A. Admissions

Admission to the University of Montana Graduate School allows students to pursue advanced degrees and certificates. While the Graduate School sets minimum admission requirements, individual departments may have additional criteria. The goal is to admit applicants who show strong potential to succeed in and contribute to UM’s graduate programs.

A1.000 - Overview

Before applying to the University of Montana (UM), applicants should contact the relevant department for program-specific requirements and deadlines. A complete list of graduate programs is available in Explore Programs. 

Applicants with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution may apply through the Graduate School's online portal, paying a non-refundable application fee of $70 for the first application and $25 for additional applications within the same year. This excludes applications for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, Law School, Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy programs. Graduates pursuing another degree or certificate must submit a new application and fee, which cannot be waived or refunded. As part of the application process, applicants may choose to provide a Social Security number to help differentiate between individuals with similar names. Declining to provide this number will not impact the application. However, federal law requires applicants to submit their Social Security number if applying for financial aid, graduate assistantships, fellowships, or tuition waivers for identification purposes. 

The application fee remains valid for one year from the initial application term. Those not admitted may reapply to the same program within this period with the reduced fee ($25) by submitting a new application. After one year, a new $70 fee is required. 

Falsifying, omitting, or suppressing information in the application may result in denial or dismissal from UM. 

A1.100 - Academic programs conduct the initial review of applications and submit a recommendation to the Graduate School for full, provisional, or denied admission.

A1.200 - Admission is competitive. The faculty and the Graduate School weigh several factors in making admission decisions: undergraduate grades, test scores, the appropriateness of previous academic training, and the availability of space, facilities, faculty, and other resources.

A1.300 - Admission requirements vary by academic program. To be considered for admission, applicants must submit all materials required by the specific program. At minimum, the Graduate School requires:

• An official transcript verifying a completed bachelor's degree.

Applicants to master's and doctoral programs must also provide:

• Letters of recommendation;
• A resume/CV, letter of intent, or equivalent.

A1.400 - All credentials become the property of the University of Montana and will not be returned.

A1.500 - Participation in or completion of a master's program does not guarantee eventual admission to a doctoral program.

A1.600 - Incomplete applications may be carried forward for up to 12 months if no admission decision has been made. Once an official admission decision has been made on a complete application, the decision is final and the application cannot be modified. This also applies to incomplete applications that have been officially inactivated. Incomplete applications are officially inactivated after the 15th instructional day of the semester. To be considered, all requests to carry applications forward must be submitted before that deadline.

A1.700 - With departmental approval, newly admitted students may defer their admission for up to 12 months. 

A2.000 - FULL ADMISSION

An academic program may recommend an applicant for full admission when the student meets both program and Graduate School requirements and has demonstrated strong potential for success in graduate study.

A2.100 - The Graduate School requires a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for full admission. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission upon recommendation by the academic program. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 who have completed a post-baccalaureate degree (e.g., master’s degree) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher may qualify for full admission.

A3.000 - PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

The academic program may recommend a student for provisional admission to the Graduate School for either a single term or an academic year. Provisional admission is given when the student might not be competitive in one or more admission criteria, but nevertheless shows promise. The provisional status provides a trial period wherein the student can demonstrate they can perform in the graduate program.

A3.100 - The academic program may determine whether there are certain deficiencies or prerequisite courses that the student must take during the provisional period. Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 may be offered provisional admission. Such applicants must remain in provisional status until they meet the specific conditions set by the admitting program and approved by the Graduate School.

A3.200 - The provisional status must be removed by the Graduate School on the recommendation of the academic program any time after the first term, but no later than the day before the beginning of the third term.

A3.300 - Except for the assignment of teaching assistantships by some departments, provisional admission carries no restrictions regarding financial aid, credit loads, course selection, or other special limitations.

A3.400 - International students can be admitted provisionally to a degree program if their English language skills do not meet full admission standards. Students admitted this way must be enrolled in the English Language Institute (ELI) until they are able to raise their English proficiency to meet full admission standards. Due to the intensity of ELI, students are not able to take classes within their major while enrolled in ELI. An international student's visa will be designated for ELI until they can demonstrate that their English proficiency meets full admission standards, at which point their visa will be updated to their admitted program. 

A4.000 - DENIED ADMISSION

Applicants may be denied admission based on factors such as academic performance, test scores, prior academic preparation, or the availability of space, faculty, and other resources. Denied applicants cannot be reconsidered for the same program and term.

A5.000 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The University of Montana is committed to a program of equal opportunity for education, employment and participation in university activities without regard to race, color, sex, age, religious creed, political ideas, marital or family status, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, or sexual orientation.

A6.000 - STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The University is committed to providing accommodations that allow qualified individuals with disabilities the opportunity to study, work, and participate in its programs and activities. Applicants and students with disabilities will be provided with reasonable accommodations. Applicants and students who seek reasonable accommodations should begin the process by connecting with the Office of Disability Equity (ODE). University policy as well as federal and state law prohibits retaliation against anybody for exercising their right to request a reasonable accommodation.

