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ACADEMIC
REGULATIONS
GRADUATE
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The aim of graduate academic work at Texas A&M
International University is to provide an opportunity for further
study in chosen fields. Such study should lead to greater breadth,
but especially to greater depth of knowledge in the field selected.
Emphasis is placed on (1) how to find knowledge, (2) how to evaluate
it, (3) how to organize it, and (4) how to apply it. |
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GRADUATE
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: |
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A
person who has earned a baccalaureate degree and is earning university
credit hours is considered a graduate student. Admission to graduate
studies is a two-part process. The prospective student must apply
to the University and to the College which houses the requested
graduate program. |
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To
be admitted to the University as a Graduate Student, an applicant
must submit the following information to the Office of Admissions:
(For additional requirements see Academic Regulations for Graduates
on pages 17, 196, 211, 227, 244.) |
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1 Application
for Graduate Admission. |
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2 Official
college/university transcript(s) sent directly from each
institution attended. Degree must be posted
on transcript. The degree must be from a college or university
of recognized standing with degrees from institutions outside the US evaluated for equivalence
to US degrees. |
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3 The
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions
Test |
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(GMAT)
scores are required only if pursuing a degree with the exception
of COE that requires |
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GRE
scores for all graduate work. Official test scores must be sent directly
from Educational |
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Testing
Service (ETS). No admission decision will be made prior to the receipt
of an |
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official
GRE or GMAT score. |
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The
College of Arts and Sciences requires the GRE from
all applicants, except for Spanish majors who are required
to take a departmentally administered examination. |
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The
College of Business Administration requires the GRE or
GMAT from all applicants. Students pursuing the MBA taught in
Spanish may choose to take the Examen de Admisión.
No admission decision will be made prior to the receipt of an
official GMAT, GRE, or Examen de Admisión scores. |
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The
College of Education requires the GRE from all applicants
pursuing
a degree. |
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The
Canseco School of Nursing requires the GRE from all applicants. |
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4 Application
for Admission to the College in which degree program is offered.
In addition to |
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being admitted at the University level, students must be admitted
to the College of Arts and |
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Sciences,
Business Administration, Education, or Canseco School of Nursing.
Contact
the |
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Dean's/Director's
Office in the College or School for additional information. |
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5 The
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of
all students having |
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academic
studies from a country where English is not the native language. A
minimum TOEFL |
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score
of 213 (Computer-based) or 550 (Paper-based) is required. This score
must be sent |
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directly
from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and dated within two (2)
years of |
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enrollment. |
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Note:
International students must also complete requirements listed
under International
Student Admission.
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Admission
to graduate programs is through departmental admission committees.
The student’s entire record will be considered including
the completed application for admission, undergraduate overall
GPA, upper level GPA, GPA in the discipline, a Statement of Purpose,
letters of recommendation, GRE or GMAT scores (evaluated in compliance
with HB 1641), and professional and/or academic experience. |
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Individual
departments may require other indicators of potential for success.
Applicants should check the specific program admission requirements.
Contact the Dean's/Director's Office in the College or School for
additional information. |
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The College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) reviews applicants
prior to the beginning of each long semester; May for Fall applicants
and November for Spring applicants. All COAS master program
applicants must submit satisfactory GRE scores to be admitted. Spanish majors
must pass a departmentally administered examination in lieu of the
GRE. |
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The
College of Business Administration (COBA) Graduate Admissions
Committee will make admission recommendations based upon review of
the applicant's portfolio, which must include, at a minimum, the applicant's
upper level grade point average, standardized test scores (e.g., GMAT/GRE/Examen
de Admisión), statement of purpose, résumé,
and two letters of recommendation. Students admitted with conditions
must satisfactorily complete those conditions to remain in graduate
school. |
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The College of Education (COE) reviews applicants for
admission to its graduate programs prior to the beginning of each
semester: November 30th, April 30th, and July 30th. Applicants are
reviewed on the basis of their completed application for graduate
school, academic record as reflected on transcripts, GRE scores,
letters of recommendation, interviews, and other relevant documentation.
