Advanced Topic Seminars (ATS)

Purpose

The Advanced Topic Seminars (ATS) is comprised of two advanced seminar courses designed to give students the opportunity to define and carry out a research project of personal interest. The advanced topic courses allow students to design, develop, and complete a research project to culminate in a publishable quality work or comparable product. 

The two courses are INFO 5970 - Advanced Topics Seminar I and INFO 5980 - Advanced Topics Seminar II and are taught as organized courses offered in the regular (Fall, Spring, and Summer) semesters.       

These two courses are taken in addition to the already required 36 hours of graduate credit and the practicum requirement. This means that a student wishing to complete their program with this option will take a total of 45 graduate credit hours (or 42 if the practicum requirement is waived) and will need to complete the degree in the mandated 6 year time frame (or 5 years if the practicum requirement is waived).

Criteria for Successful Completion

In order to successfully complete the Advanced Topic Seminars courses a student must receive a final grade of B or better in each course. Students’ final work will be graded using a standard grading rubric.

If a student receives a grade lower than a B in either course, they will be permitted to retake that course, however, a student cannot retake either ATS course more than twice.  In addition, if a student receives a grade lower than a B they will not be permitted to switch to the EOP Exam and will instead have to repeat the course and receive at least a B.

Qualifications for taking the Advanced Topic Seminars

To be approved for the Advanced Topic Seminars, you MUST have done the following:

  • Completed and passed at least 18 hours of graduate coursework in the chosen Program of Study in order to take the first course - INFO 5970 Advanced Topics Seminar I.
  • Completed and passed the first course INFO 5970 Advanced Topics Seminar I in order to take the second course INFO 5980 Advanced Topics Seminar II.