Graduate Studies

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Advancement to Graduate Education (AGE) Conference

Thinking about pursing a Master's or Doctoral Degree?

The AGE conference is an all-day FREE event where CSUN students learn about graduate school—both master’s and doctoral degrees. The conference will begin with our distinguished keynote speaker, followed by a variety of workshops to assist students with preparing for graduate school.

Are you PREPARING for graduate school? Interested in learning about various kinds of degrees, looking to build skills you'll need to be admitted to and succeed in a graduate program? RSVP for the PREPARING track of workshops.

Are you APPLYING to graduate school this year? Wanting to learn about statements of purpose, GRE, and other application components? RSVP for the APPLYING track of workshops.

If you would like to view the featured workshops, please click on the accordion below. 

Welcome Letter

Dear AGE Participants:

We are thrilled to have you join us today. We hope that you can spend the day exploring ideas and learning more about graduate education. You will have several opportunities to acquire information about graduate school from many of our incredible faculty members, staff, and alumni. Whether you are exploring the possibility of graduate school or are currently applying, we encourage you to take full advantage of all of the workshops being offered.

We recommend that you visit our office, attend workshops throughout the year and reach out to peer and faculty mentors in order to fully engage with all that CSUN has to offer. We wish you personal success and professional fulfillment in your future graduate educational endeavors.

Sincerely,

Dr. Amy Levin
Assistant Vice President of Graduate Studies

Revised 6.13.23

Keynote Speaker

 

 Dr. Jose Torres, California Lutheran University

About the Keynote Speaker
Jose Torres is an Assistant Professor and Department Chair of Criminology and Criminal Justice in the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals Program at California Lutheran University. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminology, Law and Society, with an emphasis in Chicano/Latino Studies, from the University of California, Irvine. His research utilizes qualitative research (interviews and participant observations) to investigate the effects of United States immigration policies on immigrant families. In particular, his work largely focuses on examining the effects of U.S. immigration policies on Salvadoran immigrant and deported fathers and their families. 

In his early career, he has worked on several scholarly works. His articles are currently under review for publication in the Journal of Borderland StudiesSociology Compass, and Humanity & Society. His research has been funded by sources such as the National Science Foundation, the Association of Doctoral Programs in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Light of Faith Foundation, University of California, Irvine, and the California State University Chancellor’s Office.

Jose started his college career at Cal State Northridge where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology: Criminology and Criminal Justice Option and Central American Studies. While at Cal State Northridge, he was the recipient of the CSU California Pre-Doctoral Program and the CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program. He then went on to earn his Master’s in Social Ecology and Ph.D. in Criminology, Law and Society from UC Irvine. He hopes that his story will inspire fellow first-generation college students and children of immigrants to pursue a higher education. 

Program Schedule

9:00 AM   Welcome Remarks Presenter
Dr. Amy Levin, Asst. Vice President of Graduate Studies

9:05 AM Keynote Address Presenter:
Dr. Jose Torres, California Lutheran University

10:00 AM (WORKSHOPS BY TRACKS)

  • PREPARING TRACK                                                
    Workshop Title: Grad School 101
    Presenters:
     Professor Katie Mortimer, Peer Mentor, Faculty Resource Coordinator 
    Location: Grand Salon, University Student Union 

  • APPLYING TRACK                                 
    Workshop Title: Applying to Graduate School: Choosing Schools, Creating a Strategy, and Identifying your Brand
    Presenter: Professor Heidi Schumacher, GRAD Center
    Location: University Student Union, Northridge Center

11:00 AM (WORKSHOPS BY TRACKS)

  • PREPARING TRACK   
    Workshop Title: Panel: Life as a Graduate Student
    Graduate Student Panel: Adit Ghosh, University of Southern California; Doctoral Student, Earth Sciences, Pauline Serrano, University of California, Santa Barbara; Doctoral Student, School Psychology and Alden Robison, University of California, San Diego; Doctoral Student, Communication
    Location: Grand Salon, University Student Union             

  • APPLYING TRACK (select one of the workshops below)      
    Workshop Title: Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Social & Behavioral Sciences, Business and Economics, and Health & Human Development
    Presenter: Dr. Anastasiia Timmer, Criminology and Justice Studies Department
    Location: University Student Union, Northridge Center

    Workshop Title: Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Science & Mathematics and Engineering & Computer Science
    Presenter: Dr. Priya Ganguli, Geological Sciences Department
    Location: Thousand Oaks Room, University Student Union 

    Workshop Title: Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Humanities, Arts, Media & Communication, University Library, and Education
    Presenter: Dr. Jennifer C. Lee, English Department
    Location: Lake Balboa Room, University Student Union