The College may grant conditional admission for a maximum of six
graduate hours to students who have not met the GRE requirement and
who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Conditional
status must be removed at the end of the six semester credit hours
and before any other coursework can be taken. |
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The Canseco School of Nursing reviews applicants in
June prior to the beginning of graduate coursework in Fall. All MSN
program aplicants must apply directly to the School of Nursing. |
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GRADUATE
STUDY FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS |
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A senior student in the last semester or summer session
of undergraduate work may complete a normal load with graduate work
provided that the student has a cumulative grade point average in
upper-division work of 3.0 or better and that written approval is
obtained from the Dean of the College in which the work is offered.
Undergraduates cannot count their work in graduate courses toward
the bachelor's degree. Such work will be reserved for credit toward
a graduate degree when the student is fully admitted. |
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GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE DEGREES: |
- Character of Graduate Work: The principal aim of graduate
study is to develop in the student the power of independent work.
Consequently, the character of work expected of graduate students
is different from that of less-advanced students. A wide knowledge
of the major subject and related subjects will be expected. To
this end, the student will do assigned readings, attend lectures,
and conferences, and make use of the library in equipping himself/herself
to do effec- tive study. In the College of Business Administration,
written and oral communi-cations are important components of
each course.
- Hours Required: Thirty to forty-eight hours of approved graduate
courses depending on the degree. No more than six (6) hours of
4000 level coursework may be used to satisfy degree requirements.
- Residence:
All coursework must be taken at this University. See #4
below.
- Transfer of Graduate-level Study: Six hours of graduate level
study with a mini- mum grade of 3.0 (“B”) on a 4.0
scale may be transferred, with the consent of the Department
Chair, from other accredited institutions of higher education.
- Grades Required: A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (“B”)
on a 4.0 point scale computed on all graduate work attempted
must be maintained as well as in the major and in the minor.
No more than six (6) semester credit hours with a letter grade
of “C” earned at this university will be accepted
as credit for a master’s degree. Exception: No grade below
3.0 (“B”) will be accepted for the MA in Counseling
Psychology.
- Correspondence Work: In no case will courses taken by correspondence
be accepted for graduate credit.
- Graduation Under a Particular Catalog: A degree seeking student
may receive his/her master’s degree upon satisfying the
requirements of the catalog under which he/she first earned resident
credit for graduate work, or upon satisfying the requirements
of the catalog of any subsequent year in which he/she earned
credit as a resident student in the University. All requirements
for a master’s degree must be completed within a period
of five years or within the time specified for the particular
program. No credit more than five/six years old, counting from
the catalog year in effect at registration, will be recognized
as graduate credit applicable toward a graduate degree. Students
whose coursework has expired may repeat the expired course(s)
or request an appropriate substitute.
- Conferring of Degrees: No degree will be conferred except publicly
and on Commencement Day of the spring, summer or fall semesters.
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ENROLLMENT
- GENERAL INFORMATION |
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Semester
Credit Hours |
The semester hour is the unit of credit and is defined
as the amount of credit given for one recitation hour a week for
one semester. Each recitation hour requires two hours of preparation
on the part of the average student. In general, three hours of carefully
planned and supervised laboratory work are equivalent to one hour
of lecture or recitation. |
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Normal
Load: The normal load for a graduate student for a long semester
is nine (9) semester credit hours. The normal load for summer
school is six (6) semester credit hours per session. |
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For a graduate student employment in a full -time public
school teaching position, the University recommends a load of six
(6) hours each long semester. Please Note: a graduate student carrying
a load of six (6) hours in a long semester will be considered part-time,
as per the definition below. |
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Full-Time: A full-time graduate student is defined as one carrying
a minimum load of nine (9) semester credit hours. A graduate student
registered for less than nine (9) semester credit hours is considered
a part-time student. Full-time during each summer session is a
graduate student carrying six (6) semester credit hours.
