Information Sheet for Students Finishing Their First Semester of Graduate Work

Information sheet for students finishing their first semester of graduate work.

Prepared by the Graduate Office (202 Psychology Building)

Bob Caldwell, Associate Chair ()

Julie Detwiler, Graduate Secretary ()

Phone: 353-5258

Last updated, March 25, 2005

First, congratulations on successfully completing your first semester here at MSU. In the past few months you have gone through many changes and accomplished a great deal. This information sheet is intended to help you continue your successful trip through graduate school.

If you have not already done so, you should soon convene your Masters Guidance committee. The functions of this committee are discussed in your Graduate Program Handbook, available on the department’s web site (http://psychology.msu.edu/GradInfo/2001Handbook.htm). This would be an excellent time to consult the handbook as it provides the answers to many of your questions.

One of the major functions of this committee is to help you plan out your Master’s program and fill out your Master’s Plan of Study. The necessary form is available for download from the department’s web site (http://psychology.msu.edu/Academic/forms.html). Your approved Master’s Plan of Study should be filed with the Graduate Office during the Spring Semester of your first year.

You will notice that the Plan of Study form has space to record both PSY 890 and PSY 899 credits. Generally, students in the Ecological, I/O, and Social programs sign up for PSY 899 research credits while students in the Clinical, Cognitive, and Behavioral Neuroscience programs sign up for PSY 890 research credits. Please consult your interest group handbook or your advisor to choose the correct course for you.

You will need an override in order to be able to register for PSY 890. To obtain an override, you must download the “Request for Enrollment in PSY 890" form from the department’s web site and bring it to Julie. She will then process an override that will allow you to register for this course.

Please feel free to contact us or stop by the Graduate Office if you have any questions about these forms. Good luck with your next semester.