MASTER S STUDENT HANDBOOK

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SDSU

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Overview of the Master’s Program

Graduate study at San Diego State University has long been characterized by a close, collegial working relationship between students and faculty. A flexible curriculum, complemented by careful advising, permits the Department to design a program tailored to the educational goals of each master’s candidate. San Diego State University now offers three Geography degrees at the master's level.

Students must complete a research thesis and a graduate program of at least 30 units of upper division and graduate courses selected with the approval of the student's thesis committee. The department expects full-time students to complete the program within two years. Seven years is the maximum time allowed for

completion of all degree requirements. For more information regarding requirements and student’s responsibilities, check the graduate bulletin:

http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/catalog/bulletin/ Timeline of Events

The following is a rough timeline illustrating the stages a student should reach in order to complete the program within two years.

Fall Year One

 Classes: GEOG 701 and three (3) or six (6) additional units (be sure to have 15 units in Year One)

 Work toward thesis: Research ideas; Literature research; Advisor meetings  Administrative:

o File Official Program of Study by November 15

o If taking special studies courses (797 or 798), complete Special

Studies Agreement Winter Break Year One

 Work towards thesis: Continue with research ideas and literature reviews

Spring Year One

 Classes: GEOG 700 and three (3) or six (6) additional units (be sure to have 15 units in Year One)

 Work towards thesis: Write research proposal using GEOG 700 and advisor input

 Review Program of Study (POS) before May 31st  Administrative:

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Studies Agreement Summer Break

 Work towards thesis: Begin thesis research; Begin writing

Fall Year Two

 Classes: Six (6) or nine (9) units (be sure to have 15 units in Year Two)  Work towards thesis: Continue thesis research; Continue writing; Advisor

meetings

 Administrative:

o Review Official Program

o Advance to Candidacy: 12 units of program completed and GPA ≥ 3.0 o File Thesis Committee Form (two geography and one outside

faculty)(Form obtained from Graduate Division)

Studies Agreement

o Complete proposal and defense (and defense form) if not

completed in Year One

Winter Break Year Two

 Work toward thesis completion; Continue thesis research; Continue writing

Spring Year Two

 Classes: GEOG 799A and three (3) or six (6) units (be sure to have 15 units in Year Two)

 Complete thesis research; Complete thesis; Advisor meetings  Administrative:

o Review Official Program

Studies Agreement

o Thesis Presentation o Apply/file for graduation o Thesis Defense

o Fill out Report on Final Thesis Defense Form (file with Graduate

Division) and Completion of Thesis in Approved Format (file with Department)

o File Thesis o Graduate!

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Summer Continuation (if necessary)

 Classes: GEOG 799B

 Work towards thesis: Complete thesis research; Complete thesis  Administrative:

o Review Official Program o Thesis Presentation o Thesis Defense

o Fill out Report onFinal Thesis Defense Form (file with Graduate

Division) and Completion of Thesis in Approved Format (file with Department)

o File for Graduation o File Thesis

o Graduate!

***PLEASE PROVIDE ALLISON WITH COPIES OF ALL FORMS SENT TO GRADUATE DIVISION***

Notes Regarding ALL (M.A. and M.S.) Graduate Courses

1. Be aware that some courses are only offered in the fall, some only in the spring, and some in alternate years.

2. Students may take additional courses that are not part of their Official Program. These courses will appear on a student’s transcript. Also be aware that if you are receiving an assistantship through the university (i.e. a GA position), you will need to be enrolled in 6 units of your Official Program.

We urge you to plan ahead and get your required courses out of the way before you take your electives.

3. Grade point average of at least 3.0 must be maintained in all courses listed on the official degree program as well as all courses (300 level and above) taken at SDSU. If an individual’s grade point average is below 3.0, they are at risk of losing their assistantship. A grade point average of at least 2.85 must be maintained in all courses on the graduate record in order to graduate.

4. When taking Special Study and/or Research Courses (797 or 798), you must complete the Department of Geography’s Special Study/Research Registration form. If you do not complete the form, you will not receive credit for your course.

