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Policies & Deadlines for CCN Graduate Students Cognition & Cognitive Neurosciences Program Department of Psychology Michigan State University Prepared by Mark W. Becker & David Z. Hambrick Last Updated: 9/9/11. Policies. Are defined by the Graduate Handbook and Spartan Life
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Policies & Deadlines for CCN Graduate StudentsCognition & Cognitive Neurosciences ProgramDepartment of PsychologyMichigan State UniversityPrepared by Mark W. Becker & David Z. HambrickLast Updated: 9/9/11
Policies • Are defined by the Graduate Handbook and Spartan Life • These slides are a guideline, but the Handbooks are official • Students are responsible for knowing what policies affect their standing in the program
Timelines • Most spelled out in Graduate Handbook, some in Spartan Life • Handbook has two levels: Department and Program
Deadlines • Year 1: • Form Master’s Guidance committee by 10/1 • Signs Master’s Plan of Study, due by end of Spring term (department deadline) • Write proposal for year 1 project • Get project approval by 11/1 • Submit write-up by end of Spring term
Deadlines • Year 2: • Write proposal for year 2 project • Get project approval by 11/1
Deadlines • Year 3: • Submit write-up of year 2 project and give oral defense, during Fall term • Pass = Master’s degree + faculty vote on admission to Doctoral program • Faculty assess prospects for success at PhD level • On admission to Doctoral Program, form Doctoral Guidance committee • Signs Doctoral Plan of Study, due by end of 2nd semester in Doctoral program
Deadlines • Years 3 & 4: Comprehensive Exams • Core Knowledge Exam (breadth) • Then Review Paper (depth).
Core Knowledge Exam • Faculty maintain reading lists in 9 core areas. • Student take exam in 3 areas.
Core Knowledge Exam • Given 3 times per year • Week before classes begin in Fall & Spring • Week after final exams in Spring • Inform advisor of 3 topic areas at least 2 month prior to exam date (e.g., 1st week of November for next exam). • Must sit for exam within the first 2 times it is offered after admittance to the Ph.D. program.
Day of the Exam • Student receives 2 questions for each area, must answer 1 from each area. • Exam from 9am-4pm (6 hours of writing, 2 per topic, 1 for lunch). • Word process answers (open book and notes) • Answers: concise but thorough (anticipate ~ 4-6 APA style pages).
Evaluation • Each answer evaluated by that topic area’s relevant committee. • For each area, student will receive a pass or fail grade and a written summary evaluation (within 3 weeks). • Expectation – student will pass all three.
But…. • If fail one …must take 1 the next time exam is offered (2 hours writing time). • If fail two…must take 2 the next time exam is offered (4 hours writing time). • Can be the same area as failed or new area. Questions probably different… • Fail 3 or fail to pass 3 within 3 sittings is grounds for dismissal from the program.
Review paper • Define research area (approval by guidance committee). • Should be directly relevant to your research interests and may serve as the basis for your dissertation. • Within 4 months of approval submit review paper to committee. • Oral defense with committee after paper submitted. • Committee can ask for revisions and/or second oral defense. • Pass fail based on paper and defense.
Deadlines • Years 4 and 5: • Write thesis proposal • Submit within 5 semesters of finishing comps and within 4.5 years of starting at MSU • Defend thesis proposal, that semester • Defend dissertation within 8 years of first course on Doctoral Plan of Study(university deadline)
Annual evaluations • Occur late in Spring semester • Student circulates CV and summary of projects/coursework to the faculty • Advisor circulates draft of evaluation letter to the faculty • Faculty meet to discuss, amend, and ratify letters • Program chair sends letter on behalf of faculty • Letter is a very important document