General information, policies, and procedures for M.A. and Ph.D. students

• Formal track designation
• Requirements and expectations for successful degree completion
• Committees
• Coursework
• General policies

The information in this handbook describes how Graduate School requirements are manifested in Curriculum and Instruction — please refer to the Graduate School Web site (www.grad.umn.edu/) for more detailed information on requirements and procedures.

Formal track or program area designation

As of fall 2002 the M.A. and Ph.D. programs in C&I have nine parallel tracks, or program areas. In the past these functioned as “informal emphasis areas” and were not identified on student transcripts. The new track system allows for the major track to appear on the transcript. For example, a major will read: “Education, Curriculum, and Instruction: literacy education.” The new formal track system also involves the following new policies:

• Most applicants apply directly and are admitted to a specific track in the M.A. or Ph.D. program. However, the few applicants who are admitted to the M.A. or Ph.D. without a specific track designation must identify a track within the first year of the program.

• If a student is admitted under one program area, or track, and decides later to change to another program area, s/he must reapply to the new track in the M.A. or Ph.D. program through the Graduate School and pay the requisite application fee. The same applies for a Ph.D. student who wishes to add a second track after being admitted to just one track (see further information below on pursuing two tracks for the Ph.D. major).

• Students may identify another track or program area within C&I as a related field for the M.A. (requiring a minimum of six credits) or a supporting program for the Ph.D. (requiring a minimum of 12 credits). Neither related field tracks nor supporting program tracks are identified officially on the graduate school degree program or on the transcript. Official minors, which do appear on both the degree program and transcript, must still be pursued outside of C&I and require approval and signatures from the DGS of the program in which the minor is housed.

• Ph.D. students may pursue up to two tracks for the major simultaneously but only when the major coursework on the student’s program reflects both tracks and when the student has co-advisers, each representing one of the designated tracks. Two tracks obviously require more coursework and time for degree completion; very few students in C&I select more than one major track or program area.

Requirements and expectations for successful graduate degree completion

The following are the department’s requirements and expectations for successful completion of M.A. and Ph.D. programs, approved January 2002. The department supports the academic work and progress of all our students, both full-time and part-time. Successful graduate study results from persistent, continuous progress toward the degree. These requirements and stated expectations are intended to help students maintain satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree regardless of their status as full or part-time students.

When degree requirements and expectations are not met by a student, the DGS will call a joint meeting with the student, adviser(s), and DGS to discuss degree progress and establish clear steps and guidelines for the student to get back on track and maintain consistent and satisfactory progress toward degree completion. The DGS will follow up with a letter outlining the steps agreed upon in the meeting and indicating a date by which the student is expected to have demonstrated progress toward accomplishing the steps. Consistent failure on the part of the student to meet requirements and expectations will result in a Graduate Studies committee recommendation to the dean of the Graduate School that the student’s status as a graduate student be terminated.

Requirements:

• To maintain a strong academic standing by successfully completing coursework and meeting or exceeding minimum grade requirements.
  
  The Graduate School requires that at least two thirds of the total number of course credits included on any degree program be taken A-F. A departmental requirement for all graduate students in addition to the GPA requirements stipulated below is that no grade lower than a C will be approved on a student’s program.
  
  M.A. — The Graduate School requires a minimum GPA of 2.80 for courses included on any official master’s degree program. The department expects a minimum GPA of 3.00 for all graduate work. This is considered to be the minimum GPA standard; students commonly maintain a GPA of 3.50 or higher.
  
  Ph.D. — While the Graduate School does not define a minimum GPA for courses included on an official doctoral degree program, the department requires a minimum GPA of 3.00 for all graduate work. This is considered to be the minimum GPA standard; students commonly maintain a GPA of 3.50 or higher.
   

• To maintain active status in the Graduate School. See “Registration requirements.”
   

• To submit an annual progress report. Beginning in 2001-02, all graduate students are required to submit an annual progress report to the graduate studies office by May 1. The form must be discussed with and signed by the adviser. The Annual Progress Report form is available in Word format online or in hard copy in the Graduate Studies office in 125 Peik.
   

• To come to agreement in writing with faculty members on the substance and requirements for all individualized courses (directed study, readings, problems). A proposal for directed study/readings/problems courses form (in Word format) is available online or in hard copy in the graduate studies office in 125 Peik.
   

• To complete the necessary requirements and submit all necessary forms for degree completion within the timelines stipulated in the Graduate School Catalog and the C&I Graduate Student Handbook.

