FAQs for Current Students
If you have a question you can’t find an answer to here, contact the Educational Technology Department Office at (208) 426-1962 or paulcastelin@boisestate.edu
1: After I’ve registered for classes, how do I get started?
2: Which classes do I take first?
3: What about prerequisites?
4: Who is my faculty advisor?
5: What other advising resources are available?
6: What if I can’t get together with my advisor? Or what if I need a question answered quickly?
7: I’m going to have a baby soon. Should I avoid taking classes this semester?
8: What if something unforeseen comes up and I get hopelessly behind?
9: What if I get an F?
10: What if I have an unresolvable problem with my instructor?
11: Can I transfer a course from another university while enrolled in the program?
12: Where can I find information on Masters programs, policy, procedures, appeals, etc.?
13: How do I know when to file the appropriate forms?
14: Where can I obtain more information on obtaining financial aid for graduate study?
15: How do I drop a course after the deadline?
16: What is the semester GPA requirement?
17: How can I stay on top of deadlines?
18: What if I need to take an incomplete in a course?
19: Where can I find information about academic deadlines?
20: What do I need to do after I have acquired 18 credits?
21: How do I recieve an academic requirement adjustment or substitute credits?
22: How do I apply for independent study?
23: What if I need to withdraw from the program?
24: When are the project and thesis deadlines if I am graduating in August 2010?
25: How do I keep track of my career progress and requirements?
26: How do I file the Application for Admission to Candidacy for a degree program?
27: How do I file a Proposed Plan of Study for a graduate certificate?
28: How do I appeal an academic policy or requirement?
29: How do I change my certificate program?
30: How do I change my degree program?
31: How do I transfer credits from another institution?
32: What are the steps in the final process leading up to graduation?
1: After I’ve registered for classes, how do I get started?
Your letter of acceptance from the Graduate Admissions Office provided you with a student number and a BroncoWeb email address powered by Google (see http://helpdesk.boisestate.edu/email/broncomail/ for more info). Your instructor will contact you in your new email address sometime the week before classes, and will leave a greeting and instructions on how to access the class. Our classes typically go live the first day of the semester, with first assignments being due the following week. If you plan to use your personal email account while at Boise State, you absolutely must put a forward on your BroncoWeb account or you will miss important email from your instructor, the program, and the university.While you are waiting for your program to begin, review the hardware and software requirements, and get your equipment up-to-date. Also, be sure to join our EDTECH Moodle site. This is how the department communicates with our students.
2: Which classes do I take first?
Before or immediately after applying for admission, you should develop your courses schedule. Consult with your admissions advisor for assistance, if you’d like assistance. Generally speaking, we prefer M.E.T. and M.S. students to take 501 and 502 first, but we recognize that it is not always possible. Also generally speaking, we recommend that students take each remaining core course (503, 504, and 505) with an elective, if possible.3: What about prerequisites?
See required prerequisites on the course descriptions.4: Who is my faculty advisor?
Your second letter from the Graduate College provides the name of your advisor. If you’ve lost the letter, please do the following:1) Log on to BroncoWeb
2) From the BroncoWeb main menu, click the “Student” link
3) Click the “Registration” link
4) Under “Academic Record,” click “View My Advisors”
5. What other advising resources are available?
In addition to faculty advisors, students can also receiving advising for admissions, enrollment and program procedures. Consult the advising resources section of the site to learn more.6: What if I can’t get together with my advisor? Or what if I need a question answered quickly?
If you’re new to the program, contact your admissions adviser, either Jerry Foster at (208) 426-1966 or jfoster@boisestate.edu or Dixie Conner at (619) 741-7748 or dixieconner@boisestate.edu.If you’ve completed half or more of your master’s program, contact Paul Castelin at (208) 426-1962 or paulcastelin@boisestate.edu.
7: I’m going to have a baby soon. Should I avoid taking classes this semester?
