Graduate Student Handbook
Applying
Application Process
Please begin your application here. All Computing Master's Programs require:
- Transcript sent from your institution
- Resume
- Contact information for two people who would recommend you for the program
- Personal statement
- Minimum English proficiency test scores (if applicable)
- GRE/GMAT test scores (if applicable)
Switching to a New Program of Study
- There is no way to “switch” programs. You must apply to the new program. However, you will not need to pay the application fee again or resubmit your academic transcripts.
Application Deferment
- Unfortunately, there is no way to “defer” admissions to a later semester. If you need to defer your application you will need to apply for the next open semester. You will not need to pay the application fee again or resubmit your academic items (transcripts, resume, etc.)
Transferring Classes
- Only classes with a grade of B (3.0/4.0) or higher will be accepted. Please send the syllabus to your graduate program director so they can evaluate the class for your program.
Application Deadlines
- Fall semester: May 1 (international/outside the US), July 1 (domestic/inside the US)
- Winter semester: October 15 (international/outside the US, Dec 1 (domestic/inside the US)
Prerequisites
If you don't have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, or the necessary statistics or programming experience, don't worry! We have many opportunities for you to get caught up.
Please work with your graduate program director to determine which class(es) will help you.
Prerequisite Courses (Foundations of Computing and uCertify)
Registration
Registration
- Here are the instructions to register for classes: Banner Registration
- Information about errors and holds are here: Registration Errors and Registration Holds
- Adding a course after the deadline requires special permission. You will need this form: Drop/Add Form. You will also need a signature from the instructor and our associate dean. You should be able to obtain these via email.
"Closed" Classes
- Classes listed as “closed” normally means there are no more seats available. If you think you really must get into a closed class in order to graduate, please contact your Graduate Program Director before entering an override request.
Override Requests
- Overrides can be entered into MyBanner in order to request special access to a class. When in doubt, contact your Graduate Program Director before entering an override request.
- Information about override requests is here: Prerequisite and Registration Override Information. An override is not just based on proving your background, but also availability of seats.
- The override request instructions are here: Override Request Instructions
- Please be patient after requesting an override, as they may take a significant amount of time to process.
Waitlists
- Waitlists are used because a class has no more seats, but students still want to take the class. Getting on a waitlist does not guarantee you a seat. The only way new seats open is for currently enrolled students to drop the class - and then only the first person on the waitlist gets notified to register. Also, waitlists are only to be used if you have a real need to take a course. Adding yourself to several waitlists clogs up the waitlists and prevents students who truly need it from possibly taking a class. Only add yourself to a waitlist if you must have the class to graduate.
International Students
- International students are required to be enrolled in 9 credits as a full-time student. The only exception is the last semester, and then the Reduced Course Load form MUST be completed to remain in status and avoid dismissal from Grand Valley.
Academic Performance
Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0.
Academic review is applicable to a graduate student under any of the following conditions:
- Student earns any of the following grades in the previous semester:
- A grade of D or F
- The second or subsequent grade of C or lower
- The second or subsequent grade of CN or lower
- Student earns semester or cumulative program GPA below 3.0
- Student's performance is evaluated as unsatisfactory in required internship
- Student has not met the conditions of a previously implemented academic probation within time limits
- By the end of the semester, student has more than 2 unresolved grades of I (incomplete) that were assigned in a previous semester
Academic review may result in an academic warning, academic probation, or dismissal.
An academic warning means the student will receive an email from their Graduate Program Director informing them of the details of the academic performance. Academic warning does not appear on the transcript, and the student remains in good standing.
Academic probation means the student receives an email from both their Graduate Program Director and the Registrar. Academic probation will appear on the transcript. Generally, students are expected to improve their performance the following semester.
Dismissal means the student is removed from the university. A graduate student may be dismissed from a graduate program under either of the following conditions, however, the College of Computing generally does not dismiss students on the first semester these conditions are met.
- Student earns a second or subsequent grade of F in any graduate course, including repeated courses
- Student has less than a 3.0 GPA AND accumulated 9 or more hours for which a grade less than B- was earned
Students dismissed from Grand Valley State University may appeal.
