Section One: Graduate School Requirements


All University of Oregon students are expected to satisfy two overlapping sets of requirements, one set by the University of Oregon Graduate School and one set by the UO History Department. The Graduate School requirements can be found on the Graduate School website at:


http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/procedures_policies.html


It must be emphasized that several of these regulations, if violated, carry strict penalties. It the responsibility of every graduate student to familiarize themselves with the requirements of both the graduate school and the history department.



UO GRADUATE SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS


Location. The Graduate School is located in 125 Chapman Hall. The office hours are 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-5:00 Monday through Friday. The phone number is (541) 346-5129. The Graduate School web site is http://gradschool.uoregon.edu.



UO GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR

BOTH THE

MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL PROGRAMS


Grade Requirements.

Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) in graduate courses taken in the degree program. Grades of D+ or lower for graduate courses are not accepted for graduate credit but are computed in the GPA. Similarly, the grade of N (no pass) is not accepted for graduate credit. A grade of pass (P) must be equal to or better than a B-.


A GPA below 3.00 at any time during a graduate student’s studies or the accumulation of more than 5 credits of N or F grades—regardless of the GPA—is considered unsatisfactory. The Dean of the Graduate School, after consultation with the student’s home department, may drop the student from the Graduate School, thus terminating the student’s degree program.


Removal of Incompletes

Graduate School policy requires that graduate students must convert a graduate course grade of Incomplete (“I”) into a passing grade within one calendar year of the term the course was taken. After one year, the student must petition the Graduate School for the removal of an incomplete.


To be eligible for Graduate School approval on a Petition to Remove an Incomplete, all of the following criteria must be met:


(1) The “I” must be no more than seven (7) years old.

  1. The student must have the approval of the instructor to complete the outstanding course requirements.

  2. Because the removal of an incomplete requires faculty time and University resources, the student must be enrolled for at least three (3) graduate credits within one calendar year prior to or including the term in which the incomplete is removed. The student may enroll in a new course, and work on removal of the incomplete. If the student does not choose to enroll in a new course, then the student will not be permitted to remove the incomplete. The student may also enroll again in the course which was not completed. This means, however, that the original registration will permanently show as incomplete.

  3. The student must not have completed a terminal advanced degree since the term of enrollment in the course. Incompletes that remain on the academic record after a degree has been awarded may not be removed. All coursework documented on the transcript at the time of the awarding of a degree stands as a permanent record and it is not permissible to revise that record.


An incomplete, "I", assigned to Thesis (503), Research (601), Dissertation (603) or Terminal Project (609) does not require a petition. Thesis and Dissertation credits are automatically converted upon awarding of the degree when the thesis or dissertation is completed and approved by the Graduate School. Research and Terminal Project credits are converted after the instructor submits a Supplementary Grade Report to the Office of the Registrar.


Note: This policy applies to the level of the course, not to the level of the student. An undergraduate in a graduate level course will be evaluated under Graduate School policy. A graduate student in an undergraduate level course will follow policies in effect for undergraduate students.


The form, Petition to Remove an Incomplete, can be found on the Graduate School Forms page of the Graduate School Website at:


http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/gradsch_forms.html


Research Compliance Policy. All graduate students doing a thesis, project, or dissertation must file this form with the Graduate School before data collection begins. Research compliance forms and further instructions are available on the Graduate School website at:


http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/research_compliance_policy.html#Research_Compliance


Please review the particulars of this site carefully.


Continuous Enrollment Policy. Unless On-leave or In-Absentia status has been approved, graduate students enrolled in an advanced degree or graduate certificate program are required to be continuously enrolled, excluding summer session, until all requirements have been completed.


To remain in compliance with the Continuous Enrollment Policy, graduate students must be registered for a minimum of 3 graduate credits each term. This includes students who are taking only comprehensives, final examinations, or presenting recitals or terminal projects. Also, students not in residence while writing a thesis, dissertation, or project, but who are using faculty assistance, university services or facilities such as sending chapters to an adviser by mail or email for criticism must register for a minimum of 3 graduate credits per term. Registration should be for Thesis, Dissertation or Project credits.


