The School of Graduate Studies

Graduate Degree Programs, Requirements, Curricula

Wesley T. Bishop, J.D, Acting Dean

Office: Administration Building Room 137

Phone: (504) 286-5456

Deirdrea Jones-Hazure, Director, School of Graduate Studies

Vacant, Administrative Assistant IV

As a result of the implementation of the Higher Education Desegregation Settlement Agreement, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) implemented four new graduate programs in addition to the Master of Social Work (MSW) program that has been fully operational for over twenty-five years. The Master of Social Work program currently has 300 students enrolled and awards an average of 100 MSW degrees each year. Of the new programs, the Master of Criminal Justice program began offering classes Fall, 1996. The Master of Computer Information Systems began offering classes in the Fall, 1997 and was fully approved by the Louisiana Board of Regents to begin offering courses as of the Fall, 1999 semester along with the Master of Arts in Urban Education Program. The fifth graduate program, Museum Studies, obtained its initial approval and began offering classes in the Fall, 2002. The Master of Computer Information Systems was converted to the Master of Management Information Systems in the Fall Semester 2006. The Master of Arts in Urban Education is no longer available.

The University established the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) to coordinate and support all graduate degree programs. The School of the Graduate Studies is under the general supervision of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and is administered by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Under the direction of the Graduate Dean, this office is responsible for the creation, monitoring, and continued improvement of all graduate programs and their curricula. It also assists with the establishment of graduate level policies, keeping records, budget management, and student recruitment, processing applications to the various graduate studies programs, and providing support and professional development services for the individual graduate programs. The Graduate Dean is additionally responsible for aiding the accreditation process of all graduate programs.

The School of Graduate Studies has developed the policies and procedures contained in this document as a means of standardizing and institutionalizing its daily operations and services to students. The policies are in accordance with the power vested in the SGS through the legislative authority which emanates from those policies set by the Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, of which SUNO is a member campus. These policies and procedures are consistent with those national standards which are set by such scholarly organizations as the National Council of Graduate Schools. Such policies are intended to guide the administration of the program, as well as all actions and decisions that result, in a fair and impartial manner. As published, the policies are to be followed by all faculty, staff and students in the SUNO School of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Studies Programs’ Mission Statement

The School of Graduate Studies at SUNO expands the mission of the University to the graduate and professional level. The graduate programs which are currently available provide excellent opportunities for advanced study in contemporary and cutting edge areas. These programs have each been created to extend the higher education opportunity for students from all sectors of the community. Each of the graduate degree programs is open to recent graduates of SUNO’s undergraduate programs, graduates from all other accredited colleges and universities, as well as professionals who have been working in their fields for a number of years.

SUNO has a longstanding commitment to support the educational goals of non-traditional students, including working adults and those enrolled in evening and weekend programs or in non-credit courses. The SGS broadens the University’s tradition of accommodating all citizens through innovative and non-traditional course offerings and scheduling.

Goals

The primary focus of the School of Graduate Studies Program is to promote quality and excellence in graduate education, as well as to promote research and scholarly activities. In accordance with this perspective, the Graduate Studies Program has undertaken the following goals:

to offer programs that will encourage students of all races and backgrounds to enroll;
to prepare each student for successful completion of graduate studies;
to prepare all students for successful employment in their chosen professions;
to increase the number of graduate students involved in research and other scholarly activities;
to develop an effective program of enrollment management that would enable the University to maintain a student body of graduate students who are committed to high academic achievement and who represent diversified social, economic, and geographical origins; and,
to provide available financial resources for eligible students where possible.

Organization

The Office of the School of Graduate Studies consists of a Dean, Graduate Recruiter, Administrative Specialist/Budget Unit Supervisor, and Administrative Assistant IV. The Office is responsible for enforcing minimum general standards of graduate work at Southern University at New Orleans and for the coordination of graduate degree programs in the various colleges. Central policies and standards of the SGS are established by the Graduate Council. The responsibility for the detailed day-to-day operations of graduate programs lies with the individual departments and colleges.

The Office of the School of Graduate Studies processes admission to the master’s degree programs. This includes the receipt and processing of all graduate admission applications, and the processing and clearing of graduation applications for all graduate students.

The Graduate Council

The By-Laws and Regulations of the Board of Supervisors of the Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System (Section 1-2.10; Part A.) commissioned the Graduate Council, as follows: “There shall be a Graduate Council on each campus having a graduate program.” Parts B, through E articulate the membership, duties, officers, terms of office, and the meeting regulations around which such councils should organize.

The Graduate Council is the policy-making body for the SGS and, as such, has responsibility for its governance, including authority to grant exceptions in special cases to any policy it establishes. All decisions of the Graduate Council are subject to review by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Chancellor of SUNO. The purpose of the Graduate Council is to provide a forum for broad participation in the formulation of academic policies which govern graduate programs. The Graduate Council functions in recognition of the need for a shared responsibility in graduate education. To a large extent, colleges are responsible for maintaining and managing graduate programs; however, the Graduate Council performs the function of review and coordination.

As a representative body of faculty scholars and graduate students of the SGS, the Graduate Council is composed of seven (7) members: the four (4) Academic Deans, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Director of Graduate Studies and Director of Library.

Administration

The executive and administrative matters of the SGS are the responsibility of the Graduate Dean, who is charged directly with enforcement of the regulations of the SGS and with the organization of its administrative procedures. Although the colleges and individual graduate programs assume responsibility for the maintenance of program quality, the Graduate Dean has a major responsibility to provide the leadership to ensure and enhance a high quality of graduate study and research. The measure of program accountability shall be in the form of periodic external reviews and overall on-going internal programmatic assessments. The Graduate Dean exercises leadership in initiating new programs and facilitating appropriate interdisciplinary collaboration. As the chief administrative officer within the Graduate School, the Dean serves as an ex officio member of all committees formed to conduct, oversee, or make determination in matters relative to graduate education.

Some of the other duties with which the Graduate Dean is charged include the financial and budget management; securing and administering external funding and research opportunities for graduate faculty and students; strategic planning processes; international programs and collaboration opportunities; utilizing effective communication and negotiation skills; and continual student recruitment. The Graduate Dean is assisted in this work by an administrative and clerical staff.

Admission to the School of Graduate Studies

Admission to the SGS and all of its programs and operations is open to all persons regardless of race, creed, color, sex, age, marital status, disability, veterans’ status, or national origin who meet the requirements and qualifications of the SUNO programs. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university is required for admission to the SGS. Official undergraduate transcripts must accompany all applications. No application will be considered unless it is complete and is accompanied by all official transcripts that reflect all of the student’s undergraduate, and graduate if any, credits earned and in process. No transcript will be accepted as official unless it is received directly from the registrar of the institution where the work was done. Official supplementary transcripts are required as soon as they are available for work completed after the submission of the application and official transcripts.

There are two levels of admission to graduate programs: (1) Admission to the SGS and (2) Admission to the degree granting graduate program. Admission to the SGS is a prerequisite for admissions to a graduate degree program and is used to assure that applicants meet all of the minimum qualifications set by the University. The degree program in which the student plans to study shall determine whether or not the student is qualified to be admitted for graduate study in that particular program. Upon receipt of the completed application, the Office of the School of Graduate Studies shall determine whether the student meets the general SUNO graduate admission requirements. The office shall notify the degree program and shall request that the program evaluate the student’s credentials. After having done so, the program shall communicate its decision to the SGS office so that the student can be officially admitted or advised otherwise.

Admissions Committees

Each graduate degree program shall have a committee, consisting of current graduate faculty and chaired by the program director/chair, whose functions include serving as the screening and admissions body for that program. This committee and other interested faculty from the colleges shall scrutinize the credentials of the applicants and make recommendations concerning admission decisions. The program level admissions decisions are then submitted to the SGS office and the appropriate actions are immediately taken.