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Thesis (M.A. and M.S.)

All Master's students are required to complete and present a thesis, involving the design of an original study. The thesis must fulfill the requirements of the Graduate School, described in the Graduate Bulletin.

Students work closely with a Thesis Committee Chair to develop an original project, which is evaluated and approved by a committee chosen by the student and his/her advisor. Students work independently during all aspects of the thesis, including design, data collection, analysis, and write-up, but should consult regularly with their thesis advisor and committee members regarding their progress.

In Pursuit of the Master's Degree

Official Program

The first official step on the road to the Master's degree is to file an Official Program of Study (POS), which is a contract between the student and the University

indicating which classes the student will take to complete the requirements for his/her master’s degree. Before completing the POS, students should meet with their thesis advisor to discuss options and decide on which courses would be the best fit.

After completing the Official Program of Study form with their thesis advisor’s approval/signature (found on the Geography Department website) students should turn in the form to the Graduate Advisor, Dr. Allen Hope. Then, the graduate support coordinator will submit the POS on-line.

The most common reasons for rejection of the Official Program are more than thirty units listed and failure to include all the “catalog requirements.” Catalog

requirements are courses that are listed as required in the annual SDSU Graduate Bulletin. (Review the catalog specifically for your degree: MA, MS-GIS, or MS-WS). Subsequent changes to the Official Program can be made using the “Request for a Change in Program for the Master's Degree” form available on the Graduate Division website. Please note, courses that have been included in the program of study and have already been completed cannot be removed. If you believe you will be taking courses not on your POS during the semester, please make sure to submit a change form as soon as possible. When requesting to change your POS, please resubmit a revised POS form as well.

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The Official Program should be submitted by November 15th_{. Students holding} department assistantships will not have their assistantships renewed unless their Official Programs have been turned in.

Advancement to Candidacy

When 12 or more units from the student’s POS have been completed with an

average GPA of B (3.0) or better, students are eligible for Advancement to Candidacy for the Master’s Degree. After Advancing to Candidacy, students should submit their Thesis Committee form if they have not done so already.

The official Appointment of Thesis/Project Committee Signature Form can be obtained only from the Graduate Division and must be signed by all Thesis Committee members and the Graduate Advisor, and filed with the Graduate Division.

Once the student has filed their committee form, they are eligible to enroll for three units of master's thesis research (799A). The schedule number for 799A may be obtained from the Graduate Division only after the Thesis/Project Committee Signature Form has been approved. You may either walk over to Graduate

Division or call their office to receive the schedule number.

Note that enrollment in 799A or 799B (thesis research extension) is considered a full course load for veteran's benefits, Navy Contract employment, and student financial aid. A letter to this effect can be obtained from the Graduate Advisor and the Graduate Division and Research.

Thesis Proposal

After selecting a Thesis Committee Chair and Committee (form obtained from Graduate Division), a thesis proposal is needed that outlines the planned research project. This process is generally started fall of the student’s first year and continued in GEOG 700 (offered in the Spring).

Some students apply for clearance from the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) (or IACUC for animal research) before the proposal meeting, and then submit amendments (if needed) after the proposal meeting. Another option is to apply for IRB approval after the proposal meeting. Advancement to candidacy cannot occur until IRB or IACUC paperwork has been submitted. Students should seek the input of their thesis chair when deciding which option would be best.

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Thesis Proposal Defense Meeting

The Thesis Proposal Defense meeting occurs after the proposal has been thoroughly critiqued and approved by the Thesis Committee Chair. It is an official defense that includes a meeting of all the committee members with the student and is a

requirement in the Geography Program. Following the successful defense of the thesis proposal, all the committee must also sign the proposal defense form. Per department rules, the defense has a 10-page maximum limit.

