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Dr. Angela Spaulding, dean
Killgore Research Center, Room 102
Graduate School’s mission is to provide support for the recruitment, admission, matriculation, and graduation of graduate students as related to and in support of the mission of the University.
Admission to Graduate School - Master’s Program Steps for Admission
Steps for Admission
Step 1: Apply
Applicants holding a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree (of at least three years) or are within their last semester of a bachelor’s degree from a college, institution or university of recognized standing, or its equivalent, will be considered for admission. Degrees and course work must come from a regionally accredited institution that has some form of recognition from the U.S. Department of Education or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. All other degrees and course work, including that which is completed at an institution of higher education with national accreditation, are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, by the academic program of study and the associated academic college dean. Applicants must first file an application for admission with the Graduate School (see https://wtamu.edu/graduate) and request an official transcript for each institution attended. Students must be eligible for readmission at the last school attended.
NOTE: All applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee. The amount of the application fee may be found at https://wtamu.edu/graduate.
Step 2: Meet Admission Requirements
A completed Graduate School application packet includes the Graduate School application, official transcripts from all post- secondary institutions, GRE/GMAT scores (if required), a non-refundable graduate application fee (see website for current fee), and any supporting materials required by the program. The completed application packet must be received by the Graduate School by the posted application deadlines to ensure consideration for the semester selected. Some programs require additional application documents and adhere to specific program application deadlines. Consult the program adviser for specific program deadlines.
An administrative “hold” preventing the applicant from enrolling in subsequent semesters is placed on the student’s file if the student has not completed the admission procedure before the end of the first semester of graduate course work.
Official GRE/GMAT scores, if required, must not be more than five (5) years old.
The bacterial meningitis vaccination or an approved waiver is required of all students under 22 years of age attending WTAMU. Please submit required Bacterial Meningitis Form as proof of vaccination. See www.wtamu.edu/meningitis for additional information.
NOTE: Students must be fully admitted before being eligible for federal financial aid. All required application materials must be received prior to full admission.
Special Note for Domestic Students
For domestic students, deadlines for completing all steps and submitting educational documents to the Graduate School are:
Fall semester enrollment - August 1
Spring semester enrollment - December 1
Summer session enrollment - May 1
Specific program deadlines take precedence over general deadlines. Consult the program adviser for specific program deadlines.
Special Note for International Students
International students must meet all requirements set forth by the International Student Office (see the International Students - Applicants webpage: (https://www.wtamu.edu/student-support/international-student-services/Applicants/index.html). For international students, deadlines for completing all steps and submitting educational documents to the International Student Office are:
For fall semester enrollment - June 1
For spring semester enrollment - Nov. 1
Determining Admission
Applicants may be granted admission into their selected program under one of the following conditions.
Admission
Students may be granted admission when all program requirements are met.
Tentative Admission
Students meeting all requirements for admission but lacking official documentation may be tentatively admitted for one semester until documents are received. Federal financial aid is not available until all official documentation is received.
Conditional Admission
Students who do not meet all program requirements may be granted conditional admission by the program. Additional requirements may be necessary.
Students not meeting admission requirements will be denied admission but may consult with the Dean of the Graduate School for assistance on future admission possibilities.
Financial Aid, Scholarships, Assistantships
Graduate students have access to federal, state and private financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans and student-employment opportunities. For more information about financial aid programs, contact the Office of Financial Aid, WTAMU Box 60939, Canyon, Texas 79016-0001 or call 806-651-2055.
Graduate teaching and/or research assistantships are available to students in a wide range of disciplines. Graduate assistants must enroll in course work on an approved plan of study while receiving the assistantship. Students interested in graduate assistantships should contact the head of the department in which they plan to pursue the graduate degree.
A summary of costs and tuition exemptions (for veterans and vocational rehabilitation) is available in the “Tuition/Fee Exemptions and Waivers and Other ” section. Expenses exclusive to the graduate program include:
- Graduate students registering only for Thesis 6301, 6302, or ARTS 7002 may pay a reduced rate. Students must submit the Thesis/Dissertation Fee Waiver Request (https://apps.wtamu.edu/forms/tdo_fee_waiver.php) each semester before registration to receive the reduction in fees.
- All theses must be submitted electronically and made publicly available through the West Texas A&M University Library and the WTAMU institutional repository through the Texas Digital Library.
- Thesis binding is available through the library though not required. Theses which are not of standard size and format may be charged a higher binding fee.
All fees are subject to change.
Creation of the Plan of Study
A plan of study must be requested by the student or program advisor and submitted to the dean of Graduate School for approval before completion of the first semester of graduate course work. An administrative “hold” will be placed on the registration of students not meeting the deadline. The “hold” will prevent the student from taking any additional classes until a plan of study is approved. For purposes of determining degree requirements, the student’s official University catalog shall be the catalog that is current during the semester of the student’s entry into the program.
