Graduate Student Information & Guides

Graduate students already enrolled in the Sustainable Forest Management Graduate Program should be familiar with the basic guidelines for progress in graduate degrees set by the OSU Graduate School.

• Office of Graduate Education (OEG) Policies
• Graduate Writing Center
• Graduate Assistantships
  • To review the Coalition of Graduate Employees and OSU Collective Bargaining Agreement, visit the HR website.
• Graduate Fellowships
• Graduate Health Insurance
• Sustainable Forest Management Advising Guide
• SFM Graduate Student Program Checklists:
  • PhD Checklist
  • MS Checklist
  • MF Checklist

Graduate Student Forms

For a list of graduate student forms, such as Change of Term or Major, Leave of Absence, Transfer Credit Request, etc., visit the OEG Forms webpage.

Program of Study

More information on the Program of Study can be found on the Graduate School's website.

• PhD: Should be submitted to the Graduate School prior to scheduling the preliminary written examination, generally by the 5th term of registration.
• MF/MS: Should be submitted to the Graduate School before completion of 18 credits, though no later than 15 weeks prior to the final examination.
• Dual-degree forms can be found here.

Petition for Change in Program

Use to make changes to your program of study after it has been submitted and approved by the Graduate School

Petition for Late Change of Registration

Transfer Credit Request form

FERM Annual Evaluation Forms

Graduate Students and Graduate Employees (GRA/GTA) should complete annual evaluation forms with with their major professor or supervisor. Contact the graduate program coordinator for the latest version. Students who are employed on GTA and/or GRA appointments must complete at least one of each form annually. Graduate employees who TA should receive an evaluation from each supervisor for each term of work. 

Instances where performance does not meet expectations, additional paperwork may be required in the form of an Academic Performance Improvement Plan, a document signed by the student, their supervisor, and the department head.

Graduate Advisory Committee

In consultation with their major professor, we recommend students establish a graduate advisory committee and develop a program of study during their second (MF/MS) or third term (PhD).

• How to form a Graduate Committee
  • Formal meetings, including program of study discussions, are not required for Doctoral or Master students.
• How to choose a Graduate Council Representative (GCR)
• Scheduling meetings and examinations
  • Doctoral
  • Master's

Graduate Learning Outcomes

The Faculty Senate approved Graduate Learning Outcomes are listed below. 

Learning Outcomes for Ph.D. Degree Programs State that the Student Shall:

1. Produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge.
2. Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
3. Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.

Learning Outcomes for Master's Degree Programs State that the Student Shall:

1. Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
2. Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
3. Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.

In addition, the Sustainable Forest Management graduate program has program-specific learning outcomes.

Program-Specific Learning Outcomes

The assessment of program specific learning outcomes will inform the assessment of the three Graduate Learning Outcomes from the OSU Faculty Senate. Program learning outcomes for Master's programs (MF and MS) will be assessed at the final examination. Program learning outcomes for PhD programs will be assessed twice; once at the oral preliminary exam* and again at the final examination.

Program benchmark for satisfactory performance: The majority of the examining committee rates the achievement of individual program learning outcomes at a level of “Meets Expectations” or above.

 PhD Students - Evaluation Rubrics for Preliminary Exam* and Final Exam

1. Define goals and motivation for research.

2. Demonstrate sound knowledge of literature and prior work in subject.

3. Demonstrate potential value to research in advancement of knowledge.

4. Apply state-of-the-art tools and methodologies.

5. Analyze and interpret results effectively.

6. Communicate effectively in written and verbal formats.

7. Demonstrate capability for independent research, expertise in sturdy area, and ability to make original contribution to the field.

