Masters Program Plans A & B

Mail Folder is provided in main Collaboration Room (154 Natural Resources)

Office space assignment - see Major Professor or Main Office (126 Natural Resources)

Room Keys ($10 deposit) - see Main Office (126 Natural Resources)

Plan A

GPA expected: 3.0 or higher

Course work, research, thesis, and a final oral examination. At least 30-graduate course and research credits. More than half of the total credits must be at the 800 level or higher. At least 6 course credits while in residence. No more than 9 course credits by transfer. Minimum of 6 research credits (FOR 899). Maximum of 10 research credits in the program (FOR 899).

Graduate Committee: Must consist of three MSU regular faculty members

Program of Study: Must be approved by graduate committee by the end of the student’s second semester

Required Course: FOR 802 Forest Science Research must be taken during the first semester of the program (Plan B exempt)

Assistantship Questions: https://grad.msu.edu/assistantships

Defense: Major Professor schedules a final oral exam before the 10th Friday of the semester in which degree requirements are to be completed. The examining committee is selected by the Major Professor and approved by the Dept. Chair. It is made up of the Major Professor and two members of the faculty. The exam will be on the thesis and related areas. It will be oral and approximately 1 – 1 ½ hours in length.

Plan B

GPA expected: 3.0 or higher

Consisting of prescribed course work, without a thesis, and with a final examination or evaluation. At least 30-graduate course and research credits. More than half of the total credits must be at the 800 level or higher.

Graduate Committee: Must consist of two MSU regular faculty members

Program of Study: Must be approved by graduate committee by the end of the student’s second semester

Defense: Submit copies of a draft of the project and an abstract to the committee members at least two weeks before the oral examination for comments and direction. The draft shall conform to the style outlined by the Graduate School http://grad.msu.edu/etd/. Select a date and time acceptable to the project committee members, for an oral examination. Call the graduate secretary to schedule a room for the oral defense. Note: the oral examination deadline is prior to the last class week of the semester in which you expect to graduate. Public notice shall also be given of the defense.

FOR 898: Minimum of (1) one credit, maximum of (6) six credits total

Time Limit: 5 years from first date of enrollment in first course that is listed on the Program of Study

Readmission: If you do not apply for one or more semesters other than summer you must apply for readmission

DF=Deferred Grades*: This grade is given only to graduate students who are doing satisfactory work but cannot complete it because of reasons acceptable to the instructor. The required work must be completed and a grade reported within six months with the option of a single six-month extension. If the required work is not completed within the time limit, the DF will become U=Unfinished and will be changed to DF/U.

*This rule does not apply to graduate thesis or dissertation work. (FOR 899/999)