There are nearly 6,000 students enrolled in post-baccalaureate study in ninety-one master’s programs, an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, and three joint doctoral degrees with the University of California. In addition, the University offers credential programs in education and specialized certificate programs. Our students, many of whom are working full- or part-time, are fully engaged in scholarly endeavors, including applied research, creative projects, and service to the community. General information about graduate study and how to begin and complete a post-baccalaureate program can be found in the following pages of the Bulletin, by accessing the web at www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy, or by contacting the Division of Graduate Studies. A handbook for graduate students, the GradGuide, is available on the Graduate Studies web site or at the graduate orientation held before the start of each fall and spring semester.
Deciding to attend a graduate program can be a life-changing decision. As with any major change, you can expect to deal with moments of self-doubt and times when you wonder if you made the right decision to enter a graduate program. We hope that you will have many positive experiences as you meet the challenge of graduate work. You should expect to enjoy one-on-one interactions with your lead faculty and many opportunities for individual growth through hands-on research, field work and other creative and scholarly activities.
For detailed information about a specific program, the student should view the department website or contact the program graduate coordinator to obtain program specific admission and/or degree requirements. Graduate coordinator information is available on the Graduate Studies website.
Faculty members teaching in graduate programs hold doctoral or other terminal degrees in their field. These tenured and tenure track faculty members serve as advisors on theses, creative works, field projects, and/or graduate comprehensive examinations committees based on the faculty member’s expertise and area of research or scholarly work. In some cases, non-tenure track faculty members with exceptional backgrounds in specific areas of study may be assigned to teach graduate-level courses. You can review faculty backgrounds by checking the alphabetical list in the back of the SF State Bulletin
Minimum requirements for admission to graduate study in the California State University are in accordance with Title 5, Division 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations. The University has the right to require higher standards than the minimum requirements published in Title 5.
To meet the minimum eligibility standards for graduate study at SF State, an applicant must: (1) hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by appropriate campus authorities; (2) be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended; (3) have a 3.0 GPA in their earned undergraduate degree or last 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed, or have earned a post-baccalaureate degree (4) satisfactorily meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards for graduate study, including qualifying examinations, as appropriate campus authorities may prescribe. In unusual circumstances, a campus may make exceptions to these criteria.
Programs and departments admit students based on academic qualifications and resource implications associated with offering the degree or program; therefore, not all applicants who meet the minimum University or program requirements can be accepted to the program.
Application for admission to a graduate degree, credential or certificate program requires the student to apply to both the University through the CSU Mentor and directly to the academic department/program. Applicants may apply to only one SF State graduate program per application term.
Applicants must supply complete and accurate information on all application materials for admission, residence questionnaire, and financial aid forms. Failure to file complete, accurate, and authentic application documents may result in denial of admission, cancellation of academic credit, suspension, or expulsion (Section 41301, Article 1.1, Title 5, California Code of Regulations). Admissions personnel have the right to verify all documents and statements made in documents submitted by students as part of the application process.
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All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants must furnish the Division of Graduate Studies with one official transcript from each college or university attended, including community college and study abroad coursework. Separate transcripts from each college or university are required even though one transcript may show course work taken at another institution. Transcripts for coursework completed at SF State are not required. Applicants must check the academic department/program information to determine if official transcripts must also be sent directly to the department. Official transcripts must be submitted in envelopes sealed by the issuing college or university.
Transcripts which have been submitted for admission or evaluation become the property of the University and are not returned or copied for distribution.
Entrance Examinations/Standardized Test Scores
The University does not require applicants to complete an entrance examination as a condition for graduate admission; however, many departments or programs do require that graduate degree applicants submit results of the general or area tests of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) prior to admission. Check the department website for test requirements. Applicants are responsible for having the required examination results forwarded directly to the university or department.
Other Application Materials
Letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, writing samples and /or résumé materials required by the department or program must be submitted directly to the department or degree program. Check department/program website for requirements. For information on credential programs, contact the Credential Services Teacher Preparation Center http://coe.sfsu.edu/cstpc/cstpc_/apply.html.
The CSU Mentor online application filing periods open on the dates listed below. All applications must be submitted by the academic department deadline. Applicants should consult the website: www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/program-deadline.htm, or contact the department/program directly for additional department/program information.
