1. Assignment of Major Professor
When a student is admitted, he/she is assigned a major professor based on the recommendation of the Instructional Systems program leader. The assignment is made on the basis of a match of student and faculty interests and background, as well as faculty load.

2. Qualification
There is no separate qualifying procedure for Masters degree students. Acceptance into the program constitutes qualification.

3. Program of Study
Planning and approval of the program of study occurs no later than the end of the second semester of enrollment. The program must follow the masters in Open and Distance Learning program requirements, with electives chosen in light of the student's future professional or academic plans. The program is approved by the student's major professor and the ER Department Chair.

4. Masters Comprehensive Exam
The purpose of the Masters Comprehensive examination is to assess the student's ability to synthesize the information and skills that have been acquired through courses and the internship experience. It is not a course-type final examination, but rather an opportunity to demonstrate the integration of the knowledge and skills of the student.

The exam is not a written test type. Students prepare a protfolio of some of the products they have produced in the program. Portfolio consists of two major sections, which are competency analysis report and print-based portfolio. More information about the exam is available in the format of MS Word, PDF, and plain HTML.

The portfolio is usually prepared during the final semester of enrollment in the masters program at a time established by the program leader. The student should enroll in EDF 8966 (0) hours, and contact the Office of Student Services (voice: 850-644-3760, Fax: 850-644-6868 to obtain the appropriate forms. The Program-of-Study form (located in Appendix A of this guide) must be on record before the paperwork for the masters examination can be completed.

Students should assign master's comprehension exam committee members to review their portfolio and submit the portfolio by the due date given by the program leader. And then it will be reviewed by the committee members for the following week. After reviewing the portfolio, a review form indicating the outcome for the review will be signed by committee members and be returned to the program assistant along with the portfolio. And also the form which indicates the outcome for the exam must be signed by the major professor and returned to the Office of Student Services. A grade for the exam must also be recorded at the end of the semester. After all this, students can pick up their portfolio with the outcome of the exam from the progam assistant.

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5. Graduation Requirements

Program of Study - Students must complete the program of study information sheet. A copy is provided as an Appendix to this guide. Once the sheet is completed the information should be mailed or faxed to the ODL Program Coordinator.

Notice of Intent - Students must register to graduate through the Office of the Registrar in the first week of the term in which they will complete all degree requirements. Final gradation clearance checks must be requested in the term prior to the final term, both from the Registrar's Office and the academic dean's office. Commencement ceremonies to confer degrees are held at the end of fall, spring, and summer semesters. No one is allowed to participate in a ceremony before completion of requirements. Students who do not graduate after applying for the degree will be charged $5 to pay for printing a new diploma. If you are interested in participating in the graduation ceremony contact the Office of the Registrar (850) 644-5850 for more information.

Advisor Approval - The faculty advisor must complete the Graduation Approval Form before a student can be listed for graduation.