Graduate Student Resources

Graduate Student Handbook (Google Doc)

Below you will find fillable templates for various forms to mark your progress toward your degree. The graduate program director reviews your progress and sends required memos to the Graduate School in correspondence (i.e., ‘memo’) format, acting as a liaison between you/your committee and the university. 

You and your major professor are responsible for completing the appropriate forms and sending them to the graduate program director in a timely manner when communication with the Graduate School is required. 

For all other forms please find the correct form linked below and use the following instructions. 

Download and fill out the correct template, and collect your signatures is via DocuSign. When your form is complete and signed, please save it with your last name followed by the filename of the template (i.e. last name_first initial_filename.pdf).  Then upload the signed PDF file here: GPD Memo Request, where it will be queued for review and submission to the graduate school.  

If your form requires more than one file, e.g. an appendix, please submit everything as a single PDF using last name_firstinitial_filename.pdf  format, using the name of the requested memo as the filename.  Please use this form rather than email, and be aware of any deadlines.  The GPD needs at least two full business days from the time you upload your complete/signed form to review and submit it to the Graduate School.  Detailed instructions are provided in this how-to document.

The Graduate School Handbook is the official source for all MS and PhD Requirements at UMASS, and the Eco Grad Program Handbook details additional programmatic requirements within our program.  Most forms are required by the Graduate School. Eco-specific forms (required internally but not by the Grad School) are marked with an asterisk*.

MS Professional Degree Forms:

• Memo to GPD_Signed Practicum Proposal *
• Memo to Grad School_Defense Outcome
• Practicum Outline Approval Signature Page *
• Practicum Outline Cover Signature Page *
• Final Paper Approval Signature Page *
• Memo to ECo_Defense Notice *
• Memo to GPD_Naming Committee Members

MS Thesis Degree Forms:

• Final Thesis Signature Approval Page
• Memo to ECo_Defense Notice
• Memo to Grad School: Defense Outcome
• Memo to Grad School: Naming Committee Members
• Memo to Grad School: Signed Thesis Proposal
• Thesis Proposal Cover Signature Page

PhD Degree Forms:

• Memo to Grad School: Naming Committee Members
• Memo to Grad School: Nomination for Candidacy
• Memo to Grad School: Signed Dissertation Proposal
• Proposal Outline Signature Cover Page
• Dissertation Approval Signature Page
• Memo to ECo: Defense Notice
• Memo to ECo: Preliminary Oral Exam Notice
• Memo to Grad School: Comprehensive Exam Outcome
• Memo to Grad School: Defense Notice
• Memo to Grad School: Defense Outcome
• Nomination to PhD Candidacy

Miscellaneous Forms (for all students):

• Grad Student Registration Check-In– Grad Student Registration Check In – advisor and new graduate student to complete upon arrival
• Curriculum Plan
• Course Plan
• Research Timeline
• Travel Grant Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfE-JxljolZNI0Lw-beLRy0zYtfrWHthy2g-owhz3SBHF4jiQ/viewform?usp=sharing
• Field Experience Risk Acknowledgement Form
• ECo TA Agreement

Contact the GPD:

If you have questions about the ECo Graduate Program, you can contact the Graduate Program Director or the appropriate Graduate Concentration Coordinator.

• Graduate Program Director:
  @email