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Frequently Asked Questions
I have been admitted to the graduate program. Are there any special guidelines that I need to follow?
YES. As a new student, you are responsible for knowing the regulations concerning the road to graduation. It is your responsibility to make sure that all the relevant tasks are completed timely (not knowing the rules can lead to a delayed graduation!). Buy and read the graduate bulletin.
I've been accepted to SDSU for graduate study, starting in the Fall. Registration is coming up and I do not know what classes to take. What should I do?
Do not panic, registration will stay open into the first week of the term. The requirements for non-thesis are:
I am graduating this semester from the graduate program. What do I need to do?
If you are graduating, you should already know! Visit the MS procedures page which highlights all the steps required towards graduation.
I want to talk to the graduate advisor - how do I schedule a meeting?
The graduate advisor is available for walk-in meetings during office hrs, which are posted at the top of this website page. There is no need to contact the graduate advisor beforehand; just drop by Engineering office 401D during these times. Please do not call the graduate advisor via telephone.
I need to take the comprehensive exam. What should I do?
The comprehensive exam is taken during the last semester of your graduate studies. You should visit the graduate advisor (during graduate advising hours) within the first 4 weeks of the semester in which you are graduating. You must bring: (1) your transcripts and (2) your red ID, and you must ensure that you are "advanced to candidacy" (check this in the web portal).
What does "advanced to candidacy" mean?
Read section "Advancement to candidacy" in the graduate bulletin.
I am graduating in the summer - when must I take the comprehensive exam?
In the spring semester prior to the summer semester in which you are graduating.
I plan to graduate in the X semester of year Y. What do I do as the date approaches?
If you are anticipating graduation, take a look at the academic calendar and look at the pertinent dates: thesis submittal, graduation application, etc.
I would like to apply to SDSU for graduate school in Civil Engineering. How do I begin?
Visit the main page of the graduate division to learn how to apply. Applications are sent directly to the graduate division, not to the Civil and Environmental Engineering department.
I have been admitted to the graduate program with a conditional status. What does this mean?
A conditional status is given to students that must take additional pre-requisites (other than graduate course requirements) in order to graduate. Once you complete these courses, you must notify the graduate advisor (bring transcripts to the meeting); the graduate advisor can then change your status to "classified", which essentially means "good to go". NOTE: If you do not take the pre-requisites by the deadline imposed, you will be prevented from registering.
I have been admitted to the graduate program with a conditional status, and have been told that I need to take prerequisites to strengthen my background in Civil Construction and Environmental Engineering. I am planning to take some courses outside SDSU and I plan to transfer these courses. How do I know they will be accepted by SDSU?
California Community Colleges have lists of CSU and UC courses that are analogues to their courses. So, if you plan to take courses in a California Comm. Coll., inquire with that college about the tranferrability of relevant courses. If, however, you plan to transfer courses from non-CA colleges and universities, then you must contact the SDSU professor of the course(s) that seem analogous to those you will or are taking and provide them with syllabi of the course you are hoping to transfer. They must then give you a written indication (email) of the transferrability of the course.
I have fulfiulled my "conditional status" requirements. Do I need to tell anybody about it?
YES. It is your responsibility to notify this to the graduate advisor IMMEDIATELY, so that the proper adjustments can be made. Visit the graduate advisor during graduate advising hours.
I need to complete and file a so-called "program of study" form. How do I do this?
Print out this form and fill it out neatly. Then bring it (and a copy of it) to the graduate advisor (during advising hours). NOTE: your program of study "POS" must be filed by your advisor the semester prior to your last semester. This means that you MUST fill the form and visit your advisor prior to the semester in which you are graduating.
I would like to apply to SDSU for graduate school in Civil Engineering. However, I do not have a BS degree in Civil Engineering.
Go ahead and apply! If you live in San Diego or are able to make a trip, you should visit the graduate advisor (during graduate advising hours) to discuss the undergraduate courses you would need to take (as background) during your graduate studies at SDSU. In this case, bring all your undergraduate transcripts to the meeting. If you can not personally meet the graduate advisor before applying to SDSU, then please see this document which has a list of all the pre-requisite courses. Note that this document is particularly for students entering the Environmental Engineering Program. However, the list of courses is applicable to students interested in Civil Engineering, with the exception of the following:
I have been admitted to the graduate program and need assistance finding a place to live.
Please visit the SDSU housing webpage to obtain information.
I have been admitted to the graduate program. Are there any special guidelines that I need to follow?
YES. As a new student, you are responsible for knowing the regulations concerning the road to graduation. It is your responsibility to make sure that all the relevant tasks are completed timely (not knowing the rules can lead to a delayed graduation!). Buy and read the graduate bulletin.
