You are in the official 2004-2005 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
You are in the official 2004-2005 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Application
to Postbaccalaureate/Graduate Admission
(559) 278-2448
FAX: (559) 278-4658
VIVIAN A. VIDOLI, Dean
DIANNE K. DICKERSON, Associate Dean
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.
The Henry Madden Library holdings include one million volumes and nearly
2,600 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.
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.
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.
TThe 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.
The faculty members in the department who constitute the graduate faculty
group have initial responsibility for the quality and scheduling of courses
(including special topics) and the preparation of course syllabi, examinations,
projects, and theses.
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,
M.S.
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.
Deaf Education, Speech-Language Pathology
Computer Science,
M.S.
Counseling,
M.S.
Counseling and Student Services, Marriage and Family Therapy
Creative Writing,
M.F.A.
Criminology,
M.S.
Education,
M.A.
Administration and Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood,
Reading/Language Arts
Engineering,
M.S.
Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
English, M.A.
Composition Theory, Literature
Family and Consumer Sciences,
M.S.*
*Admissions to the M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences are currently suspended
while the program is being restructured.
Food and Nutritional Sciences,
M.S.
Geology, M.S.
History, M.A.
Industrial Technology,
M.S.
Interdisciplinary Studies,
M.A., M.S.
International Relations,
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. *
Teaching
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.
Viticulture
and Enology, M.S.
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 2002-2003. 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.
These fellowships, awarding student stipends up to $1,000 each, provide
benefits for both graduate students and faculty. Eligible projects will
include such mentored activities as research, instructional assistance,
or other faculty-assigned duties. Applications are due at the announced
deadline, and must be jointly developed by the faculty member and the graduate
student(s).
Designed to encourage students to complete their graduate education and
serve as faculty at an accredited college or university in California. Participants
may receive up to $6,000 in loan assumption benefits ($2,000 each year)
for the cumulative equivalent of three consecutive years of full- time employment
at a California college or university. Teaching must begin within 10 years
of being accepted into the program.
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.
Scholarship applications and information for postbaccalaureate/graduate students for the Fall 2003-2004 academic year will only be available and accepted online. Students may log on to http://studentaffairs.csufresno.edu/scholarships and click on Scholarship Application.
The "priority application" period for "full consideration" of scholarship opportunities has been established as September 1, 2002 through November 30, 2002. However, the application will remain on-line until May 31, 2003. This gives late applicants the opportunity to submit an application to be considered for unused scholarship funds.
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 Division 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
Building, Room 121) keeps a record of all applications during the time they
are being considered and may be consulted at (559) 278-4073 for information
on the status of an application. Prospective master's, credential, and advanced
certificate students apply to the university online at http://csumentor.edu
using the Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Application. 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 also apply through http://csumentor.edu using the Graduate
Postbacculaureate Application.
More information on Graduate Studies
Visit
the Graduate Studies Web Site
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