Summary of Procedures for a Master's Degree
1. File an application for graduate study with the Director of Graduate Studies at least two weeks before registration.
2. Register according to the Northern State University calendar if acceptance in graduate school is complete.
3. Arrange to complete the candidacy review process within the first term of enrollment.
4. Select a graduate committee with approval of the Graduate Office.
5. Arrange the candidacy review prior to completion of at least 6 to 10 credits for 32 credit programs, 8 to 10 credits for 36 credit programs, and 10 to 16 credits for 48 credit programs. Contact the committee chair to arrange a date for the candidacy review. Prepare the candidacy packet according to guidelines of the Graduate Office.
6. Select field-based research topic while enrolled in EDER 761, if completing paper option. Get approval of the graduate committee chair and Graduate Director.
7. Complete graduate portfolio requirements according to guidelines specified by committee to include the field-based research project completed during the internship.
8. If completing paper option, arrange for the public presentation of the field-based research findings with the Graduate Office.
9. Submit the graduate portfolio to include the field-based research project paper to the faculty advisor at least two weeks prior to the oral examination, if completing paper option.
10. If the student elects to complete a thesis, the student must submit the topic for approval of the graduate committee and the Graduate Director before enrolling for credit. Submit two copies of the thesis and two copies of the abstract to the Director of Graduate Studies at least five days before graduation.
11. Arrange to complete the writing requirement for the final examination, if required by your program, two to three weeks before the oral examination.
12. Arrange the oral examination with the graduate committee members after completing 24 to 26 semester hours (42 semester hours in guidance and counseling). Notify the Graduate Office of the date and time at least two weeks before the oral examination. The oral examination must be completed no earlier than six weeks and no later than three weeks before the end of the semester. (During the summer, the oral examination must be completed no later than one week before the end of the second summer session.)
14. Apply for graduation no later than eight weeks before the end of the academic year term or one month before summer session graduation.