Home > Academics > Master of Science in Engineering > FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs are a collection of graduate students' questions from the School of Engineering office during the past few years. If you have any question that is not answered in the FAQs, please contact Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Hamid Shahnasser (hamid@sfsu.edu).

Useful FAQ's links:

FAQ's for International Admissions:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/faqs-international.htm

FAQ's for Domestic Admissions:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/faqs-domestic.htm

FAQ's for Current Students:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/faqs-current-student.htm

Prospective Students

When should I start the application process?
Does the application process cost me money?
Will I get financial assistance?
What is the average cost per year for study?
Where should I contact to get financial aid information?
How long does it take to complete a degree?
What if my application is incomplete on the due date?
Is there a minimum grade point average for admission?
How do I check my admission status?
When are decisions made regarding admissions?
I have got some pre-requisite courses, which I think I have already done. What should I do?
Can I defer my enrollment?
What if I decide not to join SFSU?
How do I get the email account / SFSU ID?

Current Students
Where can I get the class schedule?
When do I go on probation? What steps do I need to take once on probation?
Can I take courses from other departments/schools?
When should I file the ATC (formerly GAP)/culminating experience?
What if I changed my course work after submitting my ATC (formerly GAP)?
How do I check my ATC (formerly GAP) and Culminating Experience Proposal status?
What forms do I need to file to earn my degree and graduate?
When can I expect to receive my diploma in the mail?
How do I sign up for the Commencement Ceremony?
What if I need to get proof of my graduate degree before my diploma arrives?
Where can I get the list for University clubs/Associations?

Prospective Students

When should I start the application process?

Your complete application package that includes every piece of required documentation must be received before the deadline. Application deadlines can be checked at the following link:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/international-application-deadlines.htm
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/program-deadline.htm

Back to top
Does the application process cost me money?

Yes. The application fee is $55. You can pay the fee by credit card during the application process or send a check/money order of $55 payable to San Francisco State University. (Credit Card payment during the application process is recommended)
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/steps2apply.htm
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/prospective-form.htm

Back to top
Will I get financial assistance?

The Engineering department does not provide any financial assistance to the enrolled students. However, numerous scholarships are being offered which can be helpful.
http://www.sfsu.edu/~oip/f1services/FinancialAssistance/FinancialAssistance.html

Back to top
What is the average cost per year for study?

The fee differs for resident and international student. You can check the appropriate details using the following links.
http://www.sfsu.edu/~bursar/student/fees/nonres_fees.html
http://www.sfsu.edu/~bursar/student/fees/grad_fees.html

Back to top
Where should I contact to get financial aid information?

You can check the details for financial aid at the following link.
http://www.sfsu.edu/~finaid/

Back to top
How long does it take to complete a degree?

The requirement for completing the graduate degree includes completion of 30 units (including core courses and thesis/project work). You can check the course offerings and plan the graduation accordingly.
http://engineering.sfsu.edu/academics/graduate/engineering/planned_graduate_course_offering_schedule.html

Back to top
What if my application is incomplete on the due date?

Your application should be complete with the required test scores and other documents (statement of purpose, recommendation letters, transcripts, etc.) before the deadline. Your application would not be considered after the due date.

Back to top
Is there a minimum grade point average for admission?

The GPA of 3.0 (in last 60 units) is required to be considered for the graduate program.

Back to top
How do I check my admission status?

You can check your application status using the following link.
https://www.sfsu.edu/online/appstat.htm

Back to top
When are decisions made regarding admissions?

The decision for the admission is made once all the required documents are received and verified. Once the decision for the admission is made, you would be informed by the graduate department accordingly.

Back to top
I have got some pre-requisite courses, which I think I have already done. What should I do?

You can talk to your advisor and proof would be required to verify that the pre-requisite is successfully completed. The final decision is made by your advisor.

Back to top
Can I defer my enrollment?

No, students may not defer their enrollment. If they do not enroll the semester that they are admitted, and they want to attend a subsequent semester, then they must re-apply.

Back to top
What if I decide not to join SFSU?

For international students, it is recommended that you should notify the graduate department so that the I-20 generated can be taken back.

Back to top
How do I get the email account / SFSU ID?

You need to correspond to registrar office for the student ID and student email accounts.
http://www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/reg/reg.html

Back to top

Current Students
Where can I get the class schedule?

Class schedules are no longer available on paper. All class schedules for every semester are now online. SFSU has computer labs on campus for your convenience. You can check the online class schedule at:
http://www.sfsu.edu/schedule

Back to top
When do I go on probation? What steps do I need to take once on probation?

You are on probation if your GPA falls below required 3.0. You need to fill out Academic Standing Petition (Probation / Disqualification) form and get consent of graduate coordinator.
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/probation.htm

Back to top
Can I take courses from other departments/schools?

Student is eligible to take two elective courses from other school/department to be counted towards graduation, upon approval by graduate coordinator. Engineering department also provides an option to take maximum of two courses from San Jose State University or UC, Berkeley.

Back to top
When should I file the ATC (formerly GAP)/culminating experience?

ATC needs to be filed and approved the semester before the graduating semester. The deadlines for the same are posted on
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/degree-completion-deadline.htm

Back to top
What if I changed my course work after submitting my ATC (formerly GAP)?

You need to submit a ATC substitution form and get it approved by the department. The form is posted on the following link:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/atc-sub.htm

Back to top
How do I check my ATC (formerly GAP) and Culminating Experience Proposal status?

In order to check the ATC and Culminating Experience Proposal status you must sign into MySFSU
(http://www.sfsu.edu/online/login.htm)

Back to top
What forms do I need to file to earn my degree and graduate?

An "Application for Award of Degree" must be filed with the Division of Graduate Studies. Students who are completing their Culminating Experiences will need to submit either a "Receipt for Master's Thesis or Written Creative Work" (for students taking 893,898, or Music 894*) or a "Report of Completion" (for students taking 892, 894, 895). The "Report of Completion" may be obtained from your department office. You will receive a "Receipt for Master's Thesis or Written Creative Work" from GradStop (ADM 250) when you bring your thesis or written creative work in for a formatting check. The Receipt must be verified at the Campus Copy Center (located in the Student Center, M110) when you submit your document and pay the binding fees. If you did not complete your Culminating Experience course in one semester, your committee chair will also need to file a change of grade form with the Registrar's office to change your grade from "Report in Progress" (RP) to "Credit" (CR).

Back to top
When can I expect to receive my diploma in the mail?

Students who have been awarded their graduate degree can expect to receive their diploma in the mail approximately 4-6 months after the degree has been posted on their academic record.

Back to top
How do I sign up for the Commencement Ceremony?

The following students are automatically listed to participate in the Commencement Ceremony in May:
- Students who have earned their degree in the previous Fall or Summer semesters
- Students who apply for Spring graduation
- Students who apply for Summer graduation during the Spring application period
Information packages will be sent out in April. You may also check to see if you are on the list by going to the following web site: www.sfsu.edu/commencement.

Back to top
What if I need to get proof of my graduate degree before my diploma arrives?

After students have received confirmation that their graduate degree has been awarded, students may request a final transcript showing the degree conferred from the Registrar's Office 415/338-2079 or online at:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/reg/transc.html

Back to top
Where can I get the list for University clubs/Associations?

All SFSU organizations are listed on the following link: http://www.sfsu.edu/~lead/org/

Back to top

Home > Academics > Master of Science in Engineering > FAQs

Graduate School of Engineering

Frequently Asked Questions

Useful FAQ's links:

Prospective Students

Current Students

Prospective Students

Current Students