How do I get to the Interwork Institute?

Please click here to see directions provided by Google Maps. How much does parking at Interwork cost?

Parking at the Interwork Institute is free. A parking permit is not required. What G.P.A. is required for admittance into the program?

A minimum 2.85 grade point average is required for admission to SDSU graduate programs. However, in reviewing applicants, we consider multiple indicators of preparedness for graduate studies, including: the personal statement, letters of recommendation, student leadership experience, professional work experience, and GRE scores. What G.R.E. score is needed to enter the program? GRE scores are

SDSU and the ARPE department do not mandate a minimum GRE score. considered in relation to other indicators in our review of program applicants.

Do my references need to be professors or can they be professional references?

Both professional and academic references are accepted. A combination of both is preferred. Can the statement of purpose on the departmental application be similar to the stateme nt on the CSU Application?

Yes, we expect the personal statement (or statement of purpose) you submit with your CSU mentor application to mirror the statement you submit to the department. Both applications have a 500 word limit for personal statements. How many transcript copies do I send?

One unofficial transcript of all graduate and undergraduate coursework must be uploaded with your online application to the College of Education. Two official copies of all graduate and undergraduate coursework must be mailed to the SDSU Graduate Admissions Department in sealed envelopes. Please visit the Admission Procedures page for details. What is the difference between the Postsecondary Education specialization and the Student Affairs specialization?

Both programs prepare graduates to work with students in advising and program delivery capacities. However, the Student Affairs specialization is designed specifically for students who desire to work in traditional student affairs units, such as residential education, fraternity and sorority life, campus life, orientation, etc. The Postsecondary Education specialization has a broader focus and prepares graduates to work in a range of college and university units. Students

who pursue this specialization are typically not interested in working in a traditional student affairs unit or may desire to pursue employment outside of higher education, such as in a nonprofit or government organization. In addition, the Postsecondary Education specialization has fewer required courses than the Student Affairs specialization, thus students have more flexibility in taking courses in other programs and departments as electives. Is a graduate assistantship required for admission to the program?

An assistantship is not required for admission. Approximately half of our students are currently working in full-time professional roles and thus, do not hold assistantship positions. Is tuition included as part of the compensation for graduate assistantships?

Our assistantships are paid hourly-positions and do not include tuition assistance. Students holding assistantships in residential education typically receive some room and board compensation. Are the assistantship positions guaranteed for two years?

Our assistantship positions are always contingent upon the availability of funds. Thus there are no guarantees of employment for any set amount of time. However, students who hold assistantship positions typically stay in these roles for 1-2 years. Can I take courses from another university online and have it credited towards my degree?

As a general rule, we do not allow students to transfer courses from other graduate program. In the past, we have done so in extremely unusual and unforeseen circumstances. If you intend to transfer courses from another graduate program, please discuss the situation with your academic advisor once you are admitted to the program. You should assume you will not be allowed to transfer courses and should plan your academic program accordingly. Why is the graduate program located at Interwork Institute and not in the College of Education?

ARPE, the department that offers the Postsecondary Education and Student Affairs graduate programs, is one of eight departments in the College of Education. The Interwork Institute is the organizational home for the departments funded research, funded projects, and community partnerships. The large number of people required to staff these efforts requires space that is not available on campus. Also, being situated in the community reflects ARPEs mission and commitment to being accessible to its stakeholders. How do I file for a thesis?

In order to file for a thesis, you must have an official program filed and be advanced to candidacy. This can happen after you have completed 12 hours of course work. You must file forms through

the graduate committee and get signatures from your committee and committee chair. Are tuition waivers available?

A limited number of tuition waivers are available for out-of-state students. Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and working in a 20-hour per week assistantship position at SDSU to be considered. Students who are granted tuition waivers do not pay out-of-state fees and are allowed to attend SDSU at the California resident rate.
Please visit the FAQ page at the SDSU Graduate Divisions website for additional information about graduate admission:

http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/admissions/graduate/faq.html