FINANCIAL AID | TABLE OF CONTENTS | GRAD COLLEGE PRGMS

Programs of Study, 1997-1999
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Graduate College Requirements

The following are the general requirements of the Graduate College. A Handbook for Graduate Students and AdvisersA Handbook for Graduate Students and Advisers, which is distributed to all graduate students enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, gives the requirements in more detail. Graduate students should use the Handbook as the official statement of Graduate College regulations during their graduate study on the Urbana-Champaign campus. Departments may have requirements that apply in addition to those of the Graduate College. A departmental standard higher than that of the Graduate College (e.g., the minimum grade point average for degree eligibility) replaces the Graduate College standard.

Departmental and Graduate College policies and requirements change from time to time and may not be immediately reflected in handbooks and other publications. New degree requirements, however, cannot be imposed retroactively on continuing graduate students. If degree requirements are changed, continuing students may complete their degree programs under the requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment in the Graduate College. They have the option, however, of electing to be governed by the new requirements if they so desire.

GRADING SYSTEM

Final Grades Final grades for courses are recorded as follows: Excellent (A+, A, A-); Good (B+, B, B-); Fair (C+, C, C-); Poor (D+, D, D-) (lowest passing grade); Failure (F) (not acceptable for degree credit), including courses dropped for academic irregularities (see Rule 33); Absent from the final examination without an acceptable excuse (Ab) (counts as a failure, not acceptable for degree credit). If a student is absent from a final examination, and it is clear that taking that examination could not have resulted in a passing grade for the course, a grade of F may be given instead of Ab.

Numerical Values

Grade

Honor Points

Grade

Honor Points

A+

4.00

C+

2.33

A

4.00

C

2.00

A-

3.67

C-

1.67

B+

3.33

D+

1.33

B

3.00

D

1.00

B-

3.00

D-

0.67 


	
F Failure (including courses dropped for academic

	irregularities) = 0.00

	

	**F F by rule. Grade of "F" on the letter scale = 0.00

	

	Other symbols in use, which are not included in computation of averages, are:

	

	IP- Course in progress.

	

	

	Miss-Missing grade.

	

	

	**- Used for courses in which no grades are recorded such as transfer credit, religious
	foundation courses, etc.

	

	

	W- Approved withdrawal without credit.

	

	

	Ex- Temporarily excused. Approved extension of time to complete the final examination
	or other requirements of the course. Applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.
	(Entitles the student to an examination later without fee, or to additional time
	to complete other requirements of the course.) An "excused grade" must
	be replaced by a letter grade no later than the end of the next semester in which
	the student is registered or it automatically becomes an F grade. If the student
	does not enroll the following semester, the excused grade becomes an F after one
	year.

	

	

	CR- Credit earned. To be used only in courses taken under the credit-no credit grading
	option. Instructors report the usual letter grades. Grades of A, B, and C will automatically
	be converted to CR.

	

	

	NC- No credit earned. To be used only in courses taken under the credit-no credit
	grading option. (Instructors report the usual letter grades. Grades of D, F, or Ab
	will automatically be converted to NC.)

	

	

	Df- Grade temporarily deferred. To be used only in those thesis, research, and special
	problem courses extending over more than one semester that are taken by graduate
	students as preparation for the thesis and by undergraduate students in satisfaction
	of the requirements for graduation with honors, and in other approved courses that
	extend over more than one semester. The symbol Df in courses other than thesis (499)
	must be converted to a permanent grade no later than the end of the next semester
	in which the student is registered. If no grade change is submitted within that period,
	the Df will be converted to an F by rule. The Df symbol for thesis course (499) stands
	indefinitely until a Supplemental Grade Report Form is submitted by the adviser at
	the completion (successful or unsuccessful) of the thesis.

	

	

	S- Satisfactory.

	

	

	U- Unsatisfactory. To be used only as final grades in graduate thesis research courses,
	in graduate and undergraduate courses given for zero credit, and in other courses
	that have been specifically approved by the head or chairperson of the department
	concerned, with concurrence of the college dean.

	

	

	O- Outstanding. To be used only as a final grade in Medical Sciences courses.

	

	

	Pass- A minimum grade of C on the letter is used for all test-based credit.

	

	

	Fail- To be used only in courses attempted but not passed by special examination.

	



	
Credit/No Credit Option

	
Subject to the restrictions of the Graduate College and the
	major department and with his or her adviser's approval, a student may register for
	graduate credit under the credit/no credit option. The student must, however, have
	at least two units of course work in the graduate program with grades of A through
	C for every unit of credit/no credit work.

	
Grade point average (GPA) Computation

	
A registered student's GPA is computed at the end of every
	term and reported in the Semester Grade Report, which is mailed to the student about
	ten days after the final day of examinations. The GPA includes units of course work
	with grades of A through F and Ab but not those with grades of CR, NC, Ex, Df, S,
	and U. The GPA does not include courses taken for semester hour credit (for example,
	physical education courses), nor does it include course work transferred from other
	universities or colleges with the exception of the Chicago and Springfield campuses
	of the University of Illinois and courses taken for credit through the CIC Traveling
	Scholar Program. A student who receives a grade below C, should check with his or
	her adviser or department to see whether the course must be repeated; a student may
	also choose to repeat a course. In either case, repeated courses are ignored in the
	computation of the GPA and the accumulated credits toward a degree.

