HANDBOOK 2021-2022 RECENT CHANGES TO GRADUATE COLLEGE POLICY RECENT CHANGES TO GRADUATE COLLEGE POLICY The changes outlined below begin with the 2021-2022 academic year. Previous versions of the handbook are available on the Graduate College website. Policy Affected Effective Date Explanation / Notes English language Clarified expectations and exemption requirements for proficiency Fall 2021 domestic and international students regarding English requirements proficiency requirements for admission. Added this policy allowing graduate students applying Academic forgiveness Fall 2021 for re-entry to petition the Graduate College for academic policy forgiveness. Revised to allow fully online preliminary and final Doctoral examinations Fall 2021 examinations. Simplified to have one type of academic leave and clarified Leave of absence policy Fall 2021 the wording of the policy and procedures. 2021-2022 GRADUATE COLLEGE HANDBOOK | 2 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN PREFACE PREFACE Graduate students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are enrolled in the Graduate College. With oversight over graduate programs in more than 100 disciplinary areas, the Graduate College fosters a vibrant campus community of scholars. The Graduate College awards doctoral degrees, master’s degrees, Certificates of Advanced Study, Artist’s Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates. The Graduate College does not award the Juris Doctor (JD) degree, the Medical Doctor (MD) degree, and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Part I of this handbook covers academic policies and requirements pertaining to graduate students. All graduate students must follow Graduate College policies. Individual graduate programs may have additional policies specific to their students. Therefore, students should familiarize themselves with policies in their departmental handbook as well as those outlined here. Additionally, graduate students must also be aware of campus and university policies as well as state laws that could impact graduate students but are not under the jurisdiction or authority of the Graduate College. Part II of this handbook contains the administrative policy for program, units and staff. Unlike the student section of the handbook this section may be updated at any time during the year, and becomes effective immediately, unless otherwise noted. The Graduate College reviews all new and revised courses that carry graduate credit as well as graduate programs that lead to a graduate-level credential, as part of its statutory function to “develop and safeguard standards of graduate work.” The Graduate College works closely with individual graduate students, faculty, and staff to provide support at all stages of graduate education from admissions through thesis deposit and degree certification. More information about the Graduate College is online at www.grad.illinois.edu. 2021-2022 GRADUATE COLLEGE HANDBOOK | 3 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I: Graduate Student Policies Chapter 1: Admission to the Graduate College.................................................... 8 1.1 Graduate Admission Policies .......................................................................................................8 1.2 Minimum Requirements for Admission ...............................................................................9 1.3 Non-Degree Applicants .................................................................................................................11 1.4 Student Status ....................................................................................................................................12 1.5 Re-Entry .................................................................................................................................................13 Chapter 2: Registration .................................................................................................... 14 2.1 General Information ........................................................................................................................14 2.2 Course Loads .......................................................................................................................................15 2.3 Registration Deadlines and Holds ..........................................................................................16 2.4 Registration Options ......................................................................................................................17 2.5 Academic Leave of Absence ......................................................................................................20 Chapter 3: Academic Record ........................................................................................ 23 3.1 Grading System ..................................................................................................................................23 3.2 Academic Standing .........................................................................................................................24 3.3 Transfer of Credit ..............................................................................................................................27 Chapter 4: Graduate Degree and Graduation Requirements ..................... 30 4.1 Graduate Degree Requirements .............................................................................................30 4.2 Graduation Requirements ..........................................................................................................34 Chapter 5: Requirements for Master’s Degrees, Certificates of Advanced Study, Artist’s Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates ........................................ 36 5.1 Master’s Degrees ...............................................................................................................................36 2021-2022 GRADUATE COLLEGE HANDBOOK | 4 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN TABLE OF CONTENTS 5.2 Certificates of Advanced Study ................................................................................................36 5.3 Artist’s Diplomas ...............................................................................................................................37 5.4 Graduate Certificates.....................................................................................................................37 Chapter 6: Requirements for Doctoral Degrees ................................................. 39 6.1 Credit Hour Requirements ..........................................................................................................39 6.2 Time Limits ...........................................................................................................................................39 6.3 Registration Requirements ........................................................................................................41 6.4 Directors of Research ....................................................................................................................42 6.5 Doctoral Committees and Examinations ...........................................................................42 6.6 Doctoral Exit Surveys .....................................................................................................................47 Chapter 7: Tuition and Fees ........................................................................................... 48 7.1 Assessment ...........................................................................................................................................48 7.2 Billing ......................................................................................................................................................48 7.3 Adjustments, Cancellation, Withdrawal, and Refunds ...............................................48 7.4 Tuition Waiver Policy .....................................................................................................................49 7.5 Cost-of-Education Policy ............................................................................................................56 Chapter 8: Assistantships and Fellowships ........................................................... 57 8.1 Assistantship Policies .....................................................................................................................58 8.2 Campus Fellowship and Traineeship Policies .................................................................61 Chapter 9: Conflict Resolution and Grievance Policy for Graduate Students ...................................................................................................... 64 9.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................................66 9.2 Definitions ...........................................................................................................................................67 9.3 Alternative Avenues for Resolution .......................................................................................68 9.4 Procedures for Pursuing a Graduate College Grievance .........................................68 9.5 General Provisions ...........................................................................................................................72 2021-2022 GRADUATE COLLEGE HANDBOOK | 5 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN TABLE OF CONTENTS