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6.00 REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTER'S DEGREES
6.10 Graduate Degree Programs
Appendix A lists the graduate degree programs offered by Wright
State University and administered by the School of Graduate Studies.
Appendix B outlines the requirements for the M.A./M.S. in Selected Graduate Studies.
6.20 Program of Study
6.21 The program of study is a defined program, which is negotiated
between a student and an academic department offering the program.
The institution specifically indicates that it will award the degree
sought by the student if the work stipulated in the program of study
is satisfactorily completed. Similarly, a student specifically agrees
to the responsibility for completing the program as stipulated in
his or her program of study. Programs of study should be consistent
with published curricula and degree requirements.
6.22 Procedure:
• Program of Study forms are available from the graduate program advisor
in departmental offices.
• The form is completed with careful planning between the student and the
major advisor.
• The completed form is signed by the student and advisor and approved
by the graduate program officer or department chair.
• A copy of the completed form, with signatures, should be sent to the
School of Graduate Studies where the form will be filed in the student's academic
folder. The program of study will be used to certify the student for graduation,
guide decisions on graduate student academic petitions, process requests for
transfer credit, and issue tuition remissions for graduate assistants. Consequently,
these actions will not be processed without a current and/or amended program
of study on file in the student folder.
• The form should be prepared as early as possible in the student's program,
preferably no later than the end of the second quarter.
6.23 Once the program of study has been approved, students may make changes to
it only if the changes still meet program requirements and are approved by their
advisors and graduate program officers. Students should consult the program for
the procedure for initiating such changes. A copy of the revised program of study
should be sent to the School of Graduate Studies.
6.24 Graduate programs are cautioned that when changes to the program of study
are necessitated as the result of deletions from the course inventory or changes
in program requirements, students should be given sufficient notification of
the change so as to allow them to finish their program requirements as planned.
When this is not possible, appropriate substitutions must be provided.
6.30 Academic Standards
6.31 All graduate students are expected to maintain a minimum
cumulative grade point average of 3.0. A cumulative average of 3.0
is required for graduation.
6.32 The grade of "C" is the minimum passing grade for graduate credit;
however, no more than nine quarter hours of "C" may be applied toward
a master's degree.
6.33 A grade of "D" received in a graduate-level course may not be
applied toward a graduate degree.
6.34 Graduate students who have completed 12 hours of graduate study may be evaluated
each quarter by their graduate program committee and/or the School of Graduate
Studies.
6.35 Students admitted in regular status who have completed twelve hours of graduate
credit will automatically be placed in probationary status the quarter their
cumulative graduate grade point average drops below a 3.0. Students will continue
in probationary status until the end of the quarter in which the next twelve
hours of graduate course work is completed. At the end of that period, the following
actions will be taken:
A. Students will be dismissed if their cumulative grade point averages are still
below 3.0, or
B. Students will be taken off probation if their cumulative grade point averages
are 3.0 or higher.
Dismissed students may be readmitted only by petition. Students who are dismissed
will be so informed by the School of Graduate Studies.
6.36 At the completion of one year of graduate work or 24 credit hours, whichever
comes first, all graduate students may be evaluated by the departmental faculty.
On the basis of this evaluation and after review by the School of Graduate Studies
the student will be:
A. Recommended for continuation in the graduate program,
B. Placed on probationary status, or
C. Dismissed from the School of Graduate Studies.
6.37 Probation: Students placed on probation will be required to raise their
cumulative graduate grade point averages to 3.0 the quarter they complete the
next twelve hours of graded course work. Probation becomes effective the quarter
that students’ grade point averages fall below 3.0; not when the students
are notified that they have been placed on probation. If a portion of the twelve
graduate credits is research for the thesis requirement, the students' academic
programs must certify the students' eligibility to continue their studies at
the University. Failure to attain the 3.0 cumulative grade point average within
twelve hours of graded course work will result in the students' dismissal from
the School of Graduate Studies.