Expectations:

• To maintain a commitment to high quality graduate education and intellectual honesty. This expectation is also stated in the Graduate School’s document titled “Mutual Responsibilities in Graduate Education at the University of Minnesota” (see www.grad.umn.edu/faculty/mutual.html). The Department of Curriculum and Instruction fully supports the principles outlined in this document and encourages students and faculty alike to work together to carry out these mutual responsibilities.
   

• To work closely with the adviser(s) to make sure that all the program area requirements are understood and completed satisfactorily. Checklists for M.A. and Ph.D. degree completion have been developed to assist students in staying on track and meeting all requirements.

Ph.D. students

In addition to the requirements and expectations described above, Ph.D. students have the following requirements and expectations to maintain satisfactory progress toward degree completion. The Ph.D. is not a coursework degree. While coursework is certainly required as part of the degree, the Ph.D. is designed to help you develop as a research scholar by assisting you in initiating a research program that will contribute to the scholarly community. Development as a researcher can occur through research and teaching assistantships, professional collaboration with faculty and other graduate students, and intensive exploration of the field through independent reading and writing beyond that which is required for coursework.

Requirements:

These requirements are in effect for all students admitted fall 2002 and thereafter. Students admitted prior to fall 2002 are also encouraged to meet these requirements.

• Successfully complete required core courses within the first two years of the program.
  
  Recommended sequence: Students should take CI 8133 Research Core in the first year. If possible, CI 8131 Curriculum Core should also be taken in the first year. CI 8132 Teaching Core may be taken in the first or second year of the program.
   

• Complete coursework and schedule preliminary examinations within four years of beginning the program. Most of the Ph.D. students in the program bring M.A. coursework to the Ph.D. program. Such students can easily finish coursework requirements within four years. Students who do not bring M.A. coursework to the Ph.D. program will likely take longer. Those students are encouraged to plan the program with the adviser(s) early in the process in order to use their time as effectively as possible.

Expectations:

Ph.D. students are expected to demonstrate independence as a scholar. To achieve that expectation during the Ph.D. program, it is necessary for students to integrate, synthesize, and communicate concepts effectively both orally and in writing. This is important for coursework, examinations, and independent research. In addition, this expectation is achieved by becoming an active participant in the research community by engaging in public presentation of your work, maintaining membership in professional organizations (e.g., AERA), attending academic conferences, and, when possible, publishing your work.

Committees

Graduate committees

Both the M.A. and Ph.D. degree programs require students to work with a graduate committee consisting of faculty members who hold graduate faculty status in the Graduate School. A Graduate School faculty roster is updated on a regular basis in the Graduate School and can be found at the following Web site: www.grad.umn.edu/roster/step1.asp.

Due to the recent approval of a revised Graduate School constitution, categories of graduate faculty membership will change December 31, 2002. Both the current and new categories are described below.

There are three categories of graduate faculty membership. Faculty holding full membership (FM) may advise both M.A. and Ph.D. students, may serve as thesis readers and examiners on examining committees, and may serve as chairs of doctoral committees. Faculty holding associate membership (AM) may advise students at the master's level and co-advise Ph.D. students with a full member of the graduate faculty in the same field. In addition, they may serve as thesis readers and examiners of examining committees, but not as chairs of doctoral committees. Those holding examining membership (EM) may serve as thesis readers and examiners on examining committees at all levels, but not as chair. M.A. and Ph.D. students should confirm that the proposed committee members from within C&I hold the appropriate graduate faculty status by checking the Graduate School faculty roster for "Education-Curr & Instr". Faculty membership in other departments can also be found by searching the departments listed at the Web site or by entering a faculty member's last name.

New categories of membership beginning Jan. 1, 2003
There are three primary categories of graduate faculty membership. Senior Members (SM) may advise both M.A. and Ph.D. students, may serve as thesis readers and examiners on examining committees, and may serve as chairs of doctoral committees. Member status (M) allows faculty to serve on M.A. and doctoral committees as examining members or thesis readers, but does not permit advising responsibilities. Member/Advising status (M2) includes all responsibilities as M status but also allows faculty to serve as adviser for M.A. students and as a co-adviser for Ph.D. students. In addition, each of the categories allows for an affiliate status, that is Affiliate Senior Member (ASM), Affiliate Member (AM), and Affiliate Member/Advising (AM2). Affiliate membership involves the responsibilities as described above for each of the categories but excludes members from participation in governance in the graduate program.

