Candidate Plan of Studies (CPS)

• With the approved CPS in place, students only need to earn acceptable grades in the listed courses to qualify for their degrees. Future changes in degree requirements will not affect the students.
• The CPS provides a clear path for students to plan their studies.
• While setting up the CPS, the faculty advisor and the academic advisor work closely with the students to create the best study plan.
• Students take courses that best fit their career goals; they avoid taking courses not required by the program.
• UHCL policy limits the number of courses counting towards the degree. An approved CPS specifies coursework and removes any uncertainty.

A student first schedules a meeting with one of the academic advisors to draft their CPS. The academic advisor will review the student‘s degree requirements, transferable credits, and UHCL courses to be completed. The advisor helps the student set up the CPS draft and assigns a faculty advisor. Students do not need to draft the chemistry’s CPS by themselves; the academic advisor will forward the form directly to the faculty advisor.

The student will then meet the faculty advisor to approve the CPS draft, to discuss career options and degree electives, and to transfer any courses in question. When both the faculty advisor and student sign the CPS draft, it goes to the advising office. The academic advisor records and then audits the final CPS. The Advising Office notifies the student to come and sign the final CPS. After the student signs it, it goes to the faculty advisor and the Associate Dean for final approval. The original approved CPS remains in the student's academic file; UHCL mails a copy to the student.

Should students request substitute courses or any variation from the requirements of the approved CPS, they must complete a CPS Change Form and submit the form to the faculty advisor for approval.