Mission Statement
ARTICLE I :: ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
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The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Graduate School consists of all
graduate programs and courses of the campus. The faculty of the Graduate School have the
responsibility to maintain the high standards and quality of these programs and courses.
The graduate faculty shall plan, develop and administer programs approved for the campus
in accord with the general standards of excellence and sound academic administration
established by the Graduate School.
Note: A graduate program is defined as a course of study leading to an approved
graduate degree. A program may be administered by one or more departments, schools, or
colleges; a single unit offering multiple graduate degrees will have multiple programs.
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There shall be a Graduate Dean who is responsible for the administration of Graduate
School policies.
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Details of the administration and organization of graduate programs are determined
by the graduate faculty.
The Graduate Dean is a member of the campus administration and reports to the Vice
Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The Dean is responsible for administering the programs of
the Graduate School in accordance with the rules of the Graduate School.
The Graduate Dean shall have the following responsibilities:
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Ensure that all graduate programs and courses are in compliance with policies of the Graduate School and that these policies are applied uniformly.
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Ensure that all graduate students are in compliance with policies of the Graduate School and that these policies are applied uniformly.
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Call and preside over meetings of the Graduate Executive Committee.
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Recommend and develop new policies, as necessary, for approval by the Graduate School Executive Committee and the campus.
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Make recommendations regarding new degree programs and significant modifications of curricula.
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Maintain and update the Thesis and Dissertation Manual.
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Promote cooperative and beneficial relationships among the colleges, schools, departments and programs, and the Office of Continuing Education.
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Oversee the operation of the Office of the Graduate School.
The Graduate Dean shall serve in an advisory capacity to the deans and faculties of
the schools and colleges in addressing the following aspects of programs of the Graduate
School:
- Budgetary planning and resource allocation (e.g., space, faculty, FTE, equipment);
- Faculty personnel administration;
- Faculty assignments and workloads for Graduate School faculty;
- Academic advising of students; and
- Curriculum development and modification.
Upon the request of the Chancellor or Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the
Graduate Dean may be responsible for the administration of other campus programs, such as
faculty fellowships, graduate student fellowships, or research.
The Graduate Dean is appointed by the Board of Regents upon the recommendation
of the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
The graduate faculty is responsible for academic and curricular decisions regarding
graduate education at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. It empowers the
Graduate School Executive Committee to oversee the operations of the Graduate School.
Each department or program that offers a graduate degree through the Graduate School
shall have a designated graduate program director. This person shall be recommended by the
department chair (where appropriate) and appointed by the dean of the School or College.
Graduate program directors have primary responsibility for the integrity of the program.
The program director shall work with graduate advisors and their students to facilitate
the admission, progress, and ultimate success of all students. Duties and responsibilities
of program directors for students shall include:
- For Prospective Students and Unclassified Students
- provide accurate written information about the program
- recruit new students
- meet with prospective students
- evaluate and admit applicants to the program
- facilitate a smooth transition from unclassified to classified status for qualified students
- For Continuing Students
- monitor progress of provisionally admitted students
- ensure that all students are properly advised (each student has access to an appropriate advisor) and are able to complete the program in a timely manner
- work with the department chair or other appropriate person to schedule and assign graduate courses
- oversee the development and administration of required examinations
- For Graduating Students
- verify that all requirements (e.g., coursework, examinations, thesis) have been satisfied
- give final approval on thesis format, when required
The program director will also bear ultimate responsibility for the paperwork that may
arise in each category:
- admissions form
- use of unclassified credit
- transfer of credits
- certification of expired coursework
- advancement to candidacy
- approval of thesis committee
- degree audit
- Composition
The Graduate School Executive Committee consists of the following
members:
- Graduate Dean (chair)
- a faculty representative of each graduate program (normally the program director)
- a representative of the library faculty (non-voting)
For purposes of Graduate School Executive
Committee representation, master's and
doctoral degrees in the same discipline shall be considered a single program.
