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APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM:
Can the GRE be waived?
Can I substitute another standardized
test like the GMAT for the GRE?
Should I take the GRE General
Test or the GRE Subject Test?
What happens if I score low
on the GRE?
When will I know if I have
been accepted to the program?
How long does the admission
process take?
Do I need to take all the
prerequisite courses listed on the Web site?
How do I know which prerequisite
courses I need?
Is a year of professional
experience really required for admission?
What kind of experience is
considered “professional?”
Can internships count as
professional experience?
I have been admitted to the
program. When and how do I register for classes?
YOUR STUDY PLAN:
What is a study plan?
When should I complete my
study plan?
What do I need to complete
my study plan?
What else should I consider
as I plan my program of study?
What do I do once I have completed
my study plan form?
What happens if I need to
change my study plan?
EXIT OPTIONS:
What options do I have to complete
my degree?
What is a thesis?
Why do I need two semesters
to write a thesis?
What steps do I need to take
to complete a thesis?
What happens if I don't complete
the thesis during the second semester?
What is a project?
What do I have to do for a
project?
Can I start my thesis or project
while I'm still taking other courses?
INDEPENDENT STUDY, INTERNSHIPS,
GRAD CHECKS, & MORE:
What is an independent study?
How many classes should I
take in a semester?
Can I take more than 12 units
as a grad student?
What if I need to take a leave
from classes for a semester or two?
What is a grad check?
How do I get a grad check?
What do I need to do for the
grad check?
How long do I have to complete
my degree?
What happens if I need more
time to complete my degree?
Will a leave of absence extend
the time limit for completion of the degree?
What other administrative
steps do I need to take to graduate with my master's
degree?
Are graduate internships
available?
What is the writing requirement?
When must I complete the
writing requirement?
Can the writing requirement
be waived?
Are all graduate courses
offered every semester?
Can I get graduate credit
for a 300-level course?
Why is COMM 515T is offered
under different names?
Is it possible to take all
my courses in the evening?
Is it possible to transfer
course work from another institution?
What grade point average
(GPA) do I have to maintain?
What happens if my GPA falls
below 3.0?
APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM:
Can the GRE be waived?
No. The GRE is required of all applicants.
Can I substitute another standardized
test like the GMAT for the GRE?
No. The GRE is the only standardized test we accept.
Should I take the GRE General
Test or the GRE Subject Test?
You should take the GRE General Test.
What happens if I score low
on the GRE?
A low score on the GRE may disqualify you from admission
to the program or may result in a conditional admission.
If you are conditionally admitted, you will have to
meet additional requirements to rectify the deficiency.
These requirements are specified in your letter of conditional
acceptance to the program.
How and when will I know if
I have been accepted to the program?
Once your application package has been reviewed both
by the Office of Admissions & Records and the Department
of Communications, you will be notified by letter of
your status. You also can check your admission status
on the Web by logging onto your student portal at http://my.fullerton.edu.
How long does the admission
process take?
The review process of applications can take six-to-eight
weeks, depending upon the number of applications being
reviewed. The Department of Communications does not
review any materials until the application packages
are complete and evaluated by Admissions & Records.
Once that is done, all materials are combined and reviewed
by the Department.
Do I need to take all the
prerequisite courses listed on the Web site?
If prerequisite courses must be taken, you will most
likely need one introductory course and one writing
course, as well as COMM 410.
How do I know which prerequisite
courses I need?
Your letter of acceptance will state which prerequisite
courses are required, if any.
Is a year of professional
experience really required for admission?
A year of professional experience is required only
if you are applying for the Concentration in Professional
Communications. Part-time work over a longer period
that constitutes the equivalent of one year can suffice,
providing it is professional in nature. The Concentration
in Mass Communications Research & Theory does not
require professional experience for admission.
What kind of experience
is considered “professional?”
Professional experience should be related to a profession
of some sort, such as advertising, public relations,
marketing, journalism, and business in the private,
public, or nonprofit sector. Although professional experience
does not need to be in mass communications, per se,
retail sales, food service, or other jobs that are typically
intermittent or widely considered to be unskilled are
not considered professional in nature.
Can internships
count as professional experience?
Internships, including paid internships, are supervised
academic learning experiences and cannot count as professional
work.
I have been admitted
to the program. When and how do I register for classes?
Once you are notified of your acceptance, check your
student portal for your registration appointment. If
one does not appear, registration information is not
yet available. The times for registration vary, but
appointments for the fall usually begin the first or
second week in July. Spring registration begins in late
October or early November.
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YOUR STUDY PLAN:
What is a study plan?