A7.000 - MANDATORY NEW STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

Once a student is admitted, holds are placed on their account to prevent registration until the required materials listed below are submitted. 

A7.100 - Upon admission, all students must provide an official transcript showing a conferred bachelor’s degree to register for classes. Transcripts must be sent directly from the awarding institution or via an approved vendor (e.g., Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse), or, for international transcripts, through an approved evaluation service (see A8.500).

          A7.101 - If a bachelor’s degree was awarded by UM, no transcript is necessary unless requested by the program, as the information is accessible internally.  

          A7.102 - Transcripts showing in-progress coursework without a conferred degree do not meet requirements and will not lift the registration hold. Non-bachelor's degree transcripts are only required if requested by the department or for transfer credits. 

A7.200 - A self-report medical history, sent upon admission, must be submitted to the Curry Health Center before the 15^th instructional day of the first semester of attendance. Students born after December 31, 1956 must submit a certificate of immunization against Rubella and measles (Rubeola). Not applicable to online-only students.

A8.000 - ADMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students must be prepared to submit a completed application with a minimum of 120 days prior to the start of the intended term. Many departments request more time for the application review, particularly if the department indicates a priority deadline pertaining to funding. UM typically needs a minimum of 60 days from the time an offer is made to the start of the term to allow for the issuance of an I-20. 

A8.100 - Applicants whose native language is not English must submit an acceptable English language proficiency test score. The acceptable tests for admission, including provisional admission, are listed below.

• Applicants whose test scores meet the minimum may be fully admitted to a university graduate program, provided they meet that program's application standards.
  • Applicants should consult with individual programs to see if there are higher standards for English proficiency in their chosen program. 
• Applicants with lower scores may be considered for provisional admission, provided they are academically eligible, and their score meets the minimum in the provisional column in the table below.
  • Graduate students provisionally admitted to the university must enroll in the English Language Institute (ELI) and then score sufficiently high on an English proficiency exam to gain full admission to the university.

Acceptable tests for graduate admission:

• TOEFL IBT (Home Edition also accepted)
  • Minimum score: 80
  • Minimum score for provisional admission: 71
• TOEFL Essentials
  • Minimum score: 9
  • Minimum score for provisional admission: 7.5
• IELTS
  • Minimum score: 6.5
  • Minimum score for provisional admission: 6.0
• MET
  • Minimum score: 58
  • Minimum score for provisional admission: 52
• DET (Duolingo)
  • Minimum score: 125
  • Minimum score for provisional admission: 120

A8.200 - Applicants who are graduates of English-speaking universities are not required to take the TOEFL, IELTS, MET, or DET, however, if the English-speaking university is located outside of the United States or a country listed as exempt in B8.300, an official verification must be provided by the degree-awarding institution. This verification must confirm that the primary language of instruction for the degree was English. 

A8.300 - If you have received a high school, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree from an institution in the United States or a country listed below, an English proficiency examination is not required however proof of the programs language of instruction may be requested.

Countries Exempt from Providing Proof of English Proficiency:

• Anguilla
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• British Virgin Islands
• Canada (except Quebec)
• Cayman Islands
• Dominica
• Falkland Islands
• Ghana
• Gibraltar
• Grenada
• Guernsey
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Isle of Man
• Jamaica
• Jersey
• Liberia
• Montserrat
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turks & Caicos Islands
• United Kingdom
• United States Territories

A8.400 - Before issuing a visa form, the Graduate School must receive a certified financial statement from a bank or sponsoring agency.

A8.500 - International transcripts must be evaluated to U.S. standards. Graduate School requires official credential evaluation report submitted to UM through an active member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Evaluations must at a minimum include Credentials, US Equivalency, Grade Average (GPA), and English Translation. If any courses will be transferred in for graduate credit, a course-by-course evaluation must be selected. 

A9.000 - ENROLLMENT IN GRADUATE COURSES FOR SENIOR AND POST-BACCALAUREATE SENIORS

Post-baccalaureates and seniors holding a 3.0 (or greater) grade point average may, with consent of instructor, enroll in 500-level courses for undergraduate credit. Variance from these requirements cannot be petitioned, except in the cases of approved Accelerated Master’s Degrees (see Policy C5.000).

A10.000 - EARLY ADMISSION

Undergraduates of the University of Montana requiring six (6) or fewer credits to complete the bachelor's degree may be admitted provisionally to the Graduate School, completing the bachelor's degree within one semester. Undergraduate credits taken in this status will be charged at the graduate rate. This policy does not apply to those students in one of the approved programs listed in C4.000.

During the semester as an early admitted graduate student, the student will not be eligible for financial aid. 

A11.000 - GRADUATE NON-DEGREE STATUS

If a student is not seeking a graduate degree or has not been accepted to the Graduate School, they may enroll as a Graduate Non-degree (GND) student on a space-available basis.

