Resolution

RESOLVED: That CSUDH allow for the creation of blended programs as defined in the below documents, and be it further

RESOLVED: That the language of the first document below be incorporated into CSUDH Academic Affairs policy, and be it further

RESOLVED: That the second document attached below be made an addendum to that policy recommending best practices as put forward by the CSUDH Graduate Council, and be it further

RESOLVED: That this resolution be forwarded to the Provost, the President, the faculty of CSUDH, all Academic Affairs staff, and the CSU Chancellor’s Office.

RATIONALE: CSUDH currently has no policy regarding “blended programs.” These combined Bachelors/Masters programs are becoming more common nationally and are very helpful to students in fields where a Masters Degree makes a significant difference for employment, and especially so if they are clearly committed to that field early in their college career.

The proposed policies and guidelines were developed by the CSUDH Graduate Council after long deliberation and study of relevant Title V regulations.

Note that in section II.F.1, the phrase “in all classes” (which is taken directly from Title V language) is not equivalent to “in each class.” “GPA” is actually referring to the “Grade Point Average.”

Guidelines for Blended Program Policy at CSUDH

I. Requirements for Blended Programs at CSUDH

1.Unit requirements (Title V, CSU PolicyStatID 12518003) For programs that combine a bachelor's and a master's degree into a single program (referred to as blended programs), up to 12 semester units may be double counted for both the bachelor's degree and the master's degree, leaving at-minimum 18 additional semester units in the master's degree program so that the total number of units may be 138 semester units minimum (e.g., BS 120 + MS 30, subtracting 12 units double counted), provided:

A) None of the required graduate classes can be replaced by an undergraduate class, and

B) The graduate classes that are also counted toward the bachelor's degree either assume the more rudimentary knowledge taught at the undergraduate level or cover the content of the undergraduate courses that they replace.

2. Master’s degree requirements (Title V)

A) Blended programs awarding the master’s degree shall require a minimum of thirty semester units of approved graduate work (which may include up to 12 double-counted units) completed within a maximum time of no more than seven years nor less than five years for each particular program.

B) Not less than 21 semester units shall be completed in residence.

C) Not less than one-half of the units required for the master’s degree shall be in courses organized primarily for graduate students.

D) Satisfactory completion of a thesis, project, or comprehensive examination, of which not more than six semester units shall be allowed for a master’s culminating activity.

E) The graduate program establishes culminating activity requirements that are distinct from any senior undergraduate culminating activities (e.g., a senior thesis may not be used for a master’s thesis).

F) GPA requirements:

i. Students enrolled in a blended program must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better in all courses taken to satisfy the requirements for the master’s degree, except that a course in which no letter grade is assigned shall not be used in computing the grade point average. (Title V)

ii. Individual blended programs may establish GPA requirements that exceed the above 3.0 minimum requirement.

iii. Graduate course work may be repeated; however, the two grades will be averaged into the total grade point average. Credit for the courses will be granted only once and courses may be repeated only once.

3. Implementation of Blended Programs (CSU PolicyStatID 12518003) Master’s and bachelor’s blended programs are typically offered in the same support model (stateside or self-support). However, in the case of partner programs where the academic college (state-side) partners with self-support in the creation and delivery of the degree, such dual support modalities are permitted.

4.Time to Completion: Blended programs are required to state the expected time towards degree completion (including summer and winter course work). A typical blended program offers a 30-36 unit master’s degree program with a related bachelor’s degree program. Often students can complete blended programs in 5 years total (1 additional year beyond the bachelor's degree).

A) Master’s programs that will likely take longer than an additional year to complete shall specify this potential time to degree in their program-related materials.

B) Course offerings must be sufficient to enable students to complete the master’s degree in the time frame established by the program.

C) Interdisciplinary blended programs are an option where the bachelor’s and master’s degree may be in different fields of study.

II. Parameters for Blended Programs at CSUDH

1. Admissions to Blended Programs

A) A student must apply to the blended program while in undergraduate status after completing 60 units of lower division and lower division major coursework. Students will be admitted to both undergraduate and graduate components of the blended program. (CSU PolicyStatID 12518003). Blended program admissions decisions are to be determined by the graduate program.

B) Students shall not be required to formally apply for graduate admission through CSU Apply. (CSU PolicyStatID 12518003)

C) Students re-entering a blended program after having withdrawn are required to formally apply for admission to the graduate program after the completion of 90 semester units.

2. Enrollment Status Procedures CSU PolicyStatID 12518003)

A) Once students have completed their undergraduate coursework (typically 120 units applicable to the blended bachelor’s program, including the double-counted courses), they are moved to graduate status.

B) A student will be assessed the undergraduate tuition and fees only during the time in which the blended-program student has earned fewer than 120 semester units applicable to the blended bachelor's and master's degree programs.

C) When the degree-objective status is changed to "graduate," the student will be assessed the graduate student tuition and fees and may continue to take upper-division undergraduate courses.

D) To ensure proper awarding of degree credit, all lower-division work (including lower division general education courses and American Institutions courses) shall be completed prior to changing to graduate degree objective status.

E) When a blended-program student has earned at least 120 semester units toward program completion, and completed all requirements for the baccalaureate (as verified by the Office of Admissions and Records), the campus will change the student level code to "5," signifying graduate standing. As these students have yet to attain either a baccalaureate or master's degree, their degree held code will remain as either "0" or "1." The term FTE calculation for these students will be: 12 semester units equals one FTES.