A graduate student who fails to maintain continuous enrollment or obtain on-leave status is required to file a Permission to Re-Register form and petition for reinstatement. The petition is reviewed by the student's major department and the Graduate School. This procedure is equivalent to a new admission and the petitioner may be required to meet departmental admission policies and degree completion requirements that are in effect on the date of re-enrollment. When re- registration is approved, a master's candidate must register for 3 credits for each term he or she has missed. If the accumulated credits total more than 16, the student may be required to enroll in more than one term of increased registration. Doctoral candidates must register for a new year of residency, which consists of three consecutive terms of at least 9 graduate credits in each term. They must also retake the comprehensive examinations if completed prior to leaving the program.


On-Leave and In Absentia Status

Master’s

Master's students are permitted to take up to three academic terms of approved On-Leave status during the course of study for the degree. During terms of On-leave, master's students do not register, and are not allowed to make use of university services, faculty or staff time. Graduate students must register and pay fees if they will be using university facilities or faculty or staff services during any term.


To ensure a place upon return, graduate students interrupting a study program for one or more terms, excluding summer session, must submit a Request for On-leave Status/In Absentia Status form to the Graduate School by the last registration day in the term for which leave is being requested. Only graduate students considered to be in good standing are eligible. Departmental approval is required before the Graduate School can review the request for leave. On-leave status is granted for a specified time period which may not exceed three academic terms, excluding summer session.


Master's students who have been approved by their department to pursue the master's degree on a summer-only basis must submit a Request for On-leave/In Absentia Status form for each academic year between summer sessions. These summer students must complete all degree requirements within the seven-year time limit.


The form is available at:


http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/onleave_inabsentia_intro.html


On-leave/In Absentia status does not extend the student's seven year completion deadline.


Doctoral

Doctoral students who have not yet advanced to candidacy are eligible for up to three terms of On-Leave status prior to advancement to candidacy.


Once advanced to candidacy, doctoral students are eligible for up to three terms of In Absentia status during the dissertation process.


During terms of approved On-leave and In Absentia status, graduate students do not register and are not allowed to make use of university services, faculty or staff time. Graduate students must register and pay fees if they will be using university facilities or faculty or staff services during any term.


To ensure a place upon return, doctoral students interrupting their study program for one or more terms, excluding summer session, must submit a Request for On-leave Status/In Absentia Status form to the Graduate School by the last registration day in the term for which leave is being requested. Only graduate students considered to be in good standing are eligible. Departmental approval is required before the Graduate School can review the request for leave. On-leave/In Absentia status is granted for a specified time period which may not exceed three academic terms, excluding summer session.


On-leave/In Absentia status does not extend the student's seven year completion deadline.


Permission to Re-Register in the Graduate School

The Permission to Re-Register form is used to readmit or reinstate a student's graduate status. It will also update the student's graduate classification and major if there has been a change. The form is available on the Graduate School website.


When to Use the Permission to Re-Register Form:

Graduate Students Who are Returning to the Same Degree Program after Breaking Continuous Enrollment.

A graduate student who fails to maintain continuous enrollment or obtain on-leave status is required to file a Permission to Re-Register form and a Petition to the Graduate School to petition for reinstatement. See the Continuous Enrollment Policy for reinstatement petition policy at:

http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/procedures_policies.html#Enrollment

Graduate Students Who are Returning, after One or More Terms Off, but into a Different Degree Program (Changing Majors).

A letter from the student declaring intent to drop the previous major and enroll in the new major should be submitted to the Graduate School with the Permission to Re-Register form. A copy of student's acceptance letter from the new department may also be required.

Graduate Students Who are Returning to a New Graduate Degree Program after Receiving Masters or Doctoral Degree in the Past.

In this case the university considers the student to be a returning graduate student. The Permission to Re-Register form acts as the graduate application for notification of acceptance into the new program. The student must comply with departmental application deadlines and requirements.

Graduate Students Who have been Approved to Pursue Concurrent Master's or Concurrent Master's/Doctoral Programs.

The Permission to Re-Register form must be filed for the next term after receiving the first degree. This is to update the major and to permit continued enrollment.

Doctoral Students Who Earn a Master's Degree as Part of their Doctoral Program.

Students pursuing a doctoral degree who choose to earn a master's degree along the way must file the Permission to Re-Register form for the next term to continue in good standing in the doctoral program. This informs the Graduate School that the master's degree was not considered to be a terminal degree.

Note: Review of the Permission to Re-Register form may result in a change of residency status from resident to nonresident. More information is available from the residency officer in the Office of Admissions.