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission to the SGS the applicant must submit to the SGS Office the following:

A baccalaureate degree from a university or college approved by a recognized accrediting agency.
One completed copy of an application form and a medical form which can be obtained from the SGS Office. Individual graduate degree program deadlines for applying are listed on the application and must be adhered to.
One copy of an official transcript from each institution attended. Transcripts must be sent directly to the SGS Office from each college attended, even if no credit was earned and even though the work may be shown on another transcript. The request for the transcripts must be made early in order to arrive in the SGS Office in sufficient time to be considered for admission into the desired degree program. Applications will not be processed unless an official transcript has been received.
Grade point averages of at least 2.5 for undergraduate work and 3.0 for all graduate and post-baccalaureate work for which a grade is given. (A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1, F-0, WF considered F).
Satisfactory academic standing at the last university or college attended; that is, the applicant must be eligible to re-enter in good standing.
Three (3) typewritten letters of recommendation addressed to the Graduate Dean.
A written Philosophy Statement or other writing sample as may be required by specific programs.
All applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable one-time application fee of $25 ($35 for international students) in the form of a money order or check made payable to Southern University at New Orleans (do not send cash through the mail).
International students must pay the additional fees associated with the required third-party evaluation of foreign transcripts.

Admission to the SGS does not automatically admit a student to candidacy for an advanced degree.

Regular Admission

An applicant who meets all the above requirements is normally granted unconditional admission, provided the applicant is accepted by the degree program. It should be understood that admission to the SGS does not imply admission to any specific degree granting program. A student may be required to take additional coursework to meet the prerequisites of the particular degree program. Degree program admission standards may be higher than the minimum SGS requirements. Also, applicants who do not meet all the criteria for admission may be granted a conditional or provisional admission classification upon a recommendation from the appropriate program. International students are not eligible for conditional or provisional admission classification.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who fail to meet all the admission requirements may, in rare instances, be considered for conditional admission, but only upon very strong recommendation by the degree granting program. The recommendation will be based on the grounds of other evidence of the student’s ability to carry out the graduate program of study successfully. The Office of the School of Graduate Studies will consider the merits of the case and determine whether conditional admission is warranted.

Conditional admission may be granted as a temporary classification for only one academic year to applicants who otherwise satisfy the criteria for admission. The applicant can be admitted only under the condition that the deficiency be removed before the end of the academic year. It will also be required that at least a B (3.0) average be maintained for all coursework attempted during the period of conditional admission. If the condition of admission is not met by the end of the period, the academic program must evaluate the student’s performance and notify the Dean of the SGS and the student of the action to be taken to change the student’s admission classification to either fully admitted or to being expelled from the University.

Provisional Admission

Applicants who have applied to the SGS for admission, but who are unable to supply complete credentials or to complete any step in the admission process by the admission deadline, may be admitted provisionally for one semester upon a recommendation to the Graduate Dean from the program to which the student has applied. The provisional admission classification cannot be extended beyond one semester.

When a student is currently enrolled in a university program, he/she may be granted provisional admission as a temporary classification provided that all other records except for the semester in progress have been submitted. In such cases, complete credentials must be received no later than thirty (30) days after the first day of classes in the fall and spring semester and no later than fifteen (15) days after the first day of classes in the summer session, or admission may be canceled. Students will not be allowed a second provisional admission.

Probationary Admission

An applicant who does not meet the academic admission standards because his/her undergraduate grade point average is below that required by the SGS or the specific graduate program, which they seek admission, may be admitted on probation. If admitted on probation, the student must earn a 3.0 (B) grade point average by the end of the first two (2) semesters. Failure to meet this requirement can result in expulsion.

Non-Degree Seeking Admission

Unlike a graduate degree seeking applicant who seeks formal and full admission into a degree-granting program for the purpose of completing all master degree requirements, a non-degree seeking applicant is one who does not desire to matriculate through an entire graduate degree program.

Applicants who hold baccalaureate or graduate degrees and who desire to enroll in selected graduate courses at SUNO without formally entering a degree program must, however, submit an admission application, all official transcripts, and must pay the non-refundable application fee. The non-degree status provides an applicant permission to take courses and does not in any way imply or guarantee a subsequent change to regular admission classification and acceptance into a degree-granting graduate program. This classification is appropriate for students who wish to take graduate level courses for personal enrichment, professional development, certification purposes, or to later apply for the degree seeking classification.

Students should carefully consider the potential problems associated with this classification: (1) some 600-level courses may not be open to non-degree students; (2) non-degree students are not eligible for federal financial aid; and, (3) the short-term benefits of avoiding admission tests should be weighed against the long-term disadvantage of not being able to apply credits earned towards a degree program until satisfactory admission test scores are earned.

Where non-degree seeking students wish to change their classification to regular admission, they will be required to notify the Graduate Dean in writing and complete their admission package with letters of recommendation, appropriate GRE or GMAT scores, and all other required documents. Non-degree seeking students are only allowed to complete twelve (12) graduate credit hours under this status. Credits earned under this status will apply toward a degree if the student is later fully admitted to a degree-granting program; provided that the credit hours consist of graduate level courses, however. The courses must also be a part of the Plan of Study in the selected degree-granting program and an advisor in the graduate program, the graduate program director/chair, and the Graduate Dean must approve those courses.

Auditing Courses

Graduate students who wish to audit a course must obtain the approval of the instructor, the graduate program director/chair, and the Graduate Dean. The student must be enrolled or eligible to enroll in the University as a regular, visiting, or special student in order to be eligible to audit a course. A student who is allowed to audit a course must register for an audit classification and must pay the same tuition and fees as for academic credit enrollment. No student may receive academic credit for audited courses. Students who audit courses must understand that:

No credit can be earned for an audited course.
If examinations are taken, no credit can be awarded at a later date.
No more than two courses may be audited in the same semester.
Courses audited will be included in a student‘s course load calculation.
“AU” will be posted as the grade for an audited course.

Students who are not listed on the official class roll under an “AUDIT” status will not be allowed to sit in the class unofficially.

Re-Entry

Students who have interrupted their graduate program residence at SUNO, and have not registered for any regular semester, must file an application for re-entry and pay the appropriate fee. A student in attendance during the spring semester and not enrolled in the summer session, need not file for re-entry for the next fall semester. Degree students must submit supplemental transcripts if any work has been taken at another institution during the interim if they desire consideration of such work.

Students who follow the University’s procedures to withdraw voluntarily from a graduate program, and who are in good standing at the time of withdrawal, may re-enter no later than after one academic year and continue under the same curriculum policy which was in effect when they originally entered. The re-entry policies of the individual graduate degree programs must be adhered to by every student who returns. Students in good standing who return later than one academic year must re-apply and pay the appropriate application fee. These students are required to follow the curriculum policies in force at the time of re-entry.

Students who voluntarily withdraw from SUNO while NOT in good standing, or those who have been asked to withdraw due to poor scholarship, must re-apply by submitting a full application packet. Such students are subject to the same levels of screening and admission committee reviews as are first time applicants. Students who are asked to withdraw for poor scholarship twice will not be considered for re-entry. Students who are expelled will be not be readmitted.

In the case of suspensions for disciplinary actions, students who are expelled for only one semester may re-enter according to the policies of the individual degree program and must submit a new application for admission. If admitted, these students will return on probation. The terms of such probationary status are determined at the program level at the time of the suspension.

Transfer Students

Applicants transferring from other universities must meet all of the requirements for admission. Students with prior graduate coursework are allowed to request a transfer of credits, not to exceed twelve (12) credit hours. Courses requested for transfer must have been taken no longer than seven (7) years prior to the application for enrollment at SUNO. Only courses with an earned grade of B or better will be considered (B- grades are not transferable).

Students requesting a transfer must submit a Letter of Good Standing from their last college or university. This letter must include a statement that the student: (1) is not on probation; and, (2) has not been dismissed because of poor academic performance or other violations that are governed by a code of conduct.

The SGS has no articulation agreements for courses at the graduate level with other Universities in the State of Louisiana at this time. Graduate credits may be transferred only from a regionally accredited university or college (a recognized university, if international). Acceptable transfer courses are limited to those in which a student has earned a grade of B or better. Transfer credits must not be more than seven (7) years old at the time of graduation (the date on which degree is awarded).

