Centre for Applied Disability

Studies

STUDENT HANDBOOK

   

CENTRE FOR APPLIED DISABILITY STUDIES (CADS) GRADUATE PROGRAM HANDBOOK

Table of Contents

CENTRE FOR APPLIED DISABILITY STUDIES (CADS) GRADUATE PROGRAM HANDBOOK 1  

Table of Contents 1  Welcome to the Centre for Applied Disability Studies (CADS)! 1  CADS Mandate 1  CADS Schedule of Important Dates 1  CADS Graduate Program Office 1  Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) 2  Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) 2  Brock Faculty Appointed to CADS 4  Brock Faculty Cross-Appointed to CADS 4  Directory 6  Degree Requirements & Plans of Study 6  Course Calendar Link 6  SECTION I: GENERAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE CADS 7  

Compliance with Terms of the Collective Agreement 7  CADS Place in Brock University 7  

CADS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 7  Master of Arts (MA) 7  Master of Applied Disability Studies (M.ADS) 8  Graduate Diploma 8  Qualifying Courses 8  BACB Approved Course Sequence 8  

CADS FACULTY 9  CADS Director Appointment and Duties 9  Graduate Program Director (GPD) 10  Clinical Coordinator 10  BACB Liaison 10  Academic Administrator 10  

COMMITTEES 11  

   

Executive Committee 11  Administrative Committee 11  Core Faculty Committee 11  The Admissions Committee 11  Wait List 13  Admission Criteria 13  External Applicants Failing to Enter in September as Specified in Conditions for Admission 13  Funding Policy 13  Financial Support 14  Scholarships 14  Travel to Conferences 14  Offers of Financial Support 14  Continuation of Financial Support 15  

FULL-TIME MA STUDENTS - TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS (TAS) 15  Entering MA Students 15  Returning MA Students 16  Leading Seminars 17  Course Credit & Paid Employment 17  

TRANSFERRING BETWEEN PROGRAMS 17  M.ADS Students Wishing to Transfer to the MA Program 17  M.ADS Graduates and the MA program 17  Transfer Credits 18  Cohort Locations 18  MA Eligibility for Ph.D. Programs 18  Leaves 18  Attendance Policy 19  Communication 19  

PROGRAMMING 20  Course Outlines 20  Grading of Courses 20  Phrase-Matching Software 20  Appeals 20  

COURSE EVALUATION 21  General Student Feedback 21  

   

Course Feedback 21  Program Feedback 21  

SECTION II: GRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION 21  Supervisory Committee 22  Supervisory Committee Responsibilities 22  Thesis Supervisor 22  Thesis Supervisor Responsibilities 22  Thesis Supervisors Guidelines 23  Student Guidelines 24  Ethical and Professional Conduct 25  Academic Progress 25  

SECTION III: THESIS 26  Thesis Proposal 26  Thesis Proposal Defence 26  Ethics Clearance 27  Thesis Submission 27  Examining Committee 27  External Examiner 27  Scheduling the Defence 28  Defence 29  Last Minute Absence of Chair or Committee Member 29  Decisions Open to the Examining Committee 30  Grading System 31  Details Regarding Thesis Preparation 31  APA Style Guidelines for MA Theses 32  Organization for MA Theses 32  E-Thesis Submission Guidelines 32  Fee Reductions for Early Completion 32  Practica 33  Internship 33  CADS & Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) 33  

GRADUATE DEADLINES 34  Fall Graduation (October) 34  Spring Graduation (June) 34  

   

Thesis Timeline - See Appendix B 35  Curriculum Vitae (CV) 35  

HELPFUL TIPS & LINKS 35  Workload 35  Academic Regulations & University Policies 35  What do I need to know to register? 36  Registration Check-List 36  

TIMETABLE 36  Understanding the Timetable 37  Sections 37  

Appendix A – Student Progress Report 38  Appendix B – Typical Thesis Timetable – Example 40  Appendix C – Thesis Committee Formation Form 41  Appendix D – Proposal Defence Form 42   NOTE: The information in this document is subject to change at any time without notice. Whenever a student has a question or a concern about a policy they should speak to the Director or to the Academic Administrator.

1    

Welcome to the Centre for Applied Disability Studies (CADS)!

Welcome to the Centre for Applied Disability Studies at Brock University! Whether you’re a returning student or new student, it can be a difficult task to organize yourself, figure out where everything is, and how to get the information you need. The CADS graduate student handbook is designed to help you do just that! It will provide general information about some of the resources and services you may need throughout your graduate work at Brock University, as well as more specific information pertaining to the program whether it ABA or general stream; MA, M.ADS, full or part time. This graduate student handbook will help you find out such things as where to apply for funding, how to get an e-mail account, what resources are available, and what you need to complete your degree requirements. NOTE: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this Handbook is accurate and up-to-date; however, some information may change over the course of the year. It is important to consult the website frequently at http://www.brocku.ca/CADS and/or contact the Centre with questions. CADS Mandate The mandate of the Centre for Applied Disability Studies is to contribute to the betterment of the lives of persons with disabilities by providing multidisciplinary, quality postgraduate education to the next generation of professionals, researchers and educators, as well as to experienced professionals in the field. CADS Schedule of Important Dates For a complete and up-to-date listing of all of the important dates throughout the year please visit: http://brocku.ca/graduate-studies/current-students CADS Graduate Program Office Sources of information regarding registration, courses, guidelines, and all other matters pertaining to the Centre for Applied Disability Studies can be found through the following channels: CADS Website http://www.brocku.ca/CADS Graduate Program Director Dr. Maurice Feldman mfeldman@brocku.ca 905 688 5550 ext. 4894 MC A236 Graduate Program Advisor/Administrator Alison Rothwell arothwell@brocku.ca 905 688 5550 ext. 5395 MC D321

2    

Mailing Address Brock University Attn: Centre for Applied Disability Studies MC D321 500 Glenridge Avenue St. Catharines, Ontario Canada L2S 3A1 Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) The Faculty of Graduate Studies is a source of funding for conference presentations, various grants, fellowships, and scholarships, and is the department you should consult when preparing your thesis or dissertation. CADS students must familiarize themselves with the regulations outlined in the FGS Faculty Calendar, including but not limited to:

1. Academic Integrity, 2. Course Withdrawal, 3. Program Withdrawal, 4. Grading System, 5. Petitions, 6. Appeals, etc.

FGS Website http://www.brocku.ca/graduate-studies Dean of FGS Dr. Michael Plyley mplyley@brocku.ca 905 688 5550 ext. 5152 MC D250 Office of Graduate Studies MC D250 905 688 5550 ext. 4490 Mailing Address Brock University Attn: Faculty of Graduate Studies MC D250 500 Glenridge Avenue St. Catharines, Ontario Canada L2S 3A1 Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) The Graduate Students' Association (GSA) is a student organization that represents the interests of all graduate students at Brock University: MBA, MBE, MEd, MAcc, M.ADS, MA, MSc & all PhD students (approximately 1700 in total). The GSA is administered by an executive, which is elected each April for the coming year. At registration, all graduate students at Brock become members of the GSA by virtue of a fee paid with tuition. These proceeds help to support the GSA administration, fees and events sponsored by the GSA throughout the year. Each year, a GSA representative is selected by the graduate students in each dept./centre.

3    

The GSA is the independent voice of graduate students on campus, and is recognized by Brock University as the official representative of Brock graduate students. The GSA is an organization which assists students with all aspects of graduate life at Brock University. The GSA:

• Advocates for and protects the interests of graduate students at Brock • Supports graduate students in their studies or with facing academic problems • Organizes social and recreational events including the Welcome & Goodbye

BBQs • Provides graduate students with important information throughout the year • Administers the Graduate Student Health and Dental Plan, and Graduate

Student U-Pass The GSA and BUSU are separate organizations. The BUSU is the student association/union for undergraduate students, while the GSA is the comparable association for graduate students. Therefore, graduate students are not able to vote in BUSU elections and referendums just as undergraduate students are not able to vote in GSA elections. GSA Website http://www.brocku.ca/graduate-students-association Graduate Students' Association Office MC C302 905 688 5550 ext. 4094 Mailing Address Brock University Attn: Graduate Students' Association MC C302 500 Glenridge Avenue St. Catharines, Ontario Canada L2S 3A1

4    

Brock Faculty Appointed to CADS Dr. Maurice Feldman - mfeldman@brocku.ca http://www.brocku.ca/CADS/maurice-feldman Dr. Feldman is a scientist-practitioner with expertise in behaviour disorders, autism, developmental disabilities, child maltreatment, and parenting. He is a leading expert in parenting by persons with learning difficulties, having designed and scientifically validated a parent education program emulated worldwide. He is co-Principal Investigator of the 3R's - Human Rights Training Project for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. He has published extensively in peer-review journals and books, and has given numerous addresses and workshops. Dr. Rosemary Condillac - rcondillac@brocku.ca http://www.brocku.ca/CADS/rosemary-condillac   Dr. Condillac is a registered psychologist and has been working in the field of disabilities for 20 years. She is a past-president of the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis (ONTABA) and past-chair of the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities Research Special Interest Group (OADD-RSIG). Dr. Condillac teaches graduate courses in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) including Principles and Processes, Research Methods, Assessment and Treatment Selection, and Diverse Applications. Dr. Rebecca Ward - bward@brocku.ca http://www.brocku.ca/CADS/rebecca-ward   Dr. Ward is the Clinical Coordinator for CADS and is responsible for teaching the Practicum Placement course (5P20) and for coordinating that course and other student clinical experiences, such as research projects and internships. Dr. Ward has 30 years of clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental/learning disabilities. She has been a registered psychologist in Ontario since 1995.

Brock Faculty Cross-Appointed to CADS Dr. Maureen Connolly - mconnolly@brocku.ca http://www.brocku.ca/kinesiology/maureen-connolly   Dr. Connolly is interested in stressed embodiment: bodily experience that includes a broad spectrum of pain, discomfort, disability, physical training, trauma, and addiction. She is also interested in the role of the body in learning and teaching and how bodies can be critically involved in decisions about how teaching and learning are organized. Other interests include curriculum, movement education, dance, creative and expressive writing and narrative. She works from a phenomenological and semiotic orientation and identifies as critically qualitative in research orientation. Much of her recent research is based in the service learning experiences I have coordinated since 1994/1995: SNAP and Autism Movement Camp, and in the embedded curriculum employed for the participants, the students who work with them and the mentors who work with the students.

