The Graduate Faculty sets Graduate School policies in the Bulletin. Students should be aware that their programs might create rules and policies that are above these minimum university-wide requirements.

Admissions
The University of Missouri-St. Louis admits qualified individuals to study for graduate degrees and certificates. Students with a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited college or university may apply for admission to the Graduate School. Applicants may be denied admission if

1. they do not meet admission standards,
2. there are no available openings, or
3. applications are incomplete at the time of the decision.

To receive graduate credit at the University of Missouri-St. Louis students must have been admitted to the Graduate School as either Graduate Certificate or Degree-seeking or Non-Degree seeking.

Degree-Seeking or Graduate Certificate Students
Applicants for a degree or graduate certificate program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis shall submit an application, official transcripts of all baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate work, scores from examinations required by the program, and other evidence of academic and professional preparation required by the program. The TOEFL test is also required of international applicants whose native language is not English.

When there are openings for new students in a program, applicants are normally admitted given official evidence for

1. a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education,
2. an undergraduate grade point average (G.P.A.) and major field G.P.A. of 2.75 or above,
3. an acceptable score on each requisite examination, and
4. satisfactory additional materials required by the particular program. The dean of the Graduate School may approve applications, given a positive recommendation from the unit.

Students who are unable to provide all materials required for admission may be admitted provisionally. An approved provisional student may enroll for one semester or summer term only. The courses taken provisionally will apply in the regular way to a degree or certificate program. When all admission materials have been received, the unit may recommend regular or restricted admission or denial to the dean of the Graduate School .

Because admission to doctoral studies is limited to those of demonstrably superior academic ability, doctoral students normally are not admitted as restricted.

Non-Degree-Seeking Student
Students may apply for status as Non-Degree-Seeking graduate students if they are visiting students, they do not intend to pursue a degree, or they are participants of graduate workshops or institutes. Applicants must provide an official transcript showing completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree, with a G.P.A. of 2.5 or greater.

The dean of the Graduate School admits Non-Degree-Seeking students only upon recommendation of the unit.

A Non-Degree Student must maintain a G.P.A. of at least 3.00. A Non-Degree Student wishing to take more than nine hours may be allowed to do so contingent upon departmental recommendation.

Students wishing to change from Non-Degree to Degree-Seeking must submit a new graduate application for review and approval by the unit and the dean of the Graduate School.

Course work completed by Non-Degree Students is not regarded as work toward a degree program. The maximum hours of Non-Degree status work that can be applied to a degree program is nine semester hours. No credits taken as Non-Degree status may count as part of the residence requirement for a degree.

Since Education Certification Students take courses for state Department of Education certification, they do not need departmental approval to take more than nine hours. However, all other conditions regarding admission and registration that apply to Non-Degree Students apply to Education Certification Students.

Traveling Scholars and Inter-University Graduate Exchange Students
There are two avenues for students to take graduate courses at UM-St. Louis without apply for admission

1. Traveling Scholars are graduate students at one of the other University of Missouri (UM) campuses.
2. Inter-University Graduate Exchange students are Washington University and St. Louis University students who enroll on the home campus for courses at UM-St. Louis that are not offered on their own campus.

Degree-seeking graduate students at the UM-St. Louis campus may also participate in these programs.

1. students whose cumulative UM-St. Louis G.P.A. is substantially above the program average; and
2. students in good academic standing for whom an overload of one course will permit them to graduate during the term in which the overload is taken.

With prior approval, regularly admitted graduate students are permitted to take a course not offered by UM-St.Louis at Washington University, St. Louis University, or Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Delayed Grades
Delayed grades may be given when a student’s work is of passing quality but is incomplete because of circumstances beyond the student’s control. Although delayed grades do not affect a graduate student’s grade point average, they are an important factor in evaluating academic progress. Delayed grades must be removed within two regular semesters after the time recorded or they automatically become F grades. In such cases, course instructors may subsequently change F grades to other grades on their transcript for course work required for that degree.

