Requirements for Master’s Degrees

To receive a master’s degree at San Diego State University, the candidate must complete the following general requirements as well as the more specific requirements listed in the appropriate sections of Summary of Curricula Offered .

Official Programs of Study

Each student’s official program of study is documented in the online degree evaluation available through their my.SDSU home page. This is a personalized status report of their progress toward completing graduation requirements, specific to their admission semester. An official program of study (POS) may not be reduced below the minimum required units for the degree, as stated in the catalog’s degree entry. The number of POS units may not be decreased or increased beyond catalog requirements, except in association with an approved course repeat (see University Policies : Repeated Courses (Graduate Student Degree Coursework)). Graduate advisors with questions regarding POS appeals based on rare and unexpected circumstances should contact the College of Graduate Studies.

Requirements for Master’s Degrees

Students must complete each course listed on the official program of study with a grade of C (2.0) or better. Some degree programs require higher grades for some or all courses (see the program’s catalog entry). A course cannot be deleted or replaced from an official program of study after it has been completed, regardless of grade. This also includes courses with assigned grades of “Incomplete” or Report in Progress”. With graduate advisor approval, students have one opportunity to repeat a course that will be applied to the program of study. Both the previous and repeated grade will remain on the student’s transcript; see University Policies  for details.

A program of study must adhere to all degree requirements listed in the catalog. The graduate advisor may request a course substitution or other degree requirement adjustments by successfully petitioning Graduate Studies for an adjustment of academic requirements. Petitions to substitute a course on the program of study should generally be approved prior to registration, and may not be approved after the course is completed. Discontinuation from the graduate program (and loss of matriculation) occurs when a student takes no courses in fall or spring semester after admission, and also does not request a leave of absence in that semester. Students who wish to be readmitted after being discontinued must reapply to the university. Readmission will be decided by the program’s graduate advisor and is not guaranteed. Readmitted students are subject to degree requirements for the year of readmission, unless the advisor successfully petitions for reversion to a prior year’s requirements.

Foreign Language Requirement

Some programs require students to pass a requirement for a language other than English prior to advancement to candidacy, or in some cases, prior to graduation. See Summary of Curricula Offered  for details.

Advancement to Candidacy

A student who holds classified graduate standing and meets scholastic, professional, and other graduate student good standing requirements may be considered for advancement to candidacy for the master’s degree. Advancement to candidacy requires completion of a minimum number of units, no grade of less than 2.0 (C) in a program of study course, minimum GPA in four categories (see Grade Point Averages below), and other requirements of the specific master’s program. The table below outlines minimum requirements for advancement to candidacy in each general degree type, but specific degrees may have higher requirements.

The College of Graduate Studies will notify students upon approval and encoding of advancement to candidacy. Until they are advanced to candidacy, a master’s student may not enroll in the final semester of coursework, enroll in courses associated with the Plan A or Plan B culminating experience, submit a Plan A thesis for publication, or complete a Plan B culminating experience.

Unit Requirements by Degree Type

Master of Arts, Master of Music, and Master of Science Degrees

Thirty to thirty-three units of approved 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned in graduate standing (36-38 units for the Master of Science degree in Psychology, 36 or 51 units for the Master of Arts in Speech,Language, and Hearing Sciences). At least half of the units required must be in 600- and 700-numbered courses. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum number of units required for the degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Business Administration Degree

A minimum of 36 units and up to a maximum of 42 units of 500-, 600-, and 700-level courses earned in graduate standing and specified by the master’s program graduate advisor. A maximum of six units of 500-level courses are acceptable. Up to nine units of coursework taken in non-matriculated status may be applied to the master’s degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 780, 797, 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Business Administration Degree for Executives

A minimum of 48 units of 600- and 700-level courses earned in graduate standing. These courses will be offered in a predetermined pattern. No courses taken in non-matriculated status and no substitute courses are accepted.

Master of Business Administration Degree (Sports Business Management)

A minimum of 45 units of 600- and 700-level courses earned in graduate standing. These courses will be offered in a predetermined pattern. No courses taken in non-matriculated status and no substitute courses are accepted.

