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{Home > Graduate : Graduate Handbook: M.A.: Benchmarks, Forms, and Satisfactory Progress}

Benchmarks, Forms, and Satisfactory Progress

The department thinks it is better for students, for our program, and for the profession if takes two years, rather than four, to complete a Master’s.  Students must begin to think about a paper topic soon after they arrive, not at the end of their course of study, and structure their course work toward learning what they need to know to complete the paper.

The Graduate School has a very helpful web site with a degree completion checklist and electronic access to the various forms you need to file. You are expected to follow those deadlines and rules; if you have questions ask your advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), or the Programs Administrator. 

We have some local benchmarks and forms as well.

In March of your first year (and each subsequent year), complete the department’s Graduate Student Progress Report (form f-1.) Your advisor must sign this before you turn it in to the DGS.  

In fall semester of your second year, complete the Graduate School’s Program Form (GS 89a.)  You need to have your examining committee membership to do that.  To transfer credits, fill out the Graduate School’s Petition Form (GS 59) and include it. Also complete the department’s M.A. Program Form (f-2a.) Turn both into the DGS.

Ideally, by the end of your first year, meet the foreign language requirement and file the appropriate form. (See Appendix forms GS 82 & 82a.)

Once the Program form is approved by the Graduate School, download their Graduation Packet which has the Application for Degree form, final Examination report, and spells out other important steps you must follow.

 

Satisfactory Progress

This assumes that you are teaching and take 2 or 3 courses a semester.  The requirement is 33 credits (11 courses) including directed research (8794).  In order to complete the degree in two years, you must take three courses in one or two semesters and write the Capstone paper in spring of your second year.

	Registration	Department	Graduate School
Year 1
Fall	2 courses, 6 credits	Pedagogy course required (5531)
Spring	2-3 courses, 6-9 credits	Department Progress form (March)
Year 2
Fall	2-3 courses, 6-9 credits Required courses should be completed	Department Program form Organize Plan B (Capstone) committee	Program Form (after 10 credits) – with committee members
Spring	2 courses, 6 credits Language requirement (if not already done) Directed Research (8794) 3 credits Capstone paper and oral exam Graduate	If you wish, apply for the Ph.D. the application deadline is the first week in January Department Progress Form if degree is not completed (March) End of 2 years of support	Last time to file Program Form Language form Bring Final Exam form to the oral