12:00 PM LUNCH University Student Union, Northridge Center

12:30 PM (WORKSHOPS BY TRACKS)

  • PREPARING TRACK     
    Workshop Title: Building your Network
    Presenter: Dr. José Miguel Paez, Social Work Department
    Location: Grand Salon, University Student Union  

  • APPLYING TRACK              
    Workshop Title: Application Components: Letters of Rec, Transcripts, Resume, GRE, Writing Sample, Interviews
    Presenter: Dr. Stefanie Drew, Psychology Department 
    Location: University Student Union, Northridge Center

1:30 PM (WORKSHOPS BY TRACKS)

  • PREPARING TRACK                     
    Using your time at CSUN to Prepare for Grad School
    Presenters: Alex Blake, CSUN Alumni, Department of Social Work with Jocelyn Lagunas, CSUN Peer Mentor
    Location: Grand Salon, University Student Union  

  • APPLYING TRACK (select one of the workshops below)                        
    Workshop Title: Financing a Graduate Education
    Presenter: Sonya Adlersberg, Financial Aid Department and Professor Heidi Schumacher
    Location: University Student Union, Northridge Center

    Workshop Title: Panel: Grad Health and Wellbeing During the Application Process and Beyond
    Presenter: Dr. Elizabeth Dabach, Family and Consumer Sciences Department
    Graduate Student Panel: Adit Ghosh, University of Southern California; Doctoral Student, Earth Sciences, Pauline Serrano, University of California, Santa Barbara; Doctoral Student, School Psychology and Alden Robison, University of California, San Diego; Doctoral Student, Communication
    Location: Thousand Oaks Room, University Student Union 

2:30 PM Concluding Remarks and Resources for Additional Support

10:00 AM (WORKSHOPS DETAILS BY TRACKS)

PREPARING TRACK

  • Grad School 101
    Presenters: Professor Katie Mortimer, Peer Mentor, Faculty Resource Coordinator
    Workshop Description: This workshop presents the basics about graduate school. Students will learn about the difference between a master's and Ph.D., the timeframe for different graduate programs, how to pay for graduate school, and what life is like for graduate students.

APPLYING TRACK

  • Applying to Graduate School: Choosing Schools, Creating a Strategy, and Identifying your Brand
    Presenter: Professor Heidi Schumacher, GRAD Center
    Workshop Description: In this workshop, students will learn about selecting a graduate program, application timelines, application fee waivers, and how to make application materials come together to convey a clear message to graduate programs.
                                                                   

11:00 AM (WORKSHOPS DETAILS BY TRACKS)

PREPARING TRACK                            

  • Panel: Life as a Graduate Student
    Graduate Student Panel:
    Adit Ghosh, University of Southern California; Doctoral Student, Earth Sciences
    Pauline Serrano, University of California, Santa Barbara; Doctoral Student, School Psychology
    Alden Robison, University of California, San Diego; Doctoral Student, Communication
    Moderator: Wendy Brown, Graduate Studies
    Workshop Description: In this panel, former CSUN graduate students will share about their journey through graduate school. Students will learn about why panel members chose to attend graduate school, how graduate school aligns with their career goals, and their experience in graduate programs.   

APPLYING TRACK (select one of the workshops below)  

  • Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Social & Behavioral Sciences, Business and Economics, and Health & Human Development
    Presenter: Dr. Anastasiia Timmer, Criminology and Justice Studies Department
    Workshop Description: The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is generally the most important component of an application. This workshop will explore how this document outlines academic and work experiences, and details how the student’s work fits with the graduate program they are applying to. Students will leave this workshop with an understanding of content and approach so they can get started with a draft of their SOP.

  • Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Science & Mathematics and Engineering & Computer Science
    Presenter: Dr. Priya Ganguli, Geological Science Department
    Workshop Description: The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is generally the most important component of an application. This workshop will explore how this document outlines academic and work experiences, and details how the student’s work fits with the graduate program they are applying to. Students will leave this workshop with an understanding of content and approach so they can get started with a draft of their SOP

  • Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Humanities, Arts, Media & Communication, University Library, and Education
    Presenter: Dr. Jennifer C. Lee, English Department
    Workshop Description: The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is generally the most important component of an application. This workshop will explore how this document outlines academic and work experiences, and details how the student’s work fits with the graduate program they are applying to. Students will leave this workshop with an understanding of content and approach so they can get started with a draft of their SOP

12:30 PM (WORKSHOPS DETAILS BY TRACKS)

PREPARING TRACK                             

  • Building Your Network
    Presenter: Dr. José Miguel Paez, Social Work Department
    Workshop Description: Building a network is one of the most important early steps a student can take toward applying to graduate school. Students will learn different networking strategies, how to talk about their goals, and how to build closer relationships with faculty, fellow students, and supervisors at internships and job sites.                      