Undergraduate Preparation
Undergraduate preparation of students for the master’s degree will correspond to requirements for the same or a similar bachelor’s degree at West Texas A&M University.
If a student’s undergraduate preparation is inadequate, the major adviser may require “leveling work.” Leveling work may include courses, experiences and/or programs required for the student to be adequately prepared for graduate work.
Program of Study
In consultation with the graduate adviser in their area of study, students must list those courses required for completion of the degree. The graduate courses required to meet degree requirements must correspond to those requirements listed for the specified degree program. Students should review their program’s requirements as specified in this catalog. General rules to consider include:
- Students for the master of arts degree must complete a minimum of 30 hours of graduate work (thesis plan). A minimum of 18 hours must be in the student’s major field, at least nine hours of which must be in courses numbered 6000 or above. At least half of the total hours for this degree must be in courses numbered 6000 or above. The remaining work may be completed in courses numbered 5000 or higher.
- Students for the master of science degree must complete at least 18 hours in the major field (thesis plan) and additional hours in a related area(s). Students in the non-thesis plan may take all work in the major field, or at least 21 hours in the major field and additional hours in a related field or fields. At least half of the total hours for this degree will be in courses numbered in the 6000s.
- Courses numbered 5000 or higher are for graduate credit.
- Students having taken undergraduate “stacked” courses at WTAMU that have a graduate component cannot take the graduate course if they have already received credit for the corresponding undergraduate course.
- The graduate adviser, academic dean, and dean of Graduate School must approve course substitutions to the plan of study that deviate from catalog requirements.
- It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all degree requirements are met for graduation.
Thesis/Non-Thesis Options
Thesis Option
- A student electing to write a master’s thesis must register for Thesis 6301 (e.g. ARTS 6301 ) when beginning thesis research. The student must then register for Thesis 6302 (e.g. ARTS 6302 ) every consecutive 16-week semester until the thesis is completed and accepted by the University, including the semester in which the degree is conferred.
- If the student fails to continuously enroll in thesis hours, the student must acquire approval from his/her thesis chair to be reinstated.
- If a degree is to be awarded at the end of summer sessions, the student must enroll in a thesis course in one summer session.
- Students receive a grade of “IP” (thesis in progress) for each enrollment in Thesis 6301 or 6302. When the thesis has been accepted, the student receives six hours (Thesis 6301 and 6302) toward the master’s degree and a final letter grade for both thesis courses.
- The student may not enroll in Thesis 6301 and 6302 in the same semester.
- Students registered only in Thesis 6301 or 6302 can pay reduced tuition. To receive reduced tuition, students must submit the Thesis/Dissertation Fee Waiver Request (https://apps.wtamu.edu/forms/tdo_fee_waiver.php) every semester in advance of registration.
- Students who do not finish their thesis (including those students who switch to a non-thesis option) will not be eligible for credit for Thesis 6301 or 6302. Incomplete thesis classes will maintain the grade of IP on the student transcript. However, if a program determines that significant and satisfactory research has been achieved while in thesis progress, the student may be allowed to transfer the work to a special problems, topics, or research course - and the course utilized on the non-thesis degree plan. Any such option must be approved by the associated academic department. If approved, the student will be responsible for all procedures and associated costs of the new enrollment.
- A thesis guide is available at wtamu.edu/graduateschool. Theses will be made available to the public.
Non-Thesis Option
- Students selecting the non-thesis option must complete at least one course in research and reporting as suggested by the departmental adviser.
Graduate Committee
Each graduate student must have a minimum of three graduate faculty members to serve on their graduate committee, with one member serving as the chair of the committee. The names of the committee members will be listed on the degree plan.
Transfer, Extension and Correspondence Work
- Approved transfer and extension work is counted as graduate credit but may not be used to fulfill the 6000-level requirement. Only courses in which the student earned an “A” or “B” from a regionally accredited institution of higher education may be transferred to WTAMU.
- Upon approval of the dean of Graduate School, up to one-third of formal course work toward the graduate degree may be transfer work, exclusive of thesis and independent study courses. Permission to use transfer and extension courses on a plan of study must be approved in advance by the department head, college dean and graduate dean.
- Correspondence work will not be accepted toward a master’s degree.
Additional Information
Objective of Graduate Study
The Graduate School at West Texas A&M University provides students an opportunity for advanced study and specialization in a variety of disciplines. The purpose of graduate study is to encourage academic inquiry, to stimulate intellectual creativity, and to foster the spirit of independent scholarship and research. Together, graduate students and graduate faculty comprise a community of scholars devoted to the extension of knowledge and to professional achievement.