A11.100 - To apply, see instructions on the Admissions section of the Graduate School web site.

A11.200 - Up to a total of nine (9) semester graduate non-degree credits may apply toward a subsequent graduate degree program, with the approval of the students program director and the Graduate School.

A11.300 - Acceptance as a Graduate Non-degree student does not imply future admission to a degree program.

A11.400 - Students do not earn graduate credit in a post-baccalaureate status.

A11.500 - A student may not be admitted to both non-degree and degree status within a single semester. Students enrolled in a non-degree status at the time of acceptance into a degree program will be admitted to the degree program for the following semester.

A12.000 - VISITING GRADUATE STUDENT

Visiting Graduate Student status is offered for one year to students admitted to graduate study elsewhere. A statement of graduate status from the Graduate School is required. Credits earned under visiting status are considered graduate non-degree credits.

A13.000 - COUNCIL OF GRADUATE SCHOOLS RESOLUTION REGARDING SCHOLARS, FELLOWS, TRAINEES AND ASSISTANTS

Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer.

A14.000 - WESTERN REGION GRADUATE PROGRAM (WRGP)

Select graduate programs can apply for participation in WRGP, which allows programs to recruit non-resident students from WICHE states to attend at a reduced tuition rate. If a student is awarded WRGP, they will pay 150% of resident tuition.  

B. Degree Standards

B1.000 - DEFINING DEGREE STANDARDS

The University of Montana bestows substantial freedom on departments and colleges to define their own degree structures; current information about particular programs may best be obtained by contacting the chair or dean of the program directly. University regulations, curricula, and fee schedules are subject to change without notice, and students in degree programs are responsible for meeting degree requirements and procedural deadlines.

B2.000 - GRADES

Students must maintain a B average in courses taken for graduate credit at the University of Montana; no grade below C will be accepted toward any degree requirement. The student is automatically on academic probation if the cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0. 

The Graduate School may place limits on the time for the student to remediate the academic problem before being suspended (see policy B8.000 for details). 

In addition, a program may set a higher GPA minimum, passing grade thresholds (e.g., B-), and/or specify other academic performance measures for students to remain in good standing. Examples might include successful completion of specific core courses, demonstration of professional competencies, assembling a committee, or successfully being admitted to a research lab. Programs will communicate these standards clearly in their program handbooks. Failure to meet those standards may result in dismissal (see Policy B8.000).

B2.100 - Credit grades are not included in grade point calculations, but may apply toward degree requirements when earned in courses offered only on a Credit/No Credit basis.

B2.200 - Only N (Continuation/In Progress), NCR (No Credit Received) and CR (Credit) grades are awarded for research, thesis/professional paper and dissertation work. The grades of CR and NCR are not defined in terms of their relationship to traditional grades for graduate courses, but rather if the student completed the required work or not. Grades of I (Incomplete) not removed within one year of grade assignment revert to the alternate grade, usually F, or a grade assigned by the instructor when the incomplete is submitted. All “I” (Incomplete), “N” (Continuation/In Progress), and “MG” (Missing Grade) grades must be resolved and replaced with a final grade no later than the term in which the student intends to graduate.

B2.300 - Courses at the 400-level listed in the UM Catalog may not be challenged for graduate credit. At the time of their creation, 400-level courses are designated as either undergraduate-only or eligible for both undergraduate and graduate credit.

B2.400 - In undergraduate or graduate designated 400-level courses, graduate students will be evaluated in a manner different from that of undergraduate students, and will complete an additional increment of graduate-level work as assigned by the instructor. 300-level courses and below may not be applied toward a graduate certificate, master's or doctoral degree.

B3.000 - TRANSFER CREDITS

All transfer courses must have been taken for graduate credit. This information is verified by the Graduate School when the student submits an official transcript of the transfer coursework after a semester in residence. 

B3.100 - Graduate transfer credits are added to a student's record only if the student is in a graduate degree program and if the credit is applicable to the degree being sought. The following credits cannot be transferred to UM:  

• Credits on an undergraduate transcript (undergraduate status) or post-baccalaureate status. 
• Courses with a grade below a “B”.  
• Courses with a grade of pass, credit/no credit, or satisfactory (non-traditional grades).
• Credits in thesis, or research.
• Credits awarded by academic institutions for life experience. 
• Credits awarded by academic institutions for non-credit courses, workshops, and seminars as part of continuing education or professional development programs.  
• Extension credits outside the Montana University System. 
• Credits that have already been applied toward the completion of a graduate degree may not be reused to fulfill the requirements of an equivalent degree, except as specifically permitted under the provisions outlined in section C4.000. 

B3.200 - Master’s students may transfer up to nine (9) graduate/graduate non-degree semester credits after a semester of satisfactory coursework at UM.  

