Student Responsibility

Graduate students assume full responsibility for knowledge of all Graduate School and University rules, regulations and deadlines published in the Graduate Catalog and of all departmental and program requirements concerning their degree programs.

Administration of the Advanced Degree Programs

Committees on Graduate Studies
Each graduate program is governed by a Committee on Graduate Studies. The committee is composed of all Full Members of the graduate faculty in that program. Graduate faculty from allied fields may serve on the committee, when appropriate. In an interdepartmental program, the Committee on Graduate Studies is appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Advisors
Each graduate program has a Graduate Advisor. The Graduate Advisor represents the Dean of Graduate Studies and the Committee on Graduate Studies in matters pertaining to advising graduate students in their academic areas. The Graduate Advisor's functions include: registering graduate students and acting upon requests for drops, adds, section changes and special examinations; keeping graduate student records; and advising graduate students about their degree plans and programs of work. The name, office location and telephone number of each Graduate Advisor is listed at the beginning of each departmental or program description in this catalog.

Observance of Religious Holy Days

A student who misses an examination, work assignment, or other project because of an observance of a religious holy day will be given the opportunity to complete work missed within a reasonable time, provided that the student has properly notified the instructor. To meet notification requirements, the student must notify each instructor in writing of classes scheduled on dates he/she will be absent in observance of a religious holy day. Notification must be made within the first 15 class days and either personally delivered, acknowledged, and dated by the instructor or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. The student may not be penalized for these excused absences, but the instructor may respond appropriately if the student fails to complete satisfactorily the missed assignment or examination within a reasonable time after the excused absence.

A " religious holy day" means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Section 11.20 of the Tax Code.

Course Grades

Grades of Scholarship
Subject to the following conditions, graduate credit will be given for grades of A, B or C (as well as P) for work done at The University of Texas at Arlington:

1. The student must maintain a B average in all work in the major.
2. The student must maintain a B average in all work in the minor or minors.
3. The student must maintain a B average in all advanced work.

With the exception of research, thesis and dissertation courses, only those courses so designated in this catalog are offered on a pass-fail (P/F) basis. The grade P is not included but the grade F is included in calculation of grade-point average.
No student will be allowed to repeat a course in order to change a passing grade. A student may repeat a course only if that course is specifically designated in this catalog as one that can be repeated for credit. A student who fails to receive credit (grade of D or F) may repeat a course in order to obtain credit, in which case the grades for both courses will count in computing the student's average.

Personal improvement courses including, but not limited to, individual or group music or art lessons and exercise and sports studies activities courses will not be used for the following: (1) to satisfy graduate degree requirements; (2) in computation of graduate grade point averages or determination of academic probation or academic good standing in Graduate School; or (3) in calculation of grade point averages for the purpose of admission to a Graduate Program or certification for graduation from a Graduate Program.

For work completed at other institutions, graduate credit may be granted only for grades of A or B. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis, or for which a grade lower than B was assigned, may not be considered for transfer to a graduate degree program at The University of Texas at Arlington. Courses with grades of A or B from other institutions may be submitted for transfer according to the procedure described in this catalog under the section entitled " Transfer Credit." Grades received in transfer courses are not included in calculation of the graduate grade point average.

Valid Grades and "N" Designation
Types of grades (Valid Grades) which may be assigned in a course are generally determined by policies outlined in the paragraphs above. However, Valid Grades for independent study, conference, seminar and readings courses vary widely among departments; therefore, a statement on Valid Grades and special grading policies, if any, is given at the beginning of the course descriptions for each program in this catalog. If the student is uncertain about Valid Grades for a course in which he/she is registered, he/she should consult the instructor at the beginning of the semester for that information. The Valid Grades for a course are printed on the instructor's copy of the class roll issued at the beginning of the semester and on the form on which the instructor reports students' grades at the end of the semester.

If an instructor assigns a grade that does not correlate with one of the Valid Grades for the course, the student's grade report from the Registrar will show a designation of N, meaning that no Valid Grade was received from the instructor. Because N grades are automatically converted to F at midsemester of the next regular semester, a student receiving an N designation on a grade report should contact the instructor immediately and request that a change from N to a valid grade be initiated by the instructor.

