Masters in Program Evaluation

This document is prepared for graduate students interested in the Program Evaluation major. It outlines procedures and requirements associated with master's degrees in this major. Information concerning a fifteen credit Program Evaluation Certificate is available on request.

Assignment of a Temporary Advisor

A temporary advisor is assigned to each applicant admitted as a graduate student. The duration of this assignment is generally for the student's first semester.

The temporary advisor helps the students select courses to be taken the first semester, select a major professor and committee, and become aware of graduate policies and procedures. The temporary advisor is also a good source of information for new students prior to arrival on campus.

Selection and Appointment of the Major Professor

Towards the end of the first semester, a major professor is selected by the student and appointed by the Department Chair. In selecting the major professor, the student and prospective major professor take into account the professor's specialization, compatibility of this specialization with the student's academic interests, and the current load of the professor.

To serve as major professor, the faculty member must have master's directive status in the Program Evaluation major for students enrolled in a masters program, or doctoral directive status for doctoral students. College policy provides that the faculty member must consent to serving as the student's major professor.

While continued service of the major professor until graduation is typical, a change may be requested by the student, the faculty member, or both. Occasionally, as the student's interests mature, and an area of specialization emerges which differs from that of the major professor, a new appointment becomes desirable. The need for such a change is most likely when a student advances from a master's to doctoral program, and also at the time a student selects a dissertation topic.

Appointment of the Advisory Committee

The student and major professor select and agree upon nominations for membership of the advisory committee. A master's advisory committee consists of three faculty, with at least one from the Program Evaluation major. A doctoral advisory committee consists of four or more faculty, at least two from the major, and a University Representative who must be from outside the department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

All members of the advisory committee must be members of the university's graduate faculty. Three members of a doctoral advisory committee, including the University Representative, must have doctoral directive status within the university. Advisory committee may include more members than the numbers specified above. The major professor is counted as a member of the committee.

The student asks the nominated faculty to serve on the advisory committee. When the committee is finalized and approved by the Department Chair, the student complete and obtains necessary signatures on the Graduate Supervisory Committee form. This form is available from the department secretary.

Planning and Approval of the Program of Studies

With the advice of the major professor and the guidelines provided by prototype programs, the student prepares a formal program of studies. This program includes a listing of all courses the student will complete while fulfilling requirements for the degrees sought. A master's program includes a minimum of 36 semester hours (21 must be letter graded- A, B, C), or 32 semester hours if a thesis is to be written (18 must be letter graded).

The Program of Study form is used to list courses included in the program, and indicate dates when each course will be taken. Signatures of individuals serving on the committee signify their approval of the program of studies. The Department Chair and the Dean also must concur. A meeting of the advisory committee may be used to discuss and approve the program of studies.

Comprehensive Examination

During the last semester of the master's program, the student completes a one-day written comprehensive exam. This exam assesses the student's proficiency in the content included in the student's program of studies. An optional oral exam may by scheduled to supplement the written exam. During the term this exam is scheduled, the student must register for EDF8966.

Final Clearance for Diploma

During the first two weeks of the term during which graduation is planned, the student applies to the Office of Permanent Records for a diploma. A Final Term Clearance form is given to the student. This form provides space for certification by relevant parties that all requirements for the degree have been met.

College of Education Graduate Deadline

Each term, College of Education Graduate Deadline is published and posted. It is important to be aware of critical dates listed in this announcement.

Program Evaluation program
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
114 Stone Building - Tallahassee, FL 32306-4452
Phone: (850) 644-8780 ♦ Fax: (850) 644-1258 ♦ E-mail: lschrade@mailer.fsu.edu