REGISTRATION

UND Student Health Services Requirements: UND Student Health Services requires each student to complete a medical history and immunization record. Please complete the Health History Form and submit it to the University as soon as possible. You may pick up a Health History Form at Student Health Services or download the form in PDF format from the UND Student Health Services web site to be printed offline. If you choose to print offline, the completed form may be mailed to Student Health Services, 100 McCannel Hall, Stop 9038, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9038, or faxed to 777-4835. All students should read the Student Health Privacy Policy Acknowledgement which is available on the Student Health Services web site.

State policy requires documentation of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Documentation of immunity means: a) evidence of two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine no less than one month apart from a licensed physician or authorized representative of a state or local health department; b) proof of a positive serologic test for measles, mumps, and rubella, OR, c) proof of date of birth prior to 1957. Students will be allowed one semester to provide this information to Student Health Services and if it is not provided by then, further registration may not be allowed until proof of such immunization is provided. Exemptions for religious beliefs can be granted based on written requests. Exemptions for health reasons are also accepted when verified by a medical provider.
Other recommended immunizations include: Tetanus/Diphtheria Series and a booster within the past 10 years; Polio Series; Hepatitis B Series; Hepatitis A Series; and Varivax if you have not had a Chicken Pox vaccination. College students are also encouraged to consider being vaccinated for bacterial meningitis, a contagious disease that can cause serious health problems and which can be life threatening.

Graduate School Requirements: Any student who holds a baccalaureate degree and has established status as a Degree, Non-Degree, Deferred Admission, Post-Baccalaureate, or Transient student is eligible to enroll in a graduate course, i.e., a course numbered 500 or higher. Enrollment in certain courses may be limited to Degree Seeking students in the specific program in which the course is offered. Registration and fee payment procedures are outlined by the Office of the Registrar and published in the Schedule of Classes. Registration is complete only upon payment of tuition and fees. Registration may be cancelled by the Business Office if tuition and fees are not paid.

It is strongly recommended that students consult with their advisor before registering for classes. New students are assigned a temporary advisor at the time of admission. Only work taken as a registered Graduate Student may be credited toward a graduate degree. Students classified as Seniors may be granted graduate credit if they meet the criteria defined in the policy. Approval of the Graduate School is required and must occur prior to the time that the class is taken. Graduate credit will not be granted retroactively.

The number of credits for which a student may register is subject to certain limits. Registrations not in compliance with University, Graduate School, and departmental policies are subject to cancellation by the Graduate School Dean’s office.

Common Course Numbers

Course numbers for certain activities are uniform throughout the Graduate School and are not listed separately for each department:

CONTINUING ENROLLMENT - 996

Students who previously have registered for all of the necessary credits of coursework, research, Scholarly Project (995), Independent Study (997), Thesis (998), or Dissertation (999) on their approved Program of Study, but who have not completed their independent study, thesis, or dissertation, must register for 996 Continuing Enrollment each additional semester or summer session they are utilizing university facilities or the time of the faculty, (i.e., laboratories, libraries, examinations, advisement, etc.). The number of credits should be determined by the advisor to reflect the proportion of time devoted by the student to academic study that term, with a full-time student registering for 9 credits. Graduate Assistants must register for at least six (6) credits which may include a combination of formal coursework and continuing enrollment credits. Advisor verification of the appropriateness of the number of 996 credits may be required.

After two regular semesters of 6 to 9 credits in 996 for master’s students and after four regular semesters for doctoral students, a student wishing to enroll in additional 996 credits will be required to petition the Graduate School Dean..

Continuing Enrollment (996) credits will not count toward the requirements for the degree. All students must be enrolled for either 996 credits or other credits in the semester of graduation. Students may register for both regular credits and 996 credits in a given term if all other conditions have been met. Continuing Enrollment credits may be used to define a student’s enrollment status, (i.e., part-time or full-time). The fee for Continuing Enrollment (996) cannot be waived.

MINORS AND COGNATES

Some degree programs require or permit academic work outside of the area of concentration (major) in a supporting area which may be called a minor area, which must consist of at least nine credit hours, or a cognate area, which must consist of at least six credits. Credits earned toward a certificate cannot apply to a minor or cognate.

A minor is a concentrated study in a specific supporting field at the graduate level. A minor must be titled and identified on the student’s program of study and be approved by a Graduate Faculty member of the minor department/program.The minor will be listed on the student’s transcript, only if the minor has been approved by the State Board of Higher Education. Only courses approved for graduate credit may be included in a minor. If the student is doing a non-thesis option, the Graduate Director of the minor department must sign and approve the program of study. For students writing a thesis or dissertation, one committee member must be on the student’s committee from the minor department.

A cognate is a selection of courses providing broad support to the major. All courses numbered 300 or above listed in this catalog, including those offered by departments or fields that do not offer graduate courses or graduate degrees, may be included in the cognate. Courses should be taken in two or three departments or fields. A cognate area will not be titled and will not be listed on a student’s transcript. Courses from the student’s major at the 300-400 level cannot be used as a cognate area.

