Graduate Program Directors’

Meeting 2015

Sponsored by the staff of the Graduate College

Introductions• Graduate College Staff– Tom Tomasi, Associate Dean– Christy Graham, Degree Works, Curriculum, ETC. – Phillip Raleigh, Reception and Graduate Assistantships– Michael Edwards and Sue Dover, Graduate Admissions– Misty Stewart, Graduate Marketing and Recruitment– Lisa Taylor, Assistant to the Dean (November 16-)

• 13 New Graduate Program Directors– Dr. Diana Piccolo, Dr. Gay Ragan, Dr. Danielle Lillge, Dr. Michele Smith,

Dr. Sakidja Ridwan, Dr. John Prescott, Dr. Michael Merrigan, Dr. Donna Breault, Dr. Gina Wood, Dr. Denise Cunningham, Dr. Eric Sheffield, Dr. David Cornelison, Dr. Amanda Perkins

Announcements• Dr. Robert Augustine, Council of Graduate Schools

– Visiting November 18-19

– Issues or questions you want him to address?

• Hooding Pictures at Commencement

• Distinguished TA Award (MAGS nomination)

– Due Nov 1

• Nomination of Student Commencement speakers

– Due ???

• Senior Permission survey

PROGRAM DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIESUPDATE ON POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Julie Masterson

Duties of Program Director• Recruiting and marketing for program (Misty can help)• Facilitate admissions process (Michael can help)• Ensure that students receive the best guidance toward

degree completion (Christy can help)• Complete all necessary documentation (per student, on

program, etc.)• Post-graduation tracking (MSU performance measure next

year)• Document for administrators the effort and commitment

needed for successful grad programs

Reminders• International Students not attending class or have dropped?

– Contact International Services / Patrick Parnell immediately.

• Graduate Certificates – All students must submit a separate application for the certificate.

• Community Engagement– Sammy’s Window

• A digital copy of the C Grades Letters, Comprehensive Exam, Program of Study are in GRADS Dashboard for many students.

Request for 8-Year Exception• New procedure started late spring• Form is a Word document that is first completed by

the student, then by Program Director, then emailed to Julie.

• Any course recommended for exception must include an academic rationale– May need to consult faculty member if in different

discipline• Expected date of graduate must be included– “Expiration date of decision”– Helps in determining whether others fall outside 8-year

window

Dismissal from Program

• Monday after commencement, the GC runs a report containing students who have accumulated more than 9 hours of grades below B-– We know there are a few exception programs

• Student notified by Wednesday (DH and PD copied)– Exceeded limit of grades below B-– Will be administratively dropped from program Friday before

classes start– May appeal between now and then (details regarding

available slots provided)• Appeal committee consists of departmental reps, Grad Dean, Grad

Associate Dean

RESOURCES FOR PROGRAM DIRECTORS AND GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

Michael Edwards

Types of Admission

• Probationary Admissions by a Program Director– Program-specific requirements– Add these items to the Advisor Notes

vs.

• Pending Admission by Graduate College– Final/Official transcript needed

vs.

• Conditional Admission by ELI– Applicant must pass ELI 502G– Applicant must meet all GC/Program requirements

Adding Departmental Requirements to GRADS Dashboard

• Why would I want to do this?– Share admission requirements between faculty on

admission commission.• Who can do this? – Program Directors, Admin. Assistants, etc.– GRADS Dashboard access not limited to P.D.

• Contact Michael Edwards about making arrangements and scheduling training.– MichaelEdwards@missouristate.edu – (417)-836-5330

Statement of PurposeLooking for applicants with particular characteristics?

Resources for Program Directors• GRADS Dashboard

– GRADS Dashboard user manual– C Letter Grades, Seminar Reports, etc.– Access to statistics

• Quarterly Newsletter– Updates– Policy/Procedural changes– Tips & Advise

• Program Director Sessions– Annual meeting– IS & ELI meeting– Special Topics:

• Accelerated & Senior Permission• Legal Issues• Int’l & Domestic Recruitment• More to come . . .

