Master of Science
Policies and Requirements
In addition to completion of necessary coursework, students must investigate a problem that initiates, expands, or clarifies knowledge in the field and prepare a thesis based on this study. Students are required to define an appropriate problem for investigation; review relevant information; develop a study plan incorporating investigative techniques appropriate to the problem; implement the plan; and relate the results to theory or a body of knowledge in the field.
The minimum credit-hour requirement is the successful completion of 30 graduate credits distributed between coursework and thesis. The applicable distributions will be determined by individual departments to suit program objectives, with the understanding that a minimum of 18 credits is awarded for graduate-level coursework and a minimum of six credits is awarded for the thesis. All steering committee members should sign the student’s program of study (Form 3B) by the end of the third semester of study and no later than the end of the last year of the student’s program. The student must successfully defend the thesis for degree completion. The thesis is prepared and bound according to college standards and submitted to ProQuest.
Communication Skills
All students entering graduate programs at ESF are expected to be proficient in communication skills, including technical writing and library skills. Students are required to have completed at least one course in technical writing and one course in library usage, either as an undergraduate or as a graduate student. Credits for such courses taken during the graduate program are not counted towards degree requirements. Alternatively, graduate students can meet the requirement by demonstrating the equivalent in experience in writing and library skills, as determined by the steering committee.
Seminars
Participation in seminars, including the preparation and presentation of technical material, is vital to graduate education. All graduate students at ESF are required to participate in graduate seminars, as follows:
- Each graduate student is expected to participate in topic seminars, including presentations, as determined by the individual department. This requirement can be fulfilled, with appropriate approval, by seminars offered at Syracuse University or the SUNY Upstate Medical UNiversity.
- Students completing the Master's degree are required to present a "capstone seminar" on their thesis. The purpose of the capstone seminar is to provide an opportunity for the graduate student to present technical information to a critical body of professionals and peers. This seminar will be presented prior to the thesis defense and should be attended by the student's steering committee. Each seminar is open to the College community and will be announced College-wide to encourage attendance by students and faculty.
Academic Performance
All graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.000 cumulative grade point average (4.000 =A) for graduate level courses. Students who do not maintain this average, or who receive two or more grades of Unsatisfactory (U) for work on the thesis or project, will be placed on probation or suspended from ESF by the Dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies upon the recommendation of the College Subcommittee on Academic Standards.
Credit Hour Load
To meet academic requirements, graduate students must be registered for at least one credit each semester, excluding summers, from the first semester of matriculation until all degree requirements have been completed. Students are required to register for at least one credit in the summer if they will complete all requirements during that time. There is no full-time credit hour load to meet academic requirements.
To qualify for various forms of financial support, the following credit hour loads are defined: Graduate students who hold an assistantship must be registered for at least nine credits each semester while holding such an award. Graduate students not holding an assistantship are considered full-time if they are registered for at least 12 credits each semester.
Graduate students, holding an assistantship or not, in their last semester of study who have met all academic requirements except for the completion of their thesis or an examination may be considered full-time if registered for at least one credit and have their major professor verify they are working full-time on the completion of degree requirements.
Transfer Credit
Credit hours appropriate to the graduate degree in which a minimum grade of B was earned from an accredited institution can be transferred to the college, but grades and grade points cannot be transferred.
- Up to six credits of graduate course work not used to complete another degree may be accepted toward completion of a master's degree as approved by the steering committee.
- Students may transfer no more than nine credits of credit-bearing non-degree ESF course work to graduate degree programs.
All transfer credit will remain tentative until official, final transcripts are received. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that official, final transcripts are sent to and received by the college.
Time Limits
Graduate students must complete all requirements for the Master's degree within three years of the first date of matriculation.
Graduate Program of Study (3B)
The study plan must include the sequence of courses that must be completed and a plan for research. The study plan, developed by the student with the advice and approval of the major professor and other members of the steering committee, must be submitted to your Department Chairperson for approval, and then forwarded to the Dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies at least by the end of your third semester. This study plan can be changed during the course of your studies. Changes must be approved by your major professor, steering committee, Department Chairperson, and the Dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies.
- M.S. Program of Study Form (3B)—PDF, Word
Major Professor
The student’s major professor is appointed by the Dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies, upon the recommendation of the Department Chairperson. A major professor should be appointed upon the student’s matriculation into a graduate program. For the graduate student accepted into a graduate program but lacking a major professor, a temporary advisor will be appointed by the Department Chairperson. However, every effort should be made to expedite appointment of a major professor as soon as possible.
It is the duty of the major professor to fulfill a primary role as the student’s mentor. Aided by other members of the steering committee, the major professor guides the student in the development and implementation of the program of study, including course selection, research planning, choice of the professional experience, and facilitation of the examination schedule. The major professor also guides the student in reviews of thesis drafts, including a complete review of the thesis before the final copy is presented for defense.
Steering Committee
The steering committee for Master of Science is composed of the major professor and at least two faculty members or other qualified persons. Other qualified people include faculty at other institutions or other recognized professionals. The student’s steering committee is appointed by the Dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies upon the recommendation of the Department Chairperson. For all students, the steering committee must be established and must have met by the end of the third semester of graduate study. The steering committee assists the student in the development of the program of study (3B), including the development of the student’s research or professional experience. All steering committee members should sign the 3B form before the end of the last year of the students's program. The steering committee guides the development of the thesis, including a review of the thesis before the final copy is presented for defense.
Thesis Defense
At the conclusion of the study and research program, each master's candidate completing a thesis must successfully defend the thesis. The objectives of the defense examination are (1) to probe the validity and significance of the data and information presented in the thesis or dissertation, (2) to assess the student as a critical thinker and data analyst, (3) to evaluate the student's scientific creativity, including the student's ability to relate research results to scientific theory within the chosen field, and (4) to present the results effectively in writing.
Students should follow the academic guidelines for timely completion of their degree. To see the academic year deadlines, click here. [3.1] Upon the recommendation of the appropriate Department Chairperson, the Dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies appoints the thesis defense examination committee. It consists of members of the steering committee and at least one additional faculty member for the master's degree examination. Additionally, the Dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies appoints a committee chair who is not from the student's degree program.
- Information about the thesis defense process, and to request appointment of the defense committee
- Request for major professor or steering committee (Form 2)—Word, PDF
This oral examination covers principally the material in the thesis as well as literature and information relating to the thesis. The role of the examination committee chair is to manage the defense, ensure its integrity and represent the interests of the faculty and student. Any member of the faculty may be an observer. The student examinee may invite a silent student observer to attend the examination. The defense examination usually lasts two hours, although this time period may be extended as required. At the completion of the examination, the candidate and observers are excused from the room and the examination committee determines whether the candidate has successfully defended the thesis. Unanimous agreement is required to pass the student. If less than unanimous agreement is reached, the student is considered to have failed the first thesis defense examination. A student who fails the first defense may request a second defense. At the second defense, the student has passed the defense if there is no more than one negative vote. A student who has failed the second defense is terminated from the graduate program.
