Graduate Degree Requirements and Policies

A student wishing to earn a master’s degree must complete the four requirements listed
below:
• Be Advanced to Candidacy;
• Complete at least 30 semester units applicable to the degree. Please see specific program
requirements in the catalog for the total number of units required for each master’s degree
program.
o All units must be earned within the five calendar years immediately preceding the
receipt of the degree. Outdated units may be accepted for one additional year with
the approval of the major department and Graduate Studies. If not completed in the
sixth year, currency in the subject matter of the outdated courses must be
demonstrated. Courses older than seven years are only applied to the degree in
exceptional circumstances.
o A minimum of seventy (70) percent of the total units required by the degree program
must be completed in residence while enrolled as an admitted graduate student at
Cal State East Bay. For example, for a 30-unit master’s program, 21 units in residence
are required. (Note: The number of transferable units for each degree program will
be rounded to the nearest whole number of units.) Units taken while at other schools;
while an undergraduate with permission to take graduate courses; while pursuing an
additional baccalaureate degree in “Unclassified Post-Baccalaureate” status; while
enrolled in another graduate degree program; or while enrolled in Continuing
Education courses (including Open University courses) do not count as resident units.
Courses offered in special session, e.g., Summer, are considered resident units. Some
graduate programs may require more than 70 percent of the required degree units in
residence, so check with the department for these requirements.
o At least 1/2 (50%) of the units in the program must be in stand-alone 600-level
courses. Up to 50% of the units may be in upper-division undergraduate courses
and/or dual-listed undergraduate/graduate courses.
o No lower division units can be counted.
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o No more than 6 units of university thesis, departmental thesis or project work can be
counted.
o No more than 8 units of independent study can be counted.
o No units counted towards the total graduate program units may be taken on a
“CR/NC” basis unless they are in courses that are offered exclusively on that basis
(primarily restricted to fieldwork and internship courses). This does not apply to
courses taken to satisfy prerequisite or proficiency requirements.
• Complete a program of study approved by the department, which must include a thesis,
project, or comprehensive examination; and
• Earn a 3.0 grade point average in all units counted towards the degree, with a minimum
course grade of “C” in every course. Any course that counts toward the degree
requirements with a grade of “C-” or below will have to be repeated.
Note: Individual master’s degree program requirements may be more stringent, including minimum grade requirements, than the
University requirements listed above. Please check each program for specific requirements.

A graduate student who wishes to receive a master’s degree in two years needs to enroll in
approximately 8 units per semester (15 units per year in a 30-unit master’s program). Eight (8)
units per semester is the minimum for financial aid and reporting purposes. A graduate
student who wishes to receive a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, contact the
Department of Educational Leadership for academic load information.

Admission to a Graduate Certificate Program
Students who are already enrolled in the University as post-baccalaureates (i.e., pursuing a
graduate degree or credential program) may apply to a graduate certificate program. Students
who are not already enrolled may apply to the University as a post-baccalaureate classified
student. Applicants for graduate certificate programs must meet the minimum requirements
for admission to graduate and post-baccalaureate studies that are outlined in the Graduate
Admissions and Program Information section of this catalog. Applicants should also contact
the department for additional admissions criteria for each specific program. It is
recommended that the student seek admission, if appropriate, to a degree program within the
sponsoring department so that graduate units may be taken, where permitted, for later
application to the degree. No more than 9 units (or 30 percent for master’s programs that are
over 30 units) taken in classified post-baccalaureate status may be applied towards the
requirements of a graduate degree.
• Graduate Certificate Program Requirements
A graduate certificate program is a coherent set of academic courses, considerably narrower in
scope and objectives than a degree, for which students can receive a certificate upon its
successful completion. Each certificate program must contain a minimum of 12 units. For
Graduate Student Handbook - The Office of Graduate Studies, Academic Programs & Services, Cal State East Bay. 6
programs that include undergraduate courses, the minimum is 15 units. Any undergraduate
courses must be at the upper-division level. Only one course below the 600-level may be taken
“CR/NC” and no graduate course may be taken “CR/NC” in a certificate program unless that is
the only grading pattern for the course. Students must take at least 75% of the courses and all
600-level courses at Cal State East Bay. (For certificate programs, Cal State East Bay courses
may be taken through University Extension or as a regularly admitted and enrolled student).
No student is required to complete a certificate program. The awarding of a certificate
recognizes completion of a certificate program. There is no notation about the program on
either a diploma or permanent record. (The courses will, of course, be on the student’s
permanent record).