          B3.201 - Up to 30 semester graduate or graduate non-degree credits may be transferred to the MFA degree in Fine Arts, and up to 16 semester graduate or graduate non-degree credits to the MFA degree in Creative Writing. 

          B3.202 - Up to 30 graduate-level social work semester credits from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school of social work to count toward the MSW degree, subject to program approval and alignment with degree requirements. 

B3.300 - Doctoral students may transfer up to half (50%) of the total required semester credits for their doctoral program from prior graduate courses, subject to approval by the student’s academic department and the Graduate School.

B4.000 - CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION

Graduate students in degree programs must register for credits each Fall and Spring Semester.

B4.100 - To ensure that costs for services are covered for continuing graduate students, a continuous registration requirement of three (3) credits per semester is mandatory. The minimum of three (3) credit requirement applies to the term when a student sits for comprehensive exams or defends their thesis or dissertation as well as the term of graduation. The same requirement applies to certificate-seeking students.

At the department's request, post-defense periods may be allowed an exception. During this time, the student is permitted to complete final edits and revisions to their professional paper, thesis, or dissertation, provided all other requirements have been met. No registration is required for one semester. After one semester of no registration, one-credit registration is required for one semester; beyond one semester, three-credits continuous registration is required.  

Application for exception to the three (3) credits of mandatory continuous registration policy should occur using the following procedures. Exception request memoranda need not be lengthy but should include the specific request including the student's name and student identification number, the reason for the request, and any supporting documentation.

• All requests for exceptions should be submitted to the Graduate School before the first day of classes for the semester for which an exception is requested.
• Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis, except for approved programmatic exceptions (ICD program in Resource Conservation, predoctoral internships for clinical and school psychology Ph.D. students (PSYX 588 or PSYX 638), Principal and Superintendent Leadership certificate, Nonprofit Administration certificate and Creative Pulse).

          B4.101 - The following conditions may qualify for reduced to 1-credit enrollment status: 

• International assignment with a non-governmental organization, (Peace Corps, etc.) as a program requirement (program registration documentation). A memorandum from the major professor (advisor) or the department should be submitted to the Graduate School.
• Parental or major illness and extended family leave exception requests should be in the form of a memorandum from the major professor (advisor) to the Graduate School, and suitable documentation (from physician, psychologist, other medical professional, etc.) should be included as an attachment.
• Significant off-campus field assignment (domestic or foreign) exception requests for each student should be in the form of a memorandum to the Graduate School from the major professor (advisor) and endorsed by the department chair. 

B5.000 - LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The Graduate School allows up to a one-year leave of absence with no penalty subject to approval of the Graduate School (e.g., for parental, major illness, or personal need). The form for requesting a leave-of-absence is available on the Graduate School web site. Because a leave-of-absence presumes the student is off-campus and not engaged in university activities, no university resources (except those available to the general public) are available during the leave-of-absence.

B6.000 - UNAPPROVED LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Graduate students who discontinue their studies without prior approval from both their academic program and the Graduate School, and who fail to maintain continuous enrollment, will be inactivated and removed from their program. To return, they must submit a petition for readmission to their program and the Graduate School.

B7.000 - READMISSION

The request for readmission will require an evaluation from the department of the students’ progress and a plan with time-table for completing the degree. Readmission of students is not guaranteed and is subject to the department's discretion. The decision to approve a student's return is made on a case-by-case basis. Students intending to return from an absence are expected to submit their request to the Graduate School prior to the start of the semester in which they plan to re-enroll. However, the request will be accepted no later than the 15th instructional day of the semester. Requests submitted after this deadline will not be considered, and the student’s return must be delayed to a subsequent term.

B8.000 - ACADEMIC PROBATION, SUSPENSION AND DISMISSAL

A student may be placed on probation for either of the following reasons:

• A failure to maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.00, which will be automatic unless the program appeals to the Graduate School on the student’s behalf to explain contingent circumstances.
• A failure to make reasonable academic progress or comply with the professional or ethical standards as defined by the program's graduate student handbook. 

When a student is placed on Academic Probation, the Graduate School will notify both the student and the department. The department is responsible for informing the student of the specific benchmarks they must meet and the timeline for doing so in order to avoid Suspension and/or Dismissal.

A student can be suspended and/or dismissed from an academic program for any of the following reasons:

• Provisional admission conditions not met.
• Overall graduate or program GPA falls or remains below a 3.00 after being placed on University Probation status.
• Unsatisfactory progress in a degree program.
• Failure to comply with the professional or ethical standards as defined by that program's student handbook.

When a program determines that a student should be suspended or dismissed, they will notify the student and the Graduate School of their decision, with details in the student’s record relevant to existing program policy along with a clear timeline for appeal. Suspensions or dismissals due to GPA as stipulated above cannot be appealed without the support of the academic program.

