Policy and Procedures for Preparation and Review
of Professional Papers

Slippery Rock University February 2003
Department of Parks and Recreation/
Environmental Education

Non-Thesis Graduation Options

1. Students electing the non-thesis option should discuss the process of writing position
papers with their advisor when submitting their Application for Admission to Degree
Candidacy.

2. Prior to writing (or reviewing a paper submitted previously for a class), the student
should contact his/her advisor regarding the appropriateness of the topic (and/or
paper) and the process to be followed. The advisor should approve the topic (or
paper) prior to writing (revising).

3. Students should plan to submit both position papers for review during or prior to the
semester proceeding the semester of anticipated graduation.

4. Student submits the paper to his/her academic advisor for initial review.

5. The advisor reviews the paper evaluating it concept, content, form, and style.
Acceptable* papers are forwarded to the Graduate Coordinator for review. Those
Found to be unacceptable are returned to the student with specific instructions
regarding what is required to make the paper acceptable.

6. The Graduate Coordinator reviews the paper primarily for form and style. If
acceptable*, a copy of the approved form is provided to the student and advisor. The
original form and paper are retained by the Coordinator in the student’s file. If the
coordinator judges the paper to be unacceptable, the Advisor and the Coordinator will
meet to resolve the difference of opinion, it is taken to the Department Chair or
Graduate Dean for resolution. The student it notified of the paper’s status through the
appropriate process.

7. A student may submit a revised paper for review only once. If a paper is judged
unacceptable a second time, that paper cannot be revised and submitted for another
review.

8. The concept and content of a paper should reflect and up-to-date and comprehensive
coverage of the topic appropriate for graduate-level papers. Bibliographic items
should exhibit a sufficient number of relevant and timely sources.

9. The form and style of a paper should follow that of the most recent edition of the
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or other style manuals
approved by the advisor.

10. Except extraordinary circumstances, the Advisor’s review will be accomplished
within two weeks of receipt of the paper from the students. The Graduate
Coordinators review will be accomplished within one week of receipt from the
Advisor. The student should be notified of the paper’s status within four weeks of
Its submission to the Advisor.

* Acceptable is defined as the absence of identified errors.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION / ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY

A Professional Paper

TITLE OF PAPER IN INVERTED FORMAT

By

STUDENT’S NAME

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PARK AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Approved:_______________________________ Date:_________________________

Supervising Professor:_____________________________________________________

Coordinator of Graduate Programs:___________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Slippery Rock University Professional Paper submission ____ 1 ____ 2
Department of Parks and Recreation/
Environmental Education

Professional Paper Approval Form

This form must be completed before starting the Professional Paper submission process. The student will select an appropriate Professional Paper advisor and a second reader in consultation with the student’s academic advisor. The academic advisor may serve in one of these capacities.

Date: ____________________

Student Name: ________________________________ SSN: ________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________ e-mail: __________________________________

1. The following individual has agreed to serve as advisor and reader for this paper:

Paper Advisor: ___________________________________

2. The following individual has agreed to serve as a second reader for this paper:

Paper Reader: ___________________________________

Professional Paper title: __________________________________________________

Scope of Professional Paper:

Endorsements:
Student’s Academic Advisor: _______________________________ Date: _______________

Graduate Coordinator: _____________________________________ Date: _______________

Please Note: Students submitting Professional Papers in the semester in which they intend to graduate must submit their papers to the above identified Paper advisor no later than the beginning of the ninth week of classes. This is necessary to provide the readers with adequate time to evaluate the paper and forward it, along with the approval notification, to the Graduate Coordinator.