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Main :: Master's
Degree Policies
Graduate School Master's Degree
Policies
Transfer Credit
Subject to the approval of the students'
advisers and the graduate dean, master's students who have a "B"
grade average or above in graduate work from another approved
institution may be permitted to transfer a maximum of nine
semester hours of credit. Only work with "B" or better grades
earned at an accredited graduate school and acceptable toward a
graduate degree at that institution will be considered for
transfer.
Residence Requirement
Candidates for Master's degrees are
required to complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate
work. Candidates must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours of
resident credit from Arkansas State University—Jonesboro. Twelve
semester hours may be earned in approved non-resident classes
offered by Arkansas State University—Jonesboro.
A maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit may be
transferred from other approved institutions. Courses offered by
Arkansas State University—Jonesboro at University Centers and/or
through compressed video or other technology will be entered on
the student's record as resident credit from Arkansas State
University—Jonesboro.
Comprehensive Examination
All candidates for master’s degrees are
required to take a comprehensive examination over their program
of study. The comprehensive examination may be written or oral
or both, or may involve a practicum or internship experience as determined by the department in which the major is
earned. An examination period is scheduled by each department
during each full semester (Fall and Spring) and once in the
Summer. The date of the examination is
announced during the second week of the session by each
department in writing to all enrolled students and to all
previously enrolled students who have requested notification.
Master's candidates may choose to take the comprehensive
examination during any enrollment period at the departmentally
scheduled time. Students must notify the department chair of the
intent to sit for the examination at least two weeks prior to
the scheduled test date.
Students must pass the examination within the six-year time
limit for completion of degree requirements. The language
requirement or other research tool must have been fulfilled
before completing the comprehensive examination for those degree
programs having a language requirement or other research tool.
The examination shall be prepared and graded by the
comprehensive examination committee selected from the faculty by
the chair of the major department and the dean of the college
with the approval of the graduate dean. The committee may
consist of members of the major department only. Prior to a
deadline established by the Graduate School for each enrollment
period, the Graduate School must be notified in writing when
students have passed or failed the examination. Students failing
the examination may repeat it at a time approved by the
comprehensive examination committee but no earlier than the next
scheduled period.
Before taking the examination again, students should consult
with the committee which may require the completion of
additional coursework or other additional study.
Students who
fail the comprehensive examination the second time will be
dropped from eligibility for the degree.
Thesis
A thesis is required for the Master of
Arts in Art and the Master of Science in Biology. A thesis is
optional in other master's degree programs. Where required or
elected, the thesis will carry six hours of credit. Credit is
awarded only upon completion and approval of the thesis. The
student must be enrolled for Thesis the semester the thesis is
completed and approved by committee, even if all required
thesis-credit hours have already been met. No letter grade is
given. An oral examination over the thesis is required.
The thesis must demonstrate the student's capacity for creative
expression, research, ability to organize and interpret data,
and ability to report research in an acceptable style. The
thesis subject is approved by the major professor and by the
student's thesis committee no later than the close of the
semester preceding that in which the student is planning to
complete degree requirements. If degree completion is planned
for a summer session, the thesis subject must be approved no
later than 60 days after the first day of classes in the spring
semester. The
thesis shall be in the form prescribed by the Graduate School as
presented in the Guide for Writers of Dissertations and Theses,
available in the Graduate School.
The acceptance of the thesis, including its defense, lies with
the student's thesis committee. The thesis must be in the hands
of the major professor at least four weeks before the
commencement date. The original, with the Thesis Defense Form
signed by all thesis committee members, must be turned in to the
Graduate School by the deadline listed in this Graduate
Bulletin. The original, corrected thesis, and all copies
(minimum: four), with signed title page (original signatures on
all title pages) must be submitted to the Graduate School no
later than the Wednesday before commencement, with a receipt for
the binding fee.
Thesis Committee
The department chair and college dean,
upon recommendation of the major professor, will appoint the
student's thesis committee. This committee will consist of the
major professor as chair, two additional graduate faculty
members representing areas of the student's major, and others as
deemed appropriate. The Thesis Committee Appointment form should
be completed and submitted to the Graduate School for approval
by the graduate dean.
Approval of Thesis Research by the IRB
Under federal regulation, all
institutions receiving funds from any of 16 federal agencies,
including USDA, NASA, NSF, EPA, Department of Education, and NIH,
are required to establish institutional review boards to monitor
all funded research involving humans. Human research is defined
as any systematic activity involving the collection and/or
analysis of data on human subjects for the purpose of advancing generalizable knowledge, unless this activity is specifically
exempted by current federal regulations. It is the policy of
this university to apply the regulations to all research and
research related activities, funded or not, which involve
humans. Thesis research involving human subjects is included.
Copies of the Arkansas State University Institutional Review
Board Information Packet are available in the Office of
Research and Technology Transfer.
Time to Degree
The time allowed for completion of the
master's degree is six years, exclusive of time spent in the
armed forces of the United States. Graduate work completed prior
to six years from the students' date of completion of the degree
cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements. Transfer credit
taken prior to admission at Arkansas State University will be
included in the six year limit. |