Continuing post-baccalaureate students wishing to change their degree objective or credential
program must file a “Change of Graduate Objective Request” with the Office of Graduate
Admissions.

Cal State East Bay offers doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. Students accepted into
the Educational Leadership for Social Justice program should work very closely with their
academic advisors to ensure that all policies and procedures are being followed. Policies and
procedures for continuing student performance as well as program graduation requirements
for this doctoral program are different from those required for students in master’s
programs. Contact the Department of Educational Leadership for specific requirements and
the complete information about the program.

If a student wishes to pursue two master’s degrees at the same time, they should apply to
their primary degree via CAL STATE APPLY and file a “Change of Graduate Objective Request”
with the Office of Graduate Admissions to apply for the second degree.
Note: A student must fulfill all prerequisites and requirements for each degree. See the Second Master’s Degree section below for
more policies related to dual master’s degrees.

The following classifications apply to graduate students enrolled in the fall and spring
semesters and in summer session (not University Extension non-degree programs and
shorter sessions including winter):
• Full-time enrollment for “Graduate” students and “Classified Post-Baccalaureate” students
is 8 or more units for financial aid, F-1 and J-1 visas, and for veterans (or dependents of
disabled or deceased veterans) or reservists (under Chapter 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, or 1606).
Note: Each semester, veterans and eligible dependents should consult the Veteran Benefits Coordinator before the first day of
classes and submit their forms requesting certification of enrollment for V.A. benefits. Also, graduate students who apply for
Graduate Student Handbook - The Office of Graduate Studies, Academic Programs & Services, Cal State East Bay. 7
Veterans’ Benefits (or for benefits as dependents of disabled or deceased veterans), international students wishing Department of
Homeland Security certification, student athletes wishing to compete in intercollegiate sports, and students on most types of
financial aid must be enrolled in courses that apply to a definite program (master’s degree and/or credential).

If a student already has a master’s degree and wants to pursue a second master’s degree, they
must meet the following criteria:
• Apply and gain admission to the department offering the second master’s degree program;
• Fulfill all prerequisites and requirements for the second degree;
• Complete at least 70% of the units required for the second degree in residence after
admission to the second master’s degree program. Up to 30% of units from the first degree
may be applied to the second degree, if accepted by the second master’s degree
program. If no units for the first degree are accepted, all units for the second degree must
be completed;
• Earn all units for the second master’s degree within the five calendar years immediately
preceding the receipt of the degree.
If the second degree is in the same field as the first degree (e.g., business administration), the
second degree must be in a different concentration and all units in the degree must be from
different courses.

Graduate Course Symbols & Grade Points Earned
Academic Grade Standard of Work Represented Grade (Quality) Points
A Superior 4
A- Superior 3.7
B+ Adequate 3.3
B Adequate 3
B- Adequate1 2.7
C+ Substandard 2.3
C Substandard 2
C- Unacceptable 1.7
D+ Unacceptable 1.3
D Unacceptable 1
F Failing 0
CR Credit2 Not applicable
NC No Credit2 Not applicable 1
Note: A “B-” grade, though described as “adequate,” generates fewer than 3.0 grade (quality) points and must be balanced by a
grade of “B+” or higher to maintain a 3.0 GPA.
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2
Note: Students cannot select these grades. They are only available in graduate courses offered exclusively on a “credit/no credit”
basis.
The typical grading pattern for courses graduate students will take is “A-F”; the use of “+” and
“-” is at the discretion of each instructor. As noted in the Master’s Degree Requirements
section, grades lower than “C” may not be used to satisfy master’s degree requirements, and
some programs may require grades higher than “C” to meet program requirements; check
with the academic department about its policy. A graduate student may use courses taken on
a “CR/NC” basis to meet the degree requirements only if the courses are offered exclusively on
that basis. Typically, these courses are restricted to fieldwork and internships and a “CR”
grade indicates that the student’s work is at least of “B-” quality. In post-baccalaureate (500-
level) courses, a “CR” grade also indicates that the work is at least of “B-” quality.

