1. Graduate Student Orientation
Presented by Graduate Studies,
a division of the Office of Graduate & Undergraduate Programs
Dr. David K. Bruck
Associate Dean of Graduate Studies

2. Life Cycle of a Graduate Student
Admissions Requirements
Advancement to Candidacy
Culminating Experience
Graduation/Degree Conferral

3. Academic success Meet with your advisor
Know your program requirements
Map out the courses you will be taking
Meet other students in the program
Get to know your professors
Welcome to California
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4. Advancement to candidacy
Prerequisites completed
Conditionally classified status changed to classified status
Minimum GPA in minimum of 9 graded units
GWAR = Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

5. Advancement to candidacy
Usually second semester; deadline semester prior to graduation
Student contract with university
“Candidacy form” = Petition for Advancement to Graduate Candidacy
Listing of courses in degree program
Transfer course credit
Once course taken, cannot be removed
Overall GPA & candidacy GPA computed
No grade forgiveness at grad level; grade averaging

6. Satisfying GWAR Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement
Take approved SJSU GWAR course
See gradstudies website for list
Hold a CSU bachelor’s degree
Sole-authored professional publication or thesis
Advisor must submit
Outside course
Advisor must submit; see website or university catalog

7. Academic Standing Probation & Disqualification
Academic Probation
Graduate GPA below 3.0
Must maintain term GPA of 3.0 until back to good standing
Academic Disqualification: Panic?
No: Reinstatement
Yes: 2X fatal
Administrative Academic Probation & DQ
Programmatic requirements that exceed those of university
Consult departmental websites for policies

8. Culminating EXPERIENCE
Thesis – more extensive research and writing, requires Graduate Studies review and approval
Project – departmentally designed and evaluated, 1-semester duration, additional course required
Comprehensive Exam – required or by choice, depending on program

9. Your final SEMESTER Complete culminating experience
Graduation/Degree Conferral
Degree check
Graduation application
Re-apply to graduate if you cannot graduate in your intended semester
RP policy of continuous enrollment

10. Progress through PROGRAM
7-Year limit
Leaves of absence
Consult university catalog
Info.sjsu.edu, pull down Catalog to Policies, select Graduate Information and Policies

11. Forms & Information Available at our websites www.sjsu.edu/gape