8. Demonstrate awareness of broader implications.

9. Justify awareness of responsible and ethical conduct of research.

10. Produce publication from findings.

MS Students - Exam Evaluation Rubric

1. Define goals and motivation for research.

2. Demonstrate sound knowledge of literature and prior work in subject.

3. Demonstrate potential value to research in advancement of knowledge.

4. Apply state-of-the-art tools and methodologies.

5. Analyze and interpret results effectively.

6. Communicate effectively in written and verbal formats.

7. Demonstrate capability for independent research and expertise in area of study.

8. Demonstrate awareness of broader implications.

9. Produce publication from findings.

10. Justify awareness of responsible and ethical conduct of research.

MF Students - Exam Evaluation Rubric

1. Demonstrate proficiency in area of study.

2. Define goals and motivation for project.

3. Demonstrate sound knowledge of literature and prior work in subject.

4. Demonstrate potential value of solution or application of research.

5. Apply state-of-the-art tools and methodologies.

6. Communicate effectively in written and verbal formats.

7. Demonstrate awareness of broader implications.

8. Produce publication from findings.

9. Justify awareness of responsible and ethical conduct of research.

*PhD students in the Sustainable Forest Management program have two options for the assessment of learning outcomes at the preliminary oral examination:

1. The student and their committee may decide to conduct one meeting consisting of both the research proposal and preliminary oral examination. At the combined meeting, all preliminary exam program learning outcomes (1-9) are assessed.
   • Committees should use the PhD Preliminary Combined Oral Exam rubric.
2. Alternatively, the student and their committee may decide to conduct two separate meetings: (1) Research Proposal Meeting to assess learning outcomes 1-5 and (3) Preliminary Oral Exam to assess the remaining learning outcomes 6-9. Rubrics for the separate meeting approach are provided below:
   
   • PhD Preliminary Exam - Research Proposal
   • PhD Preliminary Exam - Oral Exam

Completion of Program and Exit Process

• Visit the OSU Office of Graduate Education's page for Current Students. Navigate to your degree type (Master vs. Doctoral) for a list of completion steps and deadlines.
  • Clear up any incomplete grades or other residual issues from past coursework or examinations.
• Submit a diploma application: Diplomas are issued four times a year, at the end of each term. You must complete a diploma application form to receive your diploma. Your diploma will reflect degree awarded; your transcript will reflect academic major and degree awarded. SFM areas of concentration will not be visible on diploma or final transcript. Diplomas are available from the Registrar's Office approximately six weeks after the end of the term. Diplomas earned Spring term are available at Commencement.*
  • Log in to MyOregonState
  • Click "Student Records"
  • Click "Apply for Graduation"

*Depending on date of defense in the Spring term, you will be able to participate in the Commencement ceremony, but your diploma may not be presented at the event. Confirm these final deadlines by referencing the OEG webpage or with your SFM Graduate Coordinator if concerned about diploma availability at Commencement.

• Submit the digital program of study form to the Graduate School.
  • Should you need to make revisions to your program after submission approval, utilize the Petition for Change in Program form.
• Finalize your presentation date, time, and meeting location with the SFM Graduate Program Coordinator as soon as possible. Those graduating Spring term should finalize this date at least two months prior to your planned defense date.
• Submit the online Exam Notification Form to the Graduate School no later than two weeks prior to your planned presentation.
  • Note: you should have your room reservation finalized with the SFM Graduate Program Coordinator prior to completing this online form.
• Advertise your defense by contacting the SFM Graduate Program Coordinator for assistance. Can include creation of flyer, postings in CoF This Week and OSU Today newsletters, University event calendar, and/or email notification to FERM Department/College of Forestry. The defense is a public presentation.
• Important thesis and dissertation information can be found on the Graduate School Thesis Guide website.
• Submit the online Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Submission Form following completion of your exam. This requirement applies to thesis and doctoral students only; MF (non-thesis) graduates do not complete this process.
• As soon as the defense is scheduled and/or completed, the FERM Department Head will request that the student complete an online exit survey. Responses may be discussed in an exit interview between the student and Department Head, if desired, to elaborate on their program and experiences in the department. This feedback is a critical part of FERM’s commitment to continuous improvement in its teaching efforts.
• Return all office, lab, and/or gate keys to the appropriate location. If unsure of where keys should be returned, check with the FERM Office (PFSC 216).