Resources

Provisional Master's Degree Student Handbook

• Start here to find information you need to successfully manage your Master's degree program

Annual Progress Report, Plan A

• Must be completed, signed and submitted every spring semester.

Annual Progress Report, Plan B

• Must be completed, signed and submitted every spring semester.

Applying for Graduation

• Submit this application by the first week of the semester you expect to complete your degree requirements.
• Both Spring and Summer applicants will be included in the Spring Commencement Ceremonies.

Change of Guidance Committee

• Must be completed, signed and submitted when you change a committee member.

Independent Study Form

• This form must be completed, signed and submitted before you will be enrolled in HDFS 890.

Oral Announcement Form

• Plan A students must submit thesis to guidance committee along form. Plan B students must send out to committee members two weeks prior to oral defense. Student must be enrolled during the semester of the oral defense or thesis.

Oral Completion Form

• Must be completed, signed and submitted by all committee members for graduation processing.

Program Adjustment Form

• Must be completed, signed and submitted as soon as you change any course on your program plan.

Program Plan Form

• Must be completed, signed and submitted by the end of the second semester or 12 credit hours, which ever comes last.

Responsible Conduct Research Plan for Graduate Students (RCR)

• In order to satisfy federal regulations MSU requires that all HDFS graduate students complete training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in Plan A (thesis) and Plan B master's programs.
• Note that in addition to the departmental requirements, certain funding agencies may require researchers to obtain additional RCR training. This is the responsibility of the principal investigator.

Thesis Proposal Form, Plan A

• This form must be completed, signed and submitted before you start your thesis. Time Extension Form, M.S. •    Must be completed when you have exceeded the six year time limit. Time limit starts with the first course you have taken on your program plan, any courses transferred in or courses taken through lifelong education status. This is for extenuating circumstances. You are allowed to transfer up to nine (9) credits towards your degree program. You may not use courses earned for another degree program.

Resources

The Graduate School

The Writing Center

Other Important Forms

Name Preference/Address Change Form

Readmission Form

Provisional Doctoral Student Handbook

• Start here to find information you need to successfully manage your Ph.D. program

Grad Plan (Ph.D. students only)

• Beginning in Spring Semester 2017, only forms submitted through Grad Plan will be accepted.

Annual Progress Report Form, Ph.D.

• Must be completed, signed and submitted every spring semester.

Applying for Graduation

• Submit this application by the first week of the semester you expect to complete your degree requirements.
• Both Spring and Summer applicants will be included in the Spring Commencement Ceremonies.

CIC Traveling Scholar Program Form

• Doctoral students at Michigan State University are eligible to apply for admission to the “Traveling Scholar Program,” sponsored by the Big Ten Universities and University of Chicago through the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC). The CIC program enables doctoral students to take advantage of special facilities available on the campus of one of the participating universities but not available on the home campus. Such facilities include special course offerings, research opportunities, laboratories, and library collections. Students participating in this program, known as "CIC Traveling Scholars,'' are limited to two semesters or three quarters on another campus. A CIC Traveling Scholar will be registered, and pay tuition on the MSU campus. No additional fees will be charged. Credit for work taken under this program will be accepted at this University. A doctoral student interested in this program should contact The Graduate School for instructions and formal processing or visit https://grad.msu.edu/btaa.

Change of Guidance Committee and Program Adjustment Form, Ph.D.

• Must be completed, signed and approved when your coursework deviates from the approved program or used to change committee members.

Guidance Committee Form, Ph.D.

• This form must be completed, signed and submitted prior to the program plan.

Independent Study Form

• This form must be completed, signed and submitted before you will be enrolled in HDFS 890.

Professional Portfolio Documentation Form

• Must be completed, signed and submitted every spring semester.
• Objectives of the portfolio process are as follows: 
  • To assist students in the development of research skills. This includes mentoring by faculty, student participation in research trainings, and actual research experiences.
  • To mentor students in the presentation and publishing process. This includes presentations at professional meetings and co-authoring publication.
  • To prepare students for teaching roles. This includes writing a teaching philosophy, gaining experience as a TA or guest lecturer, and attending professional development activities.
  • To engage students in the service and citizenship aspects of academic life. This includes membership in professional organizations and participating in academic service and community outreach activities.

Program Plan Form, Ph.D.

• This form must be completed, signed and submitted prior to the completion of three semesters. As of Spring 2017, this form will be completed in Grad Plan.

Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination Planning Form

• Human Development and Family Studies Comprehensive Examination: All Ph.D. students in Human Development and Family Studies must take a comprehensive examination prepared by the guidance committee.
• Area of Specialization Comprehensive Examination: The Human Development and Family Studies Ph.D. program has three specializations: Child Development, Family Studies, and Couple and Family Therapy. The student must demonstrate competence in one of these specializations by taking a comprehensive examination prepared by the guidance committee.
• Minor Area Examination: An additional comprehensive examination must be taken in another content area, including research. This comprehensive examination is prepared by the guidance committee.
• Supporting Field Comprehensive Examination: Students may be required to take a comprehensive examination in the supporting field, although this requirement may be waived based on student's needs and opinion of the committee.

Record of Comprehensive Exams

Format Procedures

• Objectives of the comprehensive exams are as follows:
  • Students will identify a body of literature salient to their research topic.
  • Students will provide a succinct synthesis of the key literature related to their research topic.
  • Students will identify and apply key theoretical frameworks related to their research topic.
  • Students will select research methods related to their research question and provide a clear and concise rationale for use of these methods.
  • Students will develop skills for verbally presenting research and application related to their content area.

Overview: Comprehensive exams will be completed in one month within one semester. Two will be written, and the third exam will be an oral presentation. Maximum length of each written exam will be 10-15 pages (double-spaced, 11 font references additional.)

Procedures:

The three exams will cover:

• Theories related to concentration (i.e. CFT, child development, HDFD) (written)
• Research methodology related to concentration (written)
• Practice (e.g. clinical, pedagogy) related to concentration (oral)

Ph.D. Approval of Dissertation Proposal Form

• This form must be completed, signed and submitted before you start your dissertation but not before you have passed your comprehensive exam. It must follow the defense of the proposal but before dissertation work begins.

Ph.D. Approval of Program Study Time Extension Form

• This form is used to request an extension if the student cannot finish in the 8 year time limit for doctoral program and for extension of comprehensive exam beyond 5 year time. It must be approved by committee members, graduate program director, Associate Dean's office, and the Graduate School.

Ph.D. Record of Dissertation and Oral Examination Form

• This form must be completed, signed and submitted by your major advisor. As of Spring 2017, this form will be completed in Grad Plan.

Ph.D. Dissertation Formatting

Resources

The Graduate School

The Writing Center

Other Important Forms

Name Preference/Address Change Form

Readmission Form

Choosing a faculty member to work with during your scholarly career is one of the most important decisions you will make.

Master’s Degree Advisor

When you are admitted to a master's degree program, an intake advisor is assigned to you. Before completing 12 credit hours, you should select a permanent advisor (major professor) and committee member(s) who will assist you in planning your program. Your intake advisor may serve in the permanent role, or you may choose another faculty member.

Master’s Degree Committee

Your committee should consist of a minimum of three faculty members for Plan A and two faculty members for Plan B, including your academic advisor. The committee assists you in planning your program of study by providing guidance for course selection. A program planning meeting is required and is considered an important session during which the committee members work with you to formulate a program to meet your goals. After planning your program of study, you should submit it to the committee members and department chairperson or graduate program director for final approval.

Doctoral Degree Advisor

An intake advisor is designated to counsel you during the first semester. You should select a permanent academic advisor before the completion of two semesters of study. The faculty member who guides the dissertation may be either the academic advisor or another member of the committee. The intake advisor often becomes the permanent advisor, but you have the option to select an alternative.

Doctoral Degree Committee

A Ph.D. program of study is planned by you and a committee composed of at least four Michigan State University regular faculty members, one of whom is designated as a major professor. The Ph.D. committee is appointed to direct your work and its membership must be approved by the Graduate Program Director. For additional details on related University policy, see the Academic Programs Catalog.

Travel Funding

HDFS students often present research and represent our department at national and international conferences. Some travel funding is available to support students to attend conferences or other professional development opportunities. Applications are accepted from early Fall through late February, and must be submitted before the time of travel.

Instructions for applying:

1. Complete the HDFS Travel Funding Form which includes a) name of conference, dates, location; 2) title and brief abstract of paper or poster presentation (only those who are first author will be sent on to the Graduate School, though they are still eligible for departmental funding); 3) notification of acceptance of the presentation;  4) a budget with itemization of cost. 
2. Complete the Graduate School Student Travel Funding application, which must be signed by your advisor in two places. 
3. Submit a travel request in the Concur system. (Do not submit a budget as part of the request, simply the travel dates, location, and purpose of travel.) 
4. Submit your forms to the HDFS Administrative Assistant for Graduate Studies (Phil Reid: reidphil@msu.edu)by the deadline; eligible students receive notification of deadlines from the Director of Graduate Studies.

Research Funding

HDFS students often lead their own research projects, for their theses or dissertations, or other projects to build their own lines of independent research. Research Enhancement Funds are available from the Graduate School to support students to conduct research, paying for things like participant incentives, software, equipment, or attending workshops/ trainings for specific research skills. 

Submit applications before February 1 for full consideration (late applications will be considered, but may not be fully funded).  

Instructions for applying:

1. Complete the Graduate School Research Enhancement Application form
2. Prepare a brief letter addressed to that describes:
   • The title of the research project 
   • A description of the student’s research project written in a way that is understandable to scholars/scientists outside the field 
   • A summary of the proposed research activities including travel information if relevant (dates and location) 
   • Description of how this activity enhances the student’s research project 
   • Detailed budget and budget justification 
   • IACUC or Human Research Protection Program approval letter if the research involves human or animal (IACUC) subjects.
3. Have your advisor sign the form, and commit funding if possible.
4. Submit your form to the HDFS Administrative Assistant for Graduate Studies (Phil Reid: reidphil@msu.edu), and cc the Director of Graduate Studies (Claire Vallotton: vallotto@msu.edu)