Domestic and International Applications
Applications for fall are accepted beginning October 1.
Applications for spring are accepted beginning August 1. Not all programs accept spring applications.
Application to a graduate degree, credential, or certificate program is a two-part process. Students must apply to the University via the online CSU Mentor application AND apply to the specific department/program offering the degree, credential or certificate. San Francisco State University accepts applications for admission for the fall and spring semesters only. Not all programs accept spring applications.
The following processes must be followed to be considered for admission to a graduate program at SF State, including applicants to degree programs offered through Special Sessions in the College of Extended Learning:
PART ONE: Apply to the University online via CSU Mentor at http://www.csumentor.edu, pay the required fee and submit to the Division of Graduate Studies, ADM 250 official transcripts from all universities attended. Applicants with multiple transcripts should remember that it may take the college or university issuing the transcripts several weeks to send the documents. To ensure more rapid processing, applicants should gather official University-sealed transcripts from each institution previously attended, place them together in the same large envelope and submit them by mail or in person to the Division of Graduate Studies, ADM 250, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132-4013. Evaluation of a student application will not be initiated until all transcripts have been received.
Applicants to graduate programs should apply early in the application period so that documents can be processed and forwarded to the department/programs by the department deadlines.
Applicants applying for one of the three joint doctoral programs, (Ph.D. in Education: Special Education offered with the University of California, Berkeley and the Doctor of Physical Therapy (clinical doctorate) and Doctor of Physical Therapy Science (research doctorate) offered with the University of California San Francisco) should check the Graduate Studies website for links to the department for specific application deadlines and requirements.
PART TWO: All graduate programs have additional application requirements. Department/program specific application materials may include (but are not limited to): copies of transcripts, test scores, if required, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, résumé, etc. These must be submitted directly to the department or program by the department deadline. Please consult directly with the department or program for information about additional required materials or check online at http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy (Prospective Students) to link to department-specific requirements.
SF State has separate application requirements for international applicants (individuals holding or requiring an F1 or J1 visa and all applicants who have earned degrees outside of the U.S.) International applicants applying to a graduate program may have earlier application deadlines than those listed for domestic students. Applicants holding or requiring F1 or J1 visas must also submit the SEVIS Information Form for International Admission and documents required for student visas. International students should access the Graduate Studies web site for information for application, I-20 and SEVIS information: http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/international-application-submission.htm.
All international applicants requiring an F-1/J-1 visa must be formally admitted and enrolled in conditionally classified or classified status as matriculated students in a degree program offered through the University or in selected certificate programs leading to professional preparation or certification. International applicants will be given full consideration for admission based on the SF State’s commitment to internationalizing the student body.
Academic Eligibility. Applicants educated outside of the United States must have earned a degree or diploma that SF State considers to be the equivalent to a 4-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. An official determination of eligibility will be made during the application process. Applicants graduating from international institutions with three year degrees preceded by thirteen years of pre-collegiate work and “A-level” passes are admissible to SF State graduate programs if they meet all other University and program requirements. Applicants who hold a Bologna degree may be eligible for admission following comprehensive evaluation.
International applicants with twelve years of pre-collegiate education, a three-year bachelor’s degree followed by a post-graduate diploma may be admissible to graduate programs at SF State.
Required Educational Documents. Applicants educated outside of the U.S. must submit official or University-attested and sealed copies of all original academic documents in the original language of issue. Copies must be certified by the appropriate university official. Required documents include: the complete official academic record showing all courses or subjects, dates of enrollment and grades/marks received; official degree(s), diploma(s), or certificate(s) awarded. Official word-for-word English translations must be submitted in addition to the original language documents.
English Language Proficiency Requirement (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE). All graduate, credential and certificate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English must demonstrate competence in English. According to Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations (Section 41040), To be admitted to a campus as a post-baccalaureate or graduate student, applicants whose native language is not English must receive a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 80 on the internet-based test – iBT. Students who have taken the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as an alternative must obtain a score of 7.0 overall band score. Students taking the Pierson Test of English (PTE) must post a minimum score of 65. Note that many graduate departments have higher English language proficiency requirements. Applicants who have earned degrees outside of the U.S., even if they have completed course work in English, should contact Graduate Studies to determine if they are required to take TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. TOEFL score reports should be sent to SF State Division of Graduate Studies, Institution Code: 4683.
