The Graduate Student Handbook contains important policies and information, helpful links, and other resources to guide you through your time as a graduate student in the WVU Department of Psychology.
Preface
We recommend that new graduate students save an electronic copy of the version of the Handbook in effect when they enter the Department, as in some cases students will have the option of following the rules and guidelines in effect when they enter the Department rather than the newer versions of rules and guidelines.
Please provide suggestions for changes or additions to the Handbook to the current Graduate Training Committee. We revise the Handbook on an ongoing basis, and we appreciate your help in this process.
The original version of the Handbook resulted from work by Jon Krapfl, Professor of Psychology at WVU (1973-1981). The 2007 version of the Graduate Handbook was dedicated with admiration and affection to Hayne W. Reese, Centennial Professor of Psychology at West Virginia University from 1970 to 2000. The material covered by this handbook was shaped in large part by Professor Reese’s academic values and his intellectual leadership in the Department of Psychology from before the inception of the first edition of the handbook in the 1970s to his retirement in 2000.
In 2021, a collaboration between the Department Chair, Director of Graduate Training, and several graduate students resulted in a significantly revised version of the Handbook.
Changes to the Document:
- 7/1/22: Links updated
- 10/2/22: Asst DGT info updated
- 10/31/22: Plan of Study information removed
- 11/9/22: Added Arrival on Campus policy
- 1/30/23: Modified Award Section
- 2/16/23: Removed gendered pronouns
- 3/7/23: Modified Employment Beyond Assistantship section
- 3/23/23: Changed Alternate Assignment to OGEL’s MOD policy & updated language about awards
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
- I.A. Special Notes
- I.B. Overview of the Graduate Programs
- I.C. Balancing Multiple Roles
- I.D. Registration and Financial Considerations
- I.E. Graduate Student Role within Junior Colleague Model
II. Advising Committee
- II.A. Introduction
- II.B. Advising Committee
- II.C. Arrival on Campus
III. Department and Program Requirements
- III.A. University Requirements
- III.B. Master’s Degree
- III.C. Doctoral Degree
- III.D. Course and Thesis Waivers
- III.E. Course Grades
- III.F. Graduation
IV. Procedures for the Thesis and Dissertation
- IV.A. Forming a Committee
- IV.B. Proposal Meeting
- IV.C. Final Examination (Defense Meeting)
- IV.D. General Information and Guidelines on Completing Thesis and Dissertation Researchv
V. Student Evaluation
- V.A. Annual Evaluations
- V.B. Process and Outcome of the Annual Evaluations
- V.C. Probation and Funding Termination Dates for Major Academic Milestones
- V.D. Probation
- V.E. Student Dismissal and Resignation
- V.F. Awards
VI. Ethical Issues and Grievances
- VI.A.1. Academic Appeals
- VI.A.2. Nonacademic Professional Appeals
- VI.B.1. Discrimination
- VI.E.4. Sexual Harassment & Sexual Assault