Program of Study

The Program of Study is an official document that outlines the courses and research or practical experiences that you will complete to earn your degree. Some of the courses to be included are core requirements in the curriculum of your graduate program. Your program also may have options to complete a minimum number of credits from a specific group of courses. Your supervisory committee will provide guidance on which courses will best support your research or scholarly goals.

It’s important that you complete your Program of Study no later than after finishing nine hours of graduate credit. Completing your Program of Study early in your graduate career ensures that you and your supervisory committee have a clear plan for you to complete requirements of your graduate program, keeping you on track for your target date of graduation.

Masters Students - Program of study
Doctoral Student - Program of study

Submitting Your Program of Study

You will submit your Program of Study using an electronic form available on the Graduate School website.
On the forms page, click on "Program of Study" section and click on "submit program of study" form you need to complete. You’ll then be prompted to sign in with your K-State eid and password to access the Program of Study and other electronic forms.
When you access the Program of Study form, some of your information will be automatically entered in the form, and you’ll enter your program information if it does not automatically populate.
Then enter information for the courses you plan to take, as agreed upon by you and your supervisory committee.
You will also enter information for your department head or graduate program director, major professor, and supervisory committee members.

Upon submitting the electronic Program of Study form, your committee members are prompted to electronically sign or approve your Program of Study. These individuals are prompted to sign the form in sequential order. In other words, one member must sign before the next is prompted to sign. Periodic reminders are sent to each committee member until they have signed the form.

If a Program of Study does not meet the program or Graduate School requirements, the Graduate School degree analyst sends an email to the student and major professor indicating the needed corrections.
When the Program of Study is approved by the Graduate School, it is recorded in DARS in KSIS. DARS is the best place to see your current POS and track your progress. (Show how to run DARS report).

Tips for success

Form committee and submit program of study early—having a plan and support early facilitates progress
Discuss career goals with committee when forming Program of study (POS) and throughout grad career
Have regular engagement with committee
Adjust Program of study (POS) as needed

Resources

Graduate Handbook
Major professor or graduate program director
Graduate School
- Degree Analyst (Angie, Brenda, or Kyli)
  - For questions on degree requirements and progress
- Scott Schlender
  - For technical issues with electronic forms
- Dr. Megan Miller
  - For other questions