That’s a personal decision, but our professors are very flexible if you have to be sidelined for a week or so. The key is to keep your instructors informed and prepare beforehand. Be sure to send pictures to the Department office!8: What if something unforeseen comes up and I get hopelessly behind?
Don’t wait until you are hopelessly behind; talk to your instructor as soon as you realize you’re in trouble. Your instructor may work with you or may recommend an Incomplete, which allows you to retake the course at no additional cost. Incompletes have to be resolved before you can be approved for graduation. Taking a Withdrawal is far preferable to just quitting. If you give up and “walk away” from a class, you will receive an F, which automatically bars you from further graduate study at Boise State University.9: What if I do get an F?
Graduate students have to maintain a 3.0 or better GPA, so if your GPA drops below 3.0 for any reason, the Graduate College will put you on academic probation, meaning you have a semester of grace in which to raise your GPA. If you should earn another low grade and your GPA remains below 3.0 for a second term, you may be administratively withdrawn from your program by the Graduate College.10: What if I have an unresolvable problem with my instructor?
Our instructors are very committed to your success as a learner. Please contact them directly if you have any problems that are interfering with your learning. If you are unable to resolve your problem directly with your instructor, contact the associate chair, Chareen Snelson at (208) 426-2952 or csnelson@boisestate.edu.11: Can I transfer a course from another university while enrolled in the program?
- Transfer credits must be approved by your faculty advisor prior to enrollment in the course. Transfer credits are limited to nine semester credits (14 quarter credits) for degree-seeking students and three semester credits (4.5 quarter credits) for certificate-only students. Please see the Transfer Credit Policy for more information.
- The advisor will notify the student of the ramifications of transferring credit, such as the possible inability to obtain a graduate certificate. If the student still wants to transfer credit, the advisor will ask the student to provide a syllabus and an amended Program Development Form.
- The advisor submits the amended PDF (signed by student and advisor) and syllabus of the course to be transferred to the department chair (currently Dr. Kerry Rice) for approval.
- The department chair approves or denies the transferred credit.
- The faculty advisor notifies the student of the chair’s decision.
12. Where can I find information on master’s programs, policy, procedures, appeals, etc.?
Your best source of information is the Graduate Catalog under which you entered the program. All of these catalogs are available in PDF format at the Graduate College web page: http://registrar.boisestate.edu/Catalogs.htm. Any questions that are not answered in the catalog may be answered by contacting the Graduate College directly at: gradcoll@boisestate.edu or (208) 426-3903/-4204.13. How do I know when to file the appropriate forms?
Knowing when to file the appropriate forms can sometimes be confusing. The following resources are available:
- The EdTech Google calendar/deadlines on the Advising Resources webpage.
- The Program Checklist relevant to your degree that you should have received upon admission and also provided on the Advising Resources website on Moodle.
- An email or phone call to Paul Castelin (paulcastelin@boisestate.edu) (208) 426-1962. See #17 below.
14. Where can I obtain more information on obtaining financial aid for graduate study?
Financial aid is different for graduate students than it is for undergraduate students. Some of the differences are:- Different credit requirements for student loan eligibility
- Programs eligible for federal financial aid
- An enrollment status of “Pending Department Review”
- A student fee waiver offered with a graduate assistantship
- Different student loan limits
- Complete correct loan MPN (Master Promissory Note)
- Federal PLUS loans available for grad students
- “In Progress” grades for thesis credits impact Satisfactory Academic Progress eligibility
- Maximum credit standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress eligibility
Another resource to review is the Boise State Financial Aid Handbook
15. How do I drop a course after the deadline?
University guidelines state: “Permission to drop a class after the announced deadline is granted only if the student was passing the class on the day of the drop deadline, and only when warranted by extenuating circumstances that could not have been reasonably anticipated. These circumstances must be beyond the control of the student, such as illness or employer-mandated changes in work hours that prevent class attendance. Documentation must be submitted with this application. Letters from doctors, ministers, or other professionals providing facts to substantiate your need to withdraw are required.”The Academic Appeals Committee meets Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.
