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University Catalog

GRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Office of Graduate Studies

River Front Center 206
(916) 278-6470
www.csus.edu/gradstudies

California State University, Sacramento is authorized to offer graduate programs culminating in the Doctor of Education, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Music, Master of Physical Therapy, Master of Public Policy and Administration, Master of Social Work, and Education Specialist in School Psychology degrees. Sacramento State also offers a joint doctoral program in Public History in cooperation with UC Santa Barbara. In keeping with the objectives of the degrees offered, the University has developed a broad framework of requirements.

Master of Arts

Master of Arts programs are designed to provide improvement in professional competence in educational service, competence for self-directed study (research) in areas of specialization, broadening of cultural backgrounds, development of personal and social responsibility, and preparation for community leadership.

Master of Science

Objectives of the Master of Science programs are to increase competence in particular professional areas and to develop ability for independent self-directed study in selected fields. Provisions have been made in the various curricula for individual planning in light of each student’s objectives, previous education, and experience.

Master of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration curriculum is designed to broaden the participants’ knowledge and understanding of business administration, to improve their capacity for effective decision-making, and to facilitate their professional growth and development for positions of greater responsibility. The curriculum is intended for individuals who seek careers as professional managers in business and business-oriented government organizations and as community college instructors of business administration. In addition, the curriculum prepares superior students for entry into doctoral programs in business administration.

Master of Music

The graduate program leading to the Master of Music degree is designed to provide opportunity for a variety of advanced studies in music. The Master of Music may be earned either with an academic or a performance emphasis. The program will effectively prepare students for continuation into doctoral study. Students may focus their studies in one of six areas: choral conducting, instrumental conducting, composition, music education, music history and literature, or performance.

Master of Physical Therapy

The Master of Physical Therapy curriculum is designed to educate competent physical therapy generalist practitioners who demonstrate ethical, responsible, professional behavior, sensitive to cultural and psychosocial differences. Graduates will be able to utilize critical thinking and problem solving, practice life long learning, and provide services that contribute to the optimal health and function of the residents of the communities they serve.

Master of Public Policy and Administration

The Master of Public Policy and Administration curriculum is designed to prepare individuals committed to public service as effective and ethical leaders and advisors, managers and administrators, analysts and advocates. Students develop competence in three areas: management of the organizational context of policy implementation and administration; understanding of the political environment and process of policy making; and the analytic and research tools to plan, design, and evaluate public policy.

Master of Social Work

The curriculum leading to the Master of Social Work degree is designed to enable the student to develop professional competence in working with individuals and groups, participate knowledgeably in the implementation of social welfare policy and administration, understand human growth and development as they affect social and personal functioning, and develop social philosophies, ethics, and values relating to the practice of professional social work.

Master of Arts or Master of Science in Special Major

The special major for either a Master of Arts or a Master of Science degree provides an alternative for those individuals whose special needs and interests cannot adequately be met by any single existing or planned master’s degree program. A suitable interdisciplinary program may be planned for the superior graduate student who meets requirements established for admission to the special major graduate degree program. A student who wishes to undertake such a program should obtain an application to the program from the Office of Graduate Studies.

Ed.S. in School Psychology

The Specialist in Education, School Psychology (Ed.S.) degree can lead to professional degrees in the application of advanced educational theory. Completion of the Ed.S. requires coursework focused on identifying and addressing school-related issues that arise during school psychology practice. The School Psychology program at Sacramento State is approved as a Specialist level program by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Ed.D Educational Leadership

The independent doctoral program in Educational Leadership is offered through the College of Education to help meet the need for leadership in California’s schools and community colleges. The program in educational leadership is geared to working professionals. Three key curricular themes are emphasized and provide the focus for all coursework in the program. These themes are: (1) Transformational Leadership, (2) Critical Policy Analysis and Action, and (3) Informed Decision-Making. It will lead to a Doctor of Education awarded by the CSU system.