Incomplete Grade
A graduate student who has been unable to complete all class or laboratory assignments in a regular semester or summer session may, at the discretion of the instructor, receive an X designating a temporary grade. The following deadlines for completing an incomplete grade X apply to all graduate students regardless of the level of the course in which the incomplete grade was received: An X must be removed no later than the official midsemester deadline of the following regular semester; an X received in Fall semester must be removed by the following Spring midsemester deadline; an X received in Spring semester or Summer session must be removed no later than the following Fall midsemester deadline. See the official Graduate School Calendar printed inside the covers of this catalog for midsemester deadlines. An incomplete grade not removed by the specified deadline will be automatically changed to an F. All incomplete grades must be removed from the student's record before a graduate degree will be awarded.

Credit for Research, Internship, Thesis or Dissertation Courses
All research, internship, dissertation, and thesis courses will be graded on a pass-fail basis. If a student undertakes a research, internship, thesis or dissertation course and does not complete the course in the semester for which the student is registered in the course, a grade designation of R (research in progress) will be given instead of an X. A student who receives a grade of R in a research, internship, thesis, or dissertation course must re-register for the course and complete it with a grade of P in order to obtain academic credit (see paragraph below on " R" Grade). The only Valid Grades for three-hour thesis and three- and six-hour dissertation courses are R, F, and W. The grade of P can be given only in six-hour thesis courses and nine-hour dissertation courses and, accordingly, the student must be enrolled in a six-hour thesis course or a nine-hour dissertation course the semester in which the student defends the thesis or dissertation and applies for graduation.

"R" Grade
The grade of R (research in progress) is a permanent grade, but it is not included in any academic evaluation and does not carry credit value. This grade may be issued only for research, internship, thesis, dissertation or other specifically designated courses. For courses which carry R as the Valid Grade for incomplete progress (rather than the temporary grade of X), the student may receive a final grade only if the work is completed within a semester in which the student is enrolled in the course. To receive academic credit in an R-graded course, a student must re-register for the course and successfully complete the course with a grade of P or a letter grade, whichever is the designated Valid Passing Grade for the course. Grading policy in some courses may change during the period covered by this catalog. Grading policy for each course each semester is printed on the instructor's class roll. Students should verify grading policy with the instructor at the beginning of each semester.

Grievances Related to Grades
It is the obligation of the student, in attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the individual with whom the grievance originated. Individual course instructors retain primary responsibility for assigning grades. The instructor's judgment is final unless compelling evidence shows discrimination or preferential treatment or procedural irregularities. If students wish to appeal, their requests must be submitted in writing on an appeal form which is available in departmental or program offices. The normal academic channels are: department chair or program director, and academic Dean. However, before considering a grievance, the department chair or program director will refer the issue to a departmental or program committee of graduate faculty. If the committee cannot reach a decision acceptable to the parties involved, the matter will follow the remaining academic channels. If students are dissatisfied with the chair or director's decision, they may appeal the case to the academic Dean. (For grievances other than those related to grades, see the catalog entry titled Grievances Other Than Grades.)

Grade Requirements

Good Standing and Satisfactory Scholastic Progress (SSP)
A graduate student is considered to be in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress in a degree program if he/she (1) is absolving any admission conditions within the time required and (2) maintains a 3.0 grade-point average on all course work undertaken while in Graduate School. In addition, for financial aid purposes, a student must complete the following minimum number of hours in the last semester in which the student enrolled for six or more hours:

Enrollment as of Census Date Minimum Completion

Academic Probation
If graduate students fail to maintain an overall 3.0 grade-point average on their first six hours of graduate course work taken as graduate students, they must during the subsequent six semester hours of graduate course work raise their grade-point average to a 3.0 on all graduate work taken as a graduate student. During the period following the first six hours of graduate course work in which the student failed to meet the 3.0 grade-point average, the student will be placed on academic probation. The student's record will be evaluated at the completion of each semester while on probation. Failure to meet the grade-point requirement at the completion of the first 12 hours of graduate course work taken as a graduate student will result in automatic dismissal from the Graduate School.

