (Option Two) below for details.

If you  have not satisfied the UWSR before you begin your graduate work, you must either take the Writing Skills Test or enroll in a first-tier course by the end of your first quarter in "Conditionally Classified graduate" status. If you do not take the test or course when required, you may have a hold placed on your ability to register and may be dropped from your classes. If you think your writing is competent, you should take the Writing Skills Test. The UWSR must be satisfied before you can be admitted as a "Classified Graduate" student and, consequently, before you can be advanced to candidacy and receive a degree.

WST (Option One): The Writing Skills Test consists of an analytic essay that requires you to demonstrate that you can think and write critically. You must pass the WST and satisfy the UWSR with a score of Clear Competence (old 8) to meet the requirement. If you fail the WST, you have only one opportunity to take it again. If you fail it again, your highest score of the two will determine your placement in courses. If your score is Limited Competence (old 6), you will be required to take the course option (see below). If your score is Developing Competence (old 7), you need only take a second-tier course and pass with a C-(CR) or better to satisfy the UWSR.

Course (Option Two): English 3000 and 3001 are the first-tier courses, designed to help students meet the University Writing Skills Requirement. Students who have taken the Writing Skills Test (WST) and have received Limited Competence (6) must take this course and perhaps a second-tier course as well. Students who choose to meet this requirement through class work do not ever have to take the WST although you may take it at any time, for a total of two attempts, even when enrolled in a writing skills course. Generally speaking, ENGL 3000 is intended for native speakers of English, while ENGL 3001 is intended for non-native speakers. Based on end-of-course portfolio evaluation scores, at the end of the first-tier course you will be directed as to your next step, which will involve one of the following: You may be found to have met the UWSR requirement altogether, you may be directed to enroll in a second-tier course, or you may be directed to repeat first tier.

Three second-tier courses are currently offered: ENGL 3003, SCI 3010, and MKTG 3495 (business majors are required to take this course in the major but may not enroll until they have reached Developing Competence on the WST or passed a first-tier course). If you passed one of these courses prior to Fall 2000, it may not meet the UWSR. For more information on these courses, contact the individual department.

If you have taken the first-tier course three times consecutively and have not passed and have a letter of good faith effort from your most recent first-tier instructor, you may apply to the Associate Vice President, Academic Programs and Graduate Studies, for a waiver of the UWSR. If a waiver is granted, your permanent record will note that you were allowed to graduate without having satisfied the UWSR. If you do not satisfy the requirement and do not have a waiver approved, you will not be allowed to graduate. Contact the Office of Academic Programs and Graduate Studies for information on this waiver (510.885.3718).

If you receive a grade of "D+" or "D" in a second-tier writing course (taken Fall Quarter, 2000 or later), you may appeal to the Associate Vice President, Academic Programs and Graduate Studies, for a waiver of the UWSR. If a waiver is granted, your permanent record will note that you were allowed to graduate without having satisfied the UWSR. If you do not satisfy the requirement and do not have a waiver approved, you will not be allowed to graduate. Contact the Office of Academic Programs and Graduate Studies for information on this waiver (510.885.3718).

If you have a verified disability and would like to request accommodations to assist you in satisfying this requirement, visit Accessibility Services in Library Complex 2400 or call 510-885-3868 (phone/TTY).

For more information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website or call 510-885-3661.

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Candidacy

"Candidacy" is a status which recognizes completion of substantial progress towards your degree. You are eligible for Advancement to Candidacy when you:

1. are a "Classified Graduate" student in good standing;
2. have completed at least 12 quarter units of 6000-level coursework with a minimum 3.0 GPA;
3. have designed a formal program of study approved by your graduate advisor;
4. have fulfilled the University Writing Skills Requirement;
5. have completed other department prerequisites for advancement; and
6. are recommended for Advancement to Candidacy by your advisor (subject to approval by your department's graduate coordinator).

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Capstone Experiences

The capstone experience of your graduate program will be the successful completion of a thesis, project, or comprehensive examination. The quality of your work, including quality of expression, is the major consideration in judging the success of this degree component.

Thesis
A thesis is the written product of a systematic study of a significant issue. In the thesis, you are expected to identify the issue, state your major assumptions, explain the significance of your project, detail your sources for and methods of obtaining data, provide analysis of the data, and offer conclusions. Your thesis should demonstrate original critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation. If your research involves human subjects, your protocols must be approved by the Institutional Review Board (see "Research with Human Subjects" in the Appendix).

