Graduate students are required to complete all 1st year graduate level courses before they can begin their second year courses. Additionally, at the completion of the second semester, each student, in consultation with his/her graduate advisor, is required to complete a thesis project proposal. This proposal must formally describe their proposed thesis project, the completion schedule and deliverables for the remaining two semesters.
The thesis proposal, once approved, is intended to serve as a Contract of Work between the student and the College. Students formally present their thesis proposal and a summary of their first two semesters of work to a mid-program review panel comprised of their advisor, their Graduate Studies chairperson, and the Dean for Graduate Studies. The student must receive approval from all parties in order to commence his/her graduate thesis in the following semester.