5    

Dr. Dorothy Griffiths - dgriffiths@brocku.ca http://www.brocku.ca/CHYS/dorothy-griffiths   Dr. Griffiths has extensive experience in working on clinical issues regarding dual diagnosis (persons who are developmentally disabled and have mental health issues). Her expertise more specifically is in the area of sexual abuse and offence, aggression and self-injury, and social skills training with persons with developmental disabilities. Her recent research interests have included Human Rights and Deinstitutionalization. She has written and speaks extensively on these topics. She is notably recognized for five books that she co-authored/co-edited called Changing Sexually Inappropriate Behavior, Dual Diagnosis, Demystifying Syndromes, Ethical Dilemmas of Sexuality and Developmental Disabilities, and The Human Rights Agenda. She is a recipient of numerous teaching, research and advocacy awards, including the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada. Dr. Frances Owen - fowen@brocku.ca http://www.brocku.ca/CHYS/frances-owen   Dr. Owen is a psychologist interested in the relationship between organizational systems and clinical practice, and issues related to the promotion of mental health. She has professional experience in children’s mental health, developmental services and schools. Her research focuses on human rights and community engagement of persons with intellectual disabilities, deinstitutionalization, interorganizational and interdisciplinary partnerships, and evaluation of mental health interventions for children and youth. Dr. Tricia Vause - tvause@brocku.ca http://www.brocku.ca/CHYS/tricia-vause   Dr. Vause has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and is interested in behavioral assessment and treatment (including intensive behavioral intervention, IBI) for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders, as well as dual diagnosis of autism and anxiety disorders (including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). She has worked at Medical/Counselling Centers, Residential Training Facilities, and School-Based Programs in both Canada and the United States conducting research and clinical work with the above populations. Currently, she is conducting a randomized controlled trial to explore Function-Based Group Cognitive-Behavior Therapy as a treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in children and youth with High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. This trial is funded by the Ontario Mental Health Foundation and the Ministry for Long-Term Care. For a complete Faculty listing, please see: http://www.brocku.ca/CADS/faculty

6    

Directory Brock University Switchboard: (905) 688-5550 ext. 0

Name Title Extension

Office Location Email

Rosemary Condillac Associate Professor 5671 MC A237 rcondillac@brocku.ca Maureen Connolly Professor 3381 WC 252 mconnolly@brocku.ca Maurice Feldman Professor, Director 4894 MC A236 mfeldman@brocku.ca Dorothy Griffiths Professor 4096 CRN 330 dgriffiths@brocku.ca Frances Owen Associate Professor 4807 CRN 328 fowen@brocku.ca Alison Rothwell Academic Administrator 5395 MC D321 arothwell@brocku.ca Tricia Vause Associate Professor 3559 CRN 350 tvause@brocku.ca Rebecca Ward Associate Professor 5778 MC A238 bward@brocku.ca

Department Extension Office Location Website James A. Gibson Library Carol Gaspari

3959

ST 1134

http://www.brocku.ca/library

Student Awards & Financial Aid 3958 ST 402 http://www.brocku.ca/safa IT Services 4357 MC F314 http://www.brocku.ca/information-

technology Faculty of Graduate Studies 4490 MC D250 http://www.brocku.ca/graduate-studies Graduate Students' Association 4094 MC C302 http://www.brocku.ca/graduate-

students-association CUPE 4207 4766 TA 448 http://www.4207.cupe.ca Degree Requirements & Plans of Study When consulting the course calendar for degree requirement etc., please use the calendar that corresponds to your year of admittance. E.g., Entry year of 2010, please use the 2010 Course Calendar. Course Calendar Link http://www.brocku.ca/webcal/index.php Note: MA students should ALWAYS check with Supervisor and/or Centre before registering in any practica course.

7    

SECTION I: GENERAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE CADS Compliance with Terms of the Collective Agreement The Centre for Applied Disability Studies (CADS) complies with all relevant articles in the current Collective Agreement between Brock University Faculty Association and Brock University with respect to its procedures and operating rules. The procedures below are in no way a replacement for the Collective agreement. In matters in which the procedures are silent or in conflict with the Collective Agreement between Brock University and the Brock University Faculty Association, the Articles of the Collective Agreement will prevail. CADS Place in Brock University CADS is a stand-alone academic unit within the Faculty of Social Sciences. While CADS has cross-appointed faculty members from several academic Executive Committees of Brock University (see below), CADS is not part of the administrative structure of any other Executive Committee. CADS is a cost-recovery unit. Students in the Master of Applied Disability Studies (M.ADS), Graduate Diploma and Qualifying Year (pending) programs, pay per course tuition. This tuition is transferred to the CADS budget and is the main source of income for the Centre. With the exception of the salary of one of its faculty members, CADS does not receive additional funds from the university. Hence, the CADS MA program is subsidized through tuition income received in the M.ADS, Grad Diploma and Qualifying Year programs. CADS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Master of Arts (MA) In addition to course work and practicum placements, the MA program requires the student to complete an original research study and write an MA thesis under the supervision of a key faculty member and a thesis committee. The minimum admission requirements for the MA are an Honours degree, 75 average in last two years of undergraduate courses and relevant disability experience. The MA program is geared towards students who are interested in research careers and perhaps pursuing a Ph.D. For the MA, preference is given to students who apply for full-time status. We discourage students working full-time to apply for the full-time MA program. Being a full-time student is considered a full-time occupation. Full-time students who are accepted into this program will be entitled to the stipends and bursaries typically awarded to Brock full-time graduate students. The general specialization is designed for MA students who wish to pursue research toward a Masters’ thesis in a variety of disability-related fields. The general specialization includes a thesis and internship and is five (5) credits in length. In addition to our general specialization, MA students may choose to specialize in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), take our Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB) approved ABA courses and become eligible for certification as a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) after completing their degree and experience hours. This specialization is six (6) credits in length.

8    

Master of Applied Disability Studies (M.ADS) Another degree option offered in CADS is called a Master of Applied Disability Studies (M.ADS). M.ADS is a professional Master’s degree. The minimum admissions requirement for the M.ADS is an Honours degree, 75 average in last two years of undergraduate courses and relevant disability experience. This option differs from the MA in that no research thesis is required, and the student would not likely be eligible for Brock graduate student stipends and bursaries. M.ADS students may choose to specialize in ABA, take our BACB approved ABA courses and become eligible for certification as a BCBA after completing their degree and experience hours. M.ADS is designed to be completed in three years on a part-time basis (or two years on a full-time basis). The program is geared to students who are already working in the field (e.g., Instructional Therapists in IBI programs, Behaviour Consultants/Therapists in Community Behavioural Programs). We discourage students working full-time to apply for the full-time M.ADS program. Being a full-time student is considered a full-time occupation. Graduate Diploma The Graduate Diploma in Applied Disability Studies is designed for persons who already hold a completed Master’s degree. Many students who already have a Master’s degree may choose the Diploma program to take the approved ABA courses needed to become BCBA. The admissions requirement for the Grad Diploma is the same as M.ADS (e.g., Honours degree, 75 average in last two years of undergraduate courses and relevant disability experience). Diploma students take the same courses as M.ADS students. The course sequence may include ABA and non-ABA courses. Qualifying Courses Qualifying courses are designed for students who wish to apply for M.ADS (either ABA or No Field Specialization), but do not meet the minimum admissions criteria. The Graduate Admissions Committee will review each student's application materials and then decide which qualifying courses each student should take to make them eligible to subsequently apply to M.ADS upon successful completion of the assigned qualifying courses. Therefore the qualifying course requirements will vary between students. Note: Completion of the qualifying courses does not guarantee admission to M.ADS, but does allow students who do not meet the minimum criteria for MADS (e.g., a 3-year degree) to submit an application to M.ADS that will seriously be considered. All qualifying courses are provided online at various times during the year. BACB Approved Course Sequence CADS offers a graduate ABA course sequence approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. According to current BACB credentialing, students completing the 5 course sequence with a Master’s degree have fulfilled the degree and course requirements for certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Note that there are other qualifications required by BACB to become BCBA in addition to the degree and course work. By being approved to offer this course sequence by BACB, we agree to the provisions set out by BACB regarding course content, instructional hours per topic and qualifications of instructors to teach ABA courses. At the same time, these courses conform to Brock University rules. Please visit http://www.bacb.com/ for complete information.

9    

CADS FACULTY CADS has four types of faculty positions – Core, Cross-Appointed, Affiliated and Adjunct. In addition, CADS hires qualified contract stipend instructors on an as-needed basis. Core faculty – These are Brock faculty whose primary home academic unit is CADS. Their salary is paid through the CADS budget. Core faculty may be tenure track or Limited Term Appointments. Core CADS faculty are members of the CADS Executive Committee, and are expected to take an active role in the operation and planning of the Centre, teaching and supervision of students. Cross-Appointed faculty – These are Brock faculty whose home academic unit is not CADS, but who play an active role in the operation and planning of the Centre, teaching and/or supervision of students. Cross-appointed faculty are chosen by the Executive Committee (2/3s vote required) for renewable three-year terms, and are members of the Executive Committee. Affiliated faculty – These are Brock faculty whose home academic unit is not CADS, but who are somewhat involved in the activities of the Centre. These faculty members may teach courses, guest lecture, supervise students and collaborate with CADS researchers. As they are only peripherally involved with CADS, they are not members of the Executive Committee. However, their views and recommendations about CADS are sought and valued. Affiliated faculty are appointed by the Executive Committee (majority vote) for renewable three-year terms. Adjunct faculty – These are non-Brock faculty who contribute to the Centre in terms of teaching, student supervision and research collaboration with CADS faculty. Adjunct faculty members do not have to hold a faculty position at another university, but they should have equivalent qualifications to those expected for a university position (based on teaching, research and student supervision experience). They are not members of the Executive Committee. Adjunct faculty members are recommended by the Executive Committee (majority vote) to the Dean, Social Sciences, for renewable three-year terms. Stipend instructors – These instructors are hired on a contractual basis to teach a specific course. These instructors have expertise to teach the course in question, and normally, they will have, or almost completed, a Ph.D. or Doctorate degree in a related field.

CADS Director Appointment and Duties CADS follows the procedures for appointment and duties of Director as outlined in the Collective Agreement. For a complete listing of the Director’s responsibilities please refer to the CADS Policies and Procedures Manual. CADS shall have a Director whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to: ensuring the orderly and efficient operation of the Centre; overseeing the administration of the Centre in consultation with CADS faculty; administering the current budget and maintaining accurate records; facilitate the flow of information regarding the Centre while representing the Centre’s interests. Teaching Load of the Director - The teaching load of the CADS Director may be less than norm for the Centre or Faculty. Any such reduced teaching load shall be negotiated with the Dean, and shall not be construed as violating any provision of Article 24 (Workload) of the Agreement. Typically, the CADS Director will receive at least a ½ credit course release per year. However, as the Centre expands with concomitant increases in the Director’s duties and responsibilities, this credit may be increased as negotiated with the Dean.

