You are in the official 1998-99 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
You are in the official 1998-99 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Application
to Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Admission
(559) 278-2448
FAX: (559) 278-4658
VIVIAN A. VIDOLI, Dean
DAVID A. ROSS, Associate Dean
Students studying for advanced degrees at California State University,
Fresno are a distinctive and valued part of the university. One in six students
enrolled at this campus has already earned a bachelor's degree and is engaged
in additional study 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 the awarding of a certificate of advanced
studies.
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 900,000 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 are the graduate admissions staff, thesis consultant,
and degree evaluator, who advise both domestic and foreign students about
the status of their applications for admission, requirements and regulations
for comple tion of a graduate degree, or other special problems that may
arise. Staff in the division also serve as general advisers to graduate
students.
The responsibilities of the Division of Graduate Studies are complex and
decentralized to include the eight academic schools of the university and
the departments within these schools housing the graduate programs offered
by the campus. Each program has a graduate program coordinator who is a
member of the graduate faculty group for the program. The Corps of Graduate
Advisers includes all of the designated graduate program coordinators who
often serve 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 group, the major professor for a student is
responsible for guiding the student in selecting appropriate courses, research
problems, and professional experiences. Moreover, the major professor 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 350,000 master's degrees and 40,000 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
Agriculture, M.S.
Agricultural Chemistry, Animal Science, Food Science and Nutrition
Art, M.A.
Biology, M.A.
Biotechnology Certificate
of Advanced Study
Business Administration, M.B.A.
Chemistry, M.S.
Civil Engineering, M.S.
Communicative Disorders,
M.A.
Education of the Deaf, Speech-Language Pathology
Computer Science, M.S.
Counseling, M.S.
Marriage, Family and Child Counseling
Creative Writing, M.F.A.
Criminology, M.S.
Education, M.A.
Administration and Supervision, Counseling and Student Services, Curriculum
and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Reading/Language Arts
English, M.A.
Composition Theory, Literature, Nonfiction Prose
Family and Consumer Sciences, M.S.
Food and Nutritional Sciences, M.S.**
Geography,
M.A.
Geology, M.S.
History, M.A.
Industrial Technology, M.S.
International Relations, M.A.
Kinesiology, M.A.*
Exercise Science
Linguistics, M.A. *
English as a Second Language
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.
Speech, M.A.
Speech Communication
Engineering, M.S.
Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Doctoral Degree
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
Certificates of Advanced Study
Biotechnology
Composition
Criminal Justice Counseling Specialist
Educational Technology
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
____________
* In these programs, a student may earn a degree without also declaring
an option.
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 and graduate assistantships are available to graduate
students who are enrolled in a master's degree program 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, 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
and demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completion of their graduate
degrees.
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 for the academic year 1998-1999. For specific information,
write to the chair of the major department.
Awards of $500 are available each fall semester on a competitive basis
to students in the form of grants for research associated with a thesis
or project. Travel grants are available to graduate students who have had
a paper accepted to be read at a major, professional conference. For further
information, contact the Division of Graduate Studies (559) 278-2448.
In an effort to increase the number of students from underrepresented
populations, funds are available to students in a master's degree program,
provided that they satisfy all of the following criteria: (1) maintain a
grade point average of 3.0 or better; (2) belong to one of the following
underrepresented groups: African American, Chicano/Mexican American, other
Hispanic, American Indian, Filipino, Pacific Islander, or women in a master's
program in which men predominate; disabled students may also qualify; (3)
qualify as a resident of the state of California for payment of fees at
the university; (4) be prepared to demonstrate financial need. Filing deadlines
are in the spring. Additional information may be obtained from the Division
of Graduate Studies.
The Student Aid Commission also 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 objective of this program is to increase the number of California
State University minority students, disabled students, and women students
in academic fields where they are underrepresented and to encourage them
to continue their studies through the earning of a doctorate. 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 will be eligible 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 Office of Financial Aid, Joyal 297, between November 1 and February
1 each academic year. Such an application is necessary to compete for award
monies available from the university and from individual departmental resources.
In addition, Fresno State also awards yearly to graduate students two Rodman
Presidential Fellowships of $3,500 each and one Leon Peters Scholarship
of $1,000. Rodman Fellows may obtain a second year of funding if satisfactory
progress is maintained. Nominations for the Rodman and 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 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 petition
for academic overload. 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 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 Graduate Office. 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