Admission to the University for Graduate Program

1. Submit a completed official San Diego State University Graduate Application through the SDSU Coordinator.

2. Apply to the Educational Leadership Program by sending your departmental application to the SDSU Coordinator.

3. If you have not taken the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), make arrangements through the local Department of Education or other testing resources. Take the exam and have copies of the test scores forwarded to San Diego State University
   
   INSTITUTION CODE: 4682 and DEPARTMENT CODE 3999.
   
   You will be responsible to arrange to sit for the exam and to pay for examination fees. Results are generally available within 8 to 10 weeks.
   
   To maintain your active status in this degree program all students must have Official GRE Scores on file within 90 days of the commencement of coursework.

Classified Graduate Standing

If you were admitted to the Department with "Conditional" status, your status will be changed to "Classified" once you satisfy the conditions noted on the "Departmental Recommendation Form." When your conditions are met, please see the Program Academic Coordinator (have copy of GRE scores if that was part of your conditions). He will complete the "Change of Status" form and submit it to the Graduate Division.

In order to graduate, you must obtain Classified status and be advanced to candidacy.

File an Official Program of Study

1. As soon as you obtain "Classified" status, we will complete your Official Program of Study. The Program can be filed at any time, however the Graduate Division recommends filing it as soon as possible. The Program must be filed before the final 24 units of study are completed.

2. The requirements governing the Official Program of Study will be those specified in the Graduate Bulletin at the time the program is approved by the Graduate Division.

3. If you need to make a course change in your Program after it has been approved, a "Change of Official Program for the Master's Degree" form must be filed. Your advisor and the Graduate Division must approve the course change.

Advancement to Candidacy

Once you are classified and your Official Program of Study is approved by your advisor and the Graduate Division, Advancement to Candidacy follows if you have completed the specified units, and have maintained a 3.0 overall Grade Point Average (GPA). You must be Advanced to Candidacy before taking the Comprehensive Examination or registering for 791A, Program Evaluation.

Comprehensive Examination

Students must successfully pass a Comprehensive Examination: In order to take the exam, students must have completed 24 of the 30 units and be Advanced to Candidacy. Exceptions to the above-cited rule must be approved by the Educational Leadership Program Coordinator. Students will be advised on when to sign up for the exam. Students must pass all sections to satisfy this requirement. A student who fails to pass any one or more of the comprehensive exam sections retakes the exam. Only one retake is allowed. The student must pass the Comprehensive Examination to graduate. The comprehensive exam is in essay format. Students are given three hours completion time. The test contains four sections: (1) Leadership, (2) Curriculum Development, (3) Instruction, and (4) Research. The test is comprehensive in nature and calls for the application of all course content to education leadership practices.

Graduation

The University commencement ceremony is at the end of each Spring semester, the Educational Leadership program conducts its own commencement ceremony.

Graduation Checklist:

1. Submit application for graduation with fee by deadline (to be announced).
2. Complete all coursework including the satisfying of grades of Incomplete if applicable.
3. Review graduation evaluation for accuracy.
4. Arrange for Cap and Gown with SDSU coordinator.