Program Plans
This "Program Plans" module is designed to aid you with the creation of your individualized program plan and to outline policies and guidelines that may affect your planning. See the MSLOC Student Handbook (.PDF) for more details about this topic.
What Is a Program Plan?
Your program plan maps out the sequence and timing of the courses needed to complete your certificate or degree. Every student is required to create, keep updated and file with the MSLOC office an academic program plan that maps out his/her past and planned progress through the MSLOC Program. At the aggregate level, program plans aid MSLOC staff in forecasting demand. At the individual level, they help you and your program advisor to validate the order in which you want to take your courses and to determine the course load you will need to carry in order to graduate when you desire. That is why it is important for you to file an updated program plan with the MSLOC office whenever your plan of study changes. We encourage you to meet with your MSLOC academic advisor regularly throughout your academic career to discuss your options and get your questions answered.
Back to top
Creating Your Program Plan
Read the program plan guidelines before getting started on creating your plan; in addition to helpful advice, it includes a 2009-10 course schedule outlining in which academic quarters MSLOC courses are offered and which evenings (generally) they are taught. In addition, here are more tools and documents that will aid you as you determine which classes to take when.
Your program plan maps out the sequence and timing of the courses needed to complete your certificate or degree. Every student is required to create, keep updated and file with the MSLOC office an academic program plan that maps out his/her past and planned progress through the MSLOC Program. At the aggregate level, program plans aid MSLOC staff in forecasting demand. At the individual level, they help you and your program advisor to validate the order in which you want to take your courses and to determine the course load you will need to carry in order to graduate when you desire. That is why it is important for you to file an updated program plan with the MSLOC office whenever your plan of study changes. We encourage you to meet with your MSLOC academic advisor regularly throughout your academic career to discuss your options and get your questions answered.
Back to top
Creating Your Program Plan
Read the program plan guidelines before getting started on creating your plan; in addition to helpful advice, it includes a 2009-10 course schedule outlining in which academic quarters MSLOC courses are offered and which evenings (generally) they are taught. In addition, here are more tools and documents that will aid you as you determine which classes to take when.
- Program Plan Template (.doc)
- Build Your Own Program
- Course Information
- Part-Time Scenario (.doc)
- Full-Time Scenario (.doc)
- Programs Across Northwestern Electives (.PDF)
Due dates for submitting your plan and any updates each quarter are communicated via e-mail several weeks prior to the start of each term; they are also posted on the MSLOC Calendar.
Back to top
You may skip enrolling in any classes during only one term (not counting summer) each academic year. If you do not wish to enroll in an MSLOC approved class in a given term, you need to contact the MSLOC Program advisor to indicate your intent to continue in the program by completing a petition (.doc) to request a leave of absence and to hold your status as "inactive” for that term. The University considers not being enrolled during a given term as a withdrawal (summers are an exception). Note that this type of University withdrawal is only temporary and is NOT a withdrawal from the MSLOC Program.
When you are ready to return, in order to re-enter the University system and to get your account reactivated, you will be required to complete an “Application for Former Student to Re-enter” and submit it to the Registrar. The application is available at the Registrar’s office (and online) and must be filed six weeks before the first day of registration of the term of return.
Back to top
Your first program plan is due to your MSLOC Program advisor prior to the Student Technology Orientation. When your plan has been reviewed and approved, we will store a copy in our files. If any changes are required, you are responsible for submitting a new plan to your MSLOC Program advisor for approval. If you are an Alternative Delivery student, please submit three weeks before the beginning of the term.
Back to top
Still have questions? Contact us via e-mail.
