Registration is required of all graduate students when using university facilities and/or faculty time. The minimum number of hours for registration is one. Registration allows use of services such as library checkout, laboratories, and recreation facilities not open to the public. The maximum load for a graduate student is 15 hours and 9 to 12 hours are considered a full load. For the summer term, graduate students may register for a maximum of 12 hours in an entire summer term or for a maximum of 6 hours in a five-week summer session. Students may enroll in only one course during a mini-term session. Students holding a one-half time assistantship normally should enroll for 6-11 hours. A one-fourth time graduate assistant normally should take 9-13 hours. A student on a one-half time assistantship who takes 6 hours will be considered full time. Students receiving financial aid should consult with the school/program head concerning appropriate course loads. Courses audited do not count toward minimum graduate hours required for financial assistance.
Graduate students are advised on their program of study by their advisor. The program of study is then reviewed and approved by the graduate committee. Admission to Candidacy indicates agreement that the student has demonstrated ability to do acceptable graduate work and that satisfactory progress has been made toward a degree. This action usually connotes that all prerequisites to admission have been completed and a program of study has been approved. The Admission to Candidacy form must be signed by the student’s committee and all courses to be used for the degree must be listed, including transfer course work.