- Responsibilities
The Graduate School Executive Committee focuses on the issues of
graduate education
including, but not limited to, student affairs, curriculum development, academic
transactions, and research and creative work. In particular, the Graduate School Executive
Committee will:
- Approve all policies and procedures of the Graduate School. (Note that some policies may
require further approval, for example by the Faculty Assembly, the Chancellor, the system
office, or the Regents.)
- Review all proposals for new graduate programs and significant modifications of existing
curricula, and make recommendations to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The
review of curricular modifications that result in changes in the Bulletin will be
delegated to the Graduate Curriculum Coordinating Committee.
The following standing committees are appointed by and responsible to the Executive
Committee of the Graduate School:
The Student Affairs Committee -
four members of the Graduate School Executive Committee, and one student representative.
This committee is responsible for hearing student problems and appeals. The committee
meets as required.
The Graduate Curriculum
Coordinating Committee - five members of the Graduate School Executive
Committee. The committee serves as the campus-wide graduate curriculum coordinating body
to review (following approval of the department and school or college) all proposals for
new courses, course changes, and modifications of existing programs. This committee will
meet as necessary to provide a review of materials submitted to it within one month or
less. Unresolved issues will be referred to the Graduate Executive Committee, the deans,
or the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, as appropriate for a prompt resolution. The
committee also may encourage appropriate development of new academic programs.
ARTICLE II :: GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
An independent degree program is a program existing under the authority of the graduate
faculty and Graduate Dean of this campus. Faculty members and students participating in an
independent program must comply with the rules established by the graduate faculty of that
program. The faculty of an independent program have the authority and responsibility for
the following:
- Initiate recommendations in regard to the appointment of individuals to the graduate faculty of the program.
- Develop and revise the curriculum.
- Enforce admission and graduation requirements.
Some graduate degree programs are offered cooperatively by two or more campuses. This
may be under the degree granting authority existent on one campus or through the degree
granting authority of each participating campus. Administrative authority and faculty
responsibilities will be specified in the agreements that establish coordinated
programs.
Proposals for new degree programs and for major modifications of existing degree
programs will be initiated by the faculty of the sponsoring unit in accordance with its
rules. Proposals must be approved by the college or school dean before submission to the
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The Vice Chancellor will refer all such proposals to
the Graduate Dean and the Graduate School Executive Committee for review and
recommendations prior to submission to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Approval
of the new degree program will be made by the Vice President for Academic Affairs on the
recommendation of the campus. New degree programs must then be approved by the Board of
Regents and must be submitted to the CCHE for review and approval, in accordance
with state law.
Appointment to the graduate faculty of the Graduate School recognizes the
ability of the faculty member to contribute to the education of our graduate students. All
members of the graduate faculty shall have earned a doctoral degree or the terminal degree
appropriate to the discipline, or shall have demonstrated, through experience or other
achievements, qualities that qualify them for membership in the graduate faculty. A
graduate program includes all graduate faculty members appointed specifically to the
faculty of that program. A list of all members of the graduate faculty shall be maintained
in the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School.
Download the Appointment to the Graduate Faculty Form in
Word or
PDF formats.
Regular Members of the Graduate Faculty. Regular membership
on the graduate faculty shall generally be limited to full-time tenure-track or tenured
faculty of the University who participate in graduate programs. The term of appointment
for regular members of the graduate faculty shall be the duration of their appointment to
the University.
Some faculty were granted tenured graduate faculty appointments prior to 1987, although
such appointments are no longer offered. Faculty with tenured appointments will retain that title, and are
included among the "regular members" of the graduate faculty. Beginning in 1998, tenured graduate faculty
who leave the University, retire, or maintain limited activities on the campus, will have their
graduate faculty appointments changed to associate members of the graduate faculty, as defined below.
Appointment to regular membership may be made in special cases not meeting the above
criteria upon recommendation of the program director and approval of the Graduate School
Executive Committee. Approval shall be based upon the quality of graduate teaching, thesis
supervision, scholarly achievement, and relevant experience.
