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 ◦ 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., 1 st 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