Requesting a Non-U of M Faculty Member to Serve on the Committee
Although uncommon, it is also possible for a student to request that a faculty member from an institution other than the University of Minnesota serve on his/her committee. In such cases, the student must write a letter to the C&I director of graduate studies to make the request, explaining that no faculty members at the University of Minnesota have the expertise offered by the proposed non-U of M member of the committee. A current curriculum vitae of the proposed non-U of M member should be attached to the letter, and it should also state that it is understood that neither the Graduate School nor the Department of Curriculum and Instruction will provide funds to support the attendance of the proposed non-U of M member at the examinations. This letter must be signed by both the student and his/her adviser(s).

M.A. committees

M.A. students work with one committee of at least three members, which convenes for the final oral examination. Committee members are recommended when the degree program is filed. The committee of at least three examiners is appointed by the dean of the Graduate School upon recommendation of the faculty in the major field at the time the official degree program is approved. This committee consists of two representatives from the major field (that is, the major program area or track within C&I) and one from the minor (outside of C&I) or a related field. Committee members cannot represent more than one field simultaneously. Students who pursue an official minor outside of C&I will name a faculty member outside of C&I as the final member of the committee. Instead of a minor, students may pursue a related field within or outside C&I. Those students who pursue a related field within C&I (that is, courses in another C&I program area which complements the major area) will have another C&I member serve as the third examiner on the committee.

Committee examples

Example A: Student Judy Smith is pursuing an M.A. in C&I with mathematics education as the major. She has elected to pursue an official minor in math. Her committee includes:

Example B: Esteban López is pursuing an M.A. in C&I with science education as the major. He has elected to pursue a related field within C&I: elementary education. His committee includes:

Ph.D. committees

Ph.D. students work with two committees, the Preliminary Examination Committee and the Final Examining Committee. Each committee includes a minimum of four members: three (including the student’s adviser) from the major field [the specific program area(s) within C&I] and one from the minor field (outside C&I) or supporting program (within or outside C&I). Committee members cannot represent more than one field simultaneously. Often members of the preliminary examining committee remain the same for the final examining committee, but this is not required. The preliminary examination committee is recommended to the Graduate School at the time the official degree program is submitted, and the final examining committee is recommended when the thesis proposal is submitted to the Graduate School. The Graduate School approves committees when the program or thesis proposal is approved. If there are questions about committee members, the DGS is notified and communicates with the student and his/her adviser as necessary.

Committee examples

Example A: Student Tania Phillips is pursuing a Ph.D. in C&I with elementary education as the major. She has elected to pursue a supporting program comprised of courses taken in learning technologies (within C&I). Her committee includes:

Example B: Steve Olsen is pursuing a Ph.D. in C&I with second languages and cultures education as the major. He has elected to pursue an official minor in intercultural development education (housed in the Department of Educational Policy and Administration). His committee includes:

Example C: Susan Drier is pursuing a Ph.D. in C&I with a double major in two program areas — literacy education and social studies education. To do so, she must have co-advisers representing each of the program areas. In addition, she is pursuing a supporting program comprised of courses outside of C&I (political science, rhetoric). Her committee includes:

Committee changes

Substitutions on examining committees may be necessitated by such circumstances as a faculty member's temporary absence or leave from the University. The adviser or the DGS must request the Graduate School's approval of such substitutions well in advance of the examination. Substitutions for an oral examination that are necessitated by emergency situations must also be approved in advance. In such cases, the adviser should consult with the Graduate School staff by telephone before the start of the examination.

Coursework

4000-level courses
Both M.A. and Ph.D. students may include University of Minnesota 4000-level courses on their degree program forms, but inclusion of such courses is subject to adviser and DGS approval.

Converting quarter to semester credits
To convert quarter to semester credits multiply the number of quarter credits by .67.

Course approval and class permission numbers
Approval may be required to register for certain C&I courses — you will need to see staff in the C&I office (125 Peik Hall) for these numbers after getting verbal permission from the instructor. Permission numbers for courses in other departments must be obtained from the corresponding department.

Distance learning courses
Courses taken via distance learning must be pre-approved by faculty advisers on a course-by-course basis. Distance learning courses taken prior to official admission into a C&I graduate program may also be considered for transfer to the program. Distance learning courses must reflect the same level of rigor and high standards embedded in graduate level courses offered at the University of Minnesota. Students are responsible for providing faculty advisers with complete information about the courses. In reviewing such courses for inclusion on degree programs, the Graduate Studies Committee reserves the right to request additional information or to deny a course that does not meet the high standards of graduate education in the department.