Final Thesis Oral Exam (Thesis Defense)

The Thesis Chair is to be consulted throughout the data collection, analysis, and write up of the thesis. Upon approval by the Thesis Chair, the thesis must be distributed to each member of the Thesis Committee, ideally at least two weeks in advance of the final oral exam. When all members agree that the thesis is ready for the final oral exam, it is the student's responsibility to:

1. Consult the Department of Geography graduate coordinator to schedule a room and time for the exam when all committee members can attend. 2. If needed, arrange for a laptop computer and projector with the Department of Geography office.

3. Successfully defend the thesis, and make changes as suggested by the Thesis Committee. Obtain approval of Thesis Committee Chair for final version of thesis document.

Please note the thesis defense is a two-step process. First is a presentation to the

department (not to exceed 30 minutes) followed by a brief question and answer

section. Afterward, the thesis committee meets with the student for the official

defense.

Also, there are two required forms that must be completed once you have

successfully defended. The

Report of Final Thesis Defense

(which is signed by

our Graduate Advisor) and turned in to Graduate Division and the

Completion

of Thesis in Approved Format

(which is signed by your Thesis Advisor) and

given to the Graduate Programs Coordinator: Allison Bailund.

Thesis Submission

The Department of Geography has its own guidelines for formatting of the thesis. Please see the chair of your thesis committee for further instruction. The chair of the committee will only sign off on the thesis when it meets the standard of formatting of a respected journal. The Geography Department also requires an electronic .pdf of the thesis as does Montezuma Publishing.

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Critical Deadlines and Graduation

Graduation is not automatic upon filing the thesis. There are deadlines and costs. Students need to obtain an application for graduation from the Graduate Division office, submit it to the cashier's office and pay the required fee. You must apply for graduation early in the semester in which you plan to graduate, andyou must be registered in 799 (A or B) in the semester in which you plan to graduate. Check thecurrent Graduate Bulletin for deadlines.

Note: If for some reason graduation in May is not possible, it is necessary to re-apply (and pay an additional fee) for August or whatever subsequent semester in which graduation is expected.

A two-page summary of the procedures necessary to earn a master’s degree is available in the Graduate Division and Research office. The deadlines for filing for graduation, and for filing the thesis manuscript change each semester. The dates are published in each semester's class schedule and the Graduate Bulletin.

Note that there is a seven-year rule. Students have seven years from the date of their first course on their Official Program to complete all the requirements for the

M.A./M.S. degree.

***Walking at Commencement: Only students that will be defending their thesis no later than the end of the summer are permitted to walk at

Commencement. If they have not completed the thesis defense by the end of the semester, they are required to get the approval of the chair of the

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Summary of Student Responsibilities

It is the student's responsibility to take care of the following:

 Read the SDSU Graduate Bulletin for any graduate student requirements.

 Make sure all transcripts are in and the GRE score is on file.

 Notify the Department as well as Admissions and Records of any changes in name, address, e-mail or phone number.

 Keep overall GPA at 3.0 or above.

 Fulfill course requirements for specialization (M.A. or M.S.).

 File the paperwork for your Official Program of Study and obtain approval to change it, if necessary. The Official Program must be typed, signed by both the student and their thesis advisor and submitted to the Graduate Advisor for approval by the end of your second semester in the program at the latest

 Select a Thesis Committee, and do the paperwork involved.

 If applicable, file the paperwork and obtain approval from IRB (Institutional Review Board) before collecting data for your thesis.

 Successfully defend your proposal, and conduct your thesis research.

 Write up your thesis in an appropriate format and successfully defend it.

 Know the required steps and forms to be completed for the thesis.

 Obtain forms and signatures for all steps of the thesis.

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Forms

All the forms below may be found either on the geography

department’s website or on graduate division’s website. Please

check the appropriate website for the latest edition of each

form.

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Program of Study Master of Arts

Geography Department MA program Program of Study (POS)

NAME: __________________________________________________ RED ID: _________________________

Course #

Description Units A-Units B-Units

700 Sem: Geographic Research Design 3 3 3

701 Sem: Development of Geographic Thought 3 3 3

799A Thesis 3 3 3

TOTALS:

Note: No more than 6 combined units of 797 and 798.

