You are in the official 2001-2002 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Students studying for advanced degrees at California State University, Fresno are a distinctive and valued part of the university. One in five Fresno State students is enrolled at a more advanced level as a postbaccalaureate or graduate student. More than 3,000 such students are enrolled in studies leading to a graduate degree at either the master's or doctoral level, or to the attainment of an advanced credential or a certificate of advanced study.
There are many reasons, both academic and personal, that have
drawn these individuals to California State University, Fresno.
Some have come in recognition of the excellence of the university's
graduate programs, many of which are nationally recognized by
external accrediting agencies. Others have been attracted by a
sterling group of graduate faculty members who take seriously
the requirement to be teacher-scholars and have garnered many
awards in teaching and research. Other students have come because
of the availability of outstanding facilities that encourage student
research and professional development. The natural laboratories
of the adjacent Sierra Nevada mountain range and the geography
of the large central valley of California provide exciting dimensions
for those interested in environmental and ecological research.
Collaborative sites jointly operated with governmental agencies
and other universities exist in areas such as biomedical research,
marine sciences, engineering, agriculture, business, and education.
With a campus focus on both applied and theoretical research,
students can be more readily assured of an opportunity to match
their interests with those of the faculty members.
Successful graduate students consider the Henry Madden Library
to be a powerful resource. Madden Library holdings include 930,000
volumes and nearly 3,000 periodicals and major collections in
areas such as music, maps, governmental documents, rare books,
and curriculum materials. Library services, such as the interlibrary
loan program and electronic database searches, ensure library
support for students. University librarians are instrumental in
assisting graduate students in acquiring information resources
and archival records and searching various databases.
The university also has a history of attracting scholars from
many areas of the world. These scholars may join the faculty or
present special lectures, and often engage in joint research and
publication efforts with Fresno State faculty. Through these scholars,
graduate students are exposed to a significant network of nationally
recognized colleagues.
The Division of Graduate Studies includes all departments and
academic units within the university that offer graduate courses
and programs leading to advanced degrees . The chief administrative
officer of the Division of Graduate Studies is the graduate dean,
who has general responsibility for the development, planning,
assessment, improvement, and administration of postbaccalaureate
and graduate programs offered by the university. Within this charge,
the division administers all graduate student record functions,
including admissions, student academic progress, and evaluations;
develops opportunities for providing student fellowships, scholarships,
and assistantships; and provides support for research and professional
scholarship activities for faculty and graduate students.
The university adheres to the Council of Graduate Schools statement
issued in Organization and Administration of Graduate Education,
1990, that it is the responsibility of the Division of Graduate
Studies and the graduate dean to bring an institution-wide perspective
to all postbaccalaureate endeavors, to serve as an advocate for
issues and constituencies critical to the success of graduate
programs, to develop ways for graduate education to contribute
to and enhance undergraduate education, to champion support of
graduate students, and to ensure that graduate education enlivens
the intellectual community of scholars at the university.
Housed within the Division of Graduate Studies are the special
admission, program, and degree evaluators, and the thesis consultant.
They advise both domestic and foreign students about the requirements
and regulations for completion of a graduate degree and other
special problems that may arise. Staff members in the division
provide general information to graduate students.
The responsibilities of the Division of Graduate Studies are complex
and decentralized to include the eight academic colleges and schools
of the university and the departments within them housing the
graduate programs offered by the campus. Each program has a graduate
program coordinator who often serves as the initial point of contact
for entering graduate students. Responsibility for the quality
and scheduling of courses, including special topics, the preparation
of course syllabi, examinations, and thesis, rests initially with
faculty members in the department who constitute the graduate
faculty group.
As a member of the graduate faculty, the major professor/adviser
for a student is responsible for guiding the student in selecting
appropriate courses, research problems, and professional experiences.
Moreover, the major professor/adviser is important as both a colleague
and mentor in facilitating the intellectual development and maturation
of the student within the discipline.
The chief consultative body responsible for formulating and recommending
policies, standards, and procedures is the university's Graduate
Committee. This committee is composed of eight faculty members
elected by the faculty, one graduate student member, and the graduate
dean.
The Division of Graduate Studies is proud of the diversity
of its graduate student body. Graduate students come from a variety
of ethnic, racial, and age groups, and represent many nationalities
and countries throughout the world. They present a mosaic of personal
values, beliefs, and experiences that enrich the dialogue of campus
conversations. Whether these students are recent graduates of
bachelor's degree programs or are returning students, they constitute
a dynamic group on campus. The diversity of the student body thus
presents a very special opportunity for all part-time and full
-time graduate students to establish a vast, collegial network.
