School of Graduate Studies
119 Baker Building
Phone 368-4400; Fax 368-4250
Edward Verhosek
The School of Graduate Studies is the unit through which Case Western Reserve University offers graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, engineering, and selected disciplines related to professional fields. These programs lead to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts (theater), Master of Science, Doctor of Musical Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy. Programs leading to the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees are offered jointly with the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), and inquiries about these latter programs should be directed to CIM. Several programs offered jointly with the professional schools and local affiliated institutions lead to dual degrees such as M.A./J.D., M.S./M.B.A., M.A./M.S.N., and Ph.D./M.D.
The school, overseeing university-wide standards of quality in admission and performance, presently awards graduate degrees in 44 basic disciplines with Ph.D. programs and 6 others in which the highest degree is the M.A., M.F.A., or M.S.
During 1991-92, the school awarded 312 master's degrees and 176 doctorates. In Fall 1992, graduate students engaged full-time in degree programs comprised about 45% of the 2,035 enrolled, of which total 65% were male and 35% female and 416 were new graduate students. Enrollment in Graduate School for Fall 1992, including non-degree registrants, totaled 2,334. (See enrollment table below.)
Thomas H. Moss, Ph.D. (Cornell University)
Dean of Graduate Studies and Research
Edward Verhosek, M.F.A. (Western Reserve University)
Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies
General responsibility for overseeing programs of graduate study and for academic and other general regulations applicable to all graduate students and programs is delegated to the University Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies. Each department, school, or interdisciplinary committee is responsible for its particular graduate programs within the framework of the general regulations.
The Committee on Graduate Studies consists of nine faculty members elected by the University Faculty Senate and three graduate students elected by the Graduate Student Senate. The dean of graduate studies and research serves as chairperson of the Committee.
Students of the School of Graduate Studies are represented by a Graduate Student Senate consisting of one student elected from each department that offers graduate programs. The officers of the senate are elected by the graduate student senators, who also select graduate student representatives to the University Faculty Senate and various campus committees.
See "Financial Information" section of this Bulletin.
See "Student Affairs" section of this Bulletin.
Graduates with good academic records from fully accredited universities and colleges and, in exceptional cases, persons of equivalent training, will be considered for admission to graduate study at Case Western Reserve University. Admission must be recommended by the department or professional school of the university in which the applicant proposes to work and must be approved by the dean of graduate studies and research.
An applicant for admission must have complete credentials on file with the Office of Graduate Studies Admission and the proposed department or school at last 30 days before the last regular registration day of the semester for which admission is requested. (Allow 60 days when applying from outside the United States.) An applicant for admission and concurrent financial aid consideration must have the completed application forms on file generally by March 1 for fall semester or by November 1 for spring semester. The credentials must include the following items:
- Completed application forms, part A and B, with the nonrefundable application fee.
- Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate courses taken for credit.
- Three letters of recommendation from former professors or other persons familiar with the applicant's ability and probable performance as a graduate student.
- For departments and programs which require them, the results of the Graduate Record Examination, the Miller Analogies Test, or the Graduate Management Admission Test.
For 1992-93, the departmental requirements for submission of test score reports were as follows:
- Certain programs require submission of writing samples, portfolios, scheduling of auditions and personal interviews. (Refer to departmental materials for details.)
See under "Academic Policies."
An applicant who is unable to enroll in the semester for which he or she was initially admitted may request to postpone matriculation to the immediately following semester. The terms of readmission may differ from the original offer. If a delay of more than one semester is needed, the applicant's file must be reactivated and reviewed by the department; readmission cannot be guaranteed. If more than two years elapse since acceptance, the applicant must reapply in the same manner as a new applicant.
A student who has not been registered for as long as 12 months but less than 24 months and who has not been granted an official leave of absence, must petition for reinstatement in order to continue graduate study. The petition must be approved by both the student's department and the dean of graduate studies and research before the student may register for further work as a student with full standing. If more than 24 months have elapsed since the last registration and official leaves of absence have not been granted, the student must petition for readmission to the School of Graduate Studies but need not duplicate material on file. In each case of readmission with full standing, the official letter will state the terms of readmission, including future time limits for the degree program and the past course work which may be credited toward the degree.
