Graduate programs1

Biology - Graduate Program
Erik Wild, Graduate Coordinator
Room 167, College of Natural Resources Building
Phone: 715-346-4269
E-mail: biology@uwsp.edu OR ewild@uwsp.edu

UW-Stevens Point offers a Master of Science in Teaching (MST) in Biology. The Department of Biology administers the program through the department chair and department graduate coordinator. The primary purpose of this program is to meet the educational needs of teachers who have already completed the teacher certification process. As a secondary school teacher, the MST-Biology program will give you the opportunity for advanced study, experimentation, research, and involvement in professional activities.

If you are interested in a Master of Science (MS) degree, examine the Master of Science in Natural Resources. Most biology faculty have joint appointments in the College of Natural Resources and can serve as major advisors for that degree. You may also consider the Master of Science in Education. A science education faculty member may serve as your advisor.

Admission to the Program
The Graduate Study section of this catalog describes admissions requirements and procedures for graduate study at UWSP. To pursue a graduate program in biology, you must:

Submit an application to the UWSP Admissions Office, which will forward the application to the biology graduate coordinator;

Have an undergraduate major or minor in biology;

Have a 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA;

Have a 3.00 undergraduate GPA in the biology major or minor; and

Submit an unofficial copy of your teaching license.

If you don’t meet these criteria, you may appeal to the graduate coordinator and chair for acceptance on probation. Probation requires a minimum 3.0 average based on the first 9 graduate credits completed at UWSP. You may have to complete additional coursework.

On formal notification of acceptance into a graduate program, you will be assigned a departmental advisor who will work with you to complete a Program of Study form in the first semester of your graduate program. The planned course of study is provisional based on course availability.

Policies
The Graduate Study section of this catalog describes all graduate requirements, but the following provisions are particularly important:

UWSP does not automatically accept transfer graduate credits. You must submit a formal application to the Department of Biology for approval of up to 9 credits from another accredited graduate institution; only 6 of these credits may be Extension credits.

The Department of Biology determines whether graduate credits taken before admission to a graduate degree program will apply toward the fulfillment of requirements of the UWSP degree program. Graduate courses taken as a special student at UWSP also fall under this provision. You may not use more than 9 graduate credits earned before graduate admission to satisfy requirements for the degree program.

You must complete all degree requirements, including transfer credits, within a seven-year period that is counted from the end of the term when the first degree course was taken. You may apply for an extension which necessitates the approval of the biology graduate coordinator, the dean of the college, and the Graduate Council. Time extensions are granted only for unusual health conditions, fulfillment of military obligations, or other extenuating circumstances.

A maximum of 6 credits earned in Biology 796 (Independent Study) may apply to a master's degree, unless there are programmatic factors beyond the department's or your control. The biology graduate coordinator may grant approval for exceptions.

With the exception of thesis credit, a grade of incomplete automatically becomes an F unless it is removed before the end of the next semester or summer session in which you are registered. For an incomplete to be granted, you and the instructor must agree on the specific requirements, including a firm date for the completion of the work and the removal of the incomplete.

No credits with pass/fail grades will be accepted toward the degree.

To receive a graduate degree, you must apply for graduation in the Registration and Records Office at the beginning of the term in which you expect to receive the degree and not later than the end of the third week of a semester or the first week of a summer session. Graduate degrees are conferred only in May and December. If you apply for graduation and do not complete the degree requirements, you must reapply for graduation.

Except for those courses in which you are currently enrolled, you must complete all degree requirements at least 20 days before the degree conferral date. If you have incomplete coursework or lack an approved thesis or other culminating experience in the Department of Biology, you will not be eligible for graduation.

If writing a master's thesis, you must file two unbound copies of your thesis in the library at least 10 days before graduation. One copy of the thesis is for the library; the second is for the Department of Biology. The library will charge you a nominal fee for binding.

You must meet at least once per year with your graduate coordinator and/or your graduate committee.

