Applicants are encouraged to have completed at least one course each in theory, statistics, and research methods. Under certain conditions, applicants who are missing some of the prerequisite courses but who are otherwise fully qualified for admission may be given a provisional admission. After a student is recommended for admission, the student is advised by the Chairperson of the Department until such time as the student selects an advisor. M.A. students are expected to select an advisor from among the Department's Graduate Faculty prior to the end of their first semester. Request for approval of the advisor are available in the Department's Graduate Office.
Students are free to change their advisor.
They are responsible, however, for completion of the new advisor form which must be signed by the new advisor and Chairperson. The advisor is usually the chairperson of the student's thesis committee, but there is no requirement that this be the case. Graduate students may select any qualified member of the Graduate Faculty to act as their thesis advisor. The student must seek an appointment with the graduate advisor prior to registration for the first semester's course work. The advisor will assist in planning the degree program.