.01
Admission
A.
Minimum Standards for Admission
1.
Possession of a bachelor's degree earned at an accredited college or
university.
2.
And, maintenance of at least a 3.0 (on a 4.00 scale) cumulative grade
point average in the undergraduate program, calculated on the last 60
credit hours of course work completed and available at the time of consideration
of application for admission. If the last 60 credit hours include some
hours in a semester, all the credit hours taken that semester must be
evaluated.
3.
And, maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
(on a 4.00 scale) in all relevant graduate work for which a grade has
been awarded.
4.
An applicant for graduate study may be admitted without reference to
the undergraduate average (see paragraph 2 above) provided he or she
(a) has maintained either a 3.3 cumulative grade point average in a
master's degree program completed at an accredited institution; or (b)
has maintained a 3.5 cumulative grade point average in the last 12 credit
hours which are a part of a master's or doctoral degree program still
in progress at such an institution at the time of the evaluation of
the application, or in graduate work taken in nondegree
status at American University and applicable to the degree program for
which he or she is applying. An applicant for graduate study may be
admitted without a bachelor's degree earned at an accredited college
or university and/or without reference to the undergraduate average
provided that he or she is a midcareer person
who has not attended school on a full‑time basis for at least
eight years and is applying for admittance to a professional degree
master's program, when this exception is justified by an evaluation
of the applicant's work performance and his or her organization's recommendation.
A report on those persons admitted under this midcareer
exception will be compiled annually by each teaching unit, and will
be forwarded to the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Note:
Definition of Teaching Unit: For the purpose of this regulation a teaching
unit shall be defined as a school or department within the College of
Arts and Sciences, and, with respect to each of the other colleges and
schools, the college or school in its entirety. Any departments later
established in these colleges and schools which later become recognized
as teaching units shall follow procedures analogous to those established
for the departments or schools of the College of Arts and Sciences in
this regulation.
5.
In the case of applicants to professional terminal master's degree programs,
teaching units may, with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee
and the Provost, establish alternative admission criteria if the undergraduate
degrees are over five years old.
6.
A student admitted to a combined bachelor's/master's program may not
be denied entry into that master's program if he or she meets university
and teaching unit minimum standards for admission to the master's program
involved.
7.
And, satisfaction of any other criteria or requirements which any teaching
unit may establish for admission to its graduate programs. These requirements
will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the university minimums
described above.
8.
In lieu of paragraphs 1 through 7, above, the requirements for admission
to Kogod's business master's degree programs
are: completion of the electronic online application, two letters of
recommendation, an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or
university, an official GMAT score (the GMAT score may be waived for
applicants who are CPAs or who have a graduate degree with satisfactory
grades), an official TOEFL score (for applicants whose native language
is not English or whose degree is not from a school in the United States),
official copies of all higher education transcripts, and a resume. Admission
is based on evaluation of the application, letters of recommendation,
undergraduate and/or graduate grade point average, GMAT and TOEFL scores,
and relevant work experience.
9.
See regulation 10.10.03 for additional standards for admission.
B.
Provisional Standing: Each school or college may admit to provisional
standing a limited number of students who do not fully meet the above
standards. These students will be designated as provisional admittees at the time they are admitted and when they register.
Admission to this category is subject to the following regulations:
1.
The number of students admitted in one year who fail to meet university
minimum standards may not exceed 20 percent of the total number of admissions
to the teaching unit for that year. Students who meet university standards
but fall short of meeting individual teaching unit criteria are not
included in the 20 percent limit.
2.
A provisionally admitted student must demonstrate to the satisfaction
of the college, school, or department by the end of the first full‑time
session of study or the first 9 to 12 credit hours of part‑time
study that he or she has the ability to pursue the degree program with
reasonable promise of success. Previous study in graduate courses at
American University or elsewhere may be used in determining eligibility
for provisional admission, but continuance of the student in the graduate
program will be based on an appraisal of the quality of performance
after the student has been given provisional admission.
3.
The provisional admission status of a graduate student who does not
give satisfactory evidence of capabilities by one of the appropriate
times stated above will be cancelled. Such action constitutes dismissal
and the student will receive formal notification thereof.
Senate
action and Provost approval, November 1998. Effective fall 1998.
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.02
Evaluation of Graduate Students: Grade Point Average
A
minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in a graduate program
is required to maintain good standing at both master's and doctoral
levels. The calculation of the cumulative grade point average is specific
to the program in which a student is enrolled.
