The Graduate School

Administration

B. Ramu Ramachandran, PhD
Associate Vice President for Research and Dean, Graduate School

The Dean of the Graduate School administers and coordinates the graduate programs of the University. Graduate instruction is supervised by the appropriate academic deans, directors of graduate studies, department heads, and graduate faculty under policies set forth by the University of Louisiana System and the Graduate Council chaired by the Dean of the Graduate School. The President of the University is the final local authority in the operation of the graduate programs.

Address

Wyly Tower, Room 1203
1310 Railroad Avenue #7923
Ruston, LA 71272
(318) 257-2924
and visit www.latech.edu/graduate_school

Mission

The Graduate School offers the administrative structure, leadership, and guidance necessary to support graduate education at Louisiana Tech University. The Graduate School works with the Provost, the Graduate Council, academic deans, graduate program coordinators, and graduate faculty to provide students with a superior educational and research environment within which to pursue rigorous, challenging, and relevant graduate and professional degrees.

Student Responsibility

Each graduate student must assume the responsibility for becoming knowledgeable concerning Graduate School regulations and requirements. Ignorance of these requirements and regulations, incorrect statements or advice from faculty or students, or misunderstanding of these procedures will not be accepted as cause for waiving any requirement or regulation.

Graduate Degrees Offered

College of Applied and Natural Sciences

Master of Health Informatics

• Master of Health Informatics (MHI)  

Master of Science

• Biology  
• Nutrition and Dietetics  
• Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology (MSNT)  - Interdisciplinary

Doctor of Philosophy

• Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology (PhD)  - Interdisciplinary

College of Business

Master of Business Administration

• Business Administration (MBA) (with concentrations in Finance , Information Assurance , Innovation , Marketing , Quantitative Analysis , or Telecommunication )

Master of Accountancy

• Accounting (MACC)  

Doctor of Business Administration

• Business Administration (DBA)  (with concentrations in Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Finance, Management, Marketing, or Quantitative Analysis)

College of Education

Master of Arts

• Industrial/Organizational Psychology (MA)  
• Counseling and Guidance (MA) (with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling , Human Services , Orientation and Mobility , Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind , or School Counseling )

Master of Arts in Teaching

• Early Childhood Education Grades PK-3  
• Elementary Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate Grades 1-5  
• Elementary Education Grades 1-5  
• Middle School Education Grades 4-8  (with concentrations in Mathematics Grades 4-8, or Science Grades 4-8)
• Secondary Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate Grades 6-12  (with concentrations in English, General Science, Mathematics, or Social Studies)
• Secondary Education Grades 6-12  (with concentrations in Agriculture Education, Business Education, English Education, General Science/Biology Education, General Science/Chemistry Education, General Science/Physics Education, Mathematics Education, Social Studies Education, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Secondary Education (6-12), Family Consumer Science Concentration  ) 
• Special Education: Visually Impaired  

Master of Education

• Curriculum and Instruction  (MEd) (with concentrations in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Research Theory & Design, or Visually Impaired).
• Educational Leadership (MEd)  

Master of Science

• Kinesiology (MS)  (with concentrations in Administration of Sport and Physical Activity , or Sports Performance )

Doctor of Education

• Educational Leadership (EdD), PK-12 Concentration  (with concentrations in Educational Leadership, or Higher Education Administration)

Doctor of Philosophy

• Counseling Psychology (PhD)  
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology (PhD)  

College of Engineering and Science

Master of Science

• Applied Physics (MS)  
• Computer Science (MSCS)  
• Engineering and Technology Management (MSEM)  (with concentrations in Engineering Management, or Management of Technology)
• Engineering (MSE)  - Interdisciplinary (with concentrations in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Communication Systems, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering)
• Mathematics (MS)  
•  Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology (MSNT)  - Interdisciplinary

Master of Science Microsystems Engineering

• Microsystems Engineering (MSMSE)  

Doctor of Philosophy

• Biomedical Engineering (PhD)  
• Computational Analysis and Modeling (PhD)  - Interdisciplinary
• Engineering (PhD)  – Interdisciplinary (with concentrations in Cyberspace, Engineering Education, Engineering Physics, Materials and Infrastructure Systems, or Micro and Nanoscale Systems)
• Joint MD/PhD with LSUHSC-Shreveport  
• Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology (PhD)  - Interdisciplinary