An applicant must be admitted with full academic standing in order to work toward an advanced degree. The applicant should have a good academic record-for example, a B average or rank in the upper third of his or her graduating class at an institution whose status and programs are readily assessed. The applicant will be expected to meet essentially all of the undergraduate prerequisites for the proposed field of graduate study.
In addition to evidence of admissibility from transcripts, grade records, and letters of recommendation, certain departments require that the applicant submit the results of performance on the Graduate Record Examination, the Miller Analogies Test, or the Graduate Management Admission Test. (See "Application Procedure" for details.)
A student who has been admitted with full standing may be required to remedy certain deficiencies in his or her undergraduate training as part of the course of study in a manner prescribed by the department or program advisory committee.
Admission with provisional standing is occasionally granted to a student holding a bachelors degree who does not qualify for admission with full standing. A student may give evidence of ability in his or her chosen field that is sufficiently convincing to warrant provisional admission, but the quantity or quality of the student's preparation may be difficult to determine with sufficient certainty for unconditional admission. Reasons for classifying a student as provisional will be specified by the department to which the student is admitted, and those conditions will be stated in the official letter of admission from the dean of graduate studies and research.
A provisional graduate student is expected to complete appropriate course work and to meet the performance standards of the School of Graduate Studies in order to be reclassified as a graduate student in full standing. Although the provisional student's records will be reviewed each semester, the student's status will be reconsidered by the department not later than the end of two semesters of study. At that time, if the student has satisfied the conditions associated with his or her admission in the judgment of the department and the dean of graduate studies and research, the student will be given full standing; otherwise, he or she will be separated from further graduate study in that department.
An applicant may be admitted with full or provisional standing but under specific conditions, such as attaining higher achievement levels upon retaking specified standard tests (GRE, TOEFL) or pending submission of an official copy of a transcript, etc.
An applicant with a bachelor's degree or its equivalent who is not interested immediately in working toward an advanced degree may apply to register as a non-degree student. All non-degree students are presumed to be taking courses for reasons other than the earning of a graduate degree at this institution. A student who wishes to register as a non-degree student should request the appropriate application form from the Office of Graduate Studies Admission. As a condition for post-baccalaureate study, such a student must secure the written consent of the instructor of each graduate-level course in which the student wishes to enroll. Continuation in this status is at the discretion of the dean of graduate studies and research.
Should a non-degree student later wish to pursue a degree program, he or she must apply for admission to full standing. Should the student be accepted, only that portion of graduate level work (courses numbered 400 or higher) taken as a nondegree student which is recommended by the department and approved by the dean of graduate studies and research may be applied in partial fulfillment of degree requirements. Except in unusual cases, courses at the 300-level completed at the university as a non-degree student are not eligible for acceptance toward graduate degree requirements. The term of the earliest course so credited will establish the date of entrance into the degree program. Such a course or courses must have been taken within five years of admission with full-standing status and passed with a grade of B or better.
Transfer of credit from another university toward master's degree requirements is limited to six semester hours of graduate-level courses taken in excess of degree requirements at that university. No credit for thesis may be transferred from another university. Transfer of credit toward the doctorate is limited to graduate-level courses taken in excess of degree requirements at the other university. No credit for the doctoral dissertation may be transferred from another university.
Such transfer of credit requires approval from the student's adviser, the departmental chairperson or graduate committee, and the dean of graduate studies and research. Such courses must have been taken within five years of matriculation at Case Western Reserve University and passed with grades of B or better.
Seniors of exceptional ability in the undergraduate programs of the university who have the approval of the dean of collegiate affairs and the dean of graduate studies and research may apply to receive credit for graduate courses completed in excess of the undergraduate degree requirements.
Courses numbered 100 to 399 are undergraduate-level courses. Courses numbered 400 and higher are graduate-level courses.
Graduate credit is not awarded for 100 and 200-level courses or their equivalents.
