THINGS A GRADUATE STUDENT SHOULD KNOW:


1.  DURATION AND PLAN OF STUDY:

    Students with TA appointments who are pursuing a Masters program are expected
    to complete their program within a span of two academic years.  A typical Plan of Study
    for a student pursuing an MS in Applied Statistics may look like this:

         Fall Year 1      Stat 562 (Theory 1)      4
                          Stat 662 (Methods 1)     3
                                                          
         Spring Year 1    Stat 660 (Theory 2)      4
                          Stat 664 (Methods 2)     3
                                                           
         Summer I Year 1  Elective                 3
         Summer II Year 1 --------
                                                          
         Fall Year 2      Stat 680 (SAS Computing) 3
                          Elective                 3
                                                          
         Spring Year 2    Elective                 3
                          Elective                 3
                          Elective                 3
                                           -------------                                
                                           Total: 32 hrs

    Incoming students are expected to complete a Plan of Study with their graduate
    adviser by Oct. 15 during their first Fall semester.  A tentative plan may be 
    submitted online at http://www.stat.wmich.edu/naranjo/msstat/index.html
    

2.  STATISTICS GRADUATE EXAMINATIONS:

    All students pursuing a masters program in Statistics must take and pass the 
    Department Graduate Examinations (DGE) on topics covered by the Year 1 sequences 
    Stat 562/660 and Stat 662/664.  The DGE's are given once a year, on the first week 
    of Summer 1 classes.  In Summer I 2009, the DGE's will be given on the following dates.

                      Thursday, May 7, 2-5 PM - Methods DGE
                      Friday,   May 8, 2-5 PM - Theory DGE

    Eligible students who plan to take the Exams must register with Cheryl Peters
    by March 15.  Students pursuing a doctoral program must pass the DGE's at a High Level.

3.  MINIMUM GPA FOR GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING:

    All students pursuing a graduate program must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0. 
    Students whose GPA drop below 3.0 are put on probation, and will lose their TA appointment 
    and stipend for the next regular semester.  If their GPA improves to 3.0 or better after 
    one semester, then probation is removed, and TA appointments may be continued at the
    discretion of the Graduate Committee.

4.  SATISFACTORY TA PERFORMANCE:

    All graduate assistants (TA's and DA's) must perform satisfactorily in their assigned
    teaching and other duties.  The Graduate Committee may withhold renewal of graduate
    appointments based on poor performance in teaching or other duties.

5.  DURATION OF SUPPORT:

    Graduate students in good academic standing who provide satisfactory TA performance
    may expect to receive continued support to the conclusion of their program.  However,
    students will NOT normally be supported more than 2 years for a Masters degree, or more
    than 5 years for a doctoral degree.

6.  OTHER DUTIES:

    Graduate students are expected to attend all colloquia of the Department of Statistics.
    Colloquium announcements will be posted at the Department bulletin board and the
    Department website http://www.stat.wmich.edu.  Colloquium AND other announcements are 
    also emailed to a graduate student mailing list maintained by Cheryl Peters; it is your 
    responsibility to ensure that she has the email address that you read regularly.