Faculty have the sole right and responsibility to provide careful evaluation and timely
assignment of appropriate grades. There is a presumption that grades assigned are correct. It
is the responsibility of anyone appealing an assigned grade to demonstrate otherwise. In the
absence of compelling reasons, such as instructor or clerical error, prejudice or capriciousness,
the grade assigned by the instructor of record is to be considered final. Students who believe
that an appropriate grade has not been assigned should attempt to resolve the problem with
their instructor. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome, they should discuss the issue
with the department chair in which the course was offered. If the issue is not resolved, the
student should make an appointment with the dean or associate dean of the college in which
the course is offered. If all previous actions fail, the student should contact the Presidential
Appointee to the Grade Appeal and Academic Grievance Committee by calling (510) 885-3716.
If the student has applied for graduation, the student should notify their graduation evaluator
that a question is pending resolution. Once a degree is posted, no grade changes will be
allowed.
• Grade Appeal and Academic Grievance Committee
The Grade Appeal and Academic Grievance process, administered by this committee, allows
students to resolve serious cases of alleged academic unfairness. After every effort by all
parties to resolve the dispute has been ineffective, students can discuss their case with the
Presidential Appointee to the Grade Appeal and Academic Grievance Committee. The
Presidential Appointee will assist students in exhausting all normal channels and, if necessary,
in filing a Petition (Grade Appeal Petition Form) for a Grade Appeal Hearing. Students will need
to submit their petition and supporting documentation to the office of Academic Programs
and Services. The committee will review this documentation and the response(s) filed by the
other parties involved in the dispute. If the committee finds possible grounds for a grievance, a
Hearing Panel will be convened to hear the case. Under normal circumstances, the student
must file their petition before the end of the semester following the semester in which the
alleged incident took place.
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The Grade Appeal and Academic Grievance Committee is empowered to change a grade in
accordance with the Grade Appeal Document and to assign a grade in cases where the
instructor may have assigned an unfair academic grade. The Grade Appeal and Academic
Grievance Committee are authorized to change a grade only after it has conducted a proper
review of the case. Note: For additional information see the Student Rights, Responsibilities & Conduct and/or contact the
office of Academic Programs and Services.

• All Students
Students who find it necessary to cancel their registration or to withdraw from all classes after
enrolling for any academic term are required to follow the university’s official withdrawal
procedures. Failure to follow formal university procedures may result in an obligation to pay
fees as well as the assignment of failing grades in all courses and the need to apply for
readmission before being permitted to enroll in another academic term.
Students who fail to fulfill enrollment or matriculation requirements, or otherwise fail to
adhere to academic or Cal State East Bay regulations, are subject to immediate administrative
action which may result in the student being placed on Administrative Probation, or having
enrollment for that term canceled.
Note: Matriculated students who have not enrolled in classes at Cal State East Bay for two consecutive semesters (not including
summer or winter sessions), and do not enroll in the third consecutive semester, will be discontinued and will be required to
submit a new application to the University for readmission.
• Add/Drop Period
Submitting a “Withdrawal” form is not required if students find it necessary to drop all courses
in which they enrolled in using MyCSUEB during the Add/Drop period. For refund information,
contact Student Financial Services.
If students find it necessary to withdraw from the University after the Add/Drop period has
ended (during the third through the twelfth week of instruction), they must complete a
“Withdrawal” form, obtain approval signatures from each instructor and department chair,
and return it to the Office of the Registrar. Course withdrawals are handled as noted in the
section above. A semester from which a student withdraws is not counted as an interruption
of enrollment for matriculated student status. Even if approved, a late withdrawal petition
does not result in a fee refund. Students should consult with Student Financial Services for any
questions about fee refunds related to withdrawing from classes.
• Financial Aid Recipients
Students who receive financial aid funds must consult with a financial aid counselor in the
Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from the university regarding any required return or
repayment of grant or loan assistance received for that academic term or payment period.
Students who have received financial aid and withdraw from the institution during the
academic term or payment period may need to return or repay some or all of the funds
received, which may result in a debt owed to the institution.
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• Fee Refunds
A withdrawal may not automatically result in a fee refund. Students should consult with
Student Financial Services for any questions about fee refunds related to withdrawing from
classes.