A graduate student who has been dismissed from a Grand Valley graduate program may not be admitted to a different graduate program and may not enroll in graduate courses without the permission of the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.
Computing Academic Honesty Policy
Fundamentally, the work you submit must be your own, and any action taken to earn credit for assignments while avoiding learning the material or avoiding demonstrating your personal understanding of the material, or assisting others in doing so, is considered academic misconduct.
Some basic guidelines:
- You should complete each assignment in its entirety from the beginning.
- If you use code or ideas you find online or come from someone else, you must cite it.
- You must be able to explain any work you turn in.
- You may not submit work with the intent of circumventing automated systems to get credit, reveal the correct answer, or reveal hidden test cases.
- Exams are closed-note unless otherwise stated.
- Exams should not be discussed with other students until the instructor indicates it is ok.
- You are responsible for protecting your work from being seen by others.
- You are responsible for asking your instructor any questions related to academic integrity before an assignment is due.
- You should not be looking at other students’ work (including source code).
- Writing code together (even on a whiteboard) is considered academic misconduct.
- By the due date, it is assumed that your assignment is in its final state, and it will be graded as such.
You are still encouraged to:
- discuss problems in general with other students.
- provide and receive help with simple compile errors and using the computing environment.
- discuss assignment requirements.
- study for exams with other students.
Academic misconduct will not be tolerated. Computing faculty will generally assign a failing grade in the course for your first offense. Suspension will be recommended for especially flagrant acts. For a second offense, expulsion from GVSU will be recommended.
For more information, please visit our Academic Honesty page.
Graduate Assistantships (GAs)
In the College of Computing, most Graduate Assistantships (GAs) take the form of a Teaching Assistant (TA). TAs are awarded to exceptional students to support their academic career and allow students the opportunity to support faculty teaching, faculty research, and/or administrative tasks. Most TAs are awarded in the Winter semester (late March/early April) and cover one academic year, with a performance review at the end of the Fall semester.
If you are interested in being considered for a Computing GA position you should complete our web form.
Other websites to check are http://www.myworkday.com/gvsu/ and http://9dap.eduftp.net/gs/graduate-assistant-job-openings-25.htm.
All GAs/TAs must attend a mandatory orientation provided by the Graduate School. Furthermore, all TAs must attend a mandatory orientation provided by the College of Computing. The slides from the last TA orientation are available for those interested in more details.
Badges
A "badge" is a digital credential that says you have a specific set of skills or knowledge. All Computing graduate students can earn a badge while a student at GVSU. Some programs require students to earn a badge.
Declaring a Badge
- MyPath can track your progress toward a badge, but you must "declare" it.
- To declare a badge, go to Banner → Student → Student Records → Add a Certificate or Badge.
Applying for a Badge
- After you've completed a badge (or are nearing completion), you can "apply" to be awarded the badge.
- To apply for a badge, use this form. After the Registrar’s office approves it, they will update MyPath.
CPT Information
- Visit CPT | Curricular Practical Training to understand the rules and regulations of CPT.
- Get an offer letter from an employer that verifies the dates of employment and the duties of the job. You are expected to do something in the area of “computing”.
- You are allowed to work 20 hours across all jobs during a semester. In the summer, you can work 40 hours if you’re not taking a full-time course load.
- Normally, we don’t allow students to work in their first semester to give you time to focus on transitioning to GVSU.
- Visit the website above and complete the CPT Faculty Approval form.
- Send the offer letter and CPT Faculty Approval form to [email protected] for review.
- If approved, the signed form will be returned to you, and an override will be entered in Banner allowing you to register for CIS 685/PSM 691.
- Send the signed form to the Padnos International Center (PIC) (please note - you will have the CPT Request form and CPT Cooperative Agreement form to send them as well, but those do not need to be sent to Computing).
- ACS/CBS only: enroll in CIS 685. Please note, CIS 685 is only 1 credit, and does not count toward the 33-36 credits needed for your degree.
- PSM (DSA/HIB) only: enroll in PSM 691.
Projects and Theses
Responsible Conduct of Research
- Each graduate student must complete Responsible Conduct of Research Training before 50% of their program is completed.