To withdraw from courses or to change registration from credit to audit or the reverse, a student must obtain from the dean of graduate studies and research the appropriate official form for presentation to the university registrar in accordance with the dates published each academic term for such actions to be taken. Failure to attend class or merely giving notice to the instructor will not be regarded as official notice of withdrawal or change.
When making changes in registration, the international student must be aware of maintaining full-time status. Full-time status requires registration for a minimum of 9 semester hours per semester. Students financed by federal loans must remain registered for not fewer than 6 semester hours (defined as half-time) each semester to maintain continued eligibility for that funding or to initiate such a loan. Students who are eligible to use the one credit hour option for thesis or dissertation research (courses 651 and 701, respectively) and who register for only one credit hour per semester of either 651 or 701 are considered in full-time attendance for purposes of loan deferment.
It is the responsibility of the student to become familiar with the general rules and regulations of the university. A member of the university community who is accused of violating any of these rules and regulations is subject to university disciplinary action. Due process procedures of adequate notice of all charges and a fair hearing will apply. A statement of the policies and procedures to be followed in the case of academic infractions by graduate students may be obtained through the Office of Graduate Studies. The policies and procedures governing all other infractions are detailed in the university's annual Student Services Guide.
It is also the responsibility of the student to become acquainted with the general regulations and administrative procedures governing graduate study, together with the departmental or school regulations which apply to the student's course of study, and, in consultation with the faculty adviser or advisory committee of the supervising unit, to plan the program and carry out the work in accordance with these regulations and procedures.
Graduate study presupposes a considerable maturity on the part of the student in planning and reaching his or her educational objectives. The effectiveness of the graduate program lies jointly with the individual student and the faculty adviser or advisory committee through early, substantive planning discussions. The formal requirements set forth in these regulations are intended to aid in the maintenance of uniform minimum standards of performance, to form a basis for planning programs of graduate study, and to provide for efficient management and coordination. A planned program of study for the M.A., M.F.A., M.S., or Ph.D. should be established in consultation with the major faculty adviser or advisory committee. After the major faculty adviser and department chairperson have approved the program for study, it should be submitted to the dean of graduate studies and research for the student's file by the end of the second semester of study toward the degree specified. The procedure is the same for making any changes to a filed program of study at the time they occur. For graduate engineering students, additional details are given elsewhere in this Bulletin. (See under "Engineering.")
Each graduate student will have a faculty adviser or advisory committee assigned by the department or professional school to assist the student in planning the program of study best designed to enable the student to reach appropriate educational objectives.
The various departments and schools may make such additional regulations concerning programs of study as may be necessary to reach particular academic goals. These regulations must be in writing, with a copy filed in the Office of Graduate Studies.
(Also see "Dissertation Advisory Committee" section below.)
Students have the right to petition for exceptions to these regulations. Such a petition should be addressed to the dean of graduate studies and research. It is advisable but not required that the student's department or program committee endorse the petition.
Case Western Reserve University has established a mechanism whereby students of the university may express a grievance against the actions of other students or members of the faculty and staff. Details of the graduate student grievance procedures involving academic issues may be obtained through the Office of Graduate Studies. For non-academic problems, the University Office of Student Affairs should be consulted, as explained in the annual Student Services Guide.
Students undertaking graduate work are expected to pursue their studies according to a systematic plan each year whether registered for full or part-time study.
Occasionally a student finds it necessary to interrupt his or her studies before completion of the graduate program. Under such circumstances the student must request in writing a leave of absence for a period not to exceed one calendar year. This request must be submitted to the dean of graduate studies and research with the written endorsement of the student's academic department. During a leave of absence the student must avail himself or herself of neither aid from faculty members nor use of the facilities of the university. A leave of absence does not extend the maximum time permitted for the completion of degree requirements. At the expiration of the leave the student must resume registration unless formally granted an extension. A student returning from an official leave must first report to the office of graduate studies admission for clearance to register. A student who fails to obtain a leave of absence, or who fails to register following an official leave, must petition the dean of graduate studies and research for reinstatement in order to resume work as a student in good standing at the university. (Also see "Readmission.")
A doctoral student who is granted a maternity or paternity leave of absence related to infant care will receive an extension of the five-year time limit associated with completion of the doctorate. The length of the extension will correspond to the length of the leave.