Research and Instructional Support
Cornette Library, Killgore Research Center and Hastings Electronic Learning Center are available to support graduate students’ educational programs. These are described in greater detail in the undergraduate portion of this catalog. Additionally, various academic departments maintain specialized research equipment laboratories or other facilities specific to their graduate programs. For more information, contact the appropriate academic department.
Time Requirements
Requirements for the master’s degree must be completed within six (6) years unless the dean of Graduate School, in consultation with the head of the student’s major department, grants an extension of the time limit. The time period will begin with the first course counted toward the master’s degree.
Course Load
Maximum semester load for graduate students is 15 hours per semester, seven hours during summer sessions. Course loads above the maximums may be approved by the student’s program adviser and the Graduate School. Nine hours per semester is considered a minimum full-time load, six hours minimum per semester to receive financial aid.
Resident Requirements
Two-thirds of all degree requirements must be completed in residence at West Texas A&M University.
Continuous Enrollment
Students must be continuously enrolled in each long semester in order to remain active in their program of study. If a student does not enroll in a long semester or withdraws from all coursework then a new application is required in order to return.
Graduating from Graduate School
To graduate from the Graduate School, students must successfully complete all required coursework with at least a 3.0 GPA, pass comprehensive examinations (except M.B.A. and M.S.S.W.), complete the thesis (if applicable), and apply to the Graduate School for graduation by the appropriate graduation deadline (see “Application for Graduate Degree”).
Comprehensive Examination/Thesis Defense
A comprehensive examination-oral, written or both-covering the field of concentration and the thesis (if the thesis option is chosen) is required for all master’s students except M.B.A. and M.S.S.W.
- Examinations are administered by the head of the student’s major department or a designated member of the graduate faculty.
- Oral comprehensive examinations, recitals and exhibitions shall be open to all members of the University academic community. Participation of non-committee members is at the discretion of the committee chairperson.
- Results of the exam must be reported in writing to the Office of Graduate School.
- If a student fails the first examination, one semester or the equivalent (16 weeks or two summer sessions) must elapse before the student may take the exam again. Additional course work, research or directed study will be recommended for the student in the interim.
- The second failure of a comprehensive examination will result in automatic expulsion from the program and suspension from the Graduate School. The student may choose to pursue a graduate degree in another discipline but must follow the reinstatement process described in the “Procedures and Policies ” section of this catalog.
For more information about comprehensive examinations and/or thesis defense, see the appropriate department head.
Application for a Graduate Degree
Students must apply for graduation the semester before they expect to receive their degrees. Applications are available at www.wtamu.edu/graduateschool. Completed applications must be received in the Office of the Graduate School no later than the following dates:
- Deadline for spring graduation is December 1
- Deadline for summer graduation is May 1
- Deadline for fall graduation is August 1
Undergraduates Enrolling in Graduate Credit
An undergraduate within 12 hours of a bachelor’s degree (as certified by the appropriate college dean’s secretary), whose cumulative WTAMU undergraduate grade point average is at least 3.0, may register for work to be counted as graduate credit under the following conditions:
- Total registration will not exceed 15 semester hours, 12 semester hours in the two summer sessions.
- The final hours required for the bachelor’s degree must be completed in the same semester. Should the student fail to complete undergraduate degree requirements that same semester, graduate hours attempted during that same semester may not be used to satisfy graduate degree requirements.
- Graduate courses may not be used to meet undergraduate degree requirements. However, graduate courses must be completed and have a letter grade at the end of the semester in order to graduate with the undergraduate degree.
- All graduate credit hours and the specific graduate courses attempted must be approved by the graduate adviser in the student’s major department and the graduate dean at the time of enrollment.
- The undergraduate enrollment in graduate coursework form is available at wtamu.edu/graduateschool and must be filed with all required signatures prior to registration in graduate level courses.
Acceptability of these hours for transfer credit to another institution is determined by that institution.
Additional Master’s Degree
Upon completion of a master’s degree from WTAMU or other regionally accredited institution of higher education, a student may begin a second master’s program. A new application and a non-refundable application fee must be submitted in addition to any new application documents required by the second master’s program.
A maximum of 1/3 of the hours required for an additional master’s degree can come from a student’s previously earned graduate degrees. The credit awarded must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. All courses accepted in transfer must be approved by the academic graduate degree program and Graduate School via the official plan of study. Transferred courses must have a grade of “B” or better. Courses transferred must be no older than 10 years; however, requests for time exceptions will be considered through a written justification to Graduate School and must be approved jointly by the academic graduate degree program and Graduate School.
Graduate Degrees
See “Degree and Program Offerings ” for a full list of graduate degrees conferred by West Texas A&M University.
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