Graduate Program in Philosophy

Other Regulations

Transfer of Credit

The university will generally accept, with the Graduate Coordinator's approval, up to six semester units of earned credit through a combination of SFSU Open University, any extension credit courses, and transfer work from other universities.

Graduate Standards

The Graduate Division requires a 3.0 (B) average in all post-baccalaureate work before the MA degree can be awarded. The Philosophy Department expects its MA candidates to earn A's or B's in all courses taken as part of the Master's program. No course in which the grade falls below a B- can be included on the Graduate Approved Program (GAP). Only 30% of a student's units can be taken on the basis of Credit/No Credit.

Deadline for Filing Documents

Students are responsible for informing themselves of and meeting the deadlines for the filing of all University documents and forms. These deadlines are listed in the University Calendar printed in the Bulletin. Graduate Studies also maintains a list of deadlines. The following forms or items must be submitted to the University before the granting of the degree--most, but not all, of these forms are to be filed with the Graduate Division office:

1) the Graduate Approved Program form;

2) the Proposal for Culminating Experience form;

3) the Thesis;

4) the Completion of Specified Requirements form for the Oral Defense of Thesis;

5) and the Application for the Degree.

University policy specifies that students have seven years in which to complete a Master's degree. In the unlikely event that a student takes longer than seven years, then he or she becomes subject to the special conditions of California Administrative Code, Title 5, Education. Students who fall into this category should contact the Graduate Coordinator.

New Graduate Program Policies and Procedures

Validity of Graduate Approved Program

The Graduate Approved Program (GAP) on file with the Graduate Division will be valid only during the time a student is enrolled and retains continuing registration eligibility in the University. NOTE: Students lose continuing registration ability when they are absent from the University for more than one term. Students who lose their continuing registration eligibility will have their filed GAP program voided. Students wishing to renew their work toward the graduate degree will need to be readmitted to classified standing in the department and to file a new GAP that meets current requirements (or to file a Request to Activate Previously Filed Documents if no new curriculum requirements are in effect), and will be subject to any new policies and procedures implemented during their absence from the University. There is one exception. If the only degree requirement pending is the completion of the thesis, and coursework is within the seven year limit, you do not have to apply for readmission. You just have to complete the thesis and file for graduation.

Time Limitations for the M.A. Thesis

Students register for the 898 course “Culminating Experience Requirement” by contacting the Chair of their MA Thesis Committee. This faculty member will issue the permit number enabling you to add the PHIL 898 course. If students do not complete the thesis at the end of the semester or summer session of registration, the Chair of the Committee will issue a grade of WP (Work in Progress) or a NC (no credit) grade if progress has been unsatisfactory. When the thesis has been approved by the candidate’s committee and accepted by Graduate Division, the Chair will submit to the Registrar’s office a grade change from a “WP” to a “CR” (credit) for the units of course 898.

Remember that you have (only) seven years for the completion of all degree requirements, including the submission of the “Application for Graduate Degree.”  

Last updated 2/1/08