If you are completing a degree with a thesis or dissertation, you must submit a preliminary copy of your manuscript to your advisor at least eight weeks before the end of your final semester so that corrections and suggestions can be made. Your thesis must be typed and double-spaced. You can expect to get back the edited copy within two weeks. Some advisors edit your thesis more than once, so be prompt.

After your written thesis is completed to the satisfaction of your advisor, distribute a copy to all defense committee members. Distribute your thesis at least two weeks before your defense is scheduled so that your committee members will have adequate time to read it. The defense committee is usually the same as the advisory committee, but your department head is encouraged to attend as part of the defense committee. Thesis defenses are done orally, and the defense committee will ask you detailed questions about your research. The presentation of your research at the defense is open to the public, although the public may be excused for some portion of the examination. It is typical for other interested faculty to attend. After all questions have been answered, your defense committee will ask you to leave the room while they decide if your defense is acceptable. The decision does not usually take long, and they will let you know immediately afterward. When you have made required changes and your committee accepts your thesis, make sure that all defense committee members, including your department head, sign the M.S. or Ph.D. "Report of the Advisory Committee" form.

If you are completing a degree with a thesis or dissertation, you must submit a preliminary copy of your manuscript to your advisor at least eight weeks before the end of your final semester so that corrections and suggestions can be made. Your thesis must be printed typed and double-spaced. You can expect to get back the edited copy within two weeks. Some advisors edit your thesis more than once, so be prompt.

After your written thesis is completed to the satisfaction of your advisor, distribute a copy to all defense committee members. Distribute your thesis at least two weeks before your defense is scheduled so that your committee members will have adequate time to read it. The defense committee is usually the same as the advisory committee, but your department head is encouraged to attend as part of the defense committee. It is an expectation of the Graduate Program that all of the members of your committee be active participants in the defense.  That does not necessarily mean that they are all physically present.  For example defenses can incorporate videoconferencing for individuals that cannot attend the defense in person.  Thesis defenses are done orally, and the defense committee will ask you detailed questions about your research. The presentation of your research at the defense is open to the public, although the public may be excused for some portion of the examination. It is typical for other interested faculty to attend. After all questions have been answered, your defense committee will ask you to leave the room while they decide if your defense is acceptable. The decision does not usually take long, and they will let you know immediately afterward. When you have made required changes and your committee accepts your thesis, make sure that all defense committee members, including your department head, sign the M.S. or Ph.D. "Report of the Advisory Committee" form.

Once you have passed the candidacy examination, your are eligible for an increase in stipend, assuming that funds are available. Your faculty supervisor must recommend this increase and a revised Graduate Assistantship Appointment Form must be submitted. After passing the candidacy examination, you are required to complete 24 hours of dissertation credits (595). As a doctoral candidate you are required to register for twelve credit hours during the fall and spring semester and six credit hours during the summer session regardless of your support status. During your last semester, you may take as few as three credit hours if you are not on support. You may not register for dissertation credit hours before passing the candidacy examination.

Once you have passed the candidacy examination, your are eligible for an increase in stipend, assuming that funds are available. Your faculty supervisor must recommend this increase and a revised Graduate Assistantship Appointment Form must be submitted. After passing the candidacy examination, you are required to complete 24 hours of dissertation credits (595) distributed over one year. As a doctoral candidate you are required to register for twelve credit hours during the fall and spring semester and six credit hours during the summer session regardless of your support status. During your last semester, you may take as few as three credit hours if you are not on support. You may not register for dissertation credit hours before passing the candidacy examination.

Student

Your very first responsibility is to select an advisor and advisory committee. This must be accomplished no later than the end of your first semester. The head of your department or a departmental graduate advisor may serve as your advisor initially, but you must select an advisor whose research interests closely match your own. If this happens to be the head of your department, you still must notify the Graduate Office.

After choosing your advisor and committee, you must fill out the appropriate advisory committee form and turn it in to the Graduate Office. Not turning in this form before the end of your first semester will result in a warning and could cause your financial aid to be revoked. You are always responsible for making certain that forms are returned to the Graduate Office.