Academic appeals need to be submitted no later than the Friday prior to the meeting in which you would like the appeal voted on.
Appeals forms and documentation are traditionally submitted to: Appeals Committe, Payment and Disbursement, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1246
However, signatures from the Associate Dean and the Instructor are required on the forms. It’s best to send the completed, signed, forms and documentation of extenuating circumstances to Paul Castelin. Paul will get the required signatures and submit the documents to the Appeals Committee on your behalf:
Paul Castelin
Boise State University, Educational Technology MS 1747
1910 University Drive
Boise, Idaho 83725-1747
16. What is the semester GPA requirement?
Graduate students are required to achieve a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better each semester and summer session in which they are enrolled through program completion. The first time a student fails to meet the semester GPA requirement, the student is placed on academic notice by the Graduate College but is allowed to continue in the program. If a student fails to meet the semester GPA requirement a second time, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the program by the Graduate College.17. How can I stay on top of deadlines?
The Graduate College sets up deadlines that are just far enough in advance of the graduation date so that if there’s a problem with your candidacy, both the graduate college and you have time to make changes, enroll for missing credits, switch degree plans, etc. so that you can stay on track for graduation.All deadlines are in the academic calendar and catalogs. You are responsible for being aware of deadlines and program timelines (page 27 of the graduate catalog). In addition to the published information, the Department of Educational Technology provides the following resources to keep you informed, so that you know what’s required for graduation: Note: While this information is provided to you as a service, it is your responsibility to follow-through and learn how to use each of these resources.
Checklists:
–Master of Science in Educational Technology Checklist
–Master of Educational Technology Checklist
EdTech Deadlines Google Calendar linkable to your Google calendars using the URL:
(Calendar ID: boisestate.edu_ueqosi922isu9an4b3clveqh08@group.calendar.google.com)
18. What if I need to take an incomplete in a course?
Instructors can enter a grade of I—for Incomplete—if both of the following conditions are present:- Your work has been satisfactory up to the last three weeks of the semester
- Extenuating circumstances make it impossible for you to complete the course before the end of the semester
In order to receive an incomplete in a graduate course, you and your instructor must agree to a contract stipulating the work you must do and the time in which it must be completed for you to receive a grade in the class. The terms of this contract are viewable on BroncoWeb under Your Student Center To-Do List. By the end of this specified time, the instructor must submit a grade. If no grade other than incomplete has been assigned one year after the original incomplete, the grade of "F" will automatically be assigned. The grade of F may not be changed without the approval of the University Academic Appeals Committee.
- An incomplete is not removed from your transcript by re-enrolling in the class during another semester.
- A grade of incomplete is excluded from GPA calculations until you receive a final grade in the course.
- Courses repeated prior to Fall 1995 use a grade replacement policy. Only the most recent grade was used in calculating the cumulative GPA.
- Courses repeated Fall 1995 through Summer 2001 used a grade averaging policy. Courses repeated will be averaged, using both grades in the calculation of the GPA.
- Beginning Fall 2001 and on, courses repeated will use a grade replacement policy. Only the most recent grade will be used in calculation of the cumulative GPA.
Contact the Registrar’s Office with questions about these policies: (208) 426-4249 or regmail@boisestate.edu
19. Where can I find information about academic deadlines?
Academic deadlines are published in several ways on the EdTech website:- As a table on the page: The Deadlines Page
- On our Google calendar, which you can use to incorporate with your personal Google calendar with reminders. A link to this calendar is provided at: Advising Resources
Note: You will need to apply for an account on Google in order to use the calendar.
Deadlines are extremely important. We’ve had students show up for graduation that had not completed all the required paperwork and thus did not graduate until a later semester. You are the one ultimately responsible for knowing the requirements and completing them in a timely manner. We will do all that we reasonably can to be sure that you are notified of upcoming deadlines; you can do your part by acting on those notifications and actually completing the required action.