Time Limit, Masters

The Graduate School requires students to complete all degree requirements for the master's degree within seven years, including transferred credits, M.A. language requirement, thesis, and all examinations. Individual departments may require the student to complete the degree in less time. Students are responsible for staying informed about individual departmental regulations.


Time Limit, Doctoral

Graduate students pursuing doctoral degrees must complete the required year of residency spent on the Eugene campus, the passing of the comprehensive examinations required for advancement to candidacy, and the completion of the doctoral dissertation within a seven-year period. If this period is exceeded, a block will be placed on future registration. A petition for an extension of time must be submitted for review to the dean of the Graduate School. In some cases, if the dean approves an extension request, a second year of residency, a new set of comprehensive examinations, or both may be required. Some departments may require that the dissertation be completed earlier than the seven year maximum deadline, requiring completion within a certain number of years after advancement to candidacy (e.g., three years) to ensure currency of knowledge. Students are responsible for staying informed about individual departmental regulations.



Students needing a one-year extension must file a petition with the Graduate School after securing department approval. The petition should include a plan of completion. A copy of the petition form is available on the Graduate School website.


Petitioning for a Waiver of Graduate School Academic Policies

Graduate students may file a petition requesting a waiver of an academic policy or requirement. The student should use the Petition to the Graduate School (General form) found in the Academic Forms section of the Graduate School website.

On the petition the student must state the exception being requested and a detailed explanation for why the student is seeking the exception. The petition must also have supporting statements from the student's adviser and head of department.

Once the petition has been reviewed by the student's academic department, the petition is then submitted to the Graduate School for review. The Graduate School reviews the exception being requested within the context of the educational purpose the regulation in question was developed to serve. Petitions are seldom granted if the only reason given is to save the student from inconvenience or expense.


Joint-Campus Program

Graduate students at the university may, with adviser and departmental approval, take graduate courses at any of the other institutions in the Oregon University System. A student registers for these courses with the University of Oregon registrar, who records each grade on the academic record under Joint-Campus Course (JC 610). The student must be a matriculated UO graduate student in an advanced degree program and registered for UO courses the same term the JC 610 course is taken. A maximum of 15 credits may be applied toward a graduate degree program. Joint campus course work counts toward the 24 graded credits required for the master's degree. Forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.


APPLICATION FOR DEGREE

The application for degree must be filed in the Graduate School by the second week of classes in the term of graduation. All grade changes, removal of incompletes, and transfer work necessary to complete degree requirements must be filed with the Graduate School the term prior to the term of graduation. Corrections to an academic record can be made only during the thirty days following the granting of a degree.

UO MASTER'S DEGREE


EARNING A MASTER'S DEGREE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON


Master's degree candidates must fulfill the requirements of the Graduate School and the additional requirements set by the school or department.


The following outline lists minimum Graduate School requirements for master's degrees. Specific departmental requirements must also be met before the student is awarded a master's degree. Credit requirements listed below must be met with graduate credits.


SUMMARY OF GRADUATE SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS FOR A MASTER'S DEGREE


Total credit minimum 45 credits

Minimum credits in major 30 credits

Minimum credits in residence 30 credits

Minimum graded credits taken in residence 24 credits

Minimum 600-level credits in residence 9 credits

Minimum thesis credits 9 credits

Minimum GPA 3.00

Language requirement M.A. only

Time limit for program completion seven years

Registration and continuous enrollment 3 credits per term

Additional requirements as specified by school or department


Total Credit Minimum

To earn a master's degree, students must complete an integrated program of study through either a departmental discipline or a program of interdisciplinary studies totaling no fewer than 45 graduate credits.

Some departments require more than 45 credits. The credits must be taken after admission to the master's degree program (conditional or unconditional) or approved by petition (See below for Transferred Credit).


Minimum Credits in Major

A minimum of 30 credits in the major are required for a master's degree with a departmental major. Students pursuing interdisciplinary master's degrees may have different requirements.


Minimum Credits in Residence

For a master's degree, the Graduate School requires that a minimum of 30 credits (applicable to degree requirements) be taken on the Eugene campus during at least two terms of study. Individual schools or departments may have additional residence requirements.


Minimum Graded Credits Taken in Residence

Twenty-four of the total credits required must be University of Oregon graded credits.


Minimum 600-Level Credits in Residence

At least 9 credits in courses numbered 600-699 must be taken in residence.


Minimum Thesis Credits

The school or department specifies whether a thesis is mandatory or optional. For the thesis option, a minimum of 36 credits of course work and a minimum of 9 credits of Thesis (503) is required. Credit for thesis is given pass/no pass.