College of Liberal Arts

Master of Architecture

• Architecture (MArch)  

Master of Arts

• English (MA)  (with concentration in Literature or Technical Writing)
• History (MA)  
• Speech (MA)  (with concentrations in Speech Communication  or Theatre )
• Speech-Pathology (MA)  

Master of Fine Arts

• Art (MFA)  (with concentrations in Graphic Design, Photography, and Studio)

Doctor of Audiology

• Audiology (AuD)  

Graduate Certificates Offered

College of Applied and Natural Science

• Graduate Certificate in Dietetics (GC/DIET)  

College of Business

• Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (GC/BUAD)  
• Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance (GC/INFA)  
• Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Business Foundations (PBC/BUFO)  

College of Education

• Graduate Certificate in Cyber Education for K-12 Teachers (GC/E045)  
• Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration (GC/E044)  
• Graduate Certificate in Orientation and Mobility (GC/E046)  
• Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind (GC/E047)  
• Graduate Certificate in Teacher Leader Education (GC/E036)   
• Graduate Certificate in The Dynamics of Domestic and Family Violence (GC/DDVI)   
• Graduate Certificate in Visual Impairments - Blind Education (GC/E031)   
• Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Middle School Education Grades 4-8 (PBC/E028)
• Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Secondary Education Grades 6-12 (PBC/E021)

College of Engineering and Science

• Graduate Certificate in Communications Systems (GC/CSYS)    
• Graduate Certificate in Cyber Technology (GC/CYTC)  
• Graduate Certificate in Six Sigma Black Belt (GC/SSBB)  

College of Liberal Arts

• Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Communication (GC/TEWC)  

Immunization Policy

Louisiana law (Act 1047) requires all new students born after December 31, 1956, to provide proof of immunization against measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) and tetanus/diphtheria (TD). Louisiana law (Act 251) requires first-time freshmen to submit proof of immunization against meningitis. Forms for documenting immunization or establishing an exemption to this requirement are available from the Office of Admissions. Proof of immunity includes documentation of

• two measles vaccines administered after January 1, 1968, one of which must have been given on or after the first birthday.
• a mumps and rubella vaccine.
• meningitis vaccine.
• a tetanus/diphtheria combination within the past 10 years.

In the event of an outbreak of measles, mumps, meningitis, or rubella, students who have not provided documentation of immunity will be excluded from attendance of campus activities, including classes, until the appropriate disease incubation period has expired.

Graduate School Admission

Certain minimum admission standards are established by the Graduate Council for the University. Each academic college has the prerogative to be more selective and to establish higher standards for its respective graduate students. Deadlines for additional requirements may vary by program. Each student is responsible for becoming knowledgeable of Graduate School and specific program requirements and policies.

A student will not receive graduate credit for any course taken unless he or she has complied with the admission procedures and has been accepted for admission to the Graduate School. Admission to Graduate School does not necessarily mean admission into a specific degree program. Students may attend class only after completion of advisement and registration, which includes payment of tuition and fees.

Requirements: Graduate School applicants must satisfy all general admission requirements for Louisiana Tech University.

Applications: Application for admission may be completed online on the Graduate School website by selecting APPLY NOW. Admission applications with all required fees must be received in the Graduate School preferably 30 days in advance of registration for the session in which the student expects to enroll. Any credentials missing by the end of student’s first complete term of enrollment will result in the student not receiving graduate credit, nor will an official Louisiana Tech academic transcript be provided to the student.

Students applying to more than one degree program and/or Graduate Certficate are required to submit separate applications and pay separate processing fees for each. The processing fee for a second applicaion can be waived only if a student applies for simultaneous admission to a Graduate Certificate embedded within a degree program. An embedded Graduate Certificate refers to course work for the degree program that can also be applicable to the Graduate Certificate.

International applications: International students should submit an admission application to allow sufficient processing time and make the necessary travel arrangements to arrive on campus prior to registration and to attend a mandatory international student orientation. For program deadlines occurring before the Graduate School’s deadlines, international applicants should follow the program deadline.  If a deadline is not specified by the program or if the Graduate School’s deadline is before the program deadline, international applications should follow the Graduate School or earliest deadlines to allow sufficient processing time.