A study plan is required of all graduate students
at California State University, Fullerton. It is a working
document that helps you plan your course work and your
exit option (thesis or project), based upon your chosen
concentration. You will develop your own study plan,
and the graduate coordinator must approve it.
When should I complete my
study plan?
You must complete and submit your study plan some
time during your first semester and before you complete
9 units of study. Don't be in too much of a hurry. Take
a few weeks your first semester to get acclimated to
the graduate program, review courses available, and
make informed choices.
What do I need to complete
my study plan?
1. Study Plan Form. You can pick up a hard copy
from the Department of Communications office, CP-400
or download one from the Web.
- The form for a Concentration in Professional
Communications is available here.
- The form for a Concentration in Mass Communications
Research & Theory is available here.
2. Graduate Students’ Handbook. The handbook
is available online here.
3. Descriptions of Graduate Level Courses. Available
in the Graduate Students’ Handbook. You can
also check the University Catalog at http://www.fullerton.edu/catalog/academic_departments/comm.asp#10.
Note: Although the descriptions in the handbook and
catalog are helpful, individual professors can provide
the most up-to-date information and syllabi for their
course offerings.
4. Course Schedule. View the latest department grad
schedule here
or through your Blackboard-based AGSC Community via
your student portal.
Note: 400 level classes are not included in the graduate
schedules.
What else should I consider
as I plan my program of study?
1. Take COMM 500 as soon as possible, because it
is a prerequisite for COMM 508 and COMM 509. It should
be taken during your first semester unless you have
other prerequisites that result in a full load.
2. Prioritize the courses you want to take. Some
core courses (e.g., COMM 500) are offered every semester,
but most 500-level elective courses are only offered
every few semesters.
3. Spread out your core courses (COMM 500, 508,
and 509). Most students agree that taking more than
one core course, at a time can be overwhelming. If
you are planning to take several classes during a
single semester, mix your core courses with 400- or
500-level electives.
4. Spread out your 400-level courses. Students have
generally reported that they do even more work in
their 400-level courses than their 500 level courses.
This is because 400-level courses have an additional
graduate requirement, such as a twenty page paper.
5. Don’t forget that you can only take a total
of three 400-level courses.
6. Remember that your exit option will dictate how
many courses you must take. If you are planning to
write a thesis, which is 6 units, you must complete
24 credits of course work. If you select a project,
which is 3 credits, you must complete 27 credits of
course work. For comprehensive examinations, you must
complete 30 credits of course work.
7. Consider an elective 3-unit internship (a professional
internship with a company or a teaching internship
with a professor).
8. Don’t Stress! You can change your study
plan at any point throughout your course work.
What do I do once I have completed
my study plan form?
Have the graduate coordinator review and sign it (CP-650-29),
and then take it to the graduate secretary in CP-400.
What happens if I need to
change my study plan?
Download a Change in Study Plan form from http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm.
Have the graduate coordinator review and sign it (CP-650-29),
and then take it to the graduate secretary in CP-400.
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EXIT OPTIONS:
What options do I have to complete
my degree?
You should select your exit option based on your concentration
and your personal and professional goals. If you have
selected the Concentration in Mass Communications Research
& Theory, you will write a thesis. If you have chosen
the Concentration in Professional Communications, you
will most likely complete a project.
What is a thesis?
A thesis is a scholarly study that advances knowledge
or theory. It typically consists of five chapters: an
introduction, a review of literature, research methodology,
results, and discussion. Theses usually run around 120-150
pages and require two semesters (six units) to complete.
Why do I need two semesters
to write a thesis?
The first semester involves putting together a faculty
committee, the chair of which supervises the development
and completion of the thesis. During this first semester,
you write a proposal, which covers the introduction,
review of literature, research questions or hypotheses,
and methodology. You also prepare appropriate documents
to get Institutional Review Board approval for your
research design, if you will be working with human participants.
At the end of the first semester, you must defend your
proposal to your committee, who then approves data collection.
During the second semester, you will collect your data,
analyze them, and interpret them. You then complete
writing the thesis and defend it to your committee by
the end of the semester.
What steps do I need to take
to complete a thesis?
Make sure you are familiar with the University Thesis
Manual, which is available for download at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/docs/Spring%202006%20Thesis%20Manual.doc.
The Office of Graduate Studies also provides approved
templates for theses at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm.
Be sure to use "Save As" and chose
"Document Template" as your file type when
downloading the templates.
First Semester Checklist
1. Select a topic of interest that is of scholarly
interest and has a strong theoretical basis.
2. Write a one-page abstract that describes your
research questions, theory, and methodology (data
collection and analysis).
3. Form a committee of three faculty members to guide
your research.
4. Complete a Thesis Proposal Request and have each
member of your committee sign it. The form is available
here.