10    

Graduate Program Director (GPD) The GPD is appointed by and reports to the CADS Executive Committee. It is the duty of the GPD to oversee the graduate program. The usual term is 3 years. The CADS Director also may simultaneously serve as GPD. The GPD normally receives at least a ½ credit course release per year. The GPD’s specific duties include, but are not limited to: providing guidance to students who are enquiring about the program; providing guidance to graduate students with regard to scholarships/fellowships/PhD applications etc.; assist in interactions with the Centre, if needed; preparation and dissemination of graduate program materials; be available to meet with students to discuss progress/concerns; ensure student files are kept up-to-date. Clinical Coordinator A faculty member will be assigned the role of clinical coordinator. He/she will be responsible for ensuring students taking practicum courses have a qualified Supervisor. The clinical coordinator will review and approve each practicum Supervisor. For Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) courses; the clinical coordinator will advise students to check if the proposed Supervisor meets the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) qualifications. If a student intends to use practicum hours towards BCBA experience hours the Supervisor must meet those qualifications. The clinical coordinator will attempt to help students find Supervisors and ABA placements as needed, but the clinical coordinator (nor CADS) is responsible for obtaining a qualified placement and Supervisor for students. Usually, the clinical coordinator will teach the ABA Practicum course. BACB Liaison The BACB liaison is responsible for maintaining approval for our BACB approved ABA course sequence. Responsibilities of the BACB Liaison include, but are not limited to:

1. maintaining the approval status of our ABA course sequence, 2. keeping up-to-date with any changes to the BACB requirements, 3. responding to student or potential student queries about our ABA course

sequence, 4. reviewing the qualifications of instructors teaching our ABA courses, 5. making sure that each ABA course has an instructor or coordinator who is meets

BACB qualifications, and 6. assisting instructors to structure their courses and course outlines so that it is

consistent with BACB requirements. Academic Administrator Reporting to the Graduate Program Director, the Academic Administrator is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Centre. The Academic Administrator is responsible for Academic Advising, coordinating the Centre's administrative functions, providing guidance on academic policies and procedures, addressing student concerns and assisting with scholarship and bursary applications as well as other academic forms and applications. Appointments are recommended, however, students may drop in at any time. For off-campus students, phone-in appointments are also available. The Academic Administrator is to be the first point of contact for students.    

11    

COMMITTEES Executive Committee The Executive Committee consists of the Graduate Program Director and the Core Faculty Members. It is the duty of the Executive Committee to oversee and monitor the centre, the graduate programs and to plan for further program development. Meetings are held regularly to conduct the business of the Centre, review Program requirements and to further develop and enhance the Centre for Applied Disability Studies. The committee will also meet, when necessary, to discuss student progress and make recommendations. It is also the duty of the Executive Committee to consider feedback about the program provided by the students. On the basis of feedback, the Executive Committee is in the position to make recommendations to deal with student concerns. These recommendations will be forwarded to the appropriate individuals by the CADS Director. Administrative Committee In order to reduce the workload of the Executive Committee, a subcommittee – the Administrative Committee – is formed to deal with routine administrative issues that do not necessarily require approval from the Executive Committee. The Administrative Committee will be made up of the CADS Director, one Core and/or Cross-appointed CADS faculty and the Academic Administrator. The Administrative Committee will meet approximately every 2 weeks. The committee will discuss policies and concerns for the Centre for Applied Disability Studies. They are responsible for hiring part time faculty and teaching assistants. They are also responsible for ensuring MA students are being compensated for Graduate Funding. The committee will review student concerns and, when necessary, report to the Executive Committee with recommendations. The Administrative Committee reviews cohort selections and discusses changes and concerns of University-wide administration as it affects the Centre. The Administrative Committee also reviews the Graduate Calendar changes each year. Core Faculty Committee The Core Faculty Committee consists of the CADS Director and all CADS Core Faculty. This committee discusses issues pertinent to CADS Core faculty and informs the Executive Committee of any issues that need to be addressed regarding core faculty members. The Admissions Committee The admissions procedure involves the establishment of an Admissions Committee composed of the Graduate Program Director and at least two representatives of the Executive Committee. The Admissions Committee will be considered a subcommittee of Executive Committee. Applications and accompanying materials are to be submitted initially to the Office of Graduate Studies. A record of receipt will be made noting the information received and materials will be forwarded immediately to the Centre provided the information is received on or before the deadline date of December 1.

12    

Those faculty interested in supervising a graduate student are encouraged to review student files as soon as they become available to see who might be an appropriate match. However, it is important to guard against overly rigid categorization of a student on the basis of the research they have done to date. It has been the experience of the Admissions Committee that students are quite open to considering many research projects within their general area of interest. Often their previous thesis reflects the opportunities that were available to them rather than a primary career choice. Faculty are, therefore, encouraged to meet students and see whether a match in research interests is possible before deciding to dismiss that student as a possible choice. A form is included in each file where faculty can indicate they have reviewed the file; whether they are interested in supervising the student; and whether they will be able to commit to providing financial support. It is understood that Centre funding is limited. Therefore, when a faculty member indicates support, it must be clear whether funds are certain (e.g., continuation of existing funds) or uncertain (e.g., if grant is up for renewal or if funding has not yet been announced on current applications). Providing this information will help the Admissions Committee make its initial selections but it does not obligate a faculty member to take a student. All acceptance decisions are made in consultation with the student's potential Supervisor. While it is important that those faculty with grants assist in student support, decisions about student acceptance are not made solely on the basis of the availability of faculty financial support. The general policy of the Admissions Committee is to accept the strongest students and pair them with the most appropriate Supervisors on the basis of area of expertise. Before accepting an MA student, the Admissions Committee must take into account the likelihood of the MA receiving a TA position in a Brock Dept. This criterion needs to be considered as CADS does not have its own undergraduate program to place our MA students, yet CADS is responsible for paying students the equivalent amount promised by Grad Studies upon the student’s acceptance. With regard to M.ADS, Diploma and Qualifying Year students, the Admissions Committee will review the files and make recommendations to Grad Studies. If the Admissions Committee is recommending higher than usual number of acceptances, then the GPD must discuss this matter with the Executive Committee prior to making admissions recommendations to Grad Studies so that the Executive Committee can discuss the resource, personnel, space and financial implications of accepting extra students. If the number of admission recommendations is over the quota established with Grad Studies, the GPD will discuss this matter with the Director of Grad Studies. The files of all applicants will remain in the keeping of the Academic Administrator and are available for perusal by all faculty members. The files can be removed from the office for review by individual faculty members. A sign out sheet will be available. The Admissions Committee will attempt to resolve any difficulties that arise with regard to admission decisions. If the difficulty is not solved at this level, the GPD can call a meeting of the Executive Committee to review the case/s and the Admissions Committee will consider any recommendations in making its final decision. When the selection procedure has been completed and admissions confirmed, the Admissions Committee will report their activities to the Executive Committee.

13    

Wait List As part of the selection of new students for our graduate programs, a general wait list of candidates will be prepared for each program – MA, M.ADS/Diploma and Qualifying Course. This list will consist of outstanding MA candidates for whom potential supervisors have not yet been identified and/or confirmed, or those M.ADS/Diploma or Qualifying Course applicants who have been selected by the Admissions Committee as alternate choices. Usually, the MA students on the wait list will be offered the opportunity to join the M.ADS program. M.ADS/Diploma students on the wait list may be offered deferred admission to the following academic year. Qualifying Course wait list students may be offered deferred admission for the next time the courses are offered. Admission Criteria Admission criteria for the MA, M.ADS and Grad Diploma (with/without ABA specialization) are as follows:

1. Honours degree from accredited Ontario university or Canadian or foreign equivalent (as determined by Grad Studies)

2. At least a 75 average on the last two years of the undergraduate program 3. Relevant disability and/or ABA experience

Additional admissions information can be found on our website, http://www.brocku.ca/CADS as well as on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website, http://www.brocku.ca/graduate-studies. External Applicants Failing to Enter in September as Specified in Conditions for Admission External applicants, who are accepted for entry in the fall academic term, may request a delay if they are unable to enter as planned in September. This request is to be presented to the Academic Administrator. It must be in writing, accompanied by an explanation of the circumstances leading to a delay, and include written support from the prospective Thesis Supervisor (if applicable). Note: As mentioned previously, course sequence and offerings is restricted - if entry is delayed beyond the first class, the start of the student’s program of study may be delayed until the following September. Funding Policy The Admissions Committee will be guided in its selection of new MA students by a funding policy developed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Note: There is no Brock funding for M.ADS and Diploma students. Funding is granted in the following ways:

1. fellowships – administered by the Office of Graduate Studies and are available to all full-time students.

2. entrance scholarships – administered by the Officer of Graduate Studies to qualified full-time MA Students.

3. graduate teaching assistantships – administered by the Centre.

14    

4. research grant contributions – from the student’s Supervisor. The size of contribution expected from the Supervisor can vary from year to year as a function of administration policy and availability of grant funding.

5. external awards (e.g. OGS, SSHRC, CIHR) – administered by the Office of Graduate Studies.

The distribution to students of Centre financial resources such as Teaching and/or Research Assistantships is carried out in a fair and equitable manner, taking into account the interests and abilities of the student. Students are asked to apply for positions in order to facilitate the fairest distribution of positions. All hiring is done in accordance with the CUPE collective agreement. Financial Support Students may apply for support through the usual channels: OGS, NSERC, SSHRC, etc. There are also many scholarships and bursaries available to particular groups or students who can demonstrate need. Information about scholarships can be obtained from the Office of Research Services, Graduate Studies website, and from the Graduate Calendar. The Graduate Studies Office holds an information session in the fall regarding various funding sources. It is highly recommended that students attend these sessions. Scholarships CADS has some limited scholarships available for application each year. Please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies for internal scholarship information. The deadline is February of each year. Travel to Conferences Students are always encouraged to attend and present at conferences to help develop academically. Should students wish to attend and/or present at a conference and wish to seek financial support, they must request this in advance of attending. Normally, the Centre for Applied Disabilities does not financially support student travel to conferences unless it is at the request of the Centre for Applied Disability Studies. Conference support is available through Scholarships offered by the Centre for Applied Disability Studies, the GSA, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Additional support may also be available to MA students through their Supervisors. MA students are encouraged to speak to the supervisors in advance of attending any conference to inquire on any potential funding that may be available. Offers of Financial Support Students offered admission to the program shall be informed of:

• the normal completion time for the program; • the minimum total level of financial support that is promised (MA students only); • the period of time over which this support will be provided; and • any special conditions concerning continuation of the support.

