Frequently Asked Questions

There are 30 units in the Master's program in Industrial Technology. Of these 30 units, 15 units are composed of required courses. You have the flexibility to choose the electives to make up 12 units (4 courses). The culminating experience (project/thesis) is 3 units.

There are 15 units of core coursework which is 5 courses.

You can take as many electives as you want. The graduate program requires only 12 units of electives which is roughly 4 courses. 

If you have been admitted conditionally classified, it means that you have been assigned pre-requisite courses beyond the 30 units. You must complete these pre-requisite courses to obtain a classified standing.

In the semester that you are completing your pre-requisite courses, please fill out a Classified Standing Request Form (available on Division of Graduate Studies website in pdf and MS-Word formats) and turn it in to the Graduate Coordinator by the end-of-semester deadline posted by the Graduate Coordinator. Please bear in mind that you can complete only upto 10 units of coursework that counts to the masters degree before being classified. This excludes the pre-requisite courses which do not count towards your degree.

Once you have attained Classified standing and completed the writing requirement (IT 280), you should apply for advancing to candidacy by filling out the Advancement to Candidacy Form (available on Division of Graduate Studies website in the MS-Word format) and turn it in to the Graduate Coordinator by the end-of-semester deadline posted by the Graduate Coordinator. You may submit the form in the semester that you are enrolled in IT 280. 

If you are an international student, you must ensure that your I-20 is valid for the duration of your program. If you need an extension on your I-20, please contact the Graduate Coordinator with a copy of your current I-20 and an explanation for the request for an extension. Please also request your advisor (IT 298) to inform the Graduate Coordinator that he/she is supporting this request. Such requests also have to meet the end-of-semester deadlines posted by the Graduate Coordinator. 

CPT stands for Curriculum Practical Training. This allows international students to undergo practical training in the industry during the course of the program. This may be in the form of internships, co-ops, etc. These must be related to the area of specialization and must be approved by both the Graduate Coordinator and ISSP.

OPT stands for Optional Practical Training. This allows international students to accept temporary employment for optional practical training. These must be related to the area of specialization and must be approved by both the Graduate Coordinator and ISSP.

According to Title 5 of the California Board of Trustees, both project and thesis are equally rigorous and intensive. For a thesis (IT 299), you must have a committee of three faculty (including your advisor). You have to "defend" your work in front of the committee and/or wider audience comprising faculty and students from the department or college.You also have to ensure that your thesis document meets the guidelines put forth by the Division of Graduate Studies. Please refer to the Division of Graduate Studies website for more specific guidelines. A project (IT 298) does not require a formal committee, you still have to determine a project advisor. You have to make a formal presentation to a larger audience comprised of faculty, and students from the department, and/or college. Your document should follow the same guidelines as for the thesis. However, you don't have to submit your document to the Division of Graduate Studies for review.

In the final semester that you plan to graduate, you should

1. Apply for graduation. Check the Division of Graduate Studies website for deadlines.
2. Defend your project/thesis
3. Upload your report on Blackboard
4. Turn in the Graduate Degree Clearance Form to the Graduate Coordinator before the end-of-semester deadline

 The Graduate Coordinator will announce at the beginning of every semester the date by which all forms (clearance, advancement to candidacy, classified standing request, etc.) have to be turned in. You must check the Announcement board in the Department or watch out for e-announcements. You are responsible for meeting this deadline and no exceptions will be entertained.