GradPlan training guides can be found at https://sis.msu.edu/training/grad.html. To start a Ph.D. or Master’s Degree Plan, go to https://student.msu.edu and select GradPlan.
The GradPlan includes committee composition, course requirements, answers to research related questions, including use of human and /or animal subjects and tentative thesis and dissertation titles, and documentation of the student’s annual academic review. Doctoral students will also answer questions related to comprehensive examination areas.
The Doctoral Plan includes course requirements with a timetable, and a tentative dissertation topic. The Master’s Plan A Plan includes course requirements with a timetable, and a tentative thesis topic. For both Doctoral and Master's Plan A plans the committee also recommends whether to accept any graduate credit that was taken at other institutions; whether any study may be done in absentia, and under what conditions; what language examinations or alternative program, if any, the student must complete; and which member of the committee should later direct the research that is to form the basis of the student’s thesis. Once designated, the guidance committee has the responsibility to meet periodically to oversee the graduate student’s progress for as long as the graduate student continues in good standing. Any desired or required changes in the membership of the guidance committee may be made by the graduate student with the concurrence of the unit chairperson or director or designated representative, or by the unit with the concurrence of the graduate student in accordance with university, college, and unit policy. The membership of the guidance committee, with the concurrence of the graduate student, may be changed as appropriate to the dissertation topic. Guidance committee chairperson on leave shall provide for the necessary guidance of their advisees during their absence.
The Master’s Plan B Plan includes course requirements. If Master’s Plan B students do not require a committee, they should at least have an academic advisor they meet with routinely ensure that they are progressing adequately in their program.