The aim of graduate academic work at Texas A&M International University is to provide an opportunity for further study in chosen fields. Such study should lead to greater breadth, but especially to greater depth of knowledge in the field selected. Emphasis is placed on (1) how to find knowledge, (2) how to evaluate it, (3) how to organize it, and (4) how to apply it.
Admission to graduate studies is under the supervision of the Director of Admissions and Advisement, and all correspondence on this subject should be addressed to the Director.
Students should also contact their individual colleges for any specific application procedures and requirements. Admission to graduate studies is normally granted to an applicant who holds a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and who meets one of the following criteria (additional criteria for admission to the Counseling Psychology Graduate program is listed on page 158):
1. A 3.0 grade point average (GPA) based on a 4.0 GPA scale on upper-level (junior and senior) coursework; or
2. A minimum total score of 1300 using the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Aptitude Test score (Verbal + Quantitative) from a single test date or a minimum total score of 900 using the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score using the following formula:
GRE + (200 X GPA for upper-level courses) = 1300
GMAT + (200 X GPA for upper-level courses) = 900
NOTE: When computing the GPA in criteria one or two, the GPA must include a minimum of thirty (30) graded upper-level semester credit hours and exclude any credits taken under conditional status.
Conditional admission may be granted to a student who holds a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and who has not taken the GRE or the GMAT or presented a satisfactory score. All students requesting conditional admission must take the GRE or GMAT during their first semester. Conditional status may be cleared by achieving a satisfactory score on the GRE or the GMAT as outlined above. Graduate students in business with unsatisfactory GRE or GMAT scores may clear conditional status by completing 9-12 hours of coursework applicable to their degrees with at least a 3.3 GPA based on a 4.0 GPA scale.
NO STUDENT WILL BE PERMITTED TO REGISTER FOR MORE THAN TWELVE (12) HOURS OF APPLICABLE GRADUATE WORK (any work applying to a master's degree) IF HE/SHE HAS NOT REMOVED THE CONDITIONAL STATUS.
If, after having taken the GRE or the GMAT, the student cannot qualify for admission under the provisions outlined above, he/she may request that the Graduate Admissions Committee consider his/her qualifications for graduate study. Any student seeking admission to graduate status via Graduate Admissions Committee review should contact the Dean of the appropriate College upon completion of at least six (6) and no more than twelve (12) hours of applicable graduate work. (The College of Business Administration will not consider any credits transferred from an accredited university to the MBA program in granting admission to graduate status.)
1. Character of Graduate Work: The principal aim of graduate study is to develop in the student the power of independent work. Consequently, the character of work expected of graduate students is different from that of less-advanced students. A wide knowledge of the major subject and related subjects will be expected. To this end, the student will do assigned readings, attend lectures, and conferences, and make use of the library in equipping himself/herself to do effective study. In the College of Business Administration, written and oral communications are important components of each course.
2. Hours Required: Thirty-six to forty-eight hours of approved graduate courses depending on the degree. No more than six (6) hours of 4000 level coursework may be used to satisfy degree requirements.
3. Residence: All coursework must be taken at this University. See #4 below.
4. Transfer of Graduate-level Study: Six hours of graduate level study with a minimum grade of 3.0 ("B") on a 4.0 scale may be transferred, with the consent of the Department Chair, from other accredited institutions of higher education.
5. Grades Required: A minimum grade point average of 3.0 ("B") on a 4.0 point scale computed on all graduate work attempted must be maintained as well as in the major and in the minor. No more than six (6) semester credit hours with a letter grade of "C" earned at this university will be accepted as credit for a master's degree. Exception: No grade below 3.0 ("B") will be accepted for the MA in Counseling Psychology.
6. Correspondence Work: In no case will courses taken by correspondence be accepted for graduate credit.
7. Graduation Under a Particular Catalog: A degree seeking student may receive his/her master's degree upon satisfying the requirements of the catalog under which he/she first earned resident credit for graduate work, or upon satisfying the requirements of the catalog of any subsequent year in which he/she earned credit as a resident student in the University. All requirements for a master's degree must be completed within a period of five (six years for the MA in Counseling Psychology). No credit more than five/six years old, counting from the catalog year in effect at registration, will be recognized as graduate credit applicable toward a graduate degree. Students whose coursework has expired may repeat the expired course(s) or request an appropriate substitute.
8. Conferring of Degrees: No degree will be conferred except publicly and on Commencement Day of the spring, summer or fall semesters.
The semester hour is the unit of credit and is defined as the amount of credit given for one recitation hour a week for one semester. Each recitation hour requires two hours of preparation on the part of the average student. In general, three hours of carefully planned and supervised laboratory work are equivalent to one hour of lecture or recitation.
Normal Load: The normal load for a graduate student for a long semester is nine (9) hours. The normal load for summer school is six (6) semester hours per session.
For a graduate student employed in a full-time public school teaching position, the University recommends a load of six (6) hours each long semester.
