FAQs:
(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the California State University system?
The California State University was first brought together
under an independent Board of
Trustees by the Donohoe
Higher Education Act, in the early 1960's. It currently
consists
of 23 campuses covering the state from Humboldt
in the north to San Diego in the south.
Current enrollment
for all CSU campuses exceeds 350,000 full and part-time
students
with a faculty of more than 21,000.
2. Is the MSQA-Internet program accredited?
Yes! All the campuses (and their programs) in the CSU
system are accredited by the
Western Association of Schools
and Colleges (WASC); the western member of a nationwide
network of educational accrediting bodies. The MSQA was
one of the first Internet degree
programs approved by
the WASC Substantive Change Process.
3. Where is California State University, Dominguez
Hills?
California State University, Dominguez Hills is housed
on a picturesque 346-acre site in southwest Los Angeles.
The land, part of the oldest Spanish land grant in the
Los Angeles area, was originally deeded to Juan Dominguez
in 1784 and remained with the family until being acquired
by the University in 1967. CSUDH is also located on the
World Wide Web, at http://www.csudh.edu .
4. What is the College of Extended and International
Education and what is their relationship to the MSQA-Internet
Program?
The College of Extended and International Education, a
self-supporting branch of the University, offers courses
for the continuing education of professionals in business,
government, service industries and education, and programs
for personal enrichment. The Division supports an extensive
distance learning program, and is nationally recognized
as a leader in Distance Education. The MSQA Program and
the College of Extended and International Education have
a long-term partnership for delivering Quality Assurance
courses, Certificate Programs and the Master's Degree
via distance learning technologies. To learn more about
other CSUDH Distance Learning programs and courses, visit
Dominguez Online at http://dominguezonline.csudh.edu/programs.php
5. Why did you decide to put the MSQA Program on the
Internet?
Contained within the CSUDH formal mission statement is
the commitment to "offer our programs at times and
places accessible to the populations we serve on campus,
off-campus, and those sites best served by state-of-the-art
technologies." To fulfill this commitment, the MSQA
Program became part of the distance learning program in
1989. In 1995, we moved MSQA onto the Internet - a move
which has greatly expanded our ability to reach the community
of Quality Professionals we serve.
6. What is the history of the Master of Science in
Quality Assurance?
The MSQA began in 1978 as one of several consortium programs
under the direction of the CSU Chancellor's Office. In
1987 the consortium was disbanded. Due at least in part
to the university's unique location in the technological
and industrial heartland of Southern California, the authority
for the MSQA was transferred to CSUDH. In 1995, the
MSQA became the first online masters program ever approved
by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Online
classes begain in January 1996.
7. Who is the MSQA designed to serve?
The Master of Science in Quality Assurance (MSQA) is designed
to prepare working professionals
in quality, engineering,
science, management, health care, government and service
industries for career advancement. In order to help manage
and lead today's company toward the objective of "total
quality," an interdisciplinary approach is taken
to blend study in management, quality concepts, and statistical
tools. Relevant theoretical and practical coursework,
independent study, interaction with fellow students and
leading Quality professionals from industry, government
and service, and a culminating project are used to provide
a well-rounded learning experience. A unique feature of
the MSQA program is the opportunity students have to customize
their program of study to include areas of personal and
professional interest. During the course of the program,
students acquire knowledge and skills from among the following
areas, which were selected to appeal to professionals
seeking a unique and satisfying interdisciplinary experience:
- Managing a quality organization
- Planning and implementing a quality assurance program
- Troubleshooting and solving quality problems
- Incorporating quality concepts and human factor techniques in the design of organizational operations
- Creating and managing supplier control systems
- Developing and analyzing statistical process control charts
- Developing and analyzing acceptance sampling plans -- Design of experiments (analysis of variance techniques)
- Performing quality cost analysis
- Performing reliability maintainability, and safety system reviews
- Performing quality system audits
- The ISO 9000 Series of Quality System Standards
8. What are the Degree requirements for
graduation from the MSQA-Internet Program?
To be awarded the Master of Science in Quality Assurance,
students must;
- Complete 33 units of approved graduate course work.