For those students who make up the graduate student body, success
in the pursuit of a graduate degree depends upon active cooperation
with their faculty advisers and instructors. Graduate students
are expected to develop the ability to critically seek out and
analyze facts, sift evidence, master theories and advanced techniques
of professional inquiry, and demonstrate these abilities orally
and in writing. Moreover, they must risk giving their informed
opinions and be ready to accept criticism and advice rendered
by faculty mentors and student colleagues. The pursuit of an advanced
degree also requires that participants demonstrate an essential
degree of independence and self -motivation in acquiring knowledge
in their field of study. The rewards for those who succeed are
many, as evidenced by the rapidly growing number of individuals
nationwide who earn a graduate degree. Currently, more than 406,000
master's degrees and 45,000 doctoral degrees are awarded annually
in the United States.
There is great variety in the nature and scope of the graduate
programs, options, concentrations, and emphases available at California
State University, Fresno. Those that are officially recognized
and for which the university is authorized to confer a degree
are listed below. Additional areas of specialization, although
not officially recognized on transcripts or diplomas, may be obtained
through selection of appropriate elective courses.
Master's Degrees and Authorized Options
Animal Sciences
- see Special Major
Art,
M.A.
Biology, M.S.
Biotechnology
Certificate of Advanced Study
Business Administration,
M.B.A.
Chemistry,
M.S.
Civil Engineering,
M.S.
Communication,
M.A.
Communicative Disorders,
M.A.
Education of the Deaf, Speech-Language Pathology
Computer
Science, M.S.
Counseling,
M.S.
Marriage and Family Therapy
Creative Writing,
M.F.A.
Criminology,
M.S.
Education,
M.A.
Administration and Supervision, Counseling and Student Services,
Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood, Reading/Language
Arts
Engineering,
M.S.
Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
English,
M.A.
Composition Theory, Literature, Nonfiction Prose
Family and Consumer
Sciences, M.S.
Food and Nutritional
Sciences, M.S.
Geography, M.A. (Admission Suspended)
Geology,
M.S.
History, M.A.
Industrial Technology,
M.S.
International
Relations, Special major, M.A.
International
Relations, M.A.
Kinesiology,
M.A.*
Exercise Science
Linguistics,
M.A. *
English as a Second Language
*In these programs, a student may earn a degree without also declaring
an option.
Marine Sciences,
M.S.
Mass Communication,
M.A.
Mathematics,
M.A.
Music, M.A.
Music Education, Performance
Nursing,
M.S.
Clinical Specialization, Primary Care/Nurse Practitioner
Physical
Therapy, M.P.T.
Physics, M.S.
Plant Science,
M.S.
Psychology, M.A.,
M.S.
Public Administration,
M.P.A.
Public Health,
M.P.H.
Environmental and Occupational Health, Health Administration,
Health Promotion
Rehabilitation
Counseling, M.S.
Social Work,
M.S.W.
Spanish,
M.A.
Special
Education, M.A.
Special Major, M.A.
In addition to the information found in the Financial
Aid section of this catalog, the Division of Graduate Studies
publishes a sourcebook, "Financial Assistance for the Graduate
Student," on opportunities for funding graduate students.
This is available to students at no cost upon request to the Division
of Graduate Studies.
A number of teaching associateships and graduate assistantships are available to graduate students who are enrolled in master's degree programs and whose previous records show outstanding achievement in academic work, outstanding subject matter competence in their major fields, and the special qualities necessary to the duties assigned.
Eligibility for an initial associateship or assistantship appointment
requires possession of a baccalaureate degree and admission to
the master's degree program that gives the nomination, with at
least conditional classified graduate status. Subsequent appointments
require that students maintain a 3.0 GPA, be enrolled in coursework
toward their graduate degree, and demonstrate satisfactory progress
toward completion of their graduate degree.
Assistants work under the direction of an assigned faculty member
and assist in such functions as the supervision of laboratories
or other small groups, the evaluation of student work, the preparation
of course materials, or the conduct of authorized research. Assistants
receive a stipend ranging from $2,000 to $5,500 per semester for
the academic year 2000-2001. For specific information, write to
the chair of the major department.
Limited awards of $500 are available each fall semester on
a competitive basis to students in any academic area in the form
of grants for special merit and quality scholarship of graduate
student research proposals associated with a thesis or project.
For further information, contact the Division of Graduate Studies,
(559) 278-2448.
