2008-2009 Graduate Student Handbook

Administrative overview

On this page:

• Administrative overview
  • Structure and role of the Department of Educational Psychology
  • Structure and role of the graduate program in educational psychology
• The administrative hierarchy
• Graduate faculty
• University policies

Administrative overview

Structure and role of the Department of Educational Psychology

The Educational Psychology Department is one of eight departments in the College of Education and Human Development. The other departments in the College are: (1) Institute of Child Development; (2) Curriculum and Instruction; (3) Educational Policy and Administration; (4) Family Social Science, (5) School of Kinesiology; (6) Postsecondary Teaching and Learning; (7) School of Social Work; and (8) Work and Human Resource Education.

Each department is administered by a chairperson appointed by the dean of the College. The chair of the Department of Educational Psychology oversees the instructional, research, and service activities and accomplishments of the faculty and students. An administrative director oversees civil service staff and is responsible for the department's facilities and budget.

The bachelor of science (B.S.) and master of education (M.Ed.) are two degrees administered through the College of Education and Human Development (not the Graduate School).

Structure and role of the graduate program in educational psychology

The educational psychology graduate program falls under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. The role of the Graduate School is primarily maintenance and development of high-quality graduate programs. It is the "quality control center" of the University that oversees the administration of approximately 150 graduate programs distributed across the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. The dean of the Graduate School is responsible for monitoring these graduate programs such that academic standards set by the Graduate School are equitably implemented and maintained. At present, approximately 9,000 students are actively pursuing their graduate degrees or certification through the Graduate School.

To facilitate this monitoring process, each graduate program in the University system is coordinated by a director of graduate studies (DGS). In the Department of Educational Psychology, the director of graduate studies is an elected position held by a graduate faculty member for a three-year term. The DGS works with the department chairperson to guide and improve graduate education in educational psychology. The DGS is, moreover, the pivotal liaison person for graduate students, graduate faculty, and the Graduate School. The DGS is responsible for supervising, interpreting, and enforcing the regulations and policies of the Graduate School as well as those of the educational psychology graduate program. Susan Rose will serve as acting director of graduate studies in fall semester; Jennifer McComas will return as DGS in spring semester. Kathleen Walter is assistant to the DGS.

The Graduate Advisory Committee (GAC) in the Department of Educational Psychology functions in an advisory capacity to the director of graduate studies. The GAC is also the primary decision-making body for the educational psychology graduate program in general, and is comprised of one faculty representative from each program area. Among its other responsibilities, the GAC considers student petitions for exceptions to department policies, reviews applications for fellowship nominations to the Graduate School, evaluates department policies and procedures, and recommends necessary changes or revisions to the graduate faculty.

There are five tracks within the educational psychology graduate program: CSPP, psychological foundations, quantitative methods in education, school psychology, and special education. Although you are admitted to a specific track, your degree will be granted and reported as an M.A., S.C., or Ph.D. in educational psychology. The track name will appear only on your transcript.

The administrative hierarchy

Students in the educational psychology graduate program will operate primarily under the Graduate School's administrative hierarchy. This consists of the following four levels as depicted below:

• Level 1: Graduate School policies and guidelines
• Level 2: Educational psychology graduate program policies and guidelines
• Level 3: Track policies and guidelines
• Level 4: Adviser's policies and guidelines

Typically, policies and guidelines set by the Graduate School are the most general, while those stipulated by the track (program area) and adviser are the most specific. It is wise, therefore, for you to begin queries at the adviser and Track levels. If you meet the requirements at these two levels, you will most likely also meet the requirements at the graduate program and Graduate School levels.

It is your responsibility to know the degree or certification requirements of each of these four administrative levels. The following table identifies where to locate copies of the respective requirements and to whom you should refer your questions.

Graduate faculty

The Department of Educational Psychology has an extensive full-time faculty. In addition, there are faculty who hold either affiliate or part-time status with the department. These "extended" faculty members hold a primary appointment elsewhere, yet whose expertise or base of operations provide valuable interaction for our graduate students and regular faculty. Part-time teaching specialists (often graduate students) and lecturers are also integral members of the Educational Psychology Department academic community.

A subset of the departmental faculty also have membership on the Graduate School faculty. "Graduate faculty status" means that the departmental faculty member is also a working member of the graduate faculty. Departmental faculty earn graduate faculty status after they have demonstrated competence in such domains as advising graduate students, teaching graduate level courses, and research. There currently are six levels of graduate faculty membership.

1. Senior member (SM): advise at all levels, including the doctorate; serve as thesis reviewer and as an examiner on any student's examining committee, including service as chair of doctoral committees; teach courses for graduate credit; and participate in governance.
2. Member advising (M2): advise students at the master's and specialist levels; serve as thesis reviewer and as an examiner on any student's examining committee; and teach courses for graduate credit; and participate in governance. Can co-advise Ph.D. students with a senior member of the EPsy graduate faculty.
3. Member (M): serve as thesis reviewer and as an examiner on any student's examining committee; and teach courses for graduate credit. Not authorized to advise any graduate student or chair any examination.