6.38 Students entering the School of Graduate Studies on a conditional basis
will have their academic records reviewed by both their academic departments
and the School of Graduate Studies at the end of the quarter in which they complete
the first twelve hours of graduate course work. If the students' grade point
averages are 3.0 or above they will be:
A. Recommended for regular status in the graduate program.
B. Retained on a conditional basis until the department is satisfied of their
ability to do graduate-level work.
If the students' grade point averages are less than 3.0, they will be dismissed
from the School of Graduate Studies.
6.39 Students entering the School of Graduate Studies in non-degree status will
have their work reviewed after the first twelve hours by the School of Graduate
Studies. If the student's cumulative grade point average is below 3.0, the student
will be dismissed from the School of Graduate Studies.
6.40 Time Limit
6.41 Students must complete all requirements for a master's degree
within seven years unless the students' specific program has a shorter
time limit. The time limit is defined as being from the beginning
date of the earliest course taken at Wright State University within
the 45 hours applied toward the degree as determined by the program
of study. The time limit excludes a leave of absence granted in advance
for adequate cause by the academic program and the Dean, School of
Graduate Studies.
6.42 Graduate students who fail to complete at least one course in four consecutive
quarters will automatically be retired from the active files of the School of
Graduate Studies. The term "course" includes formal courses, independent
study, thesis research, continuing registration, etc. Reapplication for admission
will be required to reactivate the students' records. (No additional fee will
be charged).
6.50 Credit Hour Requirement
All master's degree programs at the university require
completion of at least forty-five credit hours of graduate course
work. A program, however, may require completion of more than forty-five
credit hours. Please consult program requirements for deviations
from the forty-five credit hour requirement.
6.60 Residence Requirements
Students are considered to be in residence whenever they
are registered on campus as graduate students for a minimum of three
academic quarters at Wright State University, devoted wholly or partly
to graduate work, is required. In addition, completion of a minimum
of thirty-three graduate credit hours toward the master's degree
must be completed at Wright State.
6.70 Foreign Language Requirement
6.71 A candidate for the master's degree may be required to demonstrate
a reading knowledge of a foreign language. The student should consult
with the individual department/ program to determine if this requirement
exists.
6.72 This requirement may be met either by examination or by college credit.
The student should consult with the individual department/program for details.
6.80 Thesis
6.81 Certain programs specify the satisfactory completion of a
thesis as a requirement for the master's degree. Ph. D. programs
require satisfactory completion of a dissertation. Differing requirements
for the Ph.D. dissertation are discussed in section 8.2.
6.82 A student's thesis supervisor (chair of the thesis committee) must be a
full member of the graduate faculty, or an associate member. Associate members
require prior approval by the Program Chair/Program Director and the Dean, School
of Graduate Studies. Associate members may also co-direct a master’s thesis
(with a full member) without prior approval. If a full member chairs the thesis
committee, then two other members must hold at least associate status/adjunct
associate status. If an associate member chairs the Committee, then at least
one of the other members must be a full member. Programs may require more members
on the committee than stated above.
6.83 Students preparing a thesis should consult the Graduate Thesis/Dissertation
Handbook, published by the School of Graduate Studies and available on the Graduate School’s web site. The requirements outlined
in this manual are the basic minimal criteria for acceptance as approved by the
Graduate Council. Students should seek the advice of their research supervisors
and programs for further details. Students are required to meet all standards
as prescribed in the Graduate Thesis/Dissertation Handbook. The Dean, School
of Graduate Studies, allows deviations from policy or style requirements only
with prior approval. Published articles or manuscripts resulting from the student's
work may not be employed to supplant, in whole or in part, the thesis requirement.
The thesis must be written in English.
6.84 The topic of the thesis should come from the student's personal exploration
in his/her major or minor field. The formal petition for approval of a topic
must clearly set forth the problem, the intended organization, and the methods
of development. The student’s thesis supervisor and committee must approve
the topic.
6.85 Students should consult with the thesis committee as to the course (s) and
number of credit hours for which they should register while working on an approved
thesis topic.
6.86 Students must successfully complete an oral examination of the thesis prior
to submission of the thesis to the School of Graduate Studies.
