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GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK

Introduction

As the flagship institution of the University of Arkansas system, the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, has the strongest research mission of any university within the state. Central to our charter is the creation and dissemination of knowledge. Within that mission, graduate student education is central, and the Graduate School therefore serves a pivotal role in the University’s research and education function. Moreover, the Dean of the Graduate School is also the Vice Provost for Research and is therefore responsible for the research activity of the University. In keeping with that responsibility, the Graduate School is at the center of a network of rights and obligations involving the student, the university, and the faculty, with regard to both teaching and research. In this handbook, we make available the most comprehensive listing of current policies affecting graduate students and graduate faculty, from the student’s application to the final conferring of the degree.

Graduate School Vision, Mission, Values and Goals

Vision Statement

The Graduate School at the University of Arkansas plays critically supportive roles in student advocacy, initiation and development of interdisciplinary graduate programs, and stipend and research support, to ensure the University of Arkansas emerges as a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world.

Mission Statement

The Graduate School assists post-baccalaureate students with the opportunity to further their educational goals through programs of study, teaching, and research in an environment that promotes freedom of expression, intellectual inquiry, and professional integrity. Additionally, the Graduate School assists the development of degree programs that are relevant and responsive to the needs of its students and the student’s communities - state, nation and world - and the demands of technology, while maintaining a high standard of excellence in graduate education.

Core Values

To achieve our goals, the Graduate School staff believe that in all aspects of our work, we begin with a commitment to promoting graduate education at the University of Arkansas. Our work is based on a firm commitment to excellence, tempered by kindness and compassion. We are an advocate for the graduate student. However, in order to maintain a reputation for quality, which will enhance students’ employment opportunities and increase the value of their degrees, we are also required to set and enforce policies. We seek and celebrate diversity of all kinds, within the Graduate School staff and the graduate student population. We see ourselves as a service unit, with a primary commitment to building graduate education and research consistent with the best practices in the nation. As a service unit, we strive to be accessible to all students, and we hold a student-centered, solution-oriented, cooperative and progressive orientation. We value integrity and respect as the foundation of our work, and we believe deeply in the value of freedom of expression. Our commitment extends from the University to the city of Fayetteville, to the state, nation, and world.

Goals of the Graduate School

The goals of the Graduate School are to: 1) recruit and retain graduate students to meet university goals; 2) increase the diversity of the graduate student population; 3) professionally, efficiently, courteously, effectively, and compassionately assist and advise students with regard to applications, admissions, referrals, graduation, and other matters relevant to the pursuit of a graduate degree; 4) maintain both flexibility and consistency in interpreting and applying university and Graduate School policies; 5) provide assistance to the graduate faculty in student recruitment, admissions, advising, monitoring, mentoring, and retention; 6) assist in maintaining and improving the quality of the graduate programs at the university; 7) increase the cooperation and communication between and within the Graduate School staff, graduate faculty, students, and administration; 8) disseminate appropriate information in a timely and effective manner; and 9) enhance the national and international reputation of the University of Arkansas graduate programs.

The Graduate School is an autonomous organizational unit, whose Dean is responsible to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Click here for the organizational chart of the University.
Click here for the organizational chart of the Graduate School.
Click here for current Graduate School staffing information and brief duty descriptions .
Click here for a list of Departments and the degrees offered by each. If you want to know more about a specific degree program, move to that program by clicking on the appropriate letter below.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Graduate School Responsibilities

The Graduate School is responsible for the following, wholly or in part:

admissions, both domestic and international (in conjunction with the department and, sometimes, Spring International Language Center)
monitoring graduate student progress
certifying graduate students for graduation
certifying graduate faculty
monitoring graduate program quality
organizing and chairing the Graduate Council; and maintaining the minutes of the Council;
monitoring and processing changes in graduate courses and programs
managing the various graduate fellowship programs and travel grants and graduate assistantships
maintaining the Graduate School Catalog
assisting with the organization and staffing of the all-university commencement ceremony
providing data in a variety of contexts
recruitment of graduate students
processing graduate student grievances
serving as the academic dean's office for the cross-college interdisciplinary graduate programs

Moving Toward the Degree: The Process

There are a series of decisions which must be made after a student has been admitted to the Graduate School. Each of these decision points will be discussed in more detail in this handbook, but a brief time-line of the process is provided here. At each step of this time-line, there are forms which must be filed with the Graduate School. The necessary forms are indicated at each step of the time-line.

