6. Universal Degree Program

6.1 Degree Program Forms
Students can obtain the required forms by going to the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB or by visiting the following website (students will need Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 5.0 or higher): Universal Degree Program. Students will need to submit these forms by the end of their second semester of MSEM coursework (12 -18 credits for full time students). If these forms are not filed a hold may be placed on students’ registration until the forms are submitted to the Graduate School Office located at 431 DAB.

Students need to fill out and submit both the Degree Program Transmittal form (GS 89a) and the Degree Program form (GS 89b). The MSEM Director of Graduate Studies signature is needed on both forms and, in addition, the Advisory faculty signatures will be required on the Degree Program form (GS 89b). These forms specify the students’ major MSEM Advisor(s), degree major/minor titles, and Examination Committee members (including selection of a chair for the committee). In order to declare a minor field the student should keep in mind that the field in which she/he is declaring a minor must also have a Graduate School major program (for example MBA or MS Chemistry, etc.). The students completed and proposed coursework for the degree will also be detailed.

Students are required to submit an unofficial set of UMD graduate school transcripts and transcripts of any work being transferred into the program. If credits are from another university, then this will require an official transcript. Please refer to additional instructions provided with the forms. Final approval of Universal Degree Program forms is through the Minneapolis Graduate School and will take approximately 3 to 4 weeks, after turning it into the UMD Graduate School Office located at 431 DAB. Students cannot graduate if this form is not completed and on file.

Students will be required to select their Masters Examination Committee, which will consist of a minimum of two professors from the MSEM major area and one professor from a minor area for Plan B students. Plan A students may have to acquire additional committee members.

6.2 Selection of Advisors and Examination Committee Members
The major Advisor is usually the MSEM faculty member that students are working with on their thesis or project. Students can also list an MSEM faculty Co-Advisor if desired. If students select an Advisor and a Co-Advisor it will be necessary for them to get both signatures on their Universal Degree Program and on relevant forms used to make changes to their Universal Degree Program.

In general, student Examination Committees will consist of a minimum of two faculty members from their major area, MSEM, and one from their minor area, e.g. Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Math, Mechanical Engineering, or other minor graduate departments approved by the MSEM Director of Graduate Studies. Faculty on student Examination Committees need to have graduate faculty status by appointment through the Graduate School in order to serve as Master’s Examination Committee members and/or committee chairs. The MSEM Director of Graduate Studies may serve as an examination committee member or chair. Students can check with the MSEM Director of Graduate Studies or with the Graduate School to determine if their prospective Examination Committee members hold appointments or are nominated to hold appointments as graduate faculty.

6.3 Advisor and Examination Committee Member Changes
6.3.1 Oral Examination Committee Substitution Form
This form is necessary for students who change their Examination Committee members after their Universal Degree Program has been approved. Students will need to obtain the form from the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB, fill it out, and have it signed by the MSEM DGS prior to returning it to the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB. Students cannot schedule their final exam until the Graduate School approves a current committee. This form also covers changes to student written review committees, which should have the same people that are on student oral examination committees, for both Plan A and B students.

6.3.2 Advisor Substitution Form
This form is necessary for students who change Advisors approved to their committee as named on the Universal Degree Program. Students can obtain this form from the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB. They need to fill out the form and have it signed by the MSEM DGS prior to returning it to the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB. Students cannot schedule their final exam until the Graduate School approves this. Students have to file this form to change Advisors. The Oral Examination Committee Substitution form will not do this for them.

6.4 Changes or Transfers of Coursework
Students will need to obtain the appropriate petition forms from the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB. There are currently two petition forms in use, as described below.

Use the University of Minnesota Graduate School Petition form, GS 59, to change coursework, to change foreign language requirements, to request a degree time extension or to request a transfer of coursework. Use it to respond to problems noted in graduation balance letters that are issued if there are differences between the students’ final transcripts and their Universal Degree Programs. The GS 59 Petition form will require signed approval by the student Advisor(s), the MSEM Director of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate School Office. Students will be required to return the completed form to the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB for approval and submittal to the Graduate School Office in Minneapolis. Students will get a copy of the GS 59 back after the Graduate School Office in Minneapolis approves it. At that time students should mark relevant changes on a copy of their Universal Degree Program.

Use the UMD Graduate School Official Petition form to withdraw or add specific coursework. This form will require signed approval by the student Advisor(s), course instructor, DGS and the Graduate School Office. Students will need to return the completed form to the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB for final approval. If approval is given, students will receive a letter or e-mail from the UMD Graduate Office and the cancel/add will be done internally.