Graduate programs are permitted to accept a limited number of graduate credit hours for transfer to satisfy the requirement for master’s degrees. This must be done with the approval of the Graduate Dean and such transfers may not be used to satisfy the residency requirement. This policy applies to graduate work completed at SUNO and other accredited colleges and universities. In all instances where a transfer of credit is granted, it must be the considered judgment of the program faculty that the work is relevant and meets the same objectives as a comparable course in the SUNO program. Even though a course requested for transfer may be suitable and meet the criteria above, faculty may still reserve the right to require that the SUNO course(s) be taken.

All transfers of credit from another institution require the recommendation of the degree program faculty and the approval of the graduate director and Graduate Dean. A grade of C may not be transferred for credit toward a graduate degree at SUNO. Also observe that:

Graduate credits may be transferred only when they can be reconciled with the requirements of the student’s chosen degree program. (1. Recommendation of Faculty, 2. Approval of Director/Chair, and 3. Approval of Dean).
Only graduate level courses (500 level and above) may be transferred.
Credits that were previously used toward a degree cannot be applied toward another degree.
The total number of graduate credits that can be accepted for transfer cannot exceed twelve (12) hours.
A transfer of credit application form, official transcripts and a Plan of Study must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies Dean for approval immediately after the initial advisement and assessment of the in-coming student’s transcript. No transfer of credit request will be approved after the end of the first semester of a student’s enrollment in a graduate degree program.
Pass (P)/Fail (F) grades are not transferable unless it can be clearly substantiated for SUNO graduate faculty by the former institution that the P represents at least B quality work.

Transfer of Graduate Credit taken as a Non-Degree Student toward a Graduate Degree

Graduate credit may only be transferred from a regionally accredited university or college (or a recognized institution in the case of international students) in courses in which a student has earned a grade of B or better. Those credits must not be older than seven (7) years at the time of graduation and may only be transferred when they can be reconciled with the requirements of the student’s chosen graduate degree program.

A maximum of twelve (12) semester hours of coursework that has been taken while the student was enrolled as a non-degree student may be transferred toward a degree at SUNO provided that they are graduate level (500 level or above) courses. Graduate credit will not be officially transferred without a fully executed application form, appropriate support documentation (official transcripts), an approved Plan of Study and the required approvals from the student’s advisor and the graduate program director. The request to transfer credit must be submitted to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies no later than the end of the first semester of enrollment in the graduate degree program.

Credit by Examination

An examination to establish credit for work done in absentia or without formal class work may be used to remove undergraduate deficiencies, but not to earn credit towards an advanced degree. Arrangements are made by the student, the advisor and the program director through the SGS Office. The results of such examination must be certified by the professor under whom the course would have normally been taken. The examination must be given in a semester when the course is offered and the student must register for the course in order to receive credit.

Residency Requirement

At least two-thirds (2/3) of the hours required for a master’s degree must be earned in residence at SUNO. Credits older than seven (7) years may not be used, nor may these credits be used to satisfy any part of this residency requirement. A student must be in residence in SUNO’s SGS for at least two semesters in order to be recommended for a graduate degree.

Statute of Limitations

All work, including transferred credit, counted toward the master’s degree must be completed during the seven (7) years immediately preceding the date on which the degree is awarded.

The Second Master’s Degree

A student seeking a second master’s degree may be allowed to apply credits from a previous degree program towards the requirements of a second graduate degree at SUNO with the approval of specific courses being recorded by the faculty in the second degree program. The specific stipulations are that the second degree must be different from the previous degree and that not more than twelve (12) semester hours of appropriate credit from the previous degree may be applied to the second degree.

Concurrent Registration

A graduate student registered at SUNO may not receive degree credit for any work taken concurrently at another college or university without prior approval of their academic advisor, their graduate program director/chair, and the Graduate Dean. Degree-seeking graduate students who wish to take courses at another college or university during a summer session, or during a regular semester when not enrolled at SUNO, must also obtain prior approval of their advisor, their program director/chair and the Graduate Dean.

Any student interested in pursuing concurrent degrees at SUNO should discuss the proposed study with the Graduate Dean and the graduate program directors/chair prior to applying to the programs. If the request for concurrent enrollment is approved, the student must be officially admitted to both programs through regular procedures. If the student is approved to pursue two master’s degree programs, no more than six (6) hours of coursework from one-degree program may be applied toward meeting the requirements for the second degree. These six (6) hours must be agreed to by the faculty in the second degree program through a petition submitted to the Graduate Dean.

It is the responsibility of each graduate student pursuing continuing enrollment at SUNO to submit to the office of the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies an official transcript of work pursued elsewhere. SUNO will not grant credit for coursework taken by a student during any period of time in which the student was suspended or dismissed from any other college or university.

Financial Assistance for Graduate Students

Southern University at New Orleans offers a comprehensive program of financial aid to assist graduate students. The following federal and institutional programs are available through the University’s Office of Financial Assistance:

Federal Perkins Loans
Federal Stafford Student Loans
Federal Work Study
Graduate Assistantships

The University accepts the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for all types of Title IV financial aid. This packet is available through the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Assistantships and Guidelines

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in its Criteria for Accreditation mandates that the GSP develop policies to govern the selection and evaluation and monitoring of graduate assistants (GAs). These policies include setting minimum academic qualifications for holding a GA appointment, creating a process for renewing an appointment, workload and stipend ranges, and procedures for the supervision of GAs within the employing graduate programs and by the office of the SGS.

SUNO will offer teaching, research and service assistantships on a semester-by-semester basis as funds are available. Applications and supporting documents should be submitted to the appropriate graduate degree program in accordance with published deadlines. Only full time graduate students with regular admission status and acceptable academic records (B average or better) will be appointed to assistantships. Students who are admitted on conditional or provisional status are not eligible to apply. International students must provide evidence of a current and valid Visa in order to be eligible, and must satisfy all other GA criteria established by the graduate degree program, the SGS and the University. Applications and information regarding the availability of assistantships can be obtained in the SGS Office and in various graduate degree program offices as funds become available.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Programs

A SUNO undergraduate student who, in his/her final semester, is completing not more than six (6) hours toward a baccalaureate degree may be approved to take up to six (6) hours of graduate courses at the 500 level. Exceptions may apply if students are matriculating in a professional certification program. Courses at the 600 level are prohibited for any undergraduate student. This applies to undergraduate students who audit 600 level courses as well. Undergraduate students cannot be enrolled in 600 level courses even if they are not seeking graduate credit. Requirements for this include a cumulative GPA of 3.0, approval by the undergraduate faculty advisor, approval by the intended graduate program, approval of the professor(s) of the 500 level course(s) to be taken for graduate credit, and approval of the Graduate Dean. These approvals must be obtained prior to the beginning of the semester in which the undergraduate student seeks to enroll in graduate courses.

If the undergraduate student earns at least a B while taking a graduate level course, the credit can be applied toward a graduate degree at SUNO if it has not already been used for undergraduate degree credit. Credit for such graduate work may also be transferred to another institution, provided the transfer of credit is approved by the graduate program selected by the student. Such transfer of credit requests must be made as soon as the student is admitted into a graduate program. It should be noted that permission to take graduate courses as an undergraduate student does not imply or in any way guarantee later admission into the graduate program.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for

Financial Aid/Scholarships Policy

This policy provides the framework for monitoring academic progress and eligibility determination for all federal, scholarship, and other aid programs. All graduate students receiving any financial aid or scholarships from SUNO must abide by this policy, as well as any specific requirements for scholarships or exemptions as applicable. This policy applies to all new, transfer, reentry, and continuing graduate students at SUNO, effective Fall 2001.

General Guidelines - Students must be in good standing academically, and enrolled in an eligible curriculum. Students must also maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a total earned hours/pursued hours ratio in accordance with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Earned Hours/Pursued Hours Ratio Table which can be found in the front of this catalog under Financial Aid, in order to retain their financial aid eligibility.

Earned/Pursued Hours Ratio and GPA Standard - Graduate students must earn at least two-thirds (2/3) of their hours pursued at SUNO and maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 in all coursework.

Withdrawal from Courses and the University

The University publishes its yearly academic calendar which lists a period of time during which students may add or drop classes at the beginning of each semester. Students intending to add or drop courses must obtain the necessary signatures on the appropriate form found in the Registrar’s office. Students may not add classes after the published deadline and will not be allowed to attend classes for which their names do not appear on the official roll. Students are only allowed to drop or add courses with the signatures of their advisors, the graduate program director and/or the college dean.

