IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES:

Spring 2009
January 26	Classes Begin
January 30	Deadline to file application to take the written comp exam this semester.
January 30	Deadline to apply to graduate this semester. An approved Degree Program Plan must be on file before application for graduation can be processed.
March 1	Deadline to submit graduate assistantship and/or fellowship applications for the 2009-2010 academic year (including AOP's).
March 16-20	Spring Break-no classes
April 10	April Break-no classes
April 11	Deadline for programs to hold written comp exam.
May 1	Deadline to hold oral exam.
May 4	Deadline for submission of two unbound copies of the final thesis to the graduate dean’s office.
May 16	Commencement
May 28	Deadline for submission of two BOUND copies of thesis to the graduate dean’s office.

Summer 2009
May 23	Deadline to file application to take the written comp exam during Summer Session.
May 23	Deadline to apply for August 2009 graduation. An approved Degree Program Plan must be on file before application for graduation can be processed.
July 3	Deadline for programs to hold written comp exam.
July 4	No classes
July 18	Deadline to hold oral exam.
July 21	Deadline for submission of two unbound copies of the final thesis to the graduate dean’s office.
August 2	Commencement
August 14	Deadline for submission of two BOUND copies of thesis to the graduate dean’s office.

DEAR STUDENT: WE ARE LISTENING!

Just so you know…the Office of Graduate Studies has been conducting exit surveys with our recent graduates since the 2006 Fall Semester's graduating class. The survey is currently done on a volunteer basis, so unfortunately we only have 30 evaluations thus far, but the comments from these students have been very beneficial to our office and to the individual graduate programs. In fact, the student comments and suggestions have been so helpful that we are really hoping for a much greater response rate in the future. Although we have not gone so far as to require the survey of all graduating students, we would like to call to the attention of all soon-to-be graduates that you will be receiving this short survey about a month after you graduate. Please know that we DO appreciate your time to complete the survey, and we DO value your suggestions. Most importantly...we are listening to you! I also invite you to schedule a one-on-one meeting with me if you would prefer to share your comments in person. Your advice and insight is of great help as we continue to seek to improve graduate education at UW-Eau Claire. Thank you!
Andrew T. Phillips, Graduate Dean

HAS ANYTHING CHANGED?

Yes, of course!

* Students - Students planning to take the written comprehensive examination this semester must submit a "Declaration of Intention to Take the Written Comprehensive Exam" application to Graduate Studies by January 30. Please note that each individual graduate program administers their own written comp exam, so please communicate with your Graduate Program Director to find out the exact date that their exam has been scheduled. The final day for all programs to hold the written exam is April 11, and students are only allowed to take the exam once per semester/term.

* Faculty - The Bylaws of the Graduate Faculty and Graduate Council have been updated and approved by the Graduate Faculty and Council, and may be found on the Graduate Studies Web site under "Graduate Council," or by contacting the Office of Graduate Studies.

* Faculty - A new "Policy Statement on Credit-Bearing Graduate Certificates" has been approved by the Graduate Council. If you are interested in implementing a new credit-bearing graduate certificate in your department, please review this statement, which can be found on the Graduate Studies Web site under "Forms and Documents," or by contacting the Office of Graduate Studies.

2009 THESIS OF THE YEAR

Krista L. Hebel, an August 2008 graduate from the MA-English program, has received the "2009 Thesis of the Year" award. Dean Phillips has also recommended Krista's thesis to the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) for their Distinguished Thesis of the Year. Krista will present her thesis on Monday, April 27, from noon-1:00pm in the McIntyre Library, Room 2022.

2009/2010 GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP & FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE BY MARCH 1

Assistantships and fellowships are not automatically renewable from one academic year to the next. You must reapply for subsequent academic years by submitting an application by the March 1 priority deadline. Your application will be considered on a competitive basis. If you would like to reuse previously submitted letters of recommendation, you are allowed to do so, but make this clear on your application. The March 1 deadline also pertains to the Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP) Fellowships for the 2009-10 academic year.

The Application for Graduate Assistantship and/or Fellowship may be downloaded from the Admissions Web site: www.uwec.edu/admissions/graduate/fininfo.htm. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Graduate Studies.

GROW, GROW, GROW!

In reading the University's new Centennial Plan, you will find that two of the seven strategic goals of the plan involve increasing graduate enrollments and developing new graduate programs at UW-Eau Claire. Ideas for new graduate programs that are already in the works include a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), and a joint MSW program with UW-Madison (see article to the right). Coming within the next year are program proposals for a new master of arts degree in Writing in English, a new master of science degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) in Psychology, and possibly even a new masters degree in Educational Leadership. Recent strategic planning sessions conducted with the Graduate Council have also highlighted an interest in fostering future discussions about the development of a new masters degree in Public Administration with several possible emphases, such as tribal administration, profit/non-profit management, and local/county government.

We encourage students and faculty members to share any ideas that you may have for developing new graduate degree programs or graduate certificates, or for expanding existing graduate programs at UW-Eau Claire.

A Masters in Social Work program is now available at UW-Eau Claire. The UW System recently approved an agreement that will allow the UW-Madison MSW program to be available on the UW-Eau Claire campus. Students will apply to the MSW program through the application that is available on the UW-Madison School of Social Work’s Web site. Applications for the part-time Eau Claire based program are due on April 15 for the 2009-2010 Fall Semester. The Eau Claire program will offer a part-time option for completing the MSW degree. Students will take Saturday classes on-site at UW-Eau Claire, and earn their master's degree from UW-Madison.

According to Dr. Gloria Fennell, from the Department of Social Work at UW-Eau Claire, two cohorts of 24 students will be admitted to the program each year. One cohort will be for students who have a bachelor's degree in social work, and one for those without a social work bachelor's degree. For people who have earned their bachelor's degree in social work within the past seven years, this program will take two years of part-time study to complete. For people who earned a bachelor's degree in social work more than seven years ago and for people who have a bachelor's degree other than in social work, the program will take four years of part-time study to complete.

If interested in learning more about the MSW program, or to apply to the program, you can go to the UW-Madison School of Social Work Web site.

Office of Graduate Studies ~ Schofield Hall, Room 210 ~ 715-836-2721 ~ www.uwec.edu/graduate