2.0 UNIVERSITY RULES

It is the student's responsibility to become familiar with the academic regulations and degree requirements of the Graduate School as well as any requirements of his or her own academic program. The general requirements of the Graduate School are found in the Graduate Catalog. Some of those requirements are reproduced here, however, for a complete listing of Graduate School rules the student is referred to the Graduate Catalog.

2.1 Academic Regulations

Graduate credits may be earned in courses numbered from 800 through 999. The faculty of each graduate program prescribes the courses that make up the degree program. In addition, the Graduate School has general requirements for Masters and doctoral degree programs.

2.2 Special Students

2.3 800- and 900-level Courses

These courses are offered for graduate credit only and therefore are open only to admitted or special graduate students.

2.4 700-level Courses

These are advanced undergraduate courses. Up to 12 credits earned in 700-level courses may be taken for graduate credit by a graduate degree student, provided such courses are approved by the student's advisor, Graduate Program Coordinator, and the dean of the Graduate School, and provided they are given in a department other than the one in which the student is earning the degree. Such courses must be taken for a letter grade.

ECE Specific:

Normally EE 700 level courses are dual listed as both 700 and 800 level. EE students cannot receive graduate credit for any EE courses taken at the 700 level. A graduate student considering taking a dual listed courses should register for the 800 graduate level.

2.5 Grades

The following grades are used at the University: A,A-,B+,B,B-,C+,C,C-,D+,D,D-,F. Graduate credit is normally granted only for coursework completed with a grade of B- or higher. Individual programs may have stricter requirements for major courses. Grade points and averages are not calculated on the academic record for graduate students.

2.6 AF Grades

An "AF" grade, Administrative F, is assigned for failure either to drop or complete the course. An "AF" is considered a failing grade by the Graduate School.

2.7 C, C+ Grades

The Dean of the Graduate School may, under limited conditions, approve up to 8 credits of C or C+ grades for graduate credit. When a student's Advisory Committee or a student's advisor, in conjunction with the appropriate departmental committee, wishes to recommend that credit be given for work completed with a C or C+, the Advisory Committee shall forward its recommendation, with appropriate justification, to the Dean of the Graduate School within one month after conclusion of the course. Normally these courses will be elective courses outside the student's major area.

2.8 Credit/Fail Grades

A "CR" grade is given for complete, approved theses and dissertations, as well as other approved courses and seminars.

A graduate student may petition to take graduate independent study courses (800/900 level) as well as undergraduate courses on a credit/fail basis. Such a petition must be approved by the end of the add period for the term the course is taken. Courses at the 700 level approved for graduate credit cannot be taken for credit/fail.

2.9 Audit Grades

An "AU" grade is assigned for completion of courses for which audit approval was granted. No credit is earned.

2.10 Incomplete Grades

An "IC" grade is assigned with the approval of the instructor for excused unfinished work only. The work must be completed and submitted to the instructor by the last day of classes of the semester immediately following the one in which the incomplete was granted (800- and 900-level courses only; mid-semester for 400-, 500-, 600-, and 700-level courses). A petition requesting an extension of time, approved by the instructor, may be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School by the appropriate deadline. An extension will be granted by the Dean only under unusual circumstances. An incomplete grade automatically becomes an F if not removed or if a petition for an extension is not approved within the allowed time period. This policy also applies to students who withdraw from the University or who are not currently registered.

An "IA" grade is assigned for approved continuing courses such as thesis or doctoral research and remains on the record until the course requirements are completed.

2.11 W Grades

If a student withdraws from school or drops a course prior to the fifth Friday of classes, the course(s) will not appear on the student's permanent record. If a student withdraws from school or, for compelling non-academic reasons, submits an approved petition to drop a course after the fifth Friday of classes, a notation of "W" will be shown on the student's academic record. If the withdrawal or drop is after mid-semester, a "WP" or "WF" is shown on the record. A "WF" is considered a failing grade.

2.12 Academic Standards

Grades below the B- level, including grades of C or C+ that may have been approved for graduate credit, will, for the purposes of determining academic standing, be considered failing grades. Failing grades (below B-) received in undergraduate courses taken while the student is in the Graduate School are counted in the cumulative total of failing credits.

Graduate students receiving failing grades in 9 or more credits will be dismissed from the Graduate School. Students on a conditional status must meet the conditions as stated in the letter of admission in order to remain in the Graduate School.

Each individual program may set and announce standards for coursework and research achievements that are more rigorous that the Graduate School standard. Thus, students may be dismissed if they accumulate less than 9 credits of failing grades and/or fail to make adequate progress in other aspects of their graduate program.

2.13 Early Admission and Dual Credit

Qualified University of New Hampshire seniors may be admitted to the Graduate School provided they have followed normal application procedures. Students must be admitted for the semester in which they wish to enroll in courses for graduate credit. A 3.20 cumulative grade-point average is normally required to be considered for early admission. Such seniors are normally admitted prior to the start of their last undergraduate semester. Seniors who have been admitted under early admission may register for a maximum of two courses for up to 8 graduate credits.

University of New Hampshire seniors who have been admitted to the Graduate School under early admission may, upon recommendation of the department and approval of the Graduate School, be allowed to count credits toward both a bachelor's and masters degree, for a maximum of two graduate-level courses. Dual credit forms must be completed and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School at the beginning of the semester for which dual credit is sought. Dual credit forms are available at the Graduate School.

2.14 Transfer Credit

credit hours of resident courses completed on the campus of an accredited institution authorized to grant graduate degrees be transferred to count toward their graduate program. All courses presented for transfer must have been completed with a grade of B or better and must have been taken for graduate credit. Courses cannot be transferred for credit if used in earning another degree. Transfer of credits must be recommended by the program faculty and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. Students taking courses at another university for transfer after enrolling at UNH should obtain approval of their adviser and the Dean of the Graduate School prior to enrolling in the course. Since the doctoral degree does not require a specific number of courses, credits are not normally transferred onto doctoral students' academic records.

2.15 Special Student Credits

The Special-Credit Rule states that a maximum of 12 credits earned in University of New Hampshire graduate courses by a special student may, upon recommendation of the program faculty and approval of the Dean of the Graduate School, be applied to a student's degree program. The 12-credit limitation applies to all courses completed or in progress on the date when the official letter of admission is written. This number can be reduced if transfer credits are also applied.

2.16 Off-Campus Courses

Credits earned off campus will be applied toward a graduate degree only if recommended by the major department and approved by the Graduate School. UNH courses offered off campus that are not listed in the Graduate Catalog or specifically approved by the Dean of the Graduate School will not be approved for graduate credit.

2.17 Twelve-Credit Rule

A maximum of 12 credits, not including thesis, may be earned in UNH courses taken off the Durham campus. Credits earned off campus by a special graduate student will be counted as part of the 12 credits allowed.

2.18 Exceptions to the 12-Credit Rule

Students who are admitted to external graduate degree programs (a listing of approved UNH programs is available at the Graduate School) are exempt from the 12-credit rule.

Students who are admitted to all other graduate degree programs are subject to the 12-credit rule. Exceptions for these students may be granted on a course-by-course basis. Courses taught by regular members of the graduate faculty of UNH may be approved for exception to the 12-credit rule. The Graduate School maintains a list of the approved courses. It is the responsibility of a student who has reached the 12-credit maximum to check with his/her advisor to see if the desired course(s) can be applied toward his/her degree program, and with the Graduate School to see if the course has been approved for exception to the 12-credit rule.

Last Updated 6/17/03