Cal State East Bay offers two kinds of master's degree theses, University Thesis (numbered 6910) and Departmental Thesis (numbered 6909). Students required, or electing, to write a thesis must register for a minimum of one unit of either 6909 or 6910 in order to receive credit toward completion of this capstone experience. Check with your department for information on the number of units for which you must enroll.

Most criteria are the same for both the Departmental Thesis and the University Thesis.

• You must be a graduate student (i.e., admitted to a master's degree program) to enroll in a thesis course; your department may add additional requirements.
• Your thesis work will be supervised by a departmental committee which must include at least one Cal State East Bay faculty member who is a member of your major department.
• You may not receive credit for more units of thesis work than allowed by your degree program.
• Each quarter you will receive a grade of "RP" (Report in Progress) for units earned in 6909 or 6910 until you complete your thesis; you will then be given a final grade for the entire course. No "RP" units will be counted towards your degree or in calculating your GPA. If your thesis is not approved within five years of your initial enrollment in a thesis course, the "RP" grade(s) will be changed to "F" or "NC" (depending on the grading pattern of the course).
• Normally you will be required to present an oral defense of your thesis.

There are also a few significant differences between the two kinds of theses.

• You may not earn more than 9 units for University Thesis, while the maximum for Departmental Thesis is 5 units. Several departments have lower unit requirements, so check the program description in this catalog.
• The format of a University Thesis is established by the Associate Vice President, Academic Programs and Graduate Studies. Since these works are expected to serve as resources for future research, the format is formal, and the theses are bound and placed in the Cal State East Bay Library. A Departmental Thesis, on the other hand, is usually not as formal. Its standards and format are determined by the department, and the thesis is retained by the department.  

University Thesis: For information on the steps to follow (the approval process, required format for the structural elements of the thesis, and deadlines) when writing a University Thesis consult the University Thesis Writing Guide available online at www.csueastbay.edu/thesiswritingguide. You may also pick up a printed copy of the University Thesis Writing Guide from the Academic Programs and Graduate Studies Office (Student Services and Administration Building, Suite 4500). If you have questions concerning the selection of a topic, the procedure to establish a thesis committee and research protocols, contact your department advisor or graduate coordinator. If you have additional questions concerning the formatting and binding of your University Thesis after you have read the University Thesis Writing Guide, contact the University Thesis Editor in the Academic Programs and Graduate Studies Student Services Office at (510) 885-3286.

Departmental Thesis: For information about a Departmental Thesis (your department's thesis guidelines, including format, acceptable thesis topics, and procedures to establish a thesis committee) contact your department advisor or graduate coordinator.

Project
A project is a significant piece of non-written work in either a fine or applied art or a professional field. Your project should provide evidence of originality, independent thinking, and appropriate form and organization. You are required to describe your project in a written abstract that addresses the project's significance, objectives, methodology, and conclusions. In some cases, you may be required to present an oral defense.

Specific criteria for a Project (numbered 6899) are the same as those for a Departmental Thesis with a few exceptions.

• An "RP" grade in a project course will become an "F" (no "NC" option) after one year if your project is not completed.
• While your project need not be considered a research resource, it should be of a caliber to constitute a valid terminal activity in a master's degree program and will be permitted only when a thesis is not appropriate.

If you change from a program requiring a thesis to one requiring a project (or vice versa), you may count a combined maximum of 9 units for 6909, 6910, and 6899 towards your degree.

Comprehensive Examination
A comprehensive examination is intended to assess your mastery of relevant subject matter, your ability to analyze and integrate the knowledge of your field, your skill in critical and independent thinking, and your use of appropriate organization and accurate documentation. A record of your examination (questions and responses) will be retained by your department. Some departments grant unit credit for exam preparation while others do not.

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Policies and Procedures

Registration
As a graduate student, you must follow the same registration policies and procedures as undergraduate students. (See the Registration chapter for details.)

Registration procedures for Thesis or Project courses are slightly different. You must complete a "Special Registration Petition" for each quarter you wish to enroll in one of these courses. Submit it to your department office. This must be done no later than the last day of the Add period. You are responsible for checking on the progress of this procedure.

Prerequisites: See "What information do I need to register for and enroll in classes?" in the Registration chapter.

Grading
It is an integral part of the teaching responsibility of the faculty to provide careful evaluation and timely assignment of an appropriate grade to each enrolled student. There is a presumption that grades assigned are correct. It is the responsibility of anyone appealing an assigned grade to demonstrate otherwise. In the absence of compelling reasons, such as instructor or clerical error, prejudice, or capriciousness, the grade determined by the instructor of record will be considered final. 