APPLYING TRACK              

  • Application Components: Letters of Rec, Transcripts, Resume, GRE, Writing Sample, Interviews
    Presenter: Dr.Stefanie Drew, Psychology Department
    Workshop Description: This workshop will cover the various components of an application package. Students will learn how to request letters of recommendation and transcripts, format CVs or resumes, prepare to interview, and select a writing sample. Students will also learn about the ongoing support CSUN’s Office of Graduate Studies provides, including workshops that offer a deeper dive into each of these components.

1:30 PM (WORKSHOPS DETAILS BY TRACKS)

PREPARING TRACK

  • Using your time at CSUN to Prepare for Grad School
    Presenter: Alex Blake, CSUN Alumni, Department of Social Work with Jocelyn Lagunas, CSUN Peer Mentor
    Workshop Description: This workshop will explore the types of coursework and activities that graduate programs appreciate in their applicants. Students will be guided through online resources that will help them find internships, clubs, research opportunities, jobs, and community service that align with their career goals. This will be a hands-on workshop.

APPLYING TRACK (select one of the workshops below)                    

  • Financing a Graduate Education
    Presenter: Sonya Adlersberg, Financial Aid Department and Professor Heidi Schumacher, GRAD Center
    Workshop Description: This workshop will cover funding opportunities for graduate education. Students will learn about financial aid, merit-based resources, fellowships, and grants that are available at various campuses. In addition, students will learn about the specific kinds of funding packages offered to doctoral students.

    Panel: Grad Health and Well-being During the Application Process and Beyond
  • Presenter: Dr. Elizabeth Dabach, Family and Consumer Sciences Department
    Graduate Student Panel:
    Adit Ghosh, University of Southern California; Doctoral Student, Earth Sciences
    Pauline Serrano, University of California, Santa Barbara; Doctoral Student, School Psychology
    Alden Robison, University of California, San Diego; Doctoral Student, Communication
    Workshop Description: This workshop will cover approaches to stress management during the application process. A panel of former CSUN graduate students will share how they balance graduate school with other responsibilities to make their well-being a priority.

Additional Resources

We at the GRAD Center are eager to support you as you continue on your path towards graduate school!  Below are some further resources that may be helpful as you continue to achieve your goals.

  • GRAD Center Peer Mentoring Program
    Who: Students seeking guidance as they explore graduate school possibilities
    When: Fall and Spring
    Peer Mentors guide students in exploring possible pathways to graduate school. Peer mentors are available to meet with students one-on-one (in-person or on Zoom). To schedule an appointment, please send an email to GRAD CENTER Peer Mentors.

  • GRAD Center Faculty Mentoring Program
    Who: Students applying to graduate programs who want to be matched with a faculty mentor
    When: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis (final deadline is October 15th)
    This program provides support to current students preparing or applying to graduate school. Students are matched with a CSUN faculty member and receive one-on-one mentoring. Interested students can apply here: https://forms.gle/JMWcfxD2gJV48Cgp7

  • The California Pre-Doctoral Program
    Who: Students interested in pursuing a PhD (must be enrolled at CSUN next year)
    When: Fall semester (more information will be available on October 1st and students must attend an Info Session).
    This program is designed to increase the pool of potential CSU faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of CSU students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. Once selected as a Sally Casanova Scholar, students are supported by a faculty mentor as they explore and apply to PhD programs. Students will also receive financial support for application fees, travel to visit doctoral programs, and other activities. Please visit the website below to learn more about this program.
    https://www.csun.edu/graduate-studies/california-pre-doctoral-program
  • The Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program
    Who: PhD students who want to teach in the CSU (may apply before you leave CSUN)
    When: Fall semester (more information will be available on October 1st and students must attend an Info Session).
    This program prepares faculty to teach in the CSU and is the largest pipeline program in the nation. PhD students who are interested in teaching in the CSU are mentored by a faculty member, receive financial support through travel and research funds, and have access to an optional loan which is forgiven if the CDIP Fellow obtains a faculty position in the CSU.  CSUN students can apply for this program while they apply for PhD programs.
    https://www.csun.edu/graduate-studies/chancellors-doctoral-incentive-program

2023 AGE Program/PowerPoints

To access the PowerPoints from the conference, please click the link below.

AGE BOX Folder

AGE PowerPoints