California Code of Regulations › Title 5 - Education › Division 5 - Board of Trustees of the California State Universities › Chapter 1 - California State University › Subchapter 2 - Educational Program › Article 7 - Graduate Degrees › Section 40510 - The Master's Degree

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
To be eligible for the Master's degree, the candidate shall
						have completed the following minimum requirements:
(a) Advancement to Candidacy. For advancement to
					 candidacy for the Master's degree, the applicant shall meet the requirements of
					 Section 41011, and such particular requirements
					 as the Chancellor and the campus may prescribe.
(b) Requirements for the Degree.
(1) The completion of a specified pattern of study
					 approved by the appropriate campus authority.
(2) 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					 outdated work is validated by examination, in the relevant additional course or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 (32 quarter 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.
(C) Not more than six semester
					 units shall be allowed for a thesis or project.
(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.
(4) A grade point average of 3.0 (grade of B) 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.