Graduate Program
Procedural Issues
Exceptions to Full-Time Study
MA students may pursue their studies on a part-time basis but must complete all requirements for the degree within the four-year statute of limitations established by the University.
MA Examination
Students who fail the MA examination and those awarded the MA degree who wish to appeal the committee’s decision that they not enter the PhD program may sit for a re-examination.
A re-examination will be a written exam held within three weeks
of the first exam. Each committee member will submit a question
that can be answered within one hour. The student will choose two
of the three questions and produce written responses within four
hours. The committee will evaluate this second examination and make
the appropriate recommendations to the department, which will make
the final decision concerning the award of the degree and/or admission
into the PhD program.
Students who are awarded the MA degree and recommended for admission to the PhD program but who are rejected by the department for admission to that program may appeal the decision to the department. In this instance all members of the department will read the research paper submitted by the candidate and review the record. The department will hold a second meeting within a month, at which the candidate may appear,present his or her case, and respond to questions. The candidate will not be present when the department makes its final decision in the case, and further appeals must be addressed to bodies outside the department in accordance with University policy.
Departmental Approval
At the earliest opportunity, evaluations of MA examinations must be reported to the department, which will decide on admission into the PhD program. Notices sent to faculty about such meetings should include the names, fields of concentration, and committee members of all students to be discussed at the meeting. The chair of the examining committee shall be present to answer questions on each case, and the student’s entire dossier—the academic record, copies of the paper, and the examiners’ report—shall be made available to interested faculty before the meeting. A quorum is required before a vote can be taken on a student’s case. All department members present have the right to vote. In cases where the vote overturns the committee’s recommendation, the department will call a second meeting.
PhD Written Examination
The committee administering the examination may allow students who fail the examination in one field to retake all or any portion of the examination, in the written or the oral phase of the examination. This re-examination will take place within four months of the initial examination. Judgment of the committee on this re-examination is final and further appeals must be addressed to bodies outside the department within the University.
Grievance Procedures
The department has established a grievance procedure to consider the grievances of graduate students in all situations. It involves the following:
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The first informal procedure is for the aggrieved to discuss the grievance with the instructor, supervisor, or committee chair concerned. If the grievance cannot be resolved, the aggrieved may appeal informally to the graduate director. The graduate director will immediately confer with the student and the faculty member(s) involved. The aggrieved may request the assistance and presence of one of the graduate student representatives at this and at all following steps in the procedure.
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If a satisfactory resolution is not achieved, the individual may file a written statement of grievance with the departmental chair. Upon receiving this grievance, the chair will discuss the grievance with the student and faculty member or members involved in the grievance. If the grievance cannot be resolved, the chair will establish a Grievance Committee composed of one faculty member selected by the aggrieved student, one faculty member selected by the chair, and a third faculty member appointed by the other two members. This committee will consider the grievance and make a written recommendation.
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Individuals who are still seeking redress may next appeal to the departmental meeting, which may take any appropriate action. The aggrieved has the right to appear before the meeting to state the case and to answer questions, but not to be present for the rest of the deliberations. If the grievance is still unresolved, the aggrieved may appeal to the Graduate Review Board.