Minimum GPA

Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) in all graduate courses taken with graded option.


Language Requirement: Distinction Between M.A. and M.S. Degrees

For the M.A. degree, the student must show a reading knowledge of a second language, equivalent to satisfactory completion of the second-year college sequence. Competency may be demonstrated by either the Graduate Student Foreign Language Test or with adequate undergraduate course work. Language competence must be demonstrated within the overall seven-year limitation for completion of a master's degree. The student's major department may establish a higher level of proficiency or a different method of determining that level. There is no language requirement for the M.S. and professional advanced degrees unless the department so specifies.


For information on the Graduate Student Foreign Language Test, see the testing center website at:


http://www.uoregon.edu/~testing


Time Limit for Program Completion

All requirements for the master's degree must be completed within a seven-year time period. The seven-year time period will begin with the term of admission to the master's program. For example: a master's student admitted in Fall 2002 will have a completion deadline of Summer 2009.

The beginning date of the seven-year time period will be adjusted to an earlier date to include any graduate credits , approved for transfer into the program, that were taken before the date of admission. For example: a master's student admitted for Fall 2002 who has approved transfer credits taken at a previous university in Fall 2000 will have a completion deadline of Summer 2007.


Registration and Continuous Enrollment

Master's students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment for a minimum of 3 credits each term until all degree requirements have been completed, unless on-leave status has been approved. For more information see the Course Registration Requirements and Limits, Continuous Enrollment, Graduate Residency, and On-Leave Status sections listed on the Graduate School web site at:

http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/procedures_policies.html

Some departments may require full time enrollment. Students are expected to become familiar with departmental policies regarding enrollment and satisfactory progress.

Note: International Students should check with the Office of International Programs to ensure compliance with visa and registration requirements.


TRANSFER CREDIT

Master's students may request to transfer a maximum of 15 graduate credits into their master's degree program. In addition, the following conditions must be met:

• The grades earned must be A+, A, A-, B+, B or P;

• The courses must be relevant to the degree program as a whole;

• The student's home department and the Graduate School must approve the transfer.

• A Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form must be submitted no later than the end of the term prior to completion of the degree. It is available at:


http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/forms/gs_820.pdf


Transfer Credit from the University of Oregon

A maximum of 15 graduate credits earned at the University of Oregon while classified as a postbaccalaureate graduate student, CEP, Summer Session, Pre-Master or Post-Master may be considered for transfer, subject to school or department endorsement and the Graduate School approval. This falls within the overall 15 credit maximum transfer. Transfer credit from the University of Oregon will be counted toward the requirement of 24 credits in UO graded graduate courses. The student must submit a Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form to the Graduate School no later than the end of the term prior to the completion of the degree.


Transfer Credit from Another Institution

Graduate credit earned while a student was enrolled in another accredited graduate school may be counted toward the master's degree, provided the courses meet the above described conditions and were not used to satisfy the requirements for an awarded degree. This falls within the overall 15 credit maximum transfer. Transfer credit from another institution CANNOT be counted toward the requirement of 24 credits in UO graded graduate courses, nor can these credits be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average. The student must submit a Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form to the Graduate School no later than the end of the term prior to the completion of the degree.


Transfer of Reserved Graduate Credit

Undergraduates who completed graduate level courses under the Reservation of Graduate Credit petition process and who reserved the courses by choosing Option 2 on the petition form, may apply up to 12 credits toward the master's degree. This is within the overall 15-credit maximum transfer. These course credits will be counted toward the requirement of 24 credits in UO graded graduate courses. The student must submit a Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit petition form to the Graduate School within two terms of acceptance to the master's degree program and within two years of earning the bachelor's degree.


Distance Education

Credit earned in distance education study is considered transfer credit. No more than 15 graduate credits may be applied to a student's degree program without prior written approval of the Dean of the Graduate School. A policy statement on distance education and graduate degrees is available in the Graduate School.


MASTER'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The master's candidate's advisory committee, appointed by the department, determines the work to be completed, in light of the student's academic background and objectives. The student’s adviser shall be from the regular faculty, tenured or tenure-track. The number of committee members is determined by the department. The members of the advisory committee, other than the adviser, may come from any sector of the university at the discretion of the department.


