Child and Family Development Graduate Student Information

The Department of Child and Family Development's

Resources for Graduate Students

Procedural Steps Toward Earning a Master's Degree at San Diego State University

1. Obtain a Graduate Bulletin (catalog) and consult your departmental graduate adviser.: (Dr. Dr. Thomas Roberts, PSFA-456 (619) 594-2226 or e-mail to troberts@mail.sdsu.edu); Please note: We accept new graduate students in Fall semesters ONLY. There have been curriculum changes made for the Graduate Bulletin for the academic year 1999-2000. Deadline for completion of graduate applications for Fall 2002 is July 1, 2002.; Graduate bulletins (catalogs) may be purchased at the campus bookstore or ordered by mail beginning in May of each year.

Read the following sections of the Graduate bulletin very carefully: Regulations of the Graduate Division Basic Requirements for the Master's Degree Specific Requirements of the Department

2. Attain Classified Graduate Standing.

In order to be admitted into the graduate program, you must submit satisfactory scores on the GRE General Test (no less than a score of 500 on the verbal section and no less than a score of 500 on the quantitative section). Proof of GRE scores are required in order to attain classified graduate standing.
When you have fulfilled the conditions specified at the time of your admission the Graduate Adviser will submit a 'Change of Status" form to the Graduate Admissions unit.

3. Submit an Official Program Form for the Master's Degree.

Official Program forms must be filled out in consultation with the Graduate Adviser and submitted by the Graduate Adviser to the Graduate Division office for approval, after having received classified graduate standing.
Any deviation from the specific masters degree requirements listed in the Graduate Bulletin must be requested on a 'Petition for Adjustment of Academic Requirements' form. This form must be completed, signed and forwarded by your Graduate Adviser.
Any change made in the official program after its approval and filing in the Graduate Division office must be made on a "Change in Program" form. This form must be completed, signed and forwarded by your Graduate Adviser.

4. Attain Advancement to Candidacy.

Your eligibility for advancement to candidacy will be reviewed at the time your official program form for the Masters Degree is filed in the Graduate Division office. If eligible, a form will automatically be sent to the Graduate Adviser in your department, requesting a departmental recommendation.
Child and Family Development departmental requirements for advancement to candidacy include: a grade of B or better in CFD 790 and approval of the thesis topic by the person who will serve as your thesis adviser.
If not eligible for advancement at the time your official program form is approved and filed, your graduate file will be reviewed for advancement by the Graduate Division office at the end of each semester.
You must be advanced to candidacy before you will be allowed to form your thesis committee officially or sit for the comprehensive exam.
A minimum of 9 units of courses listed on the official program form you filed must be enrolled in and completed concurrently with or after advancement to candidacy.

5. Submit a Thesis Committee form (Plan A student).

Obtain the "Thesis Committee' form from the Graduate Division office located in AD-220 (594-5213).
Secure the required thesis committee members' signatures and return the form to the Graduate Division office for approval.
You will not be allowed to register in "Thesis-CFD 799A" until you have an approved Thesis Committee" form on file In the Graduate Division office.
Submit thesis proposal to thesis committee for approval and to Human Subjects Committee if human subjects are used.
You will register for CFD 799A-Thesis by going to the Graduate Division office in order to obtain the schedule number. It is never printed in the class schedule.
You must be registered in "Thesis' during the semester you plan to submit your thesis.

6. Collect data and write thesis! Good luck!

Consult the SDSU 'Master's Theses and Projects: A Manual of Instructions" (on sale at Aztec Shops campus bookstore). This manual contains policies and procedures on preparing theses and projects.
Consult the current Graduate Bulletin or the "Class Schedule" for calendar deadlines by which theses must be submitted to the Graduate Division office and Thesis Review Service in order to ensure completion of processing for graduation.

7. Pass Required Final Examination.

A final oral examination on the thesis or project is required prior to submission of the thesis or project to the Graduate Division office and the Thesis Review Service. Consult Graduate Adviser to schedule dates/time/location.

8. File an Application for Graduation.

Graduation is not 'automatic" upon completion of degree requirements. The appropriate fee must be paid to the Cashiers office and an application for graduation filed in the Graduate Division office by the designated deadline of the semester in which you expect to graduate. Consult the Class Schedule for the filing deadline.
If you do not graduate in the semester for which you applied, you must reapply (and pay again) in the subsequent semester in which you expect to graduate.

GRADUATE STUDENT INFORMATION ON
COMMITTEE ON PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS

In accordance with federal regulations, San Diego State University assumes the responsibility for the protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects who participate in research conducted by, or under the supervision of, the faculty, staff, or students of the University. To address this responsibility, the University maintains an Institutional Review Board identified as the SDSU Committee on Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS). The CPHS is a committee of the University Research Council.

The Committee on Protection of Human Subjects convenes monthly to review research involving human subjects. Research is defined as a systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge; distribution, or use outside the specific instructional setting--this includes pilot studies. All research conducted by SDSU-affiliated persons which involves human subjects must be reviewed and approved by the CPHS in advance of initiation.

Forms and information used to apply for a CPHS review can be acquired through the CPHS office (AD-222) or by visiting our homepage:

http://www.rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/gradres/content.html

The application forms can also be found in the CPHS manual, "Research Involving Human Subjects: Guidelines for Investigators," available through the Aztec Shops Bookstore. The CPHS administrative office is housed within the Office of Research Administration of the Graduate Division and Research.

Investigators are welcome to visit our office (AD-222), call us at 594-6622, or e-mail (camille.ross@sdsu.edu) to request information or assistance in preparing for a CPHS review.

GRADUATE HANDBOOK

Every graduate student in the Department of Child and Family Development should take a look at the Graduate Handbook. It is very helpful for newly admitted graduate students.

APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP

Please print out and complete this form if you are interested in applying for an graduate assistantship or teaching associateship. Completed applications can be submitted through the departmental office or the Graduate Adviser.