Prepare the Program of Study
Fill out the Program of Study form before 12 credit hours have been completed; incompletes count as completed courses. Email the completed form to msbiology@zsdzi1.com.
See Course Schedule or Program Requirements to view required courses and elective course options.
Paperwork must be signed by the Director of the Distance M.S. Program and placed in the student’s file.
Apply for Candidacy
Students must apply for candidacy after the successful completion of half (18) of their program hours.
Fill out the Application for Candidacy form, and email it to msbiology@zsdzi1.com.
Paperwork must be signed by the Director of the Distance M.S. Program, the Graduate Program Chair, Biology Department Chair and Dean of Graduate Studies & Research. The signed form will be placed in the student’s file.
Apply for Graduation
During your final semester, you should apply for graduation. The application is available on MyBLUE. This is handled through the Graduate Office. Deadlines for filing for graduation are:
September 15 for December graduation
February 1 for May graduation
June 15 for July graduation
For more information regarding graduation see the Commencement Information webpage.
Pass the Comprehensive Exam
The comprehensive exam consists of multiple choice and essay questions covering topics from all coursework within the student’s program of study. The student has 2 hours to complete the exam and it is closed book, closed note, closed electronic device. The exam is typically taken in the final semester of enrollment. Students must earn a score of 70% or higher in order to pass the comprehensive exam. If a student does not earn a score of 70% on his or her first attempt, the student is allowed a second attempt. The second attempt must be a semester following the first failure. If the student does not earn a score of 70% on the second attempt, the student may be dismissed from the program.
The comprehensive exam must be completed at least 5 weeks prior to graduation.