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Graduation Application Process:

• How to Apply
• When to Apply

Requirements:

• GWAR (Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement)
• Advancement to Candidacy
• Advisement
• Meet all Program Requirements
• Time Limit for Degree Completion
• Thesis/Project Filing Fees

APPLICATION PROCESS - How to Apply

Upon completion of the CSU Dominguez Hills graduation requirements, award of the graduate degree must be approved by the program, the school dean, and the faculty of the University.  

Applications for Graduation are available at the Office of Admissions and Records. 

• Contact your department or program advisor for instructions and any special requirements for the graduation application process. 
  
• Complete and submit the Application for Graduation form to the Cashier's Office for payment of the application fee.  Submit any supplemental materials to your department (if required).
  
• Be sure to check with the Graduation Unit periodically to ensure that your paperwork is complete and properly processed. 

A copy of the student's program for the master's degree must be sent by the department to the Office of Admissions and Records (Graduation Unit) so that a master's degree check may be prepared.  Failure to do so will result in a delay in receiving a degree check.

If all degree requirements are not completed during the term of the application, a Change of Graduation Date card must be filed giving the new term of degree completion together with the appropriate fee.

APPLICATION PROCESS - When to Apply

Master's degree candidates should file for graduation in accordance with the following schedule:

Please note that if the above dates should fall on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be at the close of business on the previous working day.

Students applying for graduation must also submit a Graduation Advisement Form (same as Advancement for Candidacy form) in accordance with the following schedule:

GWAR

Students working toward a master's degree are required to demonstrate writing ability commensurate with above average performance at the baccalaureate degree level.  This requirement should be met within the first semester of graduate work by successfully completing one of the following:

• A score of eight (8) on the Graduation Writing Exam (GWE). Students who fail to score an "8" have the option of taking the exam a second time.
• A grade of "B" or better, or its equivalent, in one of the university certified writing courses.  A list of approved courses is available in the University Advisement Center.
• For graduate students in English, satisfactory performance on the Graduate Exercise administered by the Graduate Committee.
• For graduate students in the MBA program, a score of 4.0 or higher on the Analytical Writing Analysis of the GMAT.
• An upper-division or graduate level course that is certified as meeting the writing requirement by the Coordinator of the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement, (310) 243-2191.

Departments and programs may, at their discretion, establish additional writing requirements for their graduate students.  For further information, contact the program coordinator.

ADVANCEMENT TO CANDIDACY

Advancement to Candidacy recognizes that the student has demonstrated the ability to sustain a level of scholarly competency commensurate with successful completion of degree requirements.  Upon advancement to candidacy, the student is cleared for the final stages of the graduate program which, in addition to any remaining course work, will include the thesis, project or comprehensive examination.  

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy:

• A minimum of 15 resident units
• Classified Standing
• An Approved Program of Study
• Successful Completion of the GWAR
• A Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all courses taken as a graduate student
• No grade lower than a "C" in the degree program

Advancement to Candidacy must be certified by the department on the Advisement and Advancement to Candidacy form and submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records prior to the final semester, prior to the semester of the comprehensive exams, and prior to enrolling in a thesis or project.

ADVISEMENT

Please check with your program advisor to be sure that ALL program requirements have been met.

THESIS and PROJECT FILING FEES

Please contact the Library Dean's Office for information regarding filing fees, as they vary depending upon the nature of the thesis or project.

Library Dean's Office
ERC D-407
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA  90747
(310) 243-3700   

MEETING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The degree is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of all state and university requirements, the specific requirements for the particular program, the recommendation of the appropriate graduate adviser and program coordinator (advancement to candidacy), and the approval of the faculty and Dean of Graduate Studies.

TIME LIMIT FOR DEGREE COMPLETION

All requirements for the master's degree, including all course work on the student's approved program of study must be completed within five years (some programs permit seven years).  This time limit commences with the semester of the earliest course used on the student's program of study.