The student’s major requirements consist of 500 level courses or other courses (typically 400 level) that have been approved for graduate credit. The courses that have been approved for graduate credit are listed in the graduate section of the academic catalog after the department listings of the 500 level courses. Occasionally courses are approved for graduate credit between catalog revisions. Please contact the Graduate School if you have questions about courses that are not listed in the catalog.

NOTE: When a graduate student elects to take a 300 or 400 level course that has been approved for graduate credit or a 300 or 400 level course as part of their cognate, it is understood that the student will be required to do additional work of greater complexity, over and above that typically required of undergraduates. Usually, such work is of an independent nature. For example, if an additional research project or paper is assigned to graduate students, students may be required to explain an area of interest in greater depth than what is required of an undergraduate.

GRADUATE COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

Some departments offer Graduate Cooperative Education. The course must meet the following minimum requirements set by the Graduate Committee:

• The student must be in Approved status and in good academic standing (minimum 3.00 GPA).
  
  
• The student must have completed a minimum of 9 credits of the Program of Study.
  
  
• The student must have the approval of the department, i.e., department chair or graduate director, and of his/her advisor before the co-op begins.
  
  
• Proper work experience on campus may be acceptable, but not employment in the department granting the co-op credit.
  
  
  
• Credit will not be allowed for current career track positions.
  
  
• Typically, no more than 20% of the Program of Study will be allowed for co-op credit.
  
  
• The student will be required to present a seminar and submit a written report.
  
  
• The co-op experience must be compensated.

The Department’s requirements for registration in Graduate Cooperative Education may be more stringent than the minimums set by the Graduate School.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Some graduate programs offer certificate programs in addition to the degree programs. Certificate programs generally require a minimum of nine credit hours of coursework in approved graduate courses, some of which may be transferable to the parent graduate program. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required to earn the certificate. Only grades of “B” in courses taken as part of a certificate program may transfer to a degree program.

The purpose of a certificate program is to augment skills in an area. A student currently enrolled in a master’s program cannot obtain a certificate in the same field, with the exception of Health Administration for Public Administration students.

GRADUATE CREDIT

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK FOR AN ADVANCED DEGREE

Only those who have been officially admitted to the Graduate School as Degree Students on the basis of a letter from the Dean of the Graduate School may work for an advanced degree. Any conditions stipulated in the admission letter must be satisfied according to the terms of the letter. Degree or certificate students who do not satisfy the conditions of the admission letter will be dismissed. Students may petition the Graduate School for an extension if they are unable to satisfy the conditions of admission. Such petitions must be filed prior to the any deadlines that are in the admissions letter.

ELIGIBILITY FOR FACULTY TO PURSUE GRADUATE DEGREE

A faculty member at any rank may take coursework toward a degree at the University if he or she has the approval of the dean of his or her college or school. Members of the Graduate Faculty must also obtain approval of the Graduate Dean. Upon enrollment in a graduate program, any graduate faculty membership, and any faculty rank or role in any department in which the coursework is being taken, will be suspended. The suspended faculty rank and role, including graduate faculty membership, will be automatically reinstated upon completion of the graduate degree or departure from the degree program. Any member of the faculty may, with the approval of the dean and of the instructors concerned, take courses for credit as non-degree seeking students without changing his or her faculty status. Arrangements to audit classes or to take courses for credit are made through the Graduate School and/or Registrar’s Office. (Reference: UND Faculty Handbook)

PETITIONS AND APPEALS

Students who wish to be excused from Graduate School requirements must petition the Dean of the Graduate School on a form available from the Graduate School. The forms require the written endorsement of the advisor, instructor (if appropriate), and department chairperson or graduate program director. The student should state clearly and concisely: 1) the nature of the petition; 2) the basis for the petition, including any supporting documentation; and 3) the outcome they are seeking. Graduate Students or members of the Graduate Faculty may appeal decisions of the dean to the Graduate Committee.

ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE

An “academic grievance” is a statement expressing a complaint, resentment, or accusation lodged by a student about an academic circumstance (such as grading, testing, and quality of instruction) which is thought by the student to be unfair.

Academic issues subject to grievance procedures differ from those subject to the academic petition process. If a student thinks that a petition has not been handled fairly, the student may initiate a grievance based upon unfair treatment, but not upon the substantive issue of the petition.

The grievance process available to graduate students depends on the issue as follows:

Guidelines for Graduate Student Grievance Hearings, University of North Dakota
(Revised by the Graduate Committee November 20, 2006)

Note: These guidelines are periodically reviewed and revised by the Graduate Committee. Please consult the Graduate School web site or contact the Graduate School for the most current guidelines.

The Graduate Committee hears grievances brought by graduate students seeking redress on academic decisions made by the Graduate Dean. This document sets out the procedures for the consideration and hearing of student grievances.

I. PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING STUDENT GRIEVANCE HEARINGS

1. The procedures should be fair and transparent;
   
   
2. Student grievances should be dealt with within a reason able time, decisions should not be rushed, and all information relevant to reaching a fair decision should be taken into consideration;
   
   
3. A grievant may be accompanied by an advisor, who may be a lawyer, when appearing at any grievance hearing;
   
   
4. The principle parties should have equal access to relevant information and documentation;
   
   
5. An individual’s privacy and confidentiality should be respected, subject to the need for an open and fair investigation.
   
   
6. Procedures should ensure that, where a grievance is upheld, appropriate action is taken;
   
   
7. Members of a student grievance hearing panel should disclose any professional or personal relationship they may have with any of the parties;
   
   
8. Members of a student grievance hearing panel should recuse themselves if they have a conflict of interest and/or may have difficulty objectively reviewing the facts and information presented.

II. GRADUATE SCHOOL STUDENT GRIEVANCE
DOMAIN AND PROCEDURES:

1. The Graduate Committee will review written student grievances concerning academic decisions made by the Graduate Dean.
   
   
2. The Graduate Committee does not review the substance of grievances of course grades, allegations of academic dishonesty or scientific misconduct, matters relating to employment or assistantships, or allegations of discrimination. If it has been determined by the relevant administrators or committees that situations such as these have occurred, the Graduate Committee may review whether actions of the Graduate Dean were made on sufficient grounds.
   
   1. Grade grievances are subject to review by the College in which the course is offered.
      
      
   2. Allegations of academic dishonesty, scientific miscon- duct, and discrimination are subject to review by the College in which the academic dishonesty, scientific mis- conduct, or discrimination is said to have taken place.
      
3. C. Definitions:
   1. “Graduate Dean” refers to the Dean of the Graduate School or his or her designee.
      
      
   2. “Day” means normal university school day when regu- lar classes or examinations are held, not including Satur- day and Sunday.
      
      
   3. A Graduate Student Grievance Hearing Panel may be convened during the summer if all the parties are avail- able, and sufficient members of a Graduate Student Grievance Hearing Panel can be available.
      
      
   4. “Grievance Hearing” is the formal meeting in which the student and other principle parties present information regarding the grievance, and the course of events that led to the filing of the grievance.
      
      
   5. “Grievance Hearing Panel,” hereby known as the Panel, is the group of Graduate Committee faculty and stu- dent designee who are chosen to be present at a griev- ance hearing.
      
      
   6. “Grievant” is the student filing the grievance.
4. A Panel consists of the Chair or Vice Chair of the Graduate Committee acting as non-voting Chair of the Panel, four voting members of the Graduate Committee and one voting graduate student (normally the Graduate Committee student member). Each Student Grievance Hearing will be heard by a separate Panel appointed by the Graduate Committee Chair. When establishing Panels, the Graduate Committee Chair will consider the expertise and experience of the members, their familiarity with student grievance hearings, the breadth of background they bring to the Panel, and the potential for perceived conflicts of interest. In the process of setting Panels, Panel members should indicate if they have any potential conflicts of interest. In the event that the Chair of the Graduate Committee is associated with the grievant’s department, or in some other way has a conflict of interest, delegation of Panel members will fall to the Vice Chair of the Graduate Committee. The grievant and the Graduate Dean may each disqualify, for any reason, up to two of the Graduate Committee members from serving on the Panel.
   

III. FILING A GRIEVANCE

1. A student who disputes an academic decision should first discuss his or her concerns with the Dean of the Graduate School.
   
   
2. The student must file seven copies of a Request for Grievance Hearing (see section III. D, below) stating the grounds and argumentation in support of a grievance to the Chair of the Graduate Committee, not to exceed 10 double-spaced pages excluding attachments. The Chair of the Graduate Committee will review the request to make certain it grieves an action of the Graduate Dean. Grievances that are not within the jurisdiction of the Graduate Committee will be dismissed and returned to the student.
   
   
3. A grievance hearing is not a rehearing of the case. The following shall be allowed as grounds for grievance:
   
   
   1. Action of the Graduate Dean not being commensurate with the problem being addressed.
      
      
   2. Decisions contrary to the weight of evidence.
      
      
4. Seven written copies of the Request for Grievance Hearing must be submitted to the Chair of the Graduate Committee no later than 20 days after receiving notification of the action that the student is seeking to be overturned or changed. The request should identify:
   
   
   1. The disputed academic decision (within the jurisdic- tion of the Graduate Committee);
      
      
   2. The person that made the decision;
      
      
   3. The date the decision was made;
      
      
   4. All efforts made to resolve the dispute informally and formally;
      
      
   5. Information directly relevant to the Panel’s review of the grievance;
      
      
   6. Relevant witnesses or individuals whom the grievant may call during the hearing;
      
      
   7. Any other relevant pertinent evidence or documents and;
      
      
   8. The desired outcome the student is seeking as a result of a grievance hearing.
      
      
5. The Graduate Committee chair will notify the student in writing of his or her decision regarding the Request for Grievance Hearing within 5 days of receiving the request. If the Graduate Committee chair approves the Request for Grievance Hearing, the student will receive a list of prospective members of the Panel with the letter notifying them of the chair’s decision. The Recording Secretary will also send the Request for Grievance Hearing and supporting information to the Dean of the Graduate School within 5 days of the approval decision.
   
