PhD Paperwork and Forms
As you progress through your education at IIT, you will be required to fill out a number of forms. These help to track said progress by allowing the university to keep accurate records of when you reach milestones. This page is designed to help you determine what to complete when. All university forms are available online and Psychology (non-linked) forms are available in the office.Program Descriptions
Clinical Program
Industrial/Organizational Program
Rehabilitation Counseling Education Program
Year 1
Immunization Record
The State of Illinois requires all students (born after January 1, 1957) at institutions of higher education to prove immunity to certain diseases. This is shown through either vaccination or proof of past illness. The Immunization Record must be filled out by a medical provider and returned to the Student Health Center before registering for the first semester.
Course Transfer Form
If you have taken any graduate courses at other schools, you might be able to apply them to your IIT degree. This requires approval from a faculty member (generally a professor who teaches the course you wish to transfer) and the program's director. These forms can be picked up in the office.
401 - Program of Study
By the end of your first semester, you must complete a Program of Study 401 form. This will document all required courses and any course credit that is transferred from other universities. It will also provide you with a "road map" for your studies. Your 401 should be filled out in consultation with your advisor. If necessary, it can later be modified using a Change of Program (406 form). Clinical Program 401 Instructions
Year 2
303 - Master's Comprehensive/Ph.D. Qualifying Examination
The Master's Comprehensive/Ph.D. Qualifying Examination (303) form is also used to report the results of the Master's thesis oral defense. Your chair will provide this form, which must be signed by both him/her and the Director of Psychology.
501A - Preliminary Thesis Approval
Once the committee has read over your thesis, they should sign the Preliminary Thesis Approval 501A form. This usually occurs at the time of defense. The committee members all sign the form, followed by the Director of Psychology. Take this form, with a draft copy of the thesis, to your appointment with the Thesis Examiner. This must be done at least five weeks before the end of the semester (eighteen days in summer).
501B - Final Thesis Approval
Thesis committees will often suggest changes to the document. Once you have made all of the suggested changes, the Final Thesis Approval 501B form is filled out. The committee members all sign the form, followed by the Director of Psychology. Take this form, with three unbound copies of the thesis, to your appointment with the Thesis Examiner. This must be done at least nine days before the end of the semester (five days in summer).
527 - Application for Graduation
The Application for Graduation 527 Form printable version or editable pdf version (download, save, & email to cahill@iit.edu) must be filled out and submitted to the Graduate College (MB 110). The graduation fee will automatically be added to your account. You are the only person who needs to sign this form. This must be done by the Graduation Application Deadline; please check the Academic Calendar, as the date changes every semester.
Year 3
401 - Program of Study
By the end of the first semester after you are awarded an M.S., you must complete a new Program of Study 401 form. This will document all required courses and any course credit that is transferred from other universities. It will also provide you with a "road map" for your studies. Your 401 should be filled out in consultation with your advisor. If necessary, it can later be modified using a Change of Program (406 form).
Clinical Program 401 Instructions
301A - Scheduling of the Comprehensive Exam
The Scheduling of the Comprehensive Exam 301A form is filled out once you have gathered a committee (including an outside member for orals) for your comprehensive examination. A time, date, and location must be specified on the form. The committee members do not need to sign the form, just the Director of Psychology and the Dean of the Graduate College. This form must be submitted at least two weeks before the oral exam.
Year 4
Dissertation Proposal Documentation Form (Clinical program)
When proposing their dissertation, Clinical students should bring a copy of the Dissertation Proposal Documentation Form. This form documents the outcome of the dissertation proposal meeting. It must be signed by the student and committee members.
Year 5
301B - Scheduling of the Final Oral Exam
The Scheduling of the Oral Exam 301B form is filled out once you have gathered a committee (including an outside member) for your Ph.D. dissertation oral defense. This form also serves as an appointment of the committee. A time, date, location, and dissertation title must be specified on the form. The committee members do not need to sign the form, just the Director of Psychology and the Dean of the Graduate College. This form must be submitted at least two weeks before the oral exam.
501A - Preliminary Thesis Approval
Once the committee has read over your dissertation, they should sign the Preliminary Thesis Approval 501A form. This usually occurs at the time of defense. The committee members all sign the form, followed by the Director of Psychology. Take this form, with a draft copy of the dissertation, to your appointment with the Thesis Examiner. This must be done at least five weeks before the end of the semester (eighteen days in summer).
501B - Final Thesis Approval
Dissertation committees will often suggest changes to the document. Once you have made all of the suggested changes, the Final Thesis Approval 501B form is filled out. The committee members all sign the form, followed by the Director of Psychology. Take this form, with three unbound copies of the dissertation, to your appointment with the Thesis Examiner. This must be done at least nine days before the end of the semester (five days in summer).
527 - Application for Graduation
The Application for Graduation 527 Form printable version or editable pdf version (download, save, & email to cahill@iit.edu) must be filled out and submitted to the Graduate College (MB 110). The graduation fee will automatically be added to your account. You are the only person who needs to sign this form. This must be done by the Graduation Application Deadline; please check the Academic Calendar, as the date changes every semester.
Other Forms
Registration Form
Registration is generally online through myIIT. However, you can also register using the Registration Form and change your registration using the Change of Registration Form. Please consult the Academic Calendar for registration deadlines.
Galvin Library Summer Privilege Form
If you won't be taking classes during the summer but would still like to access Galvin Library, use this form.
Full-time equivalency
Students registered for master's thesis (PSYC 591) or doctoral dissertation (PSYC 691) credits can request a letter stating that they are doing work equivalent to a full time student. This allows students to work with Financial Aid regarding funding, in-school deferment of loans, etc. The letter must be requested from the Psychology office less than thirty days after the semester begins.
406 - Change in the Program of Study
In order to graduate, your Program of Study (set using the 401 form) must match the courses actually taken. The Change in the Program of Study 406 form is used to adjust your Program of Study. It allows you to change planned courses to account for availability, shift in interest, and the like. The form must be signed by your advisor, the Director of Psychology, and the Dean of the Graduate College.
216 - Leave of Absence
You should be registered for every (Fall/Spring) semester until graduation. If you will not be registered for any reason, you will need to apply for a Leave of Absence 216 form of up to one year. The form must be signed by your advisor, the Director of Psychology, and the Dean of the Graduate College. Please note that a leave does not extend the six-year time limit for degree completion.
Extension of Program of Study
The time limit for each degree (M.S. and Ph.D.) is six years. If you find yourself in the very rare instance that it will take longer, you can request an extension of one additional year. To do so, the following steps must be taken:
If you do not already have one, assemble a thesis/dissertation chair and committee.
Submit a letter to your committee and the Director of Psychology. This must cover:
That you are requesting an extension.
Why you are requesting an extension.
A suggested timeline of steps required for completion, paying special attention
to the dates.
Your committee must sign and submit a written note to the Director of Psychology
which indicates:
They think the extension is appropriate.
They are willing to chair/serve on the committee.
It is reasonable to expect you to complete in full by the date indicated.
With the above in order, the Director of Psychology will forward a copy to the Dean
of the Graduate College together with her/his endorsement. (Note: the Director can
only recommend action; the Dean gives the extension.) The Dean of the Graduate
College will make a final decision and inform you in writing.
Please note that only one extension will be granted, regardless of circumstances.