NC State Graduate Catalog The Graduate Catalog contains Graduate School requirements and pertinent information for individual graduate programs, a current list of graduate faculty, and a selection of other resources for new students. The Catalog is informational only and is subject to change. Official policies and procedures are in the Graduate Handbook and on the NC State Policies, Rules and Regulations web site. North Carolina State University The Graduate School Application and Admission Graduate Programs: Graduate School Requirements Registration Tuition and Fees Financial Support Fields of Graduate Instruction Course Descriptions Graduate Faculty NC State Policies Other Resources Catalog Archives (PDF) This Catalog is intended for informational purposes only and is subject to change. Please see the online Graduate Handbook at http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/handbook/ for changes in policies, rules, regulations, and procedures. Date Published: June 2014 NC State University Graduate Catalog (2014-2015) 1 North Carolina State University North Carolina State University (NC State) is a national center for research, teaching and extension, and its graduate education has stood for quality for more than a century. As a land-grant state university, it shares the distinctive characteristics of these institutions nationally -- broad academic offerings, extensive public service, national and international activities, and large-scale extension and research programs. NC State is one of 16 constituent institutions of the multi-campus University of North Carolina system. The UNC Board of Governors is the policy-making body legally charged with "the general determination, control, supervision, management, and governance of all affairs, of the constituent institutions." NC State is a member of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. It is also a member of the American Council on Education, the College Entrance Examination Board, the Council of Graduate Schools, the National Commission on Accrediting and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. NC State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate's, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of NC State University. We are providing this contact information here to enable interested constituents (1) to learn about the accreditation status of NC State, (2) to file a third-party comment at the time of NC State’s decennial review, or (3) to file a complaint against the institution for alleged non-compliance with a standard or requirement. Normal inquiries about NC State, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to the university and not the Commission’s office. Executive Officers Board of Trustees UNC Board of Governors The Graduate School Graduate instruction was first offered at North Carolina State University in 1893, and the first doctoral degree was conferred in 1926. In the ensuing years, the Graduate School has grown steadily and now provides instruction and facilities for advanced study and research in the fields of agriculture and life sciences, design, education, engineering, natural resources, humanities and social sciences, management, physical and mathematical sciences, textiles and veterinary medicine. The Graduate School is currently composed of more than 2,400 graduate faculty members. Educated at major universities throughout the world and established both in advanced teaching and research, these scholars guide the University's more than 7,000 master's and doctoral students from all areas of the U.S. and many other countries. The faculty and students have available exceptional facilities, including libraries, laboratories, modern equipment and special research areas. Additionally, a cooperative agreement exists among the Graduate Schools of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Duke University, and North NC State University Graduate Catalog (2014-2015) 2 Carolina State University which increases the educational and research possibilities associated with each institution. Application and Admissions The criteria used for admissions decisions vary according to programs and schools/colleges, reflect an evaluation of the applicant's potential for graduate work, and consider the ability of a program to accommodate additional students. Commonly, departmental admissions committees consider requests for admission and forward their recommendations to the Graduate School. However, Graduate School regulations govern the criteria for the classification of graduate student status. Application All applicants must submit the online NC State University Graduate School Application Form. Application is made for a specific degree program and date of enrollment (see Admissions). Applications for admission require the following: • Non-refundable application processing fee of $75.00 (US) for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents or $85.00 (US) for Non-Resident Aliens (Internationals); • One unofficial transcript from all colleges and universities previously attended; (NOTE: Applicants currently attending, or who have previously attended NC State, are not required to provide an NC State transcript.) • Three recommendations from people who know the prospective student's academic record and potential for graduate study; • On-line North Carolina Residency Form if claiming NC residence for tuition purposes; • A list of courses in progress if enrolled as a Post-Baccalaureate Studies (PBS) student at NC State; • GRE or other standardized test scores, statements of purpose, portfolios or other work samples, depending on requirements of particular program; and • TOEFL scores, where applicable. English Proficiency Requirements for International Students In order to be eligible for admission to graduate study at NCSU all international applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English at a level necessary to be successful in a graduate program at NC State. This requirement can be met for most applicants in one of the following ways; however, some programs may require additional evidence of English proficiency: 1. Provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a total score of at least 80 on the Internet-based Test (iBT). Minimum test scores for each section: NC State University Graduate Catalog (2014-2015) 3 Listening 18 points Reading 18 points Writing 18 points 18 points for admission 23 points for TA appointment where TA has direct verbal interactions with Speaking students 26 points for TA appointment where TA presents lectures in the class or laboratory 2. The maximum total score for the iBT is 120 with each section worth 30 points. 3. Provide International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores with an overall band score of at least 6.5. Minimum test scores for each section are listed below: Listening 6.5 Reading 6.5 Writing 6.5 6.5 for admission Speaking 7.0 for TA appointment 4. be a citizen of a country where English is an official language and the language of instruction in higher education; or 5. have successfully completed at least one year of full-time study in a degree program at a four- year US College or university. 6. TOEFL or IELTS test date must be no older than two years (24 months) prior to the beginning of the requested entry term. NOTE: The current computer- and paper-based versions of the TOEFL test will be given until the iBT version is implemented in a particular location. Computer-based TOEFL scores must be 213 or higher (with at least 17 on three sections and no section score below 13). The paper-based test requires a score of 550 or higher (with scores of 50 on at least two of the three sections and no section score below 45). Admission NC State University Graduate Catalog (2014-2015) 4 The procedures followed in evaluating an applicant's potential for success in graduate work and the criteria used for admissions decisions vary according to programs and colleges and reflect an evaluation of the applicant's potential to engage in graduate work and the capability of the individual programs to accommodate additional students. Most programs consider applications as they arrive, while others accumulate applications and make recommendations on admission at certain times during the year. Generally, requests for admission are considered by program admissions committees that forward the program recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School. Students are admitted to full or provisional status in a specific degree program. Admission is granted for a specific semester or summer term. Any change in the admission date must be requested in writing and approved by the program and Graduate School. Once the requirements for that degree program have been completed, no further registration as a graduate student will be permitted unless admission to a new graduate classification has been formally approved. Immunization and Medical History All graduate students admitted to a degree program are required by State law to submit a report of medical history and immunizations prior to initial registration. Both forms are available online through HealthWeb. This report must document immunization against tetanus/diphtheria, measles, German measles, polio, and for international