PROCEDURAL TABLES

Click to go directly to:

PROCEDURES FOR MASTER'S DEGREES
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE THESIS OPTION
PROCEDURES FOR EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST DEGREES
PROCEDURES FOR DOCTORAL DEGREES

PROCEDURES FOR MASTER'S DEGREES:

PROCEDURE	NECESSARY FORM	RESPONSIBLE PARTY	ACTION DATE
Formation of Program Advisory Committee	Master's Degree Program Advisory Committee form	Major Adviser/Department Chair/Head	Immediately following admission to degree program, for programs which use this committee
Changes in program advisory committee	By memorandum	Major Adviser & Member Leaving Committee	As soon as change occurs
Request transfer of credit (master's degrees only)	Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form	Major Adviser	Before Graduation (course cannot be taken more than six years before graduation)
Application for graduation	Degree Application Card Not available on line. Please contact the Graduate School for further information. Phone: 479-575-4401 or email gradinfo@cavern.uark.edu.	Student	Before Graduation
Inclusion of name for commencement exercises, regalia, and announcements orders	"Instructions to Graduates" Packet mailed to qualified students in early spring	Student	Deadlines indicated in "Instructions to Graduates"
Removal of incompletes	Change of Grade Notice Form is available at dean's office of the instructor	Student (course work) & Instructor (change of grade notice)	When course requirements have been met
To avoid an incomplete becoming "F"	Change of Grade Notice Form is available at dean's office of the instructor	Student (course work) & Instructor (change of grade notice)	Change of Grade Notice form must be submitted 12 weeks in the next major semester of enrollment
Final comprehensive examination	Master's Degree Record of Progress	Advisory Committee & Department Head	Must be completed by graduation Click here for Master's Calendar

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE THESIS OPTION:

PROCEDURE	NECESSARY FORM	RESPONSIBLE PARTY	ACTION DATE
Formation of thesis committee	Master's Thesis Committee form	Thesis Director	At least three months to the date of the defense
Changes in thesis committee	By memorandum	Major Adviser & Member Leaving Committee	As soon as change occurs
Selection of thesis title	Master's Thesis Title form	Thesis Director	At least three months to the date of the defense
Disclosure of Intellectual Property	Intellectual Property form	Student & Thesis Director	No later than the submission of the final thesis copies
Generate thesis in proper format	Guide for Preparing Theses and Dissertations	Student	Before 1st draft of thesis is typed
Registration for at least six hours of thesis	Register on ISIS Refer to Schedule of Classes	Student	Before graduation
Submission of preliminary copies to each thesis committee member	Draft copies of thesis Refer to Guide for Preparing Theses & Dissertations	Student	At least three weeks before graduation
Defense of thesis	No form required	Thesis Committee	Specific deadline: One week before graduation Click here for Master's Calendar
Preliminary editorial check of thesis	Draft copies of thesis Refer to Guide for Preparing Theses & Dissertations	Student	Before final copies of thesis are made
Final copies of thesis to Graduate School	Final copies of thesis Refer to Guide for Preparing Theses & Dissertations	Student submits to Graduate School; Graduate School submits to Library	Specific deadline: One week before graduation. Click here for Master's Calendar

PROCEDURES FOR EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST DEGREES:

PROCEDURE	NECESSARY FORM	RESPONSIBLE PARTY	ACTION DATE
Acceptance into a specialist program	Applicaton for Admission Form or Request for a Change of Program Form	Department Chair/Head	Before any requirements can be satisfied
Formation of Program Advisory Committee	Form available in the department	Major Adviser & Department Chair/Head	Immediately following admission to degree program
Changes in program advisory committee	By memorandum	Major Adviser & Member Leaving Committee	As soon as change occurs
Application for graduation	Degree Application Card Not available on line. Please contact the Graduate School for further information. Phone: 479-575-4401 or email gradinfo@cavern.uark.edu.	Student	By end of semester
Inclusion of name for commencement exercises, regalia, and announcements orders	"Instructions to Graduates" Packet mailed to qualified students in early spring	Student	Deadlines indicated in "Instructions to Graduates"
Removal of incompletes	Change of Grade Notice Form is available at dean's office of the instructor	Student (course work) Instructor (change of grade notice)	When course requirements have been met
To avoid an incomplete becoming "F"	Change of Grade Notice Form is available at dean's office of the instructor	Student (course work) & Instructor (change of grade notice)	Change of Grade Notice form must be submitted 12 weeks in the next major semester of enrollment
Final examination	Ed.S. Record of Progress	Advisory Committee	Must be completed by graduation