F) Students must maintain continuous enrollment at the graduate level, with the exception of a formal leave of absence.

3. Withdrawal from Blended Programs (CSU PolicyStatID 12518003)

A) If a student in a blended program opts not to complete the master's program but does complete the undergraduate degree requirements, undergraduate matriculation shall be reopened in order to grant the baccalaureate degree. There shall be no related cost to the student nor refund of previous graduate fees paid.

B) If a student does not maintain continuous enrollment at the graduate level, upon With the approval of their academic department, students may count up to 12 units of graduate coursework completed during their blended program towards their master's degree. Course expirations are determined by the program and must be in accordance with the catalog rights of when a candidate entered the program. Such courses cannot exceed seven years, unless approved for validation by both the academic program and designated University administrator.

III. Awarding of Degrees (CSU PolicyStatID 12518003)

A) Students in blended program may apply for bachelor's degree upon completion of the 120 semester units or upon completion of both degree requirements. Both degrees may be awarded during the same term and at a single graduation ceremony, as authorized by the Awarding of Multiple Degrees at a Single Commencement policy. Students are evaluated for Latin honors based on the first 120 semester units (i.e., the time period of undergraduate degree objective), regardless of the number of graduate courses taken prior to the transition to graduate status.

IV. International Students (CSU PolicyStatID 12518003)

A) Each campus must issue a change of educational level (i.e., I-20 status) when an F-1 student in a blended program becomes a graduate student according to visa regulations. This change will shift the minimum unit requirement for undergraduate student status (12 units) to that for graduate student status as defined by the campus. However, the trigger for that change may differ depending on how the campus implements the blended program (e.g., if the bachelor's degree is awarded when earned or at the end of the blended program). The international student office on each campus should be consulted to work out the timing and workflow for issuance of the new I-20 to F-1 students in blended programs.

B) International students with an F-1 visa are permitted post-completion OPT for up to 12 months (and additional 24 months with STEM OPT extension) per degree level. Unless the campus determines that a break/gap between educational levels is permitted to allow for OPT, students will otherwise become ineligible for bachelor's level post completion OPT upon the date of their change in educational level to graduate student status, as indicated on the I-20. Students would still be eligible to apply for graduate level post-completion OPT and STEM OPT extension.

Recommendations & Guidelines

A) Admissions: It is recommended to implement a dedicated Graduate Admissions Unit housed within the Office of Graduate Studies and Research to process blended program applications, as these will likely be separately submitted from Cal State Apply. The system to process and evaluate blended applications will need to be determined with consideration of the constraints of processes and personnel. Ultimately, the graduate program will determine admissions decisions, but could collaborate with the partner undergrad program to review applications.

B) Culminating Activity It is recommended that blended programs do not offer the thesis as their required culminating activity in order to facilitate time to completion of the master’s degree. Instead, blended programs are encouraged to meet the Title V culminating activity requirements through a comprehensive exam or project.

C) Through the campus curriculum approval process, the program should designate the 12 units that will count towards the master’s degree.

Resources:

Title 5 resolution on Blended Program

Title 5 requirements:

A minimum of thirty semester units of approved graduate work completed within a maximum time to be established by each campus. Such maximum time shall be no more than seven years nor less than five years for each particular program. An extension of time beyond the limit may be granted by appropriate campus authority if warranted by individual circumstances and if the outdated work is validated by examination, in the relevant additional course or subject field of work or such other demonstration of competence as may be prescribed. In the degree program:

(A) Not less than 21 semester units shall be completed in residence. The appropriate campus authority may authorize the substitution of credit earned by alternate means for a part of this residence requirement.

(B) Not less than one-half of the units required for the degree shall be in courses organized primarily for graduate students.

(D) For programs that combine a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree into a single program (referred to as blended programs), up to 12 semester units may be double counted for both the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s degree so that the total number of units may be 138 semester units, provided that:

1) none of the required graduate classes is replaced by an undergraduate class, and

2) the graduate classes that are also counted toward the Bachelor’s degree either assume the more rudimentary knowledge taught at the undergraduate level or cover the content of the undergraduate courses that they replace.

(3) Satisfactory completion of a thesis, project, or comprehensive examination, defined as follows:

(A) A thesis is the written product of a systematic study of a significant problem. It identifies the problem, states the major assumptions, explains the significance of the undertaking, sets forth the sources for and methods of gathering information, analyzes the data, and offers a conclusion or recommendation. The finished product evidences originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation. Normally, an oral defense of the thesis is required.

(B) A project is a significant undertaking appropriate to the fine and applied arts or to professional fields. It evidences originality and independent thinking,appropriate form and organization, and a rationale. It is described and summarized in a written abstract that includes the project's significance, objectives, methodology and a conclusion or recommendation. An oral defense of the project may be required.

(C) A comprehensive examination is an assessment of the student's ability to integrate the knowledge of the area, show critical and independent thinking, and demonstrate mastery of the subject matter. The results of the examination evidences independent thinking, appropriate organization, critical analysis and accuracy of documentation. A record of the examination questions and responses shall be maintained in accordance with the records retention policy of The California State University.

CSU Policy on “Blended” Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programs

Google doc Q & A from the CSU workshop on Blended Programs 1/20/23

CSUDH Graduate Studies Handbook

Resolution EPC 25-04 Policy and Guidelines for Blended Programs