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.

GRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
A person who has earned a baccalaureate degree and is earning university credit hours is considered a graduate student.

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.)

1. Application for Graduate Admission, with $25.00 application fee.
   
2. Official college/university transcript(s) from institutions other than Texas A&M International University 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.
   
3. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) scores are required only if pursuing a degree with the exception of COE that requires GRE scores for all graduate work. Official test scores must be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS) and be dated within five years of enrollment. No admission decision will be made prior to the receipt of an official GRE or GMAT score.
   
   • 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.
     
   • 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.
     
   • The College of Education requires the GRE from all applicants pursuing a degree.
     
   • The Canseco School of Nursing requires the GRE from all applicants.
     
4.  The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all students having academic studies from a country where English is not the native language. A minimum TOEFL score of 213 (Computer-based) or 550 (Paper-based) is required. Students pursuing a doctoral degree will need a minimum TOEFL score of 250 (computer-based) or 600 (paper-based). This score must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and dated within two (2) years of enrollment.

Note:  International students must also complete requirements listed under International Student Admission.

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.

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.

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 GRE scores to be admitted. Spanish majors must pass a departmentally administered examination in lieu of the GRE.

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.

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 submitted all relevant documentation 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.

The Canseco School of Nursing reviews applicants in June prior to the beginning of graduate coursework in Fall. All MSN program applicants must apply directly to the School of Nursing.

GRADUATE STUDY FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
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.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE DEGREES

1. 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Residence:  All coursework must be taken at this University.  See #4 below.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Correspondence Work: In no case will courses taken by correspondence be accepted for graduate credit.
   
7. 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.
   
8. Conferring of Degrees: No degree will be conferred except publicly and on Commencement Day of the spring or fall semesters.

ENROLLMENT - GENERAL INFORMATION
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• needs the nine semester hours to complete graduation and/or certification requirements in August; and
  
• 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.

GRADING POLICIES
Grades are recorded from “A” to “D/F”, inclusive, and are available via the web to each student at the end of each semester. Numerical values corresponding to these letters are as follows:

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.

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.

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.

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 Office of the University Registrar, will result in the “I” being converted to an “F” through an administrative action of the University Registrar.

For the student, the grade of “I” may be removed under certain conditions:

• if 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.
  
• 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 University Registrar.
  
• a student may not register for a course for which he/she has a current grade of “I”.

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.

Grade Points:  A student’s 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 master’s degree, is expressed as a 3.0 grade point average.

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES
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 on-line.

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.

REGISTRATION
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.

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 in order to avoid difficulties in scheduling.

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.

A student is not officially enrolled until all fees have been paid.

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 students' names on the official class rosters distributed by the Office of the University Registrar.

Waitlist Policy: A student may request to be waitlisted for a closed course. If space becomes available, waitlisted students will be added in the order the requests were received without prior notification to the student. It is the student's responsibility to check his/her status in the course. Requesting to be waitlisted makes the student liable for all tuition and fees due if a space becomes available. A drop must be processed by the student is the class is no longer desired. Please note: a student may not be waitlisted for one section of a course and registered in another section of the same course.

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.)

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.

REGISTRATION POLICIES
Definitions - Drop and Withdrawal
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.

Dropping a Course
A course may be dropped by completing a drop form with the Office of the University Registrar in person, by mail or by fax. Courses may not dropped by phone.

All course drops must be completed by the deadline stated in the University calendar published in this catalog.

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.

Withdrawal from the University
Students who find it necessary to withdraw from all courses must notify the Office of the University Registrar in person, by mail or by fax. 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.

Financial Aid Impact of Dropping or Withdrawal
Students who have received a federal student loan through Texas A&M International 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.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
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. Additional information is available in the current student handbook.

CONTINUATION OF GRADUATE STUDIES
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.

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.

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.

OTHER PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

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.

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. Address updates may be made via the web.

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 on-line or from the Office of Student Life.

Texas A&M International University reserves the right, through due process, to place on probation, suspend, or expel any student for improper conduct.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
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.

Correspondence Work:  Credit earned by correspondence will not be accepted for graduate credit.

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 by the designated deadlines.

Graduation in-Absentia:  Students intending to graduate in-absentia should notify the Office of the University Registrar upon application for candidacy.

Degree Conferral:  No degree will be conferred except publicly and on Commencement Day of the spring and fall semesters.

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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