If classes are dropped before the 14^th day of the semester (7^th day of the summer session), there will not be a listing of those courses on the student’s record. When courses are dropped after the 14^th day (7^th day in summer), a W is recorded. In cases where a student drop all the classes they are registered for, the action is equivalent to resigning from the University and the appropriate Withdrawal Form must be executed.

A student’s intent to drop a course or withdraw from the University must be documented by his/her signature on the appropriate form which must be also signed by several University officials. Students who are withdrawing from the University must have their forms signed by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

When students simply stop attending one class or discontinue attendance in all classes, without filing a Withdrawal Form and clearing University accounts, an F will be posted to their transcripts for all classes appearing on their records that semester. Further, the right to a statement of honorable dismissal will be forfeited, thereby jeopardizing re-entrance to SUNO or transfer to another accredited institution.

It is the student’s responsibility to follow the required procedures and to meet the deadlines published by the University for dropping courses and withdrawing from the University. Failure to comply will usually result in a grade of F.

International Students

Prospective students who are citizens of countries other than the United States are particularly welcome in the SUNO School of Graduate Studies. An application for the SGS should be requested early and the request should contain information regarding the prospective student’s citizenship status, country of birth, formal academic preparation, evidence of financial support, dependents, English language proficiency, standardized test scores and proposed area of graduate study. Transcripts from foreign institutions which are not in English must be translated and/or evaluated to determine appropriate United States bachelor’s degree (or graduate) equivalencies. However, the applicant must submit both the official/original foreign transcript along with an official course-by-course transcript evaluation, preferably translated by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 296-3359, oies@aacrao.org, or www.AACRO.com. [Foreign Credential Evaluations, Inc., 1425 Market Boulevard, suite 330, PMB #305, Roswell, GA, 770-642-1108, Fax 770-641-8381, www.fceatlanta.com, BECotter@mindspring.com; or World Education Services, Inc., P. O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10011, (212) 966-6395 or 800-937-3895, info@wes.org, may also be used.] The fees for the required certified translations and evaluations must be paid by the applicant who should request that the translation and evaluation be mailed directly to: The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Southern University at New Orleans, 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126. International students will be required to have an earned bachelor’s degree and the appropriate grade point average for the graduate program of choice. Fees must be submitted in U.S. currency.

International students must present a minimum composite score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), with at least 50 on the listening comprehension component. Individual programs may require higher scores. A student needing to take the TOEFL should write directly to: TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has strict rules governing the enrollment and employment of international students. In general, the INS requires graduate students to be enrolled for a full course load as defined by the University. Applications from international students are due 90 days prior to the semester of desired initial entry. Upon notification of acceptance into the SGS, prospective students who are not already in the United States will receive a letter of admission and an immigration document (SEVIS Form I-20). In compliance with the current student reporting regulation - 8 CRF 214.2(f), 214.2(m) and 214.3, students must report to the Office of International Student Services in order to be officially entered in SEVIS once they arrive in New Orleans.

The SGS considers an applicant an international student if the applicant currently holds or will hold F-1 (student) of J-1 (exchange visitor) visa status. Students requiring a student visa may not be admitted on probation or provisionally. The U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, the agency that governs non-immigrant F-1 students, requires international students in this category to pursue a full course of study while maintaining non-immigrant student status. Under this regulation, a graduate student must register for a minimum of six (6) semester hours of coursework in a degree program.

F-1 Transfer Students

All F-1 transfer students already in the United States must show proof of their visa status. A completed VISA CLEARANCE FORM signed by their current International Student Advisor must be submitted to the SGS in addition to the academic transcripts, evidence of financial support, and health records. It is the responsibility of all F-1 students to maintain their student visa status.

For admission, all international students must:

meet the minimum academic requirements for admission to the SGS (i.e., a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution);
submit evidence of proficiency in the English language;
present a statement of financial responsibility;
provide three (3) letters of recommendation from administrators or professors in the college or university from which the applicant holds a bachelor’s degree; and
submit official scores on the standardized test (GRE, GMAT, etc.) required by the individual graduate degree program.

International students who have entered the United States on an I-20 issued by another institution will not be considered for admission unless it can be shown that the student was previously enrolled at the institution issuing the I-20.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

In accordance with the Family Education Right and Privacy Act of 1974 (P. L. 93-380), Section 513, amending the General Education Provisions Act, Section 438, students enrolled at SUNO are hereby informed of their right of access to their official records as described in the Act. If additional information is desired contact the Office of the Registrar.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act defines the term “directory information” to include the student’s name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. The University will make public, information about each student limited to these categories in ways such as those described above.

Students, who do not wish to have any or all of such “directory information” made public without prior consent, must notify the Office of the Registrar, SUNO of this fact in a signed and dated statement specifying items that are not to be published. This notice must be received by the Office of the Registrar by the end of the registration period of the semester or summer session of first enrollment, or after an absence and re-enrollment, and by the end of each fall registration period thereafter. The student is to notify the Dean of the SGS that such a request has been made to the Registrar by forwarding a copy of the original request.

Student Records

Final grades for each semester are officially recorded and filed in the Office of the Registrar. Grade reports are submitted to students, parents or guardians at the end of each semester. However, approximately 10 days will be required to post grades and issue transcripts for students who have completed courses and wish this work to be included on their transcripts. Graduates of the University are given their first transcripts free of charge. A written request and a fee is required for each additional transcript. Transcripts cannot be released until all debts to the University are paid in full.

Student Records Regulations - Campuses comprising the Southern University System shall comply fully with regulations of Section 438, Privacy Rights of Parents and Students, of the General Education Provisions Act. This insures students’ access to their educational records maintained by the University, and prohibits the release of personally identifiable information except as specified by the law. The Chancellor shall inform students of the rights accorded them by law.

To gain access to their academic records, students must submit written requests or present themselves to the Office of the Registrar. Personally identifiable information from educational records cannot be released without the student’s permission except:

to University personnel who have legitimate educational interests as determined by the University;
to other educational institutions in which the student seeks to enroll (the student may obtain a copy of the record that was transferred);
to public agencies as specified in the General Education Provisions Act;
to agencies requesting records in connection with the student’s application for financial aid;
to accrediting agencies;
to parents of students who are dependents for income tax purposes;
to courts of law in response to court orders or subpoenas.

Policies governing disciplinary procedures for the University are included in the Code of Student Conduct manual, available in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Requests for access to educational records by any person other than the graduate student shall be refused unless the student has submitted a written, dated, and signed waiver to allow access to the records. The waiver must specify the records to be released, the reasons for the release, and the names of persons to whom records should be released.

Change of Name and/or Address - If after being admitted to the SGS, a student’s name, address, or other contact information changes, he/she MUST report that change to their degree program office and the SGS. Any communication from the University bearing the name and address on file is considered to be properly delivered.

General Information and Policies

It is the responsibility of the graduate student to be informed of and to observe all regulations and procedures required by the SGS as well as the program the student is pursuing. The student must be familiar with those sections of the University Catalog that outline general policies, regulations and requirements, specific degree program and department requirements, and the requirements of the SGS. A student’s lack of knowledge of a rule will not constitute a basis for waiving that rule. Any exception to the policies stated in the University Catalog requires the approval of the Graduate Dean.

After admission to the SGS, but before the first registration, a student should consult the faculty advisor and/or the graduate program director/chair in the major department concerning course transfers, degree requirements, and special regulations of the department. All Plans of Study, courses, and class schedules require the approval of the director of the graduate program and the student’s designated advisor.

Faculty Advisors - Once an applicant has been cleared for admission into the SGS, the application is then forwarded to the degree program of the applicant’s choice for admission consideration. Upon acceptance for admission to a degree program, each student is assigned a faculty advisor from the appropriate field of concentration. The faculty advisor will assist the student in planning a program and schedule; however, the student must assume responsibility for meeting all requirements.

Student Responsibilities - It is the responsibility of the student to become thoroughly acquainted with all graduate regulations including admission and degree requirements. All graduate students should also become familiar with all departmental and programmatic policies. Students enrolling in graduate courses must possess satisfactory prerequisite experiences for each course taken. Students must consult their advisors and the course instructors prior to enrollment in any courses.