In-Progress Grades
When a course extends for more than one term and the student’s performance is deferred until the end of the final term, provisional grades of In-Progress may be assigned in the intervening terms. The In-Progress grade represents progress in a sequential course and indicates that a grade will be assigned at the end of the sequence. In-Progress grades do not count toward earned hours. No credit is awarded or grade points assigned until the sequence is completed and a permanent grade is entered replacing the In-Progress grade(s).

In-Progress grades maybe given in thesis or dissertation research. Additionally, the Graduate Council my approve the In-Progress grade for specific internships, practica, or project courses that allow at least six months for completion. In no case will an In-Progress grade be given for other graduate research or internship experiences. Instead, students will be given a Delayed grade if work is not completed during the semester that the course is taken.

Dismissal
A student who is on probation for more than two semesters during his/her program of study will be dismissed, unless the dean of the Graduate School approves an exception request for continuation from the advisor and/or graduate director. Upon recommendation of the unit, the Graduate School may dismiss any graduate student who does not make adequate progress. The Graduate School is responsible for sending dismissal letters to students, with copies sent to the graduate advisor, the graduate director of the program, the Graduate Admissions office, and the Financial Aid Office.

Master’s Degree Requirements

Admission
Each master’s degree program shall determine any eligibility standards beyond the minimum for admission to the Graduate School.

Enrollment
All master’s degree students shall be enrolled for credit for access to university resources, including advisement, data gathering, or examinations.

Residence Requirement
The final two-thirds of the courses in a master’s degree program must be completed in residence at UM-St. Louis.

Time Limitation
All courses included in a master’s degree program, whether taken at UM-St. Louis or at another institution, shall have been completed within six years after enrollment in the first course.

Credit From a Certificate Program
Students who have completed course credits in certificate programs may transfer such credits into a master’s degree program with the unit’s consent, as long as the credits fall within the time limitation set for master’s degrees. If the master’s degree is in a different unit from that awarding the certificate, then no more than one-third of the credits from the certificate program may apply to the master’s degree. Multi-disciplinary programs may seek programmatic exceptions to this limit when the program undergoes the approval process.

Dual Master’s Degrees
With approval of the unit and the Graduate School, students who have completed one master’s degree may transfer appropriate credits to a second master’s degree program. The number of transferable credits may not exceed one-third of the credit hours required by the second program. Subsequent transfers to a third degree are not permitted.

With approval of the units involved and the Graduate School, students may simultaneously pursue two master’s degrees under the following conditions:

1. No more than one-third of the credit hours required by either program may be applied to both programs;
2. Students must obtain approval of both units before completing 12 hours in either program.

1. they apply no more than two-thirds of the master’s degree courses to their doctoral degree program;
2. they have been admitted to the master’s degree program; and
3. they have obtained the approval of the advisors from both programs and from the Graduate School. Credit from the master’s degree must constitute less than half the total credits required for the doctorate.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Admission
Each doctoral degree program may determine eligibility standards beyond the minimum for admission to the Graduate School.

1. A pre-candidate is a student who has requirements to fulfill in addition to the dissertation, including course work, language requirements, and/or comprehensive examinations.
2. A candidate is a student who has met all degree requirements except the completion of the dissertation.

Students who enter the Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Education degree programs with an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree from an accredited university, or with an Advanced Certificate approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, may satisfy the residence requirement by completing one-third of the required credits at UM-St. Louis.

Residency normally requires that doctoral students successfully complete a minimum of 15 hours over two consecutive terms, which may include summer. The dean of the Graduate School may grant exceptions upon recommendation by the program.

The Comprehensive Examination Committee will consist of no fewer than three members of the UM-St. Louis graduate faculty appointed by the Graduate Dean upon recommendation of the unit.

An oral examination may not substitute for the standard written portion.

Advisors
Upon entering the program, each doctoral student shall have an assigned program advisor who is a member of the Graduate Faculty. As early as possible in a doctoral student’s program, but no later than when the student achieves candidacy, the unit shall recommend, in consultation with the student, a doctoral dissertation advisor.