Appeal of Program Decision

If a degree-seeking student wishes to appeal their suspension or dismissal, they must follow the steps in the following timeline:

1. Notice of Appeal. The student must notify the Graduate School of their intent to appeal within five (5) business days of receiving the suspension letter.
2. Submission of Appeal. The student has an additional ten (10) business days to provide a letter and any supporting documents to the Graduate School. The Appeal should provide specific evidence, context, or mitigating factors that directly address the program or Graduate School standards that were not met.
3. Decision on Appeal. The decision on an appeal resides with the Graduate School Dean or their designee. The Dean may reach out to the student or the program for additional information, if it deems such is necessary for its decision. The Dean may place requirements related to timeframes on responses to these requests.  If additional information is received from the program, the student will be provided a copy. The submitted appeal can be accepted or denied, and the Graduate School will typically issue that decision within 10 days of submission, however, this timeframe may be longer if the Dean requires additional information from the student or faculty member.
4. Plan of Action. If the appeal is accepted, the student will be sent a Plan of Action from the Graduate School to be completed by their committee chair/graduate coordinator. The Plan of Action must enumerate the items to be completed for the student to return to good standing. As with other petitions to the Graduate School, the Plan of Action should be submitted to the Graduate School by graduate program faculty (chair/advisor/program director) confirming their approval of the steps to return to good standing.

If the appeal is not made within 10 days, or the appeal is denied, the student's graduate record will be made “Inactive”.

To be re-admitted after a suspension, the student must receive the approval of the graduate program, who may choose not to re-admit.

The decision of the Graduate School is considered the final administrative act of the University. 

Pursuant to BOR Policy 203.5.2, this decision is appealable to OCHE.

B9.000 - SUBMISSION AND PUBLICATION OF FINAL THESIS, PROFESSIONAL PAPER, OR DISSERTATION

Publication of master’s theses, professional papers and doctoral dissertations is a requirement common to all degree-granting institutions. Publication increases the availability of research and creative efforts to the academic community and the public, enhancing the visibility of graduate research and facilitating future academic and professional opportunities for students. As a tax-funded public university, the University of Montana (UM) is committed to distributing scholarship produced under the auspices of the UM Graduate School through an open access model.  

B9.100 - All professional papers, theses, or dissertations must be submitted to the Mansfield Library in accordance with the Final Degree Requirements established by the Graduate School. These works will be cataloged and made publicly available in an electronic format, unless otherwise specified in accordance with the restrictions outlined in this policy. 

B9.200 - The University of Montana claims no copyrights to any professional paper, thesis, or dissertation, or the research or creative scholarship contained therein.

B9.300 - The University recognizes that some professional papers, theses, or dissertations may contain sensitive content, such as research data or culturally restricted information, or personal information, proprietary information, or content that could impact on the author's future opportunities for publication or commercialization. 

          B9.301 - Students may request one of the following mechanisms to limit immediate access to their work: 

• Delayed Publication (Embargo): Students may request a delay in the publication of their professional paper, thesis, or dissertation for up to five (5) years. Exceptions to the five (5) year limitation may be made in exceptional circumstances. During the embargo period, the full text will not be accessible, but the work’s metadata (title, author, abstract, and keywords) will be listed in ScholarWorks and in the Mansfield Library catalog. Embargoes may be appropriate when a student plans to submit a manuscript based on their thesis or dissertation to a publisher or has received research funding from a commercial entity that has specifically requested an embargo on the release of the work in ScholarWorks or ProQuest. Embargoes may also be appropriate when a student is pursuing a patent on something derived from their thesis or dissertation research, or for other reasons. 
• Campus Access Restriction: In addition to delayed publication (embargo), or alternatively, students may request that their work be made available only to individuals who can access the campus network via NetID (an authenticated connection). As with embargoes, citation and abstract information is visible to everyone. A campus access restriction is indefinite unless or until the student author requests removal of the restriction. This may be appropriate to protect sensitive information from being publicly accessible. 
• Suppression of Publication: In exceptional cases, students may request an indefinite delay in publication of their thesis or dissertation. The thesis or dissertation must still be submitted in accordance with the Final Degree Requirements. The full text document will not be made publicly available in ScholarWorks although it will be retained by the Mansfield Library via ScholarWorks. As with embargoes and campus access restrictions, and consistent with the MUS Record Retention Schedule, citation and abstract information will remain visible to everyone. Such a request must be justified and approved by the Graduate School and the Mansfield Library and will only be permissible in cases involving highly sensitive or proprietary information. Concerns that can be adequately managed with an embargo and/or a campus-access restriction will not be considered sufficient justification for suppression. 

B9.400 - The Graduate School shall review all requests for embargoes, restrictions, or suppression. The Graduate School shall consider the student’s provided justification for requesting a limitation on publication in view of concerns for privacy or confidentiality and shall consider such elements as potential risks to the health or safety of the student as well as the potential for future publication, commercialization, or patent protection. Requests must be made pursuant to the procedure laid out by the Graduate School.  

