• Admission (responsibility of Departmental Graduate Student Admissions Committee)

1. Application should be made at least three months but not more than 12 months before the desired enrollment date. ( See Application for Admissions)
2. Applicants must meet requirements for admission to Graduate School as set forth in the Graduate Catalog . In addition, an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or more is required for admission to the Department. Students who do not meet these minimal requirements may be admitted but must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the initial 12 semester hours of graduate coursework with no grade level below a B in entomology courses, excluding special problems, special topics, thesis or other variable credit hour courses to remain in the program.
3. Applicants residing in the United States, Canada or any other country are required to submit scores from the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) unless the test is not available in that applicant's country. The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), CN 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000, (609) 921-9000. Information can also be obtained from their Web site: http://www.gre.org/
4. Applicants should have a basic background in the physical and biological sciences, as well as adequate preparation in English. The desired course background includes: mathematics through college algebra (pre-calculus or calculus highly recommended), at least one course in physics, chemistry through organic, botany and zoology or equivalent hours in biological science, microbiology or bacteriology and genetics. Early in the degree program, the advisory committee will review the student's background and recommend coursework to be taken to correct any deficiencies.
5. Students admitted by the Graduate School without condition and admitted by the Department are eligible for appointment to a graduate research assistantship (GRA). Students conditionally admitted by the Graduate School are not eligible for appointment to a GRA until all conditions are met in full. Appointment at such time is dependent upon the availability of a vacant position.

• The Graduate School Admission Form, $40 check or money order, GRE scores and two copies of each transcript should be sent to the Graduate School, 119 Ozark Hall, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.
• Three letters of recommendation, current curriculum vita, and a letter detailing your educational goals and research interests should be forwarded to our department at Department of Entomology, 319 AGRI, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.

View the Graduate School's Admission Checklist.

• Advisory Committee

1. The department head will recommend a major professor based upon the area(s) of student preference and departmental needs. Students are also encouraged to contact individual faculty to discuss research opportunities and programs. Final selection of a major professor will be the decision of the student with concurrence of an eligible graduate advisor.
2. The major professor and the student will select an Advisory Committee (during the first semester of study) consisting of a minimum of three members, including the major professor, with at least 1 member from outside the Department of Entomology (See Faculty List ). The department head will be invited to participate in all Advisory Committee activities (non-voting). (See Master's Advisory Committee)
3. The Advisory Committee will meet during the student's first semester to evaluate the student's educational background and training and assist the student in developing a general program of study including correction of deficiencies and research plan. A copy of the Program of Study on departmental and Graduate School forms must be submitted to the department head for approval and placement in the student's departmental file. Any subsequent changes in the program of study should be immediately reported to the department head by filing revised program of study forms (See The Graduate Program Change Form ).
4. The student will submit a written report of academic and research progress to his/her Advisory Committee and the Department Head annually (by February 1).

• Program

1. General Course Requirements: The degree program and coursework for each candidate will be arranged on an individual basis. M.S. students must register for a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit including six thesis hours.
2. Core Course Requirements: The student must take or have taken courses equivalent to ENTO 4024 - Insect Diversity and Taxonomy, ENTO 4053 - Insect Ecology, ENTO 4123 - Principles of Insect Pest Management, ENTO 5013 - Morphology of Insects, and ENTO 6113 - Insect Physiology. A course in statistics for graduate credit is also required. (See the listing of the sequence of department graduate course offerings through the 2006 - 2007 academic year.)
3. Seminar Requirements: Two semester hours of seminar (ENTO 6071) are required. In addition, each student is required to present a seminar on his/her thesis research plans during the first year of the degree program and an exit seminar on the thesis research prior to leaving the program.
4. Residence Requirements: A minimum of 30 weeks in residence is required for the M.S. Degree.(See M.S. Degree Checklist, for specific details).
5. Grade Point Requirement: A minimum 3.00 GPA must be maintained. If the cumulative GPA falls below 3.00, or research or general academic progress is unsatisfactory, the student's performance will be reevaluated by the Advisory Committee and a recommendation made on his or her continued status as a graduate student. The decision of the Advisory Committee may be appealed to the Faculty, Department of Entomology . The Graduate School policy is as follows: "In order to receive a master's degree, a candidate must present a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.85 on all graduate courses required for the degree. Failing to earn such an average on the minimum number of hours, the student is permitted to present up to six additional hours of graduate credit in order to accumulate a grade-point average of 2.85; but in no case shall a student receive a degree who is obliged to offer more than six additional hours of credit beyond the minimum. In the computation of grade point, all courses pursued at this institution for graduate credit that are part of the degree program (including any repeated courses) and the thesis (if offered) shall be considered. Students who repeat a course in an endeavor to raise their grade must count the repetition toward the maximum of six additional hours."
6. Degree-Time Frame: M.S. students appointed to a (full time) GRA are expected to complete the degree requirements in four semesters (two calendar years) (See M.S. Degree Checklist). Students who are not on assistantship must complete all degree requirements within six years.
7. Thesis: the thesis title must be submitted to the dean of the graduate school at least three months before the comprehensive examination. (See Master's Thesis Title Form). The thesis must be approved by the Advisory Committee and the Graduate Dean before deposition in Mullins Library, and at least one week before the degree is to be conferred. Preliminary copies of the thesis must be submitted to the advisory committee at least three weeks before the comprehensive oral examination. Each committee member must receive a copy of the thesis in final form at least one week before the final oral examination which must be completed at least one week before the degree is to be conferred. The thesis should be prepared according to the format prescribed in the Guide for Preparing Theses and Dissertations . A bound copy of the final draft of the thesis must be delivered to the department head. (See Master's Thesis Title Form )
8. Annual Academic Review: The student will submit a written report academic and research progress to his/her Advisory Committee and the Department Head annually (by February 1). (See M.S. Check list, page and Progress Report Format ). The Advisory Committee will meet and assess the students’ progress. Following the assessment, the major advisor will discuss the committee’s assessment face-to-face with the student and file the Annual Graduate Student Academic Review form with The Graduate School and provide a copy of the form to the Department Head. (See Record of Progress Form )
9. Comprehensive Examination: A comprehensive oral examination covering coursework and thesis research is required. The examination is generally taken during the student's final semester.(See 7 above).
10. Application for Degree: A student cannot be cleared for graduation until an application for the degree has been completed in the Graduate Dean's Office and filed with the Registrar's Office and the appropriate fees paid. The degree application should be filed at the beginning of the semester in which the degree is conferred. If a student fails to complete the degree requirements, the student must pay a renewal fee to be reconsidered. (See Commencement Participation Form )
11. Teaching Assistance: M. S. students are encouraged to assist with the teaching of a course(s) of their choosing. Interested students should contact the department head. (See Graduate Assistant Application )
12. Masters Calendar: A " Masters Calendar for Academic Year " is available from the Graduate School which lists all deadlines for completion of M. S. Degree. Students are encouraged to obtain a copy at the beginning of each academic year.

M.S. FORMS

If a link has not been included to a form that you need, please check the Appendix H of the Graduate Student Handbook, or the list of forms on the Graduate School website.