Page 48 - The Human Resource Development - New Student Orientation Handbook (REVISED)

The Human Resource Development
Orientation Handbook and Research Guide

Graduate Requirements

Application for Graduation
Upon completion of all program requirements, you may complete and submit your Application for
Graduation form to your advisor to apply for graduation. You must submit your Application for
Graduation at the beginning of the Fall semester of the academic year in which you plan to graduate.
You will be notified as soon as the Department verifies that all requirements for graduation have
been meet. This includes completion of course work, seminar paper/thesis, comprehensive exam
and the completion of all forms (Admissions to School and Program, Program of Study, and
Advancement to Candidacy Form).

You will need to apply for graduation in the online Bulldog system at
http://www.bulldogconnect.bowiestate.edu/.

We cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining a close relationship with your advisor.
They are here to work with you.

Program of Study

Establishing a “Program of Study" that maps out your course completion goals should take place at
either your first or second advisor meeting and, if possible, before you begin your first semester.
This plan is important because in addition to being your tentative plan of study, you must also submit
the Program of Study to the Office of the Registrar before you can request to Advance to Candidacy.
This form must be signed by you, your Advisor, the College Dean, and lastly, the Dean of School
of Professional Studies. This plan can be changed by submitting a Request for a Change in the
Program of Study form (see Appendix A: Forms).

Advancement to Candidacy
Once you have completed between 12 and 15 credit hours in the program and have a cumulative
grade point average of 3.25, you may apply for Advancement to Candidacy (see Appendix A:
Forms). Again, you will need to have already turned in your completed and signed “Program of
Study" before your application will be accepted. See your Graduate Catalog for additional
information. However, you can get a current copy of this form from the Registrar’s Office or HRD
Graduate Office (301) 860-3156.

Comprehensive Examination:

Candidates seeking a HRD graduate degree must take and pass a written comprehensive
examination. You cannot take the comprehensive exam until you have completed 24 semester
hours and have a 3.25 grade point average in the first 12-15 credit hours. You must also have
Advanced to Candidacy. The HRD comprehensive exam is offered twice (2) a year in the Fall and
Spring semesters.

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