Graduating in Expected Time
Students must regularly consult their Advisor(s) to ensure that their academic preparation is appropriate for the courses they plan to undertake. It is important to understand the content of the chosen degree program and the options it will provide for future studies and employment.
Students must be aware of the structure of their degree program and the number of credit hours required to graduate. To graduate within allowable time, each year students must fulfill the minimum number of credit hours according to their study-mode and the appropriate research milestones.
Core courses should be completed as soon as possible (as not all courses are offered every semester) and students should be flexible about course times. If a required course is not available, advisors can help determine an alternative.
Completion Requirements
To be awarded the graduate degree in the program in which the student is enrolled, the student must:
• Successfully complete all the degree program requirements.
• Achieve a minimum overall CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
• For students enrolled in PhD programs, satisfy the prescribed journal publication requirement.
• Complete all graduation requirements within the maximum allowable time to completion.
Academic Standing Requirement for Thesis/Dissertation Defense
All graduate students must be in good academic standing and register for Thesis/Dissertation credits, as applicable, during the semester in which the Thesis/Dissertation defense is conducted.
Journal Paper Requirement for PhD Students
Every Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student must have at least one full-length paper accepted for publication in a Quartile 1 (Q1) journal, as ranked by Scopus, in the field of student’s dissertation before submitting the request of intent to defend the dissertation. The paper must be based on original research reported in the dissertation, and the student must be the first author.
Attainment of PhD Candidacy
Attainment of PhD candidacy signifies that a doctoral student has successfully completed the preparatory phase of the doctoral program and has demonstrated the academic knowledge, research competence, and potential to undertake independent dissertation research under the supervision of the Research Supervisory Committee (RSC).
A doctoral student shall attain PhD candidacy upon satisfying all of the following requirements:
- Successful completion of all required taught coursework with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
- Successful completion of the PhD Written Qualifying Examination.
- Successful completion of the Research Proposal Examination.
- Maintenance of Good Academic Standing.
- Fulfillment of all other academic and administrative requirements prescribed by the University.
A doctoral student must attain PhD candidacy at least one academic year before the final Dissertation Defense.
Following the attainment of PhD candidacy, the student is expected to devote the remainder of the doctoral program primarily to conducting original dissertation research and completing all remaining degree requirements.
Applying to Graduate
It is mandatory for all graduate students to submit the “Intent to Graduate” form via the Student Information System in the penultimate semester. The Office of the Registrar will ensure that all degree requirements have been met before the student becomes eligible to graduate. The Catalog of Record is used for purposes of academic standing and degree requirements verification.
Time Limit on Duration of Study and Re-Admission
All graduate degree requirements must be completed within the maximum allowable time for the relevant program, inclusive of all periods of leave (refer to the “Duration and Modes of Study” section in this catalog). A student who is away from the university, for any reason other than National Service, for more than two consecutive regular semesters must submit a new application for admission, prior to the semester for which registration is sought. Students will be required to follow the graduate catalog and program study plan for the semester in which they are re-admitted.
Extension of Duration of Study
Students must satisfy degree requirements within the normal time to completion specified in the “Duration and Modes of Study” section of this Catalog. In exceptional circumstances, an extension of registration may be granted. The student must submit an Exception to Policy Request and attach a supporting letter from his/her Advisor(s) that justifies the request for an extension and clearly outlines the student’s plan of work towards graduation. Students sponsored by external entities must also attach written approval from their sponsor.
Students should note that any extension will normally only be granted within the maximum allowable time to completion. The maximum allowable time to completion includes any periods of leave taken by the student and the time taken to write-up the thesis/dissertation. An approved academic extension does not automatically grant or guarantee continuation of any scholarship benefits. Students seeking a scholarship extension must submit a separate financial appeal, which will be reviewed by the appropriate University committee.