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Maximum
Number of Hours: The maximum load for a full-time graduate student
is twelve (12) semester credit hours per semester and six (6) semester
credit hours each summer term. Any semester credit hour load in
excess of the maximum load must be approved by the Dean of the
appropriate College . |
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A graduate student may enroll for up to nine (9) semester
hours in one summer session only if he/she meets both of the following
criteria: |
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needs the nine semester hours to complete graduation
and/or certification requirements in August; and |
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has
at least a 3.5/4.0 grade point average based on all valid
graduate work taken up to the present time. Total semester
hours earned in the summer may not exceed fifteen (15) SCH. |
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COURSE
INFORMATION |
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The term “course” shall be understood to
mean a definite unit of work in a subject and may continue through
two semesters. Credit allowed for each course is written out in full
immediately following the title of the course. Example: HIST
5305 Civil War and Reconstruction. Three semester hours. |
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Graduate Courses: Courses numbered 5000 or above are
open only to students with graduate standing. Some courses at the
4000-level carry graduate as well as undergraduate credit (not available
in the College of Business Administration). These courses are identified
in the course description section for each College. |
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Repetition of a Course: If a student repeats a course
that may not be taken for additional credit, it is the policy of
the University to count only the last grade received in the course,
whether passing or failing, other than a grade of “W” (see
Grades below). |
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GRADING
POLICIES |
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Grades are recorded from “A” to “D/F”, inclusive,
and are mailed to each student at the end of each semester. Numerical
values corresponding to these letters are as follows: |
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A |
90-100,
excellent |
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B |
80-89,
good |
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C |
70-79,
average* |
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D/F |
Below
70, failure |
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S/CR |
Satisfactory
(credit) |
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U/NC |
Unsatisfactory
(no credit) |
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IP |
In
Progress |
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W |
Dropped
or withdrawn |
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I |
Incomplete |
*No more than two courses with the grade of “C” will
be accepted as credit for any master’s degree. Exception: No
grades below “B” will be accepted for the Master of Arts
in Counseling Psychology degree and in the Major Curriculum (required)
Courses in Sociology. |
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CR/NC, Credit/No Credit: Courses taken in residence
on credit/no credit basis are not computed in the grade point average.
Special projects designed to provide staff development for teachers
and which carry academic credit will be taken on the credit/no credit
basis. Grades assigned will be “CR” for satisfactory
completion of the objectives and “NC” for unsatisfactory
completion of the objectives, and these grades may not be used to
satisfy degree requirements. |
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S/U, Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory: This grading
criteria applies only to courses in the College of Business Administration.
This grade can be given for only predesignated courses and may be
used to satisfy degree requirements (e.g., business internships). For
undergraduate students, a grade of “S” indicates achievement
of 70 percent or greater for the course requirements; for graduate
students, a grade of “S” indicates achievement of 80
percent or greater for the course requirements. |
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IP, In Progress: Given to a student in a thesis course
who is passing but has not completed all required work. Student must
re-enroll in thesis. |
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W, Dropped/Withdrawn: Given when a student has officially
dropped or withdrawn from the University by the deadline in the official
University calendar, regardless of student’s standing in class. |
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I, Incomplete: Given to a student who is passing but
has not completed a term paper, examination, or other required work.
Students electing to complete unfinished work in the course must
sign an incomplete contract along with the instructor specifying
assignments to be completed and the due date. Failure to sign contract,
and have on file in the Registrar’s Office, will result in
the “I” being converted to an “F” through
an administrative action of the Registrar. |
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For
the student, the grade of “I” may be removed
under certain conditions: |
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i f
the student elects to complete the course, they may, within
the time speci- fied by the instructor, but not exceeding
twelve months from the date the “I” was recorded,
complete the work in the course and request that the instructor
submit a change of grade form to the University Registrar.
Extensions of time in cases of merit may be granted by the
Dean of the appropriate College. |
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if
the student elects not to complete the course and the signed
contract within a period of twelve months, the I
will be converted to a grade of F through an administrative
action of the Registrar. |
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a
student may not register for a course for which he/she has a
current grade of I. |
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Change
of Grade: After being reported to the Office of the University
Registrar, grades other than I may not be changed unless
a computation error has been made by the instructor. |
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Grade
Points: A students grade average on university work
is expressed in grade points. Each semester hour of A
counts four points, B three points, C two
points, D one point, and F zero points. Thus
a B average, which is the minimum overall average for
any masters degree, is expressed as a 3.0 grade point average. |
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ACADEMIC
RESPONSIBILITIES |
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Students are expected to inform themselves thoroughly
concerning the regulations of the university and the course requirements
for the degree they seek and to make inquiries in case of doubt.
It shall not be the university's responsibility should complications
arise because of failure to follow regulations and requirements.