Associate Members of the Graduate Faculty. Faculty
participating in graduate programs who do not qualify for regular membership may be
appointed as associate members of the graduate faculty by the Graduate Dean, upon the
recommendation of the program director. The term of such an initial appointment may be for
up to three years, but shall not exceed the term of the appointment in the School or
College. The appointment may be renewed upon recommendation of the program director and
approval of the Graduate Dean.
Membership on the
Graduate Faculty of other Campuses. There shall be a possibility for graduate
faculty members from this campus to apply for membership in the graduate faculty of a
program on another campus of the University of Colorado. The procedure for obtaining
approval will be developed and administered jointly by the graduate deans of the
respective campuses.
A faculty member holding a regular appointment to the graduate faculty may:
- Teach graduate courses.
- Vote on issues that are before the graduate faculty.
- Serve on committees of the Graduate School.
- Participate in program activities for the specific program(s) for which the faculty member was appointed.
- Participate in meetings and committees of the Campus Graduate School in accordance with the Campus Graduate School rules.
Associate members of the graduate faculty hold the same privileges as regular members,
with two exceptions:
- They may not vote in Graduate School elections.
- They may serve as chair of a graduate examining committee only with the approval of the Graduate Dean.
The status of a regular member (appointed after 1987) or associate member may be
revoked for cause by a two-thirds vote of the graduate faculty of the member's
graduate
program. This recommendation must then be approved by the Graduate School Executive Committee and the Graduate Dean.
The graduate faculty meets when called, with reasonable notice, by the Chancellor, the
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Graduate School
Executive Committee, the President of Faculty Assembly, or upon filing a petition with the
Dean of the Graduate School, signed by 10% of the graduate faculty. The petition
must set forth, in full, the reason for calling the meeting.
The members present at any meeting of the graduate faculty shall constitute a
quorum. The meetings shall be chaired by the Graduate Dean and conducted in accord with
Robert's Rules of Order, except that if a vote is called for, it shall be conducted in a
manner that will allow all regular members of the graduate faculty to participate.
The following are minimum standards for admission of students to a degree
program of the Graduate School. Individual programs may adopt additional requirements
beyond these.
Minimum requirements for admission as a regular degree student:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree or a master's degree from an accredited college or
university, or demonstrate completion of work equivalent to the baccalaureate or master's
degree given at this University.
- Have an undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or better ("A" is equal
to 4.0).
or
Have a combined undergraduate grade point average and score on a national standardized
admissions test that meet criteria determined by the program.
or
Have completed 15 semester hours of relevant graduate course work at an accredited
university with a grade point average of 3.25 or better. Note that units completed before
admission may not all be transferable into a graduate degree program.
- Have adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen program, and meet
the requirements for admission, as determined by the program faculty.
For students who do not meet the above criteria, program faculty may assign course work
and/or examinations that must be taken in order to make up deficiencies.
Students requesting admission to a coordinated degree program must follow the
admission procedures established for that program. Information and admission packets will
be available in the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs office of the particular
program.
An applicant not meeting the criteria for admission as a regular degree student
may be recommended by the faculty for admission as a provisional student. The
recommendation must include a statement of the conditions which the student must meet in
order to become a regular degree student. When the conditions for regular status are met,
the program director has the responsibility to reclassify the student to regular status.
Provisional students are subject to the same standards of performance required of
regular degree students, in addition to other requirements a program faculty may impose as
conditions of admission.
Applications for admission to an advanced degree program should be sent to the
appropriate University of Colorado at Colorado Springs program office. The complete
application must include:
- Part I and Part II of the graduate application (including the Residency form)
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Two official transcripts of all academic work completed to date, sent directly from
the academic institutions attended.
- A nonrefundable application processing fee.
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Test scores, letters of reference, and other materials as required by specific programs.
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For international applicants, a score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Students may apply at any time. Complete applications (including all supporting
documentation) submitted to the program office at least 60 days prior to the term for
which admission is sought are normally assured full consideration; some programs have
established earlier deadlines.
A student who wishes to change the major field of study after acceptance into a program
must submit a new Part I of the graduate application to the new major program and request
the former program to forward Part II, recommendations and transcripts to the new program.