If a student's overall grade-point average falls below 3.0 at any time after the completion of the first 12 hours of graduate work, the student will be placed on academic probation and must achieve an overall 3.0 GPA at the end of the following semester. Failure to meet the 3.0 grade-point average at that point will result in automatic dismissal from the Graduate School. A student who has been dismissed from the Graduate School for failure to meet the 3.0 grade-point average requirement may be readmitted for further graduate study in the same or in a different program only if a petition (accompanied by a complete record of all college or university work previously taken) has been approved by the appropriate Committee on Graduate Studies and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Personal improvement courses including, but not limited to, individual or group music or art lessons and exercise and sports studies activities courses will not be used for the following: (1) to satisfy graduate degree requirements; (2) in the computation of graduate grade point averages or in the determination of academic probation or academic good standing in Graduate School; (3) or in the calculation of grade point averages for the purpose of admission to a Graduate Program or certification for graduation from a Graduate Program.

Graduation
A student must meet all requirements specified under Grades of Scholarship in this catalog to receive a graduate degree from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Course Auditing, Changes and Load

Auditing
Any person who has credit in a particular course or who has a demonstrated need for the course content may be eligible for auditing that course if space is available. An auditor has the privilege of hearing and observing only; no University credit is granted for auditing. Audit applications may be secured from the Admissions Office. A student may audit a graduate course only with permission of the instructor and approval of the Director of Admissions. When the form has been completed and approved, the applicant, if currently enrolled, pays a fee of $20 per course; if not enrolled, the applicant pays $100 per course.

Adding and Dropping Courses
Graduate students who wish to change a schedule by either dropping or adding a course must first consult with their Graduate Advisor. The following regulations pertain to adds and drops:

1. A student may not add a course after the end of late registration.
2. A graduate student dropping a course after the Census Date but on or before the midsemester date will receive a grade of W only if at the time of dropping the student is passing the course (has a grade of A, B, or C); otherwise an F will be recorded.
3. A graduate student who desires to drop all courses for which the student is enrolled is reminded that such action constitutes a withdrawal from the University. The student should indicate intention to withdraw and drop all courses by filing a resignation form in the Office of the Registrar.
4. In most cases, a graduate student may not drop a course or withdraw from the University after midsemester. Under extreme circumstances, the Dean of Graduate Studies may consider a petition to withdraw after midsemester, but in no case may a graduate student selectively drop a course after midsemester and remain enrolled in any other course.

Withdrawal
A student who wishes to withdraw (resign) voluntarily from the University before the midsemester deadline must file a resignation form in the Office of the Registrar. After midsemester, a graduate student or undergraduate student enrolled in a graduate course is not permitted to withdraw or to selectively drop courses; in exceptional cases, however, a graduate student may submit to the Dean of Graduate Studies a Petition to Withdraw after midsemester. (Students should use the special Petition to Withdraw for this purpose.) If the petition is not approved, the student remains responsible for all course work requirements. Therefore, a student should not discontinue class attendance or course assignments unless he/she has been notified in writing that the Dean of Graduate Studies has approved the petition to withdraw.

Course Load
The maximum course load for full-time graduate students is 15 semester hours in a regular semester and 12 hours in a summer session. Registration in excess of this maximum will be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies only in exceptional circumstances. International students must be enrolled for a minimum of nine semester hours to maintain their visa status.

Course Designation System

The example below provides an explanation of the designation system of graduate courses at The University of Texas at Arlington.

5313 CARBONATE PETROLOGY (3-2)

1. The four digit number (5313) is the departmental unique numerical designation for the specific course listed.
a. The first digit (5) in the above example denotes the level of the course. Graduate courses are designated 5 or 6.
b. The second digit (3) denotes the semester hour credit of the course.
c. The third and fourth digits (1 and 3) are departmental designations and might or might not have sequential significance.
2. The first number in parentheses following the course title indicates the class hours per week devoted to lecture. The second number indicates the class hours per week devoted to laboratory, practice or field work for the fall or spring semester.

Each department or program has been assigned a unique two-, three-, or four-character prefix for use in course designations on registration documents, transcripts and other University records. For example, the Carbonate Petrology 5313 course described above is taught in the Department of Geology and appears on student records as GEOL 5313. The two-, three- or four-character prefix is given in parentheses after the department or program name in the catalog section describing academic departments and programs.

