The department exercises selection standards in reviewing the applications of students with mediocre undergraduate records, or those experiencing some difficulty in their initial graduate courses. The application will not be approved by the DGS until the student has demonstrated the ability to do satisfactory M.S. work. After approval by the DGS, four copies of the program of study are given to the secretary for the graduate programs for recording, filing in the student's permanent file, and returning to the major adviser. Graduate students should always have a current copy of their Program of Study Form. The change must be recorded on a Program of Study Substitution Form and approved by the DGS who will submit a copy to the Dean of the Graduate School.
All forms are available from the secretary for graduate programs.
When the major adviser's signature has been obtained, the form is submitted to the secretary for graduate studies for signature of the DGS and transmission to the Graduate School. It is appointed for the express purpose of ascertaining that the academic accomplishments of the candidate merit the degree, and that the successful completion of the several courses in the candidate's program has resulted in a unified and coordinated effort in the training of an agricultural economist. For the thesis option, the Examining Committee consists of at least three faculty members approved by the Graduate School. The committee normally includes the adviser, and second and third thesis readers. For the nonthesis option, the Examining Committee is appointed by the DGS and normally includes the members of the departmental committee appointed to review the technical or research paper.