The capstone experience of the graduate program will be the successful completion of a
• Thesis,
• Project, or
• Comprehensive Examination.
The quality of the student’s work, including quality of expression, is the major consideration in judging
the success of this degree component.
• Thesis
A thesis is the written product of a systematic study of a significant issue. In the thesis, the
student is expected to identify the issue, state the major assumptions, explain the significance
of the project, detail sources for and methods of obtaining data, provide analysis of the data,
and offer conclusions. The thesis should demonstrate original critical and independent
thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation. If the research
involves human subjects, the protocols must be approved by the Institutional Review Board
(see “Standards of Research with Human Subjects” in the University Catalog).
Cal State East Bay offers two kinds of master’s degree theses, University Thesis (numbered
691) and Departmental Thesis (numbered 699). Students required, or electing, to write a
thesis must register for a minimum of one unit of either 691 or 699 in order to receive credit
toward completion of this capstone experience. Students should check with the department
for information on the number of units for which they must enroll.
The following criteria are the same for both the Departmental and the University Theses:
! The candidate must be a graduate student (i.e., admitted to a master’s degree program)
to enroll in a thesis course; the academic department may add additional requirements.
! The student’s thesis work will be supervised by a departmental committee, which must
include at least one Cal State East Bay faculty member who is a member of the major
department. Please see the Thesis Committee Policy for additional thesis committee
requirements.
! The student may not receive credit for more units of thesis work than allowed by the
degree program.
! Each semester students will receive a grade of “RP” (Report in Progress) for units earned
in 691 or 699 until they have completed their thesis; the student will then be given a
final grade for the entire course. No “RP” units will be counted towards the degree or in
calculating their GPA. If the thesis is not approved within five years of initial enrollment
Graduate Student Handbook - The Office of Graduate Studies, Academic Programs & Services, Cal State East Bay. 11
in a thesis course, the “RP” grade(s) will be changed to “F” or “NC” (depending on the
grading pattern of the course).
! Normally, a degree candidate will be required to present an oral defense of their thesis.
! A Master’s degree candidate may not earn more than 6 units for either a University
Thesis or Departmental Thesis. Some programs have lower unit requirements. Students
should check the program description in the University Catalog.
There are also a few significant differences between the two kinds of theses:
! The Office of Graduate Studies establishes the format of a University Thesis. Since these
works are expected to serve as resources for future research, the format is formal. An
electronic copy is placed in the Institutional Repository. A Departmental Thesis, on the
other hand, is usually not as formal.
! The department determines the Departmental Thesis standards and format, and the
department retains the thesis.
o University Thesis:
For information on the steps to follow (the approval process, required format for the
structural elements of the thesis, and deadlines) when writing a University Thesis, consult
guidelines available online at: https://www.csueastbay.edu/aps/graduate-studies/universitythesis.html. If a student has questions concerning the selection of a topic, and/or the
procedure to establish a thesis committee and research protocols, they should contact their
department advisor or graduate coordinator. Students should also see if the department
requires that a bound copy be submitted to the department. If the student has additional
questions concerning the formatting and submission of their University Thesis after having
read the University Thesis Writing Guide, it is recommended they contact the University Thesis
Editor at: thesiseditor@csueastbay.edu
o Departmental Thesis:
For information about a Departmental Thesis (the department’s thesis guidelines, including
format, acceptable thesis topics, and procedures to establish a thesis committee) contact the
department advisor or the Program Coordinator.
• Project
A project is a significant undertaking in either a fine or applied art or a professional field.
Projects should provide evidence of originality, independent thinking, and appropriate form
and organization. Students are required to describe their project in a written abstract that
addresses the project’s significance, objectives, methodology, and conclusions. In some cases,
the student may be required to present an oral defense.
Specific criteria for a Project (numbered 693) are the same as those for a Departmental Thesis
with a few exceptions.
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! An “RP” grade in a project course will become an “F” (no “NC” option) after one year if
the project is not completed.
! While the project need not be considered a research resource, it should be of a caliber
to constitute a valid terminal activity in a master’s degree program and will be
permitted only when a thesis is not appropriate.
If a Master’s degree student changes from a program requiring a thesis to one requiring a
project (or vice versa), they may count a combined maximum of 6 units for 691, 693, and 699
towards the degree.
• Comprehensive Examination
A comprehensive examination is intended to assess the student’s mastery of relevant subject
matter, their ability to analyze and integrate the knowledge of their field, their skill in critical
and independent thinking, and their use of appropriate organization and accurate
documentation. The department retains a record of the student’s examination (questions and
responses). Some departments grant unit credit for exam preparation (numbered 692) while
others do not.