See in "The University" section of this Bulletin.
A student maintains standing in the School of Graduate Studies by registering each fall and spring semester unless on an official leave of absence. A student is in good standing who meets the standards set by the academic department and the School of Graduate Studies to ensure normal progress toward the fulfillment of the stated requirements at levels of quality that warrant neither warning nor probation. For example, a student who receives an excessive number of incompletes is not meeting standards of quality.
A student who receives a grade of U in thesis (Course 651) or dissertation research (Course 701) will be placed on probation and subject to separation. The probationary status will be recorded on the student's transcript. The student must be removed from probation by the end of the semester immediately following receipt of the grade of U by repetition of the course for the same number of credit hours with a grade of S. Although removal from probation restores the student's good standing, the grade of U received will neither be canceled nor substituted by the grade S subsequently received.
Separation will occur if the student placed on probation receives another grade of U in the following semester; or, if the dean of graduate studies and research, in consultation with the academic unit, determines that the student is unlikely to be successful in working independently and productively toward the completion of the thesis or dissertation research.
A student will also be subject to separation from the university for any of the following reasons:
- Failure to achieve a quality-point average of 2.50 or higher at the completion of 12 semester hours or 2 semesters of graduate study.
- Failure to achieve a quality-point average of 2.75 or higher at the completion of 21 semester hours or 4 semesters of graduate study.
- Failure to complete all requirements for the master's degree within five consecutive calendar years from the term of matriculation, including leaves of absence, unless granted an extension of a maximum of one academic year upon recommendation of the adviser and approval by the department chairperson and the dean of graduate studies and research.
- Failure to complete all requirements for the doctorate within five consecutive calendar years from the term of the first credited 701 registration, including leaves of absence, unless granted an extension of a maximum of one academic year, upon recommendation of the dissertation adviser and approval by the department chairperson and the dean of graduate studies and research.
In calculating the quality-point average, all courses accepted toward fulfillment of degree requirements for which quality points are given will be counted, including courses which may need to be repeated.
Any department, school, or curricular program committee may choose to establish quality standards higher than those stated above if such additional requirements are made known in writing to the students upon matriculation and are recorded with the dean of graduate studies and research. In that case the departmental standards supersede the minimum standards.
In addition to disciplinary actions based on academic standards, on recommendation of the student's department or school, the dean of graduate studies and research can suspend or separate a student from the university for failure to maintain appropriate standards of conduct and integrity. Such a suspension or separation will be implemented only for serious breaches of conduct that threaten to compromise the standards of a department or create concern for the safety and welfare of others. In the event of such suspension or separation, the student will be entitled to an appeal through the grievance procedure of the Graduate School. (See "Grievance Procedure" section above.)
In recognition that the objectives of master's degrees differ for various departments and for individual students, especially in the importance given to research, two general plans for master's degrees may be followed:
M.A. or M.S. with a thesis based on individual research and a final oral examination.
M.A., M.F.A., or M.S. without a thesis but requiring a comprehensive examination and/or a major project to be administered by the academic unit.
Continuity of Registration
To maintain full standing, a master's degree student must register for a minimum of three semester hours of graduate-level course work each fall and spring semester unless granted a leave of absence by the dean of graduate studies and research (See "Leave of Absence," above) or maintain registration for one semester hour of thesis research each semester for a maximum of two semesters.
All the requirements for the master's degree must be completed within five consecutive calendar years after matriculation as a graduate student, including leaves of absence. A student who fails to complete the requirements within the five years will be separated from further studies for the degree, unless granted an extension of a maximum of one academic year upon recommendation of the faculty adviser or advisory committee and approval by the department chairperson and the dean of graduate studies and research.
A minimum cumulative quality-point average of 2.75 in all courses taken for credit in a master's degree program (excluding those with the grade of S or P) is required for the award of the degree.
Departments or curricular program committees may require more than the minimum number of semester hours of credit for the master's degree. In such instances the degree requirements must be filed with the dean of graduate studies and research and made known to all graduate students by publication in departmental announcements.
