English Proficiency Admissions Requirements (approved February 12, 2015)
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit: 1) TOEFL scores of at least 550 on the written test (213 on the computer-based test); 2) 79 on the Internet Based Test with at least 16 in each section; 3) IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5; or 4) demonstrate English proficiency during an oral examination (interview) satisfactory to the examining committee and approved by the graduate dean.
Eligibility Criteria for the Accelerated Bachelor’s / Master’s Program (approved March 12, 2015)
The minimum cumulative GPA for admission and continuation in the Accelerated Bachelor’s / Master’s program is changed from 3.4 to 3.0, with the understanding that individual departments may set additional or higher standards for eligibility and continuation in their programs.
Graduate Assistantship Satisfactory Performance Policy (approved October 6, 2015)
Graduate assistant appointments are temporary. Continuation depends upon availability of funds, level of enrollment, research needs, and satisfactory performance.
Annual Evaluation of Graduate Teaching Assistants and Doctoral Students (approved October 6, 2015)
Effective beginning Fall 2014, the Graduate School will require that each department conduct—at least on an annual basis—an evaluation of the progress of each Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and each graduate student enrolled in a doctoral program. Continuation is contingent upon satisfactory performance.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) [approved October 6, 2015]
A Graduate Teaching Assistant must meet eligibility requirements (including English proficiency requirements) and be supervised by an appropriate graduate faculty member. The GTA’s primary responsibility is to support the instruction mission of the University. The GTA’s responsibilities may include, for example, classroom or laboratory teaching*; advising or mentoring of students; proctoring exams; grading papers, homework, and/or projects; preparing instructional materials; or providing other general assistance in the instructional process. A GTA may also be assigned primary responsibilities in an extension, outreach, or service role for which those responsibilities support the instructional mission of the university. GTAs may not be given duties to support faculty research or duties primarily clerical in natures. Whatever their instructional responsibilities, GTAs must be supervised by a faculty member who is responsible for monitoring and evaluating performance (including English proficiency) at least on an annual basis. Continuation is contingent upon satisfactory performance. GTAs who have no prior teaching experience must be given some form of training before being allowed to teach. Any GTA with primary responsibility for a course must have a minimum of 18 semester hours of graduate course credit in that field of instruction.
*GTAs are not permitted to teach courses numbered 6000 or above, although they may assist with laboratories for such courses. Additionally, they may not teach or assist with a course in which they are enrolled.
Procedures for Securing Background Reports for Graduate Student Employees Before Hiring (approved November 12, 2015)
8.1 An approved background report will only be required once for any graduate student employee appointment. Exceptions to this include Background Report results with “Please Review” for the ID Trace or Driving Records with Discrepancies that are “Conditional” or “Watch.” Graduate Student employees with these results will be required to complete a Background Report annually while employed until the Background Report is clear of such conditions. Approved background reports for graduate student employees will be valid for all future semesters from the date of the report.*
*A new report is required if there is a gap of more than 150 days in employment or the graduate student employee is officially terminated from the university.
Graduate School Strategic Diversity Plan (approved December 2, 2015)
Please see the Graduate Council Meeting December 2, 2015 Miutes.
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