Applicants who do not meet SF State TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE standards are encouraged to apply to the American Language Institute at SF State to prepare for full admission to SF State graduate programs. Contact the American Language Institute for information, http://www.sfsu.edu/~ali.
The University reserves the right to select its students and deny admission to the University or any of its programs. The University, in its sole discretion, determines admissions based on an applicant’s suitability for graduate study which is based on a student’s application materials, fit with department mission and goals and faculty scholarship focus. Admission to graduate programs is selective and more students apply than can be accepted. Meeting minimum University or department requirements for admission does not ensure acceptance into a graduate program. The University graduate admissions process is conducted in compliance with its Nondiscrimination Policy (see the Regulations and Procedures section of this Bulletin for the complete policy). The University and its programs have the right to verify all information and documents submitted in and with the application.
NOTICE OF ADMISSION OR DENIALAfter review of all application materials, academic departments or program admission committees notify the SF State Graduate Admissions office of their admission recommendations. Applicants are then formally notified of admission to the department and the University only upon receipt of an official SF State Graduate Admission Notification Letter issued by the SF State Division of Graduate Studies. Applicants who are denied by either the University or the academic department or program will receive written notification of denial from the Division of Graduate Studies. Applicants can monitor admission status online at MySFSU from the Graduate Studies or University main web pages.
If a student is admitted to the University before the final award of the baccalaureate degree or if a student has post-baccalaureate work in progress at the time of admission, an official transcript showing completion of all coursework and/or the degree awarded must be submitted before the end of the fourth week of the first semester of enrollment. Students who are admitted to a graduate program in this category must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all work completed before the degree is earned or admission status may be rescinded. Any student who does not submit documentation of completion of an undergraduate degree or other coursework completed is subject to one or more of the following actions: cancellation of admission and registration, automatic reversion to undergraduate status, loss of all units taken for post-baccalaureate credit, disciplinary action if appropriate.
Admission will be cancelled automatically if an applicant is accepted by San Francisco State University for a given semester and does not enroll in that semester. Applicants who let their admission offer expire must file a new CSU Mentor application, pay a new application fee, and meet the requirements for admission in effect for the new term to which they are applying. An offer of admission may also be withdrawn by the graduate program if the applicant has not indicated their intent to enroll by the program deadline.
Graduate Conditionally Classified: Most students who are admitted to the University are admitted to conditionally classified standing. Departments admit students in this category to evaluate progress toward degree completion. Students admitted in this category will be moved to classified status after submitting an approved Advancement to Candidacy Form (ATC).
Graduate Classified: Students advance to this status after submitting an approved Advancement to Candidacy Form (ATC). Very few students are admitted directly to this category.
Post-baccalaureate Classified: Students admitted to a credential program will be admitted as post-baccalaureate classified. Admission in this status does not constitute admission to, or assurance of consideration for admission to, any graduate degree program. Contact the Credential Services/Teacher Preparation Center for further information on credential programs. Students seeking admission for administrative or special education credentials should contact the departments directly. Certificate students should contact the department offering the certificate program.
Post-baccalaureate Unclassified: Students who have earned an undergraduate degree and are admitted to a graduate or undergraduate certificate program are admitted to this category.
Graduate courses taken at another university are not automatically transferable to a SF State program. At the discretion of the department faculty, with support of the Dean of Graduate Studies, a maximum of 6 semester units, which may include any combination of transfer units or academic extension work, may be used in meeting the requirements of a 30 unit program, or proportionally more for a program requiring 45 or more units. Students requesting transfer of units should confer with the department chair or graduate coordinator and the Division of Graduate Studies during the admission process or immediately after notification of admission.
Departments/programs have the authority to determine which transfer courses will be accepted for admission and be used on a Advancement to Candidacy (ATC). (See section on Advancement to Candidacy for more complete information.) Courses accepted for transfer credit by the department must meet the following minimum requirements, but higher requirements may be stipulated by the department:
It is the obligation of the student, the student’s advisor and the graduate coordinator to determine that the proposed transfer course meets all of the conditions for eligibility. A student wishing to have a course taken at another institution included as part of his/her graduate program should do the following:
Highly qualified students with special skills and expertise may be allowed to earn credit by examination. This option is seldom granted because a student must show a high level of prior competence in the area of course being challenged and pass all course requirements through formal examination.