A.
Only graduate‑level American University courses that are accepted
by the degree‑conferring teaching unit as fulfilling degree requirements
are included in the cumulative grade point average.
B.
Courses that are part of a completed American University master's degree
are not used in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average
for another master's degree except for credit earned in the first master's
degree that is actually applied to the second. This provision also applies
to cumulative grade point averages for students in dual degree programs.
C.
Courses that are part of a completed American University master's degree
are used in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average for
a doctoral program only if the master's degree is accepted towards fulfilling
the requirements of the doctoral program.
D.
Courses taken in an uncompleted graduate degree program are used in
the calculation of the cumulative grade point average for another program
only when the credits earned in the first program are actually applied
to the second.
E.
Courses taken in nondegree status before admission
to a degree program are calculated in the cumulative grade point average
unless they were taken more than seven years before the semester the
student matriculates, or unless they are specifically excluded by the
student's teaching unit as not applying to the degree program in which
the student is enrolled. Teaching units may not exclude courses specified
in the university catalog as fulfilling requirements of the program
to which the student has been admitted.
F.
Decisions on inclusion in or exclusion from the cumulative grade point
average of credit earned by a student before admission to a particular
degree program must be made by the admitting department at the time
of admission or no later than the end of the first semester of study
in the degree program. The academic unit must then inform the appropriate
dean of which courses taken in prior degree status will be included
in, or which courses taken in nondegree status
will be excluded from, the student's cumulative grade point average.
The dean, if he or she approves the teaching unit's decision, then forwards
notification to the University Registrar and to the student.
G.
The Registrar will note on the student's permanent record those courses
that are excluded from the calculation of the grade point average for
the program in question. Once noted, this determination is not subject
to change.
H.
The calculation of the cumulative grade point average will be made upon
the completion of the first 9 to 12 credit hours of graduate study and
at the end of each semester thereafter. Probationary status for one
semester may be granted to a student who fails to maintain the required
3.00 average, after which the student must achieve and maintain this
average or be dismissed.
Senate
action and Provost approval, November 1998. Effective fall 1998.
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.03
Advancement to Candidacy
Each
teaching unit may at its option require a formal advancement to candidacy
and determine the nature of the advancement procedure it will use.
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.04
Credit‑Hour and Residence Requirements
A.
Master's Degrees
1.
At least 30 credit hours of graduate work are required including:
a.
No fewer than 3 and no more than 6 credit hours of research resulting
in a thesis (the thesis option), or in lieu thereof,
b.
6 credit hours of graduate work completed with grades of B (3.0) or
better, involving a case study, an in‑service project, an original
creative work, specified research courses, or such other effort as the
teaching unit may designate (the nonthesis
option).
Senate
action and Provost approval, May 1995.
2.
At least 24 of these credit hours, including the thesis or nonthesis
option, must be completed in residence at American University. These
may include up to 12 credit hours of graduate‑level courses taken
in nondegree status at the university; or
a maximum of 21 credit hours earned in a completed graduate certificate
program applied, as appropriate, toward fulfilling the requirements
of a graduate degree program. In no case may more than 21 credit hours
of nondegree credit be applied to a graduate degree program.
Senate
action and Provost approval, November 1998. Effective fall 1998.
3.
At least 50 percent of the course work a graduate student takes in residence
toward the master's degree must be in graduate‑level courses that
do not meet jointly with undergraduate‑level courses. For the
purpose of this requirement, “course work” excludes master's thesis
seminars, unless such seminars are courses with regularly scheduled
class meetings.
Senate
action, May 1987. Effective for students admitted or readmitted to a
master's program in fall 1988 or later.
B.
Doctoral Degrees
1.
Doctoral degree programs consist of 72 credit hours of graduate work
which shall include no fewer than 6 and no more than 24 credit hours
of directed study on the dissertation. Students registering for independently
supervised dissertation work shall register on a P/F or A/F basis and
the final grade will be resolved to a P or letter grade when the dissertation
is completed and accepted.
Senate
action, May 1991. Provost approval, June 1991. Effective fall 1991.
2.
At least 42 of these credit hours, including the research requirement,
must be completed in residence at American University. (Course credit
earned towards a master's degree at American University may, if relevant,
be counted towards the Ph.D. degree.)