Faculty shall provide students with a course syllabus, which should be placed on the course
Blackboard site at the beginning of the semester, containing the following information:
! Name of instructor, office location, office hours, office telephone number, and
@csueastbay.edu e-mail;
! Course number and title, classroom location, number of units, prerequisites (if any), a
course description, objectives and student learning outcomes;
! Required texts and any other required and/or recommended materials;
! Student-supplied equipment and materials necessary for course activities;
! Course specific requirements and their due dates, such as examinations, quizzes,
papers, field trips, and labs;
! Grading policy, which includes the relative weight of examinations, quizzes, papers, class
participation and other factors, and the grading scale;
! Attendance and make-up work policies and implications for grading;
! The following statement and reference to University policies regarding cheating and
academic dishonesty: “By enrolling in this class the student agrees to uphold the standards of
academic integrity described at: https://www.csueastbay.edu/aps/academic-policies/index.html.
! Accommodations for students with disabilities.
Sample statement: “If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic
accommodations, or if you would need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation, please
contact me as soon as possible. Students with disabilities needing accommodation should speak with
Accessibility Services.”
! Emergency information.
Sample statement: “California State University, East Bay is committed to being a safe and caring
Graduate Student Handbook - The Office of Graduate Studies, Academic Programs & Services, Cal State East Bay. 13
community. Your appropriate response in the event of an emergency can help save lives. Information on
what to do in an emergency situation (earthquake, electrical outage, fire, extreme heat, severe storm,
hazardous materials, terrorist attack) may be found at: https://www.csueastbay.edu/riskmanagement.
Please be familiar with these procedures. Information on this page is updated as required. Please
review the information on a regular basis.”
Faculty are also encouraged to include additional items such as:
! Course outline;
! Types of quizzes and exams (e.g., true-false, multiple choice, short-answer, essay);
! Availability of appropriate tutoring services;
! Policies regarding audio and video recording and use of electronic devices;
! Reference to University classroom behavior policies;
! Classroom food and drink policies.
Furthermore, faculty should advise students of their expectations in the course no later than
the end of the second class. Any changes in course requirements should be communicated to
students in a timely manner. It is the student’s responsibility to read the course statement and
to request any clarification of course policies. If a student adds the course after the first week
of class, they must seek course information in a timely manner.

