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Admission to the Graduate School
Approval for admission to the Graduate School is required of all
graduate students.
Graduate School admission does not imply admission to candidacy for an advanced
degree. Candidacy will be granted only after a period of successful graduate work and
after compliance with the conditions and course of study established by the University
and its departments, schools, and colleges.
The total enrollment of graduate students is limited. All applications to the
Graduate School are subject to whatever provisions may limit the enrollment of graduate
students. Admission is granted for not more than one academic year. Students who do not
attend the University during the period of their admission or who do not demonstrate an
ability to continue graduate work will be notified concerning readmission when a basis
for judgment is available.
Graduate students, whether living on or off campus, are subject to the general
rules and regulations of the University and are expected to maintain the high standard
of social and academic life of the University as well as the professional standards of
their chosen field of study. Thus, graduate students are subject to all rules and
regulations set forth in the Student Handbook, the Graduate Catalog, and the policy
statements of the Graduate School and the academic components. All graduate students of
the Texas Woman’s University are expected to know and adhere to high standards of
personal conduct and of academic integrity and scholarship. Any falsification,
misrepresentation, or misapplication of information or research; any violation of
professional or ethical standards; or any violation of the rules and regulations of the
University may result in dismissal.
General Requirements for Admission to the Graduate School
The Graduate School establishes the minimum requirements for
admission to all graduate degree and certification programs at Texas Woman’s University.
Applicants should consult with academic components regarding specific program criteria
for admission. All applicants are expected to meet the following criteria:
- Hold an earned bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a U.S. college or
university accredited by a regional or general accrediting agency, or an equivalent
degree from a foreign college or university. The bachelor’s degree must be
substantially equivalent to a bachelor’s degree granted by TWU.
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours of undergraduate study and a
minimum 3.0 GPA for all prior graduate work. Academic components may choose to
consider files of applicants with lower GPAs.
- Satisfy any additional requirements of an individual academic component for
admission to a specific graduate program offered by that component. Consult the
appropriate catalog section for component requirements. A summary of component
requirements is also available at
www.twu.edu/admissions/graduate/degreereq.htm.
Examples include the following:
- Preferred scores recommended for standardized exams that are required by
academic components.
- Review of completed undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- Reference letters, essays, interviews, and evidence of scholarly activity
such as publication in refereed journals, professional presentations, grant
acquisition, portfolios, and professional leadership.
Applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree from a foreign college or
university must submit a score of at least 550 (213 computer-based) on the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as evidence of English language proficiency.
See “International Students” in this page for further information about TOEFL
requirements.
Application for Admission
For admission into degree and certificate programs of the TWU Graduate School, all
applicants must submit the following documents:
- An application form and processing fee.
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate study. An official
transcript from each college or university attended is required.
- Official scores for any standardized exams that are required by the
academic component offering the program of interest. If a standardized exam is
not required by the component, the applicant has the option of submitting scores
voluntarily. Whenever scores are submitted, the applicant must also submit the
“Applicant Background Information Form,” available at
www.twu.edu/admissions/graduate/bginfo.doc.
- An official TOEFL score, if the applicant earned an undergraduate degree
from a foreign college or university. The TOEFL is not required of international
applicants:
- from countries where English is the primary language of instruction
and of the indigenous population; or
- who have earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited
U. S. college or university. In this case, students who are admitted may be
required to take English language instruction if the component determines that
supplemental instruction is needed.
See “International Students” in this page for further information about TOEFL requirements.
Applicants should submit the above information to Student Records Processing
(P. O. Box 425649, Denton, TX 76204) no fewer than ninety days before the session to
which admission is sought. Applicants should submit to the individual academic
component any additional documents required for admission to a specific graduate
program offered by that component.
An applicant’s academic record must reflect the ability to pursue advanced study
and research. The applicant shall present an official transcript which, for
unconditional admission, shows sufficient and satisfactory undergraduate preparation
in the major field. Specific prerequisites vary among components of the University and
are indicated in the appropriate sections of this catalog. Ordinarily, an
undergraduate major (or credit for a minimum of twenty-four semester hours, twelve of
which are advanced) in the same field is prerequisite to a graduate major;
prerequisites for a graduate minor are usually based on the requirements of an
undergraduate minor (or credit for eighteen semester hours, six of which are advanced)
in the same field. However, a college, school, or department may require a candidate
to take additional preparatory courses on either the graduate or undergraduate level
which will not be counted as degree credit. Such additional preparation may require
residence beyond the minimum needed for the degree.