B9.500 - If the Graduate School denies a student’s request for limitation, the student may appeal the decision to the Vice President for Research. Students must submit an appeal, in writing, to the Office of Research within thirty (30) days. Appeals must include all relevant information and documentation. 

B9.600 - For all limitations on publication, once the limitation period ends, the professional paper, thesis, or dissertation shall be immediately published in accordance with the Graduate School’s publication procedure.

C. Master's Degree

C1.000 - CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

Each program defines its own credit requirements and its own standards of quality and achievement. At least two years of graduate study are normally necessary for the master's degree. The following statements describe the Graduate Schools' minimum quantitative requirements for the master's degree.

C1.100 - At least 30 semester graduate credits will be presented for the thesis or professional paper option, or at least 36 semester graduate credits for the nonthesis option.

C1.200 - At least 20 semester credits, including those earned for the thesis or professional paper, will be in the major discipline.

C1.300 - At least half the credits required for the degree (excluding a combined total of 10 semester credits for thesis and research) will be at the 500 or 600 level. To apply this rule to the course of study, subtract the number of thesis and research credits completed (up to 10 semester credits only) from the minimum number of credits required for the degree.  All courses used to meet graduation requirements must be at the graduate level.

C1.400 - As of Fall Semester 2011, 300 UG (Undergraduate/Graduate) courses will not count toward graduate degrees.

C2.000 - TIME LIMITS

All degree requirements for the master's degree, including the use of transfer and non-degree credits, must be completed within five (5) years; six (6) years for students in the College of Education. Courses that fall outside this time limit must be recertified for currency of knowledge.

C3.000 - SECOND MASTER'S DEGREE

For the purposes of this policy dual and joint degrees are defined as follows:

A joint degree is a combined degree that allows students to obtain a single degree with a specialization in two related fields. A joint degree requires OCHE/BOR approval, and students that complete a joint degree will have this single joint degree listed on their transcript rather than two separate degrees. Note that this pathway should only be pursued if the joint degree is nationally recognized with a corresponding Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code.

A dual degree allows students to follow specified pathways in two different fields and concurrently receive two separate degrees. A dual degree requires that students complete the standards specified for each program separately, and students that complete a dual degree will have both degrees listed on their transcript. On the recommendation of both graduate programs, students working towards a dual master's may apply up to nine (9) credits to both degrees. Programs should apply professional, curricular, and accreditation standards when granting transfer credits so as to guarantee the integrity of their programs.

Formal program modification is required for exceptions to this policy. Such program modification requests should include clear rationales for how shared credits maintain each program’s curricular and degree standards as well as adherence to accreditation standards, where applicable.

Current exceptions are listed here:

• For the MFA in Creative Writing, 24 semester credits from an MA in English may be applied.
• For the MFA in Fine Arts, 24 semester credits from an MA in Fine Arts may be applied.
• For the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Design program, 14 credits of coursework in the PharmD program can be transferred if the student took the credits in graduate status to fulfill PharmD requirements.  

C4.000 - ACCELERATED MASTER'S DEGREES

Select programs can apply to the Graduate Council for designation as an Accelerated Master’s Degree, which provides their students an exemption from the rule prohibiting undergraduate credits to transfer to a Master’s degree. 

The complete list of approved programs approved for this exemption is as follows:

• Master of Athletic Training
• Master of Arts in Economics
• Master of Arts in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism
• Master of Arts in Linguistics
• Master of Science Neuroscience
• Master of Arts in Environmental Philosophy
• Master of Arts in Political Science
• Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Design with PharmD
• Master of Public Administration with Wildlife Biology
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Public Health; Community Health and Prevention Science Concentration

After approval by the Graduate Council, Faculty Senate, and the Board of Regents, these programs are authorized to admit select students into graduate-level coursework in their fourth year or when they have completed a minimum of 105 undergraduate credits and demonstrated their capacity to pursue graduate-level coursework successfully. 

These programs must ask for a specific maximum of allowable credits (no more than 9 except in specific circumstances) to transfer from the undergraduate to the graduate degree. All credits transferred are subject to the policy on transfer credits, with particular attention to the importance of students completing the “graduate increment” in 400-level courses designated UG, taken to fulfill a requirement for a master’s degree.

Students in these programs will not be formally admitted to the Graduate School until their undergraduate degree is complete, at which time the restricted credits will be transferred and the students will change officially to “Graduate Status.”

C5.000 - THESIS/PROFESSIONAL PAPER EXAMINING COMMITTEE

Each master's degree program must include a specific component of research or creative work and a comprehensive evaluation over the content of the discipline. In programs requiring a thesis or professional paper, these requirements are typically combined and overseen by the thesis/professional paper examining committee.

