Graduate Catalog: 2012-2013 - Alabama A&M University

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONSThere is a statute of limitation on all graduate coursesof six years, with the exception of Urban andRegional Planning, Communicative Sciences &Disorders, and Social Work, which have seven years.The statute of limitation for all Ph.D. programs iseight years. In extraordinary cases, students mayapply for an extension of the statute of limitation.The request must be approved by the department andsubmitted to the Dean of Graduate Studies for finalaction. Requests for an extension of the statute oflimitations must be accompanied by a writtendepartmental assessment of the work and itsrelevance to the current curriculum mandates of thedegree program. CLASS ATTENDANCEAll students are expected to attend classes on aregular basis. No absences of any nature will beconstrued as relieving the student from responsibilityfor the completion of all work assigned by theinstructor. A student registering late for a class willbe responsible for all work assigned and materialcovered during the class sessions that were missed.The first class meeting of an evening class, whichmeets one night per week for 15 weeks, representsabout seven percent of the total class time; this firstmeeting is a regular class. If students wait until thesecond class meeting to enroll, the class could becancelled due to inadequate enrollment at the firstclass meeting. During the first week of each course,the instructor shall inform students of the attendancepolicies for the course. Class attendance policies aredetermined by the instructor and should allow for areasonable number of absences which are requireddue to documented official university-sponsoredactivities, health problems and other emergencies. Itis the student’s responsibility to make arrangements,which are acceptable to the instructor, to completework missed during the student’s absence from class. Courses over 12 years will not be accepted for credittoward any degree program.CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENTSCandidates for a Master of Science degree must earna minimum of 30 or more semester credit hours(SCH), depending upon the specific degreerequirements. Degree requirements are found in thegraduate catalog currently in force at the time thestudent's degree plan was approved by the graduatedean. For most Master of Science degrees, 18semester hours of the total 30 consist of corerequirements and thesis.Most M.Ed. degree programs are 30-36 semesterhour programs. Students seeking licensure must meetall requirements as specified by the state, which mayentail more than the minimum 30 credit hours.The specialist degree program is designed primarilyto provide professional preparation for studentsinvolved in school-site administration and thoseindividuals who have district-wide administrativeresponsibilities.The specialist degree program requires completion ofa minimum of 36 graduate semester hours with thenumber of actual credit hours a function of theprevious educational background of each student andhis or her goals.The Doctor of Philosophy degree is the highestacademic degree conferred by the university. Thestudent who receives the Doctor of Philosophy mustdemonstrated proficiency in content matter of thechosen discipline. Students also must demonstratethe ability to critically evaluate work in the chosenfield of study. The student must have shown ability towork independently in the field and must have madean original contribution to the advancement ofknowledge. However, Ph.D. requirements varyamong programs and change from time to time (Formore details see specific requirements listed in thiscatalog under each degree program).PROGRAMS OF STUDYEach graduate student is required to prepare aprogram of study in consultation with his or hermajor advisor(s). Completed programs of studiesmust be received from each student by the start of thesecond semester of enrollment. Students who do notfile a program of study within the specified deadlinewill not be allowed to register for the next term.Programs of study must include a detailed listing ofthe available options within each student’s area ofemphasis. Only under extreme circumstances and24