For purposes of correcting an error, an instructor may change a grade with approval of his/her department chair and college dean. No grade may be changed once your graduation has been recorded. The administrative symbol for withdrawal cannot be assigned by a faculty member. See "What changes can I make in my enrollment status?" in the Registration chapter for a description of withdrawal policies and procedures.

The grading symbols used for graduate courses are as follows:

Academic Grades	Standard of Work Represented	Grade (Quality) Points
A	Superior	4.0
A-	Superior	3.7
B+	Adequate	3.3
B	Adequate	3.0
B-	Adequate1	2.7
C+	Substandard	2.3
C	Substandard	2.0
C-	Substandard	1.7
D+	Unacceptable	1.3
D	Unacceptable	1.0
F	Failing	0
CR2	Credit	0
NC2	No Credit	0

Administrative Grades Symbols3	Definitions	Grade (Quality) Points Earned
RP	Report in Progress	0.0
I	Incomplete (Authorized)	0.0
IC	Incomplete Charged	0.0
RD	Report Delayed	0.0
W	Withdrawal	0.0
WU	Withdrawal Unauthorized	0.0
AU	Audit	0.0

Academic Grades: The typical grading pattern for courses you will take is "A-F"; the use of "+" and "-" is at the discretion of each instructor. Some departments do not allow "C" or "D" grades to be applied towards a master's degree; check with your department about its policy. You may use courses taken on a "CR/NC" basis to meet your degree requirements only if the courses are offered exclusively on that basis. Typically, these courses are restricted to fieldwork and internships and a "CR" grade indicates that your work is at least of "B-" quality. In no case, however, may more than 15 units of your master's degree work be earned with "CR" grades in the standard 45-unit master's degree program. In post-baccalaureate (5000-level) courses, a "CR" grade also indicates that your work is at least of "B-" quality.

Administrative Grades: You may also receive the administrative grades indicated above. It is important that you observe the differences among them. As noted in the Capstone Experiences section the Report in Progress grade ("RP") is used in courses when assigned work extends beyond one quarter. It indicates that work is in progress and has been evaluated and found satisfactory to date, but that assignment of a precise grade must await completion of additional work. You cannot enroll in more units of RP-graded courses than are applicable to your degree. An "RP" in a thesis course becomes an "F" or an "NC" if the work is not completed in five years; an "RP" grade in any other course becomes an "F" or an "NC" after one year.

The Incomplete (Authorized) grade ("I") is used to indicate that (1) a discreet portion of the required coursework has not been completed and evaluated in the prescribed time period due to unforeseen but fully justified reasons, (2) attending a future offering of the class is not required to complete the work, and (3) your instructor believes it likely that you will earn credit for the course upon completion of that work. An "I" must normally be made up within one calendar year immediately following the end of the term during which it was assigned. This limitation prevails whether or not you maintain continuous enrollment. If you receive an "I" and do not complete the work within the period specified by your instructor (in no case to exceed one year), the grade will be changed to an "IC" or "NC," depending on the grading pattern in which you enrolled. (An extension may be granted by the department if military service or serious health or personal problems prevent you from completing the work, or if the professor is away on leave during the quarter of expiration. Such extensions are for one quarter only, up to a maximum of two extensions, and must be approved by the instructor and the department chair. Written notification of the extension must be sent to Enrollment Management.)

An Incomplete Charged ("IC") is used when you receive an authorized incomplete ("I"), but do not complete the required coursework within the allowed time, and the original grading pattern of the course was "A-F." The "IC" replaces the "I" and is counted as a failing grade for computing your grade point average.

A Withdrawal Unauthorized ("WU") indicates that you enrolled in a course, but did not withdraw from the course and also failed to complete course requirements. It is used when, in the opinion of the instructor, completed assignments or course activities, or both, were insufficient to make normal evaluation of academic performance possible. The "WU" is counted in your grade point average as an "F" grade.

The Report Delayed grade ("RD") is rarely used, and will be assigned by the Registrar only if grade reports are delayed by circumstances beyond your control, such as your instructor's illness.