Ph.D. Public History

The joint doctoral program in Public History offered in cooperation with UC Santa Barbara provides training in public history, particularly in the following professional fields: history of public policy, cultural resource management, business and institutional history, and community and local history. Supporting courses are offered in oral history, archives and records administration, museum management, historical editing, and policy and litigation support.

Admission Requirements

Graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants may apply for a degree objective, a credential, or certificate objective, or where approved, may have no program objective. Depending on the objective, the CSU will consider an application for admission as follows:*

  • General Requirements – The minimum requirements for admission to graduate and post-baccalaureate studies at a California State University campus are in accordance with University regulations as well as Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations.

  • Specifically, a student shall at the time of enrollment: (1) have completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by appropriate campus authorities; (2) be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended; (3) have earned a grade point average of at least 2.5 on the last degree completed by the candidate or have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted; and (4) satisfactorily meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards for graduate study, including qualifying examinations, as appropriate campus authorities may prescribe. In unusual circumstances, a campus may make exceptions to these criteria. In unusual circumstances, a campus may make exceptions to these criteria.

Students who meet the minimum requirements for graduate and post-baccalaureate studies may be considered for admission in one of the four following categories:

  • Graduate Classified – To pursue a graduate degree, applicants are required to fulfill all of the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards, including qualifying examinations, prescribed by the campus; or

  • Graduate Conditionally Classified – Applicants may be admitted to a graduate degree program in this category if, in the opinion of appropriate campus authority, deficiencies may be remedied by additional preparation; or

  • Post-Baccalaureate Classified, e.g., admission to an education credential program - Persons wishing to enroll in a credential or certificate program, will be required to satisfy additional professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards, including qualifying examinations, prescribed by the campus; or

  • Post-Baccalaureate Unclassified – To enroll in undergraduate courses as preparation for advanced degree programs or to enroll in graduate courses for professional or personal growth, applicants must be admitted as post-baccalaureate unclassified students. By meeting the general requirements, applicants are eligible for admission as post-baccalaureate unclassified students. Admission in this status does not constitute admission to, or assurance of consideration for admission to, any graduate degree or credential program (Most CSU campuses do not offer admission to unclassified post-baccalaureate students).

Doctor of Education applicants may apply for admission, in accordance with University regulations as well as Title 5, Chapter 1 Subchapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations. Specifically, a student shall at the time of enrollment: (1) have completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by appropriate campus authorities; (2) hold an acceptable master's degree earned at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authority; (3) have attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in upper division and graduate study combined; (4) have completed the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with scores from the three subsections of the General Examination; (5) be in good standing at the last institution of higher education attended; (6) demonstrated sufficient preparation and experience pertinent to educational leadership to benefit from the program; and (7) meet any additional requirements established by the Chancellor in consultation with the faculty and any additional requirements prescribed by the appropriate campus authority.

In unusual circumstances, a campus may make exceptions to these criteria.

*Refer to Applications to Sacramento State/Graduate and Post-baccalaureate Students.

These and other CSU admission requirements are subject to change as policies are revised and laws are amended. The CSU Web site www.calstate.edu and the CSU admissions portal www.csumentor.edu are good sources of the most up-to-date information.

**The minimum requirements for admission to Master's and Doctoral graduate degree programs and post-baccalaureate studies at a California State University campus are in accordance with University regulations as well as Title 5 chapter 1, subchapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations.

Second Bachelor's Degree

Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the last 60 semester units of baccalaureate or graduate level courses may pursue a Second Bachelor’s degree at Sacramento State. Students admitted in post-baccalaureate standing (unclassified) must meet residence and other specified requirements.*

Applicants to an impacted program will be considered in the upper division quota category for admission purposes. Coursework completed in this status forms part of the post-baccalaureate grade point average and will affect the student’s eligibility for classified standing.

Candidates must file for graduation TWO SEMESTERS prior to the date of graduation. Forms are available from Admissions and Records. A second bachelor’s cannot be awarded in the same major or closely related field as the first degree. Only students admitted into the second baccalaureate classification may petition to graduate with a second baccalaureate degree.

