2009-2010 Graduate Student Handbook
Master of arts
This handbook supplements—it does not replace—the information
provided in the
Graduate School Catalog (www.grad.umn.edu/catalog) and by the student’s track.
Additional requirements tailored to your interests may result from
discussions with your adviser. Any changes in educational psychology
core requirements will be distributed through the EPsy student
electronic mailing list and posted at
Educational
Psychology Student News . Please be sure to read all the
materials you receive since you are responsible for fulfilling
degree requirements.
On this page:
- Steps to earning the master of arts degree in educational
psychology
- Degree requirements
- Procedures for obtaining the M.A. under Plan A
- Procedures for obtaining the M.A. under Plan B
Steps to earning the master of arts degree in educational
psychology
A student may earn the master of arts degree by following one of
two degree plans. The choice of plan is made by the student in
consultation with the adviser. Under Plan A, the student completes a
formal thesis and a minimum number of academic credits that are
distributed between course work and thesis credits (EPSY 8777).
Under Plan B, the student completes at least one project or paper in
lieu of a formal thesis. The academic credits requirement for Plan B
is met essentially through course work. Check with your adviser or
Track (program area) to see whether you are required to register for
credit related to work on your paper/project under EPSY 8994 or
5991.
The Graduate School requirements for the M.A. degree are listed
in the
Graduate
School Catalog. Graduate School requirements and Department of Educational
Psychology requirements are briefly summarized here.
M.A. degree requirements
Academic credits
The minimum number of credits required by the Graduate School is
tabulated below. The far right column refers to the number of
foundational core courses/credits required by the educational
psychology graduate program. The core course/credit
requirement is a subset of the grand total of the minimum required
credits. The thesis credit requirement is discussed later in this handbook.
|
Graduate School requirement |
Subset of grand total EPsy requirements |
| Degree sought |
EPsy credits |
Credits outside of EPsy |
Thesis credits |
Total |
Core courses/
Credits |
| M.A. Plan A |
14 |
Related fields
OR minor - 6 |
10 (EPSY 8777) |
30 |
Minimum 4 courses/
10 cr |
| M.A. Plan B |
14 |
Related fields
OR minor - 6 |
*EPSY 8994 or 5991 |
30 |
Minimum 4 courses/
10 cr |
* Please check for specific track requirements.
Written competency
Plan A Thesis. Under Plan A, students are required to complete a
formal master of arts thesis.
Instructions
[.pdf] are available to students online or
in the wall cabinet outside of Room 316 Johnston.
Plan B Paper or Project. Under Plan B, students are required to
demonstrate their knowledge of research and scholarship by working
independently on a project or paper involving a minimum of 120 hours
of work. Typically this paper or project resembles a thesis in
volume; however, it differs from a thesis in that it need not
represent an original, empirical study. For example, the Plan B
paper or project may be an in-depth review of the literature or a
critique of a particular theoretical position. Each student should
consult his or her adviser regarding particular requirements.
Annual review
All graduate students must complete an annual student progress
review. The process for the review varies by track; follow the
process for your track. The purpose of this review is to monitor
progress in the degree program and document development and
achievements. Failure to complete annual progress review may be
grounds for termination from the graduate program in Educational
Psychology.
Final examination
The educational psychology graduate program requires that both Plan
A and Plan B students successfully complete a final oral examination
for the master of arts degree. The nature of the oral examination is
determined by the committee members. The purpose of the oral is to
judge the student's overall qualifications for being conferred the
M.A. degree. Typically, the oral focuses primarily on the student's
thesis or Plan B paper(s) and secondarily on the coursework listed
on the Degree Program form. Students should also be prepared to talk
about their career direction and what they plan to do once the M.A. is
conferred.
Miscellaneous
- 4xxx and EDHD 5xxx may not be used for a graduate
degree.
- Grades. Courses taken to fulfill EPsy core
requirements must be taken A-F. The minimum GPA for course work listed on the student's
official Degree Program form is 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale). Grades of A, B, C
(including C-), and S are acceptable on the official degree program;
however grades of S are not calculated in the GPA. At least two
thirds of the course credits listed on your Degree Program form,
excluding transferred credits, must be taken A-F.
- Transfer of coursework. For an M.A., up to 40
percent of the
course credits may be transferred from other recognized graduate
schools; non-degree graduate registrations (99PRD) at the University;
adult special, summer session, and College of Continuing Education
registrations at the University before Spring Semester 2001 (such
registrations taken Spring Semester 2001 or after will not be
accepted for transfer); registrations through other University units
(e.g., College of Education and Human Development, Law School) in pursuit of
graduate-level degrees that were not awarded.