Class Attendance Policy - Class attendance is regarded as an obligation as well as a privilege. All students are expected to attend, regularly and punctually, all classes, seminars, conferences, and workshops scheduled unless prevented from doing so by unforeseen circumstances. Students experiencing such circumstances should contact their course instructor immediately. Failure to do so may seriously jeopardize a student’s academic standing.

Each instructor will maintain a permanent attendance record for each class. These records are subject to inspection by appropriate University officials.

Each instructor shall report to the Director of the Program/Chair all cases of absences which will, in the opinion of the instructor, jeopardize the student’s chance of satisfactorily completing the course.

Students who miss classes, seminars, conferences and/or workshops are responsible for obtaining the material covered in the lectures or other class sessions. Students will be allowed to make up missed exams or other course requirements at the instructor’s discretion.

Again, class attendance is regarded as an obligation as well as a privilege. Students who miss two classes are required to meet with the course instructor immediately to explain the reasons for missing class. It is the student’s responsibility to set up the meeting with the instructor. In such cases, students should be aware that the instructor has the right to adjust the student’s grade or not, depending on the instructor’s assessment of the student’s reasons for missing class. Such an action will be based on the student’s academic performance as well as reasons for absences.

Faculty members are required to state in writing and explain to students at the beginning of each semester and summer session, their policy in regard to tardiness, absences and missed work. Students are responsible for all missed work, regardless of the reason for the absence.

If a student does not officially withdraw from a class, any absences before official withdrawal will be recorded and will become a part of the student’s permanent record.

Excessive Absences - Instructors are required to inform the School of Graduate Studies office of any student whose potential to successfully complete a graduate course is jeopardized by frequent and/or unexplained absences. The Dean of the Graduate Studies Program will contact these students to inform them of the above Class Attendance Policy and to urge them to immediately schedule an appointment with their instructor to discuss the absences.

Student Conduct - Graduate students are subject to the same rules of behavior that govern undergraduates. Administrative regulations governing the conduct of students enrolled at SUNO are contained in the Graduate Student Handbook. Included in that publication are rules and regulations governing students’ rights and responsibilities, the University Judicial System, disciplinary sanctions, penalties, violations, and types of offenses.

Student Academic Grievance Procedure - When a student has a grievance that he/she feels cannot be settled in a normal out-of-class discussion, the following steps are strongly recommended:

Discuss the problem with the instructor.
Discuss the problem with the director/chair of the degree program.
Discuss the problem with the college/school dean.
If the problem has not been satisfactorily resolved after the above three steps, the student may make written appeal to the Graduate Dean, who, if unable to resolve the matter, will refer it in writing to the Graduate Council for review and recommendation to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Student academic appeals must be filed by the end of the next regular semester after the grievance occurred.

The Graduate Grading System - A grade is assigned solely on the basis of the instructor’s assessment and learned judgment of the student’s scholarly attainment. Graduate students are assigned a grade of A, B, C, D, or F on coursework. No graduate credit toward a degree is earned for a grade less than C. The SGS adheres to the quality point system of four points per semester hour for an A, three for a B, two for a C, one for a D, and none for an F. The only passing grades for graduate work are an A or a B. A maximum of two grades below a B are acceptable for credit toward a graduate degree as long as the overall cumulative grade point average meets the B average requirement and there are no failing (F) grades.

D grades indicate unacceptable graduate work and all courses to be counted towards a graduate degree in which a D is earned must be repeated. F grades indicate FAILURE and work which is grossly unworthy of any credit and suggest that the student may not be capable of succeeding in graduate study.

Another grade which may be posted on the student’s transcript is the W which indicates that the student withdrew from a course on or before the date announced by the University as the last date for withdrawals without risk of penalty.

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) is required for graduation. At the discretion of a given degree program, a grade of B or better may be required for one or more particular courses or a sequence of courses. Courses with D or F grades do not earn any credit toward the master’s degree. Students who earn a grade of C in more than two (2) courses with credits in excess of nine (9) hours will be suspended from the SGS for one semester and required to obtain the approval of the graduate program director/chair and the Graduate Dean in order to re-enroll on a probationary status.

Incomplete (I) Grade Policy - Graduate coursework which is of passing quality but which, because of circumstances beyond the students’ control, is not complete, may be marked I (incomplete). It is not to be given to enable a student to do additional work to bring up a deficient grade. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the excuse by petitioning the instructor in writing and listing the unusual circumstance which necessitates the I. The petition must be presented to the instructor prior to the deadline for submitting grades to the Registrar. If a petition is not received prior to the deadline, the instructor is to consider the delinquent work as being of failing quality and an I grade is not to be given. (The instructor will calculate the grade without the missing work and post it on the grade sheet accordingly.)

Upon receipt of the petition for an I, the instructor should identify, in writing, all delinquent work which must be completed, along with any special instructions, in order to change the grade later. The instructor, the student, and the graduate program director/chair must sign in acceptance of the petition for the I grade. The I can only be removed by the completion of the work identified in the petition and agreed to by all parties.

A grade of I carries no quality points and has the effect of lowering the student’s overall grade point average until it is replaced with a regular grade. The I becomes an F if it is not removed by the end of the 45^th day of the following semester. NOTE: A student should not re-enroll in a course in which an incomplete grade was received. Students who have been given an I cannot be cleared for graduation until the delinquency has been satisfied.

Undergraduate Courses Taken by Graduate Students - All grades earned in undergraduate courses that are taken by a graduate student are calculated in the graduate grade point average. Such courses are not generally applicable to requirements for a graduate degree, but may be taken as prerequisites to graduate level courses which are required. Where an undergraduate course is taken, either as a prerequisite or as an elective, the minimum grade acceptable grade will be a B.

Academic Good Standing - A graduate student is in good standing and is considered to be making satisfactory progress if a 3.0 semester cumulative grade point average is earned in all graduate courses. No grade below C will be accepted for graduate degree credit. Where students earn F grades, even though their GPAs do not fall below 3.0, they are automatically suspended for one semester and will only be allowed to re-enroll on a probationary status. For students who earn F grades and their GPAs fall below 3.0, the determination of the students standing and continuation in the degree program will be made by the faculty in that program. Two (2) options are available to the faculty: (1) to recommend suspending the students for one semester and requiring them to repeat the course once they are allowed by the program director/chair and the Graduate Dean to re-enroll; or, (2) to recommend expelling the students without benefit of probation or suspension. All available information must be used to support the faculty’s conclusion that the student who earned an F is incapable of continuing and succeeding in the graduate program. Where such conclusion is derived, a recommendation to expel the student must be submitted to the Graduate Dean.

Changing Grades - A grade assigned for work in a course is not usually subject to change. Exceptions may be considered in case of a specific error that may be documented and corrected. Any change of grade must be initiated on the required form available in the Office of the Registrar by the instructor who originally assigned the grade. Grades that have been submitted to the Office of the Registrar can be changed only by submitting the official Change of Grade Form certifying that an error was made in recording the grade. Grades should not be changed after the semester (or summer session) because a student takes an examination previously missed and/or submits course requirements after the official completion of a course. An instructor’s acceptance of late material constitutes extending the semester and is not allowed.

A change of grade is based on some error in calculation/recordation and must be approved by the graduate program director/chair and the Dean of the Graduate Studies before the Registrar will make changes on the student’s record. Any grade change must be received in the Office of the Registrar no later than 60 calendar days immediately following the beginning of classes in the semester following the one in which the grade was given or omitted. For a Summer session, the changes are due in the Office of the Registrar no later than sixty (60) calendar days immediately following the beginning of classes in the succeeding Fall semester. If a student is not enrolled the following semester, then the grade change is due sixty (60) calendar days following the beginning of classes in the next semester in which the student is enrolled.

Course Numbers - Courses numbered 500 and above are limited to graduate students, except for those undergraduate students who, as explained in the section above entitled Undergraduate Enrollment in a Graduate Program, are allowed to take graduate courses near the completion of their undergraduate degree programs. Those courses that are numbered 600 and above are primarily designated for advanced graduate students.