Application for Candidacy
Doctoral students may apply for candidacy after passing all required comprehensive and language examinations, written or oral, and successfully completing all course work.

Doctoral Dissertation Committee
The Doctoral Dissertation Committee shall consist of at least four members of the Graduate Faculty who can contribute their expertise to the dissertation study: the committee chair, and at least one other member from the unit. A recognized scholar from outside the university may serve as a member upon the recommendation of the unit and approval of the Graduate Dean. The Graduate Dean shall approve the committee membership and changes in the committee membership.

Dissertation Proposal
Before a student may conduct substantial research for the dissertation committee may approve a proposal after a formal defense. The student submits the approved proposal for review and approval by the dean of the Graduate School.

The dissertation proposal must be accepted by the Graduate School before a doctoral student completes the sixth semester of study, or before the student takes more than four hours of dissertation credit, whichever comes later. That is, students who have taken more than four hours of dissertation credit by the end of the sixth semester must have successfully filed their dissertation proposal by that point. Students who have taken no more than four hours of dissertation credit by the end of the sixth semester have a later deadline: the point at which they intend to take their fifth dissertation credit.

An approved dissertation proposal in no way implies a contract between the university and the student. Depending on the outcome of the research, the dissertation may require substantially more work than anticipated when the proposal was approved. The termination of a line of research and the adoption of a substantially new dissertation project requires the preparation, formal defense, and acceptance by the Graduate School of a new dissertation proposal.

Preliminary Approval
One copy of the dissertation, certified as complete and provisionally acceptable to the committee, shall be submitted to the Graduate Dean at least six weeks prior to commencement. The Dean of the Graduate School may seek advice and make suggestions to the committee about content and style before approving the dissertation.

Defense of Dissertation
Normally the approved Doctoral Dissertation Committee serves as the Oral Defense of Dissertation Committee. The Graduate Dean may appoint one additional qualified voting member to the Defense of Dissertation Committee from the Graduate Faculty within the University of Missouri System.

After deliberating on the oral defense of the dissertation, the Defense of Dissertation Committee votes on whether the defense was successful. The defense shall be deemed unsuccessful if there are two negative votes, even if outnumbered by positive votes. An abstention will be considered a negative vote. A student failing an oral defense shall have the opportunity for one additional defense before the same committee. The Defense of Dissertation Committee shall determine the timing and format of the subsequent defense.

Dissertation Format
Original copies of the dissertation must be typed on good quality paper, and they must be legible and neat in order to be accepted by the Graduate School. Only high quality copies are acceptable with the following margins throughout: left margin, 1 ½ inches; top, bottom, and right margins, 1 inch.

In matters of style and documentation, the custom of the discipline shall be followed.

Credit Requirements
A minimum of 18 hours of graduate course work is required for a graduate certificate. At least 12 of these hours must consist of courses drawn from the list of core courses for the particular certificate program. At least 12 hours must be completed in residence at UM-St. Louis. At least nine hours must be at the 5000 level or above. No more than six hours may be independent study.

Filing the Degree Program
A graduate student enrolled in a certificate program is required to file a degree program plan with the Graduate School before completing the first two-thirds of the number of hours required in the program. Changes made in a certificate program plan after it has been filed shall be submitted to the Graduate School.

Fees for Graduate Study
Detail information regarding current fees and residency regulations is furnished in the Schedule of Courses, distributed before each semester registration, available at the Registrar’s office or on the web site: http://www.umsl.edu/services/financial/feeinfo.htm

The University reserves the right to change fees and other charges at any time without advance notice. Students will be charged graduate level fees for all course work taken while classified as a graduate student.

The petition for a change of Missouri Resident Status is available at: http://www.umsl.edu/services/finance/res-pet.htm
All questions should be directed to the Office of Admissions at (314)516-5451.

Final Semester Incidental Fee
Students must enroll on campus in the semester in which they graduate.