For MAs, the minimum total level of financial support includes amounts received from internal scholarships and bursaries as well as teaching and research assistantships. External

15    

scholarships and fee waivers received by the student will be included in calculating the minimum total level of financial support. The source of funds may vary over the period of graduate studies. Some portion of each student’s University-based funding is offered in the form of a Graduate Fellowship. Additional funding may come from grants of individual faculty members in the form of either a Graduate Research Fellowship or a Research Assistantship contract. This amount may vary as a function of the availability of funds in any given year and the regulations of the external granting agency and is not guaranteed. Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are usually provided from University operating funds, and are allocated by Department Committees in return for specific services in support of their teaching programs. CADS seeks to provide MA students with teaching experience whenever possible. As well, fellowship funds from the University may be used in a discretionary manner to entice highly qualified students. The basic minimal funding for any student must not drop below the minimum requirement as designated by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Continuation of Financial Support An MA student whose performance is judged to be unsatisfactory will normally receive written warning and suggestions for improvement before February 1 of each year. If the student's performance does not improve sufficiently within a reasonable time period, financial support may be reduced or discontinued. Written warning and an opportunity for improvement need not be given in cases of serious misconduct or serious neglect of duties. It is recognized that difficulties may arise owing to inadequate transfer payments from the province, or to non-renewal of external research grants and contracts. However, the University will make every effort to maintain financial support for continuing graduate students at the levels promised. Primary responsibility rests with the Executive Committee and the Office of Graduate Studies, where decisions concerning admissions and offers of financial support are made. FULL-TIME MA STUDENTS - TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS (TAS) Entering MA Students CADS does not currently offer undergraduate courses. It is incumbent for 1st year MA students to find a TA position in other departments at Brock University. Departments post these positions in June/July. However, as departments are not required to post all TA positions; it is advisable to contact the Academic Administrators in relevant departments in early June to ask for a contact person regarding the TA positions. First year MAs should apply for all TA positions for which they are qualified. Please consult with the CADS Academic Administrator for advice as to which courses you may be qualified to TA. For example, students with a Psychology degree may be qualified to teach courses in Child and Youth Studies and second year CADS MA students may be eligible to TA CADS courses passed in first year. Note: First year CADS MA students who do not apply for TA positions risk losing the TA portion of their funding.

16    

Returning MA Students Returning students are invited to apply for TAships for courses already completed in the Centre for Applied Disability Studies in your first year, but as these spaces are limited, students should also consider applying to positions in other programs on campus. Entering and returning students are invited to meet with the Administrative Coordinator for the Centre to review their transcripts and for assistance in deciding which programs to seek employment from. According to University regulations, full time MA students “must limit University employment to an average of no more than ten hours a week of University paid work in a given term”. This ten-hour a week rule applies to paid employment on campus and includes Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships. Normally, each MA student will be assigned the equivalent of two Graduate Teaching Assistantships (may involve marking, coordinating, etc.) for each of the two years of full-time study in the MA. Each of these has a nominal workload of 120 hours (60 per term). Graduate students who wish to work more than 10 hours per week (120 hours per term) must request prior approval from their Thesis Supervisor, the GPD and the Dean of Graduate Studies. A Request for Approval of Extra On-Campus Employment Hours can be found at http://www.brocku.ca/graduate-studies/current-students/student-forms. Graduate Teaching Assistants do not have full responsibility for teaching courses. Instead they are to carry out teaching-related duties; such as leading seminars, proctoring exams, marking, tutoring, supervising laboratories, and occasionally lecturing. Other duties may be assigned with the agreement of the Instructor, the Executive Committee CADS Director or GPD and, of course, the student. Before the beginning of the fall term, the course instructors shall inform Teaching Assistants of their assignments and the nominal hours of work expected over the term. The nominal hours of work are estimates of the time, including preparation, which would normally be required by a graduate student to carry out the assigned duties. It is the course instructor’s responsibility to ensure adequate preparation time is allowed; it is the graduate student's responsibility to be prepared. It is the instructor's duty to meet with her/his TAs at the beginning of the term for advance discussion of the expected work, methods to be used in evaluating the TA's work, and scheduling of duties throughout the term. TA duties extend from the date lectures begin until the due date for course marks and may be distributed unevenly over the term. However, the maximum number of hours of work required in any one week should not normally exceed 20 hours per week. Anticipated excessive fluctuations shall be clearly identified at the time of course assignment. Graduate student employees shall identify to the employer any known academic obligations that may interfere with their duties. If unreasonable demands interfere with a student's own academic program, he/she should speak with the Executive Committee CADS Director. Except in emergencies, TAs should receive at least one week's notice of special duties such as proctoring or lecturing. In many cases, students receive RA support to work on their own thesis research. In such circumstances, requirements as to maximum hours of work do not apply. However, when payment is for assistance with research not closely related to the student's thesis research, the

17    

average number of hours worked per week must not exceed ten (including TA hours, if applicable); the rate of pay should represent fair value for the services rendered. Leading Seminars Some students may not have led seminars prior to entering the program. Leading seminars involves leading discussions among small groups of students (between 10 and 20). The material and topics are decided by the course instructor. Seminar leaders are expected to meet with the course instructor regularly to go over the material that should be covered in seminar. Seminar leaders will also be required to hold office hours and assist with marking. As a graduate student, one may also be given the opportunity to prepare and give lecture. The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Educational Technologies (CTLET) has special workshops early in September and throughout the year to help prepare students for seminar leading. Graduate students are expected to participate. If you participate in a given group of seminars, you will be awarded a Teaching Assistant Certificate. See CTLET at http://www.brocku.ca/pedagogical-innovation for more details. First-time seminar leaders are expected to attend department-organized training session(s). Course Credit & Paid Employment A student may complete apprenticeships or conduct independent projects arising from paid employment (e.g., using data collected in the context of the job, extending ideas that were initiated as part of the job), as long as the work required for the apprenticeship/project is completed outside of work hours (e.g., over and above the duties involved in the paid employment). A student contemplating such a project should consult with the Thesis Supervisor and the GPD prior to beginning the project. TRANSFERRING BETWEEN PROGRAMS M.ADS Students Wishing to Transfer to the MA Program Any M.ADS student wishing to transfer to the MA program will need to apply. Credit will be given for courses completed under the M.ADS program, but additional courses for MA will be required. The deadline for application is December 1 of each year. M.ADS Graduates and the MA program M.ADS graduates who wish to apply to the MA program may do so. Applicants to the Master of Arts who have previously completed the Master of Applied Disability Studies (M.ADS) degree at Brock University will be considered under the following conditions:

1. Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements to enter the Master of Arts program

2. Students must complete, in addition to the M.ADS degree requirements, the MA thesis, ADST 5P10 (ABA specialization only), and a half-credit ADST elective in their specialization. These credits plus those completed as part of the M.ADS degree will comprise the 5.0 credits required for the Master of Arts.

18    

3. The Master of Applied Disability Studies degree will be rescinded on the student’s academic record if the Master of Arts degree is completed and is to be conferred.

Transfer Credits Transfer credits will be looked at on a case-by-case basis for students entering the MA, M.ADS or Diploma programs and will be reviewed by the Executive Committee. Students have up to one year from the date of admission to request a transfer credit. Students may apply for this at any time during that year. To apply for transfer credits, students must provide the Centre with:

• complete course description and syllabus of previously completed course, • transcript for the completed course(s) • course code(s) and description(s) for the course(s) at Brock University • brief outline explaining why the course should be considered equivalent.

The committee will need up to 8 weeks to consider all applications. Online courses are not considered equivalent to our in-class courses. Students may not request general transfer credits; specific courses must be requested. No more than 1.5 of transfer credits can be used towards the degree. Courses used towards evaluating your admission to the program will not be considered for transfer credits. Cohort Locations Cohorts will be decided after all acceptances have been received by the Centre. This is usually done in late July. While we cannot guarantee a student’s cohort (location) of choice, we do our best to place students in the cohort closest to the address provided in the application. Full-Time students in all programs will attend classes in Hamilton and/or St. Catharines and should be prepared to travel to either location. While we currently offer cohorts in Toronto and Ottawa, we do not guarantee these locations every year. MA Eligibility for Ph.D. Programs Students who graduate from our MA program will receive a MA in Applied Disability Studies (with or without ABA specialization). Many MA students will pursue a Ph.D.. At this point, CADS does not offer a Ph.D. program. Many of our students who have applied to Ph.D. programs elsewhere have been successful. Students have been accepted in clinical psychology, ABA, and other applied Ph.D. programs, in Canada and the U.S. Leaves The Faculty of Graduate Studies requires graduate students to register in every term. However, students have the option of requesting a Leave of Absence or an Inactive Term.

• Inactive Term - covers students taking a leave of up to one term only. • Leave of Absence - covers students taking a leave of up to one year.

Students in the Centre for Applied Disability Studies are not permitted to take more than one Leave of Absence during the term of their degree. Leave of Absence cannot follow or precede an Inactive Term request. Forms are available on the Grad Studies website and must be submitted to the Department in advance of the requested leave. Students should know that leaves may affect their course sequence and additional term(s) may be required. Also be aware

19    

that a leave may affect a students’ cohort location. Please contact the Academic/Academic Administrator for advising prior to requesting a leave of any kind. Note: Course availability is not guaranteed and may not be available upon the students return. Attendance Policy Our courses run primarily one weekend a month, and as such attendance in class is very important. A complete attendance will be provided for each course with the syllabus. A strict attendance policy is in place:

• First three, 3 hour blocks missed: less 5% of final grade for each 3 hour block missed. (e.g., 1st weekend missed = loss of 15% of final grade)

• Subsequent 3 hour blocks missed: less 7% X number of blocks missed. (e.g., 4th weekend missed = loss of 22% of final grade)

Make-up assignments will be issued for any missed classes. For ABA students missed classes will affect how many approved course sequence hours you can claim for BCBA. At times absenteeism is impossible to avoid. When possible please consult with your individual instructor if you are unsure if your reason is legitimate. Examples of illegitimate reasons are noted below. Should your absenteeism not be legitimate and you wish to appeal, please contact the Centre and your appeal will be reviewed by the Director. Examples of illegitimate absenteeism include but are not limited to:

• family functions • vacations • team commitments • work schedule

Communication Students are expected to use Brock email only (except under exceptional circumstances) when corresponding by email with anyone at Brock. CADS does not encourage the forwarding of Brock email to another personal email address (i.e. Hotmail, Gmail etc.) Expect a minimum of 48 hours on queries to instructors and TAs. Remember, there are many students in our program and our Faculty and TA’s have other responsibilities in addition to teaching. When corresponding with your Faculty and TA’s be sure to include your full name and cohort in your email as well as in the name of all email attachments and assignments. (e.g., Fred Skinner, Hamilton 10). When corresponding with the Centre, in any fashion, always include your student number. If you do not include this information, the response to your inquiry will be delayed. Please be patient. When corresponding with the Centre, remember the Administration is dealing with many deadlines, current and prospective students, as well as liaising with other departments. It may take a few days but you will receive a response. Please respectfully use netiquette. Netiquette is the respectful use of language and tone in your email. Do not type in all caps.