5. Write a proposal that you will defend at the
end of this first semester. The proposal should include
the purpose of and rationale for your study, a review
of literature, research questions or hypotheses, detailed
methodology, and what you expect to learn from the
study. This document will form the basis of the first
three chapters of your thesis: the introduction, review
of literature, and methodology.
6. Complete the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
online tutorial at http://www.ogc.fullerton.edu/tutorial/humanIntro.asp.
7. Complete the IRB application, available at http://www.ogc.fullerton.edu/comliance/irb.htm.
8. Defend your proposal to your committee. Once
your have successfully defended your proposal, the
committee will again sign your Thesis Proposal Request.
9. Submit the IRB application immediately after
your proposal is accepted.
Second Semester Checklist
1. Gather your data.
2. Analyze and interpret the data.
3. Write the thesis. Typically, the first three
chapters are simply a revision of your proposal. You
will change it from what you proposed (future tense)
to what you did (past tense). The last two chapters
describe your results and a discussion their theoretical
implications.
4. Defend the thesis three to four weeks before
the end of the semester. Once you have successfully
defended, your committee will sign the Final Thesis
Request, available here.
5. Submit the completed thesis to the Thesis Editor.
The Thesis Approval Form is available online at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm.
What happens if I don't complete
the thesis during the second semester?
If your thesis is not complete by the end of the second
semester, you must apply for an extension and register
for GS 700, which is required to maintain the necessary
continuous enrollment. GS 700 Enrollment Instructions
and a GS 700 Request form are available online at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm.
What is a project?
A project is applied research, which is completed
in one semester (3 units). Although a project has a
theoretical basis, the goal is to learn something about
the phenomenon or organization being studied and to
produce an end product for practice, rather than advancing
theory.
What do I have to do for
a project?
If you choose to do a project, you will enroll in
COMM 597, the projects course. In this class, you will
work with the faculty project coordinator and your classmates
to research, develop, complete, and defend your project.
The COMM 597 instructor has sample projects available
for viewing and will provide step-by-step instructions.
Can I start my thesis or
take the projects class while I'm still taking other
courses?
It is strongly suggested that you not take any other
courses while completing a thesis or project.
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INDEPENDENT STUDY, INTERNSHIPS, GRAD CHECKS,
& MORE:
What is an independent study?
With the consent of the Communications graduate coordinator,
you may elect to enroll in COMM 599. This is an independent
graduate research study, which is completed with the
guidance of a faculty supervisor. An independent study
can address any topic, provided it is not your research
or thesis topic. A minimum of one unit of COMM 599 research
with a faculty advisor is required for the Concentration
in Mass Communications Research & Theory.
How many classes should I
take in a semester?
That is strictly your decision. Three courses (9)
units are considered a full load, and the maximum study
load is 12 units. If you are working or have other commitments,
you may want to take fewer than 9 units.
Can I take more than 12 units
as a grad student?
If you believe you have the time, health, and intellectual
energy to take more than 12 units, you must complete
a Request for Excess Units-Graduate Student form, available
at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm.
The graduate coordinator must approve and sign the form,
and then it is submitted to Admissions and Records (LH-114)
on the first day of the approved semester.
What if I need to take a
leave from classes for a semester or two?
You must maintain continual enrollment to complete
your M.A. If that is not possible, you'll need to complete
a Request for Leave of Absence form, available at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm.
You must be in good academic standing and have completed
at least six units to qualify for a leave. You also
will be required to provide supporting documentation
for leaves longer than a single semester. Leaves for
more than two consecutive semesters are not normally
granted.
What is a grad check?
A grad check is verification of your course work and
completion of your degree. You'll need to apply for
graduation before the beginning of your final semester.
Specific deadlines are listed in the class schedule
and posted on the Graduate Studies Web site at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/index.htm.
The form is available at the Admissions and Records
Service Center and the Graduate Studies Office.
How do I get a grad check?
You'll need to apply for graduation before the beginning
of your final semester. Specific deadlines are listed
in the class schedule and posted on the Graduate Studies
Web site at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/index.htm.
The form is available at the Admissions and Records
Service Center and the Graduate Studies Office. You'll
pay a graduation processing and diploma fee to the university
cashier when you submit the application for graduation.
That will trigger your grad check.
What do I need to do for
the grad check?
The University Graduate Studies Office and the Department
Graduate Studies Office initiate and complete your grad
check. You don't need to do anything. The University
Graduate Studies Office sends final verification that
you have completed the requirements for your degree
to the registrar. You will receive a copy of your grad
check, and the registrar will notify you that your degree
is awarded approximately eight weeks after the end of
the semester.
How long do I have to complete
my degree?
