2011-12 Academic Year - Bad Request - Humboldt State University

ate applicants whose native language is not
English and 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 postsecondary institution
where English is the principal language
of instruction must pass either the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or
the International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) test. A minimum score of
550 is required on the TOEFL paper-based
test. Applicants taking the computer-based
TOEFL must score 213 or higher. Applicants
taking the internet-based TOEFL must score
a minimum of 80. Applicants taking the IELTS
test must receive a minimum score of 7.
Some programs may require a higher score.
Several CSU campuses may use alternative
methods for assessing fluency in English
including Pearson Test of English Academic
(PTE Academic), the International English
Language Testing System (IELTS), and the
International Test of English Proficiency
(ITEP).
Graduate Application Deadlines
For fall semester admission, apply after
October 1. For spring semester admission,
apply after August 1. Deadlines for submitting
graduate applications vary by department.
Check with the Office of Admissions,
707-826-4402, or the individual department
office. While some admission categories
remain open later than others, no
applications will be accepted later than one
month prior to the beginning of the term.
Graduate Application
Procedures
1. Apply for and gain admission to Hum boldt
State University.
2. Consult with the graduate advisor in your
area of intended study and prepare a
tentative course schedule.
3. After completing 15 units or at least one
semester of graduate work, apply for
advancement to candidacy for the master’s
degree. The Academic Programs
Office, Siemens Hall, room 217, has the
necessary forms. They are also available
online at http://www.humboldt.edu/
academicprograms/gradstudies/index.
html. After completing them and obtaining
the approval of your advisor, committee
and graduate coordinator, return
the forms to the Academic Programs
Office for processing. Advancement to
candidacy requires:
a suitable amount of appropriate
coursework (upper division and graduate)
with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
satisfactory performance on any comprehensive
or qualifying exam required
by the department;
approval by departmental committee
of an official program of study
that meets all requirements for the
degree;
approval of plan to use humans or
animals as subjects for research, if
applicable.
Applications for advancement to candidacy
must be complete and on file in the
Academic Programs Office before filing the
graduate application for graduation.
Graduate Degree Requirements
General requirements for the master’s
degree programs follow. Discipline-specific
requirements are outlined in the program
description section of this catalog.
1. Complete a specified program of study,
usually requiring approval from the university
department.
2. Complete a minimum of 30 semester
units of approved upper division and
graduate courses within a set time. All
degree requirements must be met within
a maximum of seven years. An extension
beyond this time limit may be granted if
circumstances warrant. This standard
includes:
no less than 21 semester units at
Humboldt (residency requirement) unless
an exception is made;
no less than half the units required
for the degree in courses specifically for
graduate students, 500-600 level;
no more than six units for a thesis or
project;
a maximum of nine units of independent
study, field work, or thesis /project
courses.
3. A grade of B- or better is required for all
coursework applied toward a master’s
degree.
4. Satisfactorily complete a thesis, proj ect,
or comprehensive examination as defined
below. It is the student’s responsibility
to determine from his/her advisor the
departmental policy on theses, projects,
or comprehensive exams.
A thesis is the written product of a
systematic study of a significant problem.
It identifies the problem, states major
assumptions, explains the significance
of the undertaking, sets forth 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. Usually it will require an
oral defense.
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. A written abstract summarizes
and describes the project’s significance,
objectives, methodology, and conclusions
or recommendations. An oral defense
may be required. Projects are treated
in one of two ways. Some projects are
described thoroughly in a manuscript,
bound, and placed in the Humboldt
State University library. These projects
are referred to as “bound projects”
and must meet the manuscript format
requirements of the thesis. An unbound
project is a project that cannot be bound,
for example, a theatre lighting project.
Unbound projects are governed by regulations
specific to the program in which
they originate. Departments or colleges
are responsible for archiving the projects
and for maintaining permanent record of
the projects.
A comprehensive examination assesses
a student’s ability to integrate knowledge
of the area, show independent
and critical thinking, and demonstrate
mastery of the subject matter. The results
evidence independent thinking, appropriate
organization, critical analysis,
and accuracy of documentation. Examination
questions and responses are kept
according to the CSU records retention
policy.
5. Maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 (B)
or better in all courses taken to satisfy
degree requirements. Courses in which
no letter grade is assigned are not used
in computing GPA.
6. The California State University, under
Executive Order 665, requires that
graduate students demonstrate competency
in writing. The compliance methods
for the various programs are listed in
the “Handbook for Master’s Students,”
see the Graduate Writing Requirement
at http://www.humboldt.edu/
70 Planning Your Master’s Degree
2011-2012 Humboldt State University Catalog