• Funding:– Graduate Recruitment Grants

• $2,000 dollars – 90/10 split– Faculty Research Grants– Summer Faculty Fellowships– International Travel Awards

• Bear Intelligence– Assistance with ARGOS

• Upcoming Resources– Admissions statistics– ARGOS Assistance– Program Directors’ Blackboard

Group

New Graduate Application Task Force

• Centralized Application Service (CAS)

• Ellucian Recruiter

• Visual Zen

• Do you have any experience with these systems? We’d love to hear your feedback!

DEGREE COMPLETION & DEGREE WORKS

Christy Graham & Nathan Hoff (Office of the Registrar)

Degree Completion

• Student-Tracking updates -AAPS– Degree Audits (vs. AAPS) – Oct 2015!!!– Scan documents on GRADs

Christy Graham

Degree Completion

• Student-Tracking updates - Graduation– Application to Graduate and to complete graduate

certificate: Students complete application by going to My Missouri State - located under the Academics Tab, Commencement Channel

• Reminders– Thesis funding & travel funding– Thesis Award & TA Award (MAGS)– 8 year extensions– Comprehensive Examinations– Research requirements

THESIS INFORMATION & FINANCIAL AID

Dr. Tom Tomasi

Thesis Information• Thesis Guide (new version)• Checklist• Template {MANDATORY TO USE}• SafeAssign, not Turnitin• Thesis Deadlines– Fall: November 20, 2015– Spring: April 18, 2016

• Electronic Theses • Distinguished Thesis Awards– 4 annual MSU awards– 2 annual MAGS nominations

GEN 798 – Active in Research

• Zero credit hour course (still just $75)• For those students with only their research

requirement remaining to be completed• Provides the following:–Access to the library–Opportunity to purchase a parking pass–Access to computer services, including

e-mail• Graded as a “P” or “N”• Register online like any other course

23rd Annual

Graduate Interdisciplinary

ForumApril 23, 2016

Graduate Assistantships

540+ Graduate Assistantships– 4 semesters for 1st degree (except doctoral or MFA)– 20 hr/week & 1000 hr/yr– ½ time (10 hr/wk)– Accelerated Masters students w/ permission– GPA = 3.00– 110% of grad program credit minimum– Hiring International Graduate Teaching Assistants –

Restrictions Reminder! - See Op7.16-4 International Students in the Departmental Employment Manual

Fellowships & McNair GA’s• Graduate College Fellowships– Nominated from Departments– Supported by Grad Assistantship– $2000 higher stipend– 2015 data: 17 nominations, 9 offers, 6 accepted

Mean GPA = 3.92; mean GRE = 318

• McNair Assistantships– Paid by Grad College (higher stipend)– 15 hr/wk for Dept – Special McNair recruiting– 4 potential opening

Fall Apps GA filledFall 2015 – 8 3

Fall 2014 – 11 3Fall 2013 – 2 2

Financial Aid• Enhancing Diversity Scholarships

• $ 1,000 per semester; • Up to 15, with up to five reserved for eligible grad

students pursuing degrees/certificates in teacher education

• Need-Based Scholarship• $1,000 per semester; total potential value of $3,000• 50 available per year

• Financial Aid Loans• In degree programs & most certificate programs• Unsubsidized • 150% of initial grad program eligibility

• Work study

GRADUATE RECRUITMENTMisty Stewart

Recruitment• Activities this semester– 24 Events– Local & regional online advertising– Social media

• Next semester– Recruitment events– Local & regional online advertising– Social media– Grad School week (IDF)

Misty Stewart

Recruitment Mini-Grants

Application deadline: Nov. 2

Recipients will be notified by Nov. 17

Purpose: To try new things, and receive some assistance from the Graduate College (90%).

Think outside of the box!!!!

Upcoming Meetings• Bear Intelligence Special Session (Accessing the Power of ARGOS)

o Accessing statistics for admissions/enrollment/etc.o Don Simpson & QDUG

• International Topicso International Services (Lisa Gibson & Joanna Mendez)

International Credential EvaluationInternational Evaluation Process

o English Language Institute (Dr. Jane Robison)Conditional AdmissionStatistics on the progress of ELI students

• Degree Works Special Forum for Program Directors/Grad Advisors• Domestic Recruitment Forum for Program Directors

QUESTIONS ???