Undergraduate courses numbered 100-399 may not be used to satisfy the requirements of a graduate degree program at any time. Where 400 level courses are required as a prerequisite to full or conditional admission into a graduate degree program, the requirement must be written as a part of the student’s approved Plan of Study; the specific course(s) must be identified by title and number and the requirement must be limited to a maximum of two undergraduate courses used for graduate credit.

This catalog contains a complete list of approved graduate courses. Individual graduate degree programs reserve the right to decide when to offer each of these courses.

Course Load Limits - The University operates on a semester system consisting of two sixteen-week periods and an eight-week summer session. One credit under the semester system is equal to 1.5 quarter credits. Students enrolled for nine (9) hours during a regular semester are considered as having a full-time course load. The minimum for summer sessions is six (6) credit hours. The maximum course load for a full-time, non-working student registered in a master’s degree program during a regular semester is twelve (12) semester hours. Students wishing to enroll for more than twelve (12) credit hours must obtain approval from their graduate faculty advisor and the director of the program. The maximum course load for students registered for graduate study during any single summer session is one semester hour for each week of the session.

Plan of Study - The degree requirements for each graduate program is determined by the faculty in that program and must be approved by the Graduate Council and the curriculum committee. The graduate degree program in which the student is enrolled shall specify the program’s additional requirements for each of its students.

Approval for Additional Courses - Students may not receive graduate degree credit for courses that are not contained in their Plan of Study and which are not dully authorized for this purpose by the faculty of their degree program faculty and the Graduate Dean.

Independent Study - Individual graduate degree programs may offer an opportunity for students to complete a course through individual instruction/independent study. This is not allowed for those courses designated as “core” or foundational courses and should not be considered for those courses which constitute the first twelve hours of credit in a student’s program of study. An independent study must be agreed to by the instructor of record for the course and approved by the student’s advisor and the director/chair of the graduate program. Maximum six (6) hours.

Academic Standards - The minimum standard for graduate work leading to a graduate degree is a 3.0 grade point average in the overall program of courses pursued and in the major field with no more than two grades below a B. A C grade must be offset by an A in a course of the same number of credit hours.

All work pursued, even undergraduate courses taken as requirements or electives while enrolled as a graduate student will be calculated as part of a student’s graduate grade point average.

A student whose cumulative average is below B (3.00) or whose semester average is below B will be placed on academic probation at the end of the semester in which it occurs. The probationary status must be removed by achieving a cumulative and/or semester average of B during the next enrollment session. Two consecutive unsuccessful probationary periods will result in a suspension wherein the student must remain out of school for one regular semester. However, any graduate student whose cumulative and/or semester average falls below 2.5 will be suspended from the University without a probationary period. Reinstatement after one semester must be approved by the graduate program director/chair and the Graduate Dean. If suspended twice, the student will not be eligible for readmission.

A graduate student may be denied further registration in a graduate program when the student’s scholastic performance or progress toward completion of the planned program has not been maintained at a B average level in all work attempted, or when the student’s performance is defined by the faculty as being unsatisfactory scholarship. Disciplinary action will be taken against a student with unsatisfactory scholarship. Such actions can include probation, suspension, or exclusion.

Academic Conduct - Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated. If it can be established that a violation of this nature has occurred, the student will receive an automatic F in the course in which the offense occurred and a letter will be placed in his/her official record in the SGS Office. A second offense will result in expulsion from the degree program. All charges of this nature must, however, first be brought before the Graduate Council for review and disposition.

Academic Probation - Graduate students, full-time or part-time, will be placed on probation if:

the student’s cumulative graduate grade point average is below 2.5 at the of time admission. If admitted on probation, a student must make a 3.0 grade point average in each semester in which the first nine hours of graduate work is completed or the student will be expelled from the SGS.
the student’s cumulative graduate grade point average for undergraduate or graduate work falls below a 3.0 during graduate enrollment. (Should the cumulative average be below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters, the student may be expelled from the School of Graduate Studies. For this purpose the summer session is considered a regular semester.)
the student earns more than two grades below B during enrollment. (Failure to meet specific academic performance standards established by the School of Graduate Studies and/or the individual graduate degree programs may also result in academic suspension.)

Students on academic probation will not be allowed to register for courses in the final year of graduate study, receive scholarships, assistantships, or register for more than a total of six (6) graduate credit hours. Full time students admitted to a graduate program on academic probation must achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA by the end of the first two (2) semesters in order to continue graduate study. Students placed on probation while enrolled in a graduate program must acquire a 3.0 cumulative GPA by the end of the next semester.

Students who fail to meet the conditions of a probationary status will be recommended to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies for suspension up to two times, after which expulsion is automatic.

Suspension - A student who is placed on probation for two consecutive periods, will be suspended if a GPA of 3.0 is not achieved by the end of the second probationary period.

A student who is placed on suspension must remain out of school (and will not be allowed to register) for the semester or summer session immediately following such suspension. A student who is placed on suspension will not be allowed to register after the suspension without approval from the graduate program director/chair and the Graduate Dean.

Students who return after a one-semester suspension are allowed to re-enroll under a Probationary status ONLY, and are expected to meet all the terms of probation once they are re-admitted.

Expulsion - A student who has been placed on suspension for two consecutive periods and has failed to meet the 3.0 GPA requirements, will not be eligible for readmission into the program from which he/she was suspended after the second suspension.

A student who is expelled from a graduate program is ineligible for readmission to the program from which he/she was expelled, and will not be allowed to register or be readmitted to the program unless there are verifiable extenuating circumstances and:

he/she submits a written appeal to the Graduate Council;
that appeal is successful and the Graduate Council permits the student to be readmitted.

Academic Appeals - Students may appeal an expulsion only if the expulsion is the first one and the student is able to provide relevant documentation of extenuating circumstances to off-set the expulsion. The appeal is directed to the Graduate Council and, following review and a possible hearing, the Council will make a recommendation to the Graduate Dean for final disposition.

Interruptions of Enrollment - A student who, of his/her own accord, interrupts his/her enrollment for two consecutive regular semesters (Fall and Spring) will have their matriculation closed and will need to reapply for admission into the SGS when they are ready to return.

Readmission - Any student who desires to be readmitted to the University after being expelled for academic reasons, exclusive of failure of the comprehensive examination or of the oral defense of the thesis, capstone or final projects, must first complete a SGS application. Students must submit a written request for readmission to the SGS Dean, and the director/chair of the graduate program in which they were formally enrolled. If the readmission is approved, reinstatement may require students to fulfill special conditions formulated by the graduate program faculty and approved by the SGS Dean, who shall then notify students of such conditions.

A student who fails the comprehensive examination or the final oral examination in defense of the thesis, capstone, or final project a second time will be dropped from the SGS. When dropped for either of these reasons, the student will not be readmitted to the SGS.

Student/Faculty Grievances - When a student or a faculty member has a grievance which cannot be settled in a brief after class discussion, the following steps are strongly recommended:

The instructor should schedule a conference with the student at a mutually acceptable time within ten (10) working days of the inception of the alleged problem.
If unresolved after the previous step, the matter should be brought to the attention of the graduate program director/chair, in writing, to express the faculty and student positions.
If a decision cannot be reached upon the director’s review of the facts, he/she should appoint a committee of program faculty and students to review and resolve the matter within ten working days.
The next appeal is to the College or School Academic Dean.
If no resolution is reached at this level, the matter should be brought to the Dean of the SGS with a summary of previous steps taken. The Dean will refer the matter to the Graduate Council.
As a final academic review, if the matter cannot (or appropriately should not) be resolved by the Graduate Council, it will be presented to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs with the Council’s recommendation within sixty (60) days of the Council’s receipt of the grievance.

It is suggested that deliberate attempts be made by faculty to resolve matters without using this process. When this remedy is invoked to solve student/faculty grievances, the goal at all steps will be to arrive at a solution which is mutually acceptable and beneficial.