- Applied Computer Science and Cybersecurity students will complete the CITI module.
- Data Science and Analytics, and Health Informatics and Bioinformatics students will complete this requirement by taking PSM 650. Please see more information about internships below.
Applied Computer Science and Cybersecurity
- ACS and Cybersecurity students must complete either a Master's Project (CIS 693 - 3 credits) or the 6-credit sequence Thesis Research Preparation (CIS 690 - 3 credits) and Master's Thesis (CIS 695 - 3 credits)
- A Master's project is an independent project where students work on a project closely aligned with the research interests of a professor. The focus is on application of student knowledge learned through prior coursework.
- A Master's thesis is original research. You will work with a committee of three professors to formulate a thesis topic (in CIS 690), and then execute the research and defend it (in CIS 695). The focus of the thesis is the develop a novel idea, then defend that idea through empirical evidence.
- Both the project and thesis require prior discussion with potential faculty advisors several weeks prior to the semester a student intends to start either one. Students typical consult with faculty they have had as instructors in prior courses.
- After a faculty advisor is found, students must complete a Project Form or a Thesis Form - Applied Computer Science and Cybersecurity have their own pages with these forms. Students ask their faculty advisor to send the completed form to the Graduate Program Director as their confirmation of their willingness to oversee the project. The Graduate Program Director will enter an override allowing the student to register for CIS 690, CIS 693, or CIS 695.
- CIS 696 is the continuation class if a project isn't finished in one semester, or thesis in two semesters. CIS 696 is a 1 credit course that allows students access to university services (library, computer labs, etc.) while they are completing their project or thesis.
Internships
- Each graduate student must complete Responsible Conduct of Research Training before 50% of their program is completed. Data Science and Analytics, and Health Informatics and Bioinformatics students will complete this requirement by taking PSM 650.
- Internship guidelines and procedures are found on the PSM website. Please contact Chris Babbitt, our internship partner coordinator, Professor Holli Reyes, and the Career Center for assistance in resume building, interviewing, and finding an internship. Also, join the WhatsApp group if you have not yet.
- Complete the Grade Change Form to get your internship credits changed from "I (Incomplete)" to "CR (Credit)"; "Incomplete" grades will prevent graduation.
Health Informatics and Bioinformatics
- HIB students will also need to complete the capstone class, offered every semester
Graduating
In order to be awarded a degree, you must apply to graduate, normally during your last semester. See the Registrar's website for details and a form.
To be awarded a badge, please see the Badge section above.
Resources
Academic Resources
- The Writing Center is part of the GVSU Knowledge Market designed to help any student with writing.
- The Speech Lab is part of the GVSU Knowledge Market designed to help any student with presenting and speaking in front of people.
- The Graduate School has many links and forms to help graduate students.
- The Graduate Student Association is an excellent resource for getting involved and meeting people during graduate school.
- PACES (Professionalism Advancement Communications Engagement Success) is co-sponsored by the Graduate School and the GSA and presents professional development.
- The Registrar is the resource for academic records and policies, the academic calendar and deadlines, registration issues like overrides or holds, forms, and applying to graduation.
- Our catalog has a glossary of terms applicable to any student at this institution.
Practical Resources
- The International Students office can help guide you in all things immigration, I-20s, visas, and other things. They also host events and informational workshops.
- The Laker Line is part of the Greater Grand Rapids bus system, and its routes are free to all GVSU students. Daily rides are offered between the Allendale, Pew, and Health campuses.
- The Career Center can review resumes and cover letters, coach on interviews, and help with the internship and job search.
Social/Mental Resources
- The LGBT Resource Center offers events and supports for the LGBT community.
- Student Accessibility Resources offers supports for any impairment that affects performance in the academic setting, whether physical or mental.
- The University Counseling Center is here to listen when a GV student needs to talk it out.
- The Student Ombuds, Takeelia Garrett, can be contacted for issues outside of mental health, such as student employment, academic concerns, or conflict resolution.
Student Groups
Still have questions?
Reach out to Graduate Programs Coordinator, Johanna Swanson, at [email protected]. To better advise you, please include your full name and your program.