Admission to Graduation


Admission to Graduation Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) How do I apply to a graduate program at CSUSB? Do I have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)? What does classified and conditionally classified mean? What do I do if my grades or other aspects of my record do not meet the program's or university's requirements? I work full time. Can I still enroll in a graduate program? How long does it take to complete a master's degree? What is the normal number of courses that a graduate student takes at CSUSB? How long is a term at CSUSB? What materials should I get in order to plan my studies and where do I get them? I have already taken some of the courses required for the program, do I have to take them again? Do I have to take all my courses at CSUSB? Are classes available during the summer? How long are the classes during the summer? Do I have to write a thesis? What is Advancement to Candidacy? What is a grad check? What are the procedures for thesis/project approval? What is the entrance writing requirement and how do I meet it? Fee Schedule	Frequently Asked Questions Here are some answers to questions that students have most frequently asked. For additional information, please call the Graduate Coordinator of your program or the Graduate Studies Office (909) 537-5058. Q: How do I apply to a Graduate Program at CSUSB? A: You can apply at CSUMentor. ALSO CONTACT THE GRADUATE PROGRAM YOU WANT TO ATTEND, AS MOST OF THEM HAVE THEIR OWN APPLICATION FORM. You must fill out both applications. Q: Do I have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)? A: A few of our graduate programs require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Consult the Bulletin for entrance requirements to the various master's degree programs. *Q: What does classified* and conditionally classified mean?** A: Classified means - Admitted to a specific graduate program (officially a graduate student). Conditionally Classified means that there are conditions that have to be met before you can be fully admitted to the graduate program. Q: What do I do if my grades or other aspects of my record do not meet the program's or university's requirements? A: If you have been rejected by the university, you may request Admission by Special Action to the program you want to enter. The program coordinator MAY (They are not required to) allow you to take some courses on a provisional basis to see how you do. If you do well they may allow you to continue until they admit you to the program. Back to top Q: I work full time. Can I still enroll in a graduate program? A: Yes, almost all of our graduate programs meet in the late afternoon or evening since most of our graduate students work part or full time. Back to top Q: How long does it take to complete a master's degree? A: A full-time student should be able to finish a 48-unit program in an academic year (three quarters) and a summer. Most of our students do not attend full-time and take around three years to finish. Back to top Q: What is the normal number of courses that a graduate student takes at CSUSB? A: A full-load is considered two 4-unit (500 or 600 level) courses (equivalent to 12 weighted units for financial aid and veteran's benefits). Back to top Q: How long is a term at CSUSB? A: Cal-State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is on the quarter system. A quarter is roughly 10-11 weeks long. Usually there are 10 weeks of class and 1 week of finals. Fall quarter starts at the end of September, Winter at the beginning of January, and Spring in April. For more precise dates, check out the CSUSB Academic Calendar. Back to top Q: What materials should I get in order to plan my studies and where do I get them? A: You need the Bulletin of Courses and the course schedule for the quarter you plan to enter. Both are available at the Coyote Bookstore. Back to top Q: I have already taken some of the courses required for the program, do I have to take them again? A: Not necessarily, but only the graduate coordinator of your program can make that decision. In any event, no more than 12 units can be accepted and all course work must be no more than seven years old at graduation. Back to top Q: Do I have to take all my courses at CSUSB? A: No. Up to 30% of your course work may be taken through extended education or at another university, but ONLY with the approval of the graduate coordinator of your program. Back to top Q: Are classes available during the summer? A: Sometimes. Consult your graduate coordinator for this information. It changes from year to year. Back to top Q: How long are the classes during the summer? A: There are three sessions in the summer quarter: Regular, Six Week 1 and Six Week 2. So depending on which one your class is in, it could run between 5 to 10 weeks with an additional 2 days for final exams. Summer Session Regular runs for a full 10 weeks of instruction, while Summer Session Six Weeks runs for only for 5 weeks. Types of Summer Sessions: Session Regular: 10 weeks of instruction, plus 2 day final exams (Runs for the full summer quarter.) Session Six Wk 1: 5 weeks of instruction, plus 2 day final exams (Starts at the beginning of the summer quarter.) Session Six Wk 2: 5 weeks of instruction, plus 2 day final exams (Starts in the middle of the summer quarter and ends roughly at the same time as the Regular Summer Session.) Back to top Q: Do I have to write a thesis? A: You have to have a culminating experience and some programs offer various options: thesis/project or comprehensive exam. Some programs require both an exam and a thesis or project. Back to top Q: What is Advancement to Candidacy? A: This is when you and your program agree on a specific program of study required for the completion of the degree. Back to top Q: What is a grad check? A: You must request a grad check at the Records office at least one quarter before the term in which you plan to graduate. This check will tell you what requirements remain for graduation. You must be advanced to candidacy in order to file a grad check. Back to top Q: What are the procedures for thesis/project approval? A: In addition to the approval of your committee for content, you must get the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies for format. PLEASE PICK UP THE GRADUATE THESIS AND PROJECT HANDBOOK FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEAN AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. Back to top Q: What is the entrance writing requirement and how do I meet it? A: All students must demonstrate writing ability in order to be classified in a graduate program. It can be met by passing either the CSUSB 306 class (or equivalent class from another university) with a B or better at least 7 years before admission to the program or passing the CSUSB WREE (Writing Requirement Exemption Examination). Back to top

