APPENDIX A

MS Program
Approved 10/2021

I. MS degree program

A. Coursework option - Final Examination

Policies

The final exam will consist of five sections, one hour each:

One section will cover Research Methods.
The other 4 sections are of the student's choosing, but must reflect courses on the MS Program of Study and must be KIN courses.
Each instructor may test on no more than 2 courses/sections.
The Supervisory Committee will consist of the section instructors.
Each section will consist of one or more essay questions determined by the instructor of that section topic
Each section will be graded on a 0-100 point scale. Successful passage of the examination will consist of:
- Overall cumulative score of at least 400 (80% out of 500 points) for the 5 sections
- Minimum score on each section of 70%.
- Individual scores on each section will only be known to the Graduate Coordinator or major professor until all 5 sections have been scored.
- If after taking all 5 sections, the overall score is < 400, the student can meet with one or more instructors to discuss ways to boost the score on his/her section before the final ballot is turned in to the Graduate School.
As per Graduate Handbook, "A candidate who fails a master's examination may take a second examination no sooner than two months nor later than 15 months after the failure, unless an extension is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School. No third trial is allowed."

Guidelines

Decide which 4 courses besides Research Methods you want to be tested over (typically courses you've done well in).
Visit with those instructors to confirm their willingness to serve on your committee. These must be PhD faculty/instructors. At this time, confirm with them what section(s) of the selected course they will test you over.
Complete the online Program of Study which can be found at the Grad School website.
Decide with the Supervisory Committee members on a date for the examination. Considerations include:

Find out the last date that the ballot must be turned in for graduation in the semester you plan to graduate (same as EDTR deadline). Available at the Graduate School website.
It is highly recommended to take the exam at least one week prior to that last date, in case you need to retake one or more portions of the exam.
Set the date and get signatures from your committee members on the form Approval to Schedule Final Examination, found at the Grad School website, and turn in at least 2 weeks prior to the exam date.

B. Thesis