GradInfo Newsletter--September 2006
Important Dates & Deadlines
Events & Workshops
Announcements
Deadlines
Welcome Back! The Division of Graduate Studies welcomes you back for the 2006-2007 academic year. We hope you had a restful and fun-filled summer!
We need your help! Please spread the word about the GradInfo listserv to new faculty and staff involved with graduate education at Fresno State. They may be added to this Listserv by contacting Steve Nasse at 8-2418 or stephenn.
FYI
DGS Office Hours
The Graduate Office continues to offer expanded business hours, weekdays from 7:00 a.m. until noon, and 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. closing time on Fridays).
New and Returning Program Coordinators
Please join us in welcoming these new and returning graduate program coordinators:
- Kevin Ayotte, Communication
- Claire Sham Choy, Counseling
- Carol Fry Bohlin, Education--Curriculum & Instruction option and Teaching
- Lyn Johnson, English
- Fraka Harmsen, Geology
- Constance Jones, MA Psychology
- Sanliang Gu, Viticulture and Enology
A complete list of graduate program coordinators is on our Web site: <www.csufresno.edu/gradstudies/narratives >.
New Degree and Options
MS, Forensic Science; MA, History--Teaching option; MA, Psychology--Applied Behavioral Analysis option; and Master of Public Health--Health Policy and Management option are new this semester.
Advancement to Candidacy Forms
We now have on-line advancement petitions in Word format designed for specific programs. They're available on the DGS Web site. Requirements are already filled in, and most electives (where applicable) can be chosen from drop-down menu fields in the document. Click on the "Forms" link. More information will be available at the Graduate Advising Workshops (see Events & Workshops).
Graduate Handbook
The Graduate Handbook, which is distributed to graduate coordinators and is available on our Web site, is currently being updated. The revised copies will be sent out to coordinators and put on the Web site in October.
Graduate Student Guidebook
The student guidebook, "Chart Your Course to a Master's Degree," was mailed to over 400 incoming graduate students in August. This guidebook leads the student through the many rules and regulations that govern earning a master's degree and provides other information supplemental to the master's degree experience.
The Guidebook is also available on the DGS Web site in PDF format. Students who did not receive a guidebook in the mail may pick one up at the Graduate Office.
McNair Scholars
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is an exciting effort designed to encourage low-income individuals who are first-generation college students and/or traditionally underrepresented in graduate education to pursue doctoral study. At Fresno State, those selected as Ronald E. McNair Scholars commit to involvement for a year and a half. More information about the McNair Program and the work of the students and faculty mentors is available on the McNair Web site: <www.csufresno.edu/mcnair>.
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES FOR FALL 2006
Until September 8: Application period for master's degrees or certificates of advanced study to be awarded in Fall 2006. Forms are now available on line under the "Forms" link on the DGS Web site, and in the Division of Graduate Studies office.
September 16: Thesis Workshop (details below)
September 20: Graduate Student Writing: Social Sciences and Humanities course begins (see information below)
September 29: Deadline for the Advancement to Candidacy petition to be turned in to the Graduate Office for students graduating in Spring 2007
September 30: Last day to apply for Spring 2007 admission
October 1: First day to apply for Fall 2007 admission
October 5, 11a.m.-noon: Exchange: Selecting a Thesis Topic/Committee (see information below)
October 6: Robert and Norma Craig Fellowship application deadline (details below)
October 18, 4-5p.m.: Exchange: Advancement to Candidacy (see information below)
October 19, 4-6p.m.: Writing I: Writing a Research Paper Workshop (see information below)
October 20: Graduate Student Research Merit Award application deadline (details below)
October 30: Thesis final draft deadline
November 28, 5-7p.m.: Writing II: Grant Writing for Students Workshop (see information below)
December 6, 1-2p.m.: Communicating Research: Poster Presentations Workshop (see information below)
December 22: Master's Degree Clearance form deadline for students graduating in Fall 2006
EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
Thesis Workshop
A workshop for Thesis 299 students will be offered on Saturday, September 16, in AG 109, from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Thesis process and required formatting, including instruction on the thesis template, will be included. This workshop is useful for students at any stage of their thesis. Preregistration is required so we'll have enough handouts available. Students may register on line<http://www.csufresno.edu/gradstudies/thesis/workshopsignup.html>; by phone: 8-2448 or 8-2418; or in person in the Graduate Division, Thomas Administration Rm. 132.
Professional Development Opportunities for Graduate Students
New this semester. Registration is required for these events; watch the DGS Web site for updates and registration information.
Course:
Graduate Student Writing: Social Sciences and Humanities. A 5-part weekly series beginning September 20 and meeting on the following four consecutive Wednesdays from 5-7p.m. $35 non-credit - Class No. 76706, Instructor - Howard Hendrix, Ph.D. Contact the Division of Continuing and Global Education. Additional courses may be offered based on demand.
