Graduate Catalog

2013 – 2014


2012-2013 Graduate Catalog Archive

Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education
McKelvie Hall, 102 W. Rosedale Avenue
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2943
Fax: 610-436-2763
gradstudy@wcupa.edu


Revised May 2013

Good Standing, Academic Probation, Degree Candidacy, and Degree Requirements

Good Standing Degree Candidacy: application Master's Requirements
Academic Probation/Dismissal Degree Candidacy: reapplication Additional M.Ed. Requirements
Degree Candidacy: admission    

Good Standing [top]

Students must maintain a 3.00 cumulative average to remain in good standing.

Academic Probation/Dismissal [top]

Graduate students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation. Graduate students must raise their GPA to 3.00 by the end of the next semester (or full summer term) in which they register. An additional probationary semester may be granted at the discretion of the graduate dean. If a student fails to meet the conditions of academic probation he/she is subject to dismissal. Graduate students earning a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or lower will be dropped from their graduate program without a probationary period.

A graduate student earning an F grade in any course will be dismissed from the University. Exceptions may be made for a course outside the student's discipline upon the recommendation of the graduate coordinator and the approval of the graduate dean. An F earned at West Chester University may not be made up at another institution of higher learning for the same course.

Grades earned during summer sessions count the same as grades earned during the academic year. All grades recorded determine the student's academic status, even if a student changes degree programs. Students dropped from a graduate program due to unsatisfactory work will not be permitted to take courses for credit towards a graduate degree in that department beyond the semester in which they are dropped.

Individual programs may have higher GPA minimums or additional requirements. To be eligible to receive the master's degree, graduate students must complete all requisite courses and credits with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.

Students holding graduate assistantships who fail to maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA will have their assistantships revoked or will not have them renewed. This policy includes courses taken during summer sessions. Departments also may stipulate higher academic standards for maintaining assistantships.

Requirements for Admission to Degree Candidacy [top]

Application for degree candidacy must be made immediately on completion of the first 12 to 15 semester hours of course work in a degree program.

During the precandidacy period the student must do the following:

  1. Complete those courses which the department or program specifies as prerequisite to degree candidacy.
  2. Perform satisfactorily on examinations which the department or program may require for admission to degree candidacy.
  3. Maintain a cumulative average of at least 3.00.
  4. Meet specific GPA requirements as stipulated by the individual degree program.

Procedure for Application to Degree Candidacy [top]

  1. Every student must file an application for admission to degree candidacy with the associate provost and dean of graduate studies. Forms are available in the Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education.
  2. When the application has been evaluated by the department concerned and by the associate provost and dean of graduate studies, a letter of acceptance or rejection will be sent to the student.
  3. Upon notice of acceptance, degree candidates must confer with their advisers to continue with their previously established program of study.

Students must be admitted to degree candidacy prior to registering for comprehensive exams and before registering for thesis credits.

Reapplication for Degree Candidacy [top]

Applicants who fail to qualify as degree candidates may reapply. They must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00.

Summary of Requirements for the Master's Degree [top]

  1. Admission to degree candidacy.
  2. Completion of all requisite courses and credits with a cumulative average of 3.00, compliance with specific GPA requirements as stipulated by the individual degree program, and achievement of satisfactory scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test, Graduate Record Examination, or the Miller Analogies Test, if required. (See program requirements.)
  3. Satisfactory performance on a final written and/or oral comprehensive examination conducted by the student's advisory committee in the field of specialization. (It is the candidate's responsibility to determine if this is required by his/her program and to apply for this examination by the prescribed deadlines.)
  4. Submission and approval of the thesis or research report in those programs requiring it.
  5. Fulfillment of any special examinations, requirements, or competencies that are unique to a department or program.
  6. Fulfillment of all financial obligations to the University, including payment of the graduation fee, and of all other obligations, including the return of University property.
  7. Compliance with all academic requests from the dean of graduate studies and extended education, including submission of a form letter of intent to graduate by the specified due date.

Additional Requirements for the Master of Education Degree [top]

In addition to fulfilling these requirements, candidates for certain master of education degrees must give evidence of successful teaching experience approved by the department chairperson. Other experiences in lieu of this requirement must be approved by the relevant department and the associate provost and dean of graduate studies.