A student may be declassified (dropped) from a graduate degree or credential program for a
range of reasons, including, but not restricted to, unprofessional conduct; failure to maintain
professional standards; behavioral issues that interfere with the learning of others; failure to
make progress toward the degree or program as set forth by the University and program
policies; failure to successfully complete required components of the program such as
fieldwork or practicum courses; failure to meet grade requirements to maintain good standing
in the program and/or University; and/or the department/program faculty determine that the
student is incapable of completing degree requirements at the level expected of a graduate
student in the discipline even if the GPA is above 3.0.
The major department must initiate the declassification request with support from the
department/program chair and college dean or designee. Requests are submitted to the Office
of Academic Programs and Services for final action and official notification to the student and
the Office of the Registrar. The Office of Academic Programs and Services will also determine if
the student should also be academically or administratively disqualified from the University. If
the student is not disqualified from the University and wishes to continue in the University, a
declassified student must formally apply to another graduate program. Declassified students
will not be permitted to enroll through regular University or Open University in any
undergraduate or graduate courses in the program or degree from which they were
declassified. Unless the declassification was related to conduct issues that interfere with
campus interactions, declassified students are eligible to apply to a new program and be
Graduate Student Handbook - The Office of Graduate Studies, Academic Programs & Services, Cal State East Bay. 14
accepted as a student by the new department/program. The student must be accepted to a
new program no later than two semesters after being declassified; otherwise, the student
must reapply to the University.

The faculty of the University is available during regularly scheduled office hours, which are at
times other than scheduled classes. The times of the office hours are posted outside each
faculty office, at the faculty member’s department, on the department website, and on the
faculty member’s course syllabi. The faculty member informs the department of their office
hours the first day of classes each semester.
Full-time faculty who are teaching are expected to hold a minimum of two (2) regularly
scheduled office hours per week. The way in which office hours are held should be congruent
with the mode(s) of instruction. For example, faculty teaching online courses may hold office
hours online. In addition to regularly scheduled office hours, faculty are expected and
encouraged to meet with students by appointment (in-person or electronically) at mutually
convenient times to a reasonable extent. For faculty members who are teaching less than a full
load, the minimum number of scheduled office hours may be prorated, but the number of
scheduled hours may not be less than one hour per week.
If for any reason a faculty member cannot meet the posted office hours, the faculty member
will inform the Department Chair. If possible, the department will note the absence on the
faculty office door.
The normal schedule of availability is to be maintained during the Final Examination period,
but may be rearranged to facilitate meeting students before exams. If a final examination
conflicts with a posted time of availability, an alternative hour is to be posted for that week
alone.

The student can expect the instructors to provide comprehensive course requirement
information for each course at the beginning of the semester. This will include the work that is
expected of the student and the basis on which the student will be evaluated. Most courses
have graded assignments throughout the semester and a final examination or paper. The
University’s policy states that final examinations must be given only at the times published in
the schedule of classes on MyCSUEB. The purpose of this policy is to ensure fairness for all
students. Exceptions are, therefore, rare and must be approved in writing by the department
chair. A student should contact the department chair or college dean if they believe this policy
is not being followed. If the student is in a course, which has a separate laboratory, activity or
Graduate Student Handbook - The Office of Graduate Studies, Academic Programs & Services, Cal State East Bay. 15
discussion section, the instructor is permitted to give a separate final examination (but only for
that section) during the last regularly scheduled meeting of the section.

The student’s grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total number of quality
hours (units attempted, excluding CR/NC courses) into the number of grade (quality) points
earned. If they repeat a course required in the major, their department has the discretion,
under specific circumstances, not to include an earlier attempt in the GPA calculation. The
approval not to include the earlier attempt in the student’s degree program must be
submitted by their department to the Office of the Registrar. This may be done at any time
while a student is enrolled in the degree program, but may not be done after they have been
awarded their degree.
The graduate program coordinator or department chair also has the discretion to request that
grades in courses that do not count towards graduate degree requirements be excluded from
a student’s GPA calculation. This will be permitted only if those grades result in the student
being placed on academic probation. These may include courses taken in a second
baccalaureate program, or courses taken in a different graduate degree program. They may
not be courses taken after the student has been admitted to the current graduate program, or
courses taken in the degree program that the student subsequently elects not to count toward
graduate program requirements. They also may not include grades for courses that the
student used for a conferred post-baccalaureate degree. The request not to include a grade in
a student’s GPA calculation must be submitted by the graduate program coordinator or
department chair to the Office of Academic Programs and Services, which will make the final
determination of the request. This may be done at any time while a student is in the degree
program, but may not be done after they have been awarded their degree.
If the student’s GPA falls below 3.00, they should consult immediately with the graduate
program coordinator or major department chair.