Individual students may be required to take courses beyond the published requirements in order to complete the master's degree. In such instances the student must be notified in writing by the chairperson of the department or curricular program committee, with a copy to be filed in the Office of Graduate Studies.
The minimum requirements for the master's degree under Plan A is 18 semester hours of course work plus a thesis equivalent to no fewer than 9 semester hours of registration, or 21 semester hours of course work plus a thesis equivalent to no fewer than 6 semester hours of registration. No fewer than 18 semester hours of work, including thesis, must be at the 400 level or higher.
Once registered for thesis credit (Course 651), a student must continue such registration each succeeding regular semester until the thesis examination occurs. The minimum acceptable registration for work on the thesis is three semester hours per semester until the thesis is complete. However, a master's candidate who has already completed six semester hours of 651 in multiples of three may, with the approval of his or her adviser, enroll in 651 for one credit hour or more for a maximum of two semesters. Thereafter, the student must resume registration for a minimum of three credit hours each semester until the thesis is complete and defended.
Each student must prepare an individual thesis. Joint theses are not permitted. The written thesis must conform to regulations concerning format, quality, and time of submission as established by the dean of graduate studies and research. Detailed instructions can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies.
For completion of master's degrees under Plan A, an oral examination (defense) of the master's thesis is required. This examination is conducted by a committee of three members of the university faculty before a date set by the dean of graduate studies and research each semester as the last day for conducting thesis examinations.
The candidate's thesis adviser customarily serves as the chairperson of the examining committee. The other members of the committee are appointed by the chairperson of the department or curricular program faculty supervising the candidate's course of study.
The examining committee must agree unanimously that the candidate has passed the thesis examination.
Because theses are made public immediately upon acceptance, they should not contain proprietary or classified material. When the research relates to proprietary material, the student and adviser are responsible for making preliminary disclosures to the sponsor sufficiently in advance to permit timely release of the thesis.
The Master's Comprehensive (Plan B)
The minimum requirement for the master's degree under Plan B is 27 semester hours of course work, of which no fewer than 18 semester hours must be at the 400 level or higher.
Each candidate for the master's degree under Plan B must pass satisfactorily a comprehensive examination to be administered by the department or curricular program committee. The examination may be written or oral or both.
A student must be registered during the semester in which any part of the comprehensive examination is taken. If not registered for other courses, the student will be required to register for one semester hour of EXAM 600, Comprehensive Examination, before taking the examination.
Engineering students are required to complete 3 to 6 semester hours of Special Problems course work, which must consist of an engineering project approved by the chairman of the department offering the degree program, which may be carried out at the student's place of employment with nominal supervision by a faculty adviser or in the departmental laboratories under direct supervision. The project must culminate in a written report and examination by at least three professors including approval by the chairperson of the department.
Theater students in the M.F.A. program are required to register for six semester hours of Thesis Production (creative project), followed by an oral and written defense.
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded in recognition of in-depth knowledge in a major field and comprehensive understanding of related subjects together with a demonstration of ability to perform independent investigation and to communicate the results of such investigation in an acceptable dissertation.
The formal acceptance of a student as a candidate for the doctoral degree is the responsibility of the student's department or the committee supervising the doctoral program in accordance with the written procedures of the academic unit. At its discretion, the supervising unit may require a student to pass qualifying examinations before candidacy is granted.
For students admitted to graduate study with a baccalaureate degree only
The decision to advance to candidacy should be made no later than at the completion of 36 semester hours of graduate study after entering the program, unless specified otherwise under written departmental regulations.
For students admitted to graduate study with a departmentally approved master's degree or its equivalent
The decision to advance to candidacy should be made no later than at the completion of 27 semester hours of graduate study, unless specified otherwise under written departmental regulations.
The dean of graduate studies and research must be notified in writing of the decision concerning a student's advancement to candidacy within the specified limits, and a copy of the notification must be sent to the student concerned.
A student who is refused candidacy status may not undertake further study for credit toward the doctoral degree within the same department or supervising unit. With the approval of both the department concerned and the dean of graduate studies and research, such a student may:
- Take a limited number of additional courses in order to complete a master's degree in that department.