   
6. Within 10 days of receiving notice of the grievance from the Recording Secretary, the Graduate Dean will provide six copies of a written response (and supporting documents) to the Graduate Committee Chair and one copy to the grievant. The response may not exceed 10 double-spaced pages excluding attachments. The request should identify:
   
   1. Issues raised by the grievant;
      
      
   2. All efforts made to resolve the dispute informally and formally;
      
      
   3. Information directly relevant to the Panel’s review of the grievance;
      
      
   4. Relevant witnesses or individuals whom the Graduate Dean may call during the hearing;
      
      
   5. Any other relevant pertinent evidence or documents; and
      
      
   6. The desired outcome the Graduate Dean is seeking as a result of a grievance hearing.
      

IV. INITIAL REVIEW OF GRIEVANCES

Within 10 days of receiving the Graduate Dean’s response, the Chair of the Graduate Committee will appoint a Panel, as outlined above and communicate the names of the Panel members to the grievant and the Graduate Dean. The grievant and the Graduate Dean must inform the Chair of the Graduate Committee within 5 days if he/she wishes to disqualify any prospective Panel members. Once the Panel has been established, a date for the hearing will be set. The Chair of the Panel will send notice of the hearing to the student and the Graduate Dean. The notice will include the date, time, location and procedures of the hearing. The Chair of the Panel may invite others to provide information at the hearing. The grievance hearing will be normally scheduled within 10 days of the Graduate Dean’s written response to the filed grievance.

V. MEDIATION

At any time the parties may consider mediation of outstanding issues. None of the parties or the Graduate Committee will conduct the mediation. All applicable timelines remain in effect, unless extended by the Chair of the Graduate Committee.

VI. GRIEVANCE HEARING

1. If either party intends to submit supplemental materials (six copies) to the Panel for consideration, he/she must also provide hard copies to the other parties to the hearing. All copies must be provided at least 5 days prior to the scheduled hearing. These materials may not exceed 10 double-spaced pages excluding attachments. Failure to provide copies in time may result in the materials not being considered by the Panel.
   
   
2. Hearings will be conducted in a manner conducive to ascertaining the facts of the case. Parties to the grievance will be provided an opportunity to:
   
   
   1. Be present and hear all arguments and oral statements made to the Panel during the hearing;
      
      
   2. Make arguments, present oral statements and written documents, and call witnesses with regard to issues of fact relevant to the grounds for grievance; and
      
      
   3. Ask questions of other witnesses, either directly or through the Chair (to be determined by the Chair).
      
3. Each party may be accompanied at the hearing by an advisor, who may be a lawyer. The advisors are not allowed to address the Panel, question witnesses, or take an active role in the proceedings. The advisor is simply there to provide advice to a party. The Graduate Dean will not bring a lawyer unless the grievant indicates he/she intends to bring a lawyer. If the grievant intends to bring a lawyer, he/she should notify the Graduate Dean and the Chair of the Graduate Committee 5 days prior to the start of the hearing.
   
   
4. At any time, the Chair of the Panel may consult an advisor or a lawyer, call witnesses, or ascertain information deemed relevant to the grievance. The Chair of the Panel is authorized to request the appearance of additional witnesses or the submission of additional information necessary to clarify an already introduced issue. The Panel may address questions to any person participating in the hearing.
   
   
5. The Panel may establish time limitations for the oral presentations of the parties. As a regular order of business, each party will have 30 minutes for presentation, inclusive of time allocated to allowing witnesses to speak. It is recommended that long statements by witnesses be presented in written form as attachments to the original grievance or response.
   
   
6. The formal rules of evidence do not apply to Grievance Hearings. All information not repetitious or irrelevant may be admitted, subject to guidelines of time and length.
   
   
7. No witness will be allowed to attend the hearing before he or she testifies or until he or she has been released.
   
   
8. Hearings will be closed to the public unless the student wishes them to be open. If the hearings are open, great care must be exercised by all who speak to protect the privacy of others who are not parties to the proceedings.
   
   
9. In hearings involving a single incident with more than one student, a single hearing may be scheduled for all of the students. If the Chair determines that it would be in the best interest of individuals involved, separate hearings may be provided. When collective hearings are held, individual findings, decisions, and recommendations will be rendered. Students who do not file a grievance will not automatically benefit from a grievance filed by another student.
   
   
10. The hearing will be recorded. Both parties may access the recording, after the final report is issued, by contacting the Recording Secretary of the Graduate Committee.
    
