You are in the official 1995-96 General Catalog for California State Unive rsity, Fresno

Education - Graduate Programs

School of Education and Human Development
BARBARA G. BURCH, Dean
Education Building, Room 210
(559) 278-0210

ROBERT H. MONKE, Associate Dean and Graduate Programs Coordinator
Education Building, Room 205
(559) 278-0205

M.A. in Education
M.A. in Special Education
M.S. in Counseling
M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling

Advanced Credential Programs Administrative Services
Preliminary
Professional

Early Childhood Education Specialist

Pupil Personnel Services
School Counseling

Reading/Language Arts Specialist

Special Education Specialist
Learning Handicapped
Severely Handicapped

Special Education Specialist Internship
Learning Handicapped
Severely Handicapped

Graduate Education programs in the School of Education and Human Development are focused on "Making a Difference" in central California's diverse society by preparing reflective, collaborative leaders. Postbaccalaureate advanced credential and master's degree programs are primarily focused on: 1) preparation and enhancement of teachers and other educational leaders and 2) preparation of human service leaders who function in a variety of human development roles in both public and private sectors.

The need for quality teachers, administrators, curriculum and instruction specialists, and human development professionals is particularly important for the enhancement of human potential and productivity in the richly varied ethnic, cultural, and social milieu of the region.

Model of Instruction

Instruction in all graduate education programs in the School of Education and Human Development emphasizes the development and refinement of the "Rflective, Collaborative Leader" who will make a difference in our increasingly diverse society. Consistent with this theme and the major components of the Knowledge Base in basic programs; instruction is focused on four major concepts:

Philosophical and Ideological Dimension. Program emphasis is directed to an understanding of the salient theories related to the selected discipline acquired through lecture, discussion, and related research. The long-term goal is to personalize and continue to refine and to modify philosophy and theory through ongoing reflection and self-evaluation.

Cognitive and Reflective Dimension. Program emphasis is focused on planning, implementation, and analysis with emphasis on continual professional growth and development. Leaders are expected to be knowledgeable about current research related to their fields, to be able to think analytically, and to be actively involved in research and contribute to their areas of professional expertise.

Integration and Application of the Knowledge Base. Program emphasis is focused on providing opportunities for development of competence through structured laboratory and field-based experiences where advanced students apply knowledge and techniques with full support of university faculty and field site supervisors.

Addressing Diversity. Program emphasis is focused on enabling students to acquire knowledge and skills needed to function effectively as reflective, collaborative leaders in a multicultural and increas ingly diverse society.

The School of Education and Human Development offers advanced and specialized preparation required for awarding master's degrees and advanced specialist and services credentials. Information about interdisciplinary programs is provided in this section. General information is also provided about all advanced programs while more specific program information is obtained by referring to appropriate departmental sections in this catalog.

Master's Degree Programs

The SOEHD offers four master's degree programs in separate areas of professional emphasis. These degree programs include:
  1. M.A. degree in Education with the following options: administration and supervision, curriculum and instruction, early childhood education, reading/language arts, and counseling and student services
  2. M.A. degree in Special Education
  3. M.S. degree in Counseling with an option in marriage, family and child counseling
  4. M.S. degree in Rehabilitation Counseling
Master's degree programs can be pursued concurrently with fifth-year (postbaccalaureate) teaching credential, specialist credential, or services credential programs. For information regarding the fifth -year clear teaching credential program, contact the fifth-year adviser for the SOEHD, ED 100. Obtain information pertaining to specialist and services credentials by contacting individual program coordinators located in each department.

For additional information and advisement pertaining to SOEHD master's degree programs, consult the appropriate department and program coordinator.


M.A. in Education M.A. in Special Education. (See Department of Counseling and Special Education/coordinator of special education program.)

M.S. in Counseling M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling. (See Department of Counseling and Special Education/coordinator of counselor education.)

Master's Degrees

General Admission Requirements. In addition to making application for admission to the university through the Fresno State Admissions Office, consult the SOEHD Student Services Office in ED 100 for:
  1. Program information
  2. SOEHD graduate programs admission packet
  3. Any specific program application forms
  4. Assignment to an appropriate adviser
All students applying for admission to a master's degree program in the SOEHD must meet the minimum admission requirements listed below and be approved for admission by a program Faculty Review Committee. Evidence of completion of these requirements is to be submitted along with required forms in one complete packet to the SOEHD Student Services Office, ED 100, by the application closing date. A completed admissions packet will include:
  1. Verification of admission to Fresno State
  2. An application to the SOEHD graduate programs
  3. A complete set of transcripts of all prior college or university work
  4. Evidence of a minimum GPA of 2.75 overall or on the last 60 undergraduate units. Continuing postbaccalaureate students must have attained a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all units attempted. (For exception, see Special Education Programs .)
  5. A statement of purpose
  6. Three letters of recommendation from persons in a position to make an evaluation in support of program entry
  7. Evidence of successful completion of ERF 153 (Educational Statistics) or equivalent
  8. Evidence of receipt of the Graduate Record Examination General Test by providing a copy of the GRE Score Report or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) by providing a copy of the Institution Score Report.
  9. Evidence of receipt of a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if an international student. The SOEHD also retains the option to require international students to obtain additional preparation if English usage skills are judged to be inadequate.
  10. Evidence of writing proficiency by one of the following: a.) obtaining a passing score on the Upper-Division Writing Exam, b.) completing English 160W with a grade of B or better, c.) obtaining a passing score on the CBEST
  11. Evidence of any additional requirements unique to each degree and program within the degree. See graduate programs offered through the departments of:
Required application packets are available in the SOEHD Student Services Office, ED 100.