Master of City Planning Degree

Forty-two units of approved 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned in graduate standing, at least 39 of which must be completed in matriculated status. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum 42 units for the degree. No more than a total of nine units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Engineering Degree

Thirty-six units consisting of 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses specified by the degree requirements and program director while earned in graduate standing and six units of ENGR 798  (project) which may be taken as two three-unit modules. At least half of the units required must be in 600- and 700-numbered courses. No more than nine units taken in non-matriculated status may be applied to the Master’s degree. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum number of units required for the degree. No more than a total of seven units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Fine Arts in Art Degree

Sixty units of 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned in graduate standing and specified by the School of Art and Design, at least 45 of which must be completed in matriculated status. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum 60 units for the degree. No more than a total of nine units in course 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Degree

Fifty-four units of 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned in graduate standing and specified by the Department of English and Comparative Literature, 39 of which must be in 600-level courses, and at least 36 of which must be completed in matriculated status. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum 54 units for the degree. No more than a total of six units in course 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television Production Degree

Fifty-four units of 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned in graduate standing and specified by the School of Theatre, Television and Film, at least 36 of which must be completed in matriculated status. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum 54 units for the degree. No more than a total of eight units in courses numbered 795 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree. No more than a total of six units in course 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre

Sixty units of 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned in graduate standing and specified by the School of Theatre, Television and Film, at least 30 of which must be completed in matriculated status. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum 60 units for the degree. No more than a total of six units in course 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Fine Arts in Screen Writing

Forty-two units of 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned in graduate standing and specified by the School of Theatre, Television and Film, at least 30 must be 600- and 700-level. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum 42 units for the degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts Degree

Sixty to sixty-three units of 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned in graduate standing and specified by the School of Theatre, Television and Film, at least 44 of which must be completed in matriculated status. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum 60 units for the degree.

Master of Public Administration Degree

Thirty-six to fifty-four units of approved 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned in graduate standing. At least half of the units required must be in 600- and 700-numbered courses. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum number of units required for the degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Public Health Degree

Fifty-one to fifty-nine units of approved 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned in graduate standing. Up to nine units of coursework taken in non-matriculated status may be applied to the Master’s degree. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum units required for the degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Degree

Thirty units of 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses for the standard bioinformatics and medical informatics degree or 38 units of 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses for the concentration in professional science master as specified by the degree requirements while earned in graduate standing. At least half of the units required must be in 600- and 700-numbered courses. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum number of units required for the degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted toward the degree.

Master of Science in Computational Science Degree

Thirty to forty-one units of 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses earned while in graduate standing and specified by the degree requirements. At least half of the units required must be in 600- and 700-numbered courses. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum number of units required for the degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Science in Counseling Degree

Sixty units of 600- and 700- numbered courses earned while in graduate standing and specified by the Department of Counseling and School Psychology. Up to 24 units of coursework taken in non-matriculated status may be applied to the master’s degree. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum 60 units for the degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Science in Nursing Degree

Thirty-seven to fifty-eight units of 500-, 600-, and 700- numbered courses earned while in graduate standing and specified by the School of Nursing. Some concentrations or specializations require up to 29 additional units. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum number of units required in each concentration or specialization. Up to 12 units of coursework taken in non-matriculated status may be applied to the master’s degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs Degree

Thirty-seven units of 600- and 700- numbered courses as specified by the director of the regulatory affairs program while earned in graduate standing. No more than a total of 11 units in approved special session courses prior to matriculation and transfer courses may be used to satisfy the minimum unit requirement for the degree. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum number of units required for the degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling Degree

Sixty units of 600- and 700-numbered courses earned while in graduate standing and specified by the rehabilitation counseling program, at least 70% of which must be completed in matriculated status.  Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies are in addition to the minimum 60 units for the degree.

Master of Social Work Degree

Thirty-eight units of 500-, 600-, 700- numbered courses earned while in graduate standing and for the advanced standing degree or 60-63 units of 500-, 600-, 700-numbered courses earned while in graduate standing and for the standard degree as specified by the School of Social Work, at least 70% of which must be completed in matriculated status. Courses required to remove undergraduate deficiencies in addition to the minimum units for the degree. No more than a total of six units in courses numbered 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.