20    

PROGRAMMING Course Outlines All courses (except the thesis course) must have a course outline that conforms to university and faculty regulations. Course outlines also must be prepared for directed studies and other specialty courses. Grading of Courses Recent changes made by Senate note that all courses, except for the thesis must be given a numerical grade. This includes Internships and Practica. Note: Graduate courses stipulate a grade less than 70 is considered a failing grade and the course must be redone with a passing grade in order to graduate. Phrase-Matching Software The Centre for Applied Disability Studies reserves the right to use phrase-matching resources and software (e.g., turnitin.com) to screen all graduate student papers (e.g., thesis, advanced study papers, core courses, any other graduate course requiring submission of a paper). Students must be informed that turnitin will be used at the beginning of the course (e.g., must be stipulated on course outlines/syllabi). Note: It is assumed that students who remain in a course, having been informed of the use of phrase-matching resources/software, have agreed to its use. There may be students who have "principled objections" to the use of phrase-matching resources and software and who wish to remain in the course. The instructor must provide students with a reasonable alternative that must also be shown in the course outline. Screening documents will be conducted by a person who is experienced in using phrase-matching resources/software. In the event that the "screener" finds what appears to be plagiarism, s/he will notify the Graduate Program Director and the Instructor/Advisor, who will meet to discuss this with the student. If the GPD and Instructor/Advisor agree that plagiarism has occurred, the regulations regarding academic misconduct (including plagiarism) laid out in the Graduate Calendar; Section XVII (http://www.brocku.ca/webcal/graduate/acad.html) will be followed. Students are encouraged to set up their own turnitin.com account (paid for by the university). Students are encouraged to check their papers before handing in to the instructor. Appeals All graduate students have the right to appeal academic decisions. An appeal is a request that an academic decision (e.g., a grade or standing in a program) be changed; based on the evidence supplied by the student. Students may also request that a regulation be waived on compassionate grounds or because of extenuating circumstances. Details regarding appeals can be found in the graduate calendar or through the Graduate Program Director.

21    

COURSE EVALUATION General Student Feedback Feedback from students regarding the program is encouraged. It is suggested for the student to approach their Supervisor, other members of their Supervisory Committee, Graduate Program Director, and/or the Centre Administrator. Course Feedback Students and instructors are urged to provide each other with feedback throughout the course. Nonetheless, it is useful to have a more formal course evaluation upon completion of the course. Course evaluation packages will be provided on the last day of each course in each term. In order to maintain anonymity, students will select from amongst themselves a representative to collect and deliver the course evaluations in the envelope provided, sealing the envelope and signing across the seal. The representative will bring these packages directly to the Centre. For courses taking place in Toronto and Ottawa, a postage-paid envelope will be provided and the representative will mail the sealed envelope to the Centre. All course evaluations will be reviewed by the Course Instructor and GPD. Issues arising from the evaluations will be discussed by the Course Instructor and GPD. For particular course concerns, students should consult with the instructor directly. Should the student feel that their concern is not being addressed, they are encouraged to speak directly to the GPD or a member of the Administrative Committee. Program Feedback Students will meet annually with the GPD to provide feedback about the graduate program. This information will be communicated to the Graduate Committee. SECTION II: GRADUATE STUDENT SUPERVISION Graduate research is recognized as a partnership involving students, Supervisors, and the Centre. For graduate students, graduate studies often represent a career development path that leads to gainful employment. To achieve that end, within a reasonable amount of time, proper supervision is key; it is vital that students be provided with responsible, professional supervision that is sensitive to student needs while being free of personal conflict that might interfere with intellectual development. Data shows the quality of supervision is an important variable contributing to the quality of one’s thesis as well as suitable completion time for said thesis work. Selection of faculty to serve on thesis committees is the joint responsibility of the student and the Thesis Supervisor. Faculty members who are invited to serve as Supervisory Committee Members are not obligated to do so, but are encouraged to provide clear reasons for not doing so. The student, with Supervisor approval, is responsible for notifying the Graduate Program Director in writing about committee membership and the approximate date when membership

22    

was settled. For MA students decisions with respect to the composition of the Supervisory Committee are to be finalized by January of the first academic year. Supervisory Committee The Supervisory Committee is composed of the Thesis Supervisor and two other faculty members who are associated with the program as members of the CADS. One member of the Supervisory committee may be from outside the program, subject to approval by the graduate committee. The members of the Supervisory Committee who are not the Thesis Supervisor play a similar role to that of the Thesis Supervisor, but do not have primary responsibility for the student’s work (see below). The composition of the Supervisory committee must be approved by the Graduate Program Director and must be in place and operational by no later than the proposal stage of the thesis. Supervisory Committee Responsibilities The Supervisory Committee members are expected to follow the guidelines laid out for the primary Supervisor. The exception being they do not have primary responsibility for the student and are not expected to contribute financially to the student's projects. It will be the responsibility of the Supervisory Committee to review the student's progress at least once a year. This typically happens in preparation for the January proposal defence and again in the second year to review the thesis progress. Records of these consultations are to be maintained by the student and Thesis Supervisor. In addition to these consultations the student and Supervisory Committee are to meet at least once to review and formally approve the proposed thesis research presented to the committee as a prospectus. This provides a mechanism for committee members to suggest improvements and to record their ideas about the work before it is undertaken. It is also expected that the members of the Supervisory Committee read and approve of the thesis before it is sent out to an External Examiner. Major changes to a proposal or thesis draft should be agreed upon by the entire Supervisory Committee. As well, they are to indicate the thesis is ready for the defence and are expected to participate in the oral defence when scheduled. Thesis Supervisor The Thesis Supervisor assumes primary responsibility for the student’s thesis work. He or she must be a core, cross-appointed or affiliated faculty member within the Centre for Applied Disability Studies. CADS adjunct faculty may co-supervise an MA thesis with a core, cross-appointed or affiliated faculty member. Please see http://www.brocku.ca/CADS for a complete listing of faculty. When faculty members agree to supervise a graduate student, they thereby assume a number of responsibilities; many of which are not formally identified in the designation of workload. The following guidelines are designed to enhance academic quality, safeguard student welfare, and expedite progress to satisfactory completion of degree requirements. Thesis Supervisor Responsibilities Provide an appropriate research environment – with regard to one's own thesis students, there is the expectation that the Thesis Supervisor will provide an appropriate research environment

23    

into which the student will enter. This environment should have sufficient resources to enable the student to do the intended work. The research environment should also provide recognition of the Supervisor’s research to the peer community at large. Assisting each student to achieve his/her scholarly potential – a student has the right to expect expertise and accessibility from the Supervisor. It is reasonable to expect the Supervisor to offer assistance with the design, planning, and conduct of feasible research projects; introduce the student to a network of scholars or scholarly work in the area of specialization; encourage conference attendance; and provide support for presentation/publication of the research results. Thesis Supervisors Guidelines

1. Be reasonably accessible to the student for consultation and discussion of

academic progress, research problems, course selection, etc. 2. Offer supervision and advice appropriate to the stage of the student's work

(proposal stage, problem design stage, analysis and writing stage, oral defence stage, and with the publication of results). Help the student establish and modify a suitable timetable for completion of the various stages of the thesis requirements.

3. Give a timely response to written work with constructive suggestions for improvement.

4. Ensure that the student is aware of University and Faculty requirements and standards for the thesis program as available in the graduate course calendar.

5. As indicated in the University’s Policy on Intellectual Property, inform the student that the responsibility for utilization and publication of data is held jointly by the Supervisor and the student, and endeavour to clarify early in the program some general principles regarding publication credit (and patent rights should that be relevant to the research). Information and forms relating to intellectual property are available at http://www.brocku.ca/graduate-studies/FORMS. In addition, Supervisors must ensure the student has signed the “Intellectual Property Form” indicating they have read and understood these regulations and that she/he agrees to abide by them with regard to any research undertaken at the University or under the auspices of the University. A copy of the completed form will be kept in the student’s file. The Supervisor is also responsible for forwarding a copy of this completed form to the Office of Research Services.

6. Assist the student with attempts to acquire external funding, or provide such funding, when possible, to permit attendance at conferences.

7. Conform to basic principles of academic integrity, professionalism and ethics in the development of a mature and objective relationship with the student.

8. Make a suitable alternative arrangement for supervision when on extensive leave or absence from the university.

Supervisor responsibilities with regard to other students in the graduate program – the Thesis Supervisor as an active member of the research community; within the Centre and beyond, serves as a role model for all students and must be prepared to share his/her knowledge and skills with students and colleagues. Change in Supervisor (as per Faculty Handbook regulation) – if either the graduate student or Supervisor wishes to initiate a change in Supervisor the request must be presented in writing, with explanation, to the Graduate Program Director and approved by the Faculty Dean as well as the Dean of Graduate Studies.

24    

Should an issue arise between the student and Thesis Supervisor, it is suggested that the student attempt to resolve the issue directly with their Thesis Supervisor. If in the event differences cannot be resolved please contact the GDP and Administrative Committee. If Supervisor leaves Brock (as per Faculty Handbook regulation) – if a student’s Supervisor leaves Brock during the student’s program, the Graduate Program Director has the responsibility to ensure that the student can exercise one of the following options:

1. Remain at Brock and change Supervisor and perhaps thesis topic. 2. Remain at Brock and complete the existing thesis even though the appropriate

expertise may not be available at Brock for supervision. In this case, the Supervisory committee may seek advice from experts off campus, or may arrange for the student to work off campus. It will be the responsibility of the Supervisory committee (augmented, if necessary, by outside expertise), to advise the student on all matters regarding thesis preparation. The student is not precluded from seeking advice from the former Brock faculty member, but the former Brock faculty member has no privileged position with respect to the thesis. The Supervisory committee will take precedence in all cases.

3. Apply to transfer to the university to which the student’s former Supervisor has moved.

4. Any special arrangements described in 2. or 3. above must be approved by the Faculty Dean and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Student Guidelines By engaging in a graduate program, the student commits to devote the time and energy necessary to conduct and complete a research project and, if the results warrant, prepare the work for dissemination through conference presentation and publication. The Supervisor has the right to expect the student demonstrate ability, initiative, and receptivity.

1. Conform to University and Faculty requirements and procedures with regard to registration and graduation requirements, and to thesis style and standards.

2. In cooperation with the Supervisory Committee, including the Thesis Supervisor, develop a timetable for completion of all stages of the thesis work.

3. Meet regularly with the Thesis Supervisor to review progress and interact with other members of the Supervisory Committee as appropriate and be willing to travel to the Brock Campus for these meetings.

4. Give serious consideration to and respond to the advice and criticism received from the Thesis Supervisor and the rest of the Supervisory Committee.