*Refer to Baccalaureate Degree Requirements/Second Bachelor’s Degree.

International Foreign Visa and International Non-Visa Students

Graduation from a recognized college or university with a degree requiring at least 16 years of prior education is required for graduate standing.

Gradutae-Post-Baccalaureate English Language Requirement

All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English, must demonstrate competence in English. Those who do not possess a bachelor’s degree from a postsecondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum score of 550 (213 if computer-based or 80 if Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 7.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).* Some Sacramento State programs may require higher scores than listed here. Several CSU campuses may use alternative methods for assessing fluency in English including Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP).

*Refer to Application to Sacramento State/International Students/ TOEFL Requirement.

Application for Graduate Status

Office of Graduate Studies
River Front Center 206
(916) 278-6470
www.csus.edu/gradstudies

Applicants

All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants (e.g., doctoral or master’s degree applicants, those seeking credentials and certificates, and those interested in taking courses for personal or professional growth) must file a complete graduate application as described in the graduate and post-baccalaureate admission booklet and at www.csumentor.edu. Supplemental applications and examinations may be required by the academic departments for graduate degree, credential, and certificate programs.

Applicants who completed undergraduate degree requirements and graduated the preceding term are also required to complete and submit an application with a $55 nonrefundable application fee. Since applicants for post-baccalaureate programs may be limited to the choice of a single campus on each application, redirection to alternate campuses or later changes of campus choice will be minimal. To be assured of initial consideration by more than one campus, it will be necessary to submit separate applications (including fees) to each campus. An electronic application is available online. Beginning Fall 2005, all applicants for admission must submit their application online www.csumentor.edu.

The application and associated fee may not be required for students desiring to enroll only in extension, intersession, or summer school work.

Classification

Students wishing to pursue a doctoral or master’s degree must be admitted to the specific program under which the student intends to study. At the time of application for admission to the University, the student indicates his or her proposed major and is evaluated against the admission requirements for that program.

If the student meets all of the program’s admission requirements and is selected during the competitive admission process, he/she is admitted to graduate standing as a classified graduate student in the designated program and to the University. If the student is deficient in one or more requirements, which in the judgment of the appropriate campus authority can be met by specific additional preparation, the student may be admitted to graduate standing in a conditionally classified status. A student must maintain satisfactory academic progress (cumulative and semester GPA of 3.0 or better) in order to continue as a classified student.

Admission of students not wishing to pursue a doctoral or master’s degree is limited. Students admitted as an unclassified graduate student may not use more than six units earned in unclassified status to apply toward a subsequent doctoral or master’s program. Therefore, unclassified students shall seek classification during their first semester’s enrollment if they wish to pursue a graduate degree. Unclassified students are allowed no more than two terms of enrollment.

Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)

Writing proficiency at the graduate level will be demonstrated by successful completion of the graduate program requirements. Students’ preparedness for graduate level writing may be demonstrated by meeting one of the standards specified on the WPG Equivalency Standards form.* Students who do not meet one or more of these standards must either take the Writing Placement for Graduate Students (WPG) or take a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in their discipline within their first two semesters of coursework at California State University, Sacramento. Students whose performance on the WPG indicates that they do not need additional writing preparation may advance to candidacy when appropriate. Students whose WPG performance indicates they need additional preparation may elect to either take a GWI course within their program (if available) or via the College of Continuing Education; students must earn a grade of B or above in either course in order to advance to candidacy. Failure to demonstrate proficiency in a timely fashion may result in a student’s declassification from a degree or credential program, and require an application for readmission to the University.

In all cases, writing proficiency must be demonstrated before the student can be advanced to candidacy or enrollment in culminating experience units.

*Refer to www.csus.edu/gradstudies for Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement waiver.

Advising

Classified graduate students should confer with their academic departments for requirements, course selection, and appointment of advisors.