The new program will evaluate the student for admission; the graduate application fee will
not be required.
Programs at times may accept partial applications for regular or provisional
admission so long as applicants submit all materials by a deadline date
determined by the Program Director and agreed to by the applicant.
A student who was previously admitted to a graduate program, did not complete the
degree, and has not been continuously registered at the University, but now wishes to
return, must do the following:
- Clarify status with the program to determine eligibility to return and pursue the same degree.
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After receiving program approval to continue work on the degree, submit a new Part I
of the application to the program office before deadlines have passed for the term of
expected return.
A former student will not be charged an application fee unless any coursework to be
applied to the degree was taken more than six years prior to the student's return.
A student applying to a doctoral program from a master's program in the same
department, with no break in attendance, will not be charged an application fee.
Transfer credits may be applied to a graduate degree only with the approval of
the program director. Each program will establish, with the concurrence of the Graduate
School Executive Committee, the maximum number of semester hours (not to exceed 25% of the
required units) that may be transferred from another accredited institution and applied
toward its graduate degree, without special approval of the Graduate Dean. The following
provisions will apply:
- All transfer courses must have a grade of B minus or above.
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Some programs may require that credit will not be accepted for transfer until
the student has established a satisfactory academic record at this university.
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For master's degree students, all work accepted for transfer must have been
completed within the six-year time limit or be validated and approved by program faculty.
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Courses applied towards one master's degree may not be used towards another master's
degree.
- Requests for transfer of credit must be made on the form specified for this purpose.
Official transcripts of credit must accompany requests or be on record.
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Master's degree students must submit transfer requests to the program director by
the beginning of the semester prior to the semester in which they will graduate.
- Doctoral degree students must submit transfer requests to the Graduate School before
making application for admission to candidacy.
- Seniors at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
may transfer up to nine semester hours of coursework, provided such work meets the
following requirements:
- is completed with a grade of B minus or above in the senior year at this University.
- comes within the time limit for the completion of the graduate degree.
- does not apply toward requirements of the bachelor's degree.
- is approved by the program director prior to beginning the graduate degree.
Credits earned while an undergraduate at another institution may not be transferred to
the Graduate School.
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Credits earned as an
unclassified student at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs may be applied
to a graduate degree only with the approval of the program director. Each program will
establish, with the concurrence of the Graduate School Executive Committee, the maximum
number of semester hours taken in unclassified status that may be applied toward its
graduate degree, without special approval of the Graduate Dean.
Coursework in progress during the semester in which formal admission is granted does
not apply to this unclassified total.
Some programs have special arrangements for accepting graduate credits earned at
other campuses of the University of Colorado. For programs without such special
arrangements, all such credit shall be treated as transfer credit.
The following are requirements for a degree program of the Graduate School. Individual programs may adopt additional requirements.
1. Master's Degree
- Plan I (thesis): 30 semester hours, including 4-6 hours of thesis credit. At least 24
semester hours must be at the graduate level
- Plan II (no thesis): 30 semester hours. At least 24 semester hours must be at the graduate level.
An interdisciplinary program that requires coursework in two or more departments may,
with the approval of the Graduate Executive Committee, establish a minimum of at least 50%
graduate level semester hours.
2. Doctoral Degree
75 semester hours of graduate level credit, including dissertation credit. Each
doctoral program shall determine how many credits from an earned Master's degree may be
included in this total. Ph.D. programs will require 30 units of dissertation credit. Other
types of doctoral programs may require fewer dissertation units.
3. Graduate level Courses
A graduate level course is any course that bears the graduate number appropriate to the
discipline (i.e., 500 - 900 or 5000 - 9000) and is taught by a member of the
graduate faculty.
4. Use of Undergraduate Courses
No lower division course nor undergraduate courses designed to improve basic skills may
be used as credit towards a graduate degree.
A program may require a student to take undergraduate courses as a means of making up
deficiencies, but the credits generated in these courses may not be counted in the minimum
number required for the degree.
5. Independent Study
Independent study credit hours may not exceed 25% of the minimum number required for
the degree.
