Helpful Resources for Graduate Students
Graduate Student Insurance
Insurance is provided to graduate students who are on assistantship through Cougar Health Services. Information can be found at the Cougar Health Services website.
Residency
Because tuition is considerably less expensive for Washington residents than out-of-state students, you should establish residency right away after you arrive in Washington State. Information on establishing residency and forms can be found on the graduate school website.
Graduate School Forms
All forms must be submitted through the SBS Graduate Coordinator, Leah Mickelson leah.mickelson@wsu.edu
Common Forms Include:
- Program of Study: Your program plan for completing your degree
- Plan and Degree Level Change: Submit this form if you wish to change your major or degree level. Contact Graduate Admissions for additional information.
- Program Change : Submit this form if your approved program of study has changed. Be aware of dates and deadlines.
- Scheduling Exam : Procedures for scheduling standard exams. Students must have an approved Program of Study on file at the Graduate School before scheduling examinations.
- ABD Waiver: If you have passed your preliminary exam and have completed your formal program of study course work, you can apply for an ABD waiver
- Committee Change: If you would like to change your committee, use this form.
- BIOL 491, 495, 496, 499, 600, or 702: This form is an agreement of completion for credit
View a complete list of graduate student forms.
Cotton Page Approval Instructions for Students
Cotton Page Approval Instructions for Faculty
Appointment Requests
To schedule an appointment, please contact our graduate coordinator directly:
Leah Mickelson
Abelson Hall, room 301
phone: 509-335-3553
Generalized Timeline for Thesis MS Degree
Year 1
- Fall: coursework, assemble thesis committee, file program of study
- Spring: continue coursework, begin research, present research proposal
- Summer: continue research
Year 2
- Fall: complete coursework, complete data analysis
- Spring: write and defend thesis, graduate
Generalized Timeline for PhD Degree
5 years with MS, 6 years without
Year 1
- Fall: coursework
- Spring; continue coursework, assemble committee, file program of study
- Summer: begin research project
Year 2
- Fall: continue coursework, continue research
- Spring: complete coursework, take oral qualifying exam
Year 3
- Fall: complete proposal defense (enroll in Bio 501), apply for extramural funding, take courses as needed
- Spring: continue research, take courses/seminars as needed
Final Year
- complete research, write and defend thesis