- Seek admission to the graduate program of another department.
The doctoral residency requirement is intended to insure a period of intensive academic interaction with faculty and peers and of sustained independent research.
Graduate students are considered to be in residence when they are fully engaged in academic work. As resident students they may teach at the university, take graduate courses, assist in course development, and engage in research or in other scholarly activities at the university. Regardless of the nature of the work, the student's regular presence at the university is expected during fulfillment of the residency requirement.
The formal fulfillment of residency requires continuous registration in at least six consecutive academic terms (fall, spring and/or summer) from matriculation to a period not exceeding five years after the first credited hour(s) of dissertation research (701).
Within the context of continuity of registration, departments may enact other restrictions. In such instances, the departmental requirements take precedence and must formally be disclosed to the student at matriculation. This is meant to be a reflection of the appropriate reality that departments and fields have different norms and traditions of graduate study. For example, to fulfill the residency requirement, some departments may require the doctoral student to be registered for 9 or more semester hours of graduate credit in each of two consecutive semesters.
Fulfillment of residency by all engineering Ph.D. candidates will be certified by their research advisers and department chairpersons based on an assessment of active, concentrated involvement for a period of two consecutive semesters during their pursuit of the doctorate.
Within the framework of these general regulations, it is expected that a relevant program of study will be planned for each candidate for the doctorate by the student and the faculty adviser or advisory committee. Such a program should include appropriate courses, together with work on the doctoral dissertation, and may also include, where relevant, such experiences as field work or practicum. Teaching and/or research experience, as implemented by departmental requirements and approved by the dean of graduate studies and research, is considered to be an integral part of obtaining the doctoral degree.
Although specific requirements vary among departments, it is expected that students entering with a bachelor's degree will satisfactorily complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of courses (which may include independent study/research, course 601), tutorials, and seminars. For students entering with an approved master's degree, completion of not fewer than 18 semester hours of course work is required.
A minimum of 18 semester hours must be credited as dissertation research (Course 701).
A minimum cumulative quality-point average of 3.00 in all courses taken for credit as a graduate student at Case Western Reserve University (excluding those with the grade of S or P) is required for award of the doctoral degree.
In order to meet the requirements for the doctorate, a student must pass satisfactorily a general examination (or a series of examinations covering different fields) specified and administered by the student's department or supervising committee. The examination generally precedes advancement to candidacy. A student must be registered during the semester in which any part of the general or qualifying examination is taken. If not registered for other courses, the student will be required to register for one semester hour of EXAM 700, General/Qualifying Examination, before taking the examination. A student who fails the examination on the first attempt may be permitted to take the examination a second time within one year at the discretion of the department. Except in unusual circumstances, a student who fails the examination a second time will be separated from further graduate study within the same department or supervising unit.
Upon written notification to the dean of graduate studies and research identifying the university faculty member selected to serve as a doctoral student's principal research adviser, and with the endorsement of the department chair, the student will be acknowledged by the dean as eligible to register for one but not more than three credit hours of course 701 each semester (including summer), and must continuously maintain the limited registration for 701 until advancement to candidacy occurs.
In the semester following advancement to candidacy, the student is permitted to register for a maximum of nine credit hours of 701 that semester. When a cumulative total of 18 credit hours of 701 is earned, the student may subsequently register for a minimum of one credit hour of 701 each semester until the dissertation is complete and defended. (See "Time Limitation" section below.)
Although there is no general foreign language requirement for the doctorate, each department or supervising committee may set such requirements as are appropriate to the student's program of study. It is the student's responsibility to ascertain the foreign language requirements approved by the supervising unit. Each department must notify the dean of graduate studies and research in writing of the specific language(s) required and the date of examination determining the student's proficiency in the required language(s).
All candidates for the Ph.D. degree must submit a written dissertation as evidence of their ability to conduct independent research at an advanced level.
The dissertation must represent a significant contribution to existing knowledge in the student's field, and at least a portion of the content must be suitable for publication in a reputable professional journal or as a book or monograph.