Master’s degree students must follow the same registration policies and procedures as
required for undergraduate students. See the ‘Registration & Enrollment’ in the catalog for
more complete registration information.
Registration procedures for Thesis or Project courses are slightly different. Master’s students
must complete a “Special Registration Petition” for each semester they wish to enroll in one of
these courses. The petition should be submitted to the department office before the add/drop
deadline. The student is responsible for checking on the progress of this procedure.

There are two types of probation and disqualification: (1) academic, and (2) administrative.
Academic Probation
Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in all units attempted after admission to their graduate
program, including all prerequisite courses, to remain in good standing. If the student’s GPA
falls below 3.00, they will be placed on Academic Probation. (Grades in any coursework taken
after admission to the student’s master’s program at CSUEB will count towards the GPA
calculation for academic probation.) Should this happen, the student must consult with their
graduate advisor prior to registering for the next semester. The student is also encouraged to
take advantage of various University services (such as advising and tutoring) designed to assist
them.
Academic Disqualification
A student may be subject to academic disqualification if during any semester while on
probation they do not achieve the minimum 3.0 GPA in all units taken after admission to their
graduate program. The student may also be disqualified if, at any time, they do not meet the
academic criteria of their department. In addition, an appropriate campus administrator may
disqualify a student who at any time during enrollment has demonstrated behavior so
contrary to the standards of the profession for which the student is preparing as to render the
individual unfit for the profession. In such cases, disqualification will occur immediately upon
notice to the student.
Administrative Probation
A student may be placed on Administrative Probation if they:
! withdraw from all courses for two consecutive semesters or any three semesters;
! do not progress towards their degree while enrolled (such as earning a number of “NC”
grades);
! do not comply with appropriate academic requirements (such as taking the Writing
Skills Test); or
! earn only “IC,” “F,” “WU,” and/or “NC” grades for two consecutive, or any three
semesters.
Administrative Disqualification
A student will be administratively disqualified if they:
! do not meet the conditions for removal of their Administrative Probation;
! are placed on Administrative Probation twice for the same reason;
! are placed on Academic Probation while on Administrative Probation.
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Reinstatement to a Graduate Program
If a student is disqualified, either academically or administratively, they may apply for
reinstatement to their graduate program by completing a “Petition for Graduate
Reinstatement.” The petition must be approved by the appropriate graduate program
coordinator or the department chair. Reinstatement will be approved only if the student is
able to provide compelling evidence of their ability to complete their degree. Then it will be
forwarded for consideration to the Director of Graduate Studies, who has final authority to
approve reinstatement. If a student should become disqualified a second time, their
reinstatement normally will not be considered.

Students who have completed all the units required for their master’s degree but are still
working on their capstone experience (thesis, project, or studying for a comprehensive
exam) may have continued access to University facilities by registering for XXXX 890 Graduate
Study Completion course through University Extension\Continuing Education. (Students
should register for the course within their major prefix; e.g. graduate chemistry majors should
register for CHEM 890). This is a 1-unit course with a fee of $134 (fee subject to change).
Registering for XXXX 890 will provide students with:
! a valid Student ID card,
! the ability to check books out of the library,
! remote access to computerized databases in the library,
! use of computer labs on campus,
! the ability to continue to work on projects in science labs,
! eligibility to purchase a parking permit, and
! access to other benefits enjoyed by regularly registered students.
Students may register by submitting “Graduate Study Completion Contract Registration Form”.
Enrollment in XXXX 890 also qualifies as enrollment for students who are serving as a teaching
associate. Note: Students will need to obtain a signature from their major department. XXXX 890 cannot be used to satisfy any
unit or course requirements for a master’s degree.