MASTER'S EXAMINATIONS

The student's major school or department may require qualifying, comprehensive, or final examinations or any combination of these. The exams may be written or oral. The content and methods of conducting such examinations are the responsibility of the school or department.


RESEARCH ETHICS

All students have a responsibility to conduct and report the results of their research in an open and ethical manner. A thesis represents the culmination of years of academic preparation and uniquely expresses a student’s training, skills and ideas. A thesis therefore deserves the student’s greatest effort and, as with all scholarly work, demands compliance with the highest ethical standards. Ethical misconduct in research is any “fabrication, falsification and plagiarism in proposing, conducting or reporting research or other scholarly activities.” Fabricating research findings refers to making up fictional results, while falsifying research results refers to altering, misrepresenting, or selectively reporting findings. Each of these acts violates the integrity of the research process and constitutes a serious breach of accepted ethical standards. Ethical research practice therefore requires that students at all stages of the research process conduct their research in an open and honest manner and make every effort to ensure the accuracy of their findings.

Plagiarism is a form of ethical misconduct in research and consists of the intentional or unintentional “use of the words, ideas, diagrams of publicly available work without appropriately acknowledging the sources of these materials.” Thus, any use of the words, phrases, ideas, or work of others in any form without acknowledging the original sources constitutes plagiarism and is subject to serious penalty. Students should be aware as well that the ordering of ideas in a discussion, the content of a literature review, and the listing of references at the end of a discussion may reflect the thinking of others. Such contributions must be acknowledged.

Students at the University of Oregon are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards in proposing, conducting and reporting their research in the thesis or dissertation.


THESIS, TERMINAL PROJECTS AND OTHER FINAL DEGREE REQUIREMENT OPTIONS

The final requirements for completing the master's degree are determined by the major department. In some fields, master's degree candidates must submit a thesis as the final requirement for the master's degree; in others, the thesis is optional. Instead of a thesis the final requirements may include exams, a Terminal or Final Project, Policy Paper, Master's Paper, Synthesis Paper or a Capstone Project. It is the department's responsibility to provide written information regarding the departmental requirements and procedures for completion of the degree. It is the student's responsibility to become familiar with these departmental requirements and procedures.


Thesis Option

A thesis is a substantial paper presenting independent research which makes a contribution to the current body of knowledge in a scholarly field. The author may conduct an original investigation or develop an original interpretation of existing research and/or literature. A thesis adheres to a standard format, generally including five basic chapters or divisions: an introduction and statement of the problem, a review of the literature pertinent to the problem, an explanation of the materials and methods used to solve the problem, a discussion of results, and a conclusion. A formal bibliography of references cited in the thesis is also required. A thesis must be formatted to conform to the Graduate School specifications as stated in the current University of Oregon Style and Policy Manual of Theses and Dissertations. The thesis is presented to the Graduate School, acknowledged on the student's transcript and submitted to the Knight Library.

There are both departmental and Graduate School requirements for successfully completing a thesis. The student is responsible for requesting information from the major school or department about the various steps involved and the standards expected by the department.


Graduate School Requirements for Thesis

Students writing a thesis are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the Graduate School requirements for the thesis option.

Registration requirements: Master's students pursuing the thesis option must include a minimum of 9 credits of 503 Thesis in their program plan. Once a student commences work on the thesis, the Graduate School expects registration in 503 Thesis each term. The thesis is the final requirement for the master's degree and is submitted to the Graduate School in the term the degree is to be awarded. Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credits of 503 Thesis in the term of completion. Only students pursuing the thesis option may register for 503 Thesis credits. The 503 Thesis grading option is Pass/No Pass only. Students making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the thesis will receive a grade of Incomplete for 503 Thesis each term; the Incompletes are replaced by a grade of Pass, only after the Graduate School has accepted the thesis and awarded the master's degree.

Format Requirements: Format requirements are detailed in the University of Oregon Style and Policy Manual for Theses and Dissertations which is available on the Graduate School's website. Only theses that meet the standards of this manual are accepted.

Thesis Submission Procedures and Requirements: The thesis is the final requirement for a master's degree. It is submitted to the Graduate School during the term the student plans to graduate.

To ensure the awarding of the degree, thesis students need to be aware of the three steps listed below. Each step has deadlines. Note: The dates for these deadlines vary from one academic year to the next. For the exact dates, see Deadlines for Completion of Degree Requirements on the Graduate School website at:

http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/deadlines.html



1. Early in the term in which the degree is to be awarded:

Complete the Application for Advanced Degree with Thesis Option indicated.