The State of California imposes a limit of ten consecutive
semesters (five years) for completion of the M.A., from
the beginning of your first graduate course to the completion
of your exit option.
What happens if I need more
time to complete my degree?
If your circumstances warrant, the time for completion
of the degree may be extended up to an additional two
years (four additional consecutive semesters). You can
download the Time Limit Extension Petition from the
Office of Graduate Studies at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm.
Course work that is older than the approved time limit
must be repeated, but a maximum of 9 units may be exempt,
provided those units are validated by passing a written
comprehensive exam of the materials covered or by some
equivalent method that has been approved by the Associate
Vice President, Academic Programs and the Communications
graduate advisor. Outdated transfer courses cannot be
validated. A Validation for Outdated Course Petition
is available at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm.
Will a leave of absence
extend the time limit for completion of the degree?
No, an approved leave does not extend the time limit
imposed by the State for completing degree requirements.
What other administrative
steps do I need to take to graduate with my master's
degree?
The Office of Graduate Studies provides a checklist
that serves as a guide for your journey here at CSUF,
including a list of university-initiated actions. Download
the Graduate Student Checklist at http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm.
Are graduate internships
available?
Yes. You have two options for a three-unit internship,
COMM 595. The first option is a professional internship,
in which you work 175 hours in an organization other
than one in which you might be currently employed. This
option is appropriate for the Concentration in Professional
Communications. The second option is a teaching internship,
which is designed for the Concentration in Mass Communication
Research & Theory. Here, you assist a faculty member
who is teaching an undergraduate course. Forms to request
enrollment in both internships are available here.
What is the writing
requirement?
Students working toward a master's degree are required
to demonstrate their writing ability by completing one
of the following:
1. A course meeting the upper-division writing requirement
at any CSU campus, or an upper-division writing course
in the department.
2. An upper-division course at another university
equivalent to a course that meets the Cal State Fullerton
requirement. Such equivalence must be certified by
the Office of Graduate Studies.
3. Successfully completing the California State
University, Fullerton Examination in Writing Proficiency
(EWP). See class schedule for registration testing
dates for the exam.
When must I complete
the writing requirement?
The writing requirement must be completed during the
first nine units of graduate work. COMM 500, 507, 508,
and 509 all fulfill this requirement.
Can the writing
requirement be waived?
The writing requirement cannot be waived. Students
who have not met the requirement within the first nine
units of graduate work will be required to enroll in
a certified course at the earliest opportunity. The
department may, at its discretion, also require additional
writing requirements for graduate students.
Are all graduate
courses offered every semester?
Courses are offered on a rotational schedule and may
not be offered each semester, so you should plan on
some flexibility in course selection.
Can I get graduate
credit for a 300-level course?
Graduate credit cannot be given for course work at
the 300 level. Only 400- and 500- level courses can
be used on study plans, when approved by the Graduate
Coordinator.
Why is COMM 515T
is offered under different names?
Comm 515T is a variable topics course, and it may
be repeated for up to 9 units, provided the topics are
different each time you take it.
Is it possible
to take all my courses in the evening?
Courses at the 500 level are normally offered in the
late afternoon and evening, whereas 400-level courses
may be offered at any time. Some 400-level courses may
be offered during the summer or intersession, but 500-level
course offerings are limited. Several online courses
are offered as well.
Is it possible
to transfer course work from another institution?
You may be able to use a limited number of transfer
courses in meeting the requirements for a master’s
degree. The use of transfer course work on a student’s
study plan is subject to the following provisions:
1. Courses being transferred must have been taken
at an accredited college or university. Extension
and correspondence courses do not qualify.
2. Courses must be acceptable and appropriate for
the program’s objectives.
3. Courses must have been completed with a “B”
or better.
4. Courses may not have been used to meet the requirements
for another earned degree (either graduate or undergraduate).
5. Courses must have been completed within the student’s
five-year time period for the master’s degree
at CSUF.
Transfer credit must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator
and the Office of Graduate Studies. Course work taken
at another university after admission to CSUF can only
be accepted if the student has received prior approval.
An absolute minimum of 21 semester units must be completed
at CSUF.
What grade point
average do I have to maintain?
You must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA (a "B"
average) in all graduate course work taken at CSUF and
in transfer courses approved for the study plan.
What happens if
my GPA falls below 3.0?
If your GPA falls below 3.0, you are subject to probation.
The university Office of Graduate Studies sends letters
of probation to probationary students at the end of
each semester. After the second semester of probation,
you are subject to disqualification and will not be
permitted to register as a regular student for classes.
If this occurs, you may take courses through Extended
Education to improve your grade-point average, but those
courses cannot be applied to the graduate study plan,
if you are readmitted to the program.
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Updated June 2008
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