Academics:
Graduate
| Effective Date: |
10.18.1978 |
Revision Date: |
|
| Chapter Name: |
Academic
Programs and Requirements |
Policy Number: |
6.2.2 |
| Policy Name: |
Academics:
Graduate |
| A
PDF version of this policy is available
via this link. |
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
The minimum credit requirement for a master1s degree
is 30 hours; and 32 hours beyond the master's for
a specialist1s degree.
Time Limitations
Graduate credit earned more than six years prior
to the date on which the degree is to be granted
may not be applied to meet graduation requirements.
It is possible, however, that out-of-date credit
may be validated by examination, subject to departmental
and Graduate School approval.
Transfer of Credits to Degree Programs
- From Other Institutions
Of the total number of credits required on a Master's
Degree program, a minimum of 18 semester hours must
be taken at Eastern Michigan University; for specialist's
degree programs (the 32 hours required beyond the
master's) a minimum of 24 hours must be taken at
this University. Any graduate credit transferred
must:
- be applicable to the degree program;
- have associated with each course a grade of
B or higher;
- be on an official graduate transcript from an
accredited degree granting institution;
- be upon recommendation of the adviser and the
approval of the Graduate school.
Such credits are recorded on the student's permanent
record card only when a program of study is on file
in the Graduate School office.
- From Non-Degree Admission Status
Students admitted to non-degree or certification
status may apply for admission to a degree program
after meeting all special entrance requirements
of the academic area of specialization selected. Program
Transfer Request forms are available in the Graduate
School office and must be submitted to that office
at least two months prior to the semester or session
that transfer is contemplated. A request for admission
to a degree program will be approved only upon written
recommendation of the coordinator of advising in
the area of specialization.
Credits earned while on a non-degree or certification
status do not apply automatically to the requirements
of a degree program. Transfer of credits depends
upon the requirements of the program, the recommendation
of the adviser, and the approval of the Graduate
School office. A student transferring from non-degree
admission status must complete a minimum of 10 graduate
hours after admission to a degree program.
- From a Previous Master’s Degree
On occasions, individuals may wish to obtain another
master's degree. Appropriate credit from a previous
master's degree may be applied to the second program
under these conditions:
the degree be in a field different from the previous
master's degree;
not more than 6 semester hours of appropriate credit
applied to meet the cognate requirement of the second
degree program;
any credit utilized on the second degree from the
first must meet the 6 year time requirement for
the second degree.
General Prerequisites for Graduate Credit in Field
of Specialization
Students wishing to enroll in a graduate major
or area of concentration must possess an undergraduate
major, or its equivalent, as a prerequisite. In
some cases, related fields of concentration at the
undergraduate level may be accepted upon the written
recommendation of the coordinator of advising.
Deficiencies in undergraduate preparation must
be removed by the comple- tion of prescribed courses
prior to enrollment in regular graduate courses.
Credit earned in removing course deficiencies cannot
be applied in meeting graduate degree requirements.
ACADEMIC LOAD
Twelve hours of graduate credit for the fall or
winter semester is the usual full-time load. The
usual full-time load for the spring or summer session
is six hours. The coordinator of advising and the
dean of the Graduate School approve programs in
excess of this.
The usual academic load for a graduate student
who is employed in remunerative work on a full time
basis is six credit hours per semester. Special
permission for a program in excess of this is obtained
from his/her adviser and the dean of the Graduate
School.
Since graduate assistantships and teaching fellowships
are granted for the support of students making substantial
academic progress, each person holding an assistantship
or fellowship is expected to enroll for a minimum
of six credit hours per semester during the period
of appointment. For the spring/summer session, two
or three hours per session are required.
ENROLLMENT IN GRADUATE COURSES BY SENIORS
A student of senior standing at Eastern Michigan
University may register for specified graduate courses
if recommended by the adviser and approved by the
dean of the Graduate School. Credit so earned may
be used for only one of two purposes:
- to meet the requirements of the baccalaureate
degree, thus receive undergraduate credit;
- to apply towards a master's degree, thus receive
graduate credit.
A student may not use graduate credit for both.
To be eligible for either, a student must have
undergraduate admission at Eastern, have acquired
85 hours or more of undergraduate credit and have
a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better
in all course work completed at the University.
Senior students who hold guest or special admission
in the undergraduate school are not eligible to
enroll in graduate courses.
Permission to enroll in graduate courses as a senior
should not prolong the completion of the undergraduate
degree requirements.
The maximum number of graduate hours that can be
taken as a senior is 10. Graduate courses which
qualified seniors may take are identified by an
asterisk (*) in the course description section of
the Graduate Catalog. Seniors are not permitted
to enroll in graduate level independent study courses.