6.87 At a student's request, the School of Graduate Studies will make a format
check of any thesis, or portion thereof, prior to final deposit. This review
will evaluate the format and style as established in the Graduate Thesis/Dissertation
Handbook. This review is intended to minimize the likelihood that a thesis will
not meet minimum standards and require revision, which will delay deposit beyond
the deadline. However, it in no way guarantees the acceptability of the final
copy. To allow ample time for completing the deposit copy, students are advised
to arrange for a format check well in advance of the deposit deadline.
6.88 A computer file containing an approved thesis, in pdf format, must be transmitted to OhioLINK (http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/submit/) or delivered to the School of Graduate Studies for electronic transmission to OhioLINK not later than 30 days after the end of the quarter in which the degree will be granted (due dates are published by the School of Graduate Studies and distributed to the departments and program offices). Instructions for submitting your thesis are on the OhioLINK Web site. OhioLINK is the repository for Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) for the state universities system in Ohio. This final copy should follow the form prescribed in the “Graduate Thesis and Dissertation Handbook,” available at the School of Graduate Studies Web site (http://www.wright.edu/sogs/), and should be carefully produced, free of errors in style, mechanics, and format. The pdf file must include the typed thesis approval page, but without signatures. One (1) paper copy of the typed thesis approval page, with signatures, must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies for filing. The ETD cannot be approved until the School of Graduate Studies receives the paper copy of the signed thesis approval page. Please consult the “Graduate Thesis and Dissertation Handbook” for additional information and details about preparing your ETD. Because some departments or programs require additional electronic or paper copies of theses, students should consult with their advisors to determine the number of such additional copies needed.
6.89 The signature of the department chair on the approval page of the thesis
verifies only that the student has successfully passed the oral defense and that
the format is acceptable to the department. The final copy must be approved and
signed by the Dean, School of Graduate Studies, before a degree will be granted.
6.810 A student desiring to participate in the November or June graduation ceremony
must either have turned in his/her final thesis/dissertation copy or have scheduled
the defense with the committee prior to the graduation date. The defense date
may occur within the 30 day period following graduation. The department should
notify the Graduate School, by memorandum prior to the graduation ceremony, of
the scheduled defense date.
6.90 Examinations
6.91 Some programs require a final comprehensive examination
to test the candidates' mastery of the course of studies pursued.
It may be written or oral, or both, at the option of the examining
committee.
6.92 Arrangements for taking the examinations should be made with the candidates'
advisors and the department at least three weeks in advance of the examination
date.
6.100 Second Master's Degree
6.101 Students who have been awarded a master's degree from
a regionally accredited institution may earn another master's degree
by taking a minimum of thirty-three quarter hours of graduate credit.
These hours must be taken at Wright State University, and no transfer
credit can be applied toward the thirty-three hour requirement.
6.102 Departments or programs may require additional work depending upon the
length of a degree program or prerequisites for individual students.
6.103 Admission policies and procedures for a second master's degree are the
same as those for the first degree, except that in those instances where the
first degree was earned at Wright State, no additional application fee will be
required.
6.110 Dual Master's Degree Programs
6.111 A dual master's degree program permits common course work to apply toward two graduate programs. Currently, six dual programs are approved, a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Social and Applied Economics; M.B.A. and the M.S. in Administration of Nursing and Health Care Systems; M.B.A. and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.); M.B.A. and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.); M.D. and M.P.H. and M.D. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences.) The requirements for this program are contained in the Graduate Catalog and the School of Medicine Catalog.
6.112 Students desiring to work on two master’s degrees at
the same time, other than those listed above, may do so provided
the following requirements are met.
A. The student formally applies and is admitted into the second master's degree
program before registering for any courses for that program.
B. The student must have within two quarters from the start of the programs approved
programs of study on file in the School of Graduate Studies for both graduate
programs.
C. The first program must have a minimum of forty-five (45) graduate hours. The
second program must have a minimum of thirty-three (33) graduate hours (programs
may require more hours than the minimum requirement).
D. Courses required for one program cannot be applied toward the second program's
requirements.
E. Only twelve hours of transfer credit can be applied, with program and Graduate
Studies approval, toward the requirements of the first master's degree. No transfer
credit can be applied toward the thirty-three graduate hours required for the
second master's degree
F. Students may graduate with the two degrees at the same commencement exercise.
6.113 This policy does not apply to students working on graduate degrees at other
institutions.
