Most Frequently Asked Questions
For Current MPH Students

 What if I want to take a 400 or 500 level class outside of our department?

In most cases, these classes will require a permit. Please e-mail the coordinator the following information:
Your name, your student ID #, the course name and number, and the section number. The coordinator will work with the other department to obtain a permit. After you are permitted you can add the class.

 What classes can I take through intersession/summer?

Normally, our department offers HESC510 during the summer. Other than that, you can take other 400 and 500 level courses taught in other departments. Please verify with the coordinator that they can be used on your graduate study plan and they fit your advisory track.

 Can I take internship over the summer?

No. You cannot register for internship over the summer. However, if you have enrolled in 6 units in the spring and need time to finish your hours this could be arranged. Please see the MPH Internship Coordinator.

 What is the maximum number of units I can be enrolled in?

12 units. If you decide to enroll in more units you will need to get an excess unit petition form signed (http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm)
and brought back to admissions to exceed 12 units.

What if I need to make a change in my approved study plan?

You need to print out the “changes in study plan” form located on the graduate studies website http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm
and submit it to the program coordinator. Study plan changes should meet the requirements of your advisory track. This will be placed in your file until your graduation check has been processed. At this time, approved changes will be documented on your study plan.

How often should I see the Program Coordinator?

We recommend that you check in with the coordinator once per semester. However, if you are making changes to your study plan, filing a grad check, or have questions about project/thesis processes you should speak to the coordinator as soon as possible.
If you have questions about choosing appropriate faculty for your thesis/project research or you have questions about your research expectations, you should speak with the Academic Program Coordinator.

Will Health Science 500 level classes ever be full?

These classes are restricted to you and will not close. However, it is a good idea to enroll in them during Titan I (especially electives). If we do not have enough students, there is a chance that we would cancel the class (although we haven’t done so yet).

What if I want to take a class for credit outside the University while enrolled in the MPH program?

You must write up a formal request including why you want to take this course, institution name, dates, units and course description including schedule number. The program coordinator must get prior approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies before you can take this class.

How long do I have to make-up an incomplete?

You have one calendar year to complete your work and get a grade change submitted before the incomplete turns into an “ IC” which is equivalent to an “F”.

What if I am trying to register for HESC599 (independent study), HESC550 (internship) or HESC597/598 (project/thesis) and can’t add it?

These course are restricted courses. You must have a permit to register for HESC550, HESC597 or HESC598 and HESC599. There are forms that you must complete before you can be issued a permit. These forms are located at http://hhd.fullerton.edu/hesc/forms/forms.htm
In order to register for internship, you must see internship coordinator after all core classes (HESC500, HESC501, HESC508, HESC515, HESC524 and HESC540) have been completed.

When should I file a Graduation Check?

A graduation check must be filed prior to the beginning of the semester in which you graduate. To file a grad check you must go to admissions and records and pay a fee of $115.00. Be sure to check with the program coordinator to verify that you have met the graduation requirements.

What if I don’t finish my thesis/project in the semester which I am enrolled?

If you don’t finish your project or thesis and have no additional courses to take, you must stay continuously enrolled in the University. You’ll need to enroll in GS-700. This allows you to stay continuously enrolled and pay a reduced course fee. Go to the office of Graduate Studies MH-103 for a GS-700 enrollment form. The only time you do not need to enroll in GS700 is over the summer.

Can I graduate over summer?

Yes. If you have previously applied to graduate in the spring, you will need to move your graduation check forward to summer by going to admissions and records and paying a $10.00 fee to move the graduation date from Spring to Summer. You also need to have the summer completion formed located at
(http://www.fullerton.edu/graduate/forms.htm)

If I want to go through ceremonies for the coming year when must I graduate?

You can graduate in Fall, Spring or Summer of that calendar year. For example: if you plan to go through ceremonies in the Spring ’09, you need to graduate in Fall ’08,  Spring ’09 or Summer ‘09. If you have one class to take and it is not offered until the following fall (Fall ’09), you cannot go through ceremonies. You would need to wait until the following May ceremony. During the fall there are no ceremonies.

 Can I walk in May if I have one more class to take?

As long as you applied for Spring or Summer graduation and plan to graduate then.

I understand posters are required to be presented at the spring symposium. What if I graduate in Fall?

You must still turn in a “8 ½  X 11” form of your poster and include it on CD rom with your project. Most students make special arrangements to attend the spring symposium and present their poster.

Questions about your thesis/projects must be directed to your thesis/project chair. A few important points to remember:

1) You must complete all the necessary paperwork before you can be permitted to add the thesis/project course. If you are doing a thesis and scheduling your oral proposal- this must be scheduled a minimum one week in advance so proper notice can be issued.
Please remember to bring your thesis proposal form to your proposal for signature.

2) Always check the “schedule of classes”. The schedule of classes has important information on it including: registration, last day to add a class, last day to withdrawal, last day to get your thesis into the thesis reader, final examination schedule etc.

3) Always make at least 2 copies of your project or thesis. You must turn in a bound official hard copy of your thesis to the department. If you are doing a project, you must turn in a bound/notebook original of your project. A binder clip will not work. If you are doing a project you must also submit your project and poster on CD-rom. Posters must also be printed out “8 ½ X 11” and included in your project.