Important Deadlines and Forms

Incoming Students:

Registration

  • If you need to take a course at another institution to complete your degree program at UMBC, more information can be found on the Graduate School’s website.
  • Excess Credits- If you need to register for more than 12 credits in a semester,  register for all of the courses that you can and then email Dr. Jeffrey Halverson (jeffhalv@umbc.edu) to request assistance with manually registering for the final course. In your email you will need:
    • Permission from your Mentor to register for the classes
    • Your full name and Campus ID number
    • The name, session, and instructor for the course you want to register for.
  • GRAD601
    • Used by Graduate Assistants to help maintain a full-time course load. This is a 5-credit course that you can register for and use your GA hours.
  • PSYC799– Master’s Thesis Research (Can be 2 to 6-credit hours per course)
    • Six credit hours are required for the master’s degree
  • PSYC899– Doctoral Dissertation Research
    • Prerequisite: Admission to Doctoral Candidacy Required.
    • A minimum of 2 semesters are required for graduation.
  • PSYC900- Psychology Internship Course
    • This course can be used if a student is on internship and has already completed their dissertation.

Degree Progression Guide

(This is an example plan to show progression, individual timelines will vary by student)

  • 1st Year
    • Registering for classes- Speak with your Mentor about the initial courses you should register for.
      • Students typically do not register for classes until closer to Orientation in the Fall. If you register too early, then you will get tuition payment reminders until classes start.
        • We will make sure that there is a seat in the class for you. You do not need to register early to save your spot.
    • Getting Fees paid
      • Fees are paid for students for the first 3 years in the program.
    • Adding a Masters degree to your PhD program
      • The Concurrent Master’s Degree Program Application can be found on the Grad School’s website. This form requires your signature and the signature of your Graduate Program Director (Dr. Steven Pitts for HSP and Dr. Susan Sonnenschein for ADP).
        • Use this form if you want to graduate with your Master’s degree on the way to the PhD.
        • Only submit the DOC version of this form. The Grad School cannot process the PDF.
        • The Program Code is either HSPS for Human Services Psychology or ADPS for Applied Developmental Psychology.
        • HSPS MA Concentration codes are BMED CON, CAPY CON, CLNP CON
        • HSPS PHD Concentration codes are BEME CON, CASP CON, CLPS CON
        • The codes for the semester follow this pattern: For August 2022, the semester code is 2228. This is because 2022 and August is the 8th month. So use the first and final two numbers of the year followed by the last number of the month to get the semester code.
  • 2nd Year
    • Begin to work at the UMBC Psychology Training Clinic
    • Thesis Process
      • Due two (2) months prior to the final exam.
        • Check with your Graduate Program Director and the Graduate Catalog for related information regarding: preparation of your thesis, examination committee, final examinations and other requirements for the master’s degree.
        • Submit the Nomination of Members for the Final Master’s Examination Committee form.
        • The Graduate School will then notify the Chairman of the Committee and the Dean’s selected representative of the approved/appointed committee by returning the form above to show Graduate School approval and appointment of the Dean’s representative.
      • Due two (2) weeks before the thesis defense.
        • After the final defense has been scheduled, the student should submit the Certification of Readiness to Defend the Master’s Thesis form. This will be signed by the Committee Chair (and Co-Chair, if relevant) and GPD. The Graduate School will then send the Procedures for Examination of the Master’s Thesis and the Report of the Examining Committee form to the Dean’s representative of your committee.
      • Due within two (2) business days after the oral defense. The Representative for the Dean returns the completed Report of the Examining Committee form to the Graduate School.
      • Approval Sheet & Thesis
        • The signed approval sheet and electronic thesis must be submitted to UMI/ProQuest by the dates per semester listed below. The original signed approval sheet must also be submitted to the Graduate School.
          • Fall: December 1
          • Summer: August 1
          • Spring: May 1

Ways to get involved in the Department

  • Becoming a Teaching Fellow
  • Becoming a Program Representative for either HSP or ADP
    • Program Representatives are expected to attend monthly program specific meetings.
    • As well as attend monthly Graduate Program Committee (GPC) meetings.
      • In each meeting, the representatives have a voice but no vote.
    • Program Representatives will assist with “visit day” (which will be “Virtual Visit Week” this year)
    • Program Representatives serve as a liaison between HSP or ADP students and the HSP or ADP programs.
    • To become a Program Representative, please email your Graduate Program Director.
  • Get a Summer TA job
    • Email Eileen O’Brien if you are interested in a Summer TA position

How To: