Near the completion of the course work for the degree, the major professor will assist the student in planning an instructional systems project (under EDF 5910). A proposal should be submitted to the supervising committee which includes: problem to be addressed, methods to be used, data to be collected and reporting format. Where appropriate, the project report can be in the form of an article suitable for submission to a professional journal.

The major professor will schedule an oral examination when the project is completed. The comprehensive examination will cover both the project and any other topics from the student's program of study.

Should the student, at any time, decide to change to the doctoral program, the major professor and program leader should be notified. The student's credentials and graduate performance will be reviewed by the admissions committee and a recommendation made. If the change is approved, then to the extent possible, accomplishments on the Specialist degree will be transferred to the doctoral degree. However, the residency requirement for doctoral students (24 hours of course work in 12 months) must be met after the transfer to the doctoral program.

The student who completes the Specialist and wishes to enter the regular Doctoral program will undergo an immediate Qualifying Review by the program faculty. If approved for continuation, the student will complete the courses presently required in the doctoral program and the 24 hour residency requirement, take the preliminary examination, and do a dissertation.

The Specialist graduate will have a minimum of 48 hours in the doctoral program. Twenty four hours in course work will be required to fulfill the residency requirement and 24 hours must be applied to the dissertation. It may be anticipated that the courses taken for residency will consist mainly of methodology courses in the areas of statistics, measurement, research design and evaluation. Students enrolled for a second master's degree or a doctoral degree in Instructional Systems at the time of the initiation of this Specialist degree can petition the Admissions Committee of the Department of Educational Research to change degree programs. Students should consult the University Bulletin for general regulations regarding all Specialist degrees.