grad_com An electronic newsletter from the BSU School of Graduate Studies
	Vol. 4, No. 4	October 2007
The Process Registration: Grad classes Starting the count of seven years to complete a degree Form 1: Applying for admission to graduate studies Completing 13-16 graduate credits after admission Form 2: Applying for candidacy in a graduate degree program Taking the written exam at the end of course work Form 3: Proposing a research paper or thesis Doing the work and writing the results Form 4: Applying for graduation Submitting the research paper or thesis for review Form 5: Scheduling the oral examination Defending your graduate work Diploma	This month . . . · Reviewing the Process: o Form 1 and Seven Years o Form 2 and Program Plan · Q&A: Question of the Month?
	The Process: Form 1 and Seven Years
	Regular or Special: A regular graduate student is pursuing a master’s degree in a specific field of study. A special graduate student is pursuing graduate course work without a planned objective, but with the goal of personal and/or professional enrichment (e.g. licensure). Special students fill out a Graduate Special Student Application to begin taking courses for an indefinite period of time, provided that a 3.00 (B) grade point average is maintained. Seven Years for All: Regardless of status, the seven-year clock starts once you begin taking graduate-level courses. Graduate coursework older than seven years will not count toward a graduate degree; the restriction includes transfer credits.		Form 1: The basics are the same for all regular graduate students: Fill out the confidential information and Form 1, print them, sign Form 1, attach a check for $20 made payable to BSU, and mail or bring them to the School of Graduate Studies. You also have the option of applying and paying electronically. For current forms and information, go to Graduate Studies website and select the Graduate Forms link.
Q&A: Where Can I Store My Stuff? Q: When I’m on campus, where can I store my stuff (e.g. coat), so I don’t have to lug it around? A: In a locker, free for students. How to get one: 1. Find your locker of choice and remember the locker number. 2. Go to the information desk on the second floor of the Upper Union (or to Decker 112). 3. Sign out your locker for the semester or academic year. Locker locations: · Hall/tunnel between library and Upper Union · Hagg-Sauer Hall, 2nd floor, near skyway to Bridgeman Hall · Sattgast Hall, 2nd floor, tunnel between Sattgast and Memorial · Decker Hall, in hall outside Graduate Studies office (go to Decker 112 to sign out locker)
	The Process: Form 2 and Program Plan
	Preliminaries: Plan your progress through graduate studies, conferring with your advisor(s) to be sure you are meeting program or department requirements. Form 2: After admission into a specific degree program and completion of 13-16 graduate-level credits, you will need to apply for candidacy and submit a formal program plan to your academic advisor. If you are pursuing more than one degree or program, complete separate applications for each. Program Plan: On page 2 of Form 2, list all the courses you have completed and you plan to take to satisfy degree requirements. Include transfer credits gained within seven years prior to your anticipated graduation date. Submit Form 2 for approval to your advisor, the program or department chair, and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.			Changes: If you need to make changes to your program plan (such as substitutions for required program courses), fill out Form 6, Graduate Petition, and submit it for approval to your advisor, the program or department chair, and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. More than three non-elective courses, or six credits, in substitutions to the approved program require a revised second set of candidacy plans. For current forms and information, go to Graduate Studies website and select the Graduate Forms link.
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