Reservation of Courses for Graduate Credit

Students previously dismissed from or denied admission to the Graduate School may not enroll in graduate courses or reserve courses for graduate credit.
An undergraduate student may not use graduate courses (numbered 5000 and above) to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements. However, an undergraduate at The University of Texas at Arlington who needs no more than 12 hours in one semester (six semester hours in one summer session) to complete all the requirements for a bachelor's degree may register for graduate courses for graduate credit if the following conditions are met:

1. All work for undergraduate credit must be completed during that semester or summer session.
2. Total registration for all work may not exceed 15 semester hours in a semester (or 12 semester hours in the summer sessions).
3. The student must submit to the Graduate Advisor a "Reserva-tion of Courses for Graduate Credit by Undergraduate Students" form (available from Graduate Advisors). The reservation must be approved by the Graduate Advisor and the Dean of Graduate Studies, and the Registrar must certify that the reserved credit will not be applied to the student's undergraduate degree requirements. This form must be submitted in accordance with deadlines printed in the Graduate School calendars on the inside covers of this catalog.
4. The student must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA to be eligible to enroll in a graduate course and to reserve it for graduate degree credit.
5. Only courses in which the student earns grades of A or B may be applied to a master's degree, but all courses reserved for graduate credit will be calculated in the graduate grade point average.
6. Credit is officially accepted for application to a graduate program only upon achievement of unconditional admission to graduate school.

Enrollment in Graduate Courses by an Undergraduate Student Holding a Bachelor's Degree

Students previously dismissed from or denied admission to the Graduate School may not enroll in graduate courses.

A student who is enrolled as an undergraduate but who holds a bachelor's degree may, with the approval of the Graduate Advisor, enroll in graduate level courses (courses numbered at the 5000 level or above).

Upon unconditional admission to the Graduate School, a maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate level courses, excluding deficiency courses, may be applied to a master's degree program under the following conditions:

1. All courses so applied must have been completed no more than five years before enrollment in a graduate program at The University of Texas at Arlington.
2. Only courses in which the student earned grades of A and B may be so applied.
3. If the student has completed more than 12 semester hours of graduate courses in undergraduate status, all graduate courses completed no more than five years before enrollment in a graduate program at The University of Texas at Arlington will become part of the graduate record and will be considered in computing the student's grade point average.
4. The 12 semester hours that may be applied for credit toward a master's degree must be approved by the Graduate Advisor, the Committee on Graduate Studies, and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Approval is obtained by submitting a complete Tentative Program of Work that includes the courses taken in undergraduate status and all other courses to be used for credit toward the degree.
5. A student may elect not to apply any courses taken in degreed undergraduate status to a master's degree. In this case, no graduate courses taken in undergraduate status are applied to the student's graduate record. Selective application of courses is not permitted. If any courses are applied for credit toward a master's degree, all courses completed within the last five years will become part of the graduate record.

Courses taken in undergraduate status may not be applied directly to a doctoral program.
The student should consult with the appropriate Graduate Advisor before registering for graduate courses.

Some departments and colleges (i.e., the College of Business Administration) do not permit students to enroll in graduate courses unless they have been admitted to Graduate School.

Course and Transfer Credit

Maximum Undergraduate Credit
No more than nine hours of advanced baccalaureate course work may be used for graduate degree credit. Such work may be applied to a graduate degree program only with approval of the appropriate Committee on Graduate Studies and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Applicability of Courses to More Than One Degree
No course that has been applied to any one degree, graduate or undergraduate, may be applied to any other degree, either directly or by substitution.