Student

Your very first responsibility is to select an advisor and advisory committee. This must be accomplished no later than the end of your first second semester. The head of your department or a departmental graduate advisor may serve as your advisor initially, but you must select an advisor whose research interests closely match your own. If this happens to be the head of your department, you still must notify the Graduate Office.

After choosing your advisor and committee, you must fill out the appropriate advisory committee form and turn it in to the Graduate Office. Not turning in this form before the end of your first second semester will result in a warning and could cause your financial aid to be revoked a hold being placed on your account so that you cannot register. You are always responsible for making certain that forms are returned to the Graduate Office.

There are several online sources that deal with plagiarism.  A general discussion of plagiarism in the context of our laws and society is available at: http://www.rbs2.com/plag.htm. Here is a checklist for avoiding plagiarism, from The Little Brown Handbook, 4th ed., 1988, pages 572-573.

There are several online sources that deal with plagiarism.  A general discussion of plagiarism in the context of our laws and society is available at: http://www.rbs2.com/plag.htm. The NMT Skeen Library has developed a web page devoted to Avoiding Plagiarism that contains many links to other sources.  Here is a checklist for avoiding plagiarism, from The Little Brown Handbook, 4th ed., 1988, pages 572-573.

One of the best at covering the do's and don'ts of citations in an academic setting is at the University of California, Davis.  A more general discussion of plagiarism in the context of our laws and society is available at: http://www.rbs2.com/plag.htm. 

One of the best at covering the do's and don'ts of citations in an academic setting is at the University of California, Davis.  A more general discussion of plagiarism in the context of our laws and society is available at: http://www.rbs2.com/plag.htm. 

From Full-time to Part-time

We place a great deal of importance on getting our graduate students through their programs quickly as full-time students so that they can get on with their careers. 

... 

It may, however, happen that your schedule for completing the graduate degree is confounded along the way by other responsibilities or circumstances beyond your control. If financial requirements for employment or changes in family responsibilities mean that you might better complete your degree as a part-time student you may request a change in your status. If you are in good standing (cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and not on warning), you may petition the Graduate Office to be changed from full-time to part-time. To receive consideration, your petition should explain in detail why you find it necessary to prolong your studies. Your petition should bear the endorsements of your advisor and department chair.

From Full-time to Part-time

We place a great deal of importance on getting our graduate students through their programs quickly as full-time students so that they can get on with their careers. 

... 

It may, however, happen that your schedule for completing the graduate degree is confounded along the way by other responsibilities or circumstances beyond your control. If financial requirements for employment or changes in family responsibilities mean that you might better complete your degree as a part-time student you may request a change in your status. If you are in good standing (cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and not on warning), you may petition the Graduate Office to be changed from full-time to part-time. To receive consideration, your petition should explain in detail why you find it necessary to prolong your studies. Your petition must bear the endorsements of your advisor and department chair.

If you are an unsupported graduate student in good standing who has completed two or more years in residence in your graduate program, finished your course work, and filed an Intent to Graduate, you may register as few as three credit hours during your final semester at Tech. This level of registration will provide you with access to your committee, office space, laboratories, library services, computers and the like. If you fail to complete your degree during this semester, you will receive a warning and be required to register as a full time student during all subsequent terms. Make every effort to complete all of the requirements for your degree before you depart campus. Some students are tempted to take a job or begin another degree before the defense of their thesis. Before you do so, give this careful thought. Most students find that at their new job or school, they want first to please their new boss or advisor. After a long day, it can be difficult to make progress on the degree you've walked away from. If you do decide to leave early, please come by the Graduate Office to speak with the Dean. There are some strategies that can save you a little time and a lot of money down the line.  

Defense Fee Option

If you met the eight-week deadline for getting a preliminary copy of your thesis, or dissertation to your advisor, but cannot schedule a defense before the end of the semester, you may qualify for the "defense fee option." If you have no need of the services mentioned above, and you are able to complete your work before the close of registration for the following semester, you may pay a $50.00 defense fee in lieu of registration. To qualify, your committee must first certify that they have judged your thesis to be defensible before the close of registration. If you fail to satisfactorily complete all of the remaining requirements for your degree before the close of registration, you will be required to register for the semester, and to pay late registration and validation fees.  Those completing the independent study option may avoid registration by completing all of the requirements for their degree prior to the close of registration for the next semester.  Students considering these options should keep in mind that members of your advisory committee are not obliged to provide you with feedback on your research when school is not in session and when you are not registered.

