UF Graduate Student Handbook - Graduate School - University of ...

Leave of Absence: A graduate student who ceases to be registered at UF for more than 1 term
needs prior written approval from the supervisory committee chair for a leave of absence for a
stated period of time. This approved leave is kept on file in the student’s departmental record. It
does not need Graduate School approval. The student must reapply for admission on returning.
Language Requirement: All candidates must be able to use the English language correctly and
effectively, as judged by the supervisory committee. A foreign language examination is required
for some degree programs. Each student should contact the graduate coordinator in the major
department for information on language requirements.
Administration of a Program of Study
All graduate degrees must have graduate faculty oversee the student’s program of study and
progress. For thesis and dissertation degrees, this oversight process is accomplished by a formal
committee. These committees have slightly different criteria based on the particular degree.
For non-thesis degree programs, the oversight is at the academic unit/department/college level
only. Non-thesis programs may choose to have a formal committee or an alternate structure as
determined by the program’s graduate faculty and consistent with academic unit policies. The
oversight authority will be considered as the supervisory committee. Units are able to enter their
internal information into GIMS as a convenience.
Regardless of degree program, any student with a minor must have the name of the graduate
faculty member overseeing the minor entered into GIMS.
A temporary adviser may be appointed by the chair or graduate coordinator of the major academic
unit in the first semester of study. This adviser guides the student in selection of courses until the
supervisory committee is established. The deadline date for appointing a supervisory committee for
thesis or dissertation students is at the end of the term in which the student has accumulated 12 or
more credits, or at the end of the second semester.
Composition of a Supervisory Committee
Master’s Degree: The supervisory committee for a Master’s degree with thesis should consist of
at least two Graduate Faculty members, unless otherwise specified. The committee membership
is entered by academic unit staff into the Graduate Information Management System (GIMS). For
students pursuing a non-thesis program, the supervisory committee does not need to be entered
into GIMS; if a minor is elected, the name of the minor representative must be entered into
GIMS.
Engineer Degree: The supervisory committee must consist of at least three Graduate Faculty
members: two from the major department and one from a supporting department. In addition,
every effort should be made to have a representative from industry as an external adviser for the
student’s program.
Specialist in Education: For students pursuing this non-thesis program, the supervisory
committee, as determined by the academic unit, does not need to be entered into GIMS. If a
minor is elected, the name of the minor representative must be entered into GIMS.
UF GS Handbook 14-15 September 26, 2014 29