The Department has established general time guidelines designed to help students progress toward their degree objective and to assist the faculty in assessing the student’s accomplishments. The normal period of time for completing M.S. degree requirements is 3 years. These are also the periods of time during which the student will normally be eligible to receive a departmental Teaching Assistantship or Laboratory Assistantship (TA or LA) or Graduate School Assistantship (GSA). In unusual circumstances, the Graduate Studies Committee will consider requests for additional support for up to one year. In such cases, an appeal to the Graduate Studies Committee must be made in writing with a letter of support from the major professor (faculty members supporting students on grants must also follow these guidelines). Advisory Committee for M.A. and M.S. Candidates Submit to the Graduate Coordinator within first semester of admission. Program of Study Submit, with a 1-3 page summary of the research project, to the Graduate Coordinator within 2 semesters. It is not necessary to include all courses taken (especially 7000) on the program of study although the program of study must contain at least the required minimum number of hours (see graduate bulletin). Program of Study should be given to Graduate Coordinator Assistant to type. Application for Graduation Submit to the Graduate School no later than the end of the 2nd week of classes, the semester that you plan to graduate (1st week of classes for summer graduates). Approval Form for Master’s Thesis and Final Oral Exam You should pick up the required defense paperwork from Graduate Coordinator Assistant prior to the start of your exam. Once the Advisory Committee approves the thesis and the student passes the final oral exam, the original of this completed form is sent to the Graduate School by the major professor with a copy to Graduate Coordinator Assistant, no later than two weeks prior to graduation.