1. Minimum Grade Point Averages
The University grade point average includes all work attempted while enrolled in the
Graduate School and is the average that appears on the student's official University
transcript. However, to remain in good academic standing in the Graduate School and to
receive a graduate degree, a student is required to maintain at least a B (3.0) Graduate
Program grade point average, which includes all work required for the degree while taken
at this University (classified and unclassified) and may differ from the University grade
point average.
2. Grades Below B Minus
A student who receives a grade below B minus in a course may repeat that course once,
upon approval by the program director, provided the course has not been previously applied
toward a degree. The grade received in a repeated course will substitute for the original
grade and only the latter grade will be used in calculating the Graduate Program grade
point average required for graduation. However, all grades received will appear on
the student's transcript and will be used in calculating the student's University grade
point average.
3. Minimal Acceptable Grades
Any graduate level course applied to a master's degree must have a grade of C or
better; undergraduate-level courses applied to a master's degree must have a grade of B
minus or better.Any course applied to a doctoral degree must have a grade of B minus or better.
4. Grades received before admission to the Graduate School
Courses transferred from another institution are not included in the calculation of the
University grade point average or in the Graduate Program grade point average. The
University grade point average does not include any courses taken while in unclassified
status. However, the Graduate Program grade point average will include all unclassified
courses that are applied to meeting degree requirements.
5. Incomplete and In Progress grades
Grades of "IW" and "IF" are considered to be "W" and
"F", respectively, if work is not completed within the one-year maximum period
of time. A grade of "IW" or "IF" should be given only when the
following conditions are met:
- The student requests an incomplete grade.
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Reasons for not completing course requirements were beyond the student's control.
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A substantial amount of coursework has been completed by the student.
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The instructor sets the conditions whereby the course work will be completed, possibly including deadlines of less than one year.
A grade of "IP" may be given only for master's thesis and doctoral
dissertation work in progress.
6. Student Ethics
Students are expected to adhere to the highest codes of personal and professional
ethics, as set forth by the Honor Code of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs,
which appears each semester in the Schedule of Classes. Students who do not meet
these standards may be dismissed from the Graduate School by the Graduate Dean upon
recommendation of the director of the student's graduate program. A student may appeal
such action under the provisions of Article VI.
7. Probation and Dismissal
- Academic Probation.
A student who has completed 9 or more semester hours in the Graduate School and whose
Graduate School grade point average falls below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation
until such time as the University grade point average is raised to 3.00. The student will
have a maximum of one calendar year in which to be removed from probation.
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Dismissal from the Graduate School.
Any student whose Graduate School grade point average is still below 3.00 after the
one-year probationary period will be subject to automatic dismissal. Under extenuating
circumstances, the program director may petition the Graduate Dean for an extension of the
probationary time period.
A dismissed student is eligible to reapply for admission after one year. Approval or
rejection of this application rests with the student's major department.
8. English Proficiency
A student who is noticeably deficient in the use of the English language shall not
obtain an advanced degree from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Each program
is responsible for deciding whether or not a student is proficient in English.
9. Pass/Fail Grading
Courses applied to graduate degrees may not be taken as
pass/fail. In special cases the Graduate Dean may
waive this rule depending on the circumstances written in a memo from the
program director outlining the request.
Thesis Advisory Committee. A thesis
advisory committee must be established for each student pursuing a master's degree
under Plan I (thesis option). This committee will consist of the thesis advisor, and at
least two other members of the graduate faculty, possibly including a member from an
allied program. Upon the recommendation of the thesis advisor, the committee is appointed
by the program director with the approval of the Graduate Dean.
Dissertation Advisory Committee. A
dissertation advisory committee shall consist of five members of the graduate faculty,
including one member of an allied department. One of the five members may be from another
institution, provided the faculty member has been granted associate membership on the
Graduate Faculty. Upon the recommendation of the dissertation advisor, the committee is
appointed by the program director with the approval of the Graduate Dean.
1. Master's Degree Examinations
Most master's degree programs require a comprehensive examination or a thesis defense
after the other requirements for the degree have been substantially completed. A student
must be registered at the time in which the comprehensive examination or thesis defense is
held.