- Successfully complete the major courses listed as required.
- Complete all course work with a grade point average of at least 3.0 (B).
- Complete a Culminating Project.
- Satisfy the Graduate Writing Competency requirement.
- Complete all other requirements for the degree as described in the current CSUDH catalog.
9. What are the requirements for entering
CSUDH and the CSUDH MSQA-Internet Graduate Program?
--CSUDH Entrance Information:
A candidate for the MSQA-Internet degree must meet CSUDH
graduate admission requirements.
To obtain a CSUDH application
and copy of CSUDH graduate admission requirements, you may
call (310) 243-3300, OR send your request for an application
AND your "snail-mail" address by e-mail
to INFO@csudh.edu,
OR use CSU Mentor.
--MSQA-Internet Entrance Information:
A candidate for the MSQA-Internet degree will hold a baccalaureate
degree in a technical
field from an accredited institution
or if in a non-technical field, receive approval from the
Quality Assurance Academic Program Committee. He/she should
have a background which
includes preparation in both college
level mathematics and computer concepts. (In some cases
conditional admission to the program will be considered
subject to completion of undergraduate prerequisite course
work. All conditional admissions are subject to approval
by the Quality
Assurance Program Committee.) Candidates
should have achieved a grade point average
of 2.75 (on a
four-point scale) or higher in the last 60 semester (90
quarter) units completed
and should be in good standing
in the last institution attended. In addition to the above,
all candidates must fulfill all additional admission requirements
as specified in the current CSUDH catalog ($9.00 plus shipping)
which may be ordered from the CSUDH Bookstore by phone:
(310) 243-3789; by fax: (310) 327-0329.
Students not meeting these requirements need to obtain special
permission by contacting
the MSQA Academic Program Coordinator
at (310) 243-3880 or by e-mail at msqa@csudh.edu.
10. What if English is not my primary
language?
All graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose
preparatory education was principally
in a language other
than English must demonstrate competence in English. Those
who do not possess a bachelor's degree from a post secondary
institution where English is the principal
language of instruction
must receive a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English
as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For information on taking
the TOEFL in your area please contact TOEFL/TSE
at PO Box
6154, Princeton, NJ 08541-6154, USA or by telephone at (609)
771-7100. Applicants whose academic credentials are from
a country other than the United States are required to
submit
a certified English translation along with the academic
records.
11. Approximately, how much does it cost to earn the MSQA-Internet
Degree?
Over the approximate two and a half years it takes to complete
the Masters Degree it is estimated that it will cost a student
between seven and eight thousand dollars (US). This includes
tuition, fees, books and materials but does not include
costs associated with computer software or hardware or Internet
access which is the responsibility of the student. Detailed
list of costs.
12. Who should I contact about military or veteran funding?
Students who have access to military funding should contact
Patricia Ann Wells
at (310) 243-3643, or by e-mail at PWells@csudh.edu.
13. How do I obtain textbooks and other materials?
Textbooks and other materials can be ordered online at http://www.csudh.edu.bkstr.com
14. Can I take courses before becoming a fully enrolled
(matriculated)
CSUDH MSQA graduate student?
Yes, anyone may take classes (up to 6 credit units) before officially entering the MSQA
graduate program as
long as basic course prerequisites are met and approval
is received
from the MSQA Academic Advisor at (310) 243-3880
or by e-mail: msqa@csudh.edu.
You must obtain this approval prior to enrolling in the
class.
15. Can I transfer credits from courses I've taken at other
colleges and universities?
Yes, upon receiving written approval from the MSQA-Internet
Academic Advisor ,Dr. Milton Krivokuca, graduate credits (500
level or above) taken from another university or college
which were not used to satisfy another degree would be transferred
into the MSQA-Internet program. Credits approved for transfer
are included in the 9 credit hours students are allowed
to transfer into the program including courses taken prior
to matriculation. The student must provide official transcripts
and the syllabus for the course(s), must have a "B"
or better grade, and must satisfy the 5 year time limit.
If the student would like to discuss possible transfer credit,
please contact the MSQA Academic Advisor as soon as possible
at msqa@csudh.edu or
at (310) 243-3880.
