Current Students
Apply for graduation
Student's wishing to apply for graduation for subsequent semesters may pick up an "Application for Master's Degree and Diploma (.pdf)" which requires a $47.00 fee. This form will initiate a graduation evaluation or a "grad check" which reminds students of existing requirements for their Master's degree. We suggest that students applying for graduation do so at least one (1) semester prior to the semester in which they plan to graduate.
Graduate Student Information Booklet (.pdf)
The Graduate Student Information Booklet provides graduate students information on policies and procedures at California State University, Northridge.
Graduate Policies
Student policies for Graduate Students
Steps to Graduate
A quick guide on the steps to take towards graduating from your program.
Advancement to Approved Candidacy
When your program is approved and filed with Graduate Evaluation Services, you are advanced to Approved Candidacy. At the time that the program is formulated, you will also receive approval of a plan for a thesis, graduate project, artistic performance, or the comprehensive examination. After the formal program is approved, you should file the Application for Graduation with the Office of Admissions and Records. Graduate students are required to be enrolled during the semester of graduation. Students graduating during the summer must be enrolled for at least one semester unit or, with departmental approval, petition the registration requirement. You should also make certain that your committee members will be available to give their final approval to your culminating experience.
Culminating Experience
Some type of culminating experience is required of every candidate for the master’s degree. The culminating experience must be a Thesis, a Graduate Project, an Artistic Performance, or a Comprehensive Examination. The specific type of culminating experience is to be identified on the student’s program.
Thesis
When a thesis is involved, the student must file the Thesis/Graduate Project Planning Form with Graduate Evaluation Services. Format guidelines for the preparation of theses or projects are available in the Graduate Studies Office, University Hall 265, (818) 677-4800.