*GEOGRAPHY 700, 701, AND 799A ARE REQUIRED COURSES FOR THE M.A. DEGREE*

A: Geography Units Min = 24

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Sample 1

NAME: __________________________________________________ RED ID: _________________________

Course

# Description Units A-Units B-Units

799A Thesis 3 3 3

798 Special Study 3 3 3

797 Research 3 3 3

573 Population and Environment 3 3

760 Sem: Spatial Demography 3 3 3

740 Sem: Cultural Migration Studies 3 3 3

WMNST

580 Wom. Dev. & Global Economy 3

770 Sem: Political Ecology 3 3 3

TOTALS: 30 27 24

________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Student Signature /Thesis Advisor signature Date

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Graduate Advisor signature Date

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Sample 2

NAME: __________________________________________________ RED ID: _________________________

Course #

Description Units A-Units B-Units

799A Thesis 3 3 3

C P 640 Sem: Urban Plan Theory 3 3

760 Sem: Children, Youth & Family 3 3 3

573 Population and Environment 3 3

C P 710 Sem: Theories Urban Design 3 3

586 Qual Methods Geog Analysis 3 3

740 Sem: Human Geography 3 3 3

TOTALS: 30 24 24

________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Student Signature /Thesis Advisor signature Date _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Program of Study Master of Science GIScience

Geography Department MS-GIScience Program of Study (POS)

NAME:__________________________________________________ RED ID:__________________________

Course

# Description Units A-Units B-Units C-Units

700 Sem: Geographic Research Design 3 3 3 701 Sem: Development of Geographic Thought 3 3 3

799A Thesis 3 3 3

TOTALS:

Note: No more than 6 combined units of 797 and 798. *Geog 591-592 were formally numbered 587-588

*GEOGRAPHY 700, 701, AND 799A ARE REQUIRED COURSES FOR THE DEGREE* **YOU MAY PETITION TO HAVE A COURSE COUNTED TOWARD YOUR CORE REQUIREMENTS (C UNITS) PROVIDED THE MATERIAL IS APPLICABLE TOWARD YOUR CONCENTRATION. **

A: Geography Units Min = 24 B: 600/700 Units Min = 15

C: 581-585 Min = 15

589, 591-592* 683-688L 780

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Sample 1

NAME:__________________________________________________ RED ID:__________________________

Course

799A Thesis 3 3 3

589 GIS Decision Support Methods 3 3 3

591 Int. Remote Sensing of Environment 3 3 3 591L Int. Remote Sensing of Environment Lab 1 1 1

683 Adv. Geographic Info Systems 3 3 3 3

683L Geog. Info Systems Lab 1 1 1 1

780 Sem: Knowledge Visualizaiton 3 3 3 3

584 Geog Info Systems Applic. 3 3 3

CS 514 Database Theory Implementation 3

TOTALS: 31 28 18 17

*Geog 591-592 were formally numbered 587-588

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Student Signature /Thesis Advisor signature Date __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C: 581-585 Min = 15

589, 591-592* 683-688L 780

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Sample 2

NAME:__________________________________________________ RED ID:__________________________

Course

799A Thesis 3 3 3

C P 660 City Planning & GIS Apps 3 3

780 Participatory GIS 3 3 3 3

581 Cartographic Design 3 3 3

592 Int. Remote Sensing 3 3 3

592L Int. Remote Sensing Lab 1 1 1

688 Adv. Remote Sensing 3 3 3 3

688L Adv. Remote Sensing Lab 1 1 1 1

780 Sem: Web Mapping Social Media 3 3 3 3

797 Research 1 1 1

TOTALS: 30 27 23 17

*Geog 591-592 were formally numbered 587-588

C: 581-585 Min = 15

589, 591-592* 683-688L 780

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Program of Study Master of Science Watershed Science

Geography Department MS-Watershed Science Program of Study (POS)

NAME:__________________________________________________ RED ID:__________________________

Course

# Description Units A-Units B-Units C-Units

511 Hydrology and Global Environmental Change 3 3

799A Thesis 3 3 3

TOTALS:

