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Updated 2021-2022 Graduate Catalog

Graduate: Understanding University Courses

Common Course Outlines

Common course outlines are available in the course catalog under each course description.  A common course outline is intended to provide additional course information that may be used to evaluate a course for transfer.

 

Course Levels by Number

5000 Level Courses

Graduate courses offered at the 5000 level may be double numbered with courses at the 3000 or 4000 level. However, all such courses require prior approval through the curriculum process. Courses at the 5000 level concurrently offered with undergraduate courses include additional graduate-level assignments, typically in the form of an advanced paper or project, reading assignments, examinations, and conferences. A differentiated grading system is also required for graduate students in double-numbered courses.

6000 Level Courses

Graduate courses at the 6000 level are available to graduate students only. Undergraduate students may not register or attend 6000-level courses.

All-University Courses

The All-University courses listed below are generally not included in the formal semester or summer term schedules. Registration in such courses requires the approval of the instructor, department/program chair, College Dean, and the Director, School of Graduate Studies.

5910, 6910 DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY
Arranged individual study.

5920, 6920 DIRECTED GROUP STUDY
Arranged group study.

5930, 6930 EXPERIMENTAL COURSE
A course proposed for inclusion in the University curriculum; may not be offered more than two times as an experimental course.

5940, 6940 IN-SERVICE COURSE
An in-service course is for practitioners seeking additional training or expertise in their current vocation or profession. The format typically includes an educational experience in which a University faculty member and a group of students concentrate on working toward the resolution of a specific problem.

5960, 6960 SPECIAL PURPOSE INSTRUCTION
A course intended for specific groups or organizations outside the University community.

5970, 6970 INTERNSHIP
Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only Student internships may be either full-time or part-time in a public or private agency appropriate to the degree objective. Internships consist of closely supervised periods of service that are arranged in advance of the course registration. Students should consult their advisor concerning prerequisites.

5980, 6980 RESEARCH
Research carried out by the student that is based on appropriate methodology and scholarship.

5990, 6990 THESIS
A thesis written by the student that reports extensive original research carried out by the student and demonstrates appropriate methodology and scholarship.

 

Academic Procedures

READMISSION AFTER DISMISSAL

A graduate who is dismissed based on academic performance or academic irregularities may petition for admission following an absence of one calendar year from the date of formal dismissal. The petition (Graduate Petition-Form 6) for readmission requires the approval of the department/program chair, College Dean, and the Director, School of Graduate Studies.

ACADEMIC GRIEVANCES

The grievance procedures for challenging grades and registering complaints about faculty, courses, teaching procedures, and related academic concerns are described fully in the Policies and Procedures section of the Student Handbook. This section also describes administrative procedures for dealing with non-academic complaints such as discrimination and harassment.

WRITTEN STUDENT COMPLAINTS

The University maintains a record of written student complaints filed with the offices of the President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Student Development & Enrollment, and the Vice President for Finance and Administration.

Summary information regarding student complaints to these administrative offices is provided to the Higher Learning Commission (North Central Association), upon their request and in compliance with data privacy policy, as a part of the University's periodic accreditation review.