Transfer Credit
No more than nine hours of equivalent course work completed at other institutions of recognized standing may be transferred to a master's degree program, and then only after evaluation and approval by the appropriate Committee on Graduate Studies and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Transfer credit will be accepted only for organized courses in which the student received a grade of B or higher; however, transfer course grades are not included in calculating a student's U.T. Arlington graduate grade point average. Courses completed prior to a student's admission into a U.T. Arlington master's degree program will be reviewed in terms of applicability to that program by the Committee on Graduate Studies and the Dean of Graduate Studies at the time the student submits a program of work.
Courses from other universities taken after a student has been admitted into a master's program at U.T. Arlington must be approved in advance by the appropriate Committee on Graduate Studies and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Before enrolling in transfer courses, the graduate student must file an approved Program of Work listing the proposed transfer work or a Request to Change Program of Work if the transfer work represents an amendment to the approved Program of Work on file with the Dean of Graduate Studies.
All work submitted for transfer credit must have been completed no more than five years before enrollment in a graduate program at The University of Texas at Arlington.
Transfer work is not accepted in doctoral programs; however, formal graduate-level course work completed in the student's major area of doctoral study at other institutions granting doctoral degrees in the student's major may serve to establish the student's competency in those subject areas and may provide a basis for waiving some U.T. Arlington course requirements. Such waivers must be shown on the Program of Work, recommended by the student's advisory committee, and approved by the Committee on Graduate Studies of the student's major and by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Extension Work, Correspondence Courses and Credit by Examination

Extension —Work done in extension classes may be applied toward an advanced degree under the same conditions that apply to transfer work, except that credit for extension work is limited to six credit hours.

Correspondence courses—Correspondence courses are not accepted for graduate credit.
Credit by Examination—Credit by examination may not be used for graduate credit and no such credit, graduate or undergraduate, may appear on graduate student transcripts.

Registration and Orientation for International Students

International graduate students are required to purchase The University of Texas at Arlington Student Health Insurance Plan. After the initial semester of enrollment, the insurance premium will be added automatically during the registration process. However, a student may be waived from this requirement if the student has health insurance coverage through (1) employment of the student, spouse or parents or (2) government-sponsored insurance, either the U.S. or home country sponsorship. If an outside health insurance policy is used to waive the purchase of the Student Health Insurance Plan, the coverage must provide benefits of repatriation and medical evacuation or a supplemental policy must be purchased to provide these benefits. If students wish to apply for the waiver, they must come to the International Office prior to registration to show proof of outside coverage with documentation regarding benefits provided by the outside coverage.

All entering international graduate students are required to attend an orientation at the beginning of their initial semester at The University of Texas at Arlington. Those who do not attend the International Student Orientation on the Monday before registration will not be allowed to register during the regular registration period and must attend a make-up orientation before registering during late registration.

Registration Requirements and Credit for Thesis and Dissertation

Students may not register for dissertation or thesis if they are not in good standing academically. After initial enrollment in the thesis or dissertation course, a student must maintain continuous enrollment in thesis or dissertation courses (summers excluded unless summer enrollment in thesis/dissertation is required by student's program) until the thesis or dissertation has been accepted by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Failure to maintain continuous enrollment may invalidate previous thesis or dissertation work.

A student receiving advice and assistance from a faculty member in preparation of a thesis or dissertation must register for the appropriate course even if the student is not on campus. Each semester after consulting with their Graduate Advisor, students must register for the amount of thesis or dissertation credit commensurate with the effort to be expended by the student and the thesis or dissertation advisor in preparation of the thesis or dissertation.

Thesis and dissertation courses will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. A grade of R (Research in Progress) will be given for thesis or dissertation courses prior to the semester in which the thesis or dissertation is accepted by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The grade of R is a permanent grade which does not carry any credit value; therefore, since all master's programs require six credit hours of thesis and doctoral programs require nine credit hours of dissertation, the student must register for a six-semester hour course in thesis or a nine-semester hour course in dissertation for the semester in which the student expects to submit and defend the thesis or dissertation. (See Credit for Research, Internship, Thesis, or Dissertation Courses.)

Graduation Procedures

Graduation
Each graduate student must complete degree requirements in accordance with the Graduate Catalog in force at the time the student entered the graduate program in which the degree will be awarded or, at the student's option, the catalog of any subsequent year in which the student was in residence. If a student chooses to complete degree requirements in accordance with the catalog of a year subsequent to that in which he/she entered the graduate program, the student must indicate that intention by filing a petition with the Dean of Graduate Studies before the beginning of registration for the semester in which the student expects to receive the degree. A special petition form is available in the Graduate School Office and should be used for this purpose.

