Schedule for Completion of

M.S. Degree Requirements

The Graduate School and the Department of Computer Science have established requirements that must be completed by all candidates for the M.S. degree, and there are deadlines associated with these requirements. Each candidate should check the following schedules carefully because a missed deadline may result in a delay in the awarding of the degree.

Selection of Advisory Committee

Deadline - End of the first semester of graduate study.
An advisory committee should be formed during the first semester of graduate study. The Department will form committees on behalf of all students who have not formed their own by the end of their first semester of study. Requirements pertaining to committee membership may be found in the Graduate Degree Programs document.

Filing the Graduate Degree Curriculum (GS-2 Form)

Deadline - End of the first semester of graduate study

The Graduate Degree Curriculum (GS-2 Form) identifies the 10 coures that will be used by the student to satisfy the requirements for the M.S. degree. To file the GS-2 form the student must first obtain the departmental GF-2 worksheet and in consultation with the advisory committee determine which 10 courses are to be included. After the GF-2 has been completed, it must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Affairs for approval. After the GF-2 has been approved by the advisory committee and the director it may be submitted to the departmental Student Services Specialist who will prepare and file the GS-2.
M.S. students must submit a GS-2 Form at the time the advisory committee is formed. The plan of study may be later revised as necessary by submitting a new GS-2 Form.

Meeting the Registration Requirement

Deadline - Beginning of Semester in Which Degree Requirements are Completed.
The Graduate School requires that each student be registered in the semester in which degree requirements are completed. However, there is some leeway in this requirement. If all degree requirements are completed before the start of the next semester or summer session, then the student is deemed to have completed requirements during the preceding semester. For example, a student who completes degree requirements in early January but before the first day of classes for the spring semester may graduate in May without registering for the spring semester.

Admission to Candidacy and Application for Diploma (GS-4 Form)

Deadline - Beginning of Semester of Expected Graduation (check graduate catalog for exact date)

A student who plans to graduate at the end of a given semester must submit a GS-4 Form at the beginning of that semester. An approved GS-2 Form must already be on file with the Graduate School.

Submission of Thesis or Research Paper and Scheduling of Final Presentation and Examination

Deadline - Two Weeks Prior to Presentation

Students must distribute a copy of the thesis or research paper which has been approved by the research advisor to the other members advisory committee at least two weeks before the final presentation and oral examination may take place. After the paper has been distributed, the student must obtain a copy of the GF-3 form and schedule the presentation and examination. Before filing the GF-3 form with the Student Services Specialist, the student must e-mail a copy of the title and abstract of the presentation to the Student Services Specialist. Students in the research experience option must follow the same schedule and proceedures for filing the GF-3 form.
The department will submit the required examination announcement to the Graduate School only when all of the above requirements have been met. Failure to meet this deadline can and has caused graduation to be delayed by a semester. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that students complete all work and file the required forms three to four weeks before the last day in which final oral examinations may be given.

Submission of Updated Version of Thesis or Research Paper

Deadline - Ten Days Before Anticipated Graduation Date

A final version of the master's thesis or research paper, incorporating any changes required by the advisory committee, must be submitted to each member of the student's advisory committee at least ten days before the anticipated graduation date. Since the committee may require additional changes, the student is advised to submit updates as soon as possible.

Submission of Final Version of Thesis or Research paper

Deadline - Six Days Before Anticipated Graduation Date
The student must submit a final copy of the Thesis or Research Paper along with a copy of departmental form GF-5, Final Approval of Thesis or Research Paper, signed by all members of the advisory committee.

Additional Graduate School requirements must be met for a Thesis. After the thesis has been approved by the student's advisory committee, the thesis is presented to the Graduate School for review and approval prior to duplication. Check "The Graduate School Announcements" for the specific requirements and deadlines.

NOTE: Only when all of these requirements have been satisfied will the GS-7 Form, which clears a student for graduation, be sent to the Graduate School.