All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation.
Information on currently available ways to meet this graduation requirement may be obtained
from Academic Programs and Services.
Graduate Student Handbook - The Office of Graduate Studies, Academic Programs & Services, Cal State East Bay. 18
Cal State East Bay has temporarily suspended the University Writing Skills Requirement
(UWSR) until Academic Year 2021-22. Students with rights to the 2020-21 Catalog for
graduation requirements are considered to have satisfied this requirement.
Please note that some graduate programs (e.g., M.S. Music, M.B.A., M.S. Educational
Leadership) require coursework, which also fulfills the UWSR. Students pursing these degrees
must complete the courses required by their programs in order to earn a degree regardless of
the UWSR suspension.

Some courses may require a Special Registration Petition prior to enrollment. Typically,
courses that will require special registration petitions are:
! Independent Study,
! Individual Study,
! Capstone Project,
! Departmental Thesis, or
! University Thesis.

The University has approved policies and procedures for the protection of human subjects in
research, development, and related activities carried out by faculty, staff, and students. An
Institutional Review Board has been established to review research protocols in order to
determine whether human subjects would be at risk and to protect their rights and welfare.
Protocols must be approved before research commences. Further information and copies of
the policy document may be obtained from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

A minimum of seventy (70) percent of the total units required by the degree program must be
completed in residence while enrolled as an admitted graduate student at Cal State East Bay. Note: The number of transferable units for each degree program will be rounded to the nearest whole number of units.
Units taken while at other schools, while an undergraduate with permission to take graduate
courses, while pursuing an additional baccalaureate degree in “Unclassified PostBaccalaureate” status, while enrolled in another graduate degree program, or while enrolled
in Continuing Education courses (including Open University courses) do not count as resident
units. Courses offered in special session are considered resident units.
Note: The individual graduate programs may require more than 70 percent of the required degree units in residence. If so, it will
be noted in the program’s section of this catalog for these requirements.
To request transfer credit:
! The student must have taken the course after earning a bachelor’s degree;
! Their department must accept the course(s) as relevant to their degree program;
Graduate Student Handbook - The Office of Graduate Studies, Academic Programs & Services, Cal State East Bay. 19
! The institution at which the student took the course must customarily grant the level of
credit for the course (graduate or upper division) that the student wishes to receive for
it at Cal State East Bay;
! The student must have taken the course within five calendar years immediately
preceding the receipt of their degree.
In general, Cal State East Bay does not allow the use of credit-by-examination from challenged
courses for master’s degree requirements. Exceptions may be established by individual
departments and must be noted in the degree description in the University Catalog. They are
governed by the following policies:
! The student must pass the exam challenging the course with a grade of “B-” or better;
! Not more than 9 semester units of credit-by-examination may be applied to the degree;
and
! Challenged courses may not be credited to the residency requirement of your degree.

It is an integral part of the teaching responsibility of the faculty to provide careful evaluation
and timely assignment of an appropriate grade to each enrolled student. There is a
presumption that grades assigned are correct. It is the responsibility of anyone appealing an
assigned grade to demonstrate otherwise. In the absence of compelling reasons, such as
instructor or clerical error, prejudice, or capriciousness, the grade determined by the
instructor of record will be considered final.
For purposes of correcting an error, an instructor may change a grade with approval of his/her
department chair and college dean. No grade may be changed once graduation has been
recorded unless an error has been made, in which case students have one term after their
degree has been awarded to dispute the grade and have it corrected, or if a Grade Appeal
petition has resulted in a grade change. A faculty member cannot assign the administrative
symbol for withdrawal. Note: See the Registration & Enrollment for the description of withdrawal policies and
procedures.