20. What do I need to do after I have acquired 18 credits?
After completing 18 credits toward your degree, you will need to:
- Complete and submit the Application for Admission to Candidacy (AAC) form. This should be submitted after you have completed 18 credits and before the published deadline on the Academic Calendar. [Note: If you are pursuing a graduate certificate, you may also need to submit a Proposed Plan of Study for a Graduate Certificate if you have not already done so.]
- After the AAC form has been successfully processed you will need to Apply for Graduation in BroncoWeb. To do this, login to BroncoWeb, click on Student Center, then, under the Academics banner, click on the drop-down box containing the entry, “other academics…“, then select Apply for Graduation. The system will do a check to be sure you have the AAC form on file. During the application process you will be asked to pay a $25.00 diploma fee. You may use your credit card to do this. The deadline to apply for a December graduation is August 31.
- Finally, you will need to register for your culminating activity:
- Register for the comprehensive exam if you are in the MS Education (EdTech emphasis) program or an MET student following any catalog prior to Fall 2008) or
- Register for EDTECH 592 – Portfolio, for all MET students following the Fall 2008 and later catalogs).
Information on these culminating activities is found at our culminating activities page. There is an online form linked from this page that allows you to register for the exam or the portfolio.
If you have questions or concerns, contact Paul Castelin at paulcastelin@boisestate.edu or (208) 426-1962.
21. How do I recieve an academic requirement adjustment or substitute credits?
In order to revise your Application for Admission to Candidacy to show a change of electives, you will need to complete a Request for Adjustment of Academic Requirements form. Follow the instructions at the link below.
Completing the Request for Adjustment of Academic Requirements
22. How do I apply for independent study?
If you are interested in taking a Graduate Independent Study, please complete the Application for Graduate Independent Study.To increase the likelihood that your application will be approved:
- Your independent study proposal must be negotiated with your supervising professor, advisor or department chair, to ensure that your study is rigorous, academically appropriate, and suitably scaled.
- The explanation of the proposed independent study must clearly state in detail what is to be done.
- The proposal must clearly state the specific deliverables that will result from the IS.
If these conditions are met, there is rarely any problem with approval by the Graduate College. Contact Paul Castelin if you have any questions: paulcastelin@boisestate.edu or (208) 426-1962.
23. What if I need to withdraw from the program?
We are sorry that you are considering withdrawing from one of our programs. Any time that one of our student wishes to withdraw, we are concerned. We are working very hard to ensure that our students are successful by building one of the very best programs in the country. We would like to know what is causing you to consider withdrawing.For the best help in determining how to withdraw for the short term or permanently, please contact the Registrar’s office at (208) 426-4249. Staffers there can advise you regarding the impact of withdrawing after the fee-payment deadline, withdrawing in good standing, and other factors that could help prevent an adverse effect on your future college career. They will also guide you through the appeals process you may need to follow in order to withdraw. You will also want to read the section entitled Registration Policies, Procedures and Grades in your Graduate Catalog available online at: http://registrar.boisestate.edu/catalogs/index.shtml.
If you have appeals paperwork to complete, please work with Paul Castelin [(208) 426-1962 mornings only or paulcastelin@boisestate.edu] to complete the process, since the form usually requires signatures from the department; and, if needed, a letter of support from us.
We regret that you have to make this decision; however, we wish you the best success in any endeavor that you follow in the future, including perhaps enrolling in single classes, obtaining a certificate, or even re-entering this degree program at a later date.
24. When are the thesis deadlines?
Please see our The Deadlines Page25. How do I keep track of my career progress and requirements?
One of the least-asked, but most-needed questions…you keep track of your progress by going to your Academic Advisement Report on BroncoWeb. You also were to have completed a Program Development Form upon entering your program.The online Academic Advisement Report (AAR):
- The AAR can be accessed through your BroncoWeb account at: http://broncoweb.boisestate.edu and can be used to monitor your progress during all stages of the degree attainment process. After you login, navigate to Student Center, then, under Academics, click on the drop-down box with the entry “other academics…“, then select Academic Advising Report.