*Geog 591, 592 were formally numbered 587, 588

*GEOGRAPHY 511, 700, 701, AND 799A ARE REQUIRED COURSES FOR THE DEGREE; IF YOU HAVE TAKEN 511 YOU SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER METHODS COURSE*

**YOU MAY PETITION TO HAVE A COURSE COUNTED TOWARD YOUR CORE A: Geography Units Min = 21

B: 600/700 Units Min = 15

C: 581-585 Min = 6

589, 591-592 683-688L 780

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Sample 1

NAME:__________________________________________________ RED ID:__________________________

Course

# Description Units A-Units B-Units C-Units

511 Hydrology and Global Environmental Change 3 3

799A Thesis 3 3 3

780 Sem: Environmental Modeling 3 3 3 3

Geol 675 Groundwater Chemistry 3 3

Civ E

634 Surface Water Hydrology 3 3

780 Sem: Spatial Mod-Phys Geog 3 3 3 3

585 Quan Method Geog Research 3 3 3

TOTALS: 30 24 21 12

C: 581-585 Min = 6

589, 591-592 683-688L 780

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Sample 2

NAME:__________________________________________________ RED ID:__________________________

Course # Description Units A-Units B-Units C-Units

511 Hydrology and Global Environmental

Change 3 3

799A Thesis 3 3 3

780 Sem: Environmental Modeling 3 3 3 3

Civ E 638 Sedimentation & River Engineering 3 3 Civ E 530 Open Channel Hydraulics 3

586 Qual Methods Geog Research 3 3 3

585 Quan Method Geog Research 3 3 3

710 Sem: Hydrologic Modeling 3 3 3

TOTALS: 30 24 18 12

Graduate Advisor signature Dat

C: 581-585 Min = 6

589, 591-592 683-688L 780

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San Diego State University Division of Graduate Affairs

SSE 1410 (619) 594-5213

Petition for Adjustment of Academic Requirements for the Master’s Degree

(TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY)

RED ID

Degree (e.g., MA, MS, MBA) Major (and concentration/specialization, if applicable)

Last Name First MI

Street Address Apt.#

City State Zip Code Telephone No.

STUDENT REQUEST

State request and provide explanation/reason for request. For example, if modifying your Official Program of Study indicate course(s) to be added/dropped, specify deadline extension for incomplete(s), list course(s) added to improve GPA on your Official Program of Study, list additional units to replace expired units, and list course repeat(s).

_____________________________________________________ Student Signature Date

DEPARTMENT OR SCHOOL

Approved Denied Comments

Graduate Adviser (Print Name) Signature of Graduate Adviser Date

DIVISION OF GRADUATE AFFAIRS

Approved Denied Comments

_____________________________________________________ Graduate Dean/Designee Signature Date

Protected Level 2 Document – If found, please return form to the Division of Graduate Affairs 3/13

~ CHECK YOUR WEBPORTAL FOR UPDATES TO YOUR STUDENT RECORDS ~

Petition for Academic Adjustment

Form found on Graduate Division Website:

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Completion of Thesis Proposal Defense

Geography Department Master’s Program

Completion of Thesis Proposal Defense

Last Name First MI Red ID

Thesis Title

Date of Proposal Defense (Month, Day, Year)

***IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR COMMITTEE NOMINATION FORM TURNED IN

Committee Name Signature

Committee Chair Second Member Third Member

Additional Member (if applicable)

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Master’s Student Progress Report

GEOGRAPHY MASTER’S STUDENT PROGRESS REPORT

Student must distribute copies of the completed, signed document to all committee members AND the original to the Geography Master’s Advisor

Student Information Name: _{First Enrolled (Term/Yr):}

Thesis Advisor & 2nd Advisor: ₂_nd_Geographer:

Degree being pursued MA. MS. GIS M.S. WS

Student check appropriate boxes, Thesis Advisor to verify:

Progress

Coursework

Thesis Proposal Date: Anticipated Completed

Thesis Research

Thesis Writing

Defense Date: (Anticipated)