Changes in Graduate School regulations and policies become effective for all enrolled students in the year for which the catalog is in force, regardless of the year of initial enrollment. Therefore, each candidate for graduation must observe Graduate School regulations and follow graduation procedures prescribed in the Graduate Catalog in force in the intended semester of graduation.

Degrees are awarded at the end of Fall semester (December), Spring semester (May), and Summer session (August). Formal commencement ceremonies are held within the college or school in which the degree is earned. Candidates should contact the office of the dean of the appropriate unit for instructions concerning participation in the commencement ceremonies.

No honorary degree will be conferred by U.T. Arlington.

Final Semester Requirements
Students must be enrolled in the Graduate School for the semester in which they complete all graduate degree requirements and apply for graduation. Enrollment in courses outside the major and minor fields will not satisfy final semester enrollment requirements. In addition, the following items must be filed in the Graduate School and the required fees paid by the deadlines given in the Graduate School calendars published on the inside covers of this catalog:

1. All graduating students must file an Application for Graduation by the deadline specified in the Graduate School Calendar for the semester of graduation. The application is not transferable to a subsequent semester; therefore, if a student does not graduate in the semester indicated in the initial application, that application will be canceled and a new one must be filed for the semester of graduation.

Students who fail to apply for graduation by the deadline specified in the Graduate School Calendar may apply late by completing the Application for Graduation and paying both the Diploma Fee and the late fee. Applications for Graduation will be accepted with a late fee for 30 calendar days after the deadline for applying for graduation. (If this date falls on a weekend, the deadline for applying late will be the Friday before the date.) After that date, no applications will be accepted and students must apply for graduation for a subsequent semester.

Applicants for graduation will be billed for the Diploma Fee and, as appropriate, for thesis and dissertation fees and the late fee. The Diploma Fee and the late fee are non-transferable and non-refundable. See the section titled Tuition and Fees in this catalog for information on specific fees.

2. Each Master's program student must:
Enroll in
a. the six-hour thesis course if a thesis plan student
b. the master's comprehensive course or equivalent if required by the student's program
c. at least one graduate course in the student's program if not enrolled in a or b above
File
d. the Application for Graduation
e. the Application for Candidacy and Final Program of Work
f. three unbound copies of the final approved thesis and a completed Thesis and Dissertation Data Sheet (not applicable for non-thesis degree plan)
g. a request for the final master's examination
h. the Final Master's Examination Report
i. the University Microfilm agreement (thesis only)
j. the copyright authorization (optional) (thesis only)
Pay
k. the thesis binding, microfilming, and (optional) copyright fees (thesis only)
l. the diploma fee

3. Each Doctoral degree candidate must:

Enroll in
a. the nine-hour dissertation course
File
b. the Application for Graduation
c. the Application for Candidacy and Final Program of Work
d. three unbound copies of the final approved dissertation and a completed Thesis and Dissertation Data Sheet
e. a request for the dissertation defense
f. the Dissertation Defense Report
g. the University Microfilm agreement
h. the Copyright authorization (optional)
i. the National Research Council Survey of Earned Doctorates form
Pay
j. the dissertation binding, microfilming, and (optional) copyright fees
k. the diploma fee

For more information about the submission of theses and dissertations, consult the Thesis and Dissertation Manual of Style available on the World Wide Web at https://www2.uta.edu/etd/index4.htm and K. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (6th ed.), available at the University Bookstore.

Graduate School Deadlines

All Graduate School deadlines, as indicated on the calendar or in the explanation of policies and procedures, unless otherwise stated, are final at 5 p.m. of the date specified. By this time all transactions must be completed and documents received in the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies. Transactions and documents requiring action or approval of Graduate Advisors, committees, instructors, department chairmen, academic deans or others prior to receipt by the Graduate School should be initiated by the appropriate person (student, instructor, Graduate Advisor or other) sufficiently in advance of the Graduate School deadline for the required actions to be taken and approvals received.

In Absentia Registration

Candidates for a degree who have completed all requirements for graduation by the last date to qualify for in absentia registration (see Graduate School calendars on the inside covers of this catalog) and who need to register at the University for the sole purpose of having a degree conferred may be qualified to register in absentia in the semester or summer session consecutive to their last enrollment in course work and/or thesis/dissertation. Students registered in absentia may not enroll for courses. No refund is made for cancellation of in absentia registration. In addition to paying the cost of in absentia registration, candidates must file an application for graduation and pay the diploma fee for the semester of graduation. In Absentia registration requires permission of the Graduate Advisor and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Students may obtain the Request to Register in Absentia Form from the Graduate School.

