The form requires the signature of the student’s thesis advisor, the graduate advisor, and/or director of the program. Once the Graduate Division approves the GAP, the student advances to “candidacy.” GAP program forms remain valid as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment.

The following minimum standards apply to all master's degree Graduate Approved Programs.

The GAP for every program must include a minimum of 30 semester units. The number may be significantly higher in professional programs.

No degree will be awarded where the minimum numbers of units specified for the degree have not been completed.

The GAP may not include more than twelve semester units of work taken before classified status was obtained in the major program in which the degree is to be earned.

A 3.0 GPA is required for course work listed on the GAP and must be maintained in all post-baccalaureate work taken at SFSU.

The GAP may include only courses with grades of C or better (grades of C- and lower may not be included).

A minimum of one-half of the total number of units must be at the 700-899 level.

The GAP must include at least eighteen units of course work taken within the department offering the degree program.

Prerequisite course work may not be used to meet degree requirements. This includes BIO 300 and HMSX 300.

No lower division course (100 or 200 level) work is allowed on the GAP.

Grades earned by international students in required lower division English proficiency courses are not computed in the grade point average for advancement to candidacy and the master's degree.

The GAP, including any accepted transfer units, may not have more than 30% (nine units on a 30-unit program) of the work with CR grades.

At least 24 of 30 units must be taken in residence on SFSU campus.

A maximum of six semester units, which may include any combination of extension work, credit by examination, and/or transfer work, may be used in meeting the requirement of a 30-unit program (and proportionately more of extension and transfer credit for programs that exceed 30 units).

If enrolled in an exchange program officially sponsored by SFSU, a maximum of twelve units of combined exchange, credit by examination, extension, and transfer work may be applied toward the requirements of a basic 30-unit master's degree (proportionately more extension and transfer credit for programs that exceed 30 units).

The GAP may not include more than six semester units of credit in special study courses (899) or more than six semester units of credit in experimental courses (674, 677, 874, 877).

A maximum of four student teaching units, graduate numbered and applicable to the discipline of the major, may be allowed.

The GAP must specify how the student has met the two-level written English proficiency requirement in accordance with the regulations of his/her department.

The GAP must specify a final demonstration of competence such as a thesis, a field research project, a comprehensive examination, or an approved culminating experience.

The GAP (including all courses, other requirements, and filing an application for award of degree) must be completed within a seven-year period from the beginning of the term of the earliest course listed on the GAP. No credit will be considered for course work that was taken more than seven years before the date when the master's degree is to be awarded.

If the student is required to be enrolled the semester of graduation, this requirement must be noted on the GAP. Students should consult with the major department to determine whether enrollment in an additional course is required once the student has enrolled in the culminating experience course.

Requests for substitutions of required courses must be approved before submission of the GAP. The

Petition for Substitution or Exception form is available in the Division of Graduate Studies Office. If a student wishes to change his/her approved GAP by adding or removing a course, he/she must file an adviser and college approved Petition for Substitution or Exception form with the Division of Graduate Studies. Reasons for waivers or substitutions to the program must be included on the form. Students who do not complete all required course work, the written English requirement, and the culminating experience within the seven-year time limit as required by Title 5 should refer to the section on Time Limit to Complete Requirements for Graduate Degrees
Human and Animal Subjects Approval Protocol Form
Any research conducted by a student that involves human and/or animal subjects requires the approval of the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) and/or the University Animal Care and Use Committee (UACUC). Students must receive approval before initiating any research activity involving these subjects. There are no exceptions. No student whose work uses human or animal subjects is permitted to enroll in the culminating experience course until the research activity has been approved by CPHS. Students will become familiar with the human subjects requirements and protocol in the HMSX 891 (Research Seminar in Human Sexuality Studies).