To be in academic good standing and to receive a graduate
degree, a student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA)
of at least 3.0.
All courses taken by a graduate student for which grades are given
will be used in calculating the grade point average, except where a
course has been repeated. Both grades will appear on the
transcript, but only the second grade will be used in calculating
the grade point average. (A specific course can be retaken only
once, and only three total courses can be retaken). Satisfactory or
Unsatisfactory is assigned for research credits, and they are not
used in calculating the GPA.
In fulfilling graduate course requirements on any plan of study,
only grades of A, B, or C are acceptable. For master's paper (797),
master's thesis (798), and doctoral dissertation (799), only the
grade of satisfactory (S) is acceptable. For seminar (790), case
studies (792), individual study/tutorial (793),
practicum/internship (794), or field experience (795), only grades
of A, B, C, or S are acceptable for graduate credit.
Programs and/or supervisory committees may require a higher
performance than C in certain courses. While some courses may be
used for graduate credit with a grade of C, courses with grades of
D, F, and U may not be used for graduate credit. Acquisition of
more than two grades of C, D, F and U may be grounds for dismissal
upon recommendation by the program administrator.
These minimal scholastic requirements apply to each student
enrolled in the Graduate School. Additional requirements may exist
for certain graduate programs.
Any student in GOOD STANDING whose cumulative grade point average drops to less than 3.0 at any time of attendance is automatically placed on academic WARNING. Any student admitted in CONDITIONAL status because of grade deficiency is automatically placed on academic WARNING. If a student on academic WARNING fails to achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in the subsequent semester of attendance, then the student will be placed on academic PROBATION.
A student on academic PROBATION may not continue the pursuit of
the graduate degree program without a waiver from the Dean of the
Graduate School acting on a recommendation from the appropriate
program administrator. This recommendation must include a review of
the student's status and a proposed plan of remediation which will
allow the student an opportunity to return to a cumulative grade
point average of at least 3.0 within one additional semester. If
the cumulative grade point average is not at least 3.0 after this
one additional semester, the student will be dismissed from his or
her graduate program.
A student on academic PROBATION is not eligible for a graduate
assistantship or tuition waiver.
Nine credits are considered a full-time graduate load. To receive financial aid, students must be enrolled at least half-time (ie 5 credits). Loan deferment may also require fall or half-time status. Eligibility varies with financial aid programs and students should contact their lender for requirements.
Graduate Assistants working 20 hours per week are considered full-time if registered for five or more graduate credits. Federal law requires all international students with a 20-hour per week assistantship to carry at least six graduate credits for full-time status. Graduate students wishing to register for more than 15 credits in a regular semester shall secure the approval of their department chair and the Dean of the Graduate School.
Courses approved at the 600 and 700 level may be taken for graduate credit and used to satisfy course requirements on the student's graduate plan of study. Didactic courses are those courses approved for graduate credit numbered 601-689, 691, 700-789 and 791. Courses numbered 690, 692-699, 790, and 792-799 are considered special or experimental courses and are not to be included as didactic courses on a plan of study. Courses that a student has used to fulfill the requirements of a baccalaureate degree may not be used on that student's graduate plan of study.
Graduate courses administered through the Office of Distance and Continuing Education
(DCE) are eligible for graduate degree plans of study if they
carry a permanent course number, or the 691/791 or 696/796
designation. Courses numbered 691/791 are trial courses and course
numbered 696/796 are special topic courses; courses 691/791 are
viewed as didactic courses. The 696/796 courses can be counted as
didactic courses if they are later approved as permanent
courses.
Courses designed for professional advancement are given the number
600. Although such courses are considered graduate level, they
cannot be included on NDSU graduate degree plans of study.
Course instructors must be full or associate members of the NDSU
graduate faculty or approved in advance by the administrator of the
unit whose course prefix is used, the appropriate academic dean,
and the Graduate Dean.
A student conducting research for the disquisition is to be enrolled in 797, 798, or 799 for the number of credits specified on the plan of study. If a student's program has a cap on the number of 797, 798 or 799 credits that may be earned in the pursuit of degree, the student is to register for 797R, 798R, or 799R (or regular credit at the discretion of the host Program) during each semester in which the student uses faculty consultation and/or University facilities and/or University administration. Such registration is required even in absentia when faculty and/or administration time is consumed in manuscript review, communication, and other forms of assistance.
Graduate credit for any course work that is more than seven (7) calendar years old at the time of the final examination cannot be used to satisfy a master's degree program. The analogous time limitation for a doctoral degree is 10 years. Following the final examination, the candidate has one (1) year during which to provide the Graduate School a disquisition for which the graduate dean will sign final approval of all requirements for the degree. Should the disquisition not be deposited as specified or any other degree requirements not be completed within this time limit, the student must repeat the final examination.
Students are required to register for at least one credit each semester (fall and spring) required until all degree requirements are completed, including submitting final copies of a thesis, paper, or dissertation. The graduate dean will not approve the degree until the student has registered for the number of credits of research for any semesters not covered by either registration or leave of absence, but not more than four (4) credits total.
A student who has not registered for longer than a continuous two-year period must also reapply for admission and is subject to the degree requirements at the time of readmission.
Students who interrupt their graduate program prior to the completion of all degree requirements must maintain continuous enrollment for the Fall and/or Spring Semesters of the absence or obtain a leave of absence, using the Request for Leave of Absence from Graduate Studies form.
NOTE: Leaves of absence do not amend in any way the seven and ten-year time limitations.