2 topics · 2020-01-15 · smart start debra charlesworth, phd topics information available online...
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Smart StartSmart StartDebra Charlesworth, PhDDebra Charlesworth, PhD
Topics
Information available online
Graduate School policies regarding good standing, probation, suspension, and dismissal
How your GPA is calculated and strategies for improving
Services and policies to support your academic success
Overview of dissertations, theses, and reports
Your questions and feedback
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What’s important on the web?
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Policies and Procedures: Forms and Deadlines
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Dynamic forms – technical items
Some forms will only work in Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat on Windows or Macintosh; some will work better using that software
For best results:• “Right click” on hyperlink to save the file to your hard drive;
open with an Adobe product
• If your computer opens the file automatically with Preview, saving this file will make it inoperable in Acrobat or Reader
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What is the Degree Completion Timeline?
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MyMichiganTech
A personalized web page with your…• Student checklist: time sensitive items needed and received
• Degree completion timeline: all items needed and received
• Overall status for dissertation, thesis, or report
See issues? Email [email protected]
Items require a human to check things off in database -allow ten business days for forms
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My Michigan Tech – Current Students
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Each degree is listed along with requirements for each
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Degree completion timeline – diss. area13
Expectations for SuccessExpectations for Success
Attending Classes
Instructors expect students to attend class – especially graduate students Excused absences can be granted when students:
• Are representing the University in an official capacity at an off-campus event
• Have legitimate extenuating circumstances beyond a student's control
Excused absences for medical reasons are only granted when supported by medical documentation
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Verifying Excused Absences
Instructors have the discretion to grant an excused absence for any missed classes Instructors may also require that students “obtain” an
excused absence from the Dean of Students office• All requests for graduate students must be submitted in writing
to the Graduate School ([email protected])• Medical reasons must have medical documentation submitted
directly to the Graduate School on letterhead• The Graduate School reviews all requests, and sends an
official notification to the instructors
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Making up missed work
Students with an excused absence shall be allowed to earn full credit for missing assignments by performing equivalent work, as long as the instructor deems that the learning objectives of the course can still be met.• Instructors may limit the number of excused absences• Make up work is not possible for all labs• Students must make the initiative to make up work
Instructors are not obligated to provide make-up opportunities if the absence is unexcused.
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What is good standing?
Graduate students must maintain good standing and make good progress on their degree each semester in order to continue in their degree program
Good standing requires:• A cumulative GPA ≥ 3.0
• Grades of “P” in research
Good standing is required at time of degree completion
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How is GPA calculated?
All of the courses taken as a graduate student are used to calculate the cumulative GPA• This includes classes not needed to complete your current
degree program
If you repeat a class, the most recent grade (whether it is worse or better) is used
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Sample GPA Calculation
Grade Credits Grade PointsTotal Grade
Points
B 3 3.0 3 × 3.0 = 9.0
BC 3 2.5 3 × 2.5 = 7.5
A 3 4.0 3 × 4.0 = 12.0
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𝐺𝑃𝐴 9.0 7.5 12.0
928.5
93.17
Academic Probation
Graduate students are on academic probation if either or both of the following are true:• The overall GPA is less than 3.0
• A “Q” grade is earned in research
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Returning to Good Standing after Probation
When a graduate student is on probation, they must do both of the following to return to good standing• Raise their cumulative GPA to
3.0 or higher• Earn a “P” grade in any research
credits
The best way to do this is to repeat a course with a poor grade and earn a higher grade
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What classes can be repeated?
Any class that does not meet our scholastic standards can be repeated• Grades of BC, C, CD, D, F
Six credits of BC or C grades can be used toward your graduate degree if your program approves; talk to your program director
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Support for your Academic SuccessSupport for your Academic Success
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Building Emotional Strength Taming Habits Motivation 101 Mindful Living Stress Less The Science of Relationships
Email [email protected] to sign up
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Medical Withdrawal and Reduced Course-load
Students may withdraw completely if they cannot complete full-time studies for medical reasons• Continuous enrollment is not required• Time off to seek medical treatment• Medical documentation needed when leaving and returning
Students may enroll part-time if that will be helpful for their medical treatments• Funded students (GTA, GRA) and international students will
need medical documentation to support this request
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American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
People with a documented disability are allowed accommodations to provide equal access to education
An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as:• a person who has a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more major life activities,
• a person who has a record of such an impairment, or
• a person who is regarded as having such an impairment.
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Examples of Accommodations
Extended time for work done in class and on tests A quiet or non-distractive environment for testing Consideration for spelling errors during class when spell-checking is not available. A volunteer note-taker Instructor-provided course material (e.g., syllabus or test) in large print or online Seating near the front of the class Test reader and/or scribe Tape recording of lectures (with instructor permission) Assistance in labs e-textbooks (e.g., CourseSmart) Kurzweil reader Priority registration
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Questions about Disability Services
Christy Oslund, PhD
Coordinator of Student Disability Services
906-487-1494
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Husky Food Access Network (Husky FAN)
If you can’t afford food, help is available Food pantry is available in
Fisher Hall (1st floor, near 135)• Tuesday, 11:30am-1:30pm• Wednesday, 2:00-4:00pm• Thursday, 4:00-6:00pm
Emergency meals at public safety, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
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Emergency Funds
Graduate School Emergency Fund (loan)• $250-1,000 loan
• For enrolled graduate students
• Must be in good standing
• Emergency or unexpected needs (tuition is not unexpected)
Betty Chavis Emergency Fund• US Citizen – UG or MS student
• Up to $500
• Financial emergency
International Student Emergency Fund• Up to $500
• Enrolled international student
• Financial emergency (death in the family, illness, etc.)
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Stressed? Anxious? Depressed?
Counseling services can help Group or individual counseling is
available• Graduate student support group on
Tuesdays at 5:30pm; Contact Pat Frueh to join.
Services are free to enrolled students (individual sessions are limited to 8 per semester) 3rd floor of Admin Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
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Starting a family?
Parental accommodation can help support you
Extends the time allowed for your degree by a semester
Allows you six weeks of excused absences
Supported students may be able to maintain their stipend
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Dissertations, Theses, and ReportsDissertations, Theses, and Reports
Broad overview
Select a research advisor• Look for a project you enjoy and that furthers your career goals• Learn about research done by faculty in your area• Talk to students in those research groups• Interview several prospective advisors
Conduct the research Summarize the research in a written document Present (“defend”) the research to a committee Correct written document and submit to the Graduate School
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To graduate in a given semester, you must:
Schedule your defense at least two weeks in advance
Pass your defense
Complete the corrections in your written document required by your committee and Graduate School
Submit your corrected document and associated paperwork by 4pm, Monday, Week 14
Complete final formatting (if necessary) by Friday of Finals Week (week 15 in summer)
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Sample Timeline to GraduationWeek Task
1 Give first draft to advisor
2 Revise draft based on advisor’s comments
3 Give second draft to advisor
4 Revise second draft based on advisor’s comments
5 & 6 Give draft to Graduate School; Prepare for defense and defend
7 & 8 Revise based on committee and Graduate School comments
9 Submit documents to Graduate School
10 Documents accepted and you are done!
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What do I submit to the Graduate School?Item
Dissertationor Thesis
Report
Pre-defense• Pre-defense form• Written document
X X
Post defense• Report on final oral examination form
X X
After completing all corrections to written document
Approval form X X
Document to Digital Commons X X
Document to ProQuest X -
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Questions about your degree?
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Questions and FeedbackQuestions and Feedback