Consult University Bulletin and Engineering Bulletin Board for More Up-to-date Details.

A.  Classifications of Graduate Status

Classified: One who studies for an advanced degree and meets all engineering graduate admission requirements. Only students in classified status are eligible to earn an M.S. degree.

Conditional: One who meets general admission requirements but must meet certain conditions (usually to remove deficiencies in undergraduate engineering work) before being accepted into the classified status.  A conditional graduate student must have his/her status changed to the classified status at least two semesters prior to graduation.

Unclassified: One who wishes to do post-baccalaureate study but not interested in an advanced degree.

B.  Graduation Requirements

Course Work:

        1.  Required Courses:                                                                     Units

                        ENGR 800  Engineering Communication                         3

                        ENGR 801  Engineering management                              3  

                        Two more core engineering graduate courses                   6

                Option A

                        ENGR 897  Research^*                                                                   3

                        ENGR 898  Thesis^*                                                                          3

                Option B

                        ENGR 895 Applied Research Project^*                          3

        2.  Engineering Electives^**                                                            12-15  

        3.  Non-Engineering Electives^**                                                    0- 6

              Minimum Total^***                                                                     30

          *     See Section C, Research, Thesis and Applied Research Project.

        **    See Engineering bulletin board for recommended electives in your area of interest.

        ***  Only course work taken within 7 years of graduation can be included.

Completion of Written English Proficiency Requirements (see Section D).

C or better grades in all courses and a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00.

Completion, successful defense and submission of thesis work.

Timely filing of all required forms (see Section E).

A registered student during the semester of graduation.

C.  Thesis and Applied Research Project  

        For Option A, ENGR 897 Research and ENGR 898 Thesis are generally taken sequentially during the last two semesters of graduate work.  Before registering for ENGR 897 Research, discuss possible research topics with an appropriate engineering professor who will serve as your major professor and thesis committee chair.  You and your major professor will then elect two other qualified faculty members to serve on the thesis committee.  At least two culminating experience committee members must be tenured/tenure-track engineering faculty members at SFSU. No more than 6 units of ENGR 899 Special Study will be counted for graduation.

       For Option B, ENGR 895 Applied Research Project is taken during the last semester.  An additional 3-unit engineering elective in your area of interest with completion and oral presentation of applied research project is required. Before registering for ENGR 895, you should discuss possible research topics with an appropriate engineering professor who will serve as your major advisor and committee chair. You and your major advisor will select at least one more qualified faculty member to serve on the project committee. At least two culminating experience committee members must be tenured/tenure-track faculty members at SFSU.

      ENGR 895 is a comprehensive research-based paper detailing the objectives, methods, and findings of the research.  To register for the course, you must be a classified graduate student with Graduate Approved Program and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms on file in the Graduate Division Office (see Section E, Paper Work Requirements).  A two-member research committee must evaluate and approve your applied research project. Oral presentation is required for this option.

     ENGR 897 is intended for you to start on the graduate research project.  To register for the course, you must have completed at least 9 units of graduate work.  You must have completed entry-level English proficiency requirement. You must also have an approved research topic before you register for the course. To register for this course, you must complete a "Research Proposal" form (available from the Engineering office), obtain approval signatures from your research academic advisor and the Engineering Graduate Program Coordinator.  The registration permit number is available only from the Graduate Coordinator.  You must have met the entry-level English proficiency requirement before you take this course.

     ENGR 898 is intended for you to continue your graduate research project and carry it to completion.  To register for the course, you must be a classified graduate student with Graduate Approved Program and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement Forms on file in the Graduate Division Office (see Section D, Paper Work Requirements).  A three-member thesis committee must evaluate and approve your thesis work.  Ultimately, you must submit an acceptable written thesis and successfully defend your research work in a public forum.

D.  Written English Proficiency Requirement

Every graduate student must satisfy two levels of English proficiency requirement:

Level one (entry level) - this can be satisfied by one of the following:

A passing score on GET (Graduate Essay Test, consult Testing Center for dates).  A marginal pass is not considered a pass and you need to take the courses specified in option 2.

OR

A passing grade in SCI 614, CHS 514, HUM 514 or BUS 514.  Graduate students are required to demonstrate entry-level writing proficiency before the end of their second semester of graduate study.

Level two (exit level) - this is satisfied by the completion of an acceptable written thesis/applied research project.

 Entry-level English Requirement and Registration Policy:

A graduate student must make an attempt to satisfy the entry-level English requirement during his/her first year at SFSU.  Once a student satisfies the entry-level English requirement, there are no additional restrictions on registration beyond the usual program and course requirements.

A graduate student who does not complete the entry-level English requirement during the first year, must register for an English class from the third semester on until the entry-level requirement is satisfied.

A graduate student is not allowed to register for ENGR 895 Applied Research Project, ENGR 897 Research,  or ENGR 898 Thesis without first satisfying the entry-level English requirement.

 E.  Paper Work Requirements

            Forms and materials mentioned in this section may be obtained from the Graduate Division, ADM room 254 or click this to download from the Graduate Division Web Site. Please check out the Engineering bulletin board.

         For all M.S. degree students:

GAP (Graduate Approved Program): The GAP may be submitted any time after 9 units have been completed and must be submitted before the student completes the last 6 units. Students must have met the entry-level English proficiency requirements before filing the GAP. Any change on your GAP must be reported on the Petition for GAP Substitution or Committee Revision form. You must re-file a new GAP if you do not maintain continuous enrollment.

Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement: To submit your Culminating Experience form you must have at least 3.0 GPA in all graduate coursework and in all coursework listed on your GAP. You must already have a GAP on file before you can submit the Culminating Experience form. Courses with grades below "C" must not be listed on your GAP and will not be counted toward your graduation requirements.

                Report of Completion of Specified Graduate Program Requirements (with Abstract attached): Every degree candidate needs to submit this form to the Graduate Division Office after successful oral defense and completion of his/her thesis/applied research project. Degree candidates must also submit a master copy of written thesis (Option A) with original signatures, and a binding fee receipt to the Graduate Division Office.

Application for Award of Master Degree: Students must apply to graduate in their last semester of attendance by the deadline in the University Calendar of the Class Schedule.  Students need to reapply if the graduation requirements are not met.

         Other forms and materials:

To change from a different graduate major/status to engineering classified graduate status: Request for Advancement to Classified Graduate or Credential Standing. A signed GAP will also mean that all outstanding requirements have been met.

To obtain transfer credits: Request for Graduate Program Transfer Unit Evaluation.  This request should be done during your first semester at SFSU.

To change course list submitted in the GAP or to form a new advising committee for your culminating experience: Petition for GAP Substitution or Committee Revision.

To take an overload: Request to Exceed Regular Academic Unit Load (over 16 units). Under no circumstances will a post-baccalaureate student be given permission to exceed 18 units.

To take a leave of absence: Application for Planned Educational Leave.  See the University Bulletin for eligibility.

To use human/animal subjects in research: Protocol Approval Form for Human or Animal Subjects.

To waive graduate program regulations: Petition for Waiver of Graduate Program Regulation.

To prepare and submit thesis: Guidelines for the Preparation and Submission of Theses and Written Creative Works.

         Deadlines:

It is the graduate student’s responsibility to file the proper required documents on time for graduation. The deadlines are posted on the Graduate Division Web Page.

 F.  Transfer and Open University Credits

             A maximum of 6 units from the College of Extended Learning, or transfer credits from other institutions, or any combination thereof, may be counted toward a graduate degree. Transfer credits courses must have been completed after the student has earned his/her bachelor's degree. The course must not have been used to meet any degree requirements.  In addition, the course must not have been taken earlier than 7 years from the date the student plans to graduate.

 G.   Oral Defense/Oral Presentation

            You need to prepare a flyer and advertise your oral defense/oral presentation a week before the date of the presentation, and post it in Science building as well as in Thornton Hall on official bulletin boards. You should be in contact with your faculty advisor as well your committee members and find out how much time they need to review your thesis/project.  Also, find out if the committee members desire to see initial drafts of your thesis/project as well or, whether the final draft is sufficient for their review.  During the semester that you defend your thesis or present your project, you must be registered for 3 units of ENGR 897 or ENGR899, even if you have completed the necessary number of units for your degree.  

H.   FAQ's for Current Students, Domestic Applicants, International Applicants

GRADUATE PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A.  Graduates from accredited engineering programs with the same majors:

University admission requirements:

A minimum GPA of 2.50/4.00 for the last 60 units.

A minimum score of 550 on the paper exam or 213 on the computer-based or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL is required for graduate applicants whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English.  Official TOEFL Test Score - must be sent directly by ETS using the Graduate Division's Institution Code - 4683

Engineering requirements:

A minimum GPA of 2.75/4.00 (3.0/4.0 for international students) in upper division major classes.

Two letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors. (Send directly to Graduate Coordinator of School of Engineering)

A statement of purpose. (Send directly to Graduate Coordinator of School of Engineering)  

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores within last three years. Official GRE Test Score - must be sent directly by ETS using the Graduate Division's Institution Code - 4684

  B.    B.  Graduates of non-engineering programs or those who change their engineering majors:

            Graduates from non-engineering programs or those who change their engineering majors may be admitted as conditional graduate students.  Applicants must have a record well above the university admission requirements stated above and be able to clearly demonstrate their potential in their engineering emphasis. Conditional graduate students may apply for advancement to classified graduate status after removing deficiencies in undergraduate engineering work.

C.  Deadlines for submission of applications & obtaining the necessary forms: For the Fall Semester, the Graduate Division accepts admission applications between November 1st and May 1st. The SFSU deadline to submit a Graduate Application (form with processing fee) for the Fall Semester is May 1st. For the Spring Semester, the Graduate Division accepts admission applications between August 1st and November 1st. The SFSU deadline to submit a Graduate Application (form with processing fee) for the Spring Semester is November 1st. 

            For applications and deadlines please refer to the Graduate Division web site or apply on-line

            For International students, please click here to download application form.         

            FAQ's for domestic applicants and for international applicants.

D.  Take a campus tour before you are admitted:  

E.   Useful Websites
www.sfsu.edu/~oip (Office of International Program)
http://www.calstate.edu/ (California State University)
http://www.flysfo.com/ (San Francisco International Airport)
http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/ (Official Web Page of San Francisco)
http://www.transitinfo.org/ (Bay Area Transit information)
http://www.sfmuni.com/ (San Francisco MUNI)