MP Guidelines -- Timetable
Although the timing of different steps may vary slightly
by program areas, the following explains the major steps in
formulating, researching and completing a masters project.
Click here for specific MP Deadlines Sept 2009 through May 2011
Changes to Schedule for Concurrent Degree Students and
Others Not Following the Usual 4-Semester Plan
Concurrent degree students, or other students who are
not following the usual 4-semester sequence, will need
to modify the schedule outlined above. Work backwards from
your intended graduation date to figure out when you will
need to meet the intermediate deadlines. For example, May
graduates should file prospectuses and choose an MP advisor
approximately a year before graduation and they should
have proposals in by the 6th week of the fall semester
preceding their May graduation. December graduates should
file prospectuses and choose MP advisors during the fall
semester about a year before their expected graduation,
and their final proposals should be in by the 6th week
of the following spring semester. The idea is to allow
the same amount of time between the intermediate deadline
and the final deadline as in the schedule outlined above.
Note that for some concurrent students, this may mean having
to settle on an MP topic and write a prospectus during
the first semester you spend in the Nicholas School. For
other concurrent students, this may mean preparing a prospectus
or a proposal during a semester when you are taking all
or part of your courses in another school. Verify with
your advisor or program chair what deadlines you need to
meet.
Completing the MP after your second year
Students who have completed all graduation requirements
except the MP have a one semester "grace" period to complete
the MP without incurring further charges. To avoid continuation
fees, students who should have graduated in May must meet
deadlines for September graduation; those who should have
graduated in December must meet deadlines for the following
May. Students who don't complete their MPs within the grace
period must pay continuation fees for each semester until
completion. All work, including MPs, must be completed within
5 years of matriculation.
A. Selection of Advisor
The student's coursework advisor may or may not also serve
as the MP advisor. Most programs match students with MP
advisors appropriate to the student's MP topic late in the
second semester. In most programs, students keep their original
coursework advisor when assigned to a different MP advisor.
To Change Advisors
When changing academic advisors, a change of advisor form
(available in Enrollment Services) must also be submitted
to the Enrollment Services Office, A142 Levine Science Research
Center, after consultation with both the old and new advisors.
Except under special circumstances, no changes in the advisor
will be approved during the final semester of study.
Reaching Faculty in the Summer
Faculty advisors are readily available for consultation
during the normal academic year. However, research or other
commitments may cause faculty members to be away from campus
during the summer. Students who will need to consult
with their advisors during the summer should make arrangements
for this beforehand.
B. Project Prospectus
Students should consult with their advisor as early as
possible to help select and define a MP. A 1-2 page prospectus
is due to the MP advisor at the end of the second semester
for most programs. When MPs are based on internships, the
internship supervisor should also approve the prospectus.
C. Project Proposal
Draft MP proposals are due to the MP advisor at the beginning
of the third semester. Students will consult with their
MP advisor to prepare a brief presentation on their proposals
for other faculty and students in the program during the
next month. A final project proposal (approved and
signed by the student's MP advisor) is due in the Enrollment
Services Office by the beginning of the sixth week of the
third semester. Students who fail to meet this deadline
will be unable to preregister for their fourth semester
of enrollment without written approval of an extension from
their advisor. Students who fail to meet the proposal deadline
may find that their graduation is delayed by completion
of the masters project. The format of the Project Proposal
is described in Section VI of these guidelines (click
here).
All students need to maintain close contact with their
MP advisor during the period when the project is being developed
and written. Communication by e-mail or phone during the
summer and regular meetings during the academic year will
be needed to ensure progress toward completion.
D. Complete Written Draft
A complete draft of the report (manuscript or other format as approved) must be submitted to the advisor by the beginning of the 7th week of the semester for those graduating in May or December, and by June 10 for those graduating in September. MP reports often go through several drafts before the final version. Advisors typically need 10 days to two weeks to edit each draft and revisions may take longer than expected. Thus, students must observe the submission dates listed above to insure that they meet the deadline for graduation.
The final masters project report must
be consistent with the approved proposal. As the research
develops, minor changes are likely and only require informal
approval of the advisor.
A major change in the project subject matter, however, requires submission of
a new proposal, which must be approved by the advisor. Furthermore, at least
one semester of study is normally required after submission of a new proposal
before the student is eligible for graduation
E. Revised Draft
A revised draft incorporating your advisor’s comments is due by the beginning of the 10th week of the semester for May and December graduates (Monday after spring break for May graduates) and in early July for September graduates. Within 10 days, your MP advisor will tell you if you are approved to present your project in the next MP symposium and graduate on time. The standard for such approval is (a) no need for additional collection of raw data, (b) no need for major re-analysis, and (c) the MP advisor is confident the student can accomplish any additional analysis and re-writing successfully before the final deadline at the end of the semester. The purpose of this standard is to avoid last-minute discovery that the MP is not adequate for graduation.
F. Presentation of Project
Each student must present his/her masters project in an
oral presentation during the winter, spring, or summer MP
symposium. These presentations are to be of professional
quality. The programs hold practice sessions to help students
prepare their presentations. International students can also
take advantage of oral skills coaching from the Graduate
School’s English program. During the symposium, the presentations
are evaluated by the faculty advisors and other faculty.
Satisfactory evaluation is necessary to receive a passing
grade for the MP seminar (ENVIRON 398).
G. Final draft
The signed and bound final
draft is due to the Enrollment Services office by the Friday
of reading week for May and December graduates and by the
last Friday in August for September graduates. Directions
for preparation of the final report (style, binding) appear
in another section of these guidelines (click
here). If the research is to be submitted to a journal
for publication, the student should follow the guidelines
of the particular journal concerning style and format of
the manuscript. Your final draft should reflect comments
received during your presentation.
For more information, contact the Office
of Professional Studies
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