- Time limit for degree completion. M.A. students are permitted 7
years to complete all degree requirements. The time begins with the
term of the earliest work listed on the Degree Program form, including
transferred credits; it ends with the term the degree is conferred.
- Active student status. To maintain active status, you must
register every semester (excluding summer). If you do not register,
you are considered to have withdrawn; your Graduate School records
are deactivated. Inactive students may not register for courses,
take examinations, submit degree program or petition forms, file for
graduation, or otherwise participate in the University community as
Graduate School students. Those who wish to resume graduate work
must request readmission to Graduate School and their track. Students who
are readmitted will be held to course/credit requirements
current at the time of readmission. If
readmitted, you must register in the Graduate School for the
semester of readmission to regain your active status.
Grad 999 registration. If you have no courses to take and
have no full-time registration requirement, you may
register using the zero-cost/zero-credit option, Grad 999. No
tuition or fees are associated with this registration but it allows
you to maintain your active status. Do not register for Grad 999 if
you must be registered to hold an assistantship, maintain legal visa
status, defer loans, receive financial aid, or for any reason other
than to meet the Graduate School's registration requirement. Please
note that EPsy students may not register for Grad 999 more than 4
times. If you register for Grad 999 more than 4 times, a
registration hold will be placed on your record.
Procedures for obtaining the M.A. under Plan A (thesis)
The chart below is intended to help students conceptualize the
steps needed to complete the M.A. degree under Plan A. You should
also refer to the
Graduate
School Catalog for detailed information
| Approximate time |
What to anticipate and complete |
Forms required |
On entrance |
- Orientation
- Meet with your adviser to begin conceptualizing M.A. program.
Find out what your track requires (those in addition to EPsy core).
- Register for classes.
|
Obtain handouts on required coursework in track, if
applicable.
Obtain registration materials, as instructed. |
| After completing 10 credits* |
- Plan coursework; think about your thesis
topic.
- Complete the Degree Program form and identify your thesis title.
Obtain necessary transcripts; secure approval from committee members and
adviser.
- Submit completed
Degree Transmittal/Program form and
Examining Committee Consent form to the DGS assistant for EPsy approval.
The DGS forwards Program
form to Graduate
School for final approval. Graduate School sends you a copy of
approved Program form (allow 6 weeks).
(Remember to register for your thesis credits before your oral.)
|
Track checklist
Degree Transmittal/Program
[.pdf]
Examining Committee Consent form
[.pdf] |
|
*A hold will be placed on your record by
DGS if you are in the M.A. program and do not submit your
PROGRAM by the time you complete 14 credits. You will be
unable to register, to obtain a transcript, etc. until the
hold is released by the DGS. |
| 3rd semester |
- Begin drafting thesis and finishing coursework.
Instructions for
the preparation of the thesis [.pdf], including format specifications and
adviser's signature requirements, should be obtained from the
Graduate School, 316 Johnston Hall or online.
- If thesis research involves use of human subjects, obtain
approval to do study from the University's Human Subjects Committee.
|
Obtain forms for human subjects approval at
www.irb.umn.edu or by
calling Research Subjects' Protection Program office, 612-626-5654. |
| Note: The following steps span across a semester, typically the
final semester. |
| Final semester |
-
Request Graduation Packet
at www.grad.umn.edu/Current_Students/
forms/grad_packet/masters/confirm.html
Send Commencement Attendance Approval form to the Graduate
School by Oct. 1 for fall
commencement ceremony and by March 1 for spring. (Degree Program
must be on file in order to be eligible to participate in
commencement. Submit to DGS
assistant 4 days in advance for DGS signature.)
- Submit thesis to adviser for approval.
|
Graduation Packet
(includes Commencement Attendance Approval,
Application for Degree, and Thesis Reviewers Report
forms)
Commencement
Attendance Approval form |
| By 1st working day of the month you wish to graduate |
- Submit completed Application
for Degree
to 200 Fraser.
|
Application for Degree |
| At least 2-4 weeks before the oral |
- Check current transcript to see that you have completed all
coursework listed on your Degree Program form. Submit a Petition to DGS
identifying any changes to be made.
- Schedule final oral exam with adviser and committee.
- Distribute copies of thesis to committee members.