Post-baccalaureate students seeking a teaching credential should contact the College of Education Student Service Center, Eureka Hall, Room 216, (916) 278-6403.

General Program Requirements

Required Graduate Units

The number of units required for graduate degrees vary depending on the field and the degree sought. Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees require a minimum of 30 semester units of approved graduate credit.

The Master of Arts degree in International Affairs, however, requires a minimum of 39 units plus specific language preparation. The Master of Science degree in Counseling requires a minimum of 60 semester units of approved graduate credit. The Master of Business Administration degree requires from 31 to 52 semester units of approved graduate credit depending upon the student’s background in business administration at the time of admission. The Master of Social Work degree requires 60 semester units of approved graduate credit.

The Doctor of Education degree requires a minimum of 60 semester units of coursework.

Graduate transfer credit (with a grade of “B” or better) toward a doctoral or master’s degree at Sacramento State may be considered only if the coursework has not been used previously to complete another degree. A maximum of 6 units may be transferred as determined by appropriate campus authorities.

Major

The Doctor of Education degree must include a minimum of 48 units of regularly scheduled doctoral courses organized primarily for doctoral students. Units earned for the qualifying examination, or dissertation should not exceed 12 units and may contribute toward the major, but they are not permitted in the required 48 unit minimum. Any oral defense of the dissertation is required. Each master’s degree program must include a minimum of 20 approved units in the major subject area. These shall normally include a minimum of 18 units in a 30-40 unit degree program and 36 units in a 60 unit degree program of regularly scheduled 200-level courses requiring student participation as the primary instructional method and seminar courses requiring formal presentations by students. Units earned for thesis or project may contribute toward establishing the major, but they are not permitted in the required units in 200 level seminar courses. No more than 6 units of 295, 299, or non-seminar courses may be counted towards the degree.

Foreign Language

A reading knowledge of a foreign language may be required in some liberal arts areas. Students should consult their advisors to determine if foreign language requirements apply in the particular field in which they plan to take the doctoral or master’s degree.

Academic Residence

A minimum of 42 approved semester units in the 600 series in a 60 unit Education Doctoral program must be earned in residence at Sacramento State. A minimum of 24 approved semester units in 100-, 200-, and 500-series offerings in a 30-unit Master's program must be earned in residence at Sacramento State. Three-hundred- level (methods) courses, student teaching, extension courses offered by Sacramento State, or work completed at other accredited institutions do not meet residence requirements.

Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy

Initiation of advancement to candidacy procedures is the responsibility of the student. Each student who plans to become a candidate for the doctoral degree is required to do the following:

  1. be admitted to classified standing in the doctoral degree program in which candidacy is sought;
  2. have completed all coursework to qualify for the Qualifying Examination with a B or better in each course and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all courses taken;
  3. successfully passed the written and oral Qualifying Examination by Unanimous agreement of the qualifying examination committee;
  4. file an application for advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree at the Office of Graduate Studies.
    a. Must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies by February 1 for eligibility to enroll in dissertation units for the Summer term.
    b. The Office of Graduate Studies will process within four to six weeks.

Eligibility for advancement to doctoral candidacy is based upon the following:

  1. Scholarship in doctoral work taken prior to advancement as follows:
    a. Satisfactory completion of any preparation coursework required for admission to classified graduate standing in the doctoral degree program.
    b. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. No grade of less than “B” can be counted toward the minimum number of units needed to advance to candidacy.
    c. A total of 48 units of 600-level seminar courses must be listed.
  2. Evidence of a plan of graduate study acceptable to the institution and the faculty concerned.
  3. Successfully fulfilled the Qualifying Examination requirement.

Qualifying Examination, Proposal Examination, Dissertation, and Oral Defense

A qualifying examination, proposal examination, dissertation, and oral defense are required for the doctoral degree at Sacramento State.

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination is designed to provide evidence toward validation of the candidate's advanced training in educational leadership. The student must unanimously pass the qualifying examination prior to advancing to doctoral candidacy and enrolling in dissertation units.

