Graduate Student Resources

Forms 

Plan of Study 

A Plan of Study (POS) is a Graduate College system for tracking a students’ past, current, and future courses to monitor progress toward graduation. Students have their POS made available at the start of their second semester. These should be completed and submitted for approval once they are made available. (Part-time students should complete their POS before the conclusion of 18 credit hours.) All students must have a complete and approved POS on file before the end of the term they intend to graduate.  

Students working as a GTA must have their POS on file and approved by the end of their second semester of coursework.  Failure to have an approved POS may prevent your employment as a GTA beyond that semester.

Students complete their POS using FAU’s MyPOS system within the MyFAU online system.

Graduation Application 

Students must submit an Application for Graduation in the first three weeks of the student’s final semester in the program.  The deadlines for application for graduation specifically refer to the ability to be included in commencement proceedings and documents for that term.  Failure to submit on time does not preclude graduation but may result in being waitlisted for guest tickets for the in-person ceremonies.  

Academic Opportunities

SSS Sociology Conference

The Southern Sociological Society conference is a welcoming and constructive setting for students to gain experience presenting their research. 

Upcoming SSS Meetings

  • April 3-6, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana
  • April 9-12, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina

How To Submit to SSS: 

  1. Become a Student Member of SSS, click here to join 
  2. Pay your dues, annual dues: $30 + meeting fees: $35 = total: $55 
  3. Write a short abstract for your proposed paper (follow the submission guidelines for paper or poster sessions)
  4. Submit your abstract by the deadline (usually late October/early November)
  • Go to the SSS Conference Submission Portal on their website
  • Be sure to have your submission title, submission type (eg, paper, roundtable, poster), abstract, and keywords ready

Once Accepted:

Other Sociology Associations and Conferences

Upcoming ASA Meetings

  • August 9-13, 2024 in Montreal, Canada
  • August 8-12, 2025 in San Francisco, California
  • August 7-11, 2026 in New York City, New York 

Eastern Sociological Society

Upcoming ESS Meetings

  • February 29-March 3, 2024 in Washington, DC

Competitive Opportunities

FAU 3 Minute Thesis Competition

Each Fall, FAU's Graduate College hosts the University's Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition. This exciting opportunity is open to any active FAU graduate student in good academic standing with the University. This competition provides all participants with a unique and invaluable professional development experience and championship winners are awarded research scholarships and awards up to $2,500, with the possibility to win up to $5,500 to support one's graduate research.

Graduate Research Day

Florida Atlantic University's Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) hosts a Research Day, in which Graduate Students are eligible to display their research to fellow students, staff, and faculty. Prizes are awarded to the top poster presentations.

Career Resources 

FAU Career Center

Advice