PROCEDURES FOR DOCTORAL DEGREES:

PROCEDURE	NECESSARY FORM	RESPONSIBLE PARTY	ACTION DATE
Acceptance into a doctoral program	Applicaton for Admission Form or Request for a Change of Program Form	Department Chair/Head	Before any requirements can be satisfied
Formation of program advisory committee	Doctoral Program Advisory Committee form	Major Adviser & Department Chair/Head	Immediately following admission to degree program, for programs that use this committee
Changes in program advisory committee	By memorandum	Major Adviser/Member Leaving Committee	As soon as change occurs
Foreign Language Requirement (if required)	Notification from Foreign Language department	Student & Foreign Language department	At least three months to the date of the defense
Satisfaction of residence Click here for further information	Ph.D.: Enrollment in two consecutive semesters as a full-time student Ed.D.: Enrollment as indicated on an approved Residence Plan form (NOTE: Programs may have different requirements)	Student & Adviser	Before graduation
Admission to candidacy	Memorandum	Advisory Committee	When candidacy exam has been sucessfully completed
Enrollment in at least one hour of dissertation following passing of candidacy exams	Register on ISIS Refer to Schedule of Classes	Student	Each semester (including summer) until graduation
Formation of dissertation committee	Doctoral Dissertation Committee form	Dissertation Director & Department Chair/Head	At least three months to the date of the defense
Selection of dissertation title	Doctoral Dissertation Title form	Dissertation Director & Department Chair/Head	At least three months to the date of the defense
Disclosure of Intellectual Property	Intellectual Property Disclosure form	Student & Dissertation Director	No later than the submission of the final dissertation copies
Registration for at least 18 hours of dissertation	Register by telephone registration Refer to Schedule of Classes	Student	Before graduation
Application for graduation	Degree Application Card Not available on line. Please contact the Graduate School for further information. Phone: 479-575-4401 or email gradinfo@cavern.uark.edu.	Student	By end of semester Click here for Doctoral Calendar
Inclusion of name for commencement exercises, regalia, and announcements orders	"Instructions to Graduates" Packet mailed to qualified students in early spring	Student	Deadlines indicated in "Instructions to Graduates"
Removal of incompletes	Change of Grade Notice Form is available at dean's office of the instructor	Student (course work) Instructor (change of grade notice)	When course requirements have been met
To avoid an incomplete becoming "F"	Change of Grade Notice Form is available at dean's office of the instructor	Student (course work) Instructor (change of grade notice)	Change of Grade Notice form must be submitted 12 weeks in the next major semester of enrollment
Generate dissertation in proper format	Guide for Preparing Theses and Dissertations	Student	Before 1st draft of dissertation is typed
Announcement of Dissertation Defense	Memorandum	Dissertation Director	At least two weeks prior to defense Defenses are posted to Dissertation Defenses
Submission of preliminary copies to each dissertation committee member	Draft copies of dissertation Refer to Guide for Preparing Theses & Dissertations	Student	At least three weeks before graduation
Defense of Dissertation	Certified by submission of Record of Progress with original signatures	Dissertation Committee	Specific deadline: One week before graduation Click here for Doctoral Calendar
Preliminary editorial check of dissertation	Draft copies of thesis Refer to Guide for the Preparing Theses & Dissertations	Student	Before final copies of dissertation are made
Final copies of dissertation to Graduate School and to Mullins Library	Final copies of dissertation Refer to Guide for Preparing Theses & Dissertations	Student submits to Graduate School; Graduate School submits to Library	Specific deadline: One week before graduation. Click here for Doctoral Calendar

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University of Arkansas

A nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world.

The Graduate School

Office of the Dean of the Graduate School