    
11. The Chair may require someone to leave the hearing whose conduct or presence may impede the hearing process.
    
    
12. All documents, recordings and findings will be subject to the university’s records retention policy.

VII. ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS IN A GRIEVANCE HEARING

1. The Chair will begin the hearing with a brief opening statement. The Chair will then ask each person in the room to introduce himself or herself for the record. The Chair will state the reason for the hearing, describe the role of the Panel and explain the procedures to be followed. The Chair will ask the student filing the grievance whether he or she wishes the hearing to be open or closed. If the student requests a closed hearing, only the Recording Secretary, the principle parties, the Panel and, if applicable, their advisors shall remain. Witnesses will only be allowed in the room when they are presenting, but may be asked to remain available to answer additional questions later in the proceedings.
   
   
2. Following the Chair’s summary, and unless otherwise determined by the Chair of the Panel, the order of presentation will be:
   
   
   1. Grievant presents case, including witnesses and other evidence (30 minutes). Members of the Panel may ask brief questions to clarify a point, but in general the student should be allowed to present without interrup- tion. Witnesses must exit after providing their informa- tion, and should not be allowed to speak with each other until released. They should be available for questions later;
      
      
   2. Graduate Dean presents case, including witnesses and other evidence (30 minutes). Members of the Panel may ask brief questions to clarify a point, but in general the Graduate Dean should be allowed to present with- out interruption. Witnesses must exit after providing their information, and should not be allowed to speak with each other until released. They should be available for questions later;
      
      
   3. Panel members question either party and witnesses. Determination of the order of questions, requesting the presence of witnesses, and managing the dialog during the hearing is done at the discretion of the Chair in consultation with other members of the Panel;
      
      
   4. Summary by the Graduate Dean (5 minutes);
      
      
   5. Summary by the Student (5 minutes);
      
      
   6. Declaration by the Chair that the hearing is concluded..

VIII. FINDINGS, DECISIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PANEL

1. Upon completion of the hearing, the Panel will meet in closed session for deliberations. If the student requests an open hearing, then deliberations will also be open. If the process requires more time than originally scheduled, the Panel may suspend its discussion and reconvene at an agreed upon later date and time. A simple majority vote of the Panel is required for all findings, decisions, and recommendations.
   
   
2. If, in the course of deliberations, the Panel determines it would like to obtain additional information from either party, or from any other individual that the Panel feels could provide useful information, the Chair of the Panel will reopen the hearing at a mutually convenient time for all parties.
   
   
3. The Panel Chair will prepare a written final decision, to include:
   
   
   1. A statement addressing the subject of the grievance;
      
      
   2. A decision that indicates whether the grievance is up held, denied, or if a modified solution to the situation is recommended;
      
      
   3. (Optional) recommendations, if appropriate, for further actions by University authorities.
      
      
4. All members of the Panel sign the Decisions, Findings, and Recommendations document.
   
   
5. The Panel will provide the grievant and the Graduate Dean with a copy of the decision of the Panel within 10 days from the date of the conclusion of the hearing.

X. SUBSEQUENT HEARINGS

1. The Panel acts on behalf of the Graduate Committee. The student may grieve the decision of the Panel to the Student Academic Standards Committee.
   

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY

A student wishing to withdraw from the University before the end of a semester must begin the withdrawal process by submitting a completed Withdrawal Form to the Office of the Registrar. Failure to do so will result in a grade of F in all classes and no refund of fees. If a student would like to completely withdraw from a degree program, he or she should complete a Graduate School Withdrawal Form available from the Graduate School or the Graduate School web site.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM GRADUATE STUDY

Students who wish to take a leave of absence from their program must notify their graduate program and the Graduate School by submission of a “request for leave of absence from graduate study” in advance of their leave. Degree and certificate seeking students who do not submit a leave of absence will be required to apply for readmission to the Graduate School and pay a readmission application fee. Applications for readmission will be reviewed by the program and Graduate Dean. Students may be denied readmission based on review of their prior progress and their application for readmission.


GRADUATE WORK BY UNDERGRADUATES

Graduate courses normally are open only to graduate students. An undergraduate senior at UND may enroll in graduate courses (500 level) for undergraduate credit. A student below the standing of a senior must have the permission of the instructor and Graduate Dean to take a graduate course.

An undergraduate student may be granted graduate credit for the courses listed in this section of the catalog if:

1. The credits being petitioned are not needed to complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree;
   
   
2. The course(s) are listed in the current Graduate School Catalog;
   
   
3. The petition is filed by the last day to add a course;
   
   
4. The student is a senior;
   
   
5. The student is within 12 credits of the baccalaureate degree;
   
   
6. The student’s load is not more than 16 credits in a regular semester or 8 credits in a summer session;
   
   
7. The student’s overall GPA is at least 3.00;
   
   
8. The degree will be completed at the close of the current semester;
   
   
9. The course(s) are not taken for S/U grading.

NOTE: The 300 or 400 level courses listed in this section of the catalog were approved by the Graduate Committee for graduate credit on the basis that the student be required to do additional work, generally of an independent nature.

MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM ACADEMIC LOADS

A full course load for a graduate student is 9 credit hours in a semester or 6 credits in a summer session. A graduate student may carry no more than 12 credit hours per semester or 12 credits in a summer session. Graduate Assistants must carry at least 6 credits each semester or 3 credits in a summer session

GRADING SYSTEM

A graduate student will be allowed credit for a course only when a grade for the course has been reported to the Office of the Registrar. Grades awarded in all courses are indicative of the quality of the work done. Their significance is as follows:

GRADUATE GRADE POINT AVERAGE

A graduate student’s cumulative GPA is based on all coursework, graduate or undergraduate, taken while the student is registered in the UND Graduate School. Grades of less than “C” are not included in the number of credits accepted for a graduate degree, but they are counted in determining the cumulative GPA. Credits and grades for courses accepted in transfer, or courses graded on a Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory basis are not counted in determining the GPA. Courses with grades of Incomplete are neither counted as partial fulfillment of degree requirements nor calculated in the GPA.

SATISFACTORY-UNSATISFACTORY GRADING

Some seminars, research, thesis, dissertation, and field work may be graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. Those courses usually are marked in the Schedule of Courses, and the entire registration for the course will be graded on the S/U basis. The student does not have the option of receiving a grade. Graduate students do not have the option of electing S/U grading in either graduate or undergraduate courses.


INCOMPLETE GRADES

It is expected that students will complete all requirements for a course during the time frame of the course. For reasons beyond a student’s control, and upon request by the student or on behalf of the student, an incomplete grade may be assigned by the instructor when there is reasonable certainty the student will successfully complete the course without retaking it. The mark “I,” Incomplete, will be assigned only to the student who has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work up to a time within four weeks of the close of the semester, including the examination period, and whose work is incomplete for reasons satisfactory to his or her instructor.

Incompletes are entered on the final grade sheet, and instructors must also sign and submit a “Report of Incomplete Grade” form to the Office of the Registrar. The instructor may choose any one of the following options for the deadline to complete the course:

1. The default date as stated in the “UND Schedule of Courses.”
   
   
2. Extend to 12 calendar months after the end of the course.
   
   
3. A date of the instructor’s choosing no later than 12 months
   after the end of the course.

Incomplete grades will convert to a grade of “F” if a grade is not submitted by the instructor to the Office of the Registrar on or before the deadline written on the “Report of Incomplete Grade” form.

The instructor of the course and the Dean of the Graduate School must approve and sign the “Report of Incomplete Grade” form for any extension of incomplete beyond the default date listed in the “UND Schedule of Courses.” It is the student’s responsibility to contact their instructor about an incomplete grade posted on the final grade report.

An “I” may be converted as indicated above but cannot be expunged from the record. Students may not register for courses in which they currently hold grades of incomplete, except for courses that allow repeated enrollment. A student will not be allowed to graduate with an unconverted incomplete grade on the academic record.

IN PROGRESS GRADES

The Graduate School or the Honors Program may assign a grade of “SP,” Satisfactory Progress or “UP,” Unsatisfactory Progress to Honors Thesis (489), Scholarly Project (995), Thesis (998), Dissertation (999), Independent Study (997), Research Design (Engineering 595), English 591, Professional Exhibition (VA 599) or Research (leading to the thesis or dissertation). The “SP” or “UP” grade for these activities, which usually span several sessions, need not be replaced until the conclusion of the activity, usually a student’s final semester. Grades of “SP” or “UP” are not calculated into term or cumulative GPA values and will be expunged from the record upon submission of final grades for the course. Students failing to show satisfactory progress may face dismissal.

GRADE CHANGES

Submitted grades, except for grades of incomplete, are final and may only be changed to correct an error. Grades may not be changed by additional work or submitting additional materials. Students should report any error to their instructor within 90 days of receipt of the grade. The instructor must file a change of grade form with the Registrar signed by the instructor, the department chair, and the dean of the course. Reasons for the change must be fully explained and justified.

REPETITION OF COURSES

All courses taken by graduate students, for which a grade of D, F, or U was received, may be repeated once for credit, with only the second grade to count in the grade point average. This option does not apply to a student who has been dismissed. Courses with grades of C or better may not be repeated without the written approval of the Dean of the Graduate School. It is up to the student to notify the Graduate School when a course has been retaken so that the grade point average can be recalculated. Courses taken as an undergraduate may not be taken again as a graduate student and used on a program of study.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 for all work taken as a graduate student, i.e., while registered in the UND Graduate School, must be maintained in order to remain in satisfactory academic standing in the Graduate School; however, mere maintenance of a 3.00 GPA or better may not be considered adequate satisfactory performance. Satisfactory performance may include, but is not limited to, satisfactory research performance, a satisfactory GPA in the major, satisfactory performance in examinations, such as the comprehensive examination, or satisfactory performance in other specific program requirements.

The academic standing and progress of Degree Students will be reviewed by the departments and Faculty Advisory Committee periodically to ensure that appropriate progress is being made toward the degree. Students may be placed on probation with conditions or dismissed as a result of unsatisfactory academic performance or progress. Dismissal will be noted on the student’s transcript.