Departmental graduate admission committees make recommendations to the Dean of
Graduate Studies and Research regarding the admission status of applicants. Upon
approval of the application for admission, the applicant is sent a statement from the
Dean of Graduate Studies and Research specifying either unconditional or provisional
admission. All conditions or prerequisites that must be met in addition to the
graduate program requirements are stated in detail. Upon notification of admission,
the applicant should confer with the appropriate advisor in the proposed major
department in order to become acquainted with specific departmental requirements.
Residency
Rules and regulations for determining residence status in the State of Texas are
specified under Title 3 of the Texas Education Code. Persons classified as non-resident
students upon first enrollment in an institution of higher education are generally
presumed to be nonresidents for the period during which they continue as students.
To petition a change in residency classification, the student must complete the
Residency Questionnaire and submit it to the Office of Admissions with appropriate
documentation prior to the beginning of the semester.
International Students
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens
will be issued the appropriate immigration form required to obtain a visa after all
official papers pertaining to admission and registration have been received and
evaluated as satisfactory in the Office of International Education and after an
acceptance letter has been issued by the Graduate School.
Before the I-20 or IAP-66 will be issued, applicants holding nonimmigrant student
visas must submit financial statements certifying responsibility for all expenses while
attending the University. They must comply with Immigration and Naturalization Service
regulations by maintaining full-time student status at all times during the school year
(nine or more graduate hours each semester).
In addition to application forms and official transcripts, all international
students, including transfers and permanent resident aliens, must present an acceptable
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 or above, or a verbal score
of 500 or above on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or a GMAT equivalent to 50th
percentile. These scores must be presented by the official deadlines published. (An
acceptable Test of Spoken English, TSE, score is required of international students
applying for graduate teaching assistantships. Certain academic programs may also
require TSE of all applicants.) The following exceptions apply to the TOEFL
requirement:
- Students from countries where English is the primary language of instruction
and is the language spoken at home and by the indigenous population.
- Students who have earned a degree from an accredited United States college or
university.
- Students who are recommended by the Department Chair or Dean for provisional
admission because of excellent academic credentials and a minimum TOEFL score of 500.
These students will be required to complete with a grade of B or better specific
courses in intensive English (6-9 credit hours) for academic credit during their first
year at the University. If they are unsuccessful they must fulfill the standard TOEFL
requirement for admission or withdraw from the University.
For more information concerning the Test of English as a Foreign Language, contact:
TOEFL, Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, U.S.A.
Application deadlines for all international students on nonimmigrant visas are
April 1 for the fall semester; August 1 for the spring semester; and January 1 for any
summer session.
To determine status for tuition purposes, immigrants and permanent residents must
submit proof of status by completing the Residency Questionnaire. (See Residency.)
All international foreign students are required to have medical and hospital
insurance. (See Health Services.)
Types of Admission
A student may be admitted to the Graduate School for one of several types of study
as indicated below. The acceptance letter sent by the Dean of Graduate Studies and
Research will specify the type of admission granted.
- Degree study: This status identifies students seeking either a master’s
or doctor’s degree. Students should apply for admission at the appropriate level.
Admission to master’s study is valid only for the master’s degree; a separate
application for doctoral study is required. Students are admitted to degree study in a
particular academic discipline, and any change of field of study requires a new
application for admission.
- Certification study: This status identifies students holding the
bachelor’s degree who seek certification rather than a graduate degree. A maximum of
12 graduate credit hours earned for certification will subsequently apply toward a
graduate degree only if the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, upon recommendation
of the student’s advisory committee, determines it is appropriate to the degree
program.
- Postdoctoral study: This status identifies students holding doctoral
degrees who do not wish to pursue another graduate degree but who wish for personal
or professional purposes to take additional course work.
NOTE: Postbaccalaureate status qualifies students to take
undergraduate-level courses only, and under no circumstances will postbaccalaureate
work be counted as graduate work.
Nature of Admission
Each application which meets the minimum requirements of the Graduate School will
be evaluated by members of the appropriate department and by the Dean of Graduate
Studies and Research; it will be accepted or rejected on the basis of the following
criteria.
- Unconditional Admission: No prerequisites are necessary, and no special
qualifications must be met during or prior to graduate study.
- Provisional Admission: Graduate degree study is permitted with the
imposition of certain conditions which must be met for the student’s continuation in
the degree program. These conditions may require the completion of prerequisites,
satisfactory performance in initial course work, satisfactory completion of a degree
in progress, or the completion of other conditions which indicate the student should
continue graduate study. A student admitted with less than a B average is regularly
given Provisional Admission, conditioned upon maintenance of a B average during the
first twelve hours of graduate study. Once the conditions for full admission have been
met, the student should petition the Graduate School through the department for
advancement to Unconditional Admission. Failure to meet conditions of admission
results in the student’s removal from a degree program.
