Individual Studies M.A., M.Ed., M.S.
Program Description. IIn addition to the documents and materials required for the admissions process, each IS applicant must include a description of the IS program he or she wishes to create. The applicant should include a detailed explanation of the rationale for this program and explain why her or his goals cannot be met by means of pursuing an established master’s degree at CWU. The applicant should indicate how the proposed program would meet her or his educational objectives and professional aims.
Learner outcomes are critical to the success of CWU degree programs. As a result, each IS master’s candidate is expected to prepare an acceptable goals statement in which anticipated learner outcomes are specified. These will be measured at the completion of the program as a partial means of determining whether each student has met degree requirements.
Program of Study. A comprehensive, proposed course of study is also required. The requisite form for detailing this may be obtained from the graduate school. A justification for the selection of each election proposed should be included in the course of study. Please note that general graduate school regulations appearing in the CWU catalog must be observed, and all IS programs must include a master’s thesis. In the process of designing the curriculum, applicants are expected to consult the publications of universities nation-wide to identify any programs similar in content and design to the one sought. Such information may provide useful information in constructing the program of study.
Number of Credit Hours. For an IS program of study to be approved by the associate vice president of graduate studies, research and continuing education, it must include a minimum of 45 quarter hours of graduate level credit, of which at least 25 credits must be numbered 501 or higher. In some cases more than the minimum of 45 credits will be required. The course of study must include six credits of 700 (Thesis) and may not normally include more than 10 credits of independent study. Prerequisite courses may also be required.
Graduate Committee: Each applicant seeking an IS program must propose a graduate committee to the associate vice president of Graduate Studies, Research, and Continuing Education. Each committee member must be at least an associate member of the graduate faculty and the person whom the applicant wishes to chair the advisory committee must be a regular member of the graduate faculty. The applicant must work with these faculty to develop the proposed program of study. The proposed graduate committee members will meet with the associate vice president of Graduate Studies, Research, and Continuing Education to discuss the applicant’s program of study and may be asked to meet with the graduate council as well.
All proposed graduate committee members are expected to discuss their participation on this committee with their respective department chairs. Department chairs must agree to allow their faculty members to participate on the IS committee and all proposed committee members must certify their willingness to serve. The committee constitution will be reviewed by the associate vice president of Graduate Studies, Research, and Continuing Education, in conjunction with the graduate council. Following any needed discussions, the associate vice president of Graduate Studies, Research, and Continuing Education, in consultation with the graduate council, will determine the applicant’s admissibility, along with the viability of the graduate committee, and communicate the decision to the applicant as quickly as possible.
Examination and Assessment: An oral final examination is required on work completed in partial fulfillment of the IS master’s degree requirements. This examination must include a defense of the thesis and an examination of studies completed. Some graduate committees may also require a written examination as well. The examination process is intended to assure that the student has met the objectives of her or his goal statement and that the learner outcomes have thus been achieved. If the student performs satisfactorily on the examination, the student’s committee will write a summary statement of the student’s accomplishments and competencies for inclusion in the student’s permanent file.
Application Deadlines: The deadlines for submitting all application materials are as follows:
April 1 for summer and fall quarter
October 1 for winter quarter
January 1 for spring quarter
Applicants must meet these deadlines or risk jeopardizing their admission for the quarter requested.
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