Application Deadlines. Deadlines for submitting SOEHD master's degree programs admission materials are:

Semester Enrolled Applicants are required to attain classified standing (be fully admitted) in a master's degree program prior to the first semester of program enrollment. Applicants who have not completed all requirements for full admission (classified standing) but qualify for unclassified postbaccalaureate standing can enroll in up to 6 units of program coursework. However, no more than 6 program units can be completed during unclassified postbaccalaureate standing and additional program coursework cannot be taken until full admission (classified standing) is attained.

Applicants must complete all program application requirements prior to or during the first semester of enrollment in the degree program. Early completion of application materials assures timely review and written notification of admission status.

Program Faculty Review. Following submission of all application requirements, the program faculty representing each master's degree program reviews the application. Written notification is then sent regarding whether or not admission has been granted.

Appeal of Admissions Decision. Applicants who have received written notification of denial of admission have an opportunity to submit a formal appeal for special consideration to the program faculty. An appeal for special consideration must be submitted within two weeks of the date of the letter of denial in order to be considered by the program faculty during the same semester.

Advancement to Candidacy/Completion of Degree. For information regarding advancement to candidacy and procedures needed to complete the master's degree, contact the SOEHD Student Services Office in ED 100.

The SOEHD Student Services Office maintains a record center for all students who are working toward a SOEHD master's degree. It also maintains liaison between the Division of Graduate Studies and departments in the School of Education and Human Development offering master's degree programs.

In order to ensure selection of courses that will be acceptable on a master's degree program, candidates should consult with the appropriate program coordinator.

Advanced Credential Programs

Advanced Credential Programs are categorized as: 1) specialist credentials and 2) services credentials. These credentials require professional preparation at the postbaccalaureate level. Most specialist and services credentials require successful completion of a basic Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential. Exceptions to this are in Pupil Personnel Services and in some cases Administrative Services (see program coordinator for details).

Specialist Credential Programs offered at California State University, Fresno include:
  1. Agriculture. (See Department of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education /adviser for the agriculture specialist credential.)
  2. Early Childhood Education. (See Department of Literacy and Early Education /coordinator of early childhood education.)
  3. Reading/Language Arts. (See Department of Literacy and Early Education /coordinator of reading/language arts.)
  4. Special Education: Communication Handicapped. (See Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders /coordinator of communication handicapped.); Learning Handicapped; Severely Handicapped (See Department of Counseling and Special Education/coordinator of special education.)
  5. Special Education Internship: Learning Handicapped; Severely Handicapped (See Department of Counseling and Special Education /coordinator of special education.)
Services Credential Programs offered at Fresno State include:
  1. Administrative: Preliminary Administrative; Professional Administrative (See Department of Educational Research, Administration, and Foundations/coordinator of educational administration.)
  2. Clinical Rehabilitative. (See Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders/coordinator of clinical rehabilitative program.)
  3. Health (School Nurse). (See Department of Nursing/coordinator of health services.)
  4. Pupil Personnel School Counseling. (See Department of Counseling and Special Education/coordinator of counselor education.)
  5. Pupil Personnel School Psychology. (See Department of Psychology .)
Specialist and services credential programs can be pursued concurrently with a fifth-year (postbaccalaureate) teaching credential (Multiple Subject or Single Subject) and/or a master's degree. For information regarding the fifth-year clear teaching credential program, contact a fifth-year adviser in the SOEHD, ED 100.

For information pertaining to the SOEHD master's degree programs, consult with the appropriate program coordinator or the SOEHD Student Services Office, ED 100.

Admission Requirements for Advanced Credential Programs. For admission requirements for advanced specialist and services credential programs, refer to the specific program information found in catalog sections for the departments of: Application materials and forms are available in the SOEHD Student Services Office, ED 100. Admission requirements for advanced credential programs are to be completed along with required forms and submitted in one complete packet to the SOEHD Student Services Office, ED 100.

Application Deadlines. Deadlines for submitting SOEHD Advanced Credential program admissions materials are:

Semester Enrolled
Applicants are required to be fully admitted to a specific advanced credential program prior to the first semester of program enrollment. Applicants who have not completed all requirements for full admission but qualify for unclassified postbaccalaureate standing can enroll in up to 6 units of program coursework. However, no more than 6 program units can be completed during unclassified postbaccalaureate standing and additional program coursework cannot be taken until full admission is attained.

Applicants must complete all program application requirements prior to or during the first semester of enrollment in a specific credential program. Early completion of application materials assures timely review and notification of admission status.

Program Faculty Review. Following submission of all application materials, the program faculty representing each advanced credential program reviews the application. Written notification is then sent regarding whether or not admission has been granted.

Appeal of Admission Decision. Applicants who have received written notification of denial of admission have an opportunity to submit a formal appeal for special consideration to the program faculty. An appeal for special consideration must be submitted within two weeks of the date of the letter of denial in order to be considered by the program faculty during the same semester.

Return to Courses Menu

Return to General Catalog Home Page