Change of Graduate Major or Program

Students wishing to change graduate majors or programs from the one in which they are enrolled currently or in which they were enrolled during their most recent semester at U.T. Arlington must initiate the change by completing the appropriate form available in the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies. Students are encouraged to consult the Graduate Advisor of the new program regarding program admission and degree requirements before requesting a program change.

Petitions

Students may request exceptions to published rules by filing a petition with the Dean of Graduate Studies. Limited exceptions to some rules may be approved if the facts presented by the petitioner fully justify an exception, as regarded by the Committee on Graduate Studies and the Dean of Graduate Studies. All petitions must be submitted on petition forms available in the Graduate School Office. Special forms for withdrawal and in absentia registration are available in the Graduate School and must be used by students petitioning for withdrawal or requesting in absentia registration.

Grievances Other Than Grades

In attempting to resolve graduate student grievances, the student must first make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the individual with whom the grievance originated. Grievances involving matters other than grades are appealed to the department chair, or office director, then to the Dean of Graduate Studies (except in personnel matters, in which cases the appeal is to the Provost unless questions regarding a graduate assistant or graduate associate are involved), Vice President for Business Affairs, or Vice President for Undergraduate Academic and Student Affairs, as determined by the nature of the grievance. If the matter remains unresolved at this level, the student may appeal to the Provost. The decision of the Provost is final. For grievances involving grades, see the Catalog entry titled Grievances Related to Grades.

Academic Dishonesty

All students are expected to pursue their academic careers with honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test or other course work, plagiarism (offering the work of another as one's own), and unauthorized collaboration with another person. Students found guilty of dishonesty in their academic pursuits are subject to penalties which may include expulsion from the University.

In accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System (Part One, Chapter VI), institutional procedures regarding charges of academic dishonesty are outlined in Part Two, Chapter 2, of the Handbook of Operating Procedures of The University of Texas at Arlington. Copies of the Handbook are available at over 75 locations on campus including the Student Congress office, the Library, and departmental offices.

Graduate Assistantship/Associateship Policy

Graduate teaching and research assistantships and associateships are funded through state appropriations and federal, state, local and private grants for at least three principal reasons. First, employment of graduate students in teaching and in research positions during their graduate education encourages and supports their participation in these two major functions of a university and thereby strengthens the quality of students' educational experience. Second, assistantships and associateships provide direct financial support to outstanding students who are essential to the development of high quality graduate programs. Third, graduate students provide valuable and necessary services to the University in their roles as teaching and research assistants and associates. It must be kept in mind, however, that graduate assistants and associates are first and foremost students. As such, their most important task is to complete their degree requirements in a timely fashion; this is the primary expectation of the University as well.

The University of Texas at Arlington supports the "Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants" of The Council of Graduate Schools in the United States. A copy of the resolution and list of signatory institutions is available in the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.

To assure the appointment of the most highly qualified students available and to best realize the principal objectives for which graduate assistants are employed, The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the following policies and regulations, all provisions of which apply to both graduate assistantships and graduate associateships.

Admission Status
A student must have an unconditional admission status to be eligible to hold a graduate assistantship.

English Proficiency
Before being appointed to an assistantship at U.T. Arlington, a student whose native language is not English must submit an acceptable score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE-A). An applicant who is a non-native speaker of English and who wishes to be considered for an assistantship should take the TSE-A before arriving in the United States and have the score sent to U.T. Arlington. Score reports submitted directly by the student or those marked "Student Copy" or "Applicant's Copy" are not considered official and will not be accepted by the University. Holding of a degree(s) from a U.S. college or university does not exempt from this requirement assistantship applicants who are non-native speakers of English. The TSE-A is administered at TOEFL test centers around the world. See the catalog entry titled Documentation and Application Evaluation Charges Required for further information.