- The final adjustments to the AAR are not done until your Application for Admission to Candidacy form has been submitted after you have completed 18 credits in your program. At that time, any adjustments to the degree plan are posted on the AAR.
- Be aware that any credits that you wish to transfer in must be documented on original transcript copies and approved by the Department Chair. The transfer credits will not be posted to your AAR until both the Candidacy form and all required transcripts are received by Graduate Admissions.
26. How do I file the Application for Admission to Candidacy for a degree program?
This form must be filed for the degree that you are pursuing as soon as you have reached a total of 18 credits; the Proposed Plan of Study for a Graduate Certificate needs to be filed for any certificate that you are pursuing.File your Application for Admission to Candidacy (AAC) soon after completing 18 credits, but definitely before the deadline posted in the Academic Calendar for the appropriate term at: http://registrar.boisestate.edu/academic-calendar.shtml.
Instructions on How to File the Application for Admission to Candidacy
27. How do I file a Proposed Plan of Study for a graduate certificate?
This form must be filed for the certificate that you are pursuing.File your Proposed Plan of Study for a Graduate Certificate immediately after being admitted to your certificate program. This early filing is necessary since most certificate programs are 3-4 courses in length and early filing is necessary in order for the Graduate College and Registrar to properly track your progress. There is a deadline for submitting your PPSGC; for deadlines, refer to the Academic Calendar for the term you intend to be awarded the certificate at: http://registrar.boisestate.edu/academic-calendar.shtml.
Instructions on How to File the Proposed Plan of Study for a Graduate Certificate
28. How do I appeal an academic policy or requirement?
You have the right to appeal any academic policy or requirement if either of the following conditions is present:- Extenuating circumstances make it impossible for you to comply with the policy or requirement.
- An undue hardship would result from a strict application or interpretation of the policy or requirement.
Please note, however, that extenuating circumstances must be beyond your control and that undue hardship must be a condition far more serious than simple inconvenience. Documentation will be required and the timeliness of the appeal will be taken into consideration. If you appeal an academic policy or requirement, that appeal will be reviewed by the Dean of the Graduate College and by the University Academic Appeals Committee if appropriate. Appeals for current semester complete withdrawals should be directed to the Office of the Registrar (regmail@boisestate.edu or (208) 426-4249).
For more information about appeals and grievances, see the Boise State University Student Handbook and the Boise State University Policy Manual. Contact the Office of the Registrar, Administration Building, Room 110, (208) 426-4249.
29. How do I change my certificate program?
If you are accepted in a certificate program and wish to change to another, go to the Graduate College web site and look for the Change of Program form. Fill it out and submit it as explained. If you are not yet fully accepted into a certificate program, submit a new application. You will not be charged for the second application; the Graduate Admissions office only needs the paperwork to document the change. After receiving the new documentation, the Graduate Admissions office prepares a Program Admission Recommendation form and sends it to the Educational Technology program coordinator for approval. When it’s approved and returned to Graduate Admissions, they will change the university database to list you in your new program. A critical element in your decision involves the fact that you’ll need to meet the requirements of the catalog in use at the time you apply for the new certificate. You will no longer be allowed to meet the requirements of the catalog under which you were first admitted to the original certificate program.Also, if you have already submitted a Proposed Plan of Study for a Graduate Certificate (PPSGC) for the old program, you’ll need to resubmit the paperwork for the new program and you’ll need to do it as soon as you have been admitted to the new certificate program. The new PPSGC will need to reflect the changes in requirements.
It is strongly recommended that you discuss your plans with Graduate Admissions before you actually apply for admittance to a new certificate program to be sure that you understand how the change will potentially impact your costs and timeline. You can contact them at gradcoll@boisestate.edu or (208) 426-3903. Information, including forms, is also available on the Graduate College website at: Graduate College.