Full-Time/Part-Time: A full-time graduate student is defined as one carrying a minimum load of nine (9) semester hours. A graduate student registered for less than nine (9) hours is considered a part-time student. Full-time during each summer session is a graduate student carrying six (6) semester hours.
Maximum Number of Hours: The maximum load for a graduate student is fifteen (15) hours a semester and six (6) hours each summer term. Exception: twelve (12) hours a semester for the College of Business Administration and nine (9) hours for the College of Arts & Humanities. Any SCH load in excess of the maximum load must be approved by the Dean of the appropriate College and the Provost.
A graduate student may enroll for up to nine (9) semester hours in one summer session only if he/she meets both of the following criteria:
1. needs the nine semester hours to complete graduation and/or certification requirements in August; and
2. has at least a 3.5/4.0 grade point average based on all valid graduate work taken up to the present time. Total semester hours earned in the summer may not exceed fifteen (15) SCH.
The term "course" shall be understood to mean a definite unit of work in a subject and may continue through two semesters. Credit allowed for each course is written out in full immediately following the title of the course. Example: HIST 5305 Civil War and Reconstruction. Three semester hours.
Graduate Courses: Courses numbered 5000 or above are open only to students with graduate standing. Some courses at the 3000- and 4000-level carry graduate as well as undergraduate credit (not available in the College of Business Administration). These courses are identified in the course description section for each College.
Repetition of a Course: If a student repeats a course that may not be taken for additional credit, it is the policy of the University to count only the last grade received in the course, whether passing or failing, other than a grade of "W" (see Grades below).
Grades are recorded from "A" to "D/F", inclusive and are mailed to each student at the end of each semester. Numerical values corresponding to these letters are as follows:
A 90-100, excellent
B 80-89, good
C 70-79, average*
D/F Below 70, failure
S/CR Satisfactory (credit)
U/NC Unsatisfactory (no credit)
W Dropped or withdrawn
I Incomplete
*No more than two courses with the grade of "C" will be accepted as credit for any master's degree. Exception: No grades below "B" will be accepted for the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree and in the Major Curriculum (required) Courses in Sociology.
Credit/No Credit: Courses taken in residence on credit/no credit basis are
not computed in the grade point average. Special projects designed to provide staff
development for teachers and which carry academic credit will be taken on the
credit/no credit basis. Grades assigned will be "CR" for satisfactory completion of the
objec
tives and "NC" for unsatisfactory completion of the objectives, and these grades
may not be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory: This grading criteria applies only to courses in the College of Business Administration. This grade can be given for only predesignated courses and may be used to satisfy degree requirements (e.g., business internships). For undergraduate students, a grade of "S" indicates achievement of 70 percent or greater for the course requirements; for graduate students, a grade of "S" indicates achievement of 80 percent or greater for the course requirements.
W, Dropped: Given when a student has officially dropped or withdrawn from the University before or on the midsemester point as indicated on the official University calendar, regardless of student's standing in class. Also given after the midsemester point when the drop form has been issued for a student who is passing at the time the official drop is processed. If the student is not passing, the grade of "F" is received.
I, Incomplete: Given to a student who is passing but has not completed a term paper, examination, or other required work. Students electing to complete unfinished work in the course must sign an incomplete contract along with the instructor specifying assignments o be completed and the due date. Failure to sign contract, and have on file in the Registrar's Office, will result in the "I" being converted to an "F" through an administrative action of the Registrar.
For the student, the grade of "I" may be removed under certain conditions:
(a) if the student elects to complete the course, they may, within the time specified by the instructor, but not exceeding twelve months from the date the "I" was recorded, complete the work in the course and request that the instructor submit a change of grade form to the University Registrar. Extensions of time in cases of merit may be granted by the Dean of the appropriate College.
(b) if the student elects not to complete the course and the signed contract within a period of twelve months, the "I" will be converted to a grade of "F" through an administrative action of the Registrar.
(c) a student may not register for a course for which he/she has a current grade of "I".
Change of Grade: After being reported to the Office of the University Registrar, grades other than "I" may not be changed unless a computation error has been made by the instructor.
Grade Points: A student's grade average on university work is expressed in grade points. Each semester hour of "A" counts four points, "B" three points, "C" two points, "D" one point, and "F" zero points. Thus a "B" average, which is the minimum overall average for any master's degree, is expressed as a 3.0 grade point average.
Degree Plan: The student should select his or her major field of study as early as possible. The planning of a course of study should be exercised in consultation with a faculty advisor. Final degree plans must be approved by the Dean or Chair of the appropriate department. Students will be provided one degree plan per year and will be required to present it at each registration. A degree plan may be superseded by a new one according to the provision explained under Graduation Under a Particular Catalog in this section.
Schedule: The student's class schedule should be worked out in conference with a faculty advisor. Students are urged to confer with their advisors well in advance of registration day in order to avoid difficulties in scheduling.
Early Registration: A period of early registration is scheduled for each semester for the following semester(s). During that time a student is responsible for making an appointment with a graduate advisor in the appropriate college to discuss the degree plan, determine the courses to be taken during the next semester, and complete the registration form.
