New Graduate Student Orientation welcomes you to New Graduate Student Orientation

Graduate Student Success: Navigating Towards Degree Attainment Dr. Carmen R. Carter Acting Dean, Graduate Studies Updated 12/7/2016

Welcome to Prairie View A&M University! Part of a proud family of Panthers Three campuses – Main, NWHC, Medical Center Master’s and doctoral degrees across eight colleges and schools College of Agriculture & Human Sciences School of Architecture Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts & Sciences College of Business Whitlowe R. Green College of Education Roy G. Perry College of Engineering College of Juvenile Justice & Psychology College of Nursing

Office of Graduate Studies To provide opportunities for advanced study to qualified candidates seeking an intellectually challenging and stimulating environment at the master's degree level of study. At the doctoral level, our mission is to produce experts and scholars. We will do this by: Oversight (leadership) Collaboration Programming Support (funding and administrative)

Mapping the Journey Every journey you take requires planning, preparation, and execution. Planning – how do I get there? Preparation – what do I need to be successful once I get there? Execution – staying the course until the goal is reached. Tools and tips along the way.

Journey to the Master’s Degree Admission to Graduate Program at Prairie View A&M University New Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration Post Transfer Credit (If Applicable) File Approved Degree Plan Within First Semester of Enrollment Participation in Academic and Professional Development Opportunities through Academic College and Office of Graduate Studies Advancement to Candidacy Selection and Approval of Thesis Committee Successful Completion of Comprehensive Examination (If Applicable) Thesis Proposal Approval and Successful Defense Successful IRB Process Successful Completion of all Required Coursework and Non-Academic Requirements for the Degree Application for Graduation Successful Defense of Thesis Submission of Fully Edited Thesis Manuscript to Graduate Studies by Posted Deadline Commencement Final Submission of Bound Copies of Thesis to Graduate Studies

Journey to the Doctorate Degree Admission to Graduate Program at Prairie View A&M University New Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration Post Transfer Credit (If Applicable) File Approved Degree Plan Within First Semester of Enrollment Participation in Academic and Professional Development Opportunities through Academic College and Office of Graduate Studies Selection and Approval of Dissertation Committee Completion of Required Coursework Successful Completion of Comprehensive Examination Advancement to Candidacy Dissertation/Doctoral Project Proposal Approval and Successful Defense Successful IRB Process Successful Completion of any Non-Academic Requirements for the Degree Application for Graduation Successful Defense of Dissertation Submission of Fully Edited Dissertation/Doctoral Project Manuscript to Graduate Studies by Posted Deadline Commencement Final Submission of Bound Copies of Dissertation/Doctoral Project to Graduate Studies

Graduate Student Policies and Procedures Policies are meant to provide guidance and direction during your journey. It is a graduate student’s responsibility to be familiar with, and abide by all academic policies outlined in the Graduate Academic Catalog, Graduate Student Handbook, Student Conduct Code, and any other official document of Prairie View A&M University. The Office of Graduate Studies provides policy related to graduate studies at PVAMU. Your program, department, and college can have additional policies which also govern graduate your graduate studies. http://catalog.pvamu.edu/generalacademicinformation/graduate/ www.pvamu.edu/graduatestudies http://www.pvamu.edu/registrar/academic-calendars/ College, departmental, and program specific websites and handbooks Adherence to policies, submission of appropriate forms, knowledge of deadlines, and timely payments are essential to your timely academic progress.

Highlight of Important Graduate Student Policies and Procedures Enrollment Graduate students are expected to be continuously enrolled in courses until degree completion. Academic Standing Graduate students are required to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. If the GPA drops below a 3.0 a student may enroll on probation. If the GPA continues below a 3.0 after the probationary period a student will be dismissed from the program. Please note many programs have specific policies in regards to the number of low grades that may be earned to remain in good academic standing. Probation, Dismissal, and Appeals A student dismissed from graduate studies at PVAMU has the opportunity to appeal. An appeals committee will consider extenuating circumstances for return to an academic program. Time to Completion of Degree Master’s students must complete the degree within six years of enrollment. Doctoral standards may differ by program.

The Thesis, Dissertation, and Doctoral Project Process The thesis/dissertation/doctoral project is the culmination of your graduate academic experience. Some programs do have a non-thesis option. Original research project that is expected to contribute to the base of knowledge for your respective field. Important aspects of the process: Choosing a research topic Committee selection Ethical research Standards and requirements Oral examination/defense Submission and review

Tools and Tips to Stay the Course See your faculty advisor regularly! Get your advice from the experts, not necessarily from a peer who did it a certain way when they got their degree. Seek diverse options for funding your graduate education. Understand that pursuing the graduate degree is different from the pursuit of your undergraduate degree. Take time to develop your soft-skills in addition to hard skills learned in the classroom. Take advantage of academic support on campus. Develop relationships with faculty early on in pursuit of mentoring and research opportunities. Develop a network among your peers. Become a part of the research community; take advantage of opportunities to present your research – e.g. conferences, symposiums. Take initiative and be the driver on this journey.

Graduate Student Resources College, Department, Program, Faculty Advisors John B. Coleman Library Office of Distance Learning Office for Career Services Office of Graduate Studies Office for Disability Services Student Counseling Services/Health Services

Questions and Contact Information Prairie View A&M University Office of Graduate Studies Wilhelmina Fitzgerald Delco Building, Suite 120 Phone: (936) 261-3518 Fax: (936) 261-3529 E-Mail: gradstudies@pvamu.edu Website: www.pvamu.edu/graduatestudies Carmen R. Carter, Ph.D., Interim Dean Lorie Proctor, Director of Graduate Student Success Pauline Walker, Administrative Associate IV