Course and Grade Requirements for Master’s Degrees

Each course and grade requirement listed below applies to all master’s degrees, unless the program’s catalog entry lists a policy that is more restrictive. See University Policies  for additional policies that apply to all master’s programs.

Minimum Course Grade Requirements

A course may not be used to satisfy the requirements for a master’s degree if the final grade is below “C” (2.0) or No Credit.

Credit/No Credit Grading

At least 70 percent of the units used to fulfill the minimum requirements of a master’s degree program shall be letter graded. No courses graded credit/no credit (Cr/NC) are acceptable for a master’s degree program, except those offered for Cr/NC only. Units graded Cr/NC will not be included when determining the number of non-letter graded units allowable if they were earned in practica, field experiences, or internships that are explicitly stated as requirements for the degree.

Course Level (Number) Restrictions

Courses designated as undergraduate level (numbered below 500) cannot be used towards a post-baccalaureate degree. No more than one-half of the units required for a master’s degree may be courses numbered 500-599. Many programs place additional restrictions regarding courses at the 500 level (check the specific catalog entry). At least one-half of the units required for a master’s degree must be courses at the 600- and 700-level.

No more than twelve units of coursework numbered 596 and/or 696 may be applied to a master’s degree.

Application to a Single Degree

Courses applied toward one post-baccalaureate degree may not be used to fulfill the requirements of another post-baccalaureate degree unless specifically approved in the corresponding catalog entry.

Non-matriculated Units (Including Transfer From Other Universities)

Credit earned through work experience, by correspondence or by examination is not acceptable for the master’s degree program of study. All master’s degree courses must be completed after earning a baccalaureate degree, except for SDSU concurrent master’s degree credit, or courses completed in a SDSU blended (4+1) program.

A limited number of non-matriculated post-baccalaureate courses may be applied to a master’s degree if requested by the graduate advisor and approved by the College of Graduate Studies. Unless otherwise specified, no more than 30% of a master’s degree’s units may be earned while in non-matriculated status. Partial credit from a non-matriculated course may not be considered for this calculation; only entire courses may be included. For a state-support degree program, “non-matriculated status” includes all SDSU Global Campus courses (regardless of when they were taken), plus SDSU Open University courses taken before the student started the program, plus transfer courses from other institutions. For students in a SDSU Global Campus degree program, “non-matriculated status” includes all main campus courses (regardless of when they were taken, or whether registration was through Open University), plus SDSU Global Campus courses taken before the student’s first formally admitted semester in the program, plus transfer courses from other institutions.

Requests to apply transfer courses to a SDSU master’s degree may be approved if 1) the institution is accredited by a regional accrediting association, 2) the course was completed after a Bachelor’s degree was awarded, 3) the course has not and will not be applied to another degree, and 4) the course is graduate-level. Transfer course requests must be submitted by the program’s graduate advisor and approved by the College of Graduate Studies. Transfer courses must not have expired at the time the degree is awarded (see Degree Time Limitations); validation or time extension of transfer courses is not permitted.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Appeals

Students may be required by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to obtain written verification from the program’s graduate advisor that a course not on the official program of study is required (for example, to prepare for a thesis or other culminating experience).

Grade Point Averages

Graduate students must maintain grade point averages of at least 3.0 (B) in:

1. All courses listed on the official program of study (including courses taken in non-matriculated status).
2. All San Diego State University courses listed on the official program of study that were completed during matriculation.
3. All courses listed on the post-baccalaureate transcripts (including transfer).
4. All San Diego State University courses listed on the post-baccalaureate transcripts.

Degree Time Limitations

For most master’s degrees, all requirements must be less than six years old at the time that the degree is awarded. For master’s and concurrent master’s degrees that require more than 36 units, all degree requirements must be less than seven years old when the degree is awarded. Time spent on leave of absence does not extend the degree time limit. Students who do not graduate by these deadlines may be subject to administrative disqualification by the graduate dean.

Graduate advisors who support time extensions for expiring courses may appeal on behalf of the student if those courses have not changed significantly since the student took them. Appeals for time limit extension require justification of the student’s extenuating circumstances. Advisors must also address whether degree requirements have changed since the student began their program, and how each expired course will be “validated” for current knowledge. If an appeal is approved and student knowledge is then validated for recency, a one-year time limit extension will be granted. Courses that fail validation must be repeated or substituted. 

