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Special Major for Master's Degrees: Admission to Special Major Program
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(Senate: 8/7/79, 4/29/80, 4/17/90; President: 8/31/79, 6/30/80, 5/9/90; Editorial Amendment:
9/00, 8/01, 1/21/15)
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In addition to meeting minimum University requirements for admission to graduate standing,
applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree in an area cognate to the areas of the proposed
special major, must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the last 60 semester or 90
quarter units, and must meet all college requirements and such department/division/school
requirements as course prerequisites, test scores, and grade point average for the master's degrees
of the colleges and departments/divisions/schools in which course work or the special major is
proposed. Special majors are approved on an individual basis. If coursework is to be taken in
departments/divisions/schools in more than one college, students must make formal written
application to the Dean of Graduate Studies. If course work is to be taken in
departments/divisions/schools within one college, students are required to make formal written
application to the college graduate dean. All applications must include the following:
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A clear and concisely stated rationale for pursuing a special major and an
indication of the professional/academic objectives to be achieved. This rationale
must include evidence clearly indicating that the special major program could not
be accommodated within any existing approved master's program on campus.
A proposed list of available courses chosen from two or more
departments/divisions /schools totaling a minimum of 30 units, of which at least
15 must be 5000-level.
An indication of whether a comprehensive examination or thesis or project will be
used to complete the graduate course of study. If a thesis or project is proposed, a
preliminary description of the thesis topic or research project to be included. If a
comprehensive examination is proposed, an indication of the area in which the
student will be examined is to be included.
The names and areas of specialization of at least two faculty members
representative of those who might consent to serve on the advisory committee for
such a degree program.
If coursework to be taken is offered in more than one college, the Dean of
Graduate Studies must also approve the program. The student's program is subject
to University graduate procedures and regulations that govern all graduate degree
offerings.