You may drop a course at any time during the first two weeks of instruction. (For Drop procedures, see the Class Schedule.) No mention of a dropped course appears on your permanent record. After the first two weeks of the quarter, deletion of a course is considered a Withdrawal, and a "W" grade will be assigned if the reason for your request to withdraw from the course is due to circumstances beyond your control and you have obtained the appropriate approvals. This grade carries no connotation as to the quality of your work and is not included in GPA calculations. Under extreme circumstances you may decide that you must withdraw from all your courses. If you believe this may be necessary, contact your graduate advisor or department chair as soon as possible for advice on the appropriate procedures to follow. (See "What changes can I make in my enrollment status?" in the Registration chapter and "What are the administrative grading symbols, and what do they signify?" in the undergraduate Grading and Academic Standards chapter for additional information on withdrawal procedures.)

Grade Point Average (GPA): Your grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total number of quality hours (units you have attempted, excluding CR/NC courses) into the number of grade (quality) points earned. If you repeat a course required in your major, your department has the discretion, under specific circumstances, not to include your earlier attempt in your GPA calculation. The approval not to include the earlier attempt in your degree program must be submitted by your department to Planning and Enrollment Management. This may be done at any time while you are in the degree program, but may not be done after you have been awarded your degree.

If you find yourself with a major GPA below 3.00, consult immediately with your graduate coordinator or major department chair.

Final Examinations: You can expect your instructors to provide you with comprehensive course requirement information for each course at the beginning of the quarter. This will include the work that is expected of you and the basis on which you will be evaluated. Most courses have graded assignments throughout the quarter and a final examination or paper. The university's policy states that final examinations must be given only at the times published in the Class Schedule. The purpose of this policy is to ensure fairness for all students. Exceptions are, therefore, rare and must be approved in writing by the department chair. Contact your department chair or college dean if you believe this policy is not being followed. If you are in a course which has a separate laboratory, activity or discussion section, your instructor is permitted to give a separate final examination (but only for that section) during the last regularly scheduled meeting of the section.

Probation and Disqualification: There are two types of probation and disqualification: (1) academic, and (2) administrative. If you are an "Unclassified Post-Baccalaureate" student, not in a master's degree or credential program, all of the following policies apply except that your minimum GPA requirement is 2.50 instead of 3.00.

Academic Probation
You must maintain a 3.00 GPA in your degree coursework to remain in good standing. If your GPA falls below 3.00, you will be placed on Academic Probation. Should this happen, you must consult with your graduate advisor prior to registering for the next quarter. You are also encouraged to take advantage of various university services (such as advising and tutoring) designed to assist you.

Academic Disqualification
You may be academically disqualified by the Associate Vice President of Academic Programs and Graduate Studies if during any quarter while on probation you do not achieve the minimum 3.0 GPA in all courses applicable to your degree. You may also be disqualified if, at any time, you do not meet the academic criteria of your department. In addition, an appropriate campus administrator may disqualify a student who at any time during enrollment has demonstrated behavior so contrary to the standards of the profession for which the student is preparing as to render him/her unfit for the profession. In such cases, disqualification will occur immediately upon notice to the student.

Administrative Academic Probation
You may be placed on Administrative Probation if you:

• withdraw from all courses for two consecutive quarters or any three quarters;
• do not progress towards your degree while enrolled (such as earning a number of "NC" grades);
• do not comply with appropriate academic requirements (such as taking the Writing Skills Test); or
• earn only "IC," "F," "WU," and/or "NC" grades for two consecutive, or any three quarters. 

Administrative Academic Disqualification
You will be administratively disqualified if you:

• do not meet the conditions for removal of your Administrative Probation;
• are placed on Administrative Probation twice for the same reason;
• are placed on Academic Probation while on Administrative Probation. 

If you are disqualified, either academically or administratively, you may apply for reinstatement to your graduate program by completing a "Petition for Graduate Reinstatement." Your petition must be approved by your Graduate Coordinator or the department chair. Reinstatement will be approved only if you are able to provide compelling evidence of your ability to complete your degree. Then it will be forwarded for consideration to the Associate Vice President of Academic Programs and Graduate Studies who has final authority to approve reinstatement. If you are disqualified a second time, reinstatement will normally not be considered.

Declassification from a Degree Program: You may be declassified (dropped) from a graduate degree or credential program for a range of reasons, including, but not restricted to, unprofessional conduct; behavioral issues that interfere with the learning of others; failure to make progress toward the degree or program as set forth by the University and program policies; failure to meet grade requirements to maintain good standing in the program and/or University; and/or the department/program faculty determine that the student is incapable of completing degree requirements at the level expected of a graduate student in the discipline even if the GPA is above a 3.0.

The declassification request must be initiated by the major department with support from the department/program chair and college dean or designee. Requests are submitted to the Office of Academic Programs and Graduate Studies for final action and official notification to the student and the Registrar's Office. The Office of Academic Programs and Graduate Studies will also determine if the student should also be academically or administratively disqualified from the University. If the student is not disqualified from the University and wishes to continue in the University, a declassified student must formally apply to another graduate program or apply as a second baccalaureate student. (Second baccalaureate status is closed for budget reasons until further notice.) Such students will not be permitted to enroll through regular University or Open University in any undergraduate or graduate courses in the program or degree from which they were declassified. Unless declassification was related to conduct issues that interfere with campus interactions, declassified students are eligible to apply to a new program and be accepted as a student by the department/program. The student must be accepted to a new program no later than three quarters after being declassified; otherwise, the student must reapply to the University.

Resolution of Disputes
If you believe you have received an inappropriate grade or have been treated in an unfair way and you cannot resolve the matter informally with the instructor and department chair, you should present your case to the Presidential Appointee to the Fairness Committee (Academic Programs and Graduate Studies; Tel. 510-885-3716), no later than one quarter after the disputed grade was recorded. The Fairness Committee may authorize a change of grade under certain circumstances (see the Grading and Academic Standards chapter). If the instructor of record does not assign a grade to an individual student, the appropriate failing grade for nonattendance ("WU" or "NC") is automatically recorded by Enrollment Management. You may petition the Fairness Committee if you believe the instructor should have assigned an academic grade. For additional information, see "What recourse do I have if I believe I have received a grade that is inappropriate?" in the Grading and Academic Standards chapter.

Honors
Because graduate students constitute a select group whose members do very well in their programs, there is no academic honors at graduation or dean's list recognition as is the case for undergraduates.

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Post-Baccalaureate Classification

You will be classified a full- or part-time student according to the following criteria:

• Full-time enrollment for a "Graduate" or "Classified Post-Baccalaureate" student is 8 or more units. You are considered to be a part-time student if you are enrolled for fewer than 8 units.
• Full-time enrollment for an "Unclassified Post-Baccalaureate" student (i.e., not enrolled in a master's degree program), is 12 or more units.
• If you are receiving financial aid or benefits from other programs (e.g., Veterans Administration or State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation), you may be subject to specific enrollment requirements to maintain your eligibility. You should check directly with the source of your benefits.
• If you are an international student on a non-immigrant visa, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) requires that you pursue a full-time course of study in a specific program. You are expected to complete 8 units per quarter and 24 per year.

Also see "Academic Load" under "What information do students need to enroll in classes?" in the Registration chapter.

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Credit for Transferred Courses

If you have earned credit at another institution which you wish to apply to your graduate program at Cal State East Bay, you may transfer up to 13 quarter units. (However, this number may be reduced if you have other non-residence credit you wish to apply to your degree.) To request transfer credit:

1. you must have taken the course after earning a bachelor's degree;
2. your department must accept the course(s) as relevant to your degree program;
3. the institution at which you took the course must customarily grant the level of credit for the course (graduate or upper division) that you wish to receive for it at Cal State East Bay;
4. you must have taken the course within five calendar years immediately preceding the receipt of your degree.

You also may apply units earned through the CSU International Programs that meet the criteria outlined above. No more than half of the 45 units required for your degree may be earned in this way. If you also apply transfer credits to your degree, the total of the transfer and International Program units may not exceed one-half of those required for your degree. If you complete your capstone experience (thesis, project, or comprehensive examination) while in the International Programs, this must be done under the supervision of at least one Cal State East Bay faculty member.

Also see "Credit for Non-Collegiate Instruction" in the Registration chapter.

In general, Cal State East Bay does not allow the use of credit-by-examination from challenged courses for master's degree requirements. Exceptions may be established by individual departments and must be noted in the degree description in the University Catalog. They are governed by the following policies:

• you must pass the exam challenging the course with a grade of "B-" or better;
• no more than 13 units of credit-by-examination may be applied to your degree; and
• challenged courses may not be credited to the residency requirement of your degree.

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Change of Educational Objective

If you are a continuing post-baccalaureate student and wish to change your degree objective or credential program, or you wish to change from "Unclassified" status to a graduate degree or credential program, you must file a "Change of Graduate Objective" form with the Office of Graduate Admissions. The forms are available from, and should be submitted to, either the Student Enrollment Information Center (Student Services and Administration Building), the Office of Graduate Admissions, or the Academic Services Office at the Concord Campus.

