Instructions for Completing the Online Program of Study Form

1. Except for signatures, this form should be downloaded and the information filled in using the computer. In extreme cases, a typewriter may be used. Handwritten copies will be returned.

2. This is a multipurpose form to be used in filling out programs of study for the master’s, ed. specialist, and doctoral programs. A current, unofficial UW transcript should be printed out and used by the student, advisor and/or committee to assist in completion. This transcript must be attached to the program before obtaining program approval signatures. You can obtain a copy of the unofficial UW transcript from WyoWeb.

3. This form is created using fields that may be navigated using the tab key. Student ID number will be the student’s W number. The Email address entered should be the students UW email address. This is the official correspondence email address for the student and the ONLY email address that will be used to correspond with the student. The Degree and Options fields are drop down boxes. Please choose the official degree designation as listed in the “Degrees Offered” section of the Graduate Bulletin. For example: Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

4. Master’s students should indicate Plan A (Thesis) or Plan B (Non-Thesis) option by checking the correct box.

5. All students should list any previous degrees received. These degrees will be verified so be sure that the Graduate School is aware of all degrees earned and has a current official transcript from these institutions.

6. Section A. List all transfer (coursework taking at institutions other than UW) coursework in this section. For the Master’s and Ed Specialist programs, UW allows the transfer of up to 9 credit hours from other institutions. No S/U or P/F graded coursework or research hours may be listed in this section. For the doctoral programs, up to 48 hours (including 4 hours of thesis hours) may be transferred in from other institutions. Official transcripts indicating the hours and grades for these courses must be on file with the Graduate School. A copy of the transcripts must be attached for all transfer courses. These copies need not be official as long as the official transcripts are part of your permanent record. Be sure to include a copy of the institution’s numbering and grading system (generally the backside of the transcript). In this section, students are asked to complete all information except the comments section. International transcripts will be individually evaluated for transfer credit eligibility.

Also please note if the institution operated under a “quarter hour” or “semester hour” system. Quarter hours are less than semester hours and can be figured by multiplying the number of quarter hours earned by .667. Five quarter hours is equal to 3.33 semester hours, four quarter hours is equal to 2.67 semester hours, three quarter hours is equal to 2 semester hours, two quarter hours is equal to 1.33 semester hours, one quarter hour is equal to .67 semester hours.

7. Section B. List all UW coursework in this section. List all graduate level courses that the student has taken, is taking and will take at UW. Courses that are offered only as S/U only may be listed here. However, if a course is listed either S/U or letter grade, the student must take the course for a letter grade if the other students take this course for a letter grade. Please list the courses as accurately as possible. If any information is missing, the program will be returned to the department office for correction/completion. In this section, the student will only be able to fill out the Dept., Course #, Course Title and Sem. Hours. The other information will be filled in by the degree analyst in the Office of the Registrar.

Ed Specialist students should bold those courses that are to be used to satisfy the 6-hour requirement of professional activity.

8. The “Rule of Twelve.” The rule of twelve refers to the total number of reserved undergraduate hours, transfer hours and non-degree seeking hours that a student may list on a program of study. Any combination of these three types of hours that equal twelve may be used. For example, a student may list 9 transfer hours and 3 non-degree seeking hours or 3 transfer hours, 3 reserved undergraduate hours and 6 non-degree seeking hours. Use of any hours beyond these rules requires a petition.

9. Section C. List all thesis/dissertation research hours in this section. Master’s students completing the Plan A (Thesis) option and doctoral students record their thesis or dissertation research hours here. A minimum of four thesis research hours must be listed for Master’s students. A maximum of 48 dissertations can be listed for doctoral students. Doctoral students may also list an additional four thesis research hours from their master’s program either from UW or another institution.

10. Total Program Hours. Compile totals of Sections A,B and C and report here. Minimum of 30 hours for the master’s program, 30 hours beyond the master’s for the Ed Specialist, and 72 hours for the doctoral program.

11. Approval Signatures. All forms must be signed and dated by the student. Master’s, Ed Specialist, and Certificate students need to secure the signature of their major professor/advisor. If student is pursuing a dual master’s, the student must also secure the signature of the director/dept. head of the secondary program as well. For example, a student pursuing a Soil Science/ENR degree must have the signature of the major professor from Soil Science and the director/associate director of ENR should sign on line two.

Doctoral students need to secure the signatures of all committee members. Please be sure that the committee has been nominated and approved by the Graduate School prior to submitting the program of study.

All programs require department/division chair signature and date.

12. Doctoral students should submit a one-page abstract describing their dissertation and/or project. They should also indicate if any research tools will be required. If none are required, please check the box by the word none.

A copy of the program of study should be submitted to the appropriate department office prior to submission to the Graduate School. The department office should check that this has been done and submit the form to the Graduate School. Please allow 2 weeks for processing your program. You will be contacted by email if there are problems and when the program is approved.

Click HERE to view the Program of Study Form