Change of Major or Program - A graduate student who wishes to change his/her major or program must submit a formal application through the SGS after receiving the approval of the appropriate graduate program director/chair (the student’s current department and desired new department). Approval must be obtained prior to making the change. Upon approval, a student may enroll in courses in the chosen new graduate degree program. However, students who change program/major should note the following:

Requests for all changes (including curriculum, program, degree, etc.) must be submitted to the Graduate Dean at least one semester prior to the date of graduation.
A maximum of six (6) credit hours of coursework pursued before the change of major/program may be used to satisfy the requirements for the new program, only if those hours are applicable to the new plan of study.
For graduation and other purposes, students who change their majors/programs, will be evaluated using the University Catalog and SGS policies and regulations that are in force at the time of the change.

Repeating a Course - Generally, a student may repeat a graduate course only once for credit. When a course is repeated at SUNO or at another college or university (if approved by SUNO’s graduate faculty), hours pursued, hours earned, and quality points of previous attempts are excluded from the calculation of cumulative averages. When a student repeats a course for credit, the last grade earned is the official grade and both grades will appear on the transcript. Students repeating courses must identify such courses on their registration forms or on the Plan of Study change forms. However, courses designated with variable credit hours (e.g. 3-9 credit hours) may be repeated for credit up to the maximum number of credit hours indicated for those respective courses. Variable credits are primarily allowed for courses such as thesis, clinical, practicum, etc.

Course Substitution - Substitutions of courses in a student’s approved Plan of Study may be permitted upon the written approval of the student’s advisor, the graduate program director/chair, and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. A request for course substitutions must be submitted on forms designated for this purpose, and a copy must be submitted to the SGS Office. In general, when substitutions involved coursework being transferred from another program or institution, the decision of the faculty to accept a substitution MUST be made during the initial assessment of the incoming student’s transcript and the recording of the student’s Plan of Study.

Students who wish to request course substitutions should be aware of the following:

Three typed copies of the request must be fully completed. The student, the student’s advisor, the graduate program director/chair must sign all copies before being submitted to the SGS Office.
Undergraduate courses below the 500 level cannot be substituted for graduate courses at the 500 level or above, except in special cases where appropriate supporting documentation can be provided by the course instructor to the effect that a 400 level course involved graduate level content. This fact must be agreed upon by the graduate instructor of the course being substituted and the program director/chair. And, this provision is limited to a maximum of two courses, six (6) credit hours, to be substituted for graduate credit.
The content of the substituted course must be comparable to the required course. Three copies of the course outline, catalog description, or syllabus of both the substitution course and the course being substituted must be attached to the request for course substitution.
The number of credit hours for the substitution course must be equal to or greater than the number of credit hours for the course being substituted (e.g. a two-credit hours course cannot be substituted for a three credit hours course).
When the substitution involves a course which has not yet been taken, the requests for substitution must be submitted for approval prior to the substitution course being taken. It is suggested that requests be submitted no later than one month prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student intends to take the substitution course. No retroactive substitutions will be permitted.

Poor planning and/or the desire to graduate in a certain semester is not an acceptable reason/excuse to violate the above or any other SGS policies and procedures.

Requirements for Master’s Degrees

The Master of Arts degree is awarded to qualified candidates in the criminal justice, and museum studies programs. The Master of Science degree is awarded to candidates in management information systems. The Master of Social Work degree is awarded to candidates in the graduate social work program.

The following regulations represent the minimum and general requirements of the SGS. Colleges and graduate programs may have additional regulations beyond those stated below. Therefore, satisfaction of the minimum requirements of the SGS, as stipulated in this catalog, does not relieve graduate students of the responsibility for satisfying any additional requirements of the degree programs in which they are enrolled. Unless otherwise indicated in the following sections concerning master’s degrees, these general regulations apply to all master’s degree programs at SUNO.

Course Requirements - The Plan of Study or the course work for a master’s degree is the under the direction and control of the graduate faculty in a graduate program. Each student must have his/her Plan of Study approved by the advisor and the graduate program director. No more than six (6) credits from a previous master’s degree program may be applied toward a second master’s degree. These credits are applied only with the written approval of the Graduate Dean and the graduate faculty and director/chair of the second (new) graduate degree program.

Degree Requirements - Unless otherwise specified, for any master’s degree, the student must:

Successfully complete a minimum of 36 semester credit hours of graduate work, 33 hours of which must be in coursework, if the thesis, capstone, final project option is chosen. For programs not requiring a thesis, capstone, or final project, and for students selecting the non-thesis option in lieu of a thesis, capstone, final project, the minimum requirement is 36 semester credit hours of course work (excluding credit hours for special projects in some programs).
Utilize a maximum of two 400-level undergraduate courses to meet the degree requirement provided these two courses meet the conditions set forth in the graduate program curriculum, and provided that the courses are approved when the student is admitted into the graduate degree program. All 400-level courses that will be used toward the student’s degree must be specifically named and numbered on the student’s approved Plan of Study.
Take any undergraduate-level courses that are prescribed as a prerequisite to full admission into a graduate degree program within the first twelve (12) hours of enrollment. This prescription should be written on the student’s Plan of Study and enforced by the advisor with oversight of the program director/chair.
Earn a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 while enrolled in SGS.
Earn no more than two grades below B while enrolled in the SGS.

Various factors may make it necessary for students to take more than the minimum number of credits before they satisfactorily complete the requirements for the degree.

Admission to Degree Candidacy - Admission to graduate program does not automatically make a student a formal candidate for the Master’s degree. Students are admitted to candidacy when they have unconditionally completed all of the requirements for a master’s degree with a B average, except the thesis, capstone, final project or comprehensive examination. Before students can be admitted to candidacy they must have:

Completed an Admission to Candidacy Form which is available from the SGS Office, which must include a list of the graduate courses completed, being taken and yet to be pursued in their field.
Passed all courses and have no I grades remaining on the transcript.
Have received approval of a thesis, capstone or final project subject.
Received the recommendation of the graduate program faculty for candidacy.
Secure the approval of the Graduate Dean.

Admission to candidacy must be achieved at the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to graduate. Candidacy for a master’s degree shall be valid for no more than three (3) academic years. Any student seeking renewal of candidacy must apply to the SGS through the graduate program for readmission. The graduate program director and the student’s advisor shall determine the conditions under which the student may be reinstated, subject to the approval of the SGS Dean.

The responsibility for fulfilling these requirements on time is that of the student. Students should consult their program advisors if in doubt as to any additional requirements of their graduate program. Students will be required to observe carefully the specific requirements of their programs and those of SGS relative to admission/readmission to candidacy; they must regard programmatic requirements as additional to these general requirements.

Other Requirements (Thesis/Non-Thesis Option) - Master’s degree programs may include both a “thesis option” (capstone, final project) and a “non-thesis option” (comprehensive examination), provided that each option has been set forth in writing, and approved by the Graduate Council and University Curriculum Committee. The overall level of achievement for a master’s degree should be the same, whether the option chosen requires completion of a thesis, capstone or final project or a comprehensive examination.

The thesis option is recommended for those students wishing to conduct original research and perhaps pursue a doctoral degree in the future. Under a thesis, capstone, final project option, 30 to 33 semester credits are completed in regular coursework and 3 to 6 credits are earned in the completion of the thesis, capstone, and final project process.

The non-thesis option is intended for students and/or working professionals, who elect to, complete the total credit hour requirement of their degree program through actual coursework. The student who selects the non-thesis option must pass a comprehensive written examination on the major field of study. A comprehensive examination and a minimum of 36 semester credit hours of coursework are required with this option. With this option, the student must register for the comprehensive examination in the semester in which it will be taken. Listed as a course, no credit hours are associated with the comprehensive examination and either a P or an F is recorded on the student’s transcript at the conclusion of the examination. If not passed, the examination can be repeated one (1) time. It is important to note that the non-thesis option is expected to be viewed as a thesis with a little less originality and depth.

When the faculty in an academic unit currently offering a master’s program which includes a thesis requirement wishes to add a non-thesis option, a statement should be transmitted to the Graduate Dean, for approval by the Graduate Council, describing in some detail the reason for requesting the non-thesis option, its aims and objectives, its courses and other significant requirements, and the proportion of master’s students expected to enroll for each option. Conversely, when a faculty offering a non-thesis master’s program wishes to offer a thesis option, similar information should be transmitted.