The Program

You must earn and maintain at least a 3.00 GPA in the MST program.

At least 15 graduate credits must be in courses numbered 700 and above.

A culminating experience is required.

Coursework distribution:

Major area of specialization, 21-24 credits, primarily in biology courses. Your graduate committee may approve graduate coursework from other areas (e.g. chemistry, geography, geology, mathematics, natural resources, physics). If you were admitted without a biology major, you must complete the equivalent of an undergraduate biology major in your MST program.

Professional education, 6-9 credits numbered 700 and above. Especially recommended are: Education 702, 703, 705, 707, 721, 771; Natural Resources 61X series, especially 614; NRES 701.

Culminating Experience

A. Thesis option: For those who wish to pursue original research in an area of biology or biology teaching.

Upon admission to the MST program, you should meet with your graduate coordinator and indicate your selection of the thesis option. At this time you should discuss your proposed thesis with your graduate coordinator who will then appoint a thesis advisor knowledgeable in your area of interest.

You then meet with your thesis advisor to discuss the thesis and submit a written proposal.

After your written proposal has been approved by your advisor and graduate coordinator, two other graduate faculty members conversant with your thesis area will be appointed by the graduate coordinator to make up your thesis committee.

You will then make a formal presentation to the thesis committee covering (1) a prospectus for the thesis (2) a preliminary bibliography, and (3) a summary of major problems that need to be addressed. The committee will provide you with suggestions for completing the thesis, including the number of credits for the thesis when it is satisfactorily completed.

Following this presentation and upon receiving the committee’s approval, you should register for thesis credit in Biology 799 at the next registration period. You must enroll for at least 2 but no more than 6 thesis credits.

Establish a schedule and submit drafts of portions of your thesis to your thesis committee for suggestions and critique. Consult regularly with your committee throughout the writing of your thesis.

At least 10 weeks before you intend to graduate (four weeks in summer session), submit the completed thesis to your committee for final evaluation. The committee will meet with you in an open forum to discuss the thesis, including any recommendations for revision. This will constitute the oral examination for the graduate degree.

Upon acceptance of your thesis and at least 10 days before graduation, the required copies of your thesis bearing the signature of the thesis committee will be forwarded to the Biology Department.

B. Comprehensive examination option, written and oral.

Inform your graduate coordinator that you are selecting this option. Your examining committee will consist of your graduate advisor plus two members of the graduate faculty.

The examination will take place during the term in which you will complete the degree requirements. Early in that term or in the prior term you and the committee will meet to discuss the range of coverage for the examination.

C. Portfolio and examination option: For those who have been and are actively involved in writing for publication and/or actively participating in various professional activities.

Submit the following to your graduate coordinator who will then select a three-member committee to review your proposal. (The proposal and materials will be evaluated for their significance, originality, scholarship, and contribution to the profession.)

Rationale: Write a brief (500 words) justification for your decision to select the portfolio option. Include a statement of how many credits of portfolio you wish to include toward the graduate degree.

Summary of work to date: List all appropriate publications and professional activities you have completed. Include copies of publications, manuscripts accepted for publication and other supporting materials.

Award and honors: List any recent awards or honors that indicate achievement in writing or other professional accomplishments.

Timetable for completion: Provide specific dates for completion of works-in-progress and the submission of your completed portfolio. The completed portfolio must be submitted to the committee at least 10 weeks (four weeks in summer session) before the date you intend to graduate.

You must also complete a written examination during the term in which you will complete the degree requirements. Early in that term or in the prior term you and committee will meet to discuss the range of coverage for the examination. The examining committee will consist of your graduate advisor plus two members of the graduate faculty.