If you are an unsupported graduate student in good standing who has completed two or more years in residence in your graduate program, finished your course work, and filed an Intent to Graduate, you may register for as few as three credit hours of independent study, thesis or dissertation during your final semester at Tech. This level of registration will provide you with access to your committee for advising & degree approval, office space, laboratories, library services, computers and the like. If you fail to complete your degree during this semester, you will receive a warning and be required to register as a full time student during all subsequent terms. Make every effort to complete all of the requirements for your degree before you depart campus. 

What If You Don't Quite Finish?

You are expected to complete all of the requirements for your degree (defense/IS approval, submission of abstract & completion papers, etc.) before the end of the semester.  It is a "rule" that things take longer to complete than expected.  Your best strategy is to understand that and build a time buffer into your completion schedule.  But lets say that even though you planned for delays, you find yourself defending in the last week of the semester and your committee gives you too many corrections to permit making the deadline for graduation.  Since this deadline is already placed about as late as possible so that everyone up through the regents can provide approvals for your graduation, there is not much flexibility on this deadline.  The Graduate Office does, however, routinely permit students who have passed their defense or received approval for their Independent Study to turn in completion materials after the end of the semester up until the close of registration for the next semester.  It is important for you to understand that this extension period does not provide for your defense or for the approval of your IS.  If the semester ends and you have not defended or your IS report is not approved, you must register for the next semester.  

Leaving Tech Before You are Finished

Some students are tempted to take a job or begin another degree before the defense of their thesis. Before you do so, give this careful thought. Most students find that at their new job or school, they want first to please their new boss or advisor. After a long day, it can be difficult to make progress on the degree you've walked away from. Remember that if you were admitted as a regular degree-seeking student, you must register every semester until certified for your degree.  If you move out of state, you are subject to nonresident tuition.  If you do decide to leave early, please come by the Graduate Office to speak with the Dean. There are some strategies that can save you a little time and a lot of money down the line. 

Defense Fee Option

If you met the eight-week deadline for getting a preliminary copy of your thesis, or dissertation to your advisor, but cannot schedule a defense before the end of the semester because one or more members of your committee are unavailable, you may qualify for the "defense fee option." If you have no need of the Institute and committee services mentioned above, and you are able to complete your work before the close of registration for the following semester, you may pay a $50.00 defense fee in lieu of registration. To qualify, your committee must first certify that they have judged your thesis to be defensible before the close of registration. If you fail to satisfactorily complete all of the remaining requirements for your degree before the close of registration, you will be required to register for the semester, and to pay late registration and validation fees.  Those completing the independent study option may avoid registration by completing all of the requirements for their degree prior to the close of registration for the next semester.  Students considering these options should keep in mind that members of your advisory committee are not obliged to provide you with feedback on your research when school is not in session and when you are not registered.

Choosing an Advisor and Advisory Committee

When you are first admitted to a graduate program, the department head or an appointed faculty member will serve as your temporary advisor. After admission and before the end of your second semester, full-time graduate students must select and formalize an advisor and advisory committee.

Choosing an Advisor and Advisory Committee

When you are first admitted to a graduate program, the department head or an appointed faculty member will serve as your temporary advisor. Your temporary advisor will help you with identifying the members of your formalized committee.  If you are a distance student, you may contact the EODI Office for assistance - particularly with collecting signatures for the forms.  After admission and before the end of your second semester, full-time graduate students must select and formalize an advisor and advisory committee. 

Choosing an Advisor and Advisory Committee

When you are first admitted to a graduate program, the department head or an appointed faculty member will serve as your temporary advisor. After admission and before the end of your second semester, you must select and formalize an advisor and advisory committee. Your advisor should be a faculty member whose interests and specialties coincide with yours. Generally your advisor serves as both academic and research advisor; however, under some circumstances, the research advisor and academic advisor may be different people. Your academic advisor must be a regular faculty member in your department and it is the academic advisor who will serve as the head of your advisory committee. Your research advisor is responsible for guiding you to the completion of your research project and for supervision of the preparation of your research report (thesis, dissertation or independent study paper).