No more than 30% of the degree’s total units may be extended beyond standard time limits, and no course or other degree requirement can be greater than 10 years old at the time the degree is awarded. A course may not have its time limit extended if it is a transfer course from another university. An expired culminating experience (thesis, project, portfolio or comprehensive examination) may not have its time limit extended. Individual graduate programs may more narrowly limit the number, types and/or expiration date of courses, based on field-specific standards.

Students who have lost matriculation and wish to continue their studies must formally apply for readmission, which is not guaranteed. See Readmission under University Policies.

Research Involving Human Subjects or Animal Subjects

Committee authorization must be obtained in advance of conducting research involving humans or animals. Failure to observe this requirement may result in the refusal of the university to accept the master’s thesis for publication and degree requirements.

Research in which information is obtained about an individual through the use of a survey, interview, observation or experimentation or which involves analysis of previously collected human tissues, records, samples or other existing or secondary data is subject to review and approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). For students enrolled in a joint program, IRB review may be required at each campus. Students are responsible for knowing and complying with IRB review requirements at the institution(s) in which they enrolled. IRB review application materials and guidance on the SDSU campus may be obtained online at https://research.sdsu.edu/research_affairs.

Students planning to conduct research that involves the use of live, vertebrate animals must be listed on a protocol approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) where the research will take place. If the research will occur under a SDSU approved protocol, the student must be listed on the responsible faculty’s animal protocol form and receive required training. Application materials used to request a review by the IACUC may be obtained online at https://research.sdsu.edu/research_affairs or through the Division of Research and Innovation located in Gateway Center, Room 3519.

Upon receipt of written authorization from the relevant committee, IRB or IACUC, students may initiate their research and register for required coursework.

Thesis (Plan A) and Non-Thesis (Plan B)

Satisfactory completion of a thesis, project, or comprehensive examination is defined as follows:

1. A thesis is the written product of a systematic study of a significant problem. It identifies the problem, states the major assumptions, explains the significance of the undertaking, sets forth the sources for and the methods of gathering information, analyzes the data, and offers a conclusion or recommendation. The finished product evidences originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization, language, and format, high level of writing competency, and thorough documentation. In most cases, an oral defense of the thesis is required.
2. A project is a significant undertaking appropriate to the fine and applied arts or to professional fields. It evidences originality and independent thinking, appropriate form, language use, organization, and rationale. It is described and summarized in a written abstract that includes the project’s significance, objectives, methodology, and a conclusion or recommendation. An oral defense of the project may be required.
3. A comprehensive examination is an assessment of the student’s ability to integrate the knowledge of the area, show critical and independent thinking, and demonstrate mastery of the subject matter. The results of the examination evidence independent thinking, appropriate organization and high level of writing competency, critical analysis, and accuracy of documentation. A record of the examination questions and responses shall be maintained in accordance with the records retention policy of the California State University.

Plan A master’s degrees at San Diego State University require a thesis or project that culminates with a publicly published document usually referred to as a Thesis. The master’s program graduate advisor approves the style that a thesis is written in. As described below, formatting review, formatting approval, and publication is facilitated by Montezuma Publishing using formatting standards that are established by the Graduate Council. Publication is electronic through the ProQuest ETC (Electronic Thesis & Dissertations) system. The 799A (Thesis) course is required for Plan A students on the official program of study, with registration prior to formatting review. Course 799A represents three units of academic credit and can only be taken Credit/No Credit. A grade of Credit is assigned by the College of Graduate Studies upon thesis approval by the thesis committee, and publication through the ProQuest ETC (Electronic Thesis & Dissertations) system. Students will not be permitted to register in 799A until they have been officially advanced to candidacy, and have an officially approved Thesis or Project Committee Form on file in the College of Graduate Studies. Unauthorized registration in this course may result in cancellation of enrollment.

Plan B master’s degrees at San Diego State University require a project, portfolio, comprehensive written examination or other significant culminating experience that is not submitted to Montezuma Publishing, and without publication through the ProQuest ETC (Electronic Thesis & Dissertations) system. Dates for comprehensive examination or project completion are determined by the graduate program. Results of the Plan B culminating experience must be reported to the College of Graduate Studies by the graduate advisor prior to the last day of classes. Students are ineligible to begin the Plan B culminating experience or register in associated courses until after advancement to candidacy.

