General Graduate School Regulations
Graduate students are subject to the usual procedures and regulations of the University, except as these procedures and regulations apply to undergraduate students only. Immediately upon enrollment, a student should become acquainted with the degree requirements and the regulations of the Graduate School published in this catalog. Each adviser and student should have a current copy of the graduate catalog.
Procedures to Follow in Pursuing a Degree
The information presented below is not intended as a step-by-step outline of all procedures to be followed while pursuing a graduate degree. Rather, it is an explanation of primary factors encountered during the process.
The Major Advisor
A student, with the aid and approval of the department chair or program coordinator, must select a major adviser. This adviser must be a member of the program faculty offering the degree and meet the requirements for advisory committee membership described below. In departments or programs with large faculties, new graduate students may be assigned a temporary adviser. This adviser recommends and approves courses to be taken during the student's first semester. The course work selected should be of a fundamental or core nature so the advisory committee will have maximum flexibility to formulate the remainder of the student's program of study.
The Advisory Committee
The advisory committee approves the student's graduate degree curriculum, supervises the graduate program, administers the final oral examination and initiates the recommendation for the awarding of the degree. Additionally, the advisory committee may administer qualifying or preliminary and/or final comprehensive examinations. One member of the committee is designated as chairperson or major adviser and normally directs the student's dissertation or thesis, if required. This committee is selected by the student and approved by the department chair or program coordinator.
A minimum of three faculty members shall be selected for a student seeking a master's or specialist's degree, and a minimum of four faculty members shall be selected for a student seeking a doctoral degree. The majority of the advisory committee, including the major adviser, must be comprised of Clemson University faculty from the program offering the particular degree and who hold full-time tenure-track positions. If a minor is declared, this area must be represented on the committee. Committee members of interdepartmental programs shall be appointed according to bylaws, formulated by the program faculty and endorsed by the Graduate School, that assure appropriate representation of the participating departments.
Part-time visiting and other nontenure-track faculty employed by Clemson University may serve on the committee. Persons not employed by the University may serve if they have been appointed to an adjunct faculty status. Part-time, visiting adjunct and other nontenure-track faculty will have full voting status on the outcomes of all examinations given by the committee.
The student, department and committee members are notified of the appointments by means of the approved form GS2 (Graduate Degree Curriculum or Plan of Study).
Filing of a Graduate Degree Curriculum
A graduate degree curriculum (form GS2) must be filed with the Graduate School by those students who are in degree programs. Since fixed curricula normally do not exist for graduate degrees, this planned program represents the formulation of an individual student's curriculum as recommended by the advisory committee. It must adhere to departmental as well as Graduate School policies. This program constitutes the core of the student's Graduate Degree Curriculum (form GS2) and appears on the form at the location entitled REQUIRED COURSES (GRADUATE LEVEL ONLY). Undergraduate deficiencies are listed at the designated location. Supplemental courses, carrying undergraduate or graduate credit and chosen to broaden the student's academic experience, are not required on form GS2. However, if a listing is desirable, such courses will be listed as departmental requirements at the designated location. Graduate credit is received only for courses numbered 600 or above; no student shall receive both undergraduate and graduate credit for the same course. The Graduate School discourages inclusion of 600-level courses in the minimum hours required for graduate degrees if these courses are clearly equivalents of undergraduate courses required for an undergraduate degree in the same major at Clemson University. Transfer credit appearing in the curriculum must adhere to the stipulation described under "Acceptance of Transfer Credit."
Before a curriculum is approved, it must be reviewed and signed by the advisory committee. It is then submitted to the department chair(s) and college dean(s) for approval and is forwarded to the Graduate School for approval and appropriate distribution of copies.
If it becomes necessary to change the graduate degree curriculum, a revised form GS2 must be filed. This new form requires all necessary signatures.
Candidates for master's or specialist's degrees should submit the curriculum by the middle of their second semester,* and doctoral candidates no later than the beginning of their second year* of study. A $25** late fee is assessed a student whose GS2 is submitted after the deadline date, and increases at the rate of $5** per day thereafter (excluding Saturday, Sunday or University holidays).
Admission to Candidacy for a PhD Degree
Admission to the Graduate School does not qualify a student as a candidate for an advanced degree. Candidacy is granted when the examining committee submits form GS5 indicating the successful completion of the comprehensive examination.