Senate
action, May 1991. Provost approval, June 1991. Effective fall 1991.
3.
For students admitted with a master's degree earned elsewhere, the requirement
is at least 42 credit hours of additional graduate work, of which 36
credit hours, including the research requirement, must be completed
at American University.
Senate
action and Provost approval, December 1982. Effective fall 1983.
4.
At least 50 percent of the course work a graduate student takes in residence
toward the doctoral degree must be in graduate‑level courses that
do not meet jointly with undergraduate‑level courses. For the
purpose of this requirement, “course work” excludes doctoral dissertation
seminars, unless such seminars are courses with regularly scheduled
class meetings.
Senate
action, May 1987. Effective for students admitted or readmitted to a
doctoral program in fall 1988.
C.
Transfer of Credit from One American University Advanced Degree to Another
1.
A student may transfer 6 credit hours from one master's degree earned
at American University to another master's degree to be completed at
American University, except when the student is pursuing an approved
dual degree program, in which case the limit on credit to be transferred
is governed by the regulations covering dual degrees.
2.
Dual Master’s Degrees Option
In
the case of simultaneous approved registration in two master's
degree programs under a Dual Master’s Degrees Option, additional courses
may be counted toward both degrees under the following conditions:
a.
The student must meet the admission criteria for each of the degrees
and must be admitted separately to each degree program. The student
must be admitted to the second program before completing the first.
Admission to one degree program does not guarantee automatic admission
to a second--each admission decision is separate, and conducted according
to established procedures for the particular degree.
b.
The student must meet all the course and other requirements for each
degree program, including the thesis or non-thesis research option for
each degree.
c.
The student must complete at least 48 credit hours in residence at American
University—at least 24 credits unique to each degree. Departmental requirements
could demand more than 24 credit hours for either or both degrees, as
described in the University Catalog.
Courses used to satisfy requirements for an undergraduate degree may
not also be used to satisfy requirements for a dual master’s degree.
d.
The details of a Dual Master’s Degrees Program must be approved by the
department chair or degree program director and the dean or dean's designee in each of the two degrees. Candidates
for dual master’s degrees must submit a formal petition to the directors
of each master’s program before the conferral date of the first degree.
e.
The student applies for and receives each degree upon completion of
all the requirements for that degree. The degrees may or may not be
completed simultaneously.
Senate
action January 1998; Provost approval February 1998. Effective: spring
1998.
3.
A student pursuing a second doctoral degree at American University may
transfer a total of 36 credit hours from one doctoral degree to the
other. However, the student must complete an additional 36 credit hours
of graduate work in residence in that new doctoral degree program.
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.05
Tools of Research
Teaching
units specify tool of research requirement. Tools should relate to research
in the discipline in which the student is studying. The student's satisfaction
of the tool requirement is certified by the teaching unit, which may
subcontract the job or do it itself.
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.06
Examination Requirements
A.
Master's Degrees
1.
At least one comprehensive examination, the nature and scope of which
is determined by the teaching unit, will be required (except for KSB's
M.B.A. and M.S. degrees).
Senate
action and Provost approval, February 1990.
2.
An oral examination on the thesis may be required by the teaching unit.
B.
Doctoral Degrees
1.
At least four comprehensive examinations will be required, at least
one of which will be an oral examination. At least two comprehensive
examinations must be written and must be taken within one year following
the completion of the residence requirements. A qualifying examination
and/or master's comprehensive examination, if taken at American University,
may be credited at the discretion of the teaching unit toward meeting
the comprehensive requirements for a doctoral degree. Comprehensive
examinations given by other institutions will not be credited toward
satisfaction of degree requirements.
2.
An oral examination on the dissertation is also required.
C.
Re‑examination
1.
Comprehensive examinations: A student who fails a comprehensive examination
may be permitted additional attempts within two years. The nature and
extent of the examination to be retaken and the number of retakes to
be allowed will be determined by the teaching unit.
2.
Thesis and dissertation oral examinations: In the event of failure to
complete the oral examination satisfactorily, the teaching unit may,
at its discretion, permit one retake.
Senate
action and Provost approval, November 1998. Effective fall 1998.
