Graduate Student Checklist Stay on Track
Periodically, as you make progress in your graduate studies, refer tothe checklist below may assist as progress toward completion of a degree is made.
Graduate Program Form
This form was included along with the letter of admission. Students should contact their academic advisor, and with the advisor’s assistance, complete the proposed program form during the first nine weeks of the first semester of study. Any changes to this plan must be made by official course substitution forms.
600-level courses
In all master’s programs, at least half of the total formal coursework, excluding thesis, practicum, internship, or co-op credit, must be in courses open only to graduate students (600 level).
Application for Candidacy Form
After completing nine hours of graduate work at MSU, graduate students should meet with their advisor to initiate an Application for Candidacy forms, available from Admissions Services and the MSU website.
GRE or GMAT Results
If the student’s program requires the GRE or GMAT, the student must request that an official score report be sent directly to MSU from Educational Testing Service. If the student did not do this at the time of the exam, he/she should contact ETS (www.gre.org OR www.gmat.org).
Grades
Graduate students receive no credit for earning a grade below ‘C.’ A graduate course repeated does not remove the original grade received in the course. In calculating grade point averages, a repeated course shall be considered an additional course. A 3.0 minimum GPA is required for a degree to be conferred.
Language requirement
Students enrolled in programs with a language requirement should make certain that the language requirements have been met and documented.
Thesis
If a thesis is required, the student’s departmental advisor should be consulted early in the first term of graduate study. Thesis guidelines are available from Admissions Services and the MSU website.
Applying for the degree
Students must apply for the degree at the beginning of the semester in which they intend to graduate. If the program requires a comprehensive exam, students will apply to take that exam at the same time.
