If you want to graduate from UH, you will have to fill out a few forms. These can be a little confusing, so this page gives a more or less complete description of what to do and when. Most IfA grad students are on the PhD track, meaning they will fulfill the Master's Plan B (non-thesis) requirements en route to a PhD. Some students arrive with a Master's degree, and a few will follow the Master's Plan A track, which includes a Master's Thesis instead of a pair of 699 projects. Following is a list of the forms to be submitted along the way (links below will take you to IfA or Grad Division pages with more details and PDF files of some forms). The IfA grad chair maintains a list of the deadlines you must meet for each step.
1. Pass the Qualifying Exams: Form I
Students usually take the oral and written 'Quals' in the Fall of your 2nd or 3rd year. You must pass the Quals before the end of your fifth semester.
After passing the Quals, you can submit Student Progress Form I to the Grad Division Records office on the third floor of Spalding.
2. Get Your Master's Degree: Application for Degree
If you are following the Master's Plan B track, you will satisfy all the requirements (699 projects, 30 credits, etc.) after your 5th or 6th semester. At this time you can submit an Application for Degree form. This form is picked up at Graduate Records (3rd floor of Spalding), and submitted to the Cashier's Office (Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services, on Varney Circle) along with a $15 diploma fee.
3. Present a Thesis Proposal: Form II
After you form a committee and put together a brilliant thesis plan, you present it to the committee (and maybe to an IfA audience as well). The committee has a chance for private questions after. This is your 'Comprehensive Exam'. After approving your proposal, the committee should sign off on Student Progress Form II. This form is also submitted to the Grad Division Records office in Spalding. You can now register for one credit of Thesis 800 as a full-time student.
4. Defend your Thesis: Form III
Possibly, a little bit of work is done between steps 3 and 4. Your committee signs the Student Progress Form III, and you submit it to the Grad Division Records office.
5. Get the Paper: Application for Degree
Whether you are concluding the Master's Thesis track, or finishing the PhD track, you must submit an Application for Degree form to get the diploma. This form is picked up from Grad Division Records, and submitted to the Cashier's Office in QLCSS. Pay $15 to get the degree and $21 for printing and binding of your thesis.
That's it. You're done. Have a party.
Written by S. Rodney
Maintained by J. Masiero