Procedures for Completing a Master’s Degree in Education or Counseling
Plan of Study Approval Procedure
Each graduate student who intends to complete a master’s degree in the College of Education must prepare, in consultation with her or his advisor, an individualized plan of study. Regular admission students may file this plan of study during their initial semester and must do so by the time the second semester is underway. Alternative admission students file their plan of study after completing at least 9 and not more than 18 semester credits taken at Montana State University Billings. The plan of study, together with necessary attachments and recommended signatures, is used by the Dean of the College of Education as a basis for Admission to Candidacy of students for their particular degrees.
Those students who include more than 12 credits of work from Montana State University Billings when they submit their plan of study for approval have increased risk of having course work they have taken not accepted toward their degree. Moreover, if a student’s plan of study has not been approved by the end of the student’s first semester of full-time attendance at MSU Billings, he or she ceases being eligible for financial aid.
Attachments to the plan of study when it is filed will include a working transcript and (when appropriate) letters of reference, update requests, statements of purpose for Interdisciplinary Studies options, and documentation for transfer courses.
Once the plan of study is signed by the appropriate individuals and approved by the Dean of Education, the student is accepted into Candidacy Status. The student will be informed of this in writing by the Dean’s Office and given a copy of the approved plan of study. This approved plan of study serves as an agreement between the student and the University.
Changes in a Plan of Study
Students who wish to initiate a change in an approved plan of study within the same degree and option must do so by submitting a “Change of Plan of Study” request. When approved by advisor, unit chairperson, and Dean, the change will be recorded on the original Plan. The student has the right to follow the program requirements outlined in the Graduate Catalog in effect when the plan of study was approved. To make changes of option or degree, a student must file a new plan of study. It is important that approval for a change is received before proceeding with the work.
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