Masters Program Guide
All Masters Students must complete the following requirements before graduation:
Lindsey Lectures: All students must enroll in CHEN 681: Seminar each semester you are on campus and attend Lindsey Lectures
and/or any additional seminars as requested by the department.
The Department expects Masters students to maintain both an overall and Core Course GPA of 3.0.
Advisor Selection
Students will attend weekly seminars given by Faculty to become familiar with research activities in
the department. You then will submit a list of research advisors you would like to work for. You are
required to list 3 different choices and cannot repeat any faculty member. Decisions will be made
by mid-October and then you will then join their group.
Year 1
File a Degree Plan
You should submit your degree plan to the Graduate and Professional school online at http://
[Link] by the end of the Spring semester. It will formalize your courses and com-mittee.
• The degree plan must include 32 hours for MS students and have 3 committee members. The
graduate program coordinator will be the default Chair.
• Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for specific course and department require-
ments.
Research Proposal
The Research proposal will outline your proposed work for completing your thesis. Advisors typical-
ly look for rationale for the proposed work, hypotheses, supporting data, approaches, alternate
hypotheses/approaches, and an overall timeline in a proposal. Proposals should be a minimum of
10 pages and be a sufficient, quality document. The proposal (Proposal Approval Page and hard
copy of your document) should be submitted to the graduate office by August 31st.
CHEN 696
Students should register for CHEN 696 in the Fall semester
Year 2
Attend a pre-submittal conference with the Thesis Office. More information can be
found online at: [Link]
Pick up and review Graduation check list in your last semester.
Masters Program Guide
Thesis Defense
Once you and your Advisor believe you are ready to complete your Thesis Deference, you will need to
Year 2 cont.
complete the following steps:
• Set a date in which all of your committee can attend & schedule a room through the Graduate
Office.
• Complete the Request & Announcement of Final Exam from Graduate and Professional School
and submit to the Graduate Office.
• Send a copy of your Thesis to your committee 2 weeks prior to date. Ashley or Terah must be
copied on the email. Submit Abstract, Title and picture for Defense Announcement.
• Your Advisor will bring all the required forms to your defense. Upload your dissertation to the
Thesis Office by the deadline.
Internships
All students must register for internship while off campus completing an internship. International
Information
students who which to complete an internship during any semester, must submit a CPT form to ISS as
soon as an offer has been made. Those who complete an internship during the Fall or Spring, must
submit a request to the Graduate Office to be certified as full time. If you do not complete this step
you will be out of status.
International Students
International students who register less than full time in the last semester will need to submit a Re-
duced Course load (RCL) prior to the first day of class. Student who wish to work after graduate will
need to OPT forms to ISS in their last semester as soon as a job offer has been made.
Graduation
Apply to Graduate in Howdy by the posted deadline.
Order Regalia before deadline.
Complete Exit Survey and forms with Graduate Coordinator. Return travel card and Office
keys to the department. Attend Departmental Graduation Celebration.