All students desiring admission to candidacy must have received full status admission to the Graduate School, have a satisfactory academic standing and have on file an approved graduate degree curriculum (form GS2).
Application for a Diploma
A formal application for a diploma is placed by the student when the form GS4 is filed. This order is submitted to the Graduate School and must be resubmitted should the student not graduate on the anticipated date. A $25** late fee is assessed a student whose form GS4 is submitted after the deadline dates and increases at the rate of $5** per day thereafter (excluding Saturday, Sunday or University holidays).
Awarding of Graduate Degrees Posthumously
A graduate student with a grade point ratio of 3.0 or above and plan of study (form GS2) on file, who qualifies for graduation at the end of the semester or summer session and dies during that period or the subsequent semester or summer session, may be awarded the graduate degree posthumously provided the faculty of the college so recommends.
Academic Regulations
Permanent Academic Records
The student's permanent academic record is a historical record of the student's academic progress. It is maintained in the Registrar's Office and contains personal identifying information, grades and credits. Where appropriate, statements of a corrective nature, withdrawals, suspension for failure to meet academic standards, suspension for disciplinary reasons and graduation data are added.
Academic Standards (Grading)
Most graduate courses are graded on an A-B-C-F scale. Thesis and dissertation research and several other graduate courses are graded on a pass/fail basis. Courses graded pass/fail are not included in the academic average; however, the grade is placed on the student's permanent record. Only credit hours for which a grade of pass is achieved apply toward the number of credit hours required for the degree. The accumulation of grades of pass in thesis or dissertation research does not imply completion of the research, but indicates satisfactory progress only.
A minimum grade of C must be made on all course work to obtain graduate credit. The graduate student must maintain a cumulative B average in all graduate-level courses (600-level or above). In addition, graduate students must maintain an overall cumulative B average in all courses (undergraduate/graduate) since admission to the Graduate School excluding those taken on a pass/fail basis. Students who fail to meet these requirements become ineligible for graduation and are placed on academic probation. The probationary status will remain in effect until nine additional semester hours of graduate credit have been attempted. Students who fail to remove the probationary status as prescribed are subject to academic dismissal and will not be permitted to continue in the Graduate School without the recommendation of the program coordinator and written approval of the Graduate School. Withdrawal from a course while on probation will not be allowed unless prior approval is obtained from the Graduate School. Any unauthorized withdrawal will be considered as an unsatisfactory academic performance.
The cumulative B average requirements described above apply independently to graduate degrees sought at Clemson University; that is, the grade point ratio computation begins anew after the student has completed the first degree. However, when a doctoral degree is pursued after completion of a master's degree in the same major, the grade point ratio computation continues for both degrees.
A grade lower than the specified minimum can be raised to count toward an advanced degree only by repetition of the course. Reexamination is not permitted.
Appeal of Dismissal
A graduate student can be dropped from the Graduate School at any time for failure to maintain an adequate academic status. A student may appeal if he/she believes that the dismissal was unfair or improper. Notice of intention to appeal must be filed in writing with the Graduate School no later than three days prior to the first day of classes of the next regularly scheduled term, including summer sessions.
First Day Class Attendance
All students are required to attend the first scheduled day of classes and labs. Students who cannot attend the first class are responsible for contacting the instructor to indicate their intent to remain in that class. If a student does not attend the first class meeting or the last day to add, whichever comes first, the instructor has the option of dropping the student from the roll.
Class Syllabus
A syllabus will be prepared for every graduate class and made available to students at as early a class meeting as practicable but no later than the last class period before the last day for a student to add a class. It should give the course expectations, including topical outline of the course, grading policies and attendance policies.
Final Examinations in Graduate Courses
Graduate course work specifications vary widely among disciplines. Evaluation of graduate work is based upon a number of observations, presentations, tests, papers and/or other measures. The final evaluation includes an examination at the conclusion of the course, which in most cases will be written, but may take on other forms.
Incomplete Graduate Course Work
Except for courses numbered 891 and 991, the grade of incomplete (I) may be given for incomplete work for any graduate course in which work remains unfinished and the student is unable to fulfill all requirements because of circumstances beyond his or her control. This grade is not given in lieu of unsatisfactory or failing grades received for completed courses for the purpose of improving the grade later.