Note: The members of the examining committee may, at their
discretion, require a 30-day interval between receipt of the thesis
and the final oral to allow adequate time to read the
thesis.
- After committee members have read and approved thesis, obtain
their signatures on the Thesis Reviewers' Report and return
form to the Graduate School, 316 Johnston.
Note: The M.A. final oral exam is NOT scheduled with the Graduate
School. |
Petition [.pdf] if needed.
The Thesis Reviewers' Report must be signed and returned to 316
Johnston prior to the final oral exam.
Thesis Reviewers' Report form is exchanged for the Report of
Committee on Examination for the Master's Degree in 316 Johnston. |
|
By last working day of month you wish to graduate. |
- Hold the final oral examination. The committee will sign Final
Exam Report. Return it to Graduate School
- File two unbound copies of thesis with Graduate School. Pay
necessary fees. (Some program areas and advisers request bound
copies of the thesis.)
CONGRATULATIONS!! |
Final Exam Report
Thesis (2 copies) |
Procedures for obtaining the M.A. under Plan B
The chart below is intended to help students conceptualize the
steps needed to complete the M.A. degree under Plan B. You should
also refer to the
Graduate
School Catalog for detailed information.
The following schedule of events should be regarded as a
checklist to help students conceptualize the steps to be taken in
obtaining the M.A. degree under Plan B. It supplements, but does not
replace, the information obtained from the
Graduate
School Catalog.
Forms are available at
www.grad.umn.edu/Current_Students/forms/masters.html or 316 Johnston Hall.
| Approximate time table |
What to anticipate and complete |
Forms required |
| On entrance |
- Orientation
- Meet with your adviser to begin conceptualizing M.A. program.
Find out what your track requires (those in addition to EPsy core).
- Register for classes.
|
Obtain handouts on required coursework in track, if
applicable.
Obtain registration materials, as instructed. |
| After completing 10 credits* |
- Plan coursework; think about Plan B paper(s).
- Complete the Degree Program form.
Obtain necessary transcripts; secure committee and
adviser approvals.
Note: Check with adviser for specific course
registration requirements to represent Plan B effort. Varies
among EPsy tracks.
- Submit completed
Degree Transmittal/Program form and
Committee Consent form to the DGS assistant for EPsy approval. The DGS forwards
Degree Program
form to Graduate
School for final approval. Graduate School sends you a copy of
approved program form (allow 6-8 weeks).
|
Track checklist
Degree Transmittal/Program [.pdf]
Examining Committee Consent form |
|
*A hold will be placed on your record by
DGS if you are in the M.A. program and do not submit your
Degree Program by the time you complete 14 credits. You will
be unable to register, to obtain a transcript, etc. until
the hold is released by the DGS. |
| 3rd semester |
- Begin drafting Plan B paper(s) and finish coursework.
- If Plan B paper involves use of human subjects, obtain
approval to do study from the University's Human Subjects Committee.
|
Obtain forms for
human subjects approval at
www.research.umn.edu/irb/ or by
calling Research Subjects' Protection Program office, 612-626-5654. |
| Note: The following steps span across a semester, typically the
student's last. |
| Final semester |
- Request
Graduation Packet at
www.grad.umn.edu/current_students/forms/
grad_packet/masters/confirm.html
Complete Commencement Attendance Approval form to the Graduate
School by Oct. 1 for fall
commencement ceremony and by March 1 for spring. (Degree Program
must be on file in order to be eligible to participate in
commencement. Submit to DGS
assistant 4 days in advance for DGS signature.)
- Submit Plan B paper(s) to adviser for approval.
|
Graduation Packet
(includes Commencement Attendance Approval,
Application for Degree, and Examination Report
forms)
Commencement
Attendance Approval |
| By 1st working day of the month you intend to graduate |
-
Submit Application for Degree
|
Application for Degree |
| At least 2-4 weeks before the oral |
- Check to see that all coursework listed on your Degree Program form is completed. Submit Petition to the DGS
identifying any changes to be made.
- Distribute copies of Plan B paper(s) to committee
members.
Note: The M.A. final oral exam is not scheduled with the
Graduate School. |
Petition [.pdf], if needed |
|
By last working day of month you wish to graduate. |
- Hold the final oral examination. The committee will sign Examination Report. Return it to Graduate School
Note: You do not file a copy of your Plan B project/paper(s)
with the Graduate School.
CONGRATULATIONS!! |
Final Examination Report |
July 2009 |