There are several restrictions on the use of credit
earned in graduate courses by seniors:
- Permission to take graduate courses does not
represent admission to the Graduate School.
- Students desiring to continue graduate study
and utilize the graduate credit earned in courses
taken as a senior must apply and meet all requirements
for admission to the Graduate School
and degree program.
- Graduate courses taken for either undergraduate
or graduate credit and taken prior
to receipt of a Provisional Teaching Certificate
cannot be used to satisfy any requirement of the
Continuing Certificate.
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES APPROVED FOR GRADUATE
CREDIT
Each department determines which of its upper division
undergraduate courses may be taken for graduate
credit and applied toward its degree program(s)
and/or are appropriate for use as cognate courses
on other degree programs. A list of approved courses
appears at the end of the course description section
of each department's catalog copy.
Graduate School policy provides that a maximum
of 15 semester hours of appropriate undergraduate
courses may be approved for graduate credit within
the maximum. Each department determines the number
of hours of such credit that may be applied to satisfy
requirements of its degree program(s). A graduate
student enrolled in approved undergraduate courses
should expect to do additional work in order to
receive graduate credit.
STANDARDS AND POLICIES
The Instructional Year Change
The instructional year is divided into two semesters
of 15 weeks each, a spring session of 7½ weeks
and a summer session which offers 6 and 7½ week
courses. In addition, workshops of 1 to 3 weeks
duration are offered. Students who have satisfied
admission requirements may enroll at the beginning
of any semester or session.
Credits
The unit of work and of credit is the "semester
hour". A semester hour is the credit granted
in a course meeting once a week for 15 or more
weeks.
Grading System
The grades used in the Graduate School of the University
are listed below together with their grade point
values:
Grade |
|
Grade
Points per Semester Hour |
|
|
|
A |
|
4.0 |
A- |
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
B+ |
|
3.3 |
B |
|
3.0 |
B- |
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
C+ |
|
2.3 |
C |
|
2.0 |
C- |
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
E |
Unsatisfactory
(Denotes failure) |
0 |
I |
Incomplete |
|
W |
Withdrawal |
|
Credit/No
Credit |
These
grades are given by some departments
in specified courses such as Thesis,
Practicum, and Internship. |
Use of "I" and "W" Grades
“I” - Incomplete - An “I” grade
is awarded when these conditions prevail:
- illness or extenuating circumstances beyond
the control of the student have prevented completion
of the required components of the
course;
- academic performance for the completed portion
of the course was equivalent to
a grade of B or better.
In such cases, the instructor will provide the
student and the department head with a statement
of the reason or reasons for the "I” grade
and will specify the amount and nature of the work
required in order to remove the Incomplete.
An "I" grade must be removed within one
calendar year from the end of the semester or session
in which that grade was given. The time for removal
of a “I” may be extended upon written
recommendation of the instructor and department
head, and approval of the Graduate Dean. Such an
extension will be granted only under unusual circumstances.
The initiative for conversion of an "I" to
a letter grade rests with the student. If not converted
to a letter grade by the end of the one year period,
the "I" will remain as a permanent part
of the student’s academic record.
Incompletes received in thesis type courses are
not governed by these regulations.
"W" -Denotes Withdrawal -The grade of "W" will
be assigned only when the previously described withdrawal
process has been completed. If a student stops attending
a class without officially withdrawing, the grade
of "E" will be assigned for the course.
Grade Point Average Requirements for Graduation
No student will be recommended and approved for
a master's degree unless he has achieved a grade
point of 5.0 (B grade). Some specialist's degree
programs require a 6.00 or B+ average for graduation.
The grade point average requirement for graduation
applies to:
- all graduate credit earned at Eastern
Michigan University; and
- all graduate credit included in
the area of specialization.
Only the grades received in courses taken for graduate
credit at Eastern Michigan University are used in
computing a student's grade point average. Grades
received in courses accepted as transfer credits
are not included in the grade point average.
Students who do not meet minimum graduation requirements
may be permitted to enroll in additional courses
in the area of specialization subject to Policies
governing academic probation and dismissal.
Application for Graduation
Candidates for graduation must submit a Diploma
Application to the Graduate School office at the
time of registration for the semester or session
in which they plan to complete requirements for
a graduate degree.
Fall registration: for
December graduation
Winter registration: for
April graduation
Spring registration: for
June graduation
Summer registration:for
August and October graduation
Failure to apply for graduation will result in
a one-semester delay in receiving the degree.
A candidate for graduation who enrolls at another
college or university for credit to- be transferred
to Eastern Michigan University and applied toward
meeting degree requirements must submit an official
transcript of such credit not later than one month
prior to the closing date of the semester in which
the degree is to be awarded. Delay of at least one
enrollment period in granting the degree will result
if transfer credit has not" been received by
that time. Grade reports and/or letters from instructors
will not be accepted in lieu of official transcripts.