It is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor regarding the work required to complete the course. Upon request by the student, the instructor shall provide a written statement of the work to be completed.
The grade of I will be valid in normal lecture or laboratory courses for only 30 days after the beginning of the next scheduled session, excluding summers and irrespective of the student's enrollment status. Within this period, the student must complete his or her work or obtain an extension, approved by the instructor and chair of the department responsible for the course, stating the reason for the request and the length of time needed. Normally, only one request for an extension for each grade of I will be granted.
Students receiving a grade of I in courses such as special problems or other unstructured, independent study courses as designated by the Graduate School must complete all work and receive a final grade within one calendar year. At the discretion of the instructor, the deadline for removal of these incomplete grades may be less than one year.
A graduate student will not be permitted to repeat any portion or reregister for any course for which the grade of I has been given. Should any work remain incomplete at the expiration of the appropriate deadlines described in the previous paragraphs, a grade of F will be recorded on the student's permanent record. Although the Graduate School will attempt to bring the deadlines to the attention of the student and instructor, it is the sole responsibility of the graduate student to comply with these regulations.
Students who receive a grade of I while enrolled in the Graduate School at Clemson University remain ineligible for graduation until the incomplete work has been made up and a letter grade submitted to the Office of Admissions and Registration.
Grades of I will have a 10-working-day period after the deadline for the instructor to grade the work and submit the make-up grade card to the Registrar's Office. Work submitted by the student after the printed deadline should not be accepted by the instructor unless an extension has been approved. Requests for extensions, like the make-up work, should be submitted by the deadline printed on the make-up card. Grades of I that remain after the 10-working-day period will be converted automatically to an F.
Withdrawal from Courses
The academic calendar provides official dates for withdrawing from a class without record or without final grades. Withdrawal from graduate course work beyond the first few weeks of class is strongly discouraged, particularly from those courses listed on a student's form GS2. Withdrawals after the first two weeks of class should only be made for unusual academic reasons or for pressing medical or personal reasons. Students who officially withdraw within the first four weeks of classes will have no grades recorded, while those who officially withdraw after the first four weeks and prior to the last five weeks will have a grade of W (withdrew) entered on the official records. Students may not withdraw within the last five weeks of classes.
A graduate student may withdraw from a class using the computer/phone registration on-line system. The graduate student is encouraged to discuss withdrawals from courses with his/her major adviser. International graduate students should discuss course withdrawals with a counselor in the International Services and Diversity Programs office of the Graduate School. It is important that an international student not fall below the required credit hours. If the adviser does not agree with the course withdrawal, the student may appeal to the department chair. A refusal by the department chair may be appealed to the dean of the Graduate School. The date on which the graduate student withdraws on-line is the official date of withdrawal recorded by the registrar.
The withdrawal dates described above apply to the regular semesters only. Reference should be made to the academic calendar for the appropriate dates for the summer sessions.
NOTE: Failure to attend classes or verbal notification to instructors does not constitute withdrawal. Students who drop out of a course without officially withdrawing as previously described will be credited with a failure. The student may use the electronic registration system to withdraw from courses.
Exceptions to this policy are rarely granted and must be approved by the graduate committee chair, department chair and the graduate dean.
Continuous Enrollment
Although continuous enrollment is not a formal requirement for an advanced degree, graduate students are expected to pursue their degrees with a minimum of interruption. Students who do not remain continuously enrolled (summers excluded) are subject to the requirements in effect at the time of return.
Only students who are enrolled are eligible to use University facilities and human resources and/or receive any form of financial aid. Students who have completed all required work and who find it necessary to be enrolled during a given semester so as to use facilities or human resources may enroll in GS 799 for a minimum of one credit.
Enrollment Limits
Upper limits on graduate student enrollment per semester refer to graduate and undergraduate credits combined and should be attempted only by the most qualified students.
Should the six-week and three-week sessions run concurrently, the total credits are not permitted to exceed the upper limit for the six-week session.