Courses taken prior to the award of the baccalaureate degree at SF State are considered undergraduate courses. However, students who have completed all courses toward the undergraduate degree and who have applied formally for admission to an SF State graduate program, may request on the Application for Award of Baccalaureate degree that up to 12 units of upper division undergraduate or graduate work taken in the final semester before the award of the undergraduate degree be granted provisional post-baccalaureate status. Units to be applied toward a graduate degree may not be counted toward the undergraduate degree. Inclusion of units on an Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) taken as an undergraduate must have approval of the department/program admission committee or graduate coordinator and the Division of Graduate Studies. The number of upper division undergraduate units must not exceed the total number of undergraduate units permitted on the ATC.
If the baccalaureate degree is not completed at the end of the term expected, the provisional post-baccalaureate status for specified courses may be voided.
Second baccalaureate status has been closed by order of the Chancellor secondary to budget limitations.
Courses applied to a graduate degree taken through Open University may not exceed 6 units in a 30-unit program or proportionally more for programs that exceed 30 units unless cooperative agreements have been made with the department and Graduate Studies.
Courses taken to improve the GPA prior to admission to a graduate program or following disqualification should be selected to improve academic preparation for graduate coursework. Students may not use non-degree related courses in Open University to improve the GPA. Course work taken to improve the GPA may not be applied toward their graduate degree.
Students considering studying for two master’s degrees must work directly with the Director of Graduate Admissions to facilitate this process. Students seeking admission for concurrent enrollment in a second graduate degree must be in good standing in the first degree and should have completed at least 21 units of the coursework for the first degree. Students applying for concurrent enrollment in a second graduate degree must formally apply through CSU Mentor and pay the application fee. Students must also apply to the new program and meet all program requirements. Application for the second degree must include written support from both department/program chairs. Students admitted to a second master's degree program must meet all expectations and timelines for concurrent program completion (See Time Limit to Complete Requirements for Graduate Degrees.) Students studying for concurrent masters degrees may not use the same coursework nor complete the same culminating experience for both programs. For concurrent degrees with a common core, faculty of the programs must determine alternative core courses for the second degree.
All credential students must apply to a master’s degree program via CSU Mentor. Contact the College of Education, Credential Services/Teacher Preparation Center for information on current admission policies for entry into a credential program. Students intending to secure both a master’s degree and a California basic teaching credential may in some programs pursue these objectives concurrently, although some departments do not allow the same courses to be used for both objectives. Check with the department and Credential Office (College of Education) for policy. If allowed by the department, no more than 12 units taken in credential status may be applied to a master’s degree.
SF State graduate students must reapply for admission if: (1) they have been absent for more than one consecutive regular semester as a matriculated student (excluding summer or winter sessions); or (2) they have attended another college in any interval of their absence. If a student has attended any other educational institution following attendance as a matriculated student at SF State, transcripts must be submitted for all academic work in which the student was since last attending SF State.
In order to be considered “in attendance” for any semester, the student must be enrolled in at least one class through the end of the twentieth day of instruction. Applications for readmission and all supporting materials must be filed in the Division of Graduate Studies in accordance with current requirements and procedures.
To be eligible for readmission, graduate students must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all course work attempted at SF State in graduate status and all course work attempted at other colleges during their absence and must be in “good standing” at SF State or any other educational institution attended for application materials to be forwarded to the program of interest.
Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) status is automatically voided after more than one consecutive regular semester of absence has occurred and when no formal Planned Educational Leave of Absence has been granted. Planned Educational Leave can only be taken prior to enrolling in the Culminating Experience. (See Planned Educational Leave of Absence information.) Upon readmission, a new ATC that meets current curricular requirements must be completed and filed (see specific academic program information).
See also sections: Continuous Enrollment Requirements and Time Limit to Complete Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
More graduate and post-baccalaureate application information and regulations can be found at Graduate Registration.
Follow this link to read about Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures.