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Module Objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Support your graduate student based on their program pathway
• Work with your student to create and communicate timelines
• Stay connected with your graduate student and help with next steps
• Use and access resources to help monitor your student’s progress

Understanding your MRP, Thesis and PhD Student

Student requirements are unique and must adhere to TRU Graduate Studies minimum format requirements, as well as any specific program and/or Faculty requirements. Below, you can connect to resources to share with your student to help them navigate their journey.

Communicating Timelines and Expectations

It is important to help your student maintain consistent and sustained progress towards degree completion. This should be discussed in detail to ensure that your student feels supported and stays on track. By communicating and maintaining timelines and expectations, students will:

• Avoid having to navigate academic probation or misconduct
• Make the most of their funding and avoid the need for financial assistance
• Avoid having to apply for extensions and extend degree completion
• A sense of gradual progression through their program

We encourage you to use the Graduate Student and Supervisor Expectations Checklist, which can help you set expectations and support your student during their progress.

Staying Connected

It is important to stay connected with your student through all phases of their graduate journey. Here are a few opportunities to keep them engaged and progressing through their studies.

• Encourage your student to access university resources to support their academic progress.
• Share professional development opportunities offered through your department, program or TRU Graduate Studies.
• Connect with other researchers and academics to promote professional development within their field.
• Show empathy and support if students confide in you during times of distress. You may not have all the answers, but you can provide a listening ear.
• Work with a supervisory committee to provide continuous holistic support.
• Celebrate successful task completion (a coffee or treat and a positive conversation can go a long way)
• Provide structure for progress and provide timely feedback. Sometimes, students just need to hear that they are doing well!

Effective meetings

• Schedule regular meetings, as they will provide stability for your graduate student
• Establish clear expectations and realistic goals for their research and timelines.
• Regular meetings provide the opportunity to stay informed about the student’s research activities and progress.
• Be flexible. Frequency and content of meetings may change during the course/ planning phase and the writing phase.

Resources to monitor progress

Graduate students must achieve and maintain a minimum satisfactory academic performance to be eligible to continue in a graduate program. Graduate program committees will review the performance of their enrolled graduate students on a regular basis, preferably each term. Each graduate program should outline its process and procedures for the program’s review of student progress. Many graduate programs have developed Progress Forms that must be completed by the student, the supervisor and the program.

The following resources are available to help and include examples of processes and forms.

• The TRU policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress (ED 3-2) is found at: tru.ca/__shared/assets/ED_03-2_Satisfactory_Academic_Progress5642.pdf
• The academic policies regarding the following are found at: tru.ca/current/enrolment-services/calendar
• All faculty and staff forms are found at: tru.ca/research/graduate-studies/faculty-resources

Master’s students are currently not required to complete a progress report for TRU Graduate Studies. However, many faculties/programs have their own. Please contact your Graduate Program Director to determine regulations and resources within your program.

PhD students are required to complete an electronic PhD Progress Report for the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs every three terms of their PhD studies, outlining their progress for the last three academic terms (inclusive of the current term). The report requires review and approval by the students’ Supervisor, Graduate Program Director, Associate Dean and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Please contact your Graduate Program Director to learn more about the PhD Progress Report.

Final Thoughts

Student progress varies depending on the stream or degree level within a program. Understanding the specific requirements for different student streams in your discipline before taking on a supervisory role can be beneficial for both you and your graduate students. Consider creating a toolkit of resources tailored to your program to support a smooth and effective supervision experience.

• Create a folder that includes both the faculty handbook and the Graduate Student Handbook for your program
• Share important dates and information specific to your program and TRU Graduate Studies
• Share progress documents with your students and monitor together
• Create and share a list of resources for students who may be struggling or need additional help