Mar 28, 2024  
CSU Maritime Academy 2015/16-2016/17 Catalog 
    
CSU Maritime Academy 2015/16-2016/17 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Transportation and Engineering Management - Humanitarian/Disaster Management Concentration, MS


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The Graduate Program


Master of Science in Transportation and Engineering Management


Cal Maritime is committed to the development of outstanding industry leaders through a graduate degree program that requires students to integrate critical thinking and best practices in a manner that enables them to face real-world challenges with poise, and to contribute to the body of knowledge and practice in their industry.

Cal Maritime’s Office of Graduate Studies, a division of the Department of Sponsored Projects and Extended Learning, offers a Master of Science degree in Transportation and Engineering Management, with areas of specialization in Transportation Management, Engineering Management, and Humanitarian Disaster Management.

The Office of Graduate Studies administers the policies and procedures established by Cal Maritime and the California State University. This catalog section presents these policies and procedures as related to graduate students in Cal Maritime’s graduate degree program.

Accreditation

Cal Maritime is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001 www.wascsenior.org.

Program Learning Objectives

Students in this program will meet educational outcomes in three areas.

Project Leadership

Graduates will:

  • Be able to create and lead a project team or multiple project teams, develop project proposals (including budgets and timelines) and manage the entire project life cycle.
  • Have expertise in systems analysis and operations research to support project development and management.
  • Apply decision making, technical, and human resource principles to manage projects in a dynamic business and global economic context.
Global Context

Graduates will:

  • Understand their organization’s role in a global context; including environmental issues, and political, social, and ethical norms.
  • Appreciate the security, economic, and legal dimensions that affect global supply chain management.
Management Components

Graduates will:

  • Have the ability to advance to higher levels of institutional responsibility with an increased understanding of organizational, financial, human resource and information systems management.
  • Recognize and appreciate one’s own ability to lead, direct, and advance the goals and vision of the organization.

Graduate Program Admission Requirements, Fees, and Policies


Admission Requirements

The requirements for admission to undertake graduate studies at a California State University campus are in accordance with university regulations and with the California Code of Regulations Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3. Specifically, a student shall, at the time of enrollment:

  • Have completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree, the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree, from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by appropriate campus authorities
  • Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended
  • Have attained a GPA of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted, or have earned a GPA of at least 2.5 on the last degree completed by the candidate
  • Satisfactorily meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards for graduate study, as evidenced by:
    • Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience beyond the bachelor’s degree, at least three (3) of which must be at a supervisory or managerial level. This work experience must be full-time, with written evidence documenting its nature and duration
      OR
    • Adequate performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), either of which may be substituted for the above professional experience requirements
  • Evidence of English language proficiency may be required of English as Secondary Language students

In unusual circumstances, exceptions may be made to these criteria at the discretion of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

These and other CSU admissions requirements are subject to change as policies are revised and laws are amended. The CSU website www.calstate.edu is a good source of the most up-to-date information.

The following items are required for an application to be considered complete:

  • Application for admission. The application is available at www.csum.edu/web/industry/graduate-studies/forms
  • $55 non-refundable application fee. Checks should be made payable to California State University, Maritime Academy. Cash and credit cards are also accepted
  • One original copy each of official transcripts from all colleges, universities, military training, and vocational training attended other than Cal Maritime.
  • Satisfactorily meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards for graduate study, as evidenced by one of the following:
    • Official test results on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. These tests are administered at test centers throughout the world.
    • To register for the GRE visit: http://www.ets.org/gre.
    • To register for the GMAT visit: http://www.mba.com
      OR
    • Two letters of recommendation demonstrating a minimum of five (5) successful years of professional experience beyond the bachelor’s degree, at least three (3) of which must be at a supervisory or managerial level. These letters should come from supervisors and business associates who can discuss knowledgeably your leadership, management, and academic abilities

The completed application, the non-refundable $55 application fee, and all supporting documents must be submitted online or mailed to the Office of Graduate Studies, CSU Maritime Academy, 200 Maritime Academy Drive, Vallejo, CA 94590-8181

Fees and Payment Schedule

The total student cost for the 5-semester program is $27,000, and includes all fees and expenses. This fixed price is guaranteed provided the student stays on track and completes the degree within the expected time frame.

An initial $1,000 non-refundable security deposit will be required to secure a space once a student has been admitted. That amount will be subtracted from the total program cost, leaving a $26,000 balance. That remaining amount is divided into 5 equal payments of $5,200 each. Payments will be due before the beginning of each semester.

In the event that a student withdraws, semester fees are non-refundable once a student has logged into that semester’s course or courses.

Federal loans and other programs have been identified and set up for students making an application. Employers may also assist students with the cost of the program. Students should contact Cal Maritime’s Financial Aid Department, or their employers for more information.

Program Policies and Expectations


Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students admitted to graduate programs are expected to make systematic and successful progress towards the completion of their programs. The following policies are designed to assist the student in that endeavor.

Students must take the prescribed number and sequence of courses for their area of specialization. Students’ work must give evidence of graduate level writing proficiency.

A GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained in all courses to satisfy the requirements of the degree. Additionally, any grade below a C will not count towards meeting the degree requirements. This standard applies to all graduate students, including candidates in graduate-level certificate programs. A student will be placed on academic probation and will be subject to dismissal if his or her cumulative GPS falls below 3.0.

Grading System

Students’ work is graded using the A - F system. GPA computations are made as follows: A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, and F=0.0. Course syllabi include a discussion of each individual instructor’s grading policy and how it applies to that particular course. In cases where the assigned letter grade is modified by a + or - suffix, the resulting numeric grade will reflect the appropriate fractional adjustment in the GPA.

Academic Probation

A graduate student will be placed on academic probation if the student’s GPA falls below 3.0 in any given semester. Consistent with guidelines issued by the Chancellor of The California State University, a graduate student may also be placed on probation for repeated withdrawal from the program, failure to progress toward an educational objective, and for noncompliance with the graduate department’s program requirements.

A student placed on academic probation will be notified in writing via letter or e-mail. This notification will include the conditions that must be met to be removed from academic probation, and the circumstances which may lead to disqualification. Students shall be removed from academic probation once they have met the terms and conditions established in the Notification of Academic Probation letter and their cumulative graduate GPA reaches at least 3.0 or higher.

Academic Suspension and Removal From the Program

Students who are on academic probation for two consecutive semesters, or who fail to meet the terms and conditions established in the Notification of Academic Probation letter within the specified time frame, will be suspended or disqualified from continuing in the program. A student placed on academic suspension or disqualification from the program will be notified in writing via letter or e-mail and will be provided with the reasons which led to their disqualification.

Reinstatement

In order to be considered for reinstatement, a disqualified student must demonstrate academic ability by completing conditions determined by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The student may then petition the Office of Graduate Studies for reinstatement. The student must submit the petition for reinstatement no later than three weeks before the start of the semester in which the student intends to return. The Office of Graduate Studies will only consider petitions for reinstatement from students who have remained outside the university for at least one full (Fall, Spring or Summer) semester after their dismissal. Students who are disqualified, then reinstated, and who become disqualified a second time, will not be granted a second reinstatement.

Leave of Absence

Students called to or engaged in public service for reasons beyond their control will not lose registration priority, academic credit, fees, or degree status. Such activities may include military service, fire-fighting, or public security. To accommodate such students, Cal Maritime will accept withdrawals at any point throughout the semester. Students may be granted an extended leave of absence for up to two years for engagement in public service beyond their control. If currently enrolled, they must file a leave-of-absence form with the Office of Graduate Studies.

An approved leave-of-absence will ensure that students retain their catalog rights and that they can register for subsequent terms without reapplying for admission.

The federal government determines possible student loan grace and deferment provisions based on the circumstances of involvement in a particular public service. Should the federal government modify its regulations governing various loan programs, Cal Maritime will adopt those modifications for its students.

Enrollment in the Capstone

In order to enroll in the graduate program’s Capstone course, students must have completed all required courses in the program with passing grades, and they must have resolved any outstanding Incomplete grades. Students who are on academic probation or who have an unresolved Incomplete grade in any course may not pursue the Capstone course without prior written approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Procedure for an Unqualified Student to Petition for Permission to Enroll in the Capstone Course

Permission for an unqualified student to enroll in the Capstone course may be granted in the rare occasion that a student has only one outstanding course to retake or one outstanding Incomplete to resolve. The student must demonstrate the ability to successfully resolve outstanding issues within a stated period of time through the submission of an approved action plan. The period allowed may not exceed the period of time necessary for completion of the Capstone project. The student must pay full tuition for the semester(s) during which this resolution is addressed, and will not be eligible to pay the lower continuous enrollment fee.

Continuous Enrollment

Unless granted a formal leave-of-absence, graduate students are expected to register for every semester from their initial enrollment through the completion of their program, including the semester in which their degree or certificate is to be awarded. Students who have taken the Capstone course and whose project is either not filed or not approved by the end of the Capstone course are required to remain continuously enrolled (including the Summer semester) until the project is completed and approved.

Qualifying for the Continuous Enrollment Fee

If a student has completed all requirements for a degree except the filing and/or approval of the Capstone project, the student may be eligible to pay a continuous enrollment fee for the following semester instead of registering at the full semester fee rate. This exception may apply to no more than the semester immediately following the semester during which the student was enrolled in the Capstone course.

In order for the student to qualify for the continuous enrollment fee, the following conditions must be satisfied.

  • All formal requirements for the degree except for filing and/or approval of the finished Capstone project must be completed before the first day of the semester for which the continuous enrollment fee is being requested
  • From the last day of the previous qualifying semester and up to the first day of the semester for which the continuous enrollment fee is being sought, the combined use of Cal Maritime faculty and staff time must not exceed 12 hours
  • For the approval of the Capstone project the student’s Capstone Committee has suggested only stylistic or typographical changes in the Capstone project, rather than a change of the project itself
  • The student must have been enrolled at the full semester fee during the qualifying semester

Procedure for Student to Establish Eligibility to Pay the Continuous Enrollment Fee

The student must complete a continuous enrollment fee application which all members of his or her Capstone Committee must sign to certify that the four qualifying conditions have been met. Forms for this purpose are available at the Office of Graduate Studies.