The conditions regarding Grade Point Average are as follows:

1. No decision on dismissal will be reached until a minimum of 9 graduate credits has been accumulated.
   
   
2. The academic standing of all graduate students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 (2.75 for Master of Engineering program) will be reviewed at the end of each academic term by the Dean of the Graduate School. Students having accumulated 9 or more credit hours will be placed on academic probation for one semester; students having accumulated fewer than 9 credit hours will be placed on academic probation until either (a) the GPA is raised to at least 3.00 (2.75 for M.Engr.) or (b) 9 graduate credit hours are accumulated, whichever occurs first. If, at the end of the probationary period, the GPA is still less than 3.00 (2.75 for M.Engr.), the student will be dismissed.

TRANSFER OF GRADUATE CREDITS

A limited amount of graduate work completed at a regionally accredited North American institution prior to, or after matriculation in the Graduate School at UND, may be applied toward a graduate degree at the University of North Dakota. Graduate work is considered for transfer only on an individual basis and only after the student has completed satisfactory work in residence at UND. Those transfer credits approved by the student’s advisory committee and the Dean of the Graduate School are included in the program of study for the UND graduate degree and only those transfer credits will be recorded on the UND transcript.

The basic purpose of the transfer policies is to ensure that transferred work is of comparable content, level, timeliness, and quality to that which would be taken at UND and included on the program of study for the degree. The following policies are generally applicable to the acceptance of the graduate work for transfer to UND:

• The work must have been taken at an accredited North American institution.
  
  
• The student must have been enrolled as a Graduate Student.
  
  
• The work must have received graduate credit at the institution where it was earned.
  
  
• The student must have earned a grade of B or better.
  
  
• The work must be less than seven years old at the time the UND degree is awarded with the exception of work that was part of a completed prerequisite degree.
  
  
• The amount of transfer credit that will be accepted toward the master’s degree is one-fourth (usually eight semester credits) of the credit hours required for the degree.
  
  
• The work credited toward a completed master’s degree may be accepted for a specialist’s diploma or doctoral degree.
  
  
• Work beyond the master’s degree must be post-master’s level and from an institution that offers post-master’s degrees in the discipline.
  
  
• Work beyond the master’s degree from an institution offering only master’s level work in the discipline may be applied to the minor or cognate areas.
  
  
• For the Ph.D., only 30 credits may be transferred beyond the credits allowed for the master’s degree, i.e., a total of 60 credits.
  
  
• For the Specialist Diploma, only 15 credit hours will be transferred beyond the credits allowed for the master’s degree, i.e., a total of 45 credit hours.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS

Some graduate degree programs, especially those with a significant research/creative component, require that students spend a minimum period of time in residence during their course of study. The purpose of residence is to provide an opportunity for sustained and concentrated intellectual effort, to provide for immersion in a research environment, and to permit extensive interaction with fellow students and faculty of the major department.

In order to meet a residence requirement, a student must devote full time to academic study and must be registered for at least nine credits in a semester or six credits in a summer session, or be a graduate assistant.

The Residence Requirements are stipulated for each graduate degree program in this catalog. A year of residence requires two consecutive semesters of residence. Two years of residence requires four consecutive semesters of residence or three semesters and two summer sessions, all without interruption.

Any exceptions to the policies stated above must be approved in advance by the student’s advisory committee, the student’s department, and the Dean of the Graduate School.

MAXIMUM PERIOD ALLOWED FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS AND REVALIDATION OF COURSES

Graduate courses more than seven years old are considered obsolete and may not be counted to fulfill course requirements for an advanced degree program. Programs of study more than seven years old are also obsolete.

Obsolete UND graduate courses may be revalidated and may be counted toward an advanced degree on the recommendation of the student’s Faculty Advisory Committee and with the consent of the Dean of the Graduate School. In no case will more than one-half a program be accepted for revalidation. Revalidation of an obsolete graduate course can be approved only if it can be demonstrated that a student’s knowledge of the subject matter of the course is current. Oral and/or written examination on the subject matter of the course normally is required. Prior approval of the dean must be obtained for the proposed revalidation procedure. Contact the Graduate School for the proper revalidation form.

Graduate work from another institution which is obsolete may not be revalidated for a UND graduate degree. Work which was part of a completed prerequisite graduate degree program does not become obsolete.

RESEARCH ON HUMAN SUBJECTS

The University of North Dakota Policy and Principles on the Use of Human Subjects requires that any biomedical or behavioral research which involves the use of humans as subjects be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board prior to initiation of the project or activity. This policy applies to both faculty and student research. Forms and directions for submission of a project to the Institutional Review Board can be obtained from the Office of Research Development and Compliance.

RESEARCH INVOLVING ANIMALS

The University of North Dakota requires that any research involving vertebrate animals be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee prior to initiation of the project or activity. This policy applies to both faculty and student research. Forms and directions for submission of a project to the Institutional Review Board can be obtained from the Office of Research Development and Compliance.