Students must prepare their own dissertations. Joint dissertations are not permitted. The written dissertation must conform to regulations concerning format, quality, and time of submission as established by the dean of graduate studies and research. Detailed instructions can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies.
Research work connected with a dissertation is to be carried out under the direct supervision of a member of the university faculty selected by the student in consultation with departmental faculty and approved by the chairperson of the department.
Two copies of each completed and acceptable dissertation will be deposited in a library of the university by the School of Graduate Studies. In addition, the student must guarantee the reproduction of the dissertation through University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Michigan, before certification for the doctorate. This includes the completion and submission of the annual "Survey of Earned Doctorates Awarded in the United States."
Because dissertations are made public immediately upon acceptance, they should not contain proprietary or classified material. When the research relates to proprietary material, the student and adviser are responsible for making preliminary disclosures to the sponsor sufficiently in advance to permit timely release of the dissertation.
Each doctoral student is responsible for becoming sufficiently familiar with the research interests of the department or program faculty to choose in a timely manner a faculty member who will serve as the student's research adviser. The research adviser is expected to provide mentorship in research conception, methods, performance and ethics, as well as focus on development of the student's professional communication skills, building professional contacts in the field, and fostering the professional behavior standard of the field and research in general. The research adviser also assists with the selection of three other faculty to serve as the required additional members of the dissertation advisory committee.
Throughout the development and completion of the dissertation, these members are expected to provide constructive criticism and helpful ideas generated by the research problem from the viewpoint of their particular expertise. Each member will make an assessment of the originality of the dissertation, its value, the contribution it makes, and the clarity with which concepts are communicated, especially to a person outside the field.
The doctoral student is expected to arrange meetings and maintain periodic contact with each committee member. A meeting of the full committee for the purpose of assessing the student's progress should occur at least once a year until the completion of the dissertation.
Each doctoral candidate is required to pass a final oral examination in defense of the dissertation. The examination may also include an inquiry into the candidate's competence in the major and related fields. The examining committee, usually the same members comprising the dissertation advisory committee, is responsible for certifying that the quality and suitability of the material presented in the dissertation meet acceptable scholarly standards. Each member must be physically present for the entire examination to vote on the acceptability of the student's performance, unless some special arrangement is made well in advance with the student and dissertation committee chairperson and is approved by the dean of graduate studies and research. A student will be certified as passing the final oral examination if not more than one member of the committee dissents.
The examining committee must consist of not fewer than four members of the university faculty, including at least one whose primary appointment is outside the candidate's department or program. The candidate's dissertation adviser must be a member of the examining committee and may serve as chairperson. Persons who are not members of the university faculty may serve as additional members of the examining committee. Under special conditions, a former faculty member whose time of leaving the university has not exceeded 18 months may be approved as a voting member of the committee.
The committee is appointed by the dean of graduate studies and research on the recommendation of the chairperson of the department or curricular program committee.
The defense must be scheduled with the Office of Graduate Studies not later than two weeks before the date of the examination. The candidate must provide to each member of the committee a copy of the completed dissertation at least 10 days before the examination so that the committee members may have an opportunity to read and discuss it in advance.
Scheduled defenses are made known through on-campus publication and any member of the university may be present at that portion of the examination predesignated by the chairperson of the examining committee. Others may be present only by invitation of that chairperson.
Doctoral students have five consecutive calendar years from the semester of the first credited 701 registration to complete all requirements for the doctorate. Those who fail to complete the requirements within five years may petition for an extension of a maximum of one academic year upon recommendation of the research adviser and the approval of the department chairperson and the dean of graduate studies and research. The minimum acceptable registration during this extended period is three credit hours of 701 in each of the two semesters.
Requirements for the doctoral degree beyond those set forth in these regulations may be established by departments or curricular program committees with the approval of the dean of graduate studies and research.
Individual students may be required to take courses beyond the published requirements in order to complete the doctoral degree. In such instances the student must be notified in writing by the chairperson of the department or curricular program, with a copy to be filed in the Office of Graduate Studies.