	
Minimum GPA

	
A student is required by the Graduate College to maintain a
	minimum GPA of 2.75 in order to continue in an advanced degree program. Many departments,
	however, demand a minimum of 3.0 or higher, and their minimums are enforced by the
	Graduate College.

	
A student who completes three or more units of graded course
	work with a GPA of less than the minimum will receive a warning letter from the Graduate
	College. If after the completion of three additional units of graded course work
	a student's GPA has not been raised to or above the required minimum, or if the GPA
	falls below it at any time thereafter, the student will be placed on limited status.
	If the student's average does not meet the minimum requirement at the end of the
	first term on limited status, further registration will be prohibited.

	
Advisers and departments take factors other than satisfactory
	grades into consideration in determining qualifications for advanced degrees. An
	adequate GPA does not in itself ensure continuance in an advanced degree program.
	Records maintained by departments often record deferred grades as well as written
	evaluations by instructors. These factors, along with other skills and aptitudes,
	are taken into consideration in departmental decisions about permitting students
	to continue in master's and doctoral programs.

	
CREDIT

	
Graduate Credit

	
Graduate credit at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
	is measured in terms of units, with one unit equal to approximately four semester
	hours. Generally, courses in the 300 series carry graduate credit and are open to
	both graduate and undergraduate students. Courses in the 400 series, with the exception
	of some courses such as foreign language, carry graduate credit. Enrollment in these
	courses is restricted to graduate students or students who have petitioned and who
	meet the requirements to take graduate-level courses.

	
Proficiency Examinations

	
Credit earned by passing proficiency examinations cannot be
	applied to the requirements for advanced degrees, but such examinations may be taken
	to fulfill prerequisites for more advanced courses or to demonstrate competence in
	areas considered important to a student's area of study. A proficiency examination
	will be recorded only if the student is registered at the time of the examination.
	These examinations are usually given without cost to the student, but a fee may be
	charged to defray the cost of examinations prepared by agencies outside the University.
	Students should consult their advisers before applying for proficiency examinations.

	
Credit for Work Completed Elsewhere

	
A student who has completed graduate-level course work at an
	accredited institution within the last five years with grades of A or B, but has
	not applied the credit toward any advanced degree, may request that the credit earned
	for that work be applied to a degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
	Students may request that such credit be accepted by submitting petition forms accompanied
	by official transcripts after successfully completing at least two units of graduate
	work on the Urbana-Champaign campus. Credit for a master's degree completed at the
	University of Illinois or at another institution cannot be used as partial fulfillment
	of the requirements for a second master's degree. A student who has earned a master's
	degree at another university and then completed additional course work at an accredited
	institution before enrolling at the University of Illinois may petition to transfer
	credit for that additional work. A student having a master's degree is considered
	to have completed the first stage of a doctoral program unless the department stipulates
	otherwise. It should be stressed, however, that all doctoral candidates, regardless
	of transfer credits or master's degrees completed elsewhere, must complete 16 units
	in residence on the Urbana-Champaign campus or in courses meeting in other locations
	that have been approved by the Graduate College for graduate credit.

	
Research Credit and 499

	
The time devoted to research is recorded by registration in
	499 (thesis credit) or in 400-level courses with such titles as "Independent
	Study" or "Special Topics." Registration in 499 indicates that the
	student's research is expected to result in a thesis in partial fulfillment of the
	requirements for a master's or doctoral degree. Therefore, all students registering
	in 499 should do so only with full departmental approval. Registration in 499 is
	required if a thesis is being completed as a degree requirement.

	
Extramural Courses

	
Graduate courses are offered by members of the University faculty
	at various centers throughout the state. Pamphlets listing these courses can be obtained
	from the Office of Continuing Education and Public Service. An extramural course
	is considered as work in residence if it is approved for graduate credit by the department
	offering the course and by the Graduate College. Credit earned in extramural courses
	can be applied toward an advanced degree only if the courses are approved in advance
	by the adviser and constitute part of a well-integrated program.

	
The units of credit required for the master's degree must be
	earned in courses meeting on the Urbana-Champaign campus or in courses approved by
	the Graduate College for offering at off-campus locations. Credit for extramural
	courses can be applied to the second stage of a doctoral program only within the
	limits of campus residence expected by the department offering the degree.

	
Correspondence Courses

	
Credit for correspondence courses cannot be applied toward
	an advanced degree but can be used to fulfill prerequisites or remove deficiencies.
	A list of correspondence courses is available from the Office of Continuing Education
	and Public Service.