At least three examiners must certify to the success or failure of the student in the examination, and the results of the examination must be submitted promptly to the Dean for Graduate Studies on the “Report of Qualifying Examination" form. A unanimous decision on passing is required. A student may repeat the examination once after a failure, provided that at least four calendar months have lapsed since the previous examination. A third trial is not allowed unless extreme extenuating circumstances are demonstrated by the department to the Dean for Graduate Studies.

Proposal Examination

The dissertation proposal will normally contain a description of the problem, a review of the relevant literature, a statement of the research question, and a description of the research methodology. The proposal must contain either (i) materials already submitted to the Institutional Review Board regarding the proposed dissertation research or (ii) materials completed for submission to the Institutional Review Board to meet human subjects requirement.

a. The dissertation proposal examination is normally conducted by a three faculty member committee. A written report will be provided by the committee members to communicate: (1) approval; (2) approval with modifications, or (3) lack of approval.
b. The results of the dissertation proposal examination will be communicated to the Office of Graduate Studies on the "Report of Dissertation Proposal Examination" form. The form shall be accompanied by a copy of the dissertation proposal.

Dissertation

A dissertation shall be the written product of systematic, rigorous research on a significant professional issue. The dissertation is expected to contribute to an improvement in professional practices or policy. It shall evidence originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate form and organization, and a rationale.

The dissertation shall identify the research problem and questions(s), state the major theoretical perspectives, explain the significance of the undertaking, relate it to the relevant scholarly and professional literature, set forth the appropriate sources for and methods of gathering and analyzing data, and offer a substantiated conclusion or recommendation(s). It shall include a written abstract that summarizes the significance of the work, objectives, methodology, and a conclusion or recommendation (s). All members of the dissertation committee must approve the written work.

Oral Defense

An oral defense of the dissertation is required. The student must notify the Office of Graduate Studies of his/her intent to defend the dissertation 30 days prior to the defense. A notice of the date, time, and place of the defense must be posted in a public place for 14 calendar days prior to the dissertation oral defense. The notice should include the title of the dissertation and a brief 150 word abstract.

Advancement to Master’s Candidacy

Each student who plans to become a candidate for a master’s degree is required to do the following:

  1. be admitted to classified graduate standing in the graduate degree curriculum for which candidacy is sought;
  2. complete at least 40 percent of the graduate degree coursework and meet any special departmental requirements in the field in which they propose to take the degree; and
  3. file an application for advancement to candidacy for the master’s degree at the Office of Graduate Studies.
    a. Must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies by October 1 for the spring semester and February 1 for the fall semester in order to register for Culminating Experience during priority registration.
    b. The Office of Graduate Studies will review the petition and process results within four to six weeks.

Eligibility for advancement to candidacy is based upon the following:

  1. Scholarship in undergraduate and graduate work taken prior to advancement as follows:
    a. A satisfactory undergraduate preparation for admission to classified graduate standing in the graduate degree program.
    b. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. No grade of less than “C” can be counted toward the minimum number of units needed to advance to candidacy.
    c. A total of 18 units of 200-level seminar courses must be listed.
    d. No more than a total of six units of 295, 296, or 299 may be counted toward the degree.
  2. Evidence of a plan of graduate study acceptable to the institution and the faculty concerned.
  3. Fulfilled writing proficiency for graduate (WPG) requirement.

Thesis, Project, or Comprehensive Examination

A thesis is required under Plan A, a project is required under Plan B and a comprehensive examination is required under Plan C. Students are eligible to enroll for full or partial credit for their theses or projects at any time after being advanced to candidacy, subject to approval by their faculty advisors. Credit is granted upon completion.

Each department offers one or more or a combination of the following plans:

Plan A: Thesis

A thesis is the written product of the systematic study of a significant problem. It clearly identifies the problem; states the major assumptions; explains the significance of the undertaking; sets forth the sources for, and methods of gathering information; analyzes the data; and offers a conclusion or recommendation. The finished product must evidence originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, clarity of purpose, and accurate and thorough documentation. Normally an oral defense of the thesis will be required.

