Degree Completion Plan

Here is a diagram that provides an overview of the major milestones in the life of a Master’s student.

The Program of Study (POS) is a list of the specific courses a Master’s student is using to satisfy their requirements for the degree.  Degree requirements are officially documented in the corresponding Catalog chapter.  The requirements fall into several categories:

• Specific required courses.
• A set of courses that students may choose from.  This set may be called “electives” if it is very broad, or the program may give the set a field-specific name.
• A set of courses that students may choose from, with advisor approval.  If you see the phrase “advisor approval” associated with degree requirements, obtain approval prior to registering.
• Additional requirements that apply to the entire program of study, regardless of whether the courses are required or electives.  For example, there are overall limits to how many Cr/NC units may be used in your degree, and limits to how many units can be numbered 500-599.

The Degree Evaluation (also called the Degree Audit Report) is a resource for students and advisors to track requirements for graduation. The report includes your Program of Study:  how your completed courses match the degree requirements, and what degree requirements are still outstanding.  It also includes GPA calculations, and degree requirements that are not courses. The Degree Evaluation is accessed by students in my.SDSU via the Degree Evaluation tile.

Degree Evaluation Student User Guide

Your Graduate Advisor may request an exception or course substitution by submitting a petition form on your behalf.  If you wish, you can initiate the process by starting a PAAR form, which will get electronically routed to your advisor.

In most cases, Program of Study courses that are completed cannot be substituted out of the Program of Study, regardless of the final grade.  If you believe that you need to repeat a course, please meet with your Graduate Advisor to discuss options prior to course registration, or contact Graduate Studies.

Please go to our Master's Thesis Committee (Plan A) Information and Forms page for more information.