5. Recognize that the Thesis Supervisor and other members of the Supervisory Committee have other teaching, research, and administrative obligations that may preclude an immediate response to queries or the provision of feedback.

6. Students must familiarize themselves with University and Faculty requirements and standards for graduate studies as available in this document, in the Graduate Calendar, and in the University’s Policy on Intellectual Property.

7. As indicated in the University’s Policy on Intellectual Property, the student must recognize the responsibility for utilization and publication of data is held jointly by the Thesis Supervisor and the student and general principles regarding publication credit and or patent rights are negotiated with the Thesis Supervisor in keeping with University Policy.

25    

8. To fulfill University guidelines, students should make available to the Thesis Supervisor all draft papers as well as a copy of raw data prior to submission for publication.

9. Students must conform to basic principles of academic integrity, professionalism and ethics with respect to the handling of data and in the development of a mature and objective relationship with research participants, the Thesis Supervisor, other members of the Supervisory Committee, other scholars, as well as fellow students and staff at the University.

10. Students will be expected to consult with their Supervisory Committee if major changes are required during the conduct of the research.

11. Graduate students are expected to take part in the academic life of the Centre, which includes attending Centre events and pro-seminars.

12. As a student develops their research interests, there may be reason to consider a change in Thesis Supervisor. There is some precedent for this and it can be accomplished through discussion with the current and potential Thesis Supervisors, and the Graduate Program Director. While such a shift may not always be possible, an attempt will be made to accommodate student needs. On occasion, asking another individual with appropriate expertise to join the student’s committee or to serve as a consultant may be of help.

13. Students wishing to apply for a voluntary withdrawal, time limit extension, or leave of absence must fill out the appropriate form(s). The form(s) can be downloaded from the Graduate Studies website and must be submitted to the program office. http://www.brocku.ca/graduate-studies/FORMS

Ethical and Professional Conduct The Centre for Applied Disability Studies has the responsibility to ensure, to the best of its ability, that graduate students act in accordance with the ethical standards of their intended profession (e.g., codes of conduct such as the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)). Should a student seriously and/or repeatedly violate these standards, and a less formal solution cannot be found, the following procedures will be enacted:

1. A faculty member will bring the matter before a special meeting of the Executive Committee if s/he considers that a graduate student has seriously and/or repeatedly violated the codes of conduct of the student’s most relevant governing body (e.g., CPA, BACB).

2. The student will be invited to attend. Her/his Thesis Supervisor also may address the Executive Committee. At the student's request, the meeting may be closed. The Committee may decide to take no action, call for remedial action, advise the student to withdraw from the program, or recommend that the student's enrolment in the program be terminated. Decisions will be by majority vote. If the faculty member who initiated the concern is on the Executive Committee, that member is excused from voting. The Executive Committee will inform the student of its decision in writing.

Academic Progress Upon registration, students will consult with their Thesis Supervisor to plan a program of study and develop a thesis topic.

26    

Graduate student progress will be evaluated in January of the student’s first year by way of proposal. Additionally, graduate students will be evaluated again in June by way of a proposal defence. The progress of graduate students will be further monitored by way of the Student Progress Report (Appendix A). It is the responsibility of the student to complete this form with their Thesis Supervisor in September and April of each registered year. A degree audit is also required for the completion of this form. It is the responsibility of the student to make an appointment with the Academic Administrator to obtain a degree audit. If the Executive Committee, Thesis Supervisor and/or members of the Supervisory Committee are, at any point, concerned about student progress, the student may be asked to prepare further information. Progress deemed to be unsatisfactory will form the basis of a recommendation to the Dean that the student be withdrawn from the program. If a student has a standing of less than B (e.g., 70%) in at least one half-credit course, continued candidacy will be subject to review by the Centre. Some courses will be graded on a credit (pass/fail) basis. SECTION III: THESIS Please see Appendix B Thesis Proposal The Supervisory Committee should be established by the Thesis Supervisor and the student by January of the student’s first year. The Thesis Committee Formation Form (Appendix C) is to be completed and sent to the GPD by December 15th of the students first academic year. It is recommended that students meet with their Supervisory Committee informally (either as a group or individually) before they have completed their written proposal in order to discuss their initial ideas. Once a student has completed and submitted their written proposal, the Supervisory Committee will have an official proposal meeting with the student. The written proposal should include a draft of the abstract, background literature, purpose and significance of the research, research questions/hypotheses, method, plan for data analysis, references, and as many accompanying materials as possible, if appropriate (e.g., questionnaires). The proposal does not have to be perfectly formatted, though it must be grammatical and well organized. It is not necessary for the proposal that the student provide a complete literature review. For background, only the most pertinent literature should be included. There will likely be sections of the introduction that are to be expanded, reduced, or reorganized later; however, enough background should be included so that the rationale for the project and hypotheses are clear.

Thesis Proposal Defence A proposal defence will typically be held by June 15th of the students first academic year after all committee members have read the proposal. At the defence, the student will make a 15-minute presentation, summarizing the proposal. The Proposal Committee will discuss potential changes with the student. Also, there may be aspects of the methodology that await committee advice to be finalized. In such a case, the student can write one version of the method and discuss other possibilities at the proposal meeting or the student could present alternatives in the proposal itself. When the committee members are satisfied of the viability of the proposed research, they will sign the Proposal Defence Form (Appendix D), which will then be forwarded by the Thesis Supervisor to the Graduate Program Director. More than one meeting of the Supervisory

27    

Committee (or individuals on the Committee) and student may be necessary before a thesis proposal is approved. The student is responsible for informing the committee of any substantive changes that occur after the original proposal has been approved: this may require another Supervisory Committee meeting. Upon approval of final methodology, the student will complete a REB application, as needed, with the support of his/her Thesis Supervisor. Ethics Clearance Signed approval by the Subcommittee for Research with Human Participants is necessary prior to data collection in all cases where research with human participants is involved, and by the University Animal Care Committee for research involving animals. Copies of such approval must be appended to the completed thesis before submission to the Library for binding. Thesis Submission The thesis must be prepared according to the style guidelines for a Thesis in Psychology (APA) and must adhere to the University's statement of Principles of Research Ethics (Section III 9.10.1, Faculty Handbook). Once the student and Thesis Supervisor agree the written thesis is ready for defence, the candidate submits sufficient copies of the thesis to be defended to the Thesis Supervisor, other committee members, centre representative, the external examiner and the chair of the thesis defence. The copies should be submitted to CADS for disbursement. On occasion an electronic copy may also be requested by members of the examining committee, it will be the responsibility of the student to provide electronic copies upon request. The thesis cannot be submitted by e-mail unless it is requested. It must be printed by the student and presented as hard copy. The thesis must be presented well in advance of the anticipated date of the oral, minimally 6 weeks. Typically, a copy of all data and copies of coding sheets, important analyses, and so on should be maintained in the Thesis Supervisor’s laboratory. When human participants have been involved, all original materials that contain participant identification shall be turned over to the Thesis Supervisor for disposal or safekeeping as required by appropriate guidelines. Examining Committee This examining Committee will consist of the Chair of the Centre (or designate), the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research (or designate), who will also chair the committee, the External Examiner, and the Members of the Supervisory Committee, including the Thesis Supervisor. External Examiner This must be someone who is sufficiently knowledgeable of/in the field and the methodology to be able to assess the work adequately. The External Examiner must, as well, be a person external to the University who has not participated previously in the thesis project and will be principally responsible for provision of an independent and objective evaluation of the academic quality of the thesis. The External Examiner would normally be an associate or full professor and a member of the faculty of graduate studies at her/his university, or eligible for membership in the faculty of graduate studies if her/his university does not have such a faculty. In special

28    

cases, the External Examiner does not have to have a university appointment, but he/she must have an understanding of the academic environment that would allow her/him to evaluate the quality of a thesis. The Thesis Supervisor and student must provide the Graduate Program Director with a list of names of the Supervisory Committee members, a list of three or more individuals who are qualified to serve as External Examiner (including current addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and a brief statement of qualifications), the thesis title and an abstract of the thesis. The Thesis Supervisor will contact potential external examiners to discuss availability. The Thesis Supervisor will then provide the GPD with the names, availability and brief biography of each potential external examiner. The GDP will forward this list to Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research

The External Examiner will be appointed by the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research from the list forwarded by the Graduate Program Director. The Associate Dean’s decision will be final. The External Examiner is not to be regarded as an ad hoc member of the Supervisory Committee. The Supervisory Committee and the Graduate Program Director shall determine the nature and extent of contributions made to the thesis during its development by all potential External Examiners. Casual knowledge of the thesis by a potential External Examiner shall not necessarily constitute grounds for precluding such an individual from invitation. The External Examiner will write a letter to the Associate Dean at least one week before the scheduled date of the thesis defence providing an evaluation of the thesis and indicating whether the examiner believes that the thesis is of sufficient quality that it is ready for examination. The letter will be made available to the candidate and the Thesis Supervisor. If this letter is not received at least one week before the scheduled date of the thesis defence, the defence will not take place as scheduled. Note: In rare instances; the External Examiner for an MA thesis may be a Brock University faculty member who is not affiliated with CADS. Approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and the academic Faculty Dean are required. Scheduling the Defence The Graduate Program Director is responsible for ensuring the Academic Administrator has the information required to schedule the thesis defence on a date suitable for the candidate and all members of the examining committee. The Graduate Program Director will also reserve a room suitable for the defence. In all cases, the Chair of the Examining Committee, the External Examiner, the Internal Examiner (PhD defence only) and the Thesis Supervisor will attend the defence. In rare circumstances, a member of the Supervisory Committee may be unable to attend the thesis defence, and may instead submit to the Chair of the Examining Committee questions to be posed to the candidate. The Graduate Program Director will notify the appropriate Dean when the date has been set, and the Dean will then send formal letters of invitation to the External Examiner, the Internal Examiner (PhD defence only), and to the Chair of the Examining Committee. The Centre will publicize the date of the thesis defence by notifying relevant university publications and posting notices in appropriate areas. The Dean will notify the Graduate Program Director of the name of the Chair of the Examining Committee. The student will be advised of the names of all Examining Committee members at least 1 week before the defence date.