Fees may be paid at any time during early registration or on the official registration day. However, a student is not officially enrolled until all fees have been paid.
Registration for a Course: The only way to become a member of a class is to officially register for it or by adding a course after registration is completed. In any case, the instructor receives the student's name from the Office of the University Registrar.
Adding a Course: To add a course to a schedule after registration, an add form is obtained in the Office of the University Registrar. A student should obtain permission from their assigned faculty advisor to add the course. The faculty advisor must sign the add form. (See Maximum Number of Hours in this section.)
Dropping a Course: A course may be dropped by obtaining a drop form from the Office of the University Registrar. Drops may be processed in person, by mail, or by phone. (See previous section on Q, Dropped.)
A student may be dropped from a course by the respective Dean or Chair of the Department for excessive unexcused absences from class.
Auditing a Course: Any person may audit a course except for individual instruction courses. Auditors do not have the privilege of submitting papers, taking part in class discussions, or participating in laboratory or field work. Auditors pay tuition and fees according to the published semester credit hour fee schedule.
Students who find it necessary to withdraw during the session must notify the Office of the University Registrar and process a withdrawal form. Withdrawals may be processed in person, by mail, or by phone.
A student who abandons courses without officially withdrawing will receive a grade of "F" in each course, regardless of when that student ceases to attend classes. (See Refund of Fees under the Division of Student Affairs section.)
Minimum Grade for Good Standing: To continue in graduate studies, a student is expected to maintain a nominal "B" average (3.0/4.0). This means that the student's record must show a grade of "A" to offset each grade below a "B" on work taken for graduate credit and applicable toward the master's degree. No grade lower than "C" can apply to a master's degree. For the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, no grade below a "B" (3.0/4.0) will be accepted.
If at the end of any semester the student's grades have fallen below the "B" level, the student will be considered on academic probation until the required average is restored by higher grades on subsequent courses applicable to the degree.
Enforced Withdrawal: If, while on academic probation, a student allows their average for any semester to fall again below the nominal "B" average, the student will be placed on enforced withdrawal during the next semester. The student may petition through the Office of the University Registrar to register again on scholastic probation after an absence from the University of one long semester, or longer.
Absence from Class: It is assumed that a vital part of every student's education is regular attendance of class meetings. Every faculty member keeps a current attendance record on each student. Any absences tend to lower the quality of a student's work in a course, and frequent or persistent absences may preclude a passing grade or cause a student to be dropped from one or more courses by the respective Dean or Chair of the Department.
Answering an Official Summons: Occasionally it is essential that a student be summoned to one of the administrative or academic offices on the campus. A student who fails to answer an official summons promptly will be subject to suspension from all classes until the particular matter of business has been concluded and the student has been granted permission to return to classes.
Students who change their home address while attending TAMIU are expected to notify the Office of the University Registrar immediately. Changes of local address must also be made with the Office of the University Registrar as grades and degree plans are mailed to the local address of record.
Upon registration, students automatically become members of the University community and, as such, assume full responsibility for proper conduct until their separation from the University. All University students should be familiar with the ordinary conventions of adult society governing their behavior. In addition, the University student must be acquainted with and bound by the University rules and regulations covering student conduct as stated in the Student Handbook which is available from the Office of Student Development.
Texas A&M International University reserves the right, through due process, to place on probation, suspend, or expel any student for improper conduct.
Additional Master's Degree Policy: In the College of Business Administration only, a student seeking a second master's degree must complete twenty-one (21) semester credit hours of graduate-level business courses beyond the coursework in the degree plan(s) for all prior master's degrees taken at the COBA and must meet all other requirements for the additional master's degree.
Residence Requirement: All coursework must be taken at TAMIU. Some graduate-level study may be transferrable from other accredited institutions of higher education. The amount transferrable is determined by the individual College. See the appropriate Department Chair about transfer of graduate-level credits.
Correspondence Work: No credit earned by correspondence on a course previously failed in residence may be counted toward a degree at this University. In the College of Business Administration, in no case will courses taken by correspondence be accepted for graduate credit.
Graduation Under a Particular
Catalog: A student may graduate according to the curricular requirements as stated in the catalog of the year in which the student
first registered for work in residence at TAMIU; or may be graduated under any
later catalog of a year in which the student registered for residence work, provided
that requirements are met within five years (six years for the MA in Counseling
Psychology) of the date of the catalog chosen. Also provided that the institution offers
the
courses listed as requirements in the catalog. Students whose coursework has
expired may repeat the expired course(s) or request an appropriate substitute.
Application for Candidacy for Master's Degrees: A student intending to have a master's degree conferred at TAMIU must file an Application for Candidacy with the Office of the University Registrar and pay the graduation fee to the University Business Office.
For May graduation: by the end of the first week in February.
For August graduation: by the end of the first week in May.
For December graduation: by the end of the first week in September.
Graduation in-Absentia: Students intending to graduate in-absentia should notify the Office of the University Registrar upon application for candidacy.
Degree Conferral: No degree will be conferred except publicly and on Commencement Day of the spring, summer and fall semesters.