Establish login name/password: this can be used to access Certificate of Submission and to review the Application for Advanced Degree.

Print out the Certificate of Submission for use as described in item two.


2. Mid-term or always prior to submission of the thesis:

Submit three copies of the thesis abstract (150-word maximum) to the Graduate School along with the Certificate of Submission. Each copy of the abstract must be on non-recycled 25% cotton bond paper and have original signatures of the adviser. For abstract formatting requirements, see the Thesis and Dissertation Style and Policy Manual (on Graduate School website). If students did not print out the Certificate of Submission at the time they applied for their degree they can go back to the Application for Advanced Degree site, enter their login name/password and scroll through to their Certificate of Submission and print it.

3. Last week of classes, prior to finals week:

Submit the thesis to the Graduate School by the submission deadline for the term the degree will be awarded.


http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/departmental_copies.html

http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/proquest_umi.html


Other Final Degree Requirement Options

Departments may have a final requirement option such as a Policy Paper, Synthesis Paper or Capstone Project. The content and procedures for completion of these options are determined by the department. Check with the department for appropriate registration requirements.


Required Clearance for Master's Thesis, Project or Doctoral Dissertation

All graduate students conducting research for a thesis, project or dissertation must submit the Required Clearance for Master's Thesis, Project or Doctoral Dissertation form verifying compliance with university and federal Research Compliance Guidelines:


http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/research_compliance_policy.html#Research_Compliance


APPLYING FOR GRADUATION

Students are required to apply for their advanced degree no later than the second week of the term the degree is to be awarded. For details, see Application for Advanced Degree at:


http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/advanced-degree_app.html



UO DOCTORAL DEGREE


DOCTORAL PROCEDURES and POLICIES


DOCTORAL CANDIDATE TIME LIMIT


The seven-year time limit on completing a doctoral degree begins with the first term of admission as a conditional or regular doctoral student at the University of Oregon. The required year of residency spent on the Eugene campus, the passing of the comprehensive examinations required for advancement to candidacy, and the completion of the doctoral dissertation must all be accomplished within this seven-year period.

A petition for an extension of this period can only be considered if the student has already advanced to candidacy and has an approved dissertation proposal by the end of the 7th year. Petitions for extension of the seven-year limit may include the requirements of a second year of residency or a new set of comprehensive examinations or both. Petitions are evaluated on a case by case basis, and are not automatically granted.

In addition, some departments may require that the dissertation be completed within a certain number of years after advancement to candidacy (e.g. three years) to ensure currency of knowledge. In such cases, a petition for an extension of that three-year period will be evaluated in the same manner as a petition to extend the seven-year time limit.

Students are responsible for staying informed about, and complying with, individual departmental regulations as well as Graduate School regulations.


DOCTORAL STUDENT GENERAL REQUIREMENTS


Ph.D. students must complete at least three (3) years of full-time graduate level academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree of which at least one (1) academic year must be spent in residence on the Eugene campus (the residency year) after you have been classified as conditionally or regularly enrolled in a doctoral program. The residency year is expected to be the first year after admission as a doctoral candidate. During this Residency Year PhD. students are expected to make progress toward the degree by completing course credit in their doctoral major and satisfying doctoral degree requirements. The Residency Year must include three (3) consecutive terms of full-time study, with a minimum of nine (9) completed graduate credit hours per term.


Ph.D. students must be continuously enrolled for credit or officially have on-leave status until you complete the degree. On-leave status is granted for a stated period of time, but may not exceed three (3) academic terms prior to advancement to candidacy. (Summers are excluded unless students are working with faculty or completing an academic requirement).


At any time when Ph.D. students are using University services, facilities, or faculty time they must be registered for a minimum of three (3) graduate level credit hours. Other agencies or programs to which they may be obligated (such as those granting financial aid) may have different minimum requirements for registration that must be observed.



DOCTORAL CANDIDATES WHO HAVE ADVANCED TO CANDIDACY


Please review the following regulations.


The dissertation committee (which determines the acceptability of a student' dissertation) must be proposed via the major department or school to the Graduate School at least one (1) month after the comprehensive exams and in no case later than six (6) months before the date of the oral defense. This committee should include three (3) regular instructional faculty members, (assistant professor or higher) from the department and one (1) regular instructional faculty member, (assistant professor or higher) from outside the department to represent the Graduate School.