The student should submit the completed form to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval. If the Dean of Graduate Studies approves the continuous enrollment fee application, the student will be billed for the amount of the continuous enrollment fee rather than at the full semester rate. Otherwise, the full semester fee will be charged.

Important Notes Regarding Continuous Enrollment

Students paying the continuous enrollment fee are not eligible for the services normally available to regularly registered students. They are limited to the use of the library and e-mail resources, and the attention of the Capstone Committee members as necessary for consultation and final approval of the Capstone project. If, after paying the continuous enrollment fee in any one semester, a student should find it necessary to use the educational facilities of the university in any way other than within the limits described above, then the student must resume registration at the full enrollment fee rate. If this should occur during a semester in which the student has already paid the continuous enrollment fee, the student will be billed for the balance of the full semester fees.

In addition:

  • A student may not use the continuous enrollment fee for the purpose of taking coursework of any kind
  • A student paying the continuous enrollment fee is not considered to be enrolled for the purpose of deferring student loans, and is not guaranteed eligibility for financial aid
  • The continuous enrollment fee will not be refunded if the Capstone project is not filed or approved

In as much as the semester of continuous enrollment does not bear academic credit, it will not appear on a student’s transcript.

Standards of Integrity and Civility

Cal Maritime enforces its regulations that forbid cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of inappropriate and unethical academic conduct. Students found guilty of these inappropriate actions will not be permitted to continue in the Graduate Program. Conduct within the online environment as exemplified by postings in the course discussion forums and email communication is expected to exhibit a level of courtesy consistent with a professional interchange.

Eligibility for a Master’s Degree

To be eligible for the Master’s degree, the candidate shall meet the following minimum requirements:

  • The successful completion of the specified course of study approved by the Curriculum Committee at Cal Maritime consisting of thirty semester units of graduate work. An overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) is required
  • Satisfactory completion of a Capstone project.

Commencement Participation

In order to participate in the Spring commencement ceremony, students must have successfully completed all degree requirements and fulfilled all financial obligations to Cal Maritime. In limited situations, students whose Capstone project will be accepted and approved in the Summer semester immediately following commencement may be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony as a “Walk Only” candidate with prior written approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies to participate as such. Under no circumstances will a student who has outstanding financial obligations to Cal Maritime be permitted to participate in commencement.

Procedure for an Unqualified Student to Participate in Commencement

Students who will complete their degree requirements by completing the Capstone project in the summer semester following commencement may be eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony as a “Walk Only” candidate provided they file a Declaration of Intent to Graduate form showing project approval as achievable by the August immediately following commencement. The Declaration of Intent to Graduate form must be approved by the student’s Capstone Mentor and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Program General Policies

Where no separate policy for graduate students is stated, the equivalent policy for Cal Maritime undergraduate students prevails. A clear understanding of program requirements and procedures as outlined in the Cal Maritime Catalog and at www.csum.edu/grad will guide the student and will help avoid final semester problems and graduation delays. It is ultimately the graduate student’s responsibility to be aware of all academic requirements and administrative deadlines of the program.

Graduate Program Curriculum


Students enroll in one of three areas of specialization. The choices include Transportation, Engineering Management, and Humanitarian Disaster Management. Before taking courses in their area of specialization students will complete 5 courses in a core management curriculum. They will then complete 4 courses in their area of specialization. The final course, the Capstone course, will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their learning through an extensive project. Successful completion of the 10 courses is required to earn the degree.

Format

The Graduate Program is offered in a fully-online asynchronous format using the Moodle platform. It is expected that the online graduate student will fully participate in the various aspects of this distance-learning program, such as reading and working extensively on his or her own and using the Internet to communicate about their learning. Discussion forums, papers, presentations, and exams are used to evaluate student progress. Students will also be required to participate in web conferences, chat forums, and other group activities on the Internet. It is the student’s responsibility to be able to use these tools effectively. The Graduate Program website features tutorials and written instruction on using the features of the Internet course delivery platform used for this program. Students also have access to IT personnel for support and guidance.

Online instruction is available to the student 24/7 during the semesters in which he or she is enrolled. Participation is measured through the completion of assignments, through postings in discussion forums, and as otherwise specified in individual course syllabi.

Cohort Model

The program is laid out in a sequential manner, with each course building on the one before it. Students proceed through the courses as a cohort, and belong to the same group throughout the duration of the program. The cohort model has been proven to be particularly effective for learning in an online environment. For this reason, each cohort begins together in the Fall semester, and completes the five semesters together.

Course Descriptions


Core Courses

Students complete all the core courses except TEM 900 - Capstone  before beginning coursework in their area of specialization.

Areas of Concentration


Calendar


There are three semesters a year in the graduate degree program: Fall, Spring and Summer. These semesters conform with the undergraduate program’s Fall and Spring semesters as designated on the campus academic calendar and posted online at https://www.csum.edu/web/registrar/calendar. A 12-week Summer semester is scheduled during the months between the Fall and Spring semesters.

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