6.114 Students in dual degree programs or working on two degrees at the same will have their grade point average and quality points reset after completing both programs. However, in order to graduate students must have at least a 3.0 cumulative graduate grade point average for the required courses in each of the programs. Students working on two degree programs are subject to the policies and procedures of each program.
6.120 Procedures for Petitioning for
a Waiver of School of Graduate Studies Policies
Applicants and students who do not meet the minimum requirements
for admission/ readmission or wish to deviate from the normal School
of Graduate Studies academic regulations and procedures may submit a petition (PDF)
to the School of Graduate Studies requesting a waiver to a requirement
or regulation. The petition forms are available in the School of
Graduate Studies Office (E344 Student Union).
Petitions requesting a waiver to an academic policy should contain
the recommendation of the students' advisor. Petitions relating to
courses, i.e., withdrawals, grades, etc., must also contain the instructors'
recommendation. Petitions requesting an extension to the seven year
limit for completing degree requirements should contain the anticipated
graduation date (advisors should stipulate on the petition which
courses that will be more than seven years old will remain valid
for the program requirements). Students should submit their petitions
to the School of Graduate Studies. All petitions shall provide a
rationale with supporting documentation for a waiver of any School
of Graduate Studies policy or standard. Students who are in inactive
status (have not completed at least one course in four consecutive
quarters or have been dismissed from the School of Graduate Studies)
or have not been admitted into a graduate status cannot petition
an academic policy.
Before forwarding the petitions to the appropriate academic programs
for a recommendation from chairs/ directors, the School of Graduate
Studies will make a record of the petitions and review them for clarity.
Petitions written illegibly, grammatically incorrect, or unclear
will be returned to the petitioners for correction and/or clarification.
After reviewing the petitions and making their recommendations, the program chairs/advisors
will forward the petitions to their College/School Petitions Committee (or equivalent)
or Program Admissions Committees to review the petitions and decide on their
recommendations. The petitions are then forwarded back to the School of Graduate
Studies for the Dean's review. Upon concurrence of the Dean, School of Graduate
Studies, and the notification of the student and the college/school by the Dean,
the decision will become final. Unresolved differences between the students,
the college/school, and/or the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies shall be
referred to the Graduate Council Student Affairs Committee. The Registrar will
be advised by the School of Graduate Studies of any actions taken as the result
of an approved academic petition. The Registrar will post such actions on the
student's academic record.
6.121 College/school decisions on petitions are not final. As the above procedures
clearly indicate, a college's/school's decision on a petition may be questioned
by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. In the event of a lack of concurrence,
the Graduate Council, Student Affairs Committee is empowered to resolve such
differences. Because of the above, it is mandatory that the School of Graduate
Studies, and not the Colleges/Schools, officially inform the students of the
disposition of each petition.
6.122 After being notified of a petition decision, students may appeal the decision
to the Dean, School of Graduate Studies. The Dean will present all appeals to
the Student Affairs Committee of the Graduate Council. Any waiver of a University-wide
or School of Graduate Studies requirement, including admissions requirements,
may be questioned or appealed to the Student Affairs Committee, and the School
of Graduate Studies alone will notify the petitioning student of the final disposition
of that petition. It is particularly important that the University speak with
one voice in cases where administrative and even legal problems may result.
6.123 Written notification of the final decision rendered on the petition is
sent by the School of Graduate Studies to the student within ten days of the
decision.
6.124 The School of Graduate Studies may request that academic programs make
a final decision and notify the students of the decision on petitions requesting
a waiver to a program requirement which is not a School of Graduate Studies policy
or procedure.
6.125 Students wanting to appeal a grade or request a grade change should do
so in accordance with the students' college or school grade appeal process.
6.126 Petitions and /or recommendations requesting the removal from a student's
record of the hours and points received for a course (the course and grade will
remain on the student's record) may be resolved by the college or school petitions
committee and the School of Graduate Studies. If there are unresolved differences
between the Dean, School of Graduate Studies, the program, and the college or
school petitions committee, the petition will be referred to the Student Affairs
Committee of the Graduate Council for a final decision.
