Psychology Graduate Student Orientation

Graduate Students

Program Handbooks You are strongly advised to have a careful read of the relevant Program Handbook – Available at – We [the Psychology Graduate Studies Committee] would like any feedback you would like to provide on the handbooks and the programs Also note that all graduate documents [e.g., proposals, final versions of theses /dissertations, comprehensives, etc.] should be forwarded to Marla in electronic form for our records – she will keep the Coordinator of our Grad program upto date on progress You are strongly advised to have a careful read of the relevant Program Handbook – Available at – We [the Psychology Graduate Studies Committee] would like any feedback you would like to provide on the handbooks and the programs Also note that all graduate documents [e.g., proposals, final versions of theses /dissertations, comprehensives, etc.] should be forwarded to Marla in electronic form for our records – she will keep the Coordinator of our Grad program upto date on progress

Student’s Year 1 Master’s Degree Establish Supervisory Committee –complete form and send to Marla] If IGS, Program Committee should have been established on entry – establish thesis committee Tri-Council Application Coursework Annual Progress Report due at end of term –used for funding decisions Commence discussion with supervisor about thesis, prepare proposal and ethics submission Master’s Degree Establish Supervisory Committee –complete form and send to Marla] If IGS, Program Committee should have been established on entry – establish thesis committee Tri-Council Application Coursework Annual Progress Report due at end of term –used for funding decisions Commence discussion with supervisor about thesis, prepare proposal and ethics submission PhD Degree Establish supervisory committee –complete form and submit to Marla) If IGS, Program Committee should have been established on entry – establish dissertation committee Tri-Council Application Coursework Annual Progress Report due at end of term –used for funding decisions PhD Degree Establish supervisory committee –complete form and submit to Marla) If IGS, Program Committee should have been established on entry – establish dissertation committee Tri-Council Application Coursework Annual Progress Report due at end of term –used for funding decisions

LEAVES OF ABSENCE –available if something significant occurs leaves stop the clock –but you must prepare a Plan for Completion the Annual Report LEAVES OF ABSENCE –available if something significant occurs leaves stop the clock –but you must prepare a Plan for Completion the Annual Report LIFE HAPPENS

Student Year 2 Master’s Degree Research Proposal Approval you must submit a formal proposal and have your Committee approve it –it protects everyone if there is an agreed upon plan Ethics Approval (if required) submit only AFTER formal proposal approved by your Committee Research in progress discuss format & authorship 1 st author to candidate? Apply for doctorate seek advice from supervisor Master’s Degree Research Proposal Approval you must submit a formal proposal and have your Committee approve it –it protects everyone if there is an agreed upon plan Ethics Approval (if required) submit only AFTER formal proposal approved by your Committee Research in progress discuss format & authorship 1 st author to candidate? Apply for doctorate seek advice from supervisor PhD Degree Tri-Council Application still eligible Completion of Comps Committee must approve you are expected to complete within 36 months Approval for Research Proposal formal proposal –it protects everyone if there is an agreed upon plan Committee gives OK public presentation and defence PhD Degree Tri-Council Application still eligible Completion of Comps Committee must approve you are expected to complete within 36 months Approval for Research Proposal formal proposal –it protects everyone if there is an agreed upon plan Committee gives OK public presentation and defence

Student Year 2 Master’s Degree Apply for doctorate seek advice from supervisor Annual Progress Report Thesis Defense, Completion select format supervisor gives to Committee when “ready” work backwards considering availability in the summer Master’s Degree Apply for doctorate seek advice from supervisor Annual Progress Report Thesis Defense, Completion select format supervisor gives to Committee when “ready” work backwards considering availability in the summer PhD Degree Advanced to Candidacy timeline 18 – 36 months requires completion of comps & defense of dissertation proposal Ethics Approval (if required) Discuss format and authorship candidate has first authorship Annual Progress Report PhD Degree Advanced to Candidacy timeline 18 – 36 months requires completion of comps & defense of dissertation proposal Ethics Approval (if required) Discuss format and authorship candidate has first authorship Annual Progress Report

The Unexpected

Student Year 3 Master’s Degree Student completed or not? cannot enter PhD until completed and so does not have access to funding associated with doctoral program REQUEST EXTENSION – Include the Plan for Completion Master’s Degree Student completed or not? cannot enter PhD until completed and so does not have access to funding associated with doctoral program REQUEST EXTENSION – Include the Plan for Completion PhD Degree Tri-Council Application Candidacy by Year End at the latest – defend dissertation proposal Research in Progress – discuss authorship – Candidate as first author Annual Progress Report – Issues? PhD Degree Tri-Council Application Candidacy by Year End at the latest – defend dissertation proposal Research in Progress – discuss authorship – Candidate as first author Annual Progress Report – Issues?

Student Year 4 PhD Degree Research analysis Writing Dissertation –Drafts and more drafts –To Committee when “ready” Approval of Dissertation Annual Progress Report Dissertation Examination –Timing again!! but even more important because of externals PhD Degree Research analysis Writing Dissertation –Drafts and more drafts –To Committee when “ready” Approval of Dissertation Annual Progress Report Dissertation Examination –Timing again!! but even more important because of externals

Questions?