30. How do I change my degree program?
If you are accepted in a degree program and wish to change to another, go to the Graduate College web site and look for the Change of Program form. Fill it out and submit it as explained. If you are not yet fully accepted into a master’s program, submit a new application. You will not be charged for the second application; the Graduate Admissions office only needs the paperwork to document the change. After receiving the new application, the Graduate Admissions office prepares a Program Admission Recommendation form and sends it to the Educational Technology program coordinator for approval. When it’s approved and returned to Graduate Admissions, they will change the University database to list you in your new program.If you’ve already submitted an Application for Admission to Candidacy form and other paperwork for your old program, you’ll need to resubmit the paperwork for the new program and you’ll need to do it immediately after you have been admitted to the new degree program. The new candidacy form will need to reflect any changes in requirements (e.g., if the old program required EDTECH591 and the new one requires EDTECH592 or 593, the complete course list will have to be listed correctly.
It’s strongly recommended that you discuss your plans to change your degree program with Graduate Admissions before you actually initiate any changes. E-mail gradcoll@boisestate.edu or call (208) 426-3903. Information, including forms, is also available on the Graduate College website.
31. How do I transfer credits from another institution?
We are happy to review courses that you believe may be suitable to apply toward your master’s degree. In order to make a determination on which courses might be creditable, we need for each course:- Original transcripts showing successful completion of the course(s) must be on file with the Graduate Admissions office at BSU.
- Each course must be an academic, graduate-level course (not professional development or workshop)
- We will need a syllabus for each course that you wish to transfer, so that we can determine the specific content of each. If a syllabus is no longer available, a link to the original university’s course description may suffice if we accept the course as a general elective, but a course description alone will likely not be acceptable if you hope to substitute it for one of our core courses.
After we receive this required information, your admissions advisor will forward the documents to the associate chair, who makes the initial decision. The Graduate College makes the final decision, which generally upholds the department’s recommendation.
32. What are the steps in the final process leading up to graduation?
Once you’ve submitted an Application for Graduation and the Department has submitted your Report of Culminating Activity (such as the Comp Exam) to the Graduate College, then:- Graduate Admissions sends a file to the Registrar listing all AACs for eligible graduates.
- After students apply for graduation via their student center in BroncoWeb, the Registrar’s office matches candidacy forms with any academic adjustment forms and attempts to resolve any issues.
- The Registrar notifies students by mail that they are either a valid candidate for the next graduating class or that they are missing something and their graduation is postponed. Letters are sent containing instructions for students to monitor their Boise State email for commencement details. Processing of student records is done in alphabetical order.
- Grades are official at the end of the semester. At the end of the semester, there is a final records review in accordance with the Graduate College. Assuming no problems, final transcripts will be ready for dispersal a week or two after the end of the semester. Students may request a letter from the Registrar stating that all degree/certificate requirements have been met, if that is so. You may order final transcripts through your student center on BroncoWeb, but be sure to check the Hold for Degree box.
Commencement Information
Regalia - The Bookstore sells regalia to graduates about six weeks prior to commencement. Caps, gowns, tassels, Master’s hoods and announcements are available in the Bookstore and online until graduation day. When graduates purchase regalia, each graduate receives brochures and information about what to do on graduation day (where to meet, timing, etc), how to become a member of the Boise State Alumni Association, coupons for purchases at the Bookstore, and more.
Candidates for the M.S. Education, Educational Technology emphasis, degree purchase the gold hood and tassel.
Candidates for the M.S. Educational Technology degree purchase the gold hood and tassel.
Candidates for the Masters of Educational Technology degree purchase the light blue hood and tassel.
Ceremony - The ceremony is live-streamed over the Internet so that family and friends may watch the proceedings even if they can’t be physically present. Details about the live streaming video and the commencement can be found at: http://academics.boisestate.edu/provost/commencement/