C5.100 - Examining Committee Composition

The thesis/professional paper examining committee shall be comprised of a minimum of three (3) voting members as follows:

1. A qualified UM faculty member or adjunct from the program or unit granting the degree who shall serve as chair;
2. A second (2^nd) qualified UM faculty member or adjunct from the program or unit granting the degree, in the case of interdisciplinary degree programs the second member may be from a cooperating program or unit;
3. A third (3^rd) qualified UM faculty member or adjunct from a program or unit other than the one granting the degree, who shall serve as the Fair Practices Representative. The primary responsibility of the Fair Practices Representative is to ensure that the student is held to reasonable academic standards, is treated fairly by all committee members, and that the student's academic progress is not unduly delayed by a failure of committee members to act in a timely manner.

Upon the recommendation of the unit, one additional voting member who is a faculty affiliate, a faculty member of another institution, or a non-academic expert may be appointed by the Graduate School, if the individual is uniquely qualified by training, experience, and/or degrees held to guide and evaluate the thesis or professional paper.

Nota Bene: the Graduate School does not consider a non-UM employee to be an adequate substitute for member 3. Many non-UM faculty members serve as optional 4^th members, but academic units need to select member 3 from faculty who are from a different tenure home than the graduate committee chair (member 1).

C5.200 - Appointment of Examining Committee Members

Prospective committee members shall be chosen by the student in consultation with the student's academic advisor, and the program director or department chair shall forward the nominations to the Graduate School for approval. Changes to the committee may be made at the request of the academic unit. However, changes should not be made solely to address short-term scheduling conflicts.

C5.300 - Timeline for Examining Committee Composition

The committee composition must be submitted to the Graduate School by the end of the student’s second (2^nd) term of graduate attendance. 

C5.400 - Qualifications of Faculty Advisor and Committee Members

A graduate student’s advisor must hold a degree equal to or higher than the degree the student is working toward.

          C5.401 - All members of a master’s thesis or professional paper committee are generally expected to hold a graduate degree in a relevant field. The committee chair must hold a master’s or doctoral degree, as appropriate to the program. Other members without a graduate degree may serve if they demonstrate relevant expertise and receive approval by the Graduate School.

          C5.402 - For UM faculty, they must be involved in ongoing scholarship, creative works, or professional activities relating to their discipline and must continue to receive normal salary increases. At the conclusion of the faculty evaluation process, the Provost’s Office will notify the Graduate School of any faculty member receiving a less-than-normal salary increase due to deficiencies in scholarship, creative works, or professional activities. Such faculty members will not be permitted to serve on any new graduate student committees. Additionally, if the faculty member is currently serving as a chair on an existing graduate committee, a co-chair must be appointed. Eligibility to serve on graduate committees will be reinstated only after a subsequent faculty evaluation results in a normal or better than normal salary increase.

C6.000 - THESIS/PROFESSIONAL PAPER DEFENSE

The thesis is a monographic or creative exercise representing an original scholarly contribution to a discipline. While conventions vary among disciplines, the professional paper is generally associated with the application of scholarly knowledge to specific professional settings. Both thesis and professional papers exhibit such substance and quality as to warrant eventual publication or exhibition.

C6.100 - The student must complete one or more examinations (written, oral or both) relating to both the thesis (or professional paper) and the content of the discipline.

C6.200 - The defense will normally occur well in advance of the end of the academic semester so the proper paperwork may be completed for the degree award process; the defense must be held by the last day in the academic semester.

C6.300 - Oral examinations are open to the public and guests may ask questions on recognition by the chair.

C6.400 - For the student to pass, all committee members, voting privately, must judge the student's performance as satisfactory. In case of failure, one repeat examination is permitted.

For guidance in preparing your thesis or professional papers, please consult the Graduate School's Formatting Final Paper page.

C7.000 - COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OVER CONTENT OF DISCIPLINE

All master's degree students must pass a comprehensive evaluation. Examples of the comprehensive evaluation include but are not limited to a comprehensive oral or written exam, thesis/professional paper defense, portfolio assessment, or integrated project evaluation.

D. Doctoral Degree

D1.000 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Completion of a doctoral degree requires fulfillment of advanced coursework, examinations, and original research (dissertation). This section outlines the formal requirements and procedures governing the conferral of the degree.

D2.000 - CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

Doctoral degree coursework is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge, research skills, and scholarly depth in their chosen field of study. 

D2.100 - At least 60 semester credits are required for the doctorate; some programs require more.

          D2.101 - At least half (50%) the credits required for the degree will be at the 500 or 600 level. All courses used to meet graduation requirements must be at the graduate level.

          D2.102 - As of Fall Semester 2011 300 UG (Undergraduate/Graduate) courses will not count toward graduate degrees. 

D3.000 - TIME LIMITS

All degree requirements for the doctoral degree, including the use of transfer and non-degree credits, must be completed within seven (7) years; ten (10) years for Educational Leadership and Teaching & Learning programs. Courses that fall outside this time limit must be recertified for currency of knowledge.