6.130 Fresh Start Policy
6.131 This policy allows Wright State University graduate students
a "fresh start" when changing or returning to graduate
programs within the School of Graduate Studies.
6.132 A "fresh start" is defined as beginning a graduate program and
having the graduate academic record amended to reflect no hours attempted and
no graduate grade point average for the new program. A new program, for "fresh
start" purposes, is defined as one, which a student transfers into while
in active status or returns to from inactive status. All courses and grades previously
taken at Wright State University will remain on the student's academic record.
6.133 Course work completed in a previous WSU or other institutions' graduate
programs will not be automatically transferred or applied to the requirements
of the new program. The new graduate program may, however, recommend to the School
of Graduate Studies which courses previously taken are acceptable for transfer
into the new program. In no cases will the transfer credit exceed twelve quarter
hours. All credit recommended for acceptance must meet the transfer credit policy
(Sec.4.70). After the Dean, School of Graduate Studies, approves the transfer
credit, the program advisor should enter the courses on the student's program
of study. Transfer credit grades will not be computed into the student's graduate
grade point average for the new program.
6.134 To be considered for a "fresh start," the student must submit
an application to the Dean, School of Graduate Studies. Application
forms are available in the School of Graduate Studies.
The Dean can approve the application or defer action on it to the
Student Affairs Committee of the Graduate Council, which is the final
appellate body for such decisions. The student and the academic program
are advised by letter of the Dean's or the Student Affairs Committee's
decision. If a favorable decision is rendered, the Registrar is sent
a copy of the approved application and advised to make the appropriate
adjustments to the student's academic record.
6.135 The following conditions and restrictions apply to a "fresh start" graduate
program:
A. A student granted a "fresh start" will be admitted into the new
program as a conditional degree-seeking student.
B. Concentrations of graduate programs do not constitute a new program and, therefore,
do not apply to the "fresh start" policy.
C. The new program must be completed with a minimum of 45 quarter hours of graduate
credit.
D. The seven year rule for completing the program requirements starts with the
quarter that the student first registers for courses required by the new program.
E. Only one "fresh start" will be granted to a graduate student at
Wright State University.
F. Petitions to waiver any of the conditions of the "fresh start" policy
will not be favorably considered by the School of Graduate Studies.
6.136 Fresh Start in a New Graduate Program
Graduate students may be granted a "fresh start" in a new graduate
program if:
A. The students are currently in active status pursuing a graduate program or
inactive status having withdrawn or having been dismissed from a graduate program.
B. The students have applied for admission and have been accepted by a graduate
program different from the one that the students are currently pursuing or had
pursued (an admissions petition may have to be submitted to permit acceptance
into the new graduate program).
6.137 Fresh Start in the Same Graduate Program
A fresh start into the same program may be granted to students who have withdrawn
or were dismissed from a graduate program at Wright State University if:
A. A period of time of no less than five years has lapsed since the student withdrew
or
was dismissed from a WSU graduate program.
B. A student has applied and been accepted into the same graduate program (an
admissions petition may have to be submitted to permit acceptance into the graduate
program).
6.140 Summary of Degree Requirements
The following is a summary of the requirements that graduate students
must complete to earn a master's degree at Wright State University.
A. Have a completed Program of Study on file in the School of Graduate Studies
Office.
B. Completed the program requirements for a master's degree within seven calendar
years.
C. Achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in all courses taken
for graduate credit. (No more than nine hours of "C" may be applied
to the degree requirements.)
D. Register for at least one credit hour during the quarter in which a thesis
is defended.
E. Successfully complete a final comprehensive examination (if required in program).
F. Present one copy of an approved thesis (if required in program) and approval
of the Dean, School of Graduate Studies.
G. Completed a minimum of 45 quarter hours of program required graduate credit.
A minimum of 33 quarter hours of graduate credit must have been completed at
Wright State.
Individual graduate programs have requirements and standards, which must be met
in addition to the general requirements, set forth above. Students should consult
their advisor/program to insure that these requirements have been or are being
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