- Denial of Admission: Admission is denied if the applicant fails to
meet the minimum requirements established by the Graduate Council or if the program
has reached the limits of its enrollment.
Election of Graduate Work by Seniors of This University
A student who at the beginning of the second semester of the senior year lacks not
more than twelve semester hours for a bachelor’s degree is permitted to register for
courses which may be applied toward meeting the master’s degree requirements provided
that the total registration does not exceed sixteen semester hours and proper
application has been made to the major department and the Dean of Graduate Studies and
Research before registering for such courses.
No work which is completed by an undergraduate student shall apply to a graduate
degree, except for the work completed by seniors as provided for in this section. No
work which is regularly a part of an undergraduate program shall apply toward a
graduate degree except for Texas Woman’s University seniors who have made special
application at the time of registration for graduate credit for certain specific
courses to be applied toward a graduate program approved by their major department and
by the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
Election of Graduate Work by Students Who Are Not Seeking Degrees
Students who do not plan to work toward a graduate degree but who wish to enroll
in occasional courses for such purposes as personal enrichment, professional
development, and meeting special interests may, with the permission of the department,
register as “non-degree students.’’ Admission to the Graduate School is not required;
however, a completed application form and an official transcript showing the bachelor's
degree or highest degree held must be filed with the Office of Student Records
Processing. International students must submit satisfactory TOEFL scores (see
“International Students”).
A maximum of 12 graduate credit hours earned by a “non-degree student’’ may
subsequently apply toward a graduate degree only if the Dean of the Graduate Studies
and Research, upon recommendation of the student’s advisory committee, determines it
is appropriate to the degree program.
All students who enroll in graduate courses, whether or not they are seeking
degrees, are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA on all graduate-level courses taken at TWU.
Students who fail to maintain this average will not be permitted to continue
registering for graduate courses.
Grades and Gradepoints
The number of gradepoints given for each grade earned by a student is determined as
follows:
| Grade A: |
4 times as many grade points as credit hours. |
| Grade B: |
3 times as many grade points as credit hours. |
| Grade C: |
2 times as many grade points as credit hours. |
| Grade D: |
1 time as many grade points as credit hours. |
| Grade F: |
Credit hours are counted; thus the grade is punitive. |
| Grade W: |
No grade points. |
| Grade WF: |
No grade points. Credit hours are counted; thus the grade is punitive |
| Grade I: |
No grade points |
| Grade CR: |
Credit for hours earned, but no grade points. |
| Grade PR: |
No hours or grade points. |
| Grade X: |
No grade points, non-punitive |
Grades are interpreted as: A, Excellent; B, Good; C, Average; D, Inferior but
passing; F, Failure; CR, Credit; PR, In progress (normally used for thesis,
professional paper, or dissertation); I, Incomplete; W, Withdrew from the course
without penalty; WF, Withdrew from the course while failing; X, no credit due to
tuition deficiency. The letters "DUP" following the grade indicate repeated course
work. The higher grade is counted for repeated coursework.
If circumstances are deemed appropriate, the student may petition the instructor
for time beyond the end of the semester/term to finish the course work. The
instructor, the student, and the department chair (or equivalent) of the academic
department in which the course is offered must complete and sign the form “Application
for Grade of Incomplete” which is available in the Office of the Registrar.
Specific arrangements to remove the grade of Incomplete must be made between the
instructor and the student. The instructor will also specify that, if the work is not
completed by the assigned time, a grade of B, C, D, or F will replace the Incomplete on
the student’s transcript. If the student completes the required work by the assigned
completion date, the instructor will submit the new grade to the Office of the
Registrar.
The maximum time allowed to finish the course work is one calendar year. In most
instances, the work to be completed should be finished within the first several weeks
following the end of the semester/term in which the Incomplete was given.
Incomplete work cannot be finished by retaking the class. If such an option is
preferred, the student should accept the grade earned and re-enroll in the course in
the expectation of earning a better grade. The grade for the later class will be
calculated in the GPA.
Any exceptions to these regulations which describe the use of the grade of
Incomplete require the approval of the instructor, the department chair (or equivalent),
and the dean or director of the academic unit in which the course was offered.
After the first six weeks, a student who wishes to drop and to receive a grade
other than WF must secure a drop form from the student’s advisor, secure the signatures
required on the form, and file the form in the Office of the Registrar. The instructor
will recommend either a grade of W or a grade of WF on the drop form. Failure to
process the drop form will cause the student to receive the grade of F. Students
wishing to drop all classes and withdraw from the University should contact the Office
of Student Life.