Thesis Committee

In consultation with the degree program’s graduate advisor, each Plan A master’s student will select a thesis committee that includes a chair and at least two other members. The student, graduate advisor, and committee chair will agree upon the remaining faculty committee members. Thesis committee approval and changes to the thesis committee are requested by filing a Thesis Committee Approval Form. The Rights to Thesis/Dissertation Data and Publication Authorship Form must be submitted as part of the approval process.

The College of Graduate Studies reviews and approves the composition of master’s student thesis committees based on current university requirements. These requirements include but are not limited to the following. The thesis committee is composed of at least three full-time SDSU faculty members. At least two of the members, including the committee chair, must hold permanent SDSU faculty appointments, be in the SDSU FERP program, or be an approved SDSU emeritus faculty. The first three committee members must be faculty approved by the graduate program for thesis committee service. To promote parity and objective standards across all master’s programs, it is highly recommended that the third committee member be an “outside” SDSU faculty member who is not a member of the degree program’s graduate faculty list. Each master’s program shall create an “outside” member policy that is appropriate for their field of study. 

Research may require regulatory review and approval. Appropriate authorization must accompany the Thesis Committee Approval Form when it is submitted to the College of Graduate Studies. The thesis committee will not be approved without appropriate research clearance. Additional information is provided above in Research Involving Human Subjects or Animal Subjects.

Thesis Embargo

The University Library and Montezuma Publishing will temporarily restrict (embargo) the use of a thesis or project if the author and the chair of the thesis committee request such action and the graduate dean or designee approves. The purpose of the restriction is to protect the author’s right to publish or otherwise exploit the new knowledge before making it available to others. The display of a thesis may be embargoed for a period of up to one year upon written request of the student. To designate restricted use of a thesis, the student and the thesis committee chair should send a memorandum requesting restricted use to the dean of the College of Graduate Studies. If the dean or designee approves, the request is forwarded to Montezuma Publishing for implementation. 

Authors may request a renewal of the restriction period for a second year by sending a memorandum to the graduate dean or designee specifying the reason for the renewal. After a thesis is published, restricted use is no longer an option.

Theses in Foreign Languages

As presentations of original research to the academic community, theses are ordinarily prepared for the university in the English language. In certain cases, however, for a degree in a language other than English, a student’s thesis in the history and literary analysis of non-English languages and literatures may be presented in the subject language. When the departmental graduate advisor and the prospective thesis committee deem this academically appropriate for the specific research topic, the appointment of the student’s thesis committee and authorization of the thesis research by the graduate dean shall be based on the provisions that (1) an abstract of the thesis shall be presented in English; (2) all members of the thesis committee shall be fluent in the subject language; and (3) student competency in standard written English shall be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a departmental procedure that has been approved by the graduate dean.

To obtain approval from the graduate dean, the “thesis in a foreign language” box must be checked on the appointment of thesis committee form. In addition, the program’s graduate advisor must verify that the above provisions have been met.

Submission and Publication of Theses

Submission of a thesis for university publication requires formal approval of the faculty thesis committee. Thesis manuscript submission will only be accepted if it conforms to the format and style requirements specified by the Graduate Council and graduate program. These requirements are outlined on Montezuma Publishing’s website at https://www.montezumapublishing.com/sdsuthesisdissertation.

Students must be enrolled in 799A (Thesis) or 799B (Thesis Extension) during the term in which the thesis is submitted to Montezuma Publishing for formatting review. Students will not be required to register for 799A or 799B in any subsequent term, provided that the submission is received and accepted by Montezuma Publishing prior to their end-of-semester deadline. Deadlines are determined and advertised by Montezuma Publishing and the College of Graduate Studies.

Thesis manuscripts should not be submitted to Montezuma Publishing for formatting review until they are approved by the thesis committee for academic content, adhere to all formatting and style requirements, and are judged by the thesis committee to be publication-ready. Manuscripts deemed unready for submission, as determined by the Montezuma Publishing reviewer, will be rejected and returned to the student. Manuscripts are considered unready for submission when (1) they are not in compliance with graduate program style guidelines as described on Montezuma Publishing’s website; (2) they are not in compliance with the university’s formatting guidelines as stated on Montezuma Publishing’s website (that is, there are gross deficiencies of format or presentation); (3) they are incomplete. Students who are unable to meet the final deadline for submission will be required to enroll or reenroll in 799B in a future term.