Thesis / Dissertation Scheduling

Master’s Degree To schedule a defence, Grad Studies require: 2 paper copies and 1 electronic copy of the thesis Accompanying forms – Master’s Examining Committee – Master’s Thesis Recommendation for Examination 3 possible dates and times A commitment of 2.5 hours for the defence Master’s Degree To schedule a defence, Grad Studies require: 2 paper copies and 1 electronic copy of the thesis Accompanying forms – Master’s Examining Committee – Master’s Thesis Recommendation for Examination 3 possible dates and times A commitment of 2.5 hours for the defence PhD Degree To schedule an exam, Grad Studies require: 1 paper copy and 1 electronic copy of the dissertation Accompanying forms – Recommendation of Doctoral Supervisory Committee – Recommendation of External Examiner for Examination – Recommendation of University Examiners for Doctoral Exam – Supervisory Committee members participating in the examination PhD Degree To schedule an exam, Grad Studies require: 1 paper copy and 1 electronic copy of the dissertation Accompanying forms – Recommendation of Doctoral Supervisory Committee – Recommendation of External Examiner for Examination – Recommendation of University Examiners for Doctoral Exam – Supervisory Committee members participating in the examination

FAILURE!! We have high academic standards UBC ranks 22 nd in the world Failing a student is unfortunate BUT it means that we are upholding our standards We don’t give a ‘pass’ because they have paid fees, been here a long time, “it’s as bad as so-and-so, and we passed them”, or we feel sorry for them! We have high academic standards UBC ranks 22 nd in the world Failing a student is unfortunate BUT it means that we are upholding our standards We don’t give a ‘pass’ because they have paid fees, been here a long time, “it’s as bad as so-and-so, and we passed them”, or we feel sorry for them!

It Takes a University to Nurture a Graduate Student

Program Coordinating Roles Graduate Studies – Recommendations for Admission / Tri-council, GES, UGF – Progress Reports / PhD Candidacy Forms / Degree Completion – K Drive Maintenance Graduate Studies – Recommendations for Admission / Tri-council, GES, UGF – Progress Reports / PhD Candidacy Forms / Degree Completion – K Drive Maintenance College Graduate Studies Committees – Graduate Council & IGS Committee – policies and procedures recommendations to Senate College Graduate Studies Committees – Graduate Council & IGS Committee – policies and procedures recommendations to Senate

Department Head – Admissions Approvals – Graduate Course Approvals – Tri-council Appraisals – SISC Clearance Department Head – Admissions Approvals – Graduate Course Approvals – Tri-council Appraisals – SISC Clearance Graduate Co-ordinator – Chairs Psychology Graduate Studies Committee – progress reports – thesis proposals Graduate Co-ordinator – Chairs Psychology Graduate Studies Committee – progress reports – thesis proposals Psychology Graduate Studies Committee – admissions applications special cases [e.g, tranfer student] – allocation of Teaching Assistantships & funding – Departmental policies Handbooks Psychology Graduate Studies Committee – admissions applications special cases [e.g, tranfer student] – allocation of Teaching Assistantships & funding – Departmental policies Handbooks

Supervisor – admissions recommendation – program plan – creates supervisory committee with student input – thesis/dissertation proposals – annual progress reports – remain familiar with relevant policies and procedures of College & Department Supervisor – admissions recommendation – program plan – creates supervisory committee with student input – thesis/dissertation proposals – annual progress reports – remain familiar with relevant policies and procedures of College & Department Supervisory Committee – approves program plan – approves thesis / dissertation proposals – approves thesis / dissertation to defence – forms part of examination committee – remain familiar with relevant policies and procedures of College & Department Supervisory Committee – approves program plan – approves thesis / dissertation proposals – approves thesis / dissertation to defence – forms part of examination committee – remain familiar with relevant policies and procedures of College & Department

Student – enroll in courses – apply for scholarships – input in supervisory committee membership – works with supervisor / committee to develop thesis / dissertation proposal – progress reports – defend proposal and thesis / dissertation Student – enroll in courses – apply for scholarships – input in supervisory committee membership – works with supervisor / committee to develop thesis / dissertation proposal – progress reports – defend proposal and thesis / dissertation

TAship Students offered TAship – under BCGEU collective agreement – 384 hrs; 16 weeks × 12 hrs ON AVERAGE – IF satisfactory performance, will be renewed [2 yrs Masters; 4 yrs Doctorate] – Can decline but funding must still be available Training workshops part of work hours Agreement between faculty and student as to job – YOUR school requirements should be taken into consideration when assignments given [e.g., timing of your Stats exam] Students offered TAship – under BCGEU collective agreement – 384 hrs; 16 weeks × 12 hrs ON AVERAGE – IF satisfactory performance, will be renewed [2 yrs Masters; 4 yrs Doctorate] – Can decline but funding must still be available Training workshops part of work hours Agreement between faculty and student as to job – YOUR school requirements should be taken into consideration when assignments given [e.g., timing of your Stats exam]

Issue Resolution Contacts Appropriate procedures for problem resolution

Questions?