Comprehensive Examination. This
examination is administered by a committee of at least three graduate faculty appointed by
the program director. A majority of the examination committee must vote affirmatively for
the student to pass. A student who fails the examination may not attempt it again until at
least two months have elapsed. The student may retake the examination only once.
Thesis Defense. After the thesis has been accepted
by the student's thesis advisor, a thesis defense will be administered by the thesis
advisory committee. A majority of the committee must vote affirmatively for the student to
pass. A student who fails the thesis defense may not attempt it again until at least two
months have elapsed. A student may have only one additional defense.
2. Doctoral Degree Examinations
Each doctoral program will require one or more of the following types of examinations.
A student must be registered at the time any of these examinations are taken. Successful
completion of either a comprehensive examination or a specialty examination must precede
advancement to candidacy.
Preliminary Examination. An examination to
ensure that a student is qualified for doctoral study.
Comprehensive Examination. An
examination in the field of concentration and related fields. This examination may be
written or oral or both, and will test the student's mastery of a broad field of
knowledge, not merely the formal coursework which has been completed. The comprehensive
examination shall be conducted by an examining board of at least three members appointed
by the program director.
Specialty Examination. An examination in a
specific area of the general field of concentration. This examination may be written or
oral or both, and will test the student's mastery of a single subject that may well go
beyond formal coursework that has been completed. The specialty examination shall be
conducted by an examining board of at least three members appointed by the program
director.
Dissertation Proposal. An examination to
determine the preparedness of the student and the appropriateness of the topic, prior to
commencing work on the dissertation.
Dissertation Defense. After the dissertation
has been accepted by the student's dissertation advisor, a final examination of the
dissertation and related topics will be conducted by the Dissertation Advisory Committee.
The examination is open to anyone who wishes to attend. A successful candidate must
receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the dissertation committee.
In case of failure, the examination may be attempted once more after a period of time
determined by the committee.
A student must be registered for at least 5 dissertation credit hours during the
semester in which the dissertation defense is held. The Graduate School must be notified
of the dissertation defense at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled date of the
defense, which must be no later than 18 days before the final day of the semester of
graduation.
The decision on foreign language requirements for doctoral degrees is the
responsibility of the graduate faculty of each graduate program.
Master's Degree. For each student pursuing a master's degree, an
Application for Admission to Candidacy should be completed during the first five weeks of
the semester of intended graduation. This application will certify that all requirements
for the degree have been met, or are in progress.
Doctoral Degree. A doctoral student who wishes to become a
candidate for a degree must file an Application for Admission to Candidacy
in
the Office of the Graduate Dean. Admission to candidacy will be granted only to students
who have completed a significant fraction of the required course work, and have passed the
comprehensive examination and language requirement (if any).
Master's Thesis. Every candidate pursuing a
master's degree under Plan I (thesis option) is required to write a thesis, which may be
of a research, expository, critical or creative type. Each thesis presented in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for a master's degree must satisfy the specifications of
the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Thesis and Dissertation Manual, and shall
represent 4 - 6 semester credit hours of work.
Doctoral Dissertation. Every candidate
pursuing a doctoral degree is required to write a dissertation based upon original
investigation and showing mature scholarship and critical judgment, as well as familiarity
with tools and methods of research. The subject must be approved by the student's program
director. Each dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a
doctoral degree must satisfy the specifications of the University of Colorado at Colorado
Springs Thesis and Dissertation Manual. The dissertation shall represent 30 semester
credit hours of work for Ph.D. candidates, but may be less in other doctoral programs.
Doctoral Dissertation Credit Hour Requirements
- A doctoral student may take no more than one half of the total number of
dissertation credit hours required for the degree prior to or during the semester in which
the comprehensive examination is passed.
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Following successful completion of the doctoral comprehensive examination, a student
must register each fall and spring semester for five to ten semester units of dissertation
credit, until the requirements for the degree are completed. A student may register for no
more than ten dissertation credit hours in any semester, and for no more than seven
credit hours during a summer semester.
