Regulatory Science

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FAQ

General Information

What types of Regulatory Science educational options are offered by San Diego State University?

We offer an MS in Regulatory Affairs degree, an Advanced Certificate in Regulatory Affairs, and the flexibility to enroll in individual Regulatory Science courses for professional development. The MS in RA degree is a 37-unit program, which can be completed within 1.5-2.5 years. The 12-unit RA Advanced Certificate can be completed within 5-12 months.

How long has the MS in RA degree been offered at San Diego State University?

The MS in RA degree program started Fall 1999. In May 2001, the program graduated its 1st class.

How do I contact the Regulatory Science program office?

San Diego State University, College of Sciences
Regulatory Affairs
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-1010
Website: regsci.sdsu.edu
Email: regsci@sdsu.edu

Ana Righellis-Regulatory Science Program Coordinator
Phone: 619-594-6030
Email: righellis@sdsu.edu

Obtaining an Advanced Certificate

How do I start the Advanced Certificate in Regulatory Affairs?

Students interested in earning the Advanced Certificate in Regulatory Affairs need to apply for admission to the University for this program through Cal State Apply and will be required to submit official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree. Select “Certificate: Regulatory Affairs” when submitting your application.

Students who are in the process of applying may take up to two courses before being admitted to the University. You must be accepted to the University before you take your third course.

What is the deadline to apply for the Advanced Certificate in Regulatory Affairs?

The deadline to apply for Fall is July 1st. The deadline to apply for Spring is September 30th.

Can the four Advanced Certificate courses in Regulatory Affairs be applied toward the MS in RA degree?

Yes. Note that you must have completed a baccalaureate degree before enrolling in a course that you wish to transfer into the Advanced Certificate or Masters Degree Program. However, students can take courses for professional development without having a baccalaureate degree or applying to the University.

Is the Advanced Certificate in Regulatory Affairs offered by San Diego State University the same as the Regulatory Affairs Certification offered by RAPS?

The Advanced Certificate in Regulatory Affairs offered by SDSU is NOT the same as the Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) offered by the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS). The Advanced Certificate in Regulatory Affairs involves the completion of certificate courses. You must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better to qualify for the Advanced Certificate. For information about the RAC exam, please visit the RAPS website.

Applying for the Degree Program

How do I apply for the MS in Regulatory Affairs degree program?

You can find detailed application process on this website.

What is the deadline to apply for the MS in Regulatory Affairs degree program?

The deadline to apply for Fall is July 1st. The deadline to apply for Spring is September 30th.

Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in a field of science or engineering to apply to the MS in RA degree program?

You must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in order to apply to the Master’s program. Successful applicants to the professional masters degree program will generally possess a background in one of the disciplines offered in the life and physical sciences, or engineering. However, all highly-motivated students with a strong interest in regulatory affairs are encouraged to apply.

Am I required to take the GRE to apply for admission to the MS in RA degree program?

The GRE is NOT a requirement for this program.

What is the minimum undergraduate GPA score required for admission to the MS in RA degree program?

SDSU requires domestic graduate applicants to have a minimum 2.85 undergraduate GPA and international applicants are required to have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA under 2.85 may be admitted conditionally.

Can I complete the MS in RA degree program without coming to the SDSU campus?

Yes. All courses are delivered fully online. We have a very diverse student body from all around the world. One of the benefits of our program is the professional network of faculty and fellow students that is cultivated during the program of study.

Timeline for Completing Degree

How long do I have to complete all the degree requirements?

All degree requirements must be completed within seven (7) years of starting your coursework.

Registering & Paying for a Course

How can I find out when Regulatory Science courses will be offered?

You can find the schedule of classes on this website.

Are there prerequisites for the Regulatory Science courses?

Yes, Regulatory Science courses do have prerequisites. Prerequisites are used to ensure that students have the foundational knowledge to succeed in the course. However, a prerequisite may be waived based on industry experience. If there is any question, please contact the Program Coordinator at righellis@sdsu.edu.

How do I register for Regulatory Science courses?

Since all of our courses are run online as special sessions (more condensed than the University’s regular semester time frames), registration is done through SDSU Global Campus. Contact the Regulatory Science program at 619-594-6030 or righellis@sdsu.edu to obtain a link to register.

What is the deadline for registering in a Regulatory Science course?

The deadline to register is the Monday one week before the course start date. Students may be allowed to register through the end of the first week of the course with departmental approval, which will be determined on a case-by-case basis dependent upon on space availability in the desired course(s). Contact the Regulatory Science program at 619-594-6030 or righellis@sdsu.edu for more information.

How much do the programs cost?

Payment for the Regulatory Science programs and individual Regulatory Science courses is on a course-by-course basis. As of Spring ’24, the fee is $1,100 per unit. The total cost for the Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs degree program is $40,700, which is on the more affordable end of the spectrum for regulatory masters programs nation-wide. The SDSU Regulatory Science program is self-supporting and receives no public monies in financial support of its operation.

Does San Diego State University offer financial aid?

Financial aid is available to students in the MS program. For more information about financial aid, please visit http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/fao/index.html.

Taking a Course

I have registered in an Regulatory Science course–what now? How do I start the course?

You will receive information about accessing your course in your registration confirmation email. You will also receive this information in an email from your instructor prior to the first day of the course.

Do I have to purchase books and course materials separately?

Your fee will include course materials for most Regulatory Science courses; however, there are some courses where students are required to purchase textbook(s). Please visit the Course Materials page for more information.

How does an online course work?

Almost all course activities are asynchronous, meaning that you do not have to be online on any particular day/time to participate in the course. Some activities, such as role plays and presentations, may require all students to participate at the same time. There are weekly assignments, including WebExercises and discussion boards based on the weekly readings. You can access weekly lectures online. Written transcripts and mp3 files of the lectures are also available.

I have taken graduate-level courses in the past. Will these units transfer towards the MS degree?

Eleven units can be transferred into the Masters Program, including our courses, before being admitted to the University. Six units can be transferred into the Advanced Certificate program. Graduate advisor approval is required. Contact the Regulatory Science program at 619-594-6030 or righellis@sdsu.edu for more information.

Dropping a Course

What is the deadline for withdrawing from a course? Will I receive a refund?

Deadline information can be found on the SDSU-Global Campus Academic Calendar website. Note that students are eligible for a full refund (minus processing fees) only if they withdraw before the course starts. 65% of the fee will be refunded if students withdraw within the first two weeks of the course, after which time there is no refund and a withdrawal petition must be filed. Details of withdrawal policy and refund information can be found at https://ces.sdsu.edu/registration-information#refund