Graduate Student Classifications at the University
Unclassified
Conditionally classified
Classified
Advancement to candidacy
Students working toward their M.A. in Economics at California State University, Sacramento have different classifications within the University. It is important to know where you are and whether or not to you need to change your classification.
Please be aware of upcoming deadlines imposed by the Office of Graduate Studies.
Unclassified
Students not admitted to a graduate program are unclassified. This classification applies to students who plan to complete coursework toward the M.A. in Economics before they are admitted. Unclassified students take courses through Open University and may count a maximum of 6 units toward the graduate degree. The student should apply for admission to the program the semester before he/she plans to begin graduate-level coursework in the M.A. program.
Undergraduate students at California State University, Sacramento may enroll in courses they plan to count toward their M.A. in Economics. However, they may only transfer a total of 6 units toward the M.A. degree. These units must be taken in excess of what is needed to satisfy the requirements for the baccalaureate degree.
Conditionally Classified
Conditional classification means a student is admitted to the M.A. Program in Economics, but must meet specific conditions during the first two or three semesters of completing graduate coursework. In Economics, common conditions are:
- Completing prerequisite coursework (MATH 26A/30, ECON 100A, and ECON 100B) with a B or better
(applicant is missing one or more prerequisites) - Completing a second semester of calculus or other mathematics coursework with a B or better before enrolling in ECON 200M
(applicant is missing GRE scores or has not taken calculus for several semesters) - Completing ECON 200M with a B or better, AND completing ECON 200A OR ECON 200B with a B or better.
(applicant's GRE scores are low or missing)
Most of the conditions above are requirements for the M.A. program, so they do not impose additional restrictions on the student who has provided a complete application. A student admitted to the graduate program with Conditional Classification may change his/her status to Classified, once the conditions for admission are satisfied. The Application for Classification should be completed as soon as the individual student's conditions for admission are met.
If a student fails to meet the conditions above, he/she may be disqualified from the M.A. program. If a student is unsuccessful in meeting the conditions on his/her first attempt with coursework, then the student should see the Graduate Coordinator as soon as possible.
Classified
Applicants who show promise of success will be admitted to graduate degree curricula, and only those who continue to demonstrate a satisfactory level of scholastic achievement will be successful in the M.A. program in Economics. This is based on the applicants coursework in economics and mathematics, overall GPA and GPA in the last 60 units of university-level coursework, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation.
Classified graduate students are enrolled in the M.A. program without additional restrictions. Classified graduate students are eligible to apply for Advancement to Candidacy. As long as the student is successful in completing the requirements for the M.A. in Economics and remains in good academic standing (3.0 GPA overall), then he/she may continue work toward the M.A. degree.
Advancement to Candidacy
Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy as soon as the graduate student has:
- successfully completed ECON 141 , ECON 200M, ECON 200A , and ECON 200B with a minimum grade of "B";
- be enrolled, or have successfully completed ECON 200C;
- been recommended for advancement by the Graduate Committee; and
- passed the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) or secured approval for a WPE waiver.
Students must be classified (not conditionally classified) to apply for advancement to candidacy.
The student fills out Advancement to Candidacy form after planning a degree program in consultation with the Economics Department Graduate Coordinator. The completed form is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval. Please pay close attention to deadlines, as you will not be allowed to register for the Master's Thesis until you have been advanced to candidacy by the Office of Graduate Studies. Your advancement to candidacy form must be filed according to the following deadlines:
- Fall registration: November 1
- Summer registration: March 1
- Spring registration: May 1
There are sometimes exceptions to the conditions stated above, especially in cases when the student has to repeat a course, or is following a non-standard sequence of coursework. In these cases, the student should consult with the Graduate Coordinator as soon as possible to avoid delays in graduation.