GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS – GRADUATE

Effective: August 15, 2024

Purpose: To establish graduation requirements for graduate students.

Scope: This policy applies to all University graduate student’s campus wide.

Responsible Office: Academic Affairs

Policy Statement: Students must complete all degree requirements established by the University, their college, their major and minor (if applicable) prior to being eligible to graduate.

Master’s Degree

The student must complete the required number of semester hours of graduate level course work set by their academic unit.

• A minimum of sixty percent (60%) of credit hours must be earned in courses numbered 700 and above.
• Satisfactory grades must be maintained as defined in the section titled Grades.
• A graduate degree plan must be signed by the advisor and filed with the Graduate School by the end of the first semester of graduate study.
• The student must be admitted to degree candidacy by the major academic unit.
• All requirements for the degree must be completed within a period of seven (7) years from the first enrollment date. In the case of compelling circumstances, the academic unit offering the degree may consider a petition for a one (1) year extension of all requirements.

The Graduate Council may consider a petition, with academic program approval, to validate course work in the 9th or 10th year, dating from the first enrollment. Validation may be accomplished by examination or additional approved work. No transfer work can be validated. No work over ten (10) years old can be used to satisfy the requirements for graduate degrees.

Specialist In Education Degree

The student must complete the required number of semester hours of graduate level course work set by the academic unit. If equivalent courses were completed at the undergraduate level, graduate courses must be taken to fulfill the graduate hour requirements.

• One (1) academic year of supervised experience (internship) is required before the student may be recommended for full approval as a school psychologist certified by the Kansas Department of Education.
• Students must pass an oral examination over their thesis area and research
• The student must have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.5 on the most recent master’s degree.
• The student must take the Graduate Essay Examination of The Teachers College unless the master’s degree was awarded by the University.
• The residency requirement consists of one full semester as a regularly enrolled full-time student or one summer session for at least five (5) weeks on campus.
• All requirements for the degree must be completed within a period of seven (7) years from the first enrollment date. In the case of compelling circumstances, the academic unit offering the degree may consider a petition for a one (1) year extension of all requirements.

The Graduate Council may consider a petition, with academic program approval, to validate course work in the 9th or 10th year, dating from the first enrollment. Validation may be accomplished by examination or additional approved work. No transfer work can be validated. No work over ten (10) years old can be used to satisfy the requirements for graduate degrees.

Doctoral Degree

Students must complete the required number of semester hours of graduate level course work set by their academic unit.

• Fifteen hours of dissertation credit and enrollment in at least three (3) credits each semester are required until the dissertation is completed.
• A minimum of ninety (90) graduate hours beyond the baccalaureate degree must be completed successfully. A satisfactory level of work is determined by the doctoral faculty.
• Graduates may not participate in the commencement ceremonies before acceptance of the dissertation by the committee, SLIM Dean, and Graduate School Dean.
• All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within eight (8) years after admission to the doctoral program. A graduate degree plan must be signed by the advisor and filed with the Graduate School by the end of the first semester of graduate study. Students will advance to degree candidacy after passing qualifying examinations. These exams must be taken within a six (6) month period.

Thesis

A thesis is required for certain degrees and is an option in others. Exceptions to the rules governing the typing of theses may be permitted, but only with the written consent of the Dean of the Graduate School and the chair of the candidate's committee.

An original copy of the thesis with academic unit signatures is due in the Graduate School for review and possible revision no later than three (3) weeks prior to the close of the semester. Finalized corrected copies are due in the Graduate School one (1) week prior to the close of the semester.

Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.

Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Academic Affairs.

[Academic Affairs procedures - coming soon]

Related Policy Information: [coming soon]