Policies
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Course Repeats.
Graduate students are allowed to repeat a maximum of two courses in their degree programs. Courses may be repeated only once. When a course is repeated, the original course and grade remain on the transcript; however, the last grade and credits earned replace the originals and are the only ones used in computing the grade point average in the degree. Students who have been dropped from a degree program may not use the course repeat process to gain readmission into that degree program. Courses in which a student has received a C or higher may not be re-taken.
Course Retakes.
A course taken for undergraduate credit may not later be changed to graduate credit. Courses taken for undergraduate credit may not be retaken for graduate credit.
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Academic Probation.
Students who fail to maintain at least a 3.00 overall grade point average for all graduate work completed at UW-Whitewater are placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation must attain at least a 3.00 overall grade point average within the next 12 graduate credits attempted at UW-Whitewater (including courses that are repeated) in order to be returned to good standing status. Failure to accomplish this will result in the student being dropped from the degree program with ineligibility to take further graduate work in that degree program.
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Appeals and Grievances.
Graduate students are responsible for meeting the terms and conditions of the School of Graduate Studies and the individual program requirements. In cases where exception to graduate school policies or other regulations seems justified, a student may petition. Requests for specific exceptions to graduate school policies should be presented by students in writing and should include clearly stated compelling reasons that may justify an exception. Such requests should be addressed to the Dean of Graduate Studies and submitted to the Graduate Studies Office at least thirty days prior to the term for which the request would be effective. The Dean will forward each request, accompanied by a recommendation from the Program Coordinator of the student’s major or emphasis, to the Committee on Exceptions to Graduate Policy for its consideration. Students are notified of the action on their requests. Actions by the Committee on Exceptions to Graduate Policy may be appealed to the Graduate Dean. Appeals of actions/decisions must be made in writing within thirty days of students being notified of actions/decisions.
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Transfer Credits
Up to nine credits may be transferred into one’s program from other accredited institutions. Be sure to check the graduate student catalogue read more on the policies and procedures regarding transferring credits.
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Speech 798 Independent Study Credits
Students must complete the Independent Studies Form located at http://academics.uww.edu/commgrads/forms.html or available from the Communication Department office prior to registering for this course. The form requires signatures from the instructor supervising the independent study and from the graduate coordinator. Note, Speech/Journalism 799 Thesis Credits and Speech/Journalism 789 ACP credits may not be taken concurrently with Speech/Journalism 798 Independent Study credits.
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“Outside the classroom” credit restrictions
A student may not carry more than three units of individual studies in a single term. For students choosing the thesis or ACP capstone options, not more than four units of independent studies, not more than three units of practicum credits, and not more than a combined total of nine units of individual studies, workshops, practicum, and capstone credits (i.e. thesis/ACP credits) may count toward the completion of the degree. For students choosing the written examination capstone option, not more than four units of independent studies, not more than three units of practicum credits, and not more than a combined total of six units of individual studies, workshops, and practicum credits may count toward the completion of the degree.
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Number of thesis credits allowed
Effective in January, 2009, students will only be allowed to take 3 thesis credits toward completion of their degree. Students wishing to spend more than three credits of time on their thesis may register for 3 independent study credits the semester PRIOR to their thesis credits. They may use this independent study to prepare their prospectus and work on their thesis groundwork. Then, in the following term, they may take their 3 thesis credits.
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Deficiency Coursework
Students must achieve a C grade or better (a C- is not acceptable) in a deficiency course. If a student does not achieve this grade, they may retake the course following the University of Wisconsin Whitewater’s undergraduate course retake policy. Students may not take the related graduate level courses (i.e. 785, 722, 629, 627, and 731) until a C grade status is achieved in the related undergraduate deficiency course. All undergraduate deficiency courses must be completed before the student will be allowed to take more than 9 credits at the graduate level.
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Number of 700 Level Courses
At least 15 credits in the M.S. of Communication Degree must be completed at the 700 level.
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Practicum Credits
Students who are interested in completing a communication practicum must complete the practicum form located at http://academics.uww.edu/commgrads/forms.html or available from the Communication Department office prior to registering for this course. The form requires signatures from the student’s practicum supervisor as well as from the graduate coordinator who will serves as the faculty instructor for all practicum experiences unless special arrangements are made. Note, Practicum credits may not be taken until a student has completed 18 credits including 701, 722, and 785.