Upon arrival at Louisiana Tech, an international graduate student must enroll in the program he or she was admitted to for a minimum of one quarter. After fulfilling this requirement, a student may apply for admission to another academic program at Louisiana Tech University by following the Graduate School’s admission procedures.

Transcripts: All official transcripts must be received in the Graduate School preferably 30 days in advance of registration for the session in which the student expects to enroll. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the college/university to Louisiana Tech Graduate School.

Test scores: All official standardized test scores must be on file in the Graduate School preferably 30 days in advance of registration for the session in which the student expects to enroll. Scores must be mailed directly from official testing centers (ETS, IELTS, GMAT, etc.) to Louisiana Tech Graduate School.

Admission: Official admission notification will be emailed to each student by the Graduate School to the email address used to submit the application..

If permission to enter the Graduate School is given prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree, this admission is automatically withdrawn if the bachelor’s degree is not awarded before the date of registration.

Registration: Students should follow registration procedures outlined on the Louisiana Tech web site (BOSS) or in the quarterly Schedule of Classes (“The Racing Form”) available online from the University Registrar’s website during each registration period.

Persons previously banned for disciplinary reasons or misconduct or criminal activities cannot register without the specific approval of the Dean of the Graduate School and the Vice President for Student Advancement.

Transfer Admissions

Students desiring to transfer to the Graduate School of Louisiana Tech University must meet the same requirements as entering graduate students. They must be in good academic standing and eligible to return to the previous institution attended.

International Student Transfer

International Students must meet the academic criteria for transfer admission. The International Student Office will administer the immigration transfer process for international students arriving from other U.S. schools including issuing a new I-20 immigration document. Students usually receive the I-20 when they arrive on campus so that the transfer can be completed legally and safely. Students must have an official from the previous school sign a “Foreign Student Advisor Transfer Report” and provide it to the Louisiana Tech University International Student Office before their arrival.

Upon arrival at Louisiana Tech, an international graduate student must enroll in the program he or she was approved for and admitted to for a minimum of one quarter. After fulfilling this requirement, a student may apply for admission to another academic program at Louisiana Tech University by following the Graduate School’s admission procedures.

Transcript Submission Requirements

Policies governing the submission of transcripts for all graduate students are as follows:

• Transcripts must be mailed or electronically transmitted directly from the college/university to Louisiana Tech Graduate School and must bear the stamp/seal of the issuing institution. Transcripts must be from a regionally accredited college/university. Accreditation status is verified using the American Council on Education publication Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education, and through use of the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
• Transcripts are accepted from institutions accredited by the following associations:
  • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.

Masters: Students must submit all official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) for evaluation of eligibility for these programs.

Doctoral: Students must submit all official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) for evaluation of eligibility for these programs.

Transient and ICP: Students must submit an official transcript verifying that they are actively pursuing an advanced degree at another institution and are in good academic standing at the institution.

Life-Long Learning: Students must provide an official baccalaureate degree-posted transcript. Teachers may use their state certification for admission in lieu of an official transcript.

Graduate Certificate: Students must submit only an official baccalaureate degree-posted transcript.

Complete and official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, whether credit was earned or transferable, must be received by Louisiana Tech directly from the institution. Students who fail to acknowledge attendance at any college or university in which they have been registered are subject to having their admission canceled or, if enrolled, to being dismissed from Louisiana Tech without refund of fees. Evaluations concerning probation, suspension, grades, grade point average, hours pursued, and hours earned are based on Louisiana Tech’s standards regardless of prior determinations at the other institutions attended. No student is admitted if under academic or disciplinary suspension from another college or university. No credit earned while under suspension from another institution is accepted toward a degree at Louisiana Tech.

Graduate Non-Degree Admission Categories

All non-degree admission categories are subject to the minimum requirements for conditional admission.

Graduate Certificate Program

Students wishing to enroll in this non-degree category must complete a Graduate School application, pay the processing fee, provide an official baccalaureate degree-posted transcript, meet course prerequisites, and understand that they are not admitted to a graduate degree program.

Students seeking admission to a degree program containing an embedded Gradaute Certificate (course work for the program and Graduate Certificate are applicable to both) during the same term are required to complete separate applications but can request the second application processing fee be waived. Students admitted to a