Advancement To Candidacy (ATC)

Steps to Completion:

  1. Submit your ATC after completing at least eighteen semester units, but no later than the semester before graduating.
  2. Find your ATC program from the dropdown menu below.
  3. Fill out your ATC online - no handwritten materials accepted.

    4. You May Now Submit the Advancement to Candidacy through a secure online portal.

    Watch a video on how to submit the ATC (Advancement Candidacy) online now!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfslofjDN_I

    Fill out your form through completion (typed forms only) and route the form to your advisor and Graduate Coordinator for approval following the steps listed below.

    Submitting Documents through the DocuSign Portal

    NOTE: Once you start the routing process for the ATC submission, make sure to complete the form in one session.

    To start the process click the link to "Online ATC Submission", then follow these steps:

  4. Enter your name and email address
  5. Enter the name and email address of your Graduate Program Advisor
  6. Enter the name and email address of your Department Chair/Graduate Program Coordinator (Find your Graduate Program Coordinator at: https://grad.sfsu.edu/content/graduate-coordinators)
  7. Enter the name and email address of your Graduate Program Specialist (Find your Graduate Program Specialist at: https://grad.sfsu.edu/content/graduate-program-specialists)

    8. NOTE: Faculty/staff will be notified upon submission of this form that you are requesting their signature on your ATC form. It is important that you submit accurate information for prompt review/approval.

  8. You will need to attach the Advancement to Candidacy Form in the next step. Click the paperclip icon to begin uploading 
  9. Click “Begin Upload”
  10. Browse to select the document that you wish to upload.
    1. If you need to upload multiple files you can click “Upload File” again to select more
  11. Once all documents are attached you can scroll down to review what will be uploaded
  12. If you are satisfied that everything needed has been attached click “FINISH” at the top of the page

Then you’re all done! You will be given an option to download or print a copy of everything that was submitted. Otherwise just click “Close” and you can exit out of the tab.

Click on the drop-down to download/view the ATC Forms:

 

 

 

For important details on what may be included on your ATC form visit the Graduate Studies Bulletin.

Occasionally, programs are unable to offer a course listed in the Bulletin as acceptable for the degree. When this occurs necessary paperwork must be submitted to amend the ATC form.

If an elective course is not offered or you have enrolled in a different elective after submission of the ATC, an ATC Substitution Form is required.

However, if a required core course is not offered, a Petition for Waiver of Graduate Program Regulations must be approved prior to enrolling in substituting course and submitted with the ATC form.

Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations requires that a master’s degree shall be completed in no more than seven years. Coursework expires and cannot be used to meet degree requirements after seven years. You can find when your coursework expires here in the Bulletin using our timeline to Degree Completion Table.