29    

Defence On the day of the examination, the Centre Representative (or designated individual) will take copies of the Report of Graduate Thesis Examination Board and one copy of the Certificate of Approval forms to the examining room and ensure that the room is arranged in a suitable fashion. The proceedings of the thesis defence are directed by the Chair of the Examining Committee. The oral examination will be open to anyone who wishes to attend, but only the candidate and members of the examining committee may participate in questioning. At the beginning of the defence, the Chair of the Examining Committee will describe the rules to be followed and ensure that the candidate and all members of the Examining Committee are familiar with those rules. The Candidate will present a public seminar outlining the study (not to exceed 20 minutes). This will be followed by a period of questioning by the Examining Committee during which the student should be the only person responding to the questions. The order of questioning will be: External Examiner, the Internal Examiner (PhD defence only), other members of the Examining Committee as agreed before the defence, and the Thesis Supervisor. The Chair of the Examining Committee may pose questions at any time. In the first round of questioning, each questioner will have a maximum of fifteen minutes to ask questions. There can be second and subsequent rounds of questions. The order of questioning and timing of questions at this stage is at the discretion of the Chair of the Examining Committee. When the questioning process is complete, the Candidate and anyone else who is not a member of the Examining Committee will then be asked to leave the room and the Examining Committee will meet to come to a decision with respect to the acceptability of the thesis and the defence. Students are encouraged to attend multiple defences during the duration of their studies so to familiarize themselves with the process. The defences attended do not necessarily need to be within the Centre for Applied Disability Studies. Last Minute Absence of Chair or Committee Member Occasionally, because of illness or an accident, a member of an Examination Committee may be unable to attend at the last minute. In order that the exam may proceed without having to be postponed, the following procedures should be followed:

1. The Committee member who is going to be delayed or who cannot attend must telephone the CADS GPD as soon as possible. If a Committee member or the External Examiner is unable to attend, questions to be addressed to the candidate are to be dictated over the telephone, along with a confidential comment on the merit of the thesis. This comment should indicate whether the individual would pass or fail the candidate on the basis of the thesis.

2. When the GPD has been notified that a member of the Examination Committee is to be delayed for more than one hour, or is unable to attend, the following procedures are to be implemented:

a. The CADS Academic Administrator and/or Thesis Supervisor will inform the candidate and the Committee of a possible delay of up to one hour, or of the unexpected absence.

b. If it is the Supervisor who will be absent, an existing member of the advisory committee will be appointed as Acting Supervisor by the Chair of the Examining Committee, after an in-camera discussion with members of

30    

the Examination Committee. c. If it is the assigned Chair who will be absent, the Dean of Graduate

Studies Office will arrange for a replacement within one (1) hour. d. If it is the External Examiner who will be absent, the questions and vote of

the External Examiner will be delivered to the Chair who will represent the External Examiner and ask the questions dictated by the External Examiner.

e. If the Supervisor or a member of the Thesis Committee will be absent, another member of the Committee will be provided with the questions and will represent the absentee member. This delegate is permitted to ask his or her questions, as well. If an appropriate delegate is not available, the exam will proceed with the Chair asking questions on behalf of the absentee member.

3. The examination is to be postponed and re-scheduled as soon as possible at the convenience of the student only if the External Examiner or the Supervisor fail to telephone or appear within one hour of the scheduled starting time; or if two members of the Committee do not appear. Otherwise, the exam is to proceed according to the above procedures, even if the Examination Committee includes only the External Examiner and one additional member from the Executive Committee.

Decisions Open to the Examining Committee The thesis and defence will be graded on a pass-fail system, using the following options:

1. Thesis Satisfactory and Accepted as Submitted - this is the determination even if

there are minor typographical errors that must be corrected 2. Thesis Accepted after Minor Corrections or Modifications - this will involve the

rewriting of small sections of the thesis 3. Thesis Accepted Conditionally Upon Completion of Major Modifications as

Outlined on Attached Sheet- the examining committee will not meet again, the revisions must be completed to the satisfaction of either the Thesis Supervisor or a sub-committee of the Examining Committee, as decided by the full Examining Committee

4. Decision Deferred Until a. completion of major modifications as outlined on attached sheet, and b. a new and satisfactory defence has been completed

5. Thesis Unsatisfactory and Not Acceptable The thesis will require acceptance by two-thirds of the Examining Committee this must include the External Examiner. In the event that revisions are required the Examining Committee will specify the areas and the date by which the revised, typed thesis is to be re-submitted for approval. This date will normally be within three months of the examination, or within six months, if additional research is required. The Examining Committee may also determine whether the revisions require acceptance by the supervisor or by a subcommittee of the Examining Committee. Students should be given two to four weeks to complete minor revisions which are to be approved by the Thesis Supervisor and four to twelve weeks to complete major revisions which are to be approved by the Thesis Supervisor and the Chair of the Defence (Faculty Handbook

31    

Regulation). The Examining Committee may also determine whether the revisions require acceptance by the Thesis Supervisor or by a subcommittee of the Examining Committee. If the Examining Committee has difficulty coming to a decision regarding the acceptance of the thesis, or some other problem emerges during the examination, the case will be referred to the Dean who will ascertain what is needed to reach a consensus and the student will be advised a decision is pending. Note: If the thesis defence is held near the final date for submission of graduate record forms for upcoming graduation, the student may have to complete revisions more quickly than noted above, or defer graduation until the next convocation date. A fail grade will be awarded if more than one-third of the Examining Committee finds the thesis unacceptable or if the External Examiner does not approve the thesis. In the event that a fail grade is awarded, the student may, at the discretion of the Examining Committee, be permitted a second and final thesis submission and defence. This will be scheduled for no later than one calendar year after the original presentation and defence. In preparation of the thesis for re-submission, the student will be guided by the written criticisms of members of the Examining Committee. Under normal circumstances the composition of the Examining Committee of the second thesis defence will be identical to that of the original Examining Committee. Note: A fee may be charged for re-examination.

Grading System Neither the defence nor the thesis receives a numerical grade. The thesis defence is graded as either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. The options open to the Committee for grading the thesis are Pass, Pass with Distinction, or Fail. The criteria for these grades are specified in the Faculty Handbook as follows:

1. Pass with distinction. This grade will be awarded if the following criteria are fulfilled:

a. All aspects of the written work as well as the student's performance during the defence must be taken into consideration and judged to be excellent. This designation is comparable to a 90%+ as awarded in non-thesis courses. The thesis should be outstanding in design, demonstrate originality of work and be well written by the student. During the defence, quality of presentation and the student's ability to answer questions should be considered.

b. The Examining Committee must be unanimous in its decision to award a Pass with Distinction.

2. A Fail grade will be awarded if more than one-third of the Committee finds the thesis unacceptable or if the External Examiner does not approve the thesis.

3. Pass will be awarded in all circumstances not described in 1 and 2. For appeals relating to the procedures followed in a Thesis Examination, see the Graduate Calendar on the Office of Graduate Studies website. Details Regarding Thesis Preparation For complete information on matters of organization, style and presentation, please consult the most current edition of Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Please pay special attention to the section on theses and dissertations. Instructions on the preparation

32    

of tables, figures, references, metrics, and abstracts appear in the Manual. Also, all theses are to be written in such a way as to avoid the use of sexist language. APA Style Guidelines for MA Theses http://researchguides.library.brocku.ca/ADST Organization for MA Theses

1. The first and last pages should be blank and unnumbered. 2. The title page should be in the form outlined on the Faculty of Graduate Studies

website. 3. After the Certificate of Approval, pages should be in the following order: title

page, abstract, acknowledgements, table of contents, list of tables, list of figures, and list of appendices.

4. After the text, there should be a reference section. This is to be done in the format described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Current Edition) for final manuscripts.

5. The appendices follow the references. Appendices may include testing materials, tables of additional analyses, etc.. The ethics clearance form must be included as an Appendix.

6. The abstract should be fewer than 500 words and should outline the problem, methods, main results, and general conclusion of the thesis.

7. The completed thesis is considered a final document and, as such, tables and figures should be interleaved in the text. Small tables can be placed on a page along with text. Larger tables should be alone on a page following the page on which they are first mentioned. Figures should also be on separate pages, immediately after they are first mentioned. Footnotes should appear at the bottom of the page on which they are noted. APA conventions regarding spacing of titles, etc., can be altered for purposes of readability. These decisions can be made in conjunction with the Thesis Supervisor but must remain in concordance with the University and Library guidelines.

8. Each thesis will have its own unique structure of chapters and sections. However, the first chapter of most theses will be an "introduction" which presents the purpose, method and scope of the study together with a survey of the literature. The final chapter will be for "conclusions" and a survey of the argument of the thesis as a whole.

E-Thesis Submission Guidelines For complete instruction on E-thesis submission please visit: http://brocku.ca/graduate-studies/current-students/thesis/e-thesis-submission Fee Reductions for Early Completion You benefit from approximately a $1,000.00 reduction in your fees when your first draft is submitted (assuming that all course work is done). This reduction is available only for one term (two, if there are extenuating circumstances). To get the reduction, you must have submitted your first draft to your Thesis Supervisor and the Graduate Program Director before the next term begins (the exact date is posted in the list of important dates on the Faculty of Graduate

33    

Studies website). This draft is to be of sufficient quality that a defence can occur by the end of the next term. The document must include a draft of the introduction, method, results, and discussion, such that no major additions or other revisions are expected. Final references, appendices, and preliminary pages do not have to be included. In addition, formatting does not have to be final. If the Thesis Supervisor and Graduate Program Director agree that the write-up could reasonably be considered a "first draft", they will sign the First Draft Form. The student must present this form to the CADS before fees are paid for the term (e.g., in April, August, or December). If you are a student with an external award (e.g., OGS, NSERC), please, if you are able, submit your first draft by April and defend in summer. This will afford you your tuition reduction and while still maintaining your fellowship support. Practica For further information on practicum, please contact the practicum coordinator Dr. Julie Koudys, jkoudys@brocku.ca or (905) 688-5550 ext. 6706. Internship Two half credit courses with a minimum requirement of 150 hours in each (ie, a total of 300 hours for an ADS internship) of direct internship – based service grounded in the needs of and in consultation with an internship site. The internship site may be an educational, recreational, therapeutic, service-based, social justice, or other relevant organization. Students will relate to an onsite liaison person in the chosen agency/organization/association who will provide information on performance and will work with the CADS’ internship coordinator on appropriate standards and expectations regarding the intern’s participation and performance. The intern will keep a placement/fieldwork journal (template to be provided and discussed) and will also provide evidence of planning for and reflection on responsibilities. The intern will also engage in an analysis of the journal and the planning, and do a summary report which includes an integrated literature review, discussion and recommendations. Regular meetings and tutorials with the CADS internship coordinator and/or other appropriate CADS faculty members will also be an expectation of the credit experience. CADS & Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) CADS offers a BACB approved course sequence for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). Students are advised to see http://www.bacb.com/ for official information on all criteria required to become a BCBA. In addition to the approved course sequence, students need supervised fieldwork to obtain their BCBA. Under current BACB regulations; students must be engaged in acceptable forms of supervised ABA practice under a Supervisor who is a BCBA for experience hours to count for BCBA experience hours. Students are responsible for finding their own suitable placements and Supervisors. Students may need to hire a BCBA to serve as a qualified Supervisor, provided the placement has no confidentiality issues. Please remember the graduate program is not responsible for the student’s collection of BACB approved experience hours. However, the Clinical Coordinator will endeavour to help students find suitable placements and qualified Supervisors. If a student is practicing ABA and has a BACB qualified Supervisor, the student can begin collecting BCBA experience hours when he/she begins the first graduate course in the CADS

34    

program. Supervisory forms to track experience hours are available on http://www.bacb.com/. For questions regarding BACB, please contact the Faculty Liaison, Dr. Rosemary Condillac, rcondillac@brocku.ca or (905) 688-5550 ext. 5671. GRADUATE DEADLINES It can be hard to know what to do and when to do it in order to make deadlines. This timetable (see below) should help. Students should ALWAYS check with the list of important dates found on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website for further information. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that all deadlines are met. Fall Graduation (October)

1. An Application to Graduate must be completed by July 1. 2. A completed Graduate Record Form (GRF) must reach the Graduate Studies

Office by the beginning of September. CADS will ensure this is complete and returned, however, the student MUST apply for graduation in order for CADS to complete and return. The GRF indicates all course work has been completed.