Travel grants are available to graduate students who have had
papers and/or posters accepted for presentation at major, professional
conferences or society meetings. For further information, contact
the Division of Graduate Studies, (559) 278-2448.
Fellowships ranging in amounts of up to $4,500 are available
for underrepresented graduate students who qualify. The California
Graduate Equity Fellowship Program seeks to increase the diversity
of students completing graduate degree programs at California
State University, Fresno and encourages continuation to doctoral
programs and consideration of university faculty careers. It provides
fellowships for economically disadvantaged graduate students (especially
those from groups that are underrepresented among graduate degree
recipients in their areas of study) and promotes faculty mentoring
and research opportunities. Filing deadlines are in the spring
for funding in the following academic year. Additional information
may be obtained from the Division of Graduate Studies, (559) 278-2448.
The Student Aid Commission administers the State Graduate Fellowship
Program for tuition assistance for master's and doctoral students.
To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA), and return it by March 1. In addition, students
must complete and mail the Student Aid Commission GPA Verification
Form to the Commission by March 1. These forms are available at
the Financial Aid Office.
The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to increase
the pool of potential faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations
of California State University students who have experienced economic
and educational disadvantages. The program provides travel funds
for qualified students to visit institutions that grant the doctorate
and/or attend professional meetings with a faculty sponsor. Students
in the program may also be considered to participate in a summer
research program at a UC or CSU campus. Additional information
is available through the Division of Graduate Studies.
Postbaccalaureate/graduate students may apply for scholarships
through the Scholarship Office, Joyal 274, between September 1
and November 19 each academic year. Such an application is necessary
to compete for award monies available from the university and
from individual departmental resources.
In addition, each year Fresno State also awards entering graduate
students two President's Graduate Scholars Fellowships of $3,500
each and one Leon Peters Scholarship of $1,000 to continuing graduate
students. President's Graduate Scholars may obtain a second year
of funding if satisfactory progress is maintained. Nominations
for the Peters awards originate from the graduate degree program
directors.
Depending on the use of the term, there are several definitions
of full time. For the purpose of reporting enrollments, students
taking 9 or more units are considered full time and students taking
less than 9 units are considered part time.
For the purpose of financial aid (loans, veteran's assistance,
etc.), a full-time student takes 12 "equivalent units"
wherein each graduate unit (200-level) attempted by a graduate
student is considered as 1.5 units and each undergraduate unit
(100-level or below) counts at face value. For example, a student
enrolled for eight 200-level units would be considered a full-time
student. Three-quarter time and half-time are defined to be 9
to 11 1/2 and 6 to 8 1/2 "equivalent units," respectively.
Under certain circumstances, a student enrolled in Graduate Studies
Continuation (zero units) to complete requirements for the master's
degree (including Thesis 299, Project 298, and the Comprehensive
Examination) may qualify for full-time status or a fraction thereof.
The Graduate Office will verify the student's appropriate status
in such cases through his or her major adviser upon request from
the student.
Graduate courses require substantially more concentrated study
than do undergraduate courses. A normal load is from 9 to 12 units,
and the maximum allowable load is 16 units for full-time master's
degree students when one or more courses in the 200 series are
included. Requests for exceptions to this policy must be addressed
to the Graduate Division on a graduate student petition for academic
overload during the first two weeks of the semester. Students
employed full time may take a maximum of 6 units. For maximum
units during the summer session, see the Summer Session Catalog.
Students are encouraged to plan and apply for graduate admission
as early as possible. Completed applications are considered as
they are received and thus there are many benefits to applying
early. For example, it is often the case that available financial
awards such as teaching assistantships and other financial aid
resources, which are limited in number, may be granted only to
the early applicants. Be aware, too, that a decision on an incomplete
application is likely to be delayed. In many instances this occurs
when supporting documents such as official transcripts, scores
from standardized tests (GRE, GMAT, MAT), portfolios of writing
samples, letters of recommendation, etc. are not received. Applicants
are advised to ensure that these materials are requested and forwarded
prior to or at the same time as the submission of their application.
The Graduate Admissions Office (located in Joyal Administration,
Room 121) keeps a record of all applications during the time they
are being considered and may be consulted for information on the
status of an application. Prospective master's, credential, and
advanced certificate students apply to the university using the
Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Booklet which may be
obtained from the Division of Graduate Studies. Students are also
referred to the admission requirements described for each graduate
degree, credential, or advanced certificate program elsewhere
in this catalog. Those interested in a second undergraduate degree
should use the undergraduate application available in Joyal Administration.
More information on Graduate Studies
Visit
the Graduate Studies Web Site
Home