RESEARCH INVOLVING RADIATION

The University of North Dakota Radiation Safety and Hazardous Materials Committee functions to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and University regulations and policies for radioactive materials, radiation producing machines, lasers, and hazardous, materials and substances. Research involving such materials must be approved prior to the initiation of the research. Students working with these agents must receive training through the Safety Office or be able to document prior training. Additional information is available through the Office of Research Development and Compliance.

RESEARCH INVOLVING BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIALS

The University of North Dakota Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) requires that any research, teaching, or other activities which utilize DNA, recombinant DNA, or involve the use of biohazardous research material be subject to a University Review Process and that these activities must be approved by the IBC prior to their initiation. The IBC is the only authorized University committee which can give approval to projects and activities involving recombinant DNA and biohazardous research material. The IBC will follow the NIH guidelines for recombinant DNA and biohazardous material research in determining the suitability of projects and activities and will provide an explanation of any decision not to approve a project or activity. Any project or activity not approved can be revised and resubmitted to the IBC for consideration. Additional information is available through the Office of Research Development and Compliance.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The University of North Dakota has detailed policies regarding intellectual property, patents, and copyrights. Students wishing more information about intellectual property rights are referred to the Office of Technology Transfer & Commercialization.

PROHIBITED ACTS

Section 2-3 of the UND Code of Student Life defines prohibited acts as those that would include violation of civil or criminal laws, acts of dishonesty, acts against other persons, disruptive activity or disorderly conduct, possession of prohibited property, acts involving property, and misuse of the campus judicial system. Graduate students involved in any prohibited activities will be subject to University discipline sanctions.

CHALLENGE EXAMINATIONS

Students who believe they are eligible to establish credit for courses because of superior preparation may apply to take challenge examinations. Application should be made on a Graduate School petition form to the instructor of the course and must be approved by the student’s department and the Dean of the Graduate School before it may be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. If the application is approved, a committee of that department will administer the examination and will report a grade of either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Challenge examinations will not be permitted for courses which were audited or for courses which were dropped, nor will they be permitted for a student who is not currently enrolled.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Master and Doctoral Degrees Offered at a Distance

The University of North Dakota Graduate School, through the Division of Continuing Education, offers master’s degrees and doctoral degrees at a distance to North Dakota citizens as well as to students located throughout the United States and internationally. Many of the degree programs are delivered through videoconferencing utilizing the North Dakota Interactive Video Network (IVN). Other distance delivery methods are available, depending on the program. Students wishing to enroll in these programs must apply to and gain admission to the Graduate School and are subject to all Graduate School policies and procedures. Graduate Degree programs currently being offered include:

Master’s Degree Programs:

Business Administration
Public Administration
Social Work
Counseling Psychology and Community Services
Forensic Psychology
Educational Leadership
Instructional Design & Technology
Special Education
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Education: General Studies

Doctoral Degree Programs:
Educational Leadership
Teaching & Learning

For more information on degree programs and/or courses offered at a distance, please contact the UND Graduate School or Division of Continuing Education.

Workshops

Graduate level workshops are short-term organized learning experiences which provide for active, hands-on participation or for concentrated study on a specialized topic. Students register as Continuing Education students and do not have to be formally admitted to the Graduate School.

Graduate level workshops are offered by the graduate departments under the course number “900-Graduate Workshop.” For each workshop registration, a transcript entry will be made showing the title, credit, and grade for the workshop.

Since graduate level workshops are not designed for the purpose of being a part of a graduate degree program, their credit normally may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements. The Graduate Dean may approve the inclusion if the workshop involves critical review, analyses, discussion, theory, or content similar to graduate courses. If approval is being sought, do so prior to taking the course. A syllabus of the course would be required.

Correspondence and Online Studies

Correspondence study work is not accepted for graduate credit. With the consent of the student’s major department, the advisor, and the Graduate Dean, a student may take work by correspondence to remove deficiencies in the undergraduate background.

CANDIDACY FOR DEGREES

Admission to the Graduate School does not imply admission to candidacy for an advanced degree. The rights to candidacy can be earned only by demonstrating the preparation for and ability to pursue graduate work and by fulfilling requirements prerequisite to candidacy. Those requirements are described in detail for each degree. Advancement to candidacy does imply that the student has been judged by the advisory committee and the dean to have satisfactorily completed much of the formal coursework and examination requirements and to be fully qualified to pursue the remaining, usually more independent, portion of the degree work.

GRADUATION - APPLICATION FOR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA

Students who expect to receive a degree must file an Application for Graduate Degree in the Graduate School by the deadline noted in the academic calendar. All graduate students must have been advanced to candidacy the semester preceding the semester in which they expect to graduate.

After the student applies for the degree, the Graduate School checks the academic record to ensure that the student is eligible to graduate. A new application must be filed if the student fails to graduate. Students must be registered for the term in which they expect to receive their degree.