After advancement to candidacy, the student must register for a minimum of 18 credit hours of Dissertation (603).


Ph.D. students are allowed three (3) regular academic terms of In Absentia following advancement when you are doing work toward the degree but are neither using University facilities nor consulting with faculty.


Ph.D. students must be enrolled for a minimum of three (3) credits of Dissertation (603) during the term prior to and the term of oral defense and graduation


Ph.D. students must apply for the degree at the Graduate School for the term when they plan to receive it. Generally, the closing date to make application is the second week of the term. Refer to the graduate school website for specific dates at:


http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/


To apply to defend a dissertation, an Application for Final Oral Defense and four (4) copies of the final abstract (no more than 350 words long) must be submitted to the Graduate School three (3) weeks before the date of the final oral defense. Ph.D. students are expected to graduate during the term of their oral defense.


The Style Manual for Theses and Dissertations is available on the Graduate School web site. This manual contains samples of the abstract and title page, along with additional information on style, form, required paper, and duplication processes.


DOCTORAL DISSERTATION COMMITTEE POLICY


The dissertation committee shall consist of at least four instructional faculty; three from the department awarding the degree and one from an outside department.


CHAIR

PURPOSE

  • One instructional faculty with a regular academic appointment (assistant professor or higher) from the department awarding the degree

To guide the candidate at all stages of the projects such as

  • Formulating the proposal.

  • Carry out the research.

  • Writing the dissertation.

  • Holds a PhD or its equivalent doctoral research degree.

To monitor the student’s progress, to ensure that all committee members have reviewed the dissertation and that substantive objections are resolved prior to the defense.



DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES

PURPOSE

To provide:

  • Two instructional faculty with regular academic appointments (assistant professor or higher) in the department awarding the degree.

  • Hold a Ph.D. or its equivalent doctoral research degree.

  • Special expertise in areas needed to give a comprehensive appraisal of the project.

  • Broader representation from the faculty of the candidate’s major.

  • Critical reading of the drafts of the proposal and dissertation.



OUTSIDE REPRESENTATIVE

PURPOSE

To represent the Graduate School in order to:

  • One instructional faculty holding either a regular academic or reduced appointment at the rank of assistant professor or higher in a department other than the department awarding the degree.

  • Hold a Ph.D. or its equivalent doctoral research degree.

  • Protect the interest of the University faculty and the student by ensuring that the dissertation meets the highest academic standards.

  • Play a “disciplinary” role in terms of maintenance of uniformity in standards of quality across departments.

  • Provide assurance that political or other extraneous factors do not enter into the process and that appropriate procedures are followed.


  • Provide the “outside” point of view, sharing an expertise with a new perspective or theoretical vantage that might not otherwise be available.


A. OTHER FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE ELIGIBILITY


The following are considered eligible for membership as an inside department representative:


1. Courtesy Appointment

Provided the person has been or is currently employed as a regular instructional faculty at the University of Oregon. Must hold a Ph.D. or its equivalent doctoral research degree.


2. Participating Appointment

Provided the person is currently employed as a regular instructional faculty at the University of Oregon; not eligible if this is the only institutional appointment. Must hold a Ph.D. or its equivalent doctoral research degree.


The following are considered eligible for membership as an inside or outside representative:


3. Emerti/Emerita

With the approval of the department in which the person holds emeritus status. Must have previously held a regular instructional faculty appointment.


4. Senior Research Associate

Must hold a Ph.D. or its equivalent doctoral research degree. To qualify as an outside representative, the person must have served on three doctoral committees as an inside departmental representative.


The following may be considered for inside membership and are required to provide a written appeal as described below in exception clause b:


Adjunct

Visiting

Research Associate



Please visit the following Graduate School web site for instruction to add a Non-UO Faculty to a Doctoral Committee:


http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/non-uo_faculty.html



B. CLAUSES OF EXCEPTION


1. Inclusion Clause

Those faculty already approved in the past who may not meet the current criteria will continue to be eligible.


2. Exception Clause

An appeal for an exception to the above definition or eligibility shall be made in writing to the Dean of the Graduate School. The appeal shall include the following:

  1. Description of the proposed member’s active involvement in scholarly research.

  2. Description of the availability of the proposed committee member to provide for adequate input, guidance, and evaluation time to the doctoral candidate.

  3. Endorsement by the head of the department or the dean, if appropriate.