Signed and approved by:

Thesis Advisor ___________________________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Student – I have read and understand my advisor’s comments:__________________________________

***FORM WILL BE SENT TO ALL STUDENTS IN APRIL OF 1ST_{YEAR TO COMPLETE***} THESIS ADVISOR STATEMENT (check one):

Student progress is: satisfactory marginal not satisfactory Comments (use back if needed):

Not

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Completion of Thesis in Approved Format

Geography Department

Master's Program

COMPLETION OF THESIS IN APPROVED FORMAT

NAME:

THESIS TITLE:

The above thesis has been completed and formatted in its final form for submission to Montezuma Publishing:

_________________________________ ________________

Student Signature Date

_________________________________ ________________

Thesis Advisor Signature Date

***IN ORDER TO HAVE THE GRADUATE ADVISOR SIGN THE REPORT OF FINAL EXAMINATION(S) OR THESIS DEFENSE FORM, YOU MUST HAVE THIS FORM COMPLETED***

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Master's level students are eligible to apply for four Geography Scholarships that reward excellent academic progress and/or achievements:

 Alvena Storm Memorial Scholarship (for all Master’s students)

 McFarland Scholarship (demonstrated financial need is an additional requirement of this scholarship)

 Ned H. Greenwood Award Scholarship (for Master’s students specializing in physical geography)

 William & Vivian Finch Scholarship (for Master’s students with interests in remote sensing)

These scholarships are competitive and are administered through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS). The scholarships have different

requirements and students are required to submit a separate application for each scholarship they wish to be considered.

Scholarship applications are typically due early in the spring semester and the winners are announced towards the end of the academic year. Awards are often disbursed to students by OFAS at the beginning of the next academic year (fall semester). Technically this means that Master’s level students should apply for these scholarships during their first year in the program, so that they can benefit from the scholarship during their second year. For more information on SDSU Scholarships, please visit their website:

https://studentaffairs.sdsu.edu/faodad/webss$scholarshipSearch

In addition, the department offers a number of scholarships-awards, including awards for students with interests in GIS, Cartography, Children and Social

Geography, and Human Geography. The department also offers one or awards that recognize students’ service and citizenship to the department. These awards are administered internally, and do not require an application to OFAS or to the

department. Deserving students are selected by deliberation and a vote of the entire faculty in the department. These awards are made possible by generous yearly contributions and gifts from donors; availability may vary from year to year.

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Contact Information

Master’s Advisor

Dr. Allen Hope 594-2777* [email protected]

Graduate Administrative Coordinator

Allison Bailund 594-8555* [email protected]

Other Resources

Admissions and Records 594-6871 Campus Information 594-6551 Disabled Student Services 594-6473

Financial Aid 594-6323

Graduate Division 594-5213 Housing Information 594-5742 International Student Center 594-1982 Student Financial Services 594-6422

MASTER S STUDENT HANDBOOK

SDSU

G

EOGRAPHY

D

EPARTMENT

M

ASTER

’

S

S

TUDENT

H

ANDBOOK

Table of Contents

Overview of the Master’s Program

In Pursuit of the Master's Degree

Final Thesis Oral Exam (Thesis Defense)

Please note the thesis defense is a two-step process. First is a presentation to the

department (not to exceed 30 minutes) followed by a brief question and answer

section. Afterward, the thesis committee meets with the student for the official

defense.

Also, there are two required forms that must be completed once you have

successfully defended. The

Report of Final Thesis Defense

(which is signed by

our Graduate Advisor) and turned in to Graduate Division and the

Completion

of Thesis in Approved Format

(which is signed by your Thesis Advisor) and

given to the Graduate Programs Coordinator: Allison Bailund.

Critical Deadlines and Graduation

Summary of Student Responsibilities

Forms

All the forms below may be found either on the geography

department’s website or on graduate division’s website. Please

check the appropriate website for the latest edition of each

form.

Geography Department

Master's Program

COMPLETION OF THESIS IN APPROVED FORMAT

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Contact Information