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.07
Students in ABD (All‑But‑Dissertation) Status
Students
who enter a doctoral program without a master's degree may be awarded
the appropriate master's degree from American University in the field
in which their doctoral work was done upon satisfaction of all requirements
for the doctorate (i.e., all required courses, all comprehensive examinations,
all tools of research, and a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate‑level
course work exclusive of the dissertation seminar) except the dissertation.
Students must apply for award of the master's degree in accordance with
the schedule established by the Office of the Registrar, Degree Clearance
Unit. Teaching units must certify that all requirements specified above
have been met.
.08
Statute of Limitations
A.
Master's degree: All work done for the master's degree must be completed
within three years from the date of first enrollment in a graduate degree
program (except for the M.B.A. degree, which must be completed within
four years).
B.
Doctoral degree: All work for the doctorate must be completed within
five years from the date of first enrollment as a doctoral student (seven
years if the student entered a doctoral program directly from a bachelor's
degree).
C.
Extension of candidacy: Prior to the expiration of the time limit specified
above (or to the expiration of extensions approved thereto), the student
may petition for an extension of candidacy. In any event, the totality
of extensions will not exceed a three‑year period beyond the applicable
three‑, five‑, or seven‑year duration of degree programs
cited. A student not having applied under this provision will be considered
as having withdrawn from American University.
D.
Readmission: After expiration of the time limits indicated in A and
B above, a student desiring to resume work toward the advanced degree
may seek readmission once for a period of no more than three years (less
any time granted in prior extensions) in which to complete the work.
In this circumstance, the student must satisfy the requirements in effect
at the time of readmission for the particular degree sought. This may
require the taking of additional courses or other work or both additional
courses and other work. These requirements will be specified by the
teaching unit at the time of readmission.
E.
Effect of Undergraduate Prerequisite: Any degree calling for additional
prerequisite courses has the Statute of Limitations extended in the
proportion that the prerequisite requirements bear to the graduate credit
requirements.
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.09
Graduate Load
The
normal load of full‑time graduate study is 9 to 12 credit hours
per session; however, a particular teaching unit may declare circumstances
under which full‑time involvement in thesis or dissertation research
constitutes a full‑time standing.
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.10
Qualifying Tests and Undergraduate Index
When
the combination of the undergraduate cumulative grade point average
and the score achieved on a generally recognized and nationally administered
qualifying test for a specific subject‑matter field has been found
to be a better predictor of success in graduate study than the grade
point average or the test score alone, a teaching unit, with the concurrence
of the appropriate academic dean, may propose the use of such a combination
in lieu of the standards set forth in the statement appearing in 55.00.01
herein.
A
teaching unit which wishes to use this procedure must develop a plan
which is based on experience at this and other institutions, and it
must establish to the satisfaction of the University Senate the validity
of the combination of grade point averages and test scores it proposes
to use. Such a procedure, if approved in a specific degree program,
must be used instead of and not as an alternative to the undergraduate
cumulative grade point average required in 55.00.01 herein.
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.11
Dismissal
In
the event a student fails to satisfy the requirements for the degree
for which he or she is a candidate, the teaching unit shall recommend
dismissal from the university. A student who is dismissed may not be
readmitted to the university or any of its colleges and schools or permitted
to enroll in nondegree status until a waiting
period equivalent to a full calendar year after the end of the semester
in which the dismissal was effective has passed. In order to be considered
for readmission, a student must show cause or demonstrate the potential
for improved academic performance.
Senate
action and Provost approval, November 1998. Effective fall 1998.
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.12
Graduate Student Petitions
In
cases of exceptions to the graduate minimum standards and other academic
regulations, the teaching unit will review and forward its recommendation
to the University Registrar via the teaching unit head and appropriate
dean or deans, each of whom shall make his or her recommendation. If
upon review, the University Registrar concurs with the dean's recommendation,
the exception will be granted. If upon review the University Registrar
cannot concur with the dean's recommendation, the disputed case will
be referred for resolution to the Provost, whose decision will be final.
Suggested
minimum documentation (as appropriate) to accompany requests for exceptions:
1.
the original request by the student,
2.
a statement of the regulation from which the exception is being requested,
3.
the endorsement of the advisor, the teaching unit chair or dean, or
both chair and dean. (In CAS, requests for exceptions are to be submitted
to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs),
4.
a copy of the student's transcript or other pertinent record or both
transcript and other record,
5.
other statements by faculty or staff which clarify or elaborate upon
the unique circumstances of the requested exception.