Quarter-time, half-time and three-quarter-time graduate assistants are defined as those who contribute an average of 10, 20 and 30 clock hours per week, respectively, of service to the University for the entire semester. A person employed full time is defined as anyone employed five full working days per week regardless of the employer(s). A graduate student who becomes employed full time while the assistantship is in force must notify the Graduate School and the department providing the assistantship. Graduate students paid solely on an hourly basis are not classified as graduate assistants but are subject to the same limitation in credit loads previously described.
| Student Category | Maximum Credit Hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester | 6-Week Session | 3-Week Session | |
| Full-time Students | 18 | 6 | 3 |
| Graduate Assistants (1/4 Time) | 15 | 5 | 3 |
| Graduate Assistants (1/2 Time) | 12 | 4 | 2 |
| Graduate Assistants (3/4 Time) | 12 | 3 | 1 |
| Persons Employed Full Time | 9 | 3 | 1 |
Enrollment on a Pass/Fail Basis
The only graduate courses that may be taken on a pass/fail basis are thesis and dissertation research and a small number of unstructured courses in which the pass/fail grading system appears directly in the course description.
Graduate students shall not enroll on a pass/fail basis or audit any course required by the department or program. All other courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis or audit.
This decision must be made by the last day to add a class and is implemented by the student's major adviser or department chair forwarding a request to the Graduate School.
Auditing by Graduate Students
Permission for a student to audit a particular graduate course is at the discretion of the chair of the department, the coordinator of the program offering the course or the instructor. The principal factors involved in granting permission are that the auditor must possess the necessary academic background and space must be available.
Audited courses do not carry credit, and the fact that a course has been audited is not noted on the graduate student's official record. Graduate auditors are not required to stand tests or examinations. However, the instructor, at his or her own discretion, may demand or deny the auditor's participation in class to whatever extent deemed desirable.
A graduate student may not satisfy by audit a stated prerequisite for a graduate course. Additionally, a graduate student may not establish credit through examination in any course for which he/she was previously registered as an auditor.
Acceptance of Transfer Credit
The number of credit hours that may be transferred from an accredited institution shall be no greater than one-third (1/3) of the graded course work required for a master's degree. No more than 12 semester credit hours earned in a non-degree status at Clemson University can be applied to a degree program. For the doctoral degree, as many as 48 semester credit hours of work may be transferred.
In all cases, the use of transfer credits must be recommended by the student's advisory committee and approved by the department. Under no circumstances will transfer credit be awarded for research, internship or courses graded P/F, or for courses in which a grade lower than B, or its equivalent, has been received. Grades earned for courses taken at institutions other than Clemson University will not be included in the student's academic average.
Credits may be transferred for work completed at off-campus centers of accredited institutions provided such courses are acceptable, without reservation, in degree programs at those institutions. No credit will be given for continuing education units, correspondence, extension or in-service courses, or for concentrated courses and workshops that award credits at a rate exceeding one credit per week. All transfer credits must be verified by an official transcript from the institution at which the work was completed. Course work completed outside the six-year time limit may not be transferred to Clemson University or validated for graduate credit . Valid transfer credits will appear on the student's transcript as credits earned.
It is the student's responsibility to request a transcript of transfer credits to be sent directly to the Graduate School. The degree will not be conferred at the close of the term during which the student has been registered elsewhere for the purpose of transferring credits.
Independence of Graduate Degrees
If a student simultaneously pursues two master's degrees, one-sixth (1/6) of the total graded course work may be used toward both degrees. The Graduate Degree Curriculum (form GS2) must clearly denote that the student is working toward two degrees and identify the courses that are being applied to both programs. Committee members, department chair and dean of both graduate programs must approve the two GS2 forms.
A graduate student who has completed the requirements for a graduate degree cannot use credits toward a second degree. Thus, the degrees are independent, implying that the formal curriculum for the degree at Clemson University can contain no credits used for an earlier degree.
Courses are offered leading to the research degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. In addition, courses are offered leading to the professional degrees of Doctor of Education, Specialist Education, Master of Agriculture, Master of Architecture, Master of Business Administration, Master of City and Regional Planning, Master of Construction Science and Management, Master of Education, Master of Engineering, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Forest Resources, Master of Health Administration, Master of Human Resource Development, Master of Career and Technology Education, Master of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Master of Professional Accountancy and Master of Public Administration.
* An academic semester is defined as a minimum of nine credit hours of course work not graded pass/fail. An academic year is defined as the total of two academic semesters.