Residency Requirement
For a master's degree, at least six hours of graduate
credit used on a degree program must be earned on
campus at Ypsilanti. This requirement may also be
met by enrollment in travel-study tours sponsored
by Eastern Michigan University and at the facilities
of the Kresge Environmental Center.
For the specialist's degree, at least 16 hours
of credit must be earned on the campus at Ypsilanti.
It is also expected that one semester or two summer
sessions will be spent in full-time work on the
campus.
Withdrawal
Policy and procedures have been established for
withdrawal from the University and from individual
classes. Because of this, appropriate procedures
must be followed and non-attendance and/or non-payment
of tuition does not absolve one of academic and
financial responsibility nor does it constitute
withdrawal.
First Three Weeks -Students who find it necessary
to withdraw from an individual class,
or from all course work in which they are enrolled,
do so through the Registration Office as a part
of the registration adjustment process.
Fourth through Tenth Weeks -During this period
a student completes an appropriate withdrawal form
in the Graduate School office. The student will
receive a grade of "W" in each course
if officially withdrawn during this period.
Beginning with the Eleventh Week -Students may
drop or withdraw with a grade of "W" for
any reason up to one week before the end of the
semester or session, providing the academic performance
in each course at the time of withdrawal is a grade
of B or better. Poor academic performance is not
recognized as a valid reason for withdrawal. Because
of this, students not performing at least at B level
will be denied permission to withdraw with a grade
of "W". Exception may be granted when
due to extended personal illness, verifiable by
a physician, or death in the student’s family.
Withdrawal forms are obtained from the
Graduate School office. Prior to considering withdrawal,
a student should consult with the instructor(s).
The Spring and Summer sessions time schedules should
be consulted for the calendar regulating
withdrawals during these enrollment periods.
Academic Probation and Dismissal
A graduate student will be placed on academic probation
when the cumulative grade point average in courses
taken for graduate credit at Eastern Michigan University
is less than 5.00 (B average). Grades in courses
taken for undergraduate credit and in courses accepted
as transfer credit from other institutions are not
used in computing the grade point average.
A graduate student placed on academic probation
according to the provisions of the above who is
not off probation by the end of the second enrollment
period will be subject to dismissal from the University.
A graduate student whose cumulative grade point
deficiency at the end of-any enrollment period is
15 points or more may be dismissed for academic
reasons.
Research Paper
Graduate students are encouraged to write a research
paper.
Auditing of Courses
Graduate students who wish to audit a course must
register for audit status and pay the same tuition
and fees as for academic credit. No student may
receive academic credit for audited courses.
Advising
In an effort to provide guidance for a student
granted admission to a graduate degree program,
a system of advising has been established. Upon
notification of admission to a degree program by
the Graduate School Office, the student is given
the name, office address and telephone number of
the designated adviser. The advising program assists
in the exploration of degree requirements, evaluation
of applications for admission to a degree program,
preparation of a plan of study, approval of program
changes and when applying for a diploma.
Each prospective degree student is therefore encouraged
to make use of this service since a program of study
is valid only when properly authorized by a designated
adviser and when it conforms with the minimum requirements
of the Graduate School.
Students who are interested in completing a Provisional
or Continuing Certificate should contact the Office
of Academic Records and Teacher Certification for
specific requirements. Because credits earned to
satisfy certification do not automatically apply
to a degree program. Students seeking certification
are also urged to contact a degree adviser if the
completion of a master's program is contemplated
for a later date.
WORKSHOPS, INSTITUTES AND TRAVEL COURSES
Workshops and institutes for graduate credit in
a number of subject- matter areas are offered both
on and off campus. Graduate students who have been
admitted to the Graduate School are eligible to
enroll. New applicants who wish to enroll in any
of these courses must satisfy the requirements of
the type of admission they are seeking as provided
in the graduate catalog.
Travel courses which provide graduate study opportunities
abroad have been organized by a number of departments.
These courses are usually offered during the summer
session and vary in duration from four to six weeks
each. More complete information is available upon
request.
INDEPENDENT STUDIES
Independent Study is designed to enable graduate
students to pursue academic interests beyond those
normally covered in conventional courses. Independent
Study is structured on a tutorial basis, affording
opportunity for student and faculty interaction
on a project of joint interest.
Expectations Regarding Instructional Requirements
- A clearly defined study is presented
by a student and approved by a professor
before enrollment.
- Regular student/faculty meetings
to monitor progress and to provide
assistance.
- Evaluation established on basis
of the completed product.
| Authority
for Creation or Revision: |
|
Minutes of Board of Regents, October 18,
1978; para. .1997M.
|
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