Student Responsibility
The act of registering denotes an implicit declaration of the student’s acceptance
of University regulations as outlined in the most recent issues of the catalog and
student handbook. Failure to abide by university regulations will subject the student
to appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in the student handbook.
The University also expects the student to obey the law, to show respect for
properly constituted authority, to perform contractual obligations, to maintain
absolute integrity and a high standard of individual honor in scholastic work, and to
observe conduct appropriate for a community of scholars.
Health Requirements: Students in Health Related Majors
Students who are admitted to health-related programs which involve contact with
patients are required to be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and
hepatitis B. Proof of these immunizations will be required at the time a student
begins clinical coursework.
Some clinical facilities with which the University affiliates require that students
be tested for drugs and have a criminal background check done. When this is required by
an agency, all students assigned to that agency will have this screening done at their
own expense. Failure to meet the screening standards may interfere with the student’s
progression in the program.
Texas Woman's University does not require HIV testing of its students; however,
some agencies with which the University affiliates for clinical training may require
such testing. Texas law requires that if a health care worker who is HIV positive
performs exposure-prone procedures, the health care worker must notify a prospective
patient of the health care worker's seropositive status and receive the patient's
consent to perform the procedure.
Withdrawal from the University
A student who finds it necessary to withdraw from all credit classes must formally
withdraw through the Office of Student Life on the Denton campus or the Student Life
Coordinator on the Houston campus. The withdrawal process at the Dallas Center is
initiated in the Records Office. The effective date of withdrawal is the day upon
which the student submits the completed Request for Withdrawal Form, and it is approved
in the appropriate office. Withdrawals are not permitted during the week preceding the
first day of final examinations for either the long session or summer term.
A student who withdraws on or up to the 12th class day will have no record of
coursework on the transcript. A student who withdraws after the 12th class day and
before the last day to drop without penalty will receive a grade of “W.” After the last
date to withdraw without penalty, the grade of “WF” is assigned, unless the student
withdraws for medical reasons or a “W” is recommended by the instructor.
Policy on Academic Review and Appeal Procedures in the Graduate School of the
Texas Woman’s University
The review procedures outlined below are those which regularly apply to all
graduate students who seek review within the University. The Texas Woman’s University
has traditionally guaranteed students every opportunity for a fair, prompt, and
thorough review of grievances. It is the intention of the University to provide
adequate internal review. It is the expectation of the University that students will
follow the appeal procedure to completion before seeking external consideration of
complaints. Questions concerning academic achievement and progress are addressed for
initial consideration to the student’s current committee, either advisory or research.
Decisions of the student’s committee may be reviewed by an ad hoc committee within
the academic component and/or an ad hoc committee of the Graduate Faculty. A graduate
student may seek review of a decision by submitting, within thirty (30) days of
notification of the initial decision, a written request to the Dean of Graduate Studies
and Research, who may appoint an ad hoc committee to hear the appeal of the student
and submit a report. The student receives timely written notice of the appeal hearing
and has the opportunity to appear before the committee and to make a statement.
If additional review is desired following the appeal before the ad hoc committee,
the student, within 10 days, may request in writing a review by the Provost and Vice
President for Academic Affairs.
Auditing
Permission to audit a course, undergraduate or graduate, must be obtained from both
the instructor of the course and the chair of the department which offers the course,
the dean of the school or college, and the Registrar. The auditor may not participate
in the laboratory part of a course or in a studio, practicum, workshop, or activity
course. Attendance as an auditor may not be made the basis of a claim for course credit. Audited courses are not recorded on the student’s permanent record. The Audit forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.
Any person 65 years of age or older may audit classes without charge providing
there is space available. Information may be secured in the Office of the Registrar.
Graduate Study by Faculty and Staff of the Texas Woman’s University
The Texas Woman’s University encourages the continual growth and development of
faculty and staff. A full-time employee of the University may enroll for a maximum of
three semester hours per semester or summer term during the workday. However, no
member of the faculty may be admitted to the Graduate School of the Texas Woman’s
University for the purpose of pursuing a degree in the department or discipline in
which he or she teaches.
Information for Graduating Students
The “Calendar of Deadlines’’ for graduating students is issued by the Graduate
School each semester. Students may secure copies in the Graduate Office, in the dean’s
office of the student’s academic discipline, or on the Graduate School website
http://www.twu.edu/o-grad/. The Guide to
the Preparation and Processing of Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Papers is
published by the Graduate School and available by accessing
http://www.twu.edu/o-grad/ (the Graduate School website).
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