3. Allow at least two (2) weeks between the thesis defence and E-thesis submission to ensure sufficient time for revisions, as this can require further analysis. This means the thesis defence should be held in and around the middle of August. However, it may be very difficult to get the External Examiner and other members of the Examining Committee together at the end of August because of holidays. Therefore, if the student plans to graduate in the fall he/she should register their Application to Graduate no later than August 1. The committee-approved copies of the thesis should be delivered to the Centre by the middle of June so that arrangements can be made for the defence.

Spring Graduation (June)

1. An Application to Graduate must be completed by February 1. 2. A completed Graduate Record Form (GRF) must reach the Graduate Studies

Office by the beginning of September. CADS will ensure this is complete and returned, however, the student MUST apply for graduation in order for CADS to complete and return. The GRF indicates all course work has been completed.

3. Allow at least two (2) weeks between the thesis defence and E-thesis submission to ensure sufficient time for revisions, as this can require further analysis. This means the thesis defence should be held in and around the first week of April. The student should make every attempt to get her/his committee-approved copies of the thesis should be delivered to the Centre by the middle of February so appropriate arrangements can be made. It can take time to contact an appropriate External Examiner and for the Examiner, Thesis Supervisor, and others to adjust their schedules to accommodate the thesis defence date.

Note: Times may vary. Students are advised to meet with their Thesis Supervisor to discuss graduation timelines. It is important to note the submission guidelines for graduation dates.

35    

Thesis Timeline - See Appendix B

Term Dates 1st Draft Due By

To Defend in Term

1 September 1 - December 30 December 15 2 2 January 1 - April 30 April 15 3 3 May 1 - August 30 August 15 1

FALL CONVOCATION - OCTOBER April 15th 1st draft

May 1st

June 1st Final thesis draft completed

July 1st Submit request for defence - dates, external examiner etc.

August 1st – August 15th Defence completed

September 1st Graduate record form & thesis submitted for binding

SPRING CONVOCATION – JUNE December 15th 1st draft

January 1st Final thesis draft completed

February 30th Submit request for defence - dates, external examiner etc.

March 15th – April 1st Defence completed

April 30th Graduate record form & thesis submitted for binding

Curriculum Vitae (CV) In the academic world it is important to keep an up-to-date CV. This will make a world of difference when preparing progress reports, application materials etc. As well, there may be occasions when you will be asked for an update of your activities. As a student, you may add conference attendance to your CV although that would not usually be included in your CV at a professional level. HELPFUL TIPS & LINKS Workload The workload in graduate studies is vastly different from that of the undergraduate and our weekend format can make juggling the workload even more difficult. This is a graduate program. Expect to work considerably harder than you did as an undergrad. Although most courses are one weekend a month, expect to be reading and completing assignments almost every evening and weekend. Please talk to your family members and friends about the commitment you are making and the fact that you may not be as available as before. It is hard work, but it is worth it, and it will be over before you know it - at least that is what our graduates tell us! Academic Regulations & University Policies

• http://www.brocku.ca/webcal/2013/graduate/acad.html

36    

• Off-campus Library information and resource: http://www.brocku.ca/library • Brock Library Databases (some require Brock email logon and password):

http://catalogue.library.brocku.ca/search/y • Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis: http://seab.envmed.rochester.edu/jaba/ • Academic Integrity: http://www.library.brocku.ca/plagiarism.htm • Research Ethics Board at Brock University – Ethics with Human Participants:

http://www.brocku.ca/researchservices/Ethics_Safety/Humans/Index.php • APA writing style: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01

What do I need to know to register?

• Become familiar with your student self serve account. Refer to: http://www.brocku.ca/registrar/guides/grad/M.ADS_procedures.php

• Be aware of the Schedule of Important Dates found on the Grad Studies website: http://www.brocku.ca/graduate-studies/current-students

• Register every term by the deadline! Late fees will be applied to your student account if you do not register by the deadline.

• Pay your fees. If you do not pay your fees for each term you will not be able to register for the following term.

• Once registration closes you will not be able to register online. You will, instead, need to submit a course add/withdraw form found on the Grad Studies website: http://www.brocku.ca/graduate-studies/current-students/student-forms

• Check our website frequently: http://www.brocku.ca/CADS • Our website will clear up any registration confusion you may have and will list the

course schedule. Check it before you register. Registration Check-List

• Check the requirements of the program, and find out what courses are needed for the particular session. Check our website: http://www.brocku.ca/CADS

• Determine which courses you need to take. See course sequence listing. For any non-specific program requirements listed, e.g., electives, be sure to consult the timetable for available courses.

• If you do not see any courses that are available to you, please contact Alison Rothwell for assistance in course selection.

• Follow the registration instructions at: http://www.brocku.ca/registrar/guides/grad/M.ADS_procedures.php

• Match the code on our website to the code in student self-serve in order to register for courses.

• Pay associated tuition and fees by the deadline date. TIMETABLE Students can find their timetable on the CADS website http://www.brocku.ca/CADS under the link for Current Students. Note: These are guidelines: time, location, etc. are subject to change without notice. It is important for graduate students to keep up to date on all information.

37    

Understanding the Timetable Course Codes break down as follows: ADST 5P70 D10 S1

• ADST – Program • 5 – graduate level • P indicates single term course • D10 – indicates course duration

o D4 – May to August o D10 – September to December o D11 – January to April

• S1 – indicates section number Sections Please note which section is in which geographical area – Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa. This information is available on the CADS website. You must register in the location that you have been assigned (due to space limitations). MA students will generally be assigned to Hamilton courses. As our courses run primarily on weekends (Full-time students may have to attend courses during the week), we run weekend hours. In the Fall, our courses will traditionally run on the following schedule (times are subject to change, always check with your instructor):

o Saturdays: 9am - 4pm o Sundays: 9am - 12pm

In Spring, we reduce the number of weekends per course but increase the hours:

o Saturdays: 9am - 4pm o Sundays: 9am - 4pm

Students are provided with two (2) fifteen (15) minutes breaks and a one (1) hour lunch. It is imperative that students return to class by the prescribed time. Class times may vary course-to-course, it is wise to consult your instructor or the Centre prior to the beginning of term. Note: If you fall out of sequence by taking a leave of absence, inactive term, or simply register incorrectly, it is up to you to seek advising from the program to ensure you are registering correctly. Please contact the program well in advance of registration to make sure you are registering in the correct course each term.

38    

Appendix A – Student Progress Report CENTRE FOR APPLIED DISABILITY STUDIES

Student Progress Report

To be signed by student, Thesis Supervisor and GPD every September and April of each registered year. This report will be kept on file.

Student Name: Program Entry Date:

Full/Part Time Status: Expected Completion Date:

Degree Audit Included:

Main Accomplishments: (papers, presentations, placements etc.)

Thesis – Committee Members:

Thesis – Brief Summary of Topic:

Thesis – Progress, actual/projected dates for components (1st draft/ approval of proposal, ethics, data collection/analysis, 1st draft/approval of thesis etc.)

Page 1

39    

Awards/Scholarships:

Research Activity: (other than previously described)

Conference/Workshops – Presented/Attended:

Centre/University/Community Service:

Graduate Activity: (other than previously described)

Employment – On/Off Campus:

Goals/Timeline: (short/long term for education/career etc.)

Student Signature Thesis Supervisor Signature

Date: Date:

Academic Administrator Signature Graduate Program Director Signature

Date: Date: Page 2

40    

Appendix B – Typical Thesis Timetable – Example

YE

AR

1

September October November December January February March April May June July August Student progress meeting

Committee formed Proposal outline

Student progress meeting

Proposal defence

YE

AR

2

September October November December January February March April May June July August Student progress meeting

1st draft due for spring convocation (June)

External examiner list to GPD Complete final draft (to committee)

Final draft submitted to External Examiner & Dean’s office

1st draft due for fall convocation Defend no later than April 15th Final approved thesis to library no later than April 30th Student progress meeting

External examiner list to GPD Complete final draft (to committee)

Final draft submitted to External Examiner & Dean’s office

Defend no later than April 15th Final approved thesis to library no later than August 30th

41    

Appendix C – Thesis Committee Formation Form CENTRE FOR APPLIED DISABILITY STUDIES

Thesis Committee Formation Form

Date:

Working Title of Thesis:

Student Name:

Student Number:

Brief description of scope of study - 150 words or less

- include purpose and methodology (participants,

procedure, design etc.)

We agree that the scope of the study described above is a suitable MA thesis for

CADS.

Signature Date: Signature Date:

Senior Thesis Advisor Supervisory Committee

Member

Signature Date: Signature Date:

Supervisory Committee Member (if needed)

Signature Date: Signature Date:

Please sign this form and return it to the Graduate Program Director. This form is due to the GPD by December 15th of the student’s first academic year.

Signature Date Graduate Program Director

Date of Approval

Date Signature

42    

Appendix D – Proposal Defence Form CENTRE FOR APPLIED DISABILITY STUDIES

Proposal Defence Form

Date:

Title of Thesis:

Student Name:

Student Number:

Outcome of Defence:

Accept proposal as written

Minor revisions (revised proposal to Thesis Supervisor for approval)

Approved by: Date:

Major revisions (revised proposal to Committee for approval)

Approved by: Date:

Page 1

43    

We agree that the attached proposal has been

accepted by the committee and that it is feasible for

the student to carry out the study in his/her time

remaining in the program.

Signature Date: Signature Date:

Senior Thesis Advisor Supervisory Committee

Member

Signature Date: Signature Date:

Supervisory Committee Member (if needed)

Signature Date: Signature Date:

Please sign this form and return it to the Graduate Program Director. This form is due to the GPD by June 15th of the student’s first academic year.

Signature Date

Graduate Program Director Date of Approval

Date Signature Page 2