Graduate Studies

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Enrollment in Graduate Courses

• Master's Student Timetable

Students should use the following timetable as a guide in completing all necessary requirements to obtain the master’s degree. This timetable is designed to serve only as a guide. Student’s are responsible for all degree requirements and, as such, should check with their faculty advisor or the current university catalog for specific requirements and dates.

• Before First Semester Registration

•  Meet with representative/advisor/faculty in the academic department of interest for advising and clearance of advising block.
•  Apply for scholarships, financial aid, and Graduate Assistantships if qualified. Be sure to note deadlines for consideration.

• Before Second Semester Registration

•  Establish a Graduate Advisory Committee.
•  If conditionally admitted without GRE or GMAT scores, take GRE or GMAT and submit acceptable scores to the College of Graduate Studies.

• Prior to Initiating Thesis Research

•  Develop draft proposal in conjunction with Advisory Committee Chair and members.
•  Submit proposal to College of Graduate Studies for approval.

• Before Final Semester

•  After completion of 12 graduate hours, file a degree plan with the College of Graduate Studies.
•  Apply for graduation in the last full semester before your planned semester of graduation (see Calendar for deadlines).

• During Final Semester

•  Schedule final comprehensive examination. Check current catalog for cut-off dates.
•  Submit committee-edited copies of thesis to the College of Graduate Studies for approval.
•  Submit approved final copies of thesis and order required number of copies.
•  Contact bookstore to arrange for cap and gown.

• Advisors

The graduate advisor, designated by the department, assists students in planning their initial course work prior to granting of admission to the program of study. Before seeking enrollment in any course that might be applied toward a master’s degree, students must consult their advisors. A temporary advisor will be available to those enrolling for the first time in an off-campus course.

• Advisory Committee

After receiving admission to the College of Graduate Studies and enrolling for graduate courses, the student should consult with the graduate advisor concerning appointment of an advisory committee. The advisory committee is responsible for guiding and directing the student’s entire academic program, which includes initiating all academic actions concerning the student, developing the degree plan, and administering the comprehensive testing prior to conferral of the master’s degree. Moreover, the advisory committee, as a group and as individual members, is responsible for counseling the student on academic matters, and in the case of academic deficiency, initiating recommendations to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

• Course Load

The maximum load for a full-time graduate student may be as much as 16 hours in the fall and spring semesters and as much as 12 hours in the summer semester. To be considered full time, a student must take at least 9 hours in the long semesters and at least 6 hours total in the summer semester. Loads in excess of the maximum load require the approval of the College of Graduate Studies upon written recommendation of the student’s advisor and department head. GA and scholarship commitments may require 6 hours in the summer.

• Academic Performance

Every student enrolled in the College of Graduate Studies is required to maintain a high level of performance and comply fully with the policies of the institution. The college reserves the right to suspend any graduate student who does not maintain satisfactory academic standing or fails to conform to university regulations.

Students who have achieved admission are expected to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on work completed at Tarleton. If in a particular semester a student’s cumulative or overall GPA falls below the minimum, he/she will be given notice of unsatisfactory academic performance. The student must attain a 3.0 cumulative GPA during his or her next period of enrollment; failure to do so will result in suspension for one long semester or the summer term. This may require the student to retake previous courses which caused their GPA to drop below an acceptable level. A student must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average every semester upon returning from the suspension. A graduate student is allowed one suspension. If poor academic performance results in a second suspension, the student will be permanently dismissed from the university.

Generally the student on academic warning or suspension is sent a letter informing them of their academic standing. However, students may view their academic transcripts in DuckTrax and should note academic standing. If there is a question contact the Graduate Office.

At the end of any grading period, if a student’s overall GPA falls below a 2.0 he/she will be automatically suspended. Students who have been admitted conditionally must meet the requirements stipulated for attaining full admission status. Conditions may require a GPA greater than 3.0. If requirements are not met, admission will be rescinded, and any further enrollment will be for undergraduate course work only, as a post-baccalaureate student.

Post-baccalaureate students are subject to the academic progress policies applicable to undergraduates at Tarleton State University. Academic deficiencies of students in this category will be calculated according to the current undergraduate probation/suspension policy.

Graduate students who are on first-time suspension must apply to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies for reinstatement after serving the suspended semester.

• Grading System

Graduate degree credit is allowed for A, B, and C grades. A grade of D is not passing for graduate work and the course must be repeated. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required:

•  for all courses included in a degree plan
•  for all the courses comprising the major field
•  for the courses comprising the minor field, if one is selected
•  cumulative on all courses taken

See the University Catalog for further information

• Completion Time Limit

Course credits more than six years old may not be counted for a degree. Credits are considered to be earned when they are recorded on the official transcript.

• Readmission/Reactivation

Students who have not attended Tarleton for one year are required to submit a new Graduate Application for Admission along with the $30 application fee and essay. If the student has not attended Tarleton for a time period less than one year and wishes to return, he/she must submit a Graduate Student Reactivation Form. This form is only for students who are returning with the same major that have not graduated.

continue to:  General Requirements