Senate
action and Provost approval, November 1998. Effective fall 1998.
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.13
Thesis and Dissertation Committees
A.
Thesis Committee: A thesis advisory committee shall consist of no fewer
than two members, at least one of whom must be a member of the full‑time
faculty. The committee chair must be the holder of an earned doctorate
or of the appropriate terminal professional degree.
B.
Dissertation Committee: A dissertation committee shall consist of no
fewer than three members, at least two of whom must be members of the
full‑time faculty. The committee chair must be a holder of an
earned doctorate.
C.
Committee appointment and approval: Thesis and dissertation committee
members are appointed by the dean of the appropriate school or college
upon the recommendation of the teaching unit chair/dean. Appointment
is effected by approval of the Graduate Academic Action Form accompanying
the thesis or dissertation proposal and listing proposed committee members.
D.
Changes in committee membership: In the event a change in a thesis or
dissertation committee becomes necessary, such changes will be effected
through submission and approval of an appropriately executed Graduate
Academic Action Form.
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.14
Thesis and Dissertation Progress
It
is the collective responsibility of the student, the student's advisor,
and the student's committee to ensure that satisfactory progress is
being made toward completion of the thesis or dissertation. At least
once each semester of the academic year, the student may request that
the committee meet with him or her to discuss progress. Following such
a meeting the committee chair will provide for the student appropriate
comments. (Committee membership is on file in the office of the appropriate
academic dean.)
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.15
Faculty Responsible for Graduate Education
A.
Instruction: Instruction in 500‑, 600‑, and 700‑level
courses shall be limited to persons with professorial rank.
B.
Examination and Research Supervision:
1.
Master's level: Preparation and marking of master's‑level comprehensive
examinations and supervision of master's thesis and research shall be
limited to persons with professorial rank.
2.
Doctoral level: Preparation and marking of doctoral comprehensive examinations
and the supervision of doctoral dissertations and research shall be
limited to holders of an earned doctorate or full professors.
C.
Exceptions: Exceptions to A and B above may be made for persons with
equivalent professional and scholarly distinction provided that the
head of the teaching unit, if any, the dean of the school or college,
and the Provost all concur.
D.
Exclusions: Persons engaged in graduate study at American University
may not teach graduate-level courses, write or evaluate comprehensive
examinations, or serve on graduate thesis or dissertation committees
in the teaching unit in which they are pursuing a graduate degree.
Senate
action and Provost approval, November 1998. Effective fall 1998.
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.16
Change in Field of Study
A
graduate student who wishes to change his or her field of study or school
affiliation may request an approval of the change on the appropriate
form available in the Office of the University Registrar. A graduate
student who wishes to change colleges must apply through the Admissions
Office. The affected teaching unit may request copies of the student's
record from the Office of the University Registrar.
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.17 Leaves of Absence/Maintaining Matriculation
Once
enrolled in a degree program, a graduate student is expected to make
progress toward his or her degree objective by maintaining continuous
enrollment at American University. Normally a student maintains continuous
enrollment by registering for at least one semester hour of credit each
fall and spring semester until the degree objective is reached.
A.
During a semester when a student is not pursuing credit course work
but is continuing to utilize the services of the university (i.e., to
prepare for comprehensive examinations or to complete major research
for the thesis or dissertation), the student maintains enrolled status
by registering for maintaining matriculation. Teaching units may establish
specific requirements as to when and for how many semesters students
may be in maintaining matriculation status.
B.
If a student is unable to pursue course work or to work with faculty
for a fall or spring semester, the dean of the student's teaching unit
may authorize a leave of absence for one or two semesters, during which
the student's enrollment status in the degree program would be maintained.
During a leave the student is not entitled to use the services of the
university. Time limitations for completing graduate degrees, as specified
in 55.00.08.A and .B, continue to apply during periods when students
are on leaves of absence. Students may petition for extension of candidacy
under the provisions of 55.00.08.C at the time they apply for a leave
or at a later time. Procedures for granting leaves of absence will be
established within each school or college.
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.18
Graduate Readmission
Students
who fail to maintain continuous enrollment by registering for credit,
registering for maintaining matriculation, or by obtaining an approved
leave of absence for a major semester will be considered to have withdrawn
from the university and will be required to apply for readmission if
they wish to resume degree study. Students who are readmitted are subject
to any new degree requirements that may have been instituted since their
last matriculation.
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