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Dual Master's Degrees

If you wish to pursue two master's degrees at the same time, you should indicate this on your application or "Change of Graduate Objective" form filed with the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Note that you must fulfill all prerequisites and requirements for each degree (up to 13 units from your first degree may be applied to your second degree if agreed to by your second degree program); and
2. earn all units for each master's degree within the five calendar years immediately preceding the receipt of each degree.

If both degrees are in the same field (e.g., business administration), they each must be in a different option and all 45 or more units must be different.

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Second Master's Degrees

If you already have a master's degree and want to pursue a second master's degree, you must meet the following criteria:

1. apply and gain admission to the department offering the second master's degree program;
2. fulfill all prerequisites and requirements for the second degree;
3. complete at least 32 units (32-39 in the Special Major, 35 in Public Administration, 39-41 in Multimedia, 59 in Counseling) in your second degree. Up to 13 units from your first degree may be applied to your second degree if accepted by your second degree program;
4. earn all units for your second master's degree within the five calendar years immediately preceding the receipt of the degree.

If your second degree is in the same field as your first degree (e.g., business administration), the second degree must be in a different option and all 45 or more units must be different.

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Applying for Graduation

You are advised to review completion of degree requirements with your department before filing for graduation.

Apply for graduation one term in advance of the term in which you intend to graduate. You must apply prior to the end of the Late Add period. Deadlines to file are listed in the online class schedule each term. Log into MyCSUEB on the university website (https://my.csueastbay.edu) and click on "Apply for Graduation." You will be prompted to select the term for which you wish to graduate. A confirmation page will appear. Print this page and give a copy to your department.

• online at MyCSUEB (https://my.csueastbay.edu)
• in person at the Cashiers' Office in the Student Enrollment Information Center (Student Services and Administration Building, 1st Floor) on the Hayward Hills campus
• in person in the Academic Services Office on the Concord Campus

The fee covers the cost of the graduation check, the diploma, and participation in the annual commencement ceremony (but not cap and gown rental/purchase, which is handled separately by the Bookstore). The fee is non-refundable, but if you do not graduate when you intended, the fee will be transferred to the subsequent quarter automatically.

When you file for graduation, you may obtain a new registration priority. To register as a graduating graduate student, you must be a "Classified Graduate" who is recommended for Advancement to Candidacy by your advisor and have made substantial progress towards your degree.

If you are completing an undergraduate Single Subject Matter Preparation Program for entry into a teaching credential program, or you are completing a graduate Single or Multiple Subject Credential Program, be certain that the appropriate check sheet is submitted by the department or program committee offering the program to the Credential Student Service Center in the College of Education and Allied Studies.

Once you have completed all degree requirements and Enrollment Management can verify their completion, your diploma will be ordered. The final graduation evaluation process typically takes up to three months following the posting of grades from your last quarter of attendance. Your diploma will be mailed to your address of record with the university 4-6 weeks after this final graduation check is completed.

A diploma is an official document containing the embossed seal of Cal State East Bay, your name, the degree conferred and date, major(s) completed in the degree conferred, any options or minors completed and requested, and the signatures of state and university officials. It is not reproducible or available in multiple copies. You can obtain multiple copies of your record by ordering transcripts which also show degrees, majors and options, as well as other information. If you need proof of completion of your degree before receiving your diploma, you may request a verification of graduation or a transcript from Enrollment Management. Should you change your name, you may request that a new diploma be issued with your new name if (1) you return the originally issued diploma to Enrollment Management, (2) you provide legal documents confirming your legal name change, and (3) you pay the fee for a new diploma.

Once your degree is posted to your permanent record, your diploma and transcript cannot be altered by adding additional options, or by grade changes, and/or withdrawals. The university protects the integrity of its transcripts and will not rewrite history unless a University error has occurred.

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Doctorate Information

Doctorate: For information regarding the Doctor of Education, please see the Educational Leadership chapter in the graduate section of this catalog. A copy of the Doctoral Student Handbook may be requested from the Department of Educational Leadership, Dr. Jose Lopez, Doctoral Program Director, Arts & Education Building, Room 250, Tel: 510-885-4145; email: edld@csueastbay.edu. Department web site: http://www20.csueastbay.edu/ceas/departments/el/.

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Footnotes

1. Note that a "B-" grade, though described as "adequate," generates fewer than 3.0 grade (quality) points and must be balanced by a grade of "B+" or higher.
   
2. These grades cannot be selected by students. They are only available in graduate courses offered exclusively on a "Credit/No Credit" basis.
   
3. For definitions of administrative grades, see "What are the administrative grading symbols, and what do they signify?" in the Grading and Academic Standards chapter.