Graduation Information

Master's and CAGS programs

Applications for graduation for graduate students are available in the School of Graduate Studies in the Maxwell Library. 

Deadlines for Applications to Graduate

  • May Graduation - February 1
  • August Graduation - June 1
  • January Graduation - October 1
In order for a student to exit from a graduate or CAGS program, he/she must satisfactorily complete all credit requirements, and, in most programs, pass a comprehensive examination or thesis requirement. Candidates for graduation are required to complete a Graduate Program Proposal with his/her academic advisor. Students in the following programs, Counselor Education, Management, Reading, Public Administration, Psychology, and Special Education should contact their graduate coordinator for departmental graduate program proposal forms. This form is provided with the application to graduate packet available at the School of Graduate Studies. It is recommended that candidates obtain an unofficial copy of their academic transcript prior to meeting with an advisor to ensure that all transfer credit has been accepted, grades have been entered and all classes required have been satisfied. Those students who have not filed a Petition for Acceptance of Transfer Credit may do so at this meeting. Please note that only 6 credits can be transferred into a master's program from another institution with approval of the program coordinator at Bridgewater State College. Please review the catalog for further explanations.

Additional Exit Requirements

Comprehensive Examination

In most programs, graduate students must take a comprehensive examination and/or submit a thesis. The following programs are exempt from a comprehensive examination: Master of Science in Management and the Master of Social Work.

The design of the comprehensive examination is to show a relationship to the program and to the program's exit seminar. It is based upon the student's major area(s) of study, as well as related areas, and may include work done on a thesis. Students must give evidence that they can integrate information and ideas from the various areas in which they have studied. Examinations may be written and/or oral, as determined by the department. Those students in a CAGS program will have a comprehensive examination that requires them to defend a research project.

In order to be eligible for a comprehensive examination, the student should have completed all of the necessary course work specified by the major department. A student intending to take the examination needs to complete and submit the Examination Request form with the School of Graduate Studies. A nonrefundable examination fee of $60.00 is required for master's degree candidates and $75.00 for CAGS candidates.

Deadlines to File for Comprehensive Examinations

  • November Examination - October 1
  • March or April Examination - February 1

Thesis

Graduate students submitting a thesis must have a thesis committee comprised of at least three faculty members, including a thesis committee chairperson appointed by the graduate program coordinator. All thesis committee appointments should follow consultation with the student's adviser and the student. Students required to do a thesis must complete and submit an Thesis Proposal Form to the Office of the Registrar. The form requires the signature of the Chair of the Thesis Committee, two Committee Members, the Graduate Coordinator and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

Students must enroll in the departments Research courses during any period in which a faculty member is directing the thesis.

Four unbound copies of the approved thesis must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies no later than the completion of all other degree requirements. Each copy must contain an abstract of the thesis. The School of Graduate Studies arranges the binding of the theses. A fee of $12.00 per copy is charged.

Last Modified: September 18, 2009