Plan B: Project

A project is a significant undertaking of a pursuit appropriate to the fine and applied arts or to professional fields. It must evidence originality and independent thinking, appropriate form and organization, and a rationale. It must be described and summarized in a written abstract that includes the project’s significance, objectives, methodology, and a conclusion or recommendation. An oral defense of the project may be required. Some samples of types of projects are outlined below:

  1. A Creative Project in the Arts: an original contribution to the verbal, visual, or performing arts. Examples include a music recital; a musical composition; a completed novel or play; a completed collection of short stories or poems; direction of a theatrical production; a gallery showing of works of art.
  2. A Curriculum Project: a project that contributes to a field of teaching by enhancing communication of a subject matter. Examples include a course of study; a teacher’s guide; an instructional manual; a design for a new teaching method; the development of new teaching materials.
  3. A Research Project: a project which contributes to the physical sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, or the professions, by adding to technical/professional knowledge in the professional field. Examples include building a device; designing an experiment; a field study; a case study; a documentary report; a professional article of publishable quality.

The fulfillment of any of the above culminating requirements must conform to the appropriate requirements of the Sacramento State Thesis and Project Format Requirement Guides.

Plan C: Comprehensive Examination

A comprehensive examination should test the range of subject matter covered in the student’s graduate program. The department may opt for an examination that is written, oral, or a combination of written and oral. Ordinarily the examination will be given in the student’s last semester before the student plans to receive the degree, and in no instance can a student who has not been advanced to candidacy take the examination.

At least three examiners must certify to the success or failure of the student in the examination, and the results of the examination must be submitted promptly to the Dean for Graduate Studies on the “Report of Comprehensive Examination" form. A simple majority determines whether the student has passed or failed. A student may repeat the examination once after a failure, provided that at least four calendar months have lapsed since the previous examination. A third trial is not allowed unless extreme extenuating circumstances are demonstrated by the department to the Dean for Graduate Studies and the culminating experience option cannot be changed once the initial examination has been administered.

Graduate and Post-baccalaureate* Academic Action Categories

*Graduate and Post-baccalaureate Academic Action Categories listed below do not apply to post-baccalaureate students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree

Good Standing

Graduate, credential, certificate and unclassified students whose Sacramento State and cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 3.0 or above are considered in good academic standing.

Academic Probation

Students whose cumulative Sacramento State grade point average or overall grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students on probation are eligible to enroll in the subsequent semester.

Continued Probation

Students on probation will be placed on Continued Probation if they:

    • earn a 3.0 in the semester, but have a Sacramento State GPA and/or overall GPA below 3.0.

Students placed on Continued Probation will be limited to a maximum course load of 9 units per semester until they return to academic good standing.

Academic Disqualification

If a graduate, credential, certificate, or unclassified student is on academic probation and the Sacramento State or cumulative grade point average is below 3.0 for the active term, the student will be academically disqualified.

Students not on probation will be disqualified if the Sacramento State or cumulative GPA is 2.0 or less.

Disqualified students will not be allowed to register unless they are formally reinstated and/or readmitted to the University.

Administrative Probation and Administrative Disqualification

Graduate, credential, certificate, and unclassified students are subject to Administrative Probation for the following reasons:

  1. Withdrawal from all or a substantial portion of their courses in two successive terms or in any three terms.
  2. Repeated failure to progress toward a degree or other program objective, when such failure is due to circumstances within the control of the student.
  3. Failure to comply, after due notice, with an academic requirement or regulation.

Students who do not meet the conditions for removal of administrative probation may be subject to further administrative actions, including Administrative Disqualification.