Supervisory Committee - Supervisory committees for graduate degree programs act on behalf of the SGS and are utilized to guide and ensure the academic quality of the final requirements for a master’s degree. These requirements generally are agreed to be the research, writing, examination, and publication of a thesis, capstone project, final problem project, or comprehensive examination. Supervisory committees are chosen by the student and the graduate program director/chair and must be approved by the Graduate Dean prior to the student’s completion of the final twelve (12) hours of credit in his/her degree program.

Committees must consist of a minimum of five members, with at least two possessing or being eligible for graduate faculty status. The chairperson of the committee must be from the student’s graduate degree program. Generally, a chairperson also possesses expertise in the focus area to be investigated by the student. The dean of the SGS is an ex-officio member of all supervisory committees. It is strongly recommended that one member of the committee be selected from a field external to the student’s degree program and or to the University, preferably a practitioner active in the field of study. The duties of the supervisory committee are to advise the student’s research, to check on the student’s adherence to degree requirements and deadlines, to supervise the overall preparation and content of the thesis, capstone, or final project. Each member of the committee is responsible for fully reviewing and approving both the process and the final document (i.e. the thesis or its equivalent). Final approval of the thesis or its equivalent in all aspects is the responsibility of the full committee acting on behalf of the SGS. The committee must ensure that the final research project incorporates evidence of the student’s synthesis of overall program content and of the intended outcome skills. The committee must conduct the final oral examination on the student’s research and attend to the overall scholarly quality of the process and the final product.

The supervisory committee for a master’s degree without a thesis, a comprehensive examination committee, may consist of one faculty person who will supervise the construction and scoring of the examination, and three members from the student’s graduate degree program who have taught the student, and who agree to submit questions from the subject areas they taught the student and all must agree to read and score the entire examination. The duties of the comprehensive examination supervisory committee are: to check on the student’s adherence to the degree requirements and deadlines; to submit examination questions which will allow the student to demonstrate mastery of course and program content; to assure that the overall examination is a comprehensive representation of the total degree program’s content; to ensure that the examination’s total processes will allow a student to demonstrate mastery of the skills intended by the degree program; to conduct a fair evaluation of the student’s responses to the examination questions; and to attend to the overall scholarly quality of the process. The results of the examination will be submitted to the SGS Office.

The Thesis, Capstone, Final Project Document - The document shall be prepared in accordance with the standards set within the graduate degree program in accordance with the conventions of the discipline, and must be produced by word processor. Every document submitted must conform to the specifications detailed in the manual published by the SGS.

The Oral Defense - Every student who prepares a thesis, capstone, or final project in fulfillment of the requirements of their degree program shall be required to sit in defense of its contents before the supervisory committee and other interested faculty and students.

The Comprehensive Examination - When a program offers the graduate student an option to complete a final research project (thesis, capstone, final project) or take a comprehensive examination, if the examination is selected, its exact format will be determined by the faculty of the student’s graduate program of study. This exam must consist minimally of three (3) essay questions valued at a total of 50% and some combination of objective assessment tasks valued at 50% of the total examination weight. The process may or may not include an oral examination format; but when included, such format should not reduce the weight of the written portion of the examination.

Each graduate program will establish its own format and must publish it as a part of its Graduate Student Handbook. Once established, format changes should be considered during scheduled program and curriculum reviews and then published for students. Students must pass a final comprehensive examination with a score equivalent to a B or better. The examination, held on campus with all participants present, will cover the degree program’s core curriculum and the candidate’s field of concentration. In no case may the comprehensive examination be scheduled earlier than the term proceeding the semester in which the degree is to be conferred to ensure that a candidate has completed the courses in all content areas which make the examination a comprehensive assessment.

Students who fail the examination for the first time will be allowed to sit for a second examination provided that the second examination does not come earlier than two (2) months from the date of the previous examination. Failure to pass the examination after a second attempt will result in the student being dropped from the degree program and SGS.

Change from Thesis to Non-Thesis Option - A student who wishes to change from the thesis to the non-thesis option for the master’s degree must obtain the permission of his/her advisor and the graduate program director/chair, and supervisory committee if it is already constituted, to make such a change. This permission must be forwarded to the SGS Dean for approval at least one full semester prior to the intended date of graduation. The candidate must meet all the requirements of the non-thesis option as specified above. A maximum of three (3) credits for a thesis can be counted toward the degree requirements with a non-thesis option change. In addition, the supervising committee must certify that the work (the three credits of thesis) was productive in and of itself and warrants a grade of a B or better.

The Catalog - The catalog that determines the curricular requirements for a graduate degree is the catalog in effect at the time of a student’s admission into the SGS and the graduate degree program. Each candidate for a graduate degree must fulfill the requirements of the program curriculum in which the graduate degree is expected. A minimum of a B average must be earned in the student’s graduate program of study. Exception to this policy will occur when external agencies add additional requirements that all graduates must meet (e.g. the Board of Regents, the Louisiana Legislature, accreditation agencies, etc.).

Under no circumstances may a catalog more than seven (7) years old be used. Students, whose enrollment, at SUNO or elsewhere, is interrupted (either voluntarily or involuntarily) for at least two consecutive semesters, will be subject to the catalog in effect at the time of re-entry. Students, who are unable to complete a graduate degree program within seven years after entering the University, if allowed to continue, will be expected to follow the catalog in effect during their seven year of attendance.

A student wishing to graduate under a catalog different from that specified by this policy must submit a written request (appeal) to the SGS Dean. This appeal should be endorsed by the advisor, and the graduate program director. Only exceptional cases with extenuating circumstances will be considered.

The student is responsible for obtaining written approval from the academic advisor, the graduate program and director for any deviation from the approved curriculum and from the program requisites for the degree sought.

Application for the Degree - An application for a degree must be approved in the Office of the SGS and filed in the Registrar’s Office during the registration period of the semester in which degree requirements for graduation are to be completed. Prior to submission to the Graduate Dean, each application must bear the signatures of the student, the advisor, the director of the degree program, and/or the dean of the college/school in which the degree program is housed. The student must also inscribe his/her name on the application form exactly as it is desired to appear on the diploma and graduation program.

Preparation for Graduation - Students must also prepare for graduation at the beginning of the final semester, within the guidelines established by the SGS. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements have been met and that every deadline is observed. The SGS, college, school, or graduate degree program sets forth all deadline dates in the University Calendar. Students should obtain copies of Thesis/Capstone/Final Project Guidelines from the SGS and/or their graduate degree program office and review them carefully prior to putting the thesis, capstone or final project into its final form.

The following is a summary of critical items required for graduation:

Candidates must complete and file an “Application for Graduation” with the Registrar during the semester in which graduation is anticipated, within the deadline established by the University.
The Candidate’s graduation application form must be signed by the advisor and director of the graduate program and accompanied by a completed and approved Plan of Study (and related forms).
Candidate must inscribe his or her name on the application form as he or she wishes it to appear on the diploma and in the commencement program.
Candidates whose applications are approved must officially “checkout” of the University, i.e., satisfy all financial responsibilities and obtain clearance from the appropriate offices/divisions on campus.
Candidates must pay a non-refundable graduation fee.

Commencement - Master’s degree candidates who are eligible for graduation are required to be registered in the University during the semester they are to receive their degrees. Candidates who are eligible to receive graduate degrees are required to participate in commencement in order to personally accept the honor indicated by the appropriate hood. Students must arrange to acquire the proper academic attire to be worn at commencement. Candidates who cannot participate in commencement must obtain an official excuse from the Dean of the SGS. The request to graduate in absentia must be based on verifiable legitimate reasons and must be submitted in writing prior to commencement and approved by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Candidates whose degree applications have been officially filed and approved, must officially “check-out” of the University, i.e., satisfy all financial responsibilities and obtain clearance from all appropriate offices on campus (even if excused from attendance at commencement). This clearance is supported by obtaining the authorized signatures in the following order:

Department Chair (Program Director)

College Dean

Graduate Assessment Office

Financial Aid

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Comptroller

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

A mailing fee is assessed for mailing the diploma after the commencement to students who are permitted not to participate in commencement. If a candidate pays the commencement fee but fails to graduate, he/she must re-apply for graduation during a subsequent semester.