When do I need to submit a Graduate Approval form?

In general, you need to submit a Graduate Work Approval form twenty days (20) in advance:

1. If you're taking a class or enrolling in a masters degree program from an institution that is not pre-approved by our district (see list below).
2. Any time you're taking a distance-learning/online class. The only exception to this is when you are enrolled in an approved masters program and some of the classes in the program are offered online. If the masters program is completely offered online, you should submit a graduate work approval, even if it's from one of the pre-approved institutions.

Pre-Approved Instituions (Note: Approval for these institutions does not include classes offered through extension or professional dev. enhancement )

All University of California schools	Claremont Graduate University	National University
All Cal. State Universities	Concordia University	Pepperdine University
Chapman University	Loyola Marymount	University, Southern California
		Vanguard University

What classes/courses are eligible for graduate work approval?
CUEA Contract Language says: "Staff Development activities taken through CUSD academies or workshops and graduate level coursework, including Master's and Doctoral degree programs, completed through approved institutions no longer require prior graduate work approval, provided the course(s) meets the requirements set forth in Article 14.4.4.2. The approved units shall:
a. be required for a degree in the present teaching field; or,
b. be required for a certificate needed for the employee's present position; or,
c. be required for an organized program of a credential or advanced degree in an educationally related field;
d. be required for an individual's current teaching assignment and/or needs of the district;
e. provide background or resource material for the unit member which will directly benefit the students in his/her class(es);
f. be required for a special education or bilingual certificate; or
g. be required for supplementary authorization for a unit member currently on a waiver.

What happens when I submit a graduate work approval?
IF APPROVED: Once your Graduate Work Approval is approved , it will be forwarded to the Personnel office.

IF DENIED: Your Graduate Work approval form will returned to your school with the reason for denial specified. If you wish to appeal the denial, you can complete an appeals form and have the appeals committee review the issue. (Click here for appeals form)