Steps for Completing Your MS Degree

Here you will find a general overview of the process toward graduation. Specific information about each step can be found on our Graduate Advising Canvas site. The Graduate Coordinator will assist you with academic advising, submitting forms, and can serve as a liason between you and Graduate Studies and Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations.

Complete 30 U of coursework as described in the degree requirements for your specific program. You can find this information in the SJSU catalog and on the SJSU Graduate Advising Canvas site. The catalog you should follow is based on the year that you enroll.
Students are invited to the Graduate Advising Canvas site once they enroll in classes for their first semester. This Canvas site contains most of the information and forms that you will need during your time as graduate student, all in one location.
You should discuss your coursework each semester with the Graduate Coordinator to make sure you are on track for graduation.
During your first year or at the start of your second year, you should form your graduate committee. They can give you feedback on your research project including feedback on your written and oral defense.
Once you have passed our Graduate Writing Course (BIOL 202) with a B or better and have 9 letter-graded course units completed, you can apply to advance to candidacy. Instructions on how to fill out the candidacy form and route it for signature are on the Graduate Advising Canvas site.
Apply for graduation
Complete your culminating experience. MS students will give a public research talk and write up their research project in either the form of a manuscript (BIOL 298) or a thesis (BIOL 299).
Submit the committe approval form to the Graduate Coordinator once you have completed your defense and have completed all work as set forth by your committee.
Graduate Admission and Program Evaluations will evaluate your progress and either award your degree or notifiy you if something still needs completing.