Minimum grade requirements
See “Requirements and expectations for successful graduate degree completion”

Registration requirements
Effective fall 2002, all Graduate School students are required to register every fall and spring term to maintain their active status. Summer registration will not count in lieu of either of the academic semesters. Students must continue to register every fall and spring term until they complete all degree requirements and graduate. This is a change from the previous policy that required Graduate School registration once per year.

Active status is required for students to be able to register for courses, take exams, submit milestone forms, file for graduation, or otherwise participate in the University community as a Graduate School student. A zero-credit mechanism has been created to facilitate this policy (see information below on Grad 0999).

Students who lose their active status need to reapply for admission, and if admitted, may be held to the requirements in place at the time of readmission. Change of Status/Readmission forms are available in the Graduate School office (309 Johnston; 612-625-8060); graduate program offices; and in PDF format at www.grad.umn.edu/current_students/forms/cos.pdf. Readmitted students will be required to register the term for which they are readmitted and every subsequent fall and spring term until they graduate. Students with questions about the readmission process may contact the Graduate School Admissions office in 309 Johnston or by phone at 612-625-8060.

Zero-credit mechanism — Grad 0999
Grad 0999 is a free, zero-credit, non-graded registration mechanism for Graduate School students who must register solely to meet the Graduate School’s registration requirement. Grad 0999 may be found in the online or hard copy of the course schedule under "Graduate School." Grad 0999 will be helpful to those students who have finished coursework and thesis credits and need to register simply to maintain their active status. It may also be used by students who are not able to register for a course some semester.

All Graduate School students with active student status are eligible to register for Grad 0999. However, registration for Grad 0999 should be used conservatively by students in C&I, that is only when circumstances warrant it. It must not be used as a mechanism for maintaining active status yet making no progress toward degree completion. In C&I the use of Grad 0999 will be evaluated each year at the time that the Annual Progress Report is due. Students who exceed the number of Grad 0999 registrations allowed by their graduate programs may have holds placed on their records by the Graduate School at the request of their DGS.

For more information
Students with questions about how the new registration requirement will impact them may contact the Graduate Student Services and Progress office in 316 Johnston. Master’s students may call 612-625-4019 or e-mail gsmast@umn.edu; doctoral students may call 612-625-0168 or e-mail m-freu@umn.edu. Or, for complete information, students may visit the Web site at www.grad.umn.edu/gsss/registration.html.

Time limits for degree completion

M.A.–All requirements for the master's degree must be completed and the degree awarded within seven years. The seven-year period begins with the earliest coursework included on the official degree program form, including any transfer work.

Ph.D.–Ph.D. students have a five-year time limit to complete the doctoral degree. This time frame is computed from the term following the passing of the preliminary oral examination. While no official timeline is in place for Ph.D. coursework to be completed, the Graduate School discourages courses on the degree program that were taken ten years or more prior to submitting the program. See more information under “Filing the degree program” and “Ph.D. requirements.

Transfer credits

M.A.–M.A. students are required by the Graduate School to complete at least 60 percent of the coursework for their official degree programs as registered University of Minnesota Graduate School students. With the approval of the adviser(s), DGS, and Graduate School, up to 40 percent of the graduate degree program coursework taken at the University of Minnesota and other recognized graduate institutions may be applied to the M.A. degree, provided the credits earned meet criteria expressed in the Graduate School Catalog, www.umn.edu/commpub/gradindex.html.

Ph.D.–Graduate program faculty determine the number of graduate credits accepted for transfer. Graduate coursework taken at the University of Minnesota and other recognized graduate institutions may be applied to the Ph.D. degree, provided the credits earned meet criteria expressed in the Graduate School Catalog, www.catalogs.umn.edu/grad. Students may apply credits taken toward a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree at the University of Minnesota or other recognized institutions to the Ph.D. program provided that they are related to advanced study and professional development. Graduate level credits taken to complete initial teaching licensure will not be counted on Ph.D. programs. See more information under “Coursework.”

Other general policies

Fees
You are responsible for paying all fees by the due dates stipulated on the original fee statements; these are billed through Student Accounts Receivable.

Forms
All department forms and links to Graduate School forms are available on line at education/umn.edu/ci/gradstudies/forms/

Petitions
Petitions are used to make the following requests:

• change coursework on an approved degree program form
• transfer of coursework not listed on an approved program
• request time extension to complete the degree

Petitions may be found online at www.grad.umn.edu/gsss/forms.html.

University and college policies
General policies of the University and college can be found at cehd.umn.edu/catalogs/FAQs/policies.html.

Revised Fall 2002