Thesis and Dissertation Fee
Graduate students must also pay a fee for the binding and microfilming of the thesis or dissertation.

Fees for Auditing Courses
Auditors are charged full fees and receive no academic credit.

Laboratory Breakage Fee
Breakage or loss of laboratory equipment due to personal negligence on the part of the student shall be assessed against the student when the actual value of the supplies exceeds $1. The amount of the charge shall be determined by the department chairperson.

Room and Board
The university offers many different rooms and board plans. For more information please contact the Office of Residential Life at (314)516-6877.

Student Insurance: International Students (required)
International Students in F-1 and J-1 status are required to purchase the health insurance policy offered through the university. Information regarding waivers, premiums, and coverage is available through the Office of International Students Services.

• The University will make effors to notify any student whose registration is about to be administratively cancelled prior to taking this action.
• On or before the last day on which a student may enroll in a course, a cancelled student’s space in a course will be given to other students on that course’s wait lists. The cancelled student will be placed at the end of the course wait list.
• Any student who has been administratively cancelled for nonpayment of assessed fees may not enroll in a class unless the required fees have been paid.
• Cancelled students who re-register on or after the first day of the semester will be assessed a nonrefundable late registration charge.
• Once a student’s registration has been administratively cancelled for nonpayment of assessed fees, that student may not attend class unless s/he has officially re-registered.

The University Reserves the right to modify by increase or decrease the fees charged for attendance and other services at the University, including but not limited to educational fees, at any time when in the discretion of the governing board the same is in the best interest of the University, provided that no increases can or will be effective unless approved by the governing board not less than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the academic term (semester, etc.) to which the fees are applicable and such increase does not exceed ten (10) percent over the fee level existing immediately prior to the increase, with all modification of fees to be effective irrespective as to whether fees have or have not been paid by or on behalf of a student prior to the effective date of the modification.

Personal Checks. Personal checks in payment of fees and other obligations to the university will be accepted only when the amount of the check does not exceed the amount due from the student. Any checks payable to the university which are returned unpaid will be assessed a $20 return check charge.

Credit Cards. Valid MasterCard, VISA, and Discover credit and debit cards are accepted toward payment of fees.

Quick and Easy Ways To Pay Fees:

• Mail, using the mail-in coupon and envelope provided with the monthly statement.
• Using STAR, from a PC in your home, work or campus. Payment can be made by credit card only.
• In Person at one of the service windows at the cashier’s Office.

Fee Assessment for Dropping Classes or Withdrawal
Fees are reassessed for students who officially withdraw from the University or who drop classes. It is the student’s responsibility to formally notify the registrar’s office and to follow proper procedures when withdrawing from the university or dropping a class or classes. Failure to receive financial aid or refusing financial aid does not constitute an official withdrawal from the university. Likewise, failing to attend class does not, in and of itself, mean a student has dropped a class. Refer to the appropriate sections in this publication for specific information about these procedures. Fees included in the reassessment are the Educational Fee, Student Activity Fee, Instructional Computing Fee, Special Course Fee (if applicable) and Parking Fee (if applicable). Such fees are reassessed and reduced according to the schedule published in the Schedule of Courses each semester.

Financial Assistance

Teaching and Research Assistantships
Most departments with established graduate programs offer teaching and research assistantships to qualified graduate students. Appointments are usually half-time appointments and carry stipends. Students receiving 5 FTE assistantships receive a fellowship covering residential and nonresidential educational fees. Students with these assistantships must register for a minimum of 6 credit hours in semesters in which they hold the assistantship.

Teaching or research assistantship appointments are made directly by the departments. Inquires and applications for assistantships should be addressed to the director of the graduate program of the appropriate department. Applications should be submitted no later than March 15 for the fall semester. Occasionally a few teaching assistantships are available for the winter semester. Interested students should contact the director of the appropriate graduate program as soon as possible.

Students receiving a.5 FTE assistantships receive a fellowship covering their residential and nonresidential educational fees (contact the Graduate School for the actual number of credit hours covered).