Graduate Catalog 2005-2006

Graduate Program Policies
Categories of Students :: Admission to Candidacy

Categories of Students

Classified graduate students have been admitted to the graduate program to pursue advanced degrees and are advised and directed in that pursuit by an academic department.

Unclassified graduate students are not formally pursuing a degree and ordinarily do not receive advising by a department or the equivalent in planning their studies. Such students may be taking coursework as a prerequisite for pursuing a degree or for enrichment.

Probationary graduate students are applicants for classified admission; they are temporarily assigned this status because they do not meet stated admission requirements specified by the program. Maximum probationary student tenure is six credit hours or one calendar year. Probationary students are advised in course selection by the proposed graduate program.

Conditional graduate students have classified applications in progress and have been admitted informally to permit the initiation of courses prior to full approval of classified status. For such students, a required document in support of the classified application may be anticipated (i.e. an updated transcript showing the conferral of a degree). The student may be taking the last of necessary prerequisite work or be awaiting an admission decision.

Auditors are admitted students who enroll in courses but not for academic credit. They must attend classes regularly but are not responsible for assignments or examinations. Regular attendance is noted on the permanent record at the end of the academic term.

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Following completion of 15 approved graduate credit hours with a cumulative GPA of a B (3.0) or higher, students must apply for degree candidacy. At that time, students will complete the candidacy form outlining the specific courses needed for the degree and an assessment of their progress in the program. The form and any subsequent changes must include signed approval from the adviser and the Director of Graduate Programs. Students whose cumulative GPA is below a B (3.0) after completion of 15 graduate credit hours at Stephens College are not eligible for candidacy. See individual graduate programs for admission to candidacy criteria specific to that program.

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