Communication - Graduate Program
Chris Sadler, Graduate Coordinator
Room 312, Communication Arts Center
Phone: 715-346-3898 or -3409
E-mail: communication@uwsp.edu or csadler@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/comm/grad/

In the Division of Communication you may work toward the Master of Arts (MA) in Communication degree specializing in organizational communication, interpersonal communication, public relations, and mass communication. Many students elect to take most of their coursework in one area and one or two courses in an adjunct area. Some will achieve a blend between areas, depending upon how they define an area of concentration. Working with your advisor, you define a plan of study best suited to your career goals.

Although a full-time student can complete this program in two years, many plan a two- to five-year part-time program. You must earn a minimum of 30 graduate credits, plus one credit for colloquium, but many students finish with more than 31 credits.

Admission to the Program
To be admitted to the Master of Arts in Communication program you need to:

Complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

Submit undergraduate transcripts with GPAs.

Submit results of the Graduate Record Examination. (You may appeal to the graduate coordinator for an exception.)

Submit a statement of purpose which explains what role the completed degree will play in your future.

Submit a 5-7 page sample of your writing ability.

Write a brief analytical/critical response to a common essay provided to all applicants.

Provide two letters of recommendation that address the likelihood of your success in a graduate program.

Document relevant work experience that you want the admissions committee to consider.

If you are a foreign student, present a current TOEFL score of 575 or higher. Please inquire about other requirements for foreign students.

Additional Information

You will be admitted to the graduate program in communication on a probationary basis.

Full-time students are admitted in the fall only.

Required:

Take at least 15 credits of 700 level courses (no more than 3 credits may be independent study).

Take Comm 701 and 702 plus at least two additional graduate level communication seminars.

As part of your colloquium, give a presentation based on your thesis or project

After you are admitted to the program you have seven years to complete your degree. It is your responsibility to be aware of this timeline and to complete the degree within the allotted time.

Be aware that after you have been admitted into the program you may still be asked to do remedial work if your undergraduate transcript indicates insufficient preparation for master’s-level communication courses.

Admission to Candidacy
You provide supporting materials (papers, exams, recommendations, etc.) based on your first 6 credits of work. The graduate program committee reviews these materials to decide your continuing status:

MA candidate: If your work is acceptable, the committee grants you candidacy and clearance to establish an advisory committee and obtain approval of your Program of Study.

Conditional candidate: If your work shows promise, the committee will grant you conditional candidacy and will re-evaluate your status once you have completed their recommendations.

Special student: If your graduate-level work is unacceptable, you are eligible to take courses but may not continue in the graduate degree program. You may appeal this status by writing to the graduate coordinator and graduate program committee or apply to another program.

Typical Timeline
After completing 6-9 credits meet with the graduate coordinator to establish a tentative plan of study which outlines the courses you intend to take and establishes a thesis/project committee. While the official plan of study is not completed until you form your graduate committee, it is important to discuss your plans with the graduate coordinator to ensure that you are making adequate progress toward completing your degree.

After you complete approximately 18 credits you should formally complete your plan of study and select a graduate committee to direct your thesis or project. You choose the members of your graduate committee that consists of a chair and two readers who all must have graduate faculty status at UWSP. The most important member on this committee is the chair, the person you will be working with while completing your thesis or project.

Program Planning
You may choose one of two options:

Option 1--Thesis: 24 credits of coursework, plus 6 credits for thesis, and one colloquium credit. This option allows you to conduct a research project (approx 100-150 pages) that can help you prepare for entering a PhD program or complete a more detailed and/or theoretical examination of a topic of interest. After you have completed at least 15 credits, the advisory committee approves the selection of a thesis topic, rationale, and method to be used for the study. When the advisory committee approves your thesis project proposal, you must enroll in one or more hours of thesis or project credit to maintain your status as an MA candidate. We count no more than 6 thesis credits toward your 31 credit degree requirement.