Admission to Graduation

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

How do I apply to a graduate program at CSUSB?
Do I have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?
What does classified and conditionally classified mean?
What do I do if my grades or other aspects of my record do not meet the program's or university's requirements?
I work full time. Can I still enroll in a graduate program?
How long does it take to complete a master's degree?
What is the normal number of courses that a graduate student takes at CSUSB?
How long is a term at CSUSB?
What materials should I get in order to plan my studies and where do I get them?
I have already taken some of the courses required for the program, do I have to take them again?
Do I have to take all my courses at CSUSB?
Are classes available during the summer?
How long are the classes during the summer?
Do I have to write a thesis?
What is Advancement to Candidacy?
What is a grad check?
What are the procedures for thesis/project approval?
What is the entrance writing requirement and how do I meet it?

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to questions that students have most frequently asked. For additional information, please call the Graduate Coordinator of your program or the Graduate Studies Office (909) 537-5058.

Q: How do I apply to a Graduate Program at CSUSB?

A: You can apply at CSUMentor. ALSO CONTACT THE GRADUATE PROGRAM YOU WANT TO ATTEND, AS MOST OF THEM HAVE THEIR OWN APPLICATION FORM. You must fill out both applications.

Q: Do I have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?

A: A few of our graduate programs require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Consult the Bulletin for entrance requirements to the various master's degree programs.

Q: What does classified and conditionally classified mean?

A: Classified means - Admitted to a specific graduate program (officially a graduate student). Conditionally Classified means that there are conditions that have to be met before you can be fully admitted to the graduate program.

Q: What do I do if my grades or other aspects of my record do not meet the program's or university's requirements?

A: If you have been rejected by the university, you may request Admission by Special Action to the program you want to enter. The program coordinator MAY (They are not required to) allow you to take some courses on a provisional basis to see how you do. If you do well they may allow you to continue until they admit you to the program.

Q: I work full time. Can I still enroll in a graduate program?

A: Yes, almost all of our graduate programs meet in the late afternoon or evening since most of our graduate students work part or full time.

Q: How long does it take to complete a master's degree?

A: A full-time student should be able to finish a 48-unit program in an academic year (three quarters) and a summer. Most of our students do not attend full-time and take around three years to finish.

Q: What is the normal number of courses that a graduate student takes at CSUSB?

A: A full-load is considered two 4-unit (500 or 600 level) courses (equivalent to 12 weighted units for financial aid and veteran's benefits).

Q: How long is a term at CSUSB?

A: Cal-State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is on the quarter system. A quarter is roughly 10-11 weeks long. Usually there are 10 weeks of class and 1 week of finals. Fall quarter starts at the end of September, Winter at the beginning of January, and Spring in April. For more precise dates, check out the CSUSB Academic Calendar.

Q: What materials should I get in order to plan my studies and where do I get them?

A: You need the Bulletin of Courses and the course schedule for the quarter you plan to enter. Both are available at the Coyote Bookstore.

Q: I have already taken some of the courses required for the program, do I have to take them again?

A: Not necessarily, but only the graduate coordinator of your program can make that decision. In any event, no more than 12 units can be accepted and all course work must be no more than seven years old at graduation.

Q: Do I have to take all my courses at CSUSB?

A: No. Up to 30% of your course work may be taken through extended education or at another university, but ONLY with the approval of the graduate coordinator of your program.

Q: Are classes available during the summer?

A: Sometimes. Consult your graduate coordinator for this information. It changes from year to year.

Q: How long are the classes during the summer?

A: There are three sessions in the summer quarter: Regular, Six Week 1 and Six Week 2. So depending on which one your class is in, it could run between 5 to 10 weeks with an additional 2 days for final exams. Summer Session Regular runs for a full 10 weeks of instruction, while Summer Session Six Weeks runs for only for 5 weeks.

Types of Summer Sessions:

Session Regular: 10 weeks of instruction, plus 2 day final exams
(Runs for the full summer quarter.)

Session Six Wk 1: 5 weeks of instruction, plus 2 day final exams
(Starts at the beginning of the summer quarter.)

Session Six Wk 2: 5 weeks of instruction, plus 2 day final exams
(Starts in the middle of the summer quarter and ends roughly at the same time as the Regular Summer Session.)

Q: Do I have to write a thesis?

A: You have to have a culminating experience and some programs offer various options: thesis/project or comprehensive exam. Some programs require both an exam and a thesis or project.

Q: What is Advancement to Candidacy?

A: This is when you and your program agree on a specific program of study required for the completion of the degree.

Q: What is a grad check?

A: You must request a grad check at the Records office at least one quarter before the term in which you plan to graduate. This check will tell you what requirements remain for graduation. You must be advanced to candidacy in order to file a grad check.

Q: What are the procedures for thesis/project approval?

A: In addition to the approval of your committee for content, you must get the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies for format. PLEASE PICK UP THE GRADUATE THESIS AND PROJECT HANDBOOK FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEAN AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

Q: What is the entrance writing requirement and how do I meet it?

A: All students must demonstrate writing ability in order to be classified in a graduate program. It can be met by passing either the CSUSB 306 class (or equivalent class from another university) with a B or better at least 7 years before admission to the program or passing the CSUSB WREE (Writing Requirement Exemption Examination).