In addition, there are equivalent levels of “affiliate” status: Affiliate Senior Member, Affiliate Member Advising, and Affiliate Member. This designation is given to those who hold a primary appointment outside of Educational Psychology. The “affiliate” category only indicates they do not have voting status in departmental decisions. It does NOT affect their role as a member on a student’s committee.

Relevance to graduate students

The distinction between graduate faculty and departmental instructors is important to you. Graduate student advisers and committee members must be members of the graduate faculty. When you ask a faculty person to serve as your adviser or on an examining committee, it is important to inquire whether he/she is a member of the graduate faculty and, if so, at what level. You may access the Graduate faculty roster at www.grad.umn.edu/faculty_rosters/step1.asp. Be sure to indicate a committee member’s status on Examining Committee Consent form.

University policies

Academic grievances

The Student Conflict Resolution Center (SCRC) provides a full range of services to students with campus-based complaints or concerns. An ombudsman helps students resolve problems informally. An advocate is available to assist students in formal grievance or disciplinary hearings. SCRC can help students deal with university regulations and policies, or misunderstandings between students and instructors or administrators. You may also have concerns about unfair treatment or may have been accused of a violation of the student conduct code. SCRC is located at 211 Eddy Hall (612-625-7272).

Access to student educational records

In accordance with regents’ policy on access to student records, information about you generally may not be released to a third party without your permission. (Exceptions under the law include state and federal educational and financial aid institutions.) The policy also permits you to review your educational records and to challenge the contents of those records.

Some student information—name, address, electronic (e-mail) address, telephone number, dates of enrollment and enrollment status (full-time, part-time, not enrolled, withdrawn and date of withdrawal), college and class, major, adviser, academic awards and honors received, and degrees earned—is considered public or directory information. You may prevent the release of public information. To do so, you must request suppression from the records office or through the One Stop Web site.

You have the right to review your educational records. The regents’ policy is available for review at 200 Fraser Hall, Minneapolis; at records offices on other campuses of the University. Questions may be directed to the Office of the Registrar, 200 Fraser Hall (612-624-1111).

Disability Services

The University’s mission is to provide optimal educational opportunities for all students. The University recognizes that students with disabilities sometimes have unique needs that must be met for them to have access to campus programs and facilities. In general, University policy calls for accommodations to be made on an individualized and flexible basis. It is the responsibility of students to seek assistance at the University and make their needs known.

The first place to seek assistance is Disability Services (DS) (http://ds.umn.edu/). This office promotes program and physical access, which means ensuring the rights of students with disabilities and assisting the University in meeting its obligations under federal and state laws. DS provides direct assistance such as information, referral, support, and academic accommodations for enrolled and prospective students, as well as consultation to faculty and staff to ensure access to their programs and facilities. The office also assists students with disabilities in obtaining services from other University or community resources and serves as a liaison between the University and the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Campus accessibility maps also are available from DS and building accessibility information is printed in the Student-Staff Directory. For more information, contact Disability Services, 180 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. SE, Mpls (612-626-1333 V/TTY).

E-mail

Your university-assigned e-mail account (__@umn.edu) is the University’s official means of communication. You must regularly check your University-assigned e-mail for University communications such as your tuition bills, registration and payroll information, etc. Forwarding mail from your University account to another account is not always reliable.

Educational Psychology Student News

The Educational Psychology student news blog (http://blog.lib.umn.edu/epsy-adm/studentnews/) is regularly updated with information on events, deadlines, and other important information. Be sure to review this site regularly.

Equal opportunity

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

In adhering to this policy, the University abides by the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minnesota Statute Ch. 363; by the Federal Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000e; by the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; by Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; by Executive Order 11246, as amended; by 38 U.S.C. 2012, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972, as amended; and by other applicable statutes and regulations relating to equality of opportunity.

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action helps students and employees with concerns about possible discrimination, and provides consultations regarding nepotism and consensual relationships. Staff members can discuss issues, help resolve or investigate complaints, and provide training programs. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, University of Minnesota, 419 Morrill Hall, 100 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-9547) (www.EOAffAct.umn.edu).

Letters of recommendation

When requesting a letter of reference from a University faculty or staff member, please refer to the Reference Request and Student Authorization form. Use this form for purposes of employment, scholarships or other funding, or admission to another education institution. Please use the samples provided to duplicate your own copies, as needed.

Sexual harassment

Policies and procedures pertaining to sexual harassment are contained in the Regent’s policy [.pdf] adopted Dec. 11, 1998. Individuals seeking information and guidance in matters involving sexual harassment should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 419 Morrill Hall (612-624-9547). All inquiries will be held in strictest confidence.

July 2008