MSEE Graduate School Forms and Information

Office of Graduate Student Services--The Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP) office is the principal contact point for all students to answer questions about Graduate School and University policies and procedures, and answers questions and concerns about academic issues. The office is responsible for Graduate School student academic matters, including:

• degree program and thesis proposal forms;
• examination committees (i.e., the doctoral preliminary and final oral examination committees);
• milestone exam authorization and scheduling;
• acceptance of theses and dissertations;
• degree clearance and award of degrees;
• registration questions and special registration requests.

The GSSP office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.; 316 Johnston Hall; 612-625-3490; E-mail: gsmast@umn.edu.

Time Limit for Earning the Master's Degree—All requirements for the master's degree must be completed and the degree awarded within seven years. The seven-year period begins with the earliest coursework included on the official degree program form, including any transfer work. The graduate faculty in a specific program may set more stringent time requirements.
Students who are unable to complete the degree within the seven-year limit may petition the Graduate School for an extension of up to one additional year. Extensions beyond one year are considered only in the most extraordinary circumstances. To ensure timely consideration, petitions should be filed early in the term in which the time limit expires.

Retaking Courses—The Graduate School discourages the retaking of courses to improve grades. If a course is retaken, appropriate tuition and fees will be assessed. All registrations and grades for the course remain on the student's transcript and are calculated into the cumulative GPA.

• Degree Program Form - File after you have completed 10 course credits or after you have completed one year. This form must be approved by the Department and the Graduate School. Note: ME 5361, AEM 8401, CSci 5204, and CSci 8205 are courses which are cross-listed with Electrical Engineering. If you want to register for this course, you must register using the EE call number and count it for major field credit. Registering for the outside department cross-listed course will not be accepted toward degree requirements.

• MS Plan C Form - MSEE Plan C students should submit this form with the Degree Program form.
  
  
• 4000-Level Courses Acceptable for Graduate Credit
  
  
• Minimum Grade Requirements—The Graduate School requires a minimum GPA of 2.80 (on a 4.00 scale) for courses included on any official master’s degree program form. The courses listed on your Degree Program form must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.
  
  
• Petition Form - Changes in an Approved Program—Once approved, the program must be fulfilled in every detail to meet graduation requirements and before the final oral examination can be scheduled. Program changes should be requested by completing a Graduate School petition form.
  
  
• Double Counting—Students may have a maximum of 8 credits in common between two master’s-level degrees.
  
  
• Preliminary Written Examination Report - If you plan on continuing on to the PhD, the Preliminary Written Examination should be completed and passed by the end of your second year of study. You are given two chances to pass the exam. The examination is typically offered in November and again in April.