First Semester

• Satisfy English Level I requirement — either receive a "Pass" on the GET or credit in SCI 614. English Level I must by satisfied by no later than the beginning of your third term of study in order to graduate in four semesters.
• Meet with graduate advisor at least once per term for advice/guidance
• Attend Graduate Seminar Series (formerly Pernet). This requirement should be completed by the end of your second term of enrollment.
• Start thinking about which concentration you will graduate under (General, Software Engineering, Computing and Business, Computing for Life Sciences)
• If you plan to select the Concentration in Computing and Business you must declare the concentration either upon admission or by filing a Change of Graduate Program Form. This form is available on the Graduate Division web site. After filing the form you will be allowed to enroll in Business classes.
• Enroll in at least three courses, after consultation with a graduate advisor. Core courses should be completed as early as possible.
• It is critical to plan to take graduate level electives with possible culminating experience supervisors during your first year of study. Think of topic(s) for your culminating experience, do a research on it, check what CS faculty does for research, and feel free to meet CS Chair or other faculty for advice.
• Given that your GPA must remain above 3.0, we recommend that you do not take too many courses your first semester (typically 9 units maximum).
• Must attend the first graduate seminar (graduate program overview).

Second Semester

• Meet with graduate advisor at least once per term for advice/guidance
• Select concentration (General, SW Engineering, Computing for Life Sciences). Consult concentration coordinators or CS Chair if you need guidance.
• Enroll in at least three courses, after consultation with a graduate advisor
• Start thinking about your thesis/project early.
• Must enroll in courses taught by prospective thesis/project supervisors; discuss possible culminating experience topics with prospective supervisors. Consult your favorite professors for guidance in project selection.
• Must attend mandatory advising group meeting with CS Chair to be organized within the first 4 weeks of the semester.
• Must select your culminating experience supervisor by the end of this semester and obtain your supervisor’s permission to work under his/her supervision.

Semester Break

• Investigate culminating experience topic; work with supervisor on obtaining background knowledge/skills
• Possibly do an external internship to get practical experience in CS (CSC 893)

Third Semester

• Meet with graduate advisor at least once per term for advice/guidance
• Complete Graduate Approved Program (GAP) prior to University Deadlines (November 1/April 1) – English Level 1 and Graduate Seminar Series must be complete PRIOR TO GAP SUBMISSION and GPA must be > 3.0.
• Submit project/thesis proposal to CS Department; select thesis/project committee with consultation of supervisor and graduate advisor; submit signed Culminating Experience Requirement Form prior to University Deadlines (November 1/April 1).  Note that if Human or Animal Subjects Protocols are required, these must also be approved by your supervisor and submitted by this deadline.
• Enroll in CSC 897/899 for background work on Thesis/Project – be sure to meet with supervisor/committee on a regular basis to ensure appropriate progress.

Final Semester

• Enroll in CSC 895/898 for project/thesis – GPA must be at least 3.0 in order to enroll in CSC 895/898
• Meet with graduate advisor at least once per term for advice/guidance
• Complete culminating experience work
• Schedule thesis/project Oral Defense
• Submit all thesis/project materials, including the final written report with committee member signatures.

Note: If the student does not progress according to this schedule, then program completion might take longer than two years. If you have questions at any time feel free to consult with a graduate advisor.

Useful links:

SFSU Grad Division
http://www.sfsu.edu/%7Egradstdy/

CS Graduate WWW site:
http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/graduate.html

Grad program description
http://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/current/programs/computes.htm#grad-cs

For new grads
http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/new_grad_helpnotes.html

About culminating GAP, project and 895
http://cs.sfsu.edu/forms/aboutculminatingproject.html
http://cs.sfsu.edu/forms/student%20forms/Checklist%20for%20Students%20Enrolling%20in%20CSC%20895.pdf
http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/GAP_Filing_Process.htm

Culminating experience
http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/new_grad_culminating_req.html