Interactive Plan of Study (iPOS)

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The Plan of Study (iPOS) functions as a contract between the student, the academic unit, and the graduate college. The iPOS contains certain degree requirements such as coursework, a committee and a culminating experience which must be included before it can be approved. The iPOS must be approved by a student’s faculty chair (thesis and PhD), the head of the academic unit and the graduate college. The iPOS tab on My ASU will allow you to view the status of your iPOS.

iPOS how-to-guide: Read this guide for directions on submitting the iPOS. It is recommended that you submit your iPOS early on in your program. Master’s students must submit an iPOS during their first semester at ASU. Doctoral students must submit an iPOS after they have secured a faculty chair and within their first year at ASU.

The iPOS will require you to impute an advisor name. Refer to your program below.

 

  • Computer engineering (non-thesis): Dr. Martin Reisslein, program chair
  • Computer engineering (thesis): Thesis faculty chair
  • Computer science (non-thesis): Dr. Aviral Shrivastava, program chair
  • Computer science (thesis): Thesis faculty chair
  • Industrial engineering (non-thesis): Dr. George Runger, program chair
  • Industrial engineering (thesis): Thesis faculty chair
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certificate: Dr. George Runger, program phair
  • Robotics and autonomous systems (non-thesis): Dr. Sangram Redkar, program chair
  • Robotics and autonomous systems (thesis): Thesis faculty chair
  • Software engineering (non-thesis): Dr. Srividya Bansal
  • Software engineering (thesis): Thesis faculty chair
  • Doctoral programs: Dissertation faculty chair

Program Specific Instructions

Degree Certificate is REQUIRED  to be on file with Graduate Admissions before the submission of the initial iPOS.

Computer science non-thesis students

Submit your iPOS electronically through your My ASU within your first semester. Students are not required to submit a hard copy of the iPOS to the Advising Center. The check sheets are provided below to assist you in creating your iPOS.

Computer science:

Computer science thesis students

The check sheets are provided below to assist you in creating your iPOS. Work with your Faculty Chair to create your iPOS and choose courses that will fulfill requirements and support your research. After you have created your iPOS you will need approval from your faculty chair.

Industrial engineering master's students

Submit your iPOS electronically through your My ASU within your first semester. Students are not required to submit a hard copy of the iPOS to the advising center. The check sheets are provided below to assist you in creating your iPOS.

Thesis students need to work with your faculty chair to create your iPOS and choose courses that will fulfill requirements and support your research. After you have created your iPOS you will need to obtain approval from your faculty chair.

Robotics and autonomous systems master's students

Thesis students need to work with your faculty chair to create your iPOS and choose courses that will fulfill requirements and support your research. After you have created your iPOS you will need to obtain approval from your faculty chair.

Software engineering students

Cybersecurity specialization:

Thesis students need to work with your faculty chair to create your iPOS and choose courses that will fulfill requirements and support your research. After you have created your iPOS you will need to obtain approval from your faculty chair.

Doctoral students (IE and CS)

Work with your faculty chair to create your iPOS and choose courses that will fulfill requirements and support your research. After you have created your iPOS you will need to print it and obtain a signature approval from your faculty chair. Turn the signed iPOS in at the advising center (Centerpoint 105) and submit the iPOS electronically through My ASU to continue the approval process. Do not forget to keep a copy for yourself as well.

IE students must also submit the IE PhD iPOS checksheet along with the signed copy of the iPOS to the advising center.

CS students are not required to submit a check sheet, but they are provided below to assist you in creating your iPOS:

Computer engineering (CS) students

Thesis and doctoral students need to work with your faculty chair to create your iPOS and choose courses that will fulfill requirements and support your research. After you have created your iPOS you will need to obtain approval from your faculty chair.

Additional important instructions

Transfer work

All courses you would like to apply to your program must be submitted through the iPOS for approval. You may be required to submit a syllabus so it is recommended you gather this information before submission. Please refer to the ASU pre-admission credit policy in the graduate policies and procedures.

Computer science students must submit the transfer credit request form and required documentation.

Doctoral students with a previously awarded master's degree

Students may apply up to 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master’s degree toward their doctoral plan of study with approval of the department and the graduate college. At the time you submit your first iPOS the master’s degree will be reviewed.

Computer science PhD students must submit the computer science transfer credit request form and required documentation.

Future course changes

We understand that you may not be able to register for every course you initially plan on your iPOS. You are allowed to make course changes after the initial submission. You should always remove and add the same number of credit hours. You should also submit the removal and addition requests in one transaction. For example, if you are removing a 3.0 credit hour course you should also be adding a 3.0 credit hour course. All changes go through the same approval process as mentioned above. All thesis and doctoral students must submit the approval of their faculty chair to the advising center.

Courses not allowed on the iPOS

    • 580 practicum
    • 595/795 continuing registration
    • IEE 585 Six Sigma capstone
    • Deficiency courses
    • Courses with an “I” grade
    • Courses with a “W” grade
    • Courses with grades of “D” (1.00) and “E” (0.00) cannot appear on the iPOS but will be included when calculating the graduate GPA and cumulative GPA.

Courses allowed on the  iPOS:

    • Degree requirements. Refer to your program handbook for degree requirements.
    • CSE/IEE/SER 584 CPT Internship, if applicable. See CPT help page
      • SCAI CPT policy:  We ask that you review the SCAI CPT policy which explains the program, eligibility and requirements.
    • CEN 584 CPT Internship, if application. See CEN forms page
      • CEN CPT policy: We ask that you review the CPT policy which can be found in the handbook.