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If, following the completion of the doctoral comprehensive examination, there
is a semester during which a student will be using no university resources, the
student may petition to register for a minimum of one unit of dissertation credit. Such a
request must be approved by the program director.
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A student must be registered for at least 5 dissertation hours during the semester
(or summer session) in which the dissertation defense is held.
Download the Thesis and Dissertation Manual
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Thesis
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Master's Degree. Although students are
normally expected to complete a master's degree in one to three years, master's
degree students have six years, from the date of the start of course work, to
complete all degree requirements (which includes filing the thesis with the Kraemer Family
Library if Plan I is followed). A student who fails to complete the degree in this
six-year period must file a petition for extension with the Graduate Dean. The
petition, giving reasons why the student should be allowed to continue in the program,
must be endorsed by the program director.
The program director must approve applying any course to the degree that was
taken more than six years prior to the semester of graduation, and all such courses must
be validated by special examination.
Doctoral Degree. Doctoral students are normally
expected to complete all degree requirements within seven years from the date of the start
of coursework in the doctoral program. A student who fails to complete the degree in this
seven-year period must file a petition for extension with the Graduate Dean. The petition,
giving reasons why the student should be allowed to continue in the program, must be
endorsed by the program director or by three members of student's dissertation advisory
committee. If the Graduate Dean approves, the student may continue studies for one
additional year. If the Graduate Dean does not approve, the Dean, with the concurrence of
the program director, may dismiss the student from the program. If the Graduate Dean and
the program director do not agree on whether a student should be continued, the Graduate
School Executive Committee shall make the final decision.
- All appeals regarding course grades shall follow the procedures established by the
school or college in which the course was taken.
- Final authority on appeals submitted by graduate students concerning actions (other
than grading) taken by faculty members, program directors, the Graduate Dean, or other
administrative officials, rests with the Graduate School Executive Committee. If such
appeal involves a matter affecting two or more campuses, the final action rests with the
Vice President of Academic Affairs.
The procedures for a student appeal to the Graduate Dean and the Graduate School
Executive Committee are:
- An appeal will be officially accepted from a student only after it has been
determined that the student has exhausted the appeals process in effect in the department.
- If a resolution to the problem identified in the student's appeal cannot be reached
on the department or unit level, the student may submit a written appeal to the Dean of
the Graduate School. The written appeal must describe in detail the basis in fact for the
opinion that the student has been treated unfairly and must describe actions taken
to resolve the problem at the departmental level.
- Upon receipt of a written appeal from a student, the Dean will contact the
appropriate departmental officer to get a response to the questions or objections raised
by the student. In some cases, a written response from the department may be requested.
The response and appeal is then sent to the Student Affairs Subcommittee of the Graduate
School Executive Committee. This committee acts in an advisory capacity to the Graduate
Dean and will forward their findings and recommendations to the Dean.
- The Graduate Dean will make a decision in the case. This decision may be
appealed by either party to the dispute to the full Graduate School Executive Committee,
but only if the decision of the Dean is in disagreement with the recommendation of the
Student Affairs Subcommittee.
These Rules shall take effect immediately upon approval by the Vice President for
Academic Affairs and Research. Any program not in compliance with these Rules at that time
shall have two years to demonstrate full compliance. A program whose existing requirements
exceed one or more of the basic requirements of these Rules shall submit in writing all
such differences to the Graduate Executive Committee.
1. Changes to these Rules for the purposes of correction, clarification, or compliance
may be made by the Graduate Dean with the unanimous concurrence of the Graduate Executive
Committee.
2. Amendments to these Rules may be proposed by:
- a majority of the Graduate Executive Committee
- a signed petition of 10% of the regular members of the Graduate Faculty
For approval, an amendment must be favored by a two-thirds majority of those who return
ballots in a vote of all regular members of the graduate faculty.
3. Changes in these Graduate Rules will not become effective until they have been
reviewed by the Dean of the Graduate School and submitted to the Vice President for
Academic Affairs and Research and approved by the President.