D4.000 - COMPLETE EXAMINATIONS

The student will complete examinations (written, oral, or both) covering the major discipline. 

D4.100 - The examining committee, formed by the program in consultation with the student, may be the same as the student's dissertation committee.

D4.200 - Any interested faculty may attend the examination, as appropriate, and ask questions on recognition by the chair.

D4.300 - The committee, voting privately, may pass the student with one negative vote.

D4.400 - In case of failure, one repeat examination before the same committee is permitted.

D5.000 - THE DISSERTATION

The dissertation is an original contribution to knowledge of such substance and literary quality as to warrant publication.

D5.100 - Dissertation Committee Composition

The dissertation committee shall be comprised of a minimum of four (4) voting members as follows:

1. A qualified UM faculty member or adjunct from the program or unit granting the degree who shall serve as chair;
2. A second (2^nd) qualified UM faculty member or adjunct from the program or unit granting the degree;
3. A third (3^rd) qualified UM faculty member or adjunct from a program or unit other than the one granting the degree, who shall serve as the Fair Practices Representative. The primary responsibility of the Fair Practices Representative is to ensure that the student is held to reasonable academic standards, is treated fairly by all committee members, and that the student's academic progress is not unduly delayed by a failure of committee members to act in a timely manner.
4. A fourth (4^th) member who may be either a UM faculty member or adjunct from the program or unit granting the degree (or cooperating program or unit in the case of interdisciplinary degree programs), or a faculty affiliate, non-academic expert, or faculty of another institution of higher learning who has been certified by the Graduate School as uniquely qualified by training, experience, and/or degree held to guide and evaluate the dissertation.

Nota Bene: the Graduate School does not consider a non-UM employee to be an adequate substitute for member three (3) on a PhD committee. Many non-UM faculty members serve as an optional 5^th member, but academic units need to select member three (3) from faculty who are from a different tenure home than the graduate committee chair (member 1).

D5.200 - Appointment of Dissertation Committee Members

Prospective committee members shall be chosen by the student in consultation with their academic advisor and the program chair shall forward the nominations to the Graduate School for approval. Changes to the committee may be made at the request of the academic unit. However, changes should not be made solely to address short-term scheduling conflicts.

          D5.201 - The committee composition must be submitted to the Graduate School by the end of the student’s fourth (4th) term of graduate attendance.      

D5.300 - Qualifications of Faculty Advisor and Committee Members

A graduate student’s advisor must hold a degree equal to or higher than the degree the student is working toward.

          D5.301 - All members of a dissertation committee are generally expected to hold a doctoral degree (PhD). The committee chair must hold a PhD. Other members without a PhD may serve if they demonstrate relevant expertise and receive approval by the Graduate School.

          D5.302 - For UM faculty, they must be involved in ongoing scholarship, creative works, or professional activities relating to their discipline and must continue to receive normal salary increases. At the conclusion of the faculty evaluation process, the Provost’s Office will notify the Graduate School of any faculty member receiving a less-than-normal salary increase due to deficiencies in scholarship, creative works, or professional activities. Such faculty members will not be permitted to serve on any new graduate student committees. Additionally, if the faculty member is currently serving as a chair on an existing graduate committee, a co-chair must be appointed. Eligibility to serve on graduate committees will be reinstated only after a subsequent faculty evaluation results in a normal or better than normal salary increase.

D6.000 - DISSERTATION DEFENSE

A final examination dealing primarily with the dissertation and its relationship to the student's fields of study will be conducted by the dissertation committee.

D6.100 - At least a week before the examination, the committee will meet briefly to determine if the dissertation is ready for defense.

          D6.101 - If there is one negative vote, the student's advisor and the Graduate School may elect to proceed.

          D6.102 - If there are two or more negative votes, the defense will be postponed.

D6.200 - The examination is open to the public; anyone may ask questions on recognition by the chair. Only the committee, meeting privately, may vote.

          D6.201 - The student will pass if the dissertation is accepted (either as it stands or pending minor revisions) with only one negative vote.

          D6.202 - If there are two or more negative votes, the committee may schedule and conduct a second and final examination at least one month after the initial defense. During that time, the student will be asked to make whatever changes are necessary in the dissertation. Failure to pass the second (2^nd) attempt successfully results in termination of graduate study and dismissal from the academic program. Candidates who are dismissed from the program due to failure to pass the defense are ineligible to reapply to the same degree program. 

E. Certificate Programs

Certificate programs governed by these policy guidelines are academic, credit-bearing programs that end with the awarding of a certificate rather than a graduate degree. Certificate programs established under these guidelines are designed for developing specialized skills and knowledge, as well as providing opportunities for graduate students to develop interdisciplinary knowledge and skills beyond the offerings in their Master’s program. They often have a practical or applied orientation, intended to indicate to prospective employers that the certificate holder has completed a Faculty Senate approved course of study. The following statements describe the Graduate School’s minimum quantitative requirements for a certificate program.