Regulations will not be waived nor exceptions to requirements made
on a plea of ignorance of the regulation or requirement. Students,
therefore, should become familiar with all of the information related
to the program contained in the printed university bulletin and addenda. |
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Each student, by registering, enters some college of
the university and, except as to conduct, is thereafter under its
jurisdiction with regard to the student's program of study and degree
requirements. Students should work directly with the person in their
major department who is assigned the responsibility of supervising
their programs concerning course requirements and options, deficiencies,
degree plan and special regulations. Requests to waive regulations
and/or requirements should be directed in writing to the Dean of
the College. |
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REGISTRATION |
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Degree Plan: The student should select his or her major
field of study as early as possible. The planning of a course of
study should be exercised in consultation with a faculty advisor.
Final degree plans must be approved by the Dean or Chair of the appropriate
department. Students will be required to present it during faculty
advisement. A degree plan may be superseded by a new one according
to the provision explained under Graduation Under a Particular Catalog
in this section. |
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Schedule: The student’s class schedule should
be worked out in conference with a faculty advisor. Students are
urged to confer with their advisors well in advance of registration
day in order to avoid difficulties in scheduling. |
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Early Registration: A period of early registration
is scheduled each semester for the following semester(s). During
that time a student is responsible for making an appointment with
a graduate advisor in the appropriate college to discuss the degree
plan, determine the courses to be taken during the next semester,
and complete the registration form. Fees may be paid during early
registration or on the general registration day. |
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However,
a student is not officially enrolled until all fees have been paid. |
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Registration for a Course: The only way to become a
member of a class is to officially register for it or by adding a
course after registration is completed. In any case, the instructor
receives the student’s name from the Office of the University
Registrar. |
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Adding
a Course: To add a course to a schedule after initial registration,
an add form is obtained in the Office of the University Registrar.
A student should obtain permission from his/her assigned faculty
advisor to add the course. The faculty advisor must sign the add
form. (See Maximum Number of Hours in this
section.) |
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Auditing a Course: Any person may audit a course except
for individual instruction courses. Auditors do not have the privilege
of submitting papers, taking part in class discussions, or participating
in laboratory or field work. Auditors pay tuition and fees according
to the published semester credit hour fee schedule. |
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REGISTRATION
POLICIES |
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Definitions
- Dropping and Witdrawal |
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A student is "dropping" a course or courses
if he or she remains enrolled in a minimum of one (1) credit hour
at the end of the course change process. A student is considered
withdrawn from the University if no semester credit hours remain
at the end of the course change process. |
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Dropping
a Course |
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A course may be dropped by completing a drop form with
the Office of the University Registrar in person or by mail. Courses
may be dropped by phone after proper identification is made. Students
will receive a confirmation by mail of course dropped by phone. If
confirmation is not received, it is the student's responsibility
to verify the drop has been processed by the Office of the University
Registrar. |
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All course drops must be completed by the deadline
stated in the University calendar published in this catalog. |
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If a student chooses not to attend a class or classes,
he or she is responsible for officially dropping or withdrawing through
the Office of the University Registrar. Students who decide not to
attend and do not officially notify the Office of the University
Registrar may be responsible for tuition fees and any other circumstances
resulting from failure to officially drop or withdraw. Students must
not assume that they will "automatically" be dropped from
their classes if they do not attend or do not pay. (Although the
student may not have paid for classes personally, payment may have
been posted to his or her account by a financial assistance agency.
It is important that the student officially notify the Office of
the University Registrar of his or her intention not to attend.)
Refer to the published Schedule of Classes for refund schedules. |
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Withdrawal
from the University |
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Students who find it necessary to withdraw from all
courses must notify the Office of the University Registrar in person,
by mail or by phone. Students will receive a confirmation by mail
of withdrawal by phone. If confirmation is not received, it is the
student's responsibility to verify that the withdrawal has been processed
by the Office of the University Registrar. Refer to the published
Schedule of Classes for refund schedules. |
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Financial
Aid Impact of Dropping or Withdrawal |
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University and are dropping below six hours or withdrawing
from the university must also receive approval from the Office of
Financial Aid and attend loan exit counseling at the time of the
drop or withdrawal. Failure to do so will cause the student to have
a hold placed on the release of their student records and may impact
the awarding of future loans. |
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ATTENDANCE
POLICY |
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Absence from Class: It is assumed that a vital part
of every student's education is regular attendance of class meetings.
Every faculty member keeps a current attendance record on each student.
