The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College GRADUATE CATALOG 2009-2011 The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College 2009-2011 Graduate Catalog Accreditation and Memberships The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award certificates and associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctorate 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 The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. In addition, the university holds membership in the following organizations: Council of Graduate Schools American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business American Council on Education Association of American Colleges American Association of State Colleges and Universities Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs Texas Alternative Certification Association Association of Texas Colleges and Universities Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals Association of Texas Graduate Schools NAFSA: Association of International Educators The College of Education is also approved to offer post baccalaureate certification programs by the Texas Education Agency. This catalog is a general information publication only. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member, Texas Southmost college and the University of Texas at Brownsville or the University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time, to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled. For updates to this catalog, go to utb.edu/graduatestudies. Statement of equal opportunity To the extent provided by applicable law, no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under, any program or activity sponsored or conducted by Texas Southmost College and the University of Texas System or any of its component institutions on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. 2009-2011 Graduate Catalog Goals of the Graduate Program Program Organization & The university is committed to providing graduate Administration programs which will reflect the knowledge, skills, The policies governing the graduate program and attitudes its graduates need to become are established by the Graduate Faculty and the successful leaders in their chosen areas of study. The Graduate Committee. The Graduate Committee primary goal of the graduate program is to provide sets standards for admission to graduate work, opportunities for graduate study. UTB/TSC graduate establishes policy, and recommends changes in programs will provide: programs and courses. The graduate program is - opportunities for students to acquire administered by the Dean of Graduate Studies. professional knowledge beyond that offered at the Faculty members are recommended for undergraduate level, appointment to the graduate faculty by their - programs of intellectual and personal growth, departmental graduate committees and approved - opportunities that will allow students to gain by the Graduate Committee. Recommendations for needed experience in selected areas of study, and faculty status are based on rank, degree in the field - programs which build upon the bilingual and (or training and experience) and the institutional bicultural attributes of the location and population. need for the faculty member to hold graduate faculty status. Purpose and Limitation of the The Graduate Committee Graduate Catalog The Graduate Committee reviews and makes The purpose of the Graduate Catalog is to inform recommendations on university graduate academic students of the policies that govern graduate policies related to curriculum, admissions, graduate programs. A limitation of the printed word is that it is academic standards, fellowships and assistantships, fixed in time while conditions and programs change. and other matters of importance to graduate Dates, fees, regulations, faculty, course offerings and education at the university. programs are subject to change when conditions warrant or state regulations mandate. The web- based version of the catalog is available at http:// www.utb.edu/graduatestudies. This catalog is a general information publication only. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member and The University of Texas at Brownsville or The University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Brownsville reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time, to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled. 2 Table of Contents Accreditations and Memberships ....................... 1 Graduate School Academic Regulations and The University of Texas at Brownsville Information Goals of the Graduate Program ............................2 Academic Probation and Suspension ............. 28 Purpose and Limitations .........................................2 Admission to Degree Candidacy ...................... 28 Program Organization and Administration .....2 Auditing Policy ........................................................ 28 The Graduate Committee .......................................2 Catalog Applicability and Time Limits ............ 29 Comprehensive Examinations ........................... 29 Overview Classification of Students .................................... 29 General Information .................................................4 Course Load .............................................................. 29 The Mission ..................................................................4 Course Numbers ................................................... 30 The Philosophy ...........................................................4 Financial Aid/Scholarships/ Masters Degrees.........................................................4 Graduate Assistantship ................................ 30 The University of Texas System Fresh Start...................................................................30 Board of Regents and System Officers ...............5 Grade Changes ...................................................... 30 Texas Southmost College Grading System ..................................................... 30 Board of Trustees .......................................................5 Graduate Credit for Seniors..................................30 Graduation Requirements ................................. 31 The University of Texas at Brownsville Grievances-Grade Appeals ................................ 31 Administrative Officers ............................................6 Grievances-Other than Grade Appeals............31 Graduate Admissions Information On-line and Distance Education Admissions Procedures ...........................................7 Degree Programs..............................................31 Admissions Requirements......................................8 Program of Study ................................................... .31 International Students .............................................9 Repetition of Courses ........................................... .32 Tuition and Fees Residence Requirements .................................... .32 Financial Responsibility ........................................ 10 Second Master’s Degree .................................... ..32 Tuition and Required Fees ................................... 12 Semester Credit Hour.............................................32 Other Fees and Deposits ...................................... 12 Student Discipline ................................................. .32 Refund Policy ........................................................... 13 Student Travel Policy...............................................33 Student Work and Class Attendance .............. .34 Student Services and Financial Aid Thesis............................................................................35 Academic Advising ................................................ 14 Transfer of Credit Policy ..................................... 35 Career Services and Placement ......................... 14 Withdrawing from Classes.................................. .36 Dean of Students .................................................... 14 Disability Services................................................... 14 Schools and Colleges Student Health Services ....................................... 14 College of Liberal Arts .......................................... .37 Student Financial