16. Can I waive certain program requirements if I have already
taken similar courses?
Yes. The MSQA Academic Advisor must be contacted if you
feel that you have the required academic background to waive
any of the required courses and substitute them with MSQA
electives. *** IMPORTANT NOTE *** Even if a course
or courses is/are waived, students seeking the degree must
still achieve 33 credit units (combined approved transfer
and CSUDH MSQA units). Elective courses will be substituted
for core courses waived by the Academic Advisor. If you
have any questions regarding these policies please contact
the Academic Advisor at (310) 243-3880 or msqa@csudh.edu.
17. How does the MSQA-Internet program differ from the traditional
classroom?
Utilizing the power of the Internet (listservs, the World
Wide Web, private and group e-mail, and special computer
programs, "Blackboard" for example) an ongoing
interaction between instructor and students and students
with each other is fostered. Because successful completion
of each course requires all students to participate in these
ongoing discussions throughout the semester, students actually
spend more time interacting than they would in a traditional
classroom. We've also found that the quality of the interaction
is much improved because everyone participates and because
they have more time to think through and compose their comments
and responses.
18. Is the MSQA-Internet just another "correspondence"
learning program?
No! In contrast to mail-based "correspondence"
programs which typically provide a "solo"
non-interactive
environment, students participating in the MSQA-Internet
program become
a part of a dynamic interactive learning
community.
19. How do I register for courses in the MSQA-Internet program?
You may register via my.csudh.edu, viaphone, or mail. For security reasons
we do not accept registrations
at this time over the Internet.
Please check the Registration page for a registration form you
can print, fill out, and fax
back to our office. MAKE SURE WHEN REGISTERING THAT
YOU
HAVE PROVIDED YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS or ADDRESSES and that
you have
|
clearly indicated you are with the MSQA-Internet
Program. Once you've registered
please read the instructions as to what to do next.
20. May I register after class has begun?
No . The last day to register for each term is the Friday
before the week class begins. Class
always begins on a Tuesday.
Please check published schedules for dates and other information.
Contact the MSQA office at MSQA@csudh.edu to obtain further information.
21. What happens after I register?
Upon receiving your registration we will provide you with
Registration Confirmation via e-mail.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU
PROVIDED US YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS or ADDRESSES WHEN YOU REGISTERED.
You should immediately follow the instructions outlined. SPECIAL NOTE: If you
have not been contacted within
3 business days (M-F), or if you cannot access the Web (you
will need to have Web access to participate in the courses),
or if you have trouble gaining access to the URL we sent
you, immediately contact the MSQA office for assistance,
via e-mail: MSQA@csudh.edu or by phone: (310) 243-3880.
22. What is the refund policy?
Refunds are granted in accordance with the California
State refund schedule. If a course is canceled, the entire
course fee will be returned. If you withdraw 24 hours
prior to the first class meeting, 100 percent of the course
fee will be refunded (less a $10 processing fee). If you
withdraw after the first class and before 25 percent of
the course has elapsed (the 24th day of a 13 week course),
65 percent of the total fee will be refunded. After 25
percent of the course time has elapsed (the 25th day and
later of a 13 week course), no refund will be made, however
a withdrawal form must still be filed. A stop payment on a check
is NOT an acceptable withdrawal from the course(s) and
will result in financial penalty.
23. What
Rights Do I Have? What if I Have a Complaint?
You have a number of rights as a student of California
State University, Dominguez Hills.The links below will
take you to the appropriate CSUDH webpage. Before you
begin a formal appeal, grievance, or petition process,
please attempt to resolve the issue with your instructor
and/or the MSQA office (310-243-3880) as appropriate.
Be sure to communicate directly with the MSQA Coordinator
early in the process. Part of the Coordinator's job is
to help resolve complaints. See the Contacts page for a full list of faculty contact info.
Student Rights and Responsibilities overview
Petition for Exception. Students may petition for exception to certain University academic regulations only when unusual or extenuating circumstances exist.Request a Petition form from the HUX office, and return the completed form to HUX for submission to the university-wide committee that considers such appeals.