Any absences tend to lower the quality of a student's work in a course,
and frequent or persistent absences may preclude a passing grade
or cause a student to be dropped from one or more courses by the
respective faculty with approval of his or her Chair and Dean. |
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CONTINUATION
OF GRADUATE STUDIES |
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Minimum
Grade Point Average for Good Standing |
To continue in graduate studies, a student is expected
to maintain a nominal “B” average (3.0/4.0). This means
that the student’s record must show a grade of “A” to
offset each grade below a “B” on work taken for graduate
credit and applicable toward the master’s degree. No grade
lower than “C” can apply to a master’s degree.
No grades below “B” will be accepted for the Master of
Arts in Counseling Psychology degree. |
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Academic
Probation |
If at the end of any semester the student’s grades
have fallen below the “B” level, the student will be
considered on academic probation until the required average is restored
by higher grades on subsequent courses applicable to the degree. |
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Academic
Suspension |
If, while on academic probation, a student allows his/her
average for any semester to fall again below the nominal “B” average,
the student will be placed on academic suspension during the next
semester. The student may petition through the Office of the University
Registrar to register again on scholastic probation after an absence
from the University of one long semester, or longer. |
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OTHER
PROCEDURES AND POLICIES |
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Official
Summons |
Answering an Official Summons: Occasionally it is essential
that a student be summoned to one of the administrative or academic
offices on the campus. A student who fails to answer an official
summons promptly will be subject to suspension from all classes until
the particular matter of business has been concluded and the student
has been granted permission to return to classes. |
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Change
of Address |
Students who change their home address while attending
Texas A&M International University are expected to notify the
Office of the University Registrar immediately. Changes of local address must also be made with the Office of the University Registrar
as grades and degree plans are mailed to the local address of record. |
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STUDENT
CONDUCT |
Upon registration, students automatically become members
of the University community and, as such, assume full responsibility
for proper conduct until their separation
from the University. All University students should be familiar with
the ordinary conventions of adult society governing their behavior.
In addition, the University
student must be acquainted with and bound by the University rules
and regulations covering student conduct as stated in the Student
Handbook which is available from the Office of Student Development. |
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Texas A&M International University reserves the
right, through due process, to place on probation, suspend, or expel
any student for improper conduct. |
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GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION |
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Residence Requirement: All coursework must be taken
at Texas A&M International University. Some graduate-level study
may be transferrable from other accredited institutions of higher
education. The amount transferrable is determined by the individual
College. See the appropriate Department Chair about transfer of graduate-level
credits. |
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Correspondence
Work: Credit earned by correspondence will not be accepted
for graduate credit. |
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Graduation Under a Particular Catalog: A student may
graduate according to the curricular requirements as stated in the
catalog of the year in which the student first registered for work
in residence at Texas A&M International University; or may be
graduated under any later catalog of a year in which the student
registered for residence work, provided that requirements are met
within five years of the date of the catalog chosen. Also provided
that the institution offers the courses listed as requirements in
the catalog. Students whose coursework has expired may repeat the
expired course(s) or request an appropriate substitute. |
Application for Candidacy for Master’s Degree: A student intending to have a master’s degree conferred at
Texas A&M International University must file an Application for
Candidacy with the Office of the University Registrar and pay the
graduation fee to the University Business Office. |
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For
May graduation: |
by
the end of the first week in February. |
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For
August graduation: |
by
the end of the first week in May. |
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For
December graduation: |
by
the end of the first week in September. |
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Graduation
in-Absentia: Students intending to graduate in-absentia
should notify the Office of the University Registrar upon application
for candidacy. |
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Degree
Conferral: No degree will be conferred except publicly and
on Commencement Day of the spring, summer and fall semesters. |
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Additional Master's Degree Policy: In the College of Arts and Sciences, students pursuing the Master of Public Administration as an additional master's degree, may obtain the degree upon successful completion of the major curriculum and substituting hours attained in the first masters program for nine hours of electives. In the College of
Business Administration, a student seeking a second master's
degree must complete twenty-one (21) semester credit hours of graduate-level
business courses beyond the coursework in the degree plan(s) for
all prior master's degree taken in the COBA and must meet all other
requirements for the additional master's degree. In the College of
Education, students shall not be permitted to apply the same course
credit to more than one master's degree. |
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