A “Cr” grade in 799A (Thesis) or 799B (Thesis Extension) will only be granted upon publishing approval for the thesis and payment of all relevant fees. The College of Graduate Studies is solely responsible for the submission of grades for 799A and 799B. If the entire submission process is not completed by the publication deadline listed in the academic calendar, applicants for graduation will be automatically reevaluated for graduation in a limited number of future terms.

If a student submits for review before the last day to submit deadline, but does not pass formatting review,  they may resubmit at any point until  submission deadline or within 45 days of receiving a corrections email, whichever comes later. If the student does not pass within this time frame, the thesis will be rejected and the student will have to register in 799B (Thesis Extension) the following semester. (Note that applicants for graduation will be automatically reevaluated for graduation in a limited number of future terms.)

A student must pay for publication within 90 days of the notification that they have passed a formatting review. If a student fails to pay for publishing within this time frame, the thesis will be rejected and the student will have to register in 799B (Thesis Extension) and re-apply for graduation the following semester. (Note that applicants for graduation will be automatically evaluated for graduation in future terms.)

Application for Graduation

Graduation is not automatic upon the completion of requirements. Master’s students who intend to graduate must take the initiative to file a graduation application with the university. Deadlines for receipt of graduation applications by the College of Graduate Studies are published each year in the academic calendar and on the College of Graduate Studies website at: https://grad.sdsu.edu.

A one-time, nonrefundable graduation services fee is required at the time of application. See the SDSU Bursar’s Office website (https://bursar.sdsu.edu/) for current fee. Students who do not complete all degree requirements in the semester in which they applied for graduation may be automatically reconsidered for graduation for up to three additional terms without reapplying (contact the College of Graduate Studies for additional information). Candidates for graduation are not eligible to register for terms subsequent to the graduation date unless admitted to another graduate program.

Master’s students who have applied for graduation should review their degree requirements and progress using their official online degree evaluation, and notify their graduate advisor of unexpected discrepancies. Failure to take action (whether by the student or advisor) may result in a cancellation or delay of graduation. 

Master’s students who are also pursuing an Advanced Certificate or Post-Baccalaureate Credential should obtain degree completion information from the corresponding advisor, since these degree types do not require a graduation application. For all other graduation or cancellation information please visit the College of Graduate Studies website at: https://grad.sdsu.edu.

Awarding of Degree

The graduate dean may recommend awarding of a post-baccalaureate degree only if the official program of study and all other degree requirements are satisfactorily completed prior to university deadlines. Some degree requirements have completion dates that are earlier than the last day of term (refer to the College of Graduate Studies website for current information).

Upon the recommendation of the faculty of San Diego State University, the Board of Trustees of the California State University awards the appropriate degree to students who have completed the prescribed course of study. The process of posting degrees to transcripts may take up to approximately six to eight weeks after the diploma date.

For graduation candidates, instructors must submit grade changes for Incomplete Authorized (I) and Report in Progress (RP) by the university deadline, which will be prior to the end of term. Postbaccalaureate degrees will be awarded if all degree requirements have been met, even if non-degree courses have transcript entries of I or RP. Grades of I and RP will convert to Incomplete Charged (IC) and No Credit (NC) respectively upon graduation. Students who do not wish to graduate with grades of IC or NC on their permanent transcripts must formally cancel their application for graduation. Grades of IC and NC cannot be changed (replaced with a letter grade or Credit) after the degree has been granted. Incomplete Charged grades are counted as an F for grade point average purposes. 

Diploma

Diplomas are mailed to graduates approximately eight to ten weeks after the diploma date. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain a mailing address in their university account that will be valid for that period of time. Degree titles on diplomas include the degree type and concentration (if applicable), but not specializations or tracks.

Commencement

Commencement ceremonies are held each year at the conclusion of the spring semester for students completing degrees in the prior fall, current spring, or next summer term. Details regarding commencement are communicated to prospective participants in March, and are available on the commencement website at https://commencement.sdsu.edu.