Developmental English Program
Students who do not achieve scores on the TSE-A or SPEAK (an institutional version of the TSE which is administered in Counseling and Career Development) sufficiently high enough to satisfy the English proficiency requirements for graduate teaching assistants must enroll in the Developmental English Program and be certified for English proficiency before becoming eligible to hold a teaching assistantship. This 10-week program, offered by the U.T. Arlington English Language Institute, emphasizes oral presentation skills and accent reduction. Registration is in 402 Hammond Hall, and the charge at present is $330, payable at the time of registration. Contact the English Language Institute at 817-272-2730 for details, including the current class schedule and charges.

Continuation or Renewal of Appointment
Although a student may be appointed initially to a graduate assistantship for a full academic year, continuation of the appointment beyond the first semester is subject to the following conditions:

1. The student must be in good standing in the University. A student on academic probation is not in good standing and, therefore, is not eligible to hold an assistantship.
2. The student must be making satisfactory progress toward an advanced degree.
3. The student must have performed assigned assistantship duties satisfactorily in the preceding semester(s) as determined by the department in which the assistantship is held.

A department may limit the number of semesters during which a graduate student may hold an assistantship.

Tuition Rates
Graduate teaching and research assistants employed at least 20 hours per week in positions related to their degree programs are entitled to Texas resident tuition rates. Eligibility for the resident rate must be certified by the dean of the college in which the assistantship is held prior to registration; otherwise, full tuition will be assessed.
Non-resident or international students holding less than full assistantships (full = 20 hours employment per week) are not eligible for Texas resident rates.

Course Load
Graduate assistants may register for and must complete no more than 12 semester hours and no fewer than nine semester hours per semester. They may register for no more than 12 semester hours and no fewer than six semester hours for the three summer sessions. Upon written recommendation of the department and approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies, the minimum registration limit may be reduced to six semester hours for students who have completed all coursework, are registered for thesis or dissertation only, and have filed an approved program of work. A load of more than 12 semester hours must be approved in advance by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Additional Employment
In accepting a graduate assistantship, students agree to devote their efforts to graduate studies and assistantship responsibilities and, therefore, agree to hold no employment above and beyond the assistantship.

In rare circumstances, however, additional employment may be justified. Any graduate assistant wishing to hold employment in an off-campus job or in any University position outside the assistantship appointment is required to file a Request for Approval of Outside Employment, available in the office of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

A graduate student cannot hold an assistantship or a combination of assistantships or other University positions in excess of one-half time employment (20 hours per week) without permission of the department or program in which the student is enrolled and written approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Assignment of Duties
Graduate assistants are under the direction of the department chair with regard to assistantship responsibilities and assignments.

Student Educational Records Policy

Students may have access to their own educational records during regular office hours by contacting the person or the office that maintains these records. A student may appear in person or make a written request for a copy of the record to be mailed. Another person may not see a student's educational records unless written permission has been given by that student. One exception to that rule allows a parent or guardian who is providing one-half or more of the student's financial support to obtain the educational record. Faculty and staff members of the University have access to student educational records in performance of regular duties. If an educational record contains information on more than one student, then a student desiring access may review only parts pertaining to that student.

Students may have official copies of their U.T. Arlington transcripts mailed to other institutions or may obtain copies for their own use. A student must sign a request form in the Registrar's Office or mail a signed, written request to release the transcript. Requests will not be accepted by telephone or from persons other than the student without that student's written permission.

The "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974" provides that a university may release directory-type information about students. The information released may include the following items: the student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height if a member of an athletic team, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the last educational institution attended. Each year U.T. Arlington publishes a Student Directory which contains the following information: the student's name, major field of study, address, and telephone number. The Act states that a student has the right to withhold this information from the public and other students. A form requesting the withholding of this information is available in the Registrar's Office; unless this form is completed before the Census Date of the fall semester, these data will be released as public information.
Students have the right to challenge the content of their educational records to insure that their records are not inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of other rights of the students. This allows students an opportunity to correct inaccurate or misleading information, and permits written explanation from students concerning the content of the records. Any evidence regarding an inaccurate or misleading record should be presented to the individual in charge of the office where the record is maintained.

For admission, applicants must submit their Social Security number which serves as the basis for identification of various University records. Usage will vary according to requirements of the office in which the record is located.