Choosing an Advisor and Advisory Committee

When you are first admitted to a graduate program, the department head or an appointed faculty member will serve as your temporary advisor. After admission and before the end of your second semester, you full-time graduate students must select and formalize an advisor and advisory committee. Part-time and distance education students must formalize their committees by the time they complete 12 credits. Your advisor should be a faculty member whose interests and specialties coincide with yours. Generally your advisor serves as both academic and research advisor; however, under some circumstances, the research advisor and academic advisor may be different people. Your academic advisor must be a regular faculty member in your department and it is the academic advisor who will serve as the head of your advisory committee. Your research advisor is responsible for guiding you to the completion of your research project and for supervision of the preparation of your research report (thesis, dissertation or independent study paper).

Advisory Committee Report Form

The first thing you present to your advisory committee after it is formalized should be your course program. This is a study plan for your degree. First list all the courses you have taken as shown on your transcript (be sure to include the credit hours and grades for each course) and then list all the courses you plan to take, including your thesis, independent study of dissertation credits. Your committee will consider modifications to your list where there are courses that might be more appropriate for your proposed course of study. Once the course program is acceptable, the committee will indicate its approval. Your course program can be altered, at anytime, with the concurrence of the advisory committee, department chair and Dean of Graduate Studies.

Advisory Committee Report Form

The first thing you present to your advisory committee after it is formalized should be your course program. This is a study plan for your degree. First list all the courses you have taken as shown on your transcript (be sure to include the credit hours and grades for each course) and then list all the courses you plan to take, including your thesis, independent study of dissertation credits. Your committee will consider modifications to your list where there are courses that might be more appropriate for your proposed course of study. Once the course program is acceptable, the committee will indicate its approval. Your course program can be altered, at anytime, with the concurrence of the advisory committee, department chair and Dean of Graduate Studies.  The Course Program for full-time students must be on file before the end of the second semester.  Part-time and distance education students must have their Course Program on file by the time they complete 12 credits.  

All regular graduate students are required to register every semester until certified for their degree. Occasionally factors make it necessary for you to interrupt your studies for a short period of time. If you find yourself in one of these situations, you may request a leave of absence if you are in good academic standing and have written approval from your adviser, the department head, and the Graduate Dean. There is no established form for a leave request. The leave request may be a memo or letter on paper or in digital form (an email). It should include an explanation for why the leave is needed, and a time frame (calendar) for completion of each remaining degree requirement. This should be routed to the Dean of Graduate Studies via the advisor and department with endorsements added by each. 

All regular graduate students are required to register every Fall and Spring semester and in Summer semesters when in residence until certified for their degree. Occasionally factors make it necessary for you to interrupt your studies for a short period of time. If you find yourself in one of these situations, you may request a leave of absence if you are in good academic standing and have written approval from your adviser, the department head, and the Graduate Dean. There is no established form for a leave request. The leave request may be a memo or letter on paper or in digital form (an email). It should include an explanation for why the leave is needed, and a time frame (calendar) for completion of each remaining degree requirement. This should be routed to the Dean of Graduate Studies via the advisor and department with endorsements added by each. 

Summer Registration Requirements and Employment

New Mexico Tech requires that graduate students register for the summer semester if they are ‘in residence’. You are in residence if you are making progress toward your degree or using the facilities (i.e. library, computers, lab, office) or staff (i.e. advisor, committee) of the Institute.  If you will be receiving an assistantship, fellowship, or other support that is disbursed to you through Tech, you must register.

If you are: 1) not in residence for the summer (see above), but you are 2) pre-registered as a full time student for the Fall semester, you may qualify for a Work Authorization (on-campus employment up to 40 hours per week) for the summer. Your academic advisor must indicate that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the on-campus employment is unrelated to degree progress and that you will not be using the facilities or staff of the Institute during the summer semester. The job may be related to the degree program, but not directly related to the your personal degree progress or research project.