Workshops (for graduate students):
Topic (Date, Time, Location)
-- Thesis Workshop (9/16/06, 9 a.m. - noon, Ag 109)
-- Writing I: Writing a Research Paper (10/19/06, 4 - 6 p.m., UC 202)
-- Communicating Research: Oral Presentations (11/6/06, 4 - 6 p.m., UC 202)
-- Writing II: Grant Writing for Students (11/28/06, 5 - 7 p.m., UC 202)
-- Communicating Research: Poster Presentations (12/6/06, 1 - 2 p.m., UC 202)
Exchanges:
Topic (Date, Time, Location) Attendees
-- Selecting a Thesis Topic/Committee (10/5/06, 11 a.m. - noon, UC 202) for graduate students
-- Advancement to Candidacy (10/18/06, 4 - 5 p.m., UC 202) for graduate students and faculty
Do you have suggestions for additional topics? Contact Jim Prince at 278-2559 or jamespr.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pre-Doctoral Scholars
The Sally Casanova California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to increase the pool of potential faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of California State University students. The $3,000 award provides travel funds for the student and faculty sponsor to travel to doctoral institutions and professional conferences, and for other selected activities that would increase their acceptance into doctoral study. In addition scholars also have an opportunity to apply for a summer internship.
The Division of Graduate Studies would like to congratulate the 2006-2007 Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars and their faculty sponsors!
Scholar, Degree, Faculty Sponsor
Enrique Lopez, Chemistry, Alam Hasson
Gilberto Lopez, Anthropology, James Mullooly
Dawn Marie McIntosh, Communication, Shane Moreman
Felix Perez, Chemistry, Saeed Attar
Mauricio Rodriguez, MPH, Helda Pinzon-Perez
Stefanie Tacata, History, William Skuban
Marjorie Anne Vissar, Political Science, Kenneth Hansen
President's Graduate Scholars Fellows, 2006-2007
Each academic year, President Welty awards two President's Graduate Scholars Fellowships to incoming, first-semester master's degree or Ed.D. students. Each program may nominate one fall applicant. Scholars receive $3,500 for their first year of full-time graduate study with the possibility of a second-year award.
Congratulations to the new and continuing President's Graduate Scholars Fellowship recipients:
Zhanna Bagdasarov, M.A. Psychology
Joyce Baker, M.A. English
Kevin Cooper, M.B.A.
Cory Mikuni, M.A. Kinesiology
Graduate Equity Fellows, 2006-2007
The California Graduate Equity Fellowships, grants up to $4,500, are available for underrepresented graduate students. This program seeks to increase the diversity of students completing a graduate degree program at California State University, Fresno and encourages continuation on to doctoral programs and consideration of university faculty careers.
Congratulations to the 2006-2007 new and continuing fellows!
Kathy Baluyut, MPT
James Espinoza, MFA Creative Writing
Elisa Espitia, MA Communicative Disorders-Speech Language Pathology
Matilde Gonzalez, MA Counseling, MFT
Crystal Hawkins, MSW
Narda Ann Ligotti, MS Nursing
Enrique Lopez, MS Chemistry
Joseph Pulido, MA History
Veronica Sandoval, MS Psychology
Cindy Vang, MPH
Tabitha Villalba, MFA Creative Writing
DEADLINES
Graduation for Fall Graduates, September 8
Students completing a master's degree in Fall 2006 semester must apply for graduation during the first two weeks of the semester, August 28-September 8. Applications are now available on the DGS Web site and in the DGS office.
The crucial deadlines for students who intend to graduate in Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 are on our Web site. This Web page is updated regularly. Please bookmark it. <www.csufresno.edu/gradstudies/requirements/deadline.htm>
Advancement for Spring Graduates, September 29
September 29, 2006, is the deadline for graduate students to petition for advancement to candidacy in order to be eligible for Spring 2007 graduation. Advancement petitions are due in the Division of Graduate Studies office, Thomas Administration Building, room 132, by 5:00 p.m. Compliance with this deadline is especially important for students intending to register for project (298) or thesis (299) units in Spring 2007 because advancement is a prerequisite for 298 or 299 enrollment. Petitions submitted after the deadline will be processed as time allows, in the order that they are received.
Spring 2007 Admission, Deadline extended to November 1
Prospective students applying for Spring 2007 admission must do so by November 1, 2006 (the deadline has been extended from September 30). All applicants must apply on line via CSU Mentor, <www.csumentor.edu>. This date is subject to change. Check the DGS Web site for updates.
The Robert and Norma Craig Fellowship - Up to $1,000, October 6
The Division of Graduate Studies is pleased to offer once again the Robert and Norma Craig (RNC) Fellowships. The RNC Fellowships ($1000, based on 100 hours @ $10/hr.) are designed to provide benefits to both graduate students and faculty. Fellowship stipends must be used to foster student development through mentored activities such as providing research or instructional assistance, or by conducting some faculty-assigned duties, thus freeing faculty members to proceed with the development of research, instruction, or other professional activities. Application and guidelines are available from the Division of Graduate Studies and on our Web site, <www.csufresno.edu/gradstudies/financial/rnc.htm>. Contact Helen Martinez, helenma or 278-6174. Application deadline is Friday, October 6, 2006. Funds need to be expended by May 30, 2007.
Graduate Student Research Merit Award, October 20
These $1,000 awards are provided for meritorious graduate student research proposals associated with the thesis/dissertation 299 or project 298 requirement. Information and applications are available in our office, Thomas 132, on our Web site, <www.csufresno.edu/gradstudies/financial/gsrma.htm>, or from Helen Martinez, 278-6174 or helenma.