A candidate for a degree awarded by the School of Graduate Studies must make application for the degree to the Office of Graduate Studies by the deadline established for that semester, which is approximately two months before the commencement date at which the degree is expected to be awarded. The candidate must meet all the deadlines for completion of degree requirements set forth in the calendar. All candidates must be registered for credit and in good standing during the semester in which the degree is awarded.
Payment of tuition, fees, and fines is a prerequisite to the award of a degree.
A doctoral or master's thesis applicant who meets all deadlines for commencement in one semester except for the deadline for submission to the Office of Graduate Studies of approved copies of the thesis or dissertation may request use of the "grace" period in order to graduate in the next commencement. Any student utilizing the delayed graduation option must notify the Office of Graduate Studies in writing of the intention to do so. Permission to use the grace period will be granted only once. Such a student will be permitted a one-month period from the date of commencement for which application had been made for the purpose of making revisions to the defended thesis or dissertation in accordance with the recommendations of the defense committee, in order to submit the required approved copies to the Office of Graduate Studies. A student who meets the delayed graduation deadline will be awarded the degree in the next commencement without the need to be registered or to pay a special fee. If a student fails to meet this deadline, he or she will be required to register for the appropriate thesis or dissertation credit hours in the next semester and to reapply that semester as a candidate for graduation. Upon written request to the Office of Graduate Studies, a master's non-thesis (Plan B) applicant may use the grace period only relative to the scheduling of the required Comprehensive Examination or completion and submission of the final project.
Full- Part- Total
time time
American Studies 2 9 11
Anthropology 25 13 38
Art & Art Education 20 36 56
Communication Sciences 13 13 26
Comparative Literature 0 1 1
Economics 0 1 1
English 7 57 64
History (incl. Tech. & Sci.) 16 48 64
Music & Music Education 13 13 26
Philosophy (IGS) 1 0 1
Political Science 6 3 9
Psychology 34 15 49
Sociology 11 10 21
Theatre Arts 16 1 17
--------------------------------------------------------
Total 164 220 384
Full- Part- Total
time time
Astronomy 1 0 1
Biology 12 18 30
Chemistry 20 57 77
Geological Sciences 3 1 4
Mathematics & Statistics 5 9 14
Physics 20 25 45
--------------------------------------------------------
Total 61 110 171
Full- Part- Total
time time
Biomedical Engineering 56 60 116
Chemical Engineering 24 17 41
Civil Engineering 14 12 26
Computer Engineering & Sci. 42 146 188
Electrical Engineering 20 61 81
Macromolecular Science 57 62 119
Materials Science & Engineering 27 64 91
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering 56 91 147
Systems Engineering 26 29 55
--------------------------------------------------------
Total 322 542 864
Full- Part- Total
time time
Nursing (Ph.D.) 19 34 53
Social Welfare (Ph.D) 6 39 45
--------------------------------------------------------
Total 25 73 98
Full- Part- Total
time time
Management (Ph.D.) 15 12 27
Operations Research 35 21 56
OrganizationDevelopment (M.S.) 29 5 34
Organizational Behavior(Ph.D.) 28 16 44
--------------------------------------------------------
Total 107 54 161
Full- Part- Total
time time
Integrated BiomedicalSci. (BSTP) 41 0 41
Anatomy 1 0 1
Anesthesiology (M.S.) 10 0 10
Biochemistry 19 15 34
Biophysics/Bioengineering 4 1 5
Environmental HealthSciences 2 12 14
Epidemiology & Biostatistics 9 18 27
Genetics 12 6 18
Molecular Biology & Microbiology 23 6 29
Neurosciences 23 3 26
Nutrition 31 25 56
Pathology 19 0 19
Pharmacology 7 5 12
Physiology & Biophysics 15 21 36
Reproductive Biology 0 0 0
Medical Scientist
Training Program (Ph.D & M.D.) 12 16 28
--------------------------------------------------------
Total 138 103 241
Full- Part- Total
time time
Total Degree-seeking 907 1128 2035
Total Non-degree 5 294 299
Total Enrollment 912 1422 2334
Note: Students enrolled in professional degree programs are not included in this table. Also, figures givchool of Applied Social Sciences and the Weatherhead School of Management.
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