Then there is the matter of summer off-campus employment.  If you decide to take the summer off from your studies and get a job in an area related to your interests, you don't need to register.  If you are working off-campus on a summer job that is related to completion of your degree (i.e. at a research lab at Sandia, Los Alamos, or even  a private company like Intel) you are required to be registered.

New Mexico Tech requires that graduate students register for the summer semester if they are ‘in residence’. You are in residence if you are making progress toward your degree or using the facilities (i.e. library, computers, lab, office) or staff (i.e. advisor, committee) of the Institute.  If you will be receiving an assistantship, fellowship, or other support that is disbursed to you through Tech, you must register.

If you are: 1) not in residence for the summer (see above), but you are 2) pre-registered as a full time student for the Fall semester, you may qualify for a Work Authorization (on-campus employment up to 40 hours per week) for the summer. Your academic advisor must indicate that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the on-campus employment is unrelated to degree progress and that you will not be using the facilities or staff of the Institute during the summer semester. The job may be related to the degree program, but not directly related to the your personal degree progress or research project.

Domestic graduate assistants may be registered full-time and carry full-time (40 hour) contracts during the summer session.  Because of restrictions imposed upon international students by the federal government, they may not have contracts for more than 20 hours per week in the summer if registered full-time.  Contracts for international students may be written for up to 60% more per pay period than was paid during the preceding Spring semester to permit working for more than 20 hours per week between sessions (before and after summer session).  

Then there is the matter of summer off-campus employment.  If you decide to take the summer off from your studies and get a job in an area related to your interests, you don't need to register.  If you are working off-campus on a summer job that is related to completion of your degree (i.e. at a research lab at Sandia, Los Alamos, or even  a private company like Intel) you are required to be registered.

3/9/05

Course Loads

As a full-time graduate student (regular or provisional) you are required to register for at least nine credit hours in the fall and spring semesters until certified for your degree. If you have an assistantship, you must register for twelve credit hours. Special approval is required to register for more than twelve credit hours--see your academic advisor or the Graduate Office for more information. You should be aware that you will be responsible for the extra tuition and fees for registration in excess of twelve credit hours. If you are in residence (using the facilities, staff or faculty of the Institute while progressing toward your degree) during the summer session, you must register for six credits.

Part-time graduate students (regular or provisional) must register each semester, but for eight or fewer credits per semester.

The courses for which regular and provisional students register must be: upper division or graduate-level; approved by your advisory committee; and applicable to your degree. Exceptions, particularly lower level courses (see Lower Level Courses below), require prior written approval from your academic advisor, your department head, and the Graduate Dean.

Course Loads

As a full-time graduate student (regular or provisional) you are required to register for at least nine credit hours in the fall and spring semesters until certified for your degree. If you have an assistantship, you must register for twelve credit hours. Special approval is required to register for more than thirteen credit hours--see your academic advisor or the Graduate Office for more information. You should be aware that you will be responsible for the extra tuition and fees for registration in excess of thirteen credit hours. If you are in residence (using the facilities, staff or faculty of the Institute while progressing toward your degree) during the summer session, you must register for six credits.

Part-time graduate students (regular or provisional) must register each semester, but for eight or fewer credits per semester.

The first twelve credits of courses for which regular and provisional students register must be: upper division or graduate-level; approved by your advisory committee; and applicable to your degree. Exceptions, particularly lower level courses (see Lower Level Courses below), require prior written approval from your academic advisor, your department head, and the Graduate Dean.  A thirteenth credit including classes numbered less that 300 may be without completing the Lower Level permission form and without being assessed additional tuition (i.e. graduate students may not take a physical recreation class).

Generally, you will be granted permission to register for lower level courses if they are pertinent to your graduate program; however, these courses may not be used toward your graduate requirements. You are required to return a completed "Lower Level Class Approval" form to the Graduate Office before taking a lower level course.

Generally, you will be granted permission to register for lower level courses if they are pertinent to your graduate program; however, these courses may not be used toward your graduate requirements. You are required to return a completed "Lower Level Class Approval" form to the Graduate Office before taking a lower level course. 

Graduate students who are registered for 12 credits of approved coursework for a given semester, may register for a 13 credit of classes at any level including those numbered less than 300 without completing the Lower Level permission.