YOUR Checklist for Graduate Degree Programs in the College of Agriculture

____ Submit the application (and pay the fee) to the university for admission to the graduate program. The office for the Graduate School is located on the bottom floor of the library. The web address is: http://graduateschool.astate.edu Some programs in the college require the Miller Analogies Test or the GRE. The test dates of the Miller and GRE can be determined by calling the Testing Center at 870-972-2038.

____ Define your area of interest (which degree, which emphasis areas, etc.)

____ Meet with a faculty member in the discipline or degree area related to your interest to discuss the degree or program requirements and options. Discuss your options, your interests, long-term plans, career goals, thesis and non-thesis options, possible committee members, need for an advisor, etc.

____ Meet with the faculty member that you want to be your advisor and formally request that he or she be your advisor. The advisor must be a member of this college and a member of the graduate faculty as defined by the University Graduate Council. A faculty member may decline a request to serve as advisor.

____ Enroll in the courses recommended by your advisor. Enroll in 3 to 15 hours each semester. Graduate assistants can not enroll in more than 12 hours. Enrolling in 9 hours gives you full-time student status. You have a maximum of six years to complete the degree program. You must have a 3.0 GPA to graduate. You must have at least 18 hours in your degree program that are 6000 level or above.

____ In cooperation with your advisor, determine if the thesis or non-thesis option will be chosen. This decision should be made by the end of your first semester.

____ Form your committee of three to five faculty members by the end of the first semester, with the approval of your advisor and the dean. (Your advisor is chair of your committee. One committee member may be from outside the college, if approved by the advisor and the dean).

____ File the appropriate paperwork with the Graduate School identifying your graduate committee by the end of the first semester.

____ In cooperation with your advisor and committee select a thesis topic, if the thesis route was chosen. If a non-thesis option is chosen, meet with your advisor and select a topic for your research experience. The topic needs to be determined no later than the end of your second semester.

____ Orally present your thesis proposal or non-thesis research experience topic to your committee for approval. (Include justification, problem statement, research questions, review of literature, methods and procedures, a detailed time-line, and other information as directed by your advisor.)

____ File your admission to candidacy by the end of 15 hours. Courses and sequence must be approved by the advisor and committee. (A "Hold" is placed on registration until this is completed).

____ File your intent to graduate card. The deadline is early in your last semester.

____ Defend your thesis OR research problem before your committee, during your last semester. AND if you chose a non-thesis option, complete your Written and Oral Comprehensive Exam. (Start preparing for the exam at least six weeks in advance. The oral and written exam are usually near the end of your last semester. Check the graduate catalog for the exact date. The written exam is completed first and if passed the oral exam will take place the following week.)

____ Submit completed thesis to the Graduate School, OR submit research report to your advisor.

Note: For details of the university, college, or departmental requirements and procedures refer to the Graduate Catalog at http://graduateschool.astate.edu/ OR speak with your advisor.