I've been accepted to SDSU for graduate study, starting in the Fall. Registration is coming up and I do not know what classes to take. What should I do?
Do not panic, registration will stay open into the first week of the term. The requirements for non-thesis are:
- Four civil specialty courses (transpo, or geotech, or construction, or structures, or water).
- Two other civil and/or cone and/or enve courses (both 600 level, or one 600 level and the other a 797 'independent research').
- Two 500 level courses, or one 500 level and one 600 level (they can be in or out of the department; if out, you must ask the graduate adviser first)
- 2 600 level (they can be in or out of the department; if out, you must ask the graduate adviser first)
I am graduating this semester from the graduate program. What do I need to do?
If you are graduating, you should already know! Visit the MS procedures page which highlights all the steps required towards graduation.
I want to talk to the graduate advisor - how do I schedule a meeting?
The graduate advisor is available for walk-in meetings during office hrs, which are posted at the top of this website page. There is no need to contact the graduate advisor beforehand; just drop by Engineering office 401D during these times. Please do not call the graduate advisor via telephone.
I need to take the comprehensive exam. What should I do?
The comprehensive exam is taken during the last semester of your graduate studies. You should visit the graduate advisor (during graduate advising hours) within the first 4 weeks of the semester in which you are graduating. You must bring: (1) your transcripts and (2) your red ID, and you must ensure that you are "advanced to candidacy" (check this in the web portal).
What does "advanced to candidacy" mean?
Read section "Advancement to candidacy" in the graduate bulletin.
I am graduating in the summer - when must I take the comprehensive exam?
In the spring semester prior to the summer semester in which you are graduating.
I plan to graduate in the X semester of year Y. What do I do as the date approaches?
If you are anticipating graduation, take a look at the academic calendar and look at the pertinent dates: thesis submittal, graduation application, etc.
I would like to apply to SDSU for graduate school in Civil Engineering. How do I begin?
Visit the main page of the graduate division to learn how to apply. Applications are sent directly to the graduate division, not to the Civil and Environmental Engineering department.
I have been admitted to the graduate program with a conditional status. What does this mean?
A conditional status is given to students that must take additional pre-requisites (other than graduate course requirements) in order to graduate. Once you complete these courses, you must notify the graduate advisor (bring transcripts to the meeting); the graduate advisor can then change your status to "classified", which essentially means "good to go". NOTE: If you do not take the pre-requisites by the deadline imposed, you will be prevented from registering.
I have been admitted to the graduate program with a conditional status, and have been told that I need to take prerequisites to strengthen my background in Civil Construction and Environmental Engineering. I am planning to take some courses outside SDSU and I plan to transfer these courses. How do I know they will be accepted by SDSU?
California Community Colleges have lists of CSU and UC courses that are analogues to their courses. So, if you plan to take courses in a California Comm. Coll., inquire with that college about the tranferrability of relevant courses. If, however, you plan to transfer courses from non-CA colleges and universities, then you must contact the SDSU professor of the course(s) that seem analogous to those you will or are taking and provide them with syllabi of the course you are hoping to transfer. They must then give you a written indication (email) of the transferrability of the course.
I have fulfiulled my "conditional status" requirements. Do I need to tell anybody about it?
YES. It is your responsibility to notify this to the graduate advisor IMMEDIATELY, so that the proper adjustments can be made. Visit the graduate advisor during graduate advising hours.
I need to complete and file a so-called "program of study" form. How do I do this?
Print out this form and fill it out neatly. Then bring it (and a copy of it) to the graduate advisor (during advising hours). NOTE: your program of study "POS" must be filed by your advisor the semester prior to your last semester. This means that you MUST fill the form and visit your advisor prior to the semester in which you are graduating.
I would like to apply to SDSU for graduate school in Civil Engineering. However, I do not have a BS degree in Civil Engineering.
Go ahead and apply! If you live in San Diego or are able to make a trip, you should visit the graduate advisor (during graduate advising hours) to discuss the undergraduate courses you would need to take (as background) during your graduate studies at SDSU. In this case, bring all your undergraduate transcripts to the meeting. If you can not personally meet the graduate advisor before applying to SDSU, then please see this document which has a list of all the pre-requisite courses. Note that this document is particularly for students entering the Environmental Engineering Program. However, the list of courses is applicable to students interested in Civil Engineering, with the exception of the following:
- Chem 130
- Bio 201 and 315
- ME 352 and ME 350
- EM 341
I have been admitted to the graduate program and need assistance finding a place to live.
Please visit the SDSU housing webpage to obtain information.