Procedures for Graduation in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Program

The following is a list of procedures to follow for the completion of a degree in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies.  Please refer to the Graduate College Handbook for additional policies and procedures related to your graduate study at Iowa State University.

  1. Upon notification from the Office of Graduate Admissions of acceptance into the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Program, the student should visit with the chairperson of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies subcommittee to:
    1. decide which three faculty members (representing each of the three subject matter areas) will make up the Program of Study Committee; 
    2. determine which of the committee members will function as chairperson of the committee;
    3. obtain two forms: "Recommendation for Committee Appointment," and "Program of Study" from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies secretary in 1137 Pearson Hall.
  2. Submit the completed "Recommendation for Committee Appointment" to the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies chairperson after obtaining the necessary signatures.  These forms should be completed by the end of the student’s second semester of graduate study.
  3. Convene the Program of Study Committee. The student is responsible for arranging a time when all committee members can meet. Determine at the meeting what courses will be taken to complete the 35 hours of graduate-level course work necessary to graduate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Program. The program should consist of three distinctively different academic areas. The student should come to the convened committee meeting with:
    1. a typed handout of relevant courses, arranged by subject matter area, taken previously as an undergraduate or a graduate student;
    2. a typed list of proposed courses for the Program of Study, chosen from the University Catalog.
  4. Submit the completed "Program of Study (POS)"  to the Program of Study Committee. The committee members must review the POS to ensure it meets degree requirements before signing.
  5. Submit the completed POS to the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies chairperson. The chairperson will review the POS, sign, and forward it to the Graduate College for final approval.
  6. Obtain an "Application for Graduation" from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies secretary in 1137 Pearson Hall. The "Application for Graduation" needs to be submitted by the end of the first week of the semester in which the student expects to receive the degree, or by mid-May for graduation during summer term.
  7. If writing a thesis, check with the Thesis Office, 1137 Pearson Hall, for a schedule of deadlines regarding completion of the thesis.
  8. Contact the Program of Study Committee and set a date for the final oral examination. Follow the deadlines established by the Graduate College regarding the final oral examination. The student and his/her committee should agree on how the student will demonstrate the relationship of the three areas of study.
  9. Submit to the Graduate College, 1137 Pearson Hall, the "Request for Final Examination" no later than three weeks before the date of the final oral examination. The "Report of Final Examination" and "Graduate Student Approval Slip for Graduation" will be sent to the major professor after the "Request for Final Examination" has been approved.
  10. Obtain the necessary signatures and return the completed "Graduate Student Approval Slip for Graduation" to the Graduate College by the established deadline, normally ten (10) days before commencement.  If graduating in absentia be certain the Graduation Office, 10A Alumni Hall, has the address to which the diploma should be sent.