Option 2--Project: 27 credits of coursework, plus 3 credits for project, and one colloquium credit. This option allows you to conduct a study (approx 50 pages) of a work situation, write about and direct a production, or examine a topic of interest from a more applied perspective. After you have completed at least 15 credits, the advisory committee approves the selection of your project topic, rationale, and method to be used for conducting the project. When the advisory committee approves your project proposal, you must enroll in one or more hours of project credit to maintain your status as an MA candidate. We count no more than 3 project credits towards your 31 credit degree requirement.

Process for Completing the Thesis/Project

With the chair of your committee, write a prospectus (a proposal of 20-30 pages) that outlines the thesis/ project topic and the methods you will use to conduct the study. After the remaining committee members have read your prospectus, you must orally defend it to your committee.

After approval of the prospectus, conduct your study and write the thesis or project. Once you and your chair feel the written thesis/project is ready, have the remaining committee members read it and set a date to orally defend the thesis/project to the committee.

Make any final revisions that are required by the committee. Arrange with the library to have at least four hardbound copies made. After receiving your bound copy, the library certifies that your thesis/project is complete. The graduate coordinator and registrar then conduct a final audit of your work before approving you for graduation.

Communicative Disorders - Graduate Program
Julia King, Coordinator of Graduate Programs
Room 034, College of Professional Studies Building
Phone: 715-346-4657
E-mail: commdis@uwsp.edu or Julia.King@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/commd

The School of Communicative Disorders (SCD) offers a Master's of Science degree in speech-language pathology. You will receive the academic background and clinical practicum experience required to function competently and independently in a variety of professional employment settings. For more information, see the website at www.uwsp.edu/commd.

The UW-Stevens Point School of Communicative Disorders has developed a joint Clinical Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) program with the UW-Madison Department of Communicative Disorders. Our universities have merged their resources to provide a unique professional doctorate program. The joint doctoral program in audiology at UW-Madison and UW-Stevens Point is a candidate for accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This is a pre-accreditation status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of five years. For more information, see www.aud.wisc.edu.

The faculty and staff in the SCD provide you with a high quality education that emphasizes training in the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of disorders of hearing, speech, language, and swallowing. Graduates are employed throughout the country in schools, universities, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and private/public clinics.

Clinical training begins at the undergraduate level and culminates with a full-time clinical externship at the end of the graduate program. In consultation with the director of Clinical Services, students will select a site for your externship. If you are in the audiology program, you will complete a full-time clinical externship during the entire fourth year of study. In the speech-language pathology program, you will complete a full-time 15-20 week externship in a school, health care facility, or clinic setting during the final semester of the program.

Admission to the Program

Contact the coordinator of graduate programs for specific information about the application process for both the speech-language pathology and audiology programs. For both programs, you will need the following to be considered for admission:

A completed application for admission to the program,

A statement of professional intentions (i.e., interest and goals),

Three letters of recommendation,

GRE scores,

A completed practicum and work experience form,

A completed undergraduate major in communicative disorders or equivalent coursework. Applications for graduate school are due in January for the next fall semester. For forms and specific deadlines, go to www.uwsp.edu/commd/ for speech-language pathology and www.aud.wisc.edu for audiology.

Admission to Candidacy

You must complete at least 9 credits of graduate work with a GPA of 3.00 (B). See the Graduate Handbook in Speech-Language Pathology or the University of Wisconsin Professional Doctoral of Audiology (Au.D.) Degree Student Handbook for details regarding candidacy.

Specializations

In either specialization you must meet minimum standards for clinical certification as established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association that are in effect at the time you graduate.

Culminating Experience

In speech-language pathology, you must take a comprehensive examination the semester before you begin a 15-credit clinical semester. In the clinical semester, you are assigned full time for one academic term to a hospital, clinic, school, etc. to gain professional experience in the type of setting that most interests you. You may complete a thesis in lieu of taking comprehensive examinations as a culminating experience. The thesis must be completed prior to graduation.

In audiology you will culminate your graduate program with a capstone project during the third year and a full-time, clinical externship during the fourth year of study.

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