Incoming Graduate Student FAQS

Coursework/Program-Related FAQs:

This depends on your program of study. Please contact your program’s graduate coordinator or your academic advisor for guidance.

Please contact the department offering the course.

We recommend that you contact your program’s graduate coordinator for guidance. Additionally, you can contact the Career Center for assistance on internship opportunities and industry connections.

As a student, your instructor will add the current syllabus to Canvas. If you would like to see past syllabi for reference and in anticipation of an upcoming course where a syllabus has not been finalized, you should contact the instructor to see if they are willing to provide that. As a graduate teaching assistant, you should have access to your previously taught courses over the course of teaching on Canvas.

Yes, in some instances, depending on the program of study, graduate students teach undergraduate courses. Please contact your program’s graduate coordinator for guidance.

We recommend that you contact your committee chair or academic advisor.

Please contact your program’s graduate coordinator or academic advisor for guidance. Also, please note enrollment conditions required for financial aid.

Depending on your graduate program, there are several on-campus graduate student-led clubs and associations that may be available to you. We recommend reviewing MyBAR to see if any graduate student clubs pertain to you. We also recommend that you contact your program’s graduate coordinator for more information.

We recommend that you email your program advisor to set up an appointment, which will likely be virtually conducted on Zoom.

We recommend that you check BroncoDirect for your registration appointment. For which courses to take, find your graduate coordinator.

We recommend that you contact your program’s graduate coordinator for guidance. Find your graduate coordinator.

We recommend that you contact your class instructor or your program’s graduate coordinator for guidance.

The graduate coordinator will answer questions specific to your program. The Graduate Studies Office will assist with general information on academic policies, procedures, and graduation requirements.

Yes. They expire after seven years.

Student Support Services, Campus Amenities, Tips:

Please go to Parking Services to purchase a permit and learn more about designated parking areas.

As a CPP student you can use the gym. Please visit the BRIC website for more membership information.

You can visit Transportation Services for more information.

We have a Student Health Services Center, Bronco Cares Needs Program, Bronco Wellness Center, and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). For more information, please visit: Social & Emotional Support.

For on- and off- campus tips, see Nearby Attractions.

Please visit the Bronco One Card website for instructions on how to obtain your Bronco One Card.

All campus services will be open and available on campus starting August 19. The protocol may depend on the service provided—some may be walk-ins, some may be by appointment. Please see the Safer Return to Campus site for updates.

Depending on your graduate program, there are on campus student-led clubs and associations that may be available to you. We recommend reviewing MyBAR to see if any graduate student clubs pertain to you. We also recommend that you contact your graduate coordinator or instructors for more information.

For intramural sports, visit the Intramural Sports Leagues page. For competitive athletics, please contact staff on the Bronco Athletics Staff Directory page.

For more information and to schedule a campus tour, please visit: Campus Tours.

For resources and support for parenting students, please visit: Parenting Student Support Services

For more information, please visit:

No, parking will not be waived at orientation. All students who RSVP'd to orientation will receive a follow-up email that will include parking information. Please go to Parking Services to purchase a permit or go to Parking Permits Pay Stations (cpp.edu) to learn about a daily parking permit.

For any questions you may have related to the Veterans Resource Center, please visit Veterans Resource Center.

You can visit the Career Center for networking opportunities. You can also contact gradstudies@cpp.edu to hear more information about our Graduate Peer Mentoring Program.

Financial-Related FAQs:

These can be viewed at the Student Accounting and Cashiering Services: Graduate Student Tuition and Fees

You need to apply like any other job. Log in to Handshake (through the Career Center) to view openings. The Financial Aid Office determines if students are eligible for any work-study funds.

Please see Financial Aid and Scholarships for an overview: Graduate Students Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. For scholarships, there are CSU Systemwide Scholarships and Cal Poly Pomona Scholarships.

Log into your BroncoDirect Account. On the left-hand side, click on the "Financial" tab. Click on your financial aid package. Scroll to the bottom of the page and find "Accept/Decline Awards" to accept loans. For further assistance, please visit the Financial Aid Graduate Student site.

Please visit the Career Center for assistance. You can log in to Handshake (through the Career Center) to see a listing of on-campus jobs.

For any questions you may have related to paying your tuition, please contact SACS at: Contact Us (cpp.edu).

Orientation FAQs

Yes

The orientation will be held in person, however there will be a virtual option for students who cannot attend in person.

No, but highly recommended.

We do not allow for plus ones to attend orientation due to space limitations.

Business casual is recommended, but not required. Please dress how you feel most comfortable.

If you need to make a special dietary request, please email gradstudies@cpp.edu and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Yes, this is a general university orientation, not program specific. Please consult with your graduate coordinator on any questions you have about your specific department orientation.

Incoming Graduate Student FAQS

Coursework/Program-Related FAQs:

1. How much freedom do I have in choosing electives? Can we take more classes than the schedule suggests?

2. Who should graduate students contact to request permission numbers to enroll in undergraduate courses that advisors are requiring us to complete (if applicable)?

3. What research opportunities are available for graduate students? How do I get internship opportunities and industry connections and placements?

4. How do we have access to past syllabi?

5. Can graduate students teach undergraduate courses?

6. Do students buy their thesis or project research related items or does their lab purchase them?

7. How many units should I take each semester?

8. How can I get more involved with my master's program since I have a full-time job?

9. Can we meet with our specific college/program advisors?

10. When do we register for classes and what classes are we supposed to take the first semester?

11. Enrollment for classes that are essential for the program are not appearing on BroncoDirect. How do I enroll in these classes? Will new sections open?

12. I am on the wait list for a few of my master's courses, and every other one is also wait listed. What does this mean for my first semester?

13. When do you go to your graduate program department coordinator vs university graduate studies department?

14. Do my classes ever expire?

Student Support Services, Campus Amenities, Tips:

1. What is the parking situation? Where can I park? How do I get a parking permit?

2. Can we use the gym?

3. Any tips to avoid traffic?

4. Can I have information on Student Health Services and mental health resources?

5. What are some fun things to do in the area? What are some places to eat and study?

6. How do I get a Bronco ID card?

7. What resources we will have available to use, such as the library, computer/print labs, metal/wood shop? How will some of the University’s services operate in the fall semester, i.e., the recreation center/gym, the library or any study spaces that can be reserved for grad students?

8. Which clubs/extracurricular activities are available?

9. Are there possibilities for graduate students to take part in college athletics?

10. How can I get a campus tour?

11. Are there any available resources for students who are parents?

12. Where can I find information about CPT & OPT?

13. Will parking be waived at orientation?

14. Where can I find information about the Veterans Resource Center and the Cal Vet Fee Waiver?

15. Where can I find networking opportunities at Cal Poly Pomona?

Financial-Related FAQs:

1. How much are university auxiliary fees?

2. How does work study work? Is a job assigned to me or do I apply for a job?

3. What are some tips on financing grad school and helpful scholarship and grant opportunities?

4. How do I accept a loan?

5. Are there on-campus/off-campus jobs for students? I'm looking for a job while in my program.

6. Where can I pay my tuition for this semester?

Orientation FAQs

1. Will it be recorded?

2. Will it be strictly virtual?

3. Is this mandatory to attend?

4. Are there any required documents I need to bring to orientation?

5. Can I bring a plus one to orientation?

6. Is there a specific attire we need to be aware of for orientation?

7. Will there be gluten-free options at orientation?

8. Is my department orientation different than the CPP Welcome Orientation?