	
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER'S DEGREE

	
The Graduate College requires a minimum of eight units of credit
	for the master's degree. At least three units must be in 400-level courses, and two
	of these three units must be in the major field. Credit applied toward the degree
	must be earned in courses meeting on the Urbana-Champaign campus, on the Chicago
	or Springfield campus, or in other locations approved by the Graduate College for
	graduate credit. Master's degrees are conferred in May, August, October, and January.
	Master's candidates must complete all degree requirements, under normal circumstances,
	within five years after their first registration in the Graduate College.

	
Some departments require a final examination for the master's
	degree. Individual departments also determine master's degree thesis requirements.
	Some departments require or recommend a thesis, but others ask for a "substantial
	research paper" or require only the minimum eight units of course work. Thesis
	credit is earned in courses numbered 499 in each department. No more than three units,
	and in some departments only two units, of 499 can be applied to the master's degree.

	
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOCTORAL DEGREE

	
Credit and Residence

	
Doctoral programs are divided into three stages, as described
	below, and must include a minimum of 24 units of credit. At least 16 units, including
	thesis credit, must be earned in courses meeting on the Urbana-Champaign campus,
	at the Chicago or Springfield campus, or in other locations approved by the Graduate
	College for graduate credit. After the residence requirement has been fulfilled,
	a student who plans to leave campus may petition the Graduate College for permission
	to register in absentia for thesis credit.

	

	

	

		Stage I-

			

			The master's degree or its equivalent (eight
			units, or 32 semester hours, of acceptable graduate work at this or another accredited
			university). Each department has a procedure for evaluating a student's progress
			toward the doctorate. This evaluation, either by examination or other formal review,
			results in a decision about whether a student is making satisfactory progress. The
			decision is communicated in writing to the student. Such evaluation takes place no
			later than the end of the second year after a student enters the Graduate College.
			In some departments, the evaluation may take the form of a qualifying examination
			that a student must pass before entering Stage II of a doctoral program.		
	

	

		Stage II-

			

			One or more additional years devoted to
			course work and research in preparation for the preliminary examination, and fulfillment
			of the department's special requirements, if these have not been satisfied earlier.
			Passing the preliminary examination marks the end of Stage II.		
	

	

		Stage III-

			

			Research and other activities culminating
			in an approved dissertation and final oral examination. Continuous registration,
			excluding summer sessions, should be maintained until a student has completed the
			credit requirement for the doctoral degree. After two years following the student's
			last registration, the student must petition for reentry in order to continue doctoral
			study. Registration in 499 (thesis credit) is also required for the term in which
			a student takes the final examination, regardless of when the thesis will be deposited
			with the Graduate College or when the degree will be conferred.		
	

	



	
Time Limit

	
Doctoral candidates must complete all degree requirements within
	seven years after their initial registration in the Graduate College. A student entering
	directly into Stage II, with a master's degree from another university or with a
	significant lapse of time since earning a master's degree on this campus, has six
	years in which to complete degree requirements.

	
Foreign Language Requirement

	
Each department establishes its own foreign language requirement;
	some allow for substitution of research skills in computer programming language or
	statistical analysis.

	
PRELIMINARY AND FINAL EXAMINATIONS

	
Preliminary examinations taken at the end of Stage II of doctoral
	programs may be oral, written, or both, depending on the department's policy. Final
	examinations are oral and public.

	
The dean of the Graduate College appoints doctoral committees,
	at departmental request, to administer preliminary and final examinations. These
	committees must be composed of three or more members of the graduate faculty.

	
Decisions of the committees for both preliminary and final
	examinations must be unanimous. Each department outlines its policies regarding preliminary
	and final examinations as part of the description of its advanced degree programs
	and requirements that is distributed to graduate students in the department.

	
THESES

	
All candidates for the Ph.D. degree and candidates for most
	other doctoral degrees are required to write a thesis. Individual departments may
	have special requirements in this respect. In addition, all completed theses must
	be acceptable for deposit in the Graduate College; a thesis that fails to meet Graduate
	College standards will be rejected. The thesis must be the work of a single author.

	
Before the degree is conferred, a student may find it desirable
	or expedient to publish some of the findings that will later be incorporated in the
	thesis. If this is done, an appropriate acknowledgment of the earlier publication
	should be included in the thesis. The Graduate College encourages such publication,
	but the thesis may not be published in its entirety before all degree requirements
	have been met.

	
If thesis research involves the use of human subjects, warm-blooded
	animals, or hazardous materials or procedures, the student must comply with the University's
	policies and procedures governing such work.

	
Because all theses are made available to the public, a thesis
	containing classified material, i.e., material deemed nonpublishable under Federal
	Security Regulations, cannot be accepted.

	
ADVANCED CERTIFICATE


	
Some departments, such as those in the College of Education
	and the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, offer advanced certificates
	for students who are interested in additional professional training beyond the master's
	degree but who are not planning to obtain the doctorate. These programs usually require
	the completion of eight units of course work beyond the master's degree. Information
	concerning specific advanced certificate programs is available from departmental
	offices.

	

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Programs of Study, 1997-1999

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