Notification

Office of the University Registrar, Lassen Hall Lobby (916) 278-7111

Students will be notified of their academic status (academic probation, continued probation, or academic disqualification) by letter, and/or My Sacramento State message and/or email at the end of each semester. Graduate, credential, certificate, and unclassified students on Probation or Continued Probation are required to meet with an advisor in their major department, the credential office or the Office of Graduate Studies. Academic departments and units may block registration of students who fail to meet advising appointments. Students receiving veterans’ educational benefits may be ruled ineligible for continued benefits if, after one semester of unsatisfactory achievement (probation or disqualification), they do not return to academic Good Standing at the completion of the next semester.

Reinstatement of Disqualified Students

Students who have been academically disqualified may petition for reinstatement. The Petition for Reinstatement is obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies. If reinstated, students will be placed on an academic contract that may stipulate maximum units, specific courses and achievement levels.  Failure to meet the conditions of the reinstatement contract and/or failure to achieve a subsequent semester GPA of 3.0 or higher will result in academic disqualification.

Students who are administratively disqualified or not recommended by their academic department for continuation in the graduate degree, credential, or certificate program must formally apply to the University as well as a graduate degree, credential, or certificate program and submit a petition for reinstatement. Reinstated unclassified students will not be allowed to enroll in graduate level courses during the period of the reinstatement contract without the permission of the department chair or designee for that major.

Deadlines to petition for immediate reinstatement are as follows:

  • Spring Semester: Third week of January
  • Fall Semester: End of June

NOTE: Please check the Office of Graduate Studies Web site www.csus.edu/gradstudies for specific dates.

Students whose petitions are approved are subject to review each semester until the Sacramento State GPA and overall cumulative GPA reach the minimum standard of 3.0. Students may not earn the degree, credential, or certificate unless they are in good academic standing and their Sacramento State GPA and overall cumulative GPA reach the minimum standard of 3.0.

Continuous Enrollment

Classified graduate students normally retain rights to the catalog and/or degree program requirement under which they were classified providing they maintain continuous enrollment as defined by the University. Post-baccalaureate students pursuing a credential or certificate shall maintain continuous enrollment to remain eligible for continuation in the program. Students not maintaining continuous enrollment lose classified graduate standing or post-baccalaureate standing and will be required to apply for readmission. Such students may be required to fulfill additional program or degree requirements that are current at the time of readmission.

Continuous Enrollment - Open University

Graduate students who have been advanced to candidacy and who have completed all coursework can maintain the required active degree program status without additional University registration by enrolling in “Continuous Enrollment” through Open University. There are no units associated with this enrollment, but a College of Continuing Education fee equal to one unit is required. Such enrollment is valid as long as the student is within the time period allowed for the completion of the culminating experience requirement. Students completing a thesis or project are allowed a maximum of three semesters past the semester of first registration to complete the thesis or project. If not otherwise actively registered, the student, including those involved in a master's degree comprehensive examination study, must enroll in “Continuous Enrollment” each of the three semesters beyond the initial University enrollment for thesis project or comprehensive examination units. Students completing a dissertation are allowed the term of enrollment to complete the work. If the doctoral student does not complete the work and wishes to maintain matriculation as a Sacramento State student, then the doctoral student must pay the continuous enrollment fee.

Students who do not finish the thesis or project within the semester of original enrollment will receive a grade of “RP” provided satisfactory progress has been made toward completion of the culminating experience. The “RP” grade will remain as long as progress is made toward completion and “continuous enrollment” is maintained the following three semesters.

If the student does not complete the culminating experience within a total of four semesters, she/he will receive a No Credit (“NC”) grade for the original units. The "NC" remains as part of the academic record. If the seven-year deadline for the Master's degree program has not expired, the student must re-enroll in culminating experience units within the next semester and pay University fees before continuing her/his program. Students taking the comprehensive exam for the culminating experience in a semester in which they are not registering for any other units will be required to sign up for “Continuous Enrollment.” Failure to maintain continuous enrollment will result in the need to file an admission application and all related fees during the next available open admission cycle.

Time Limit

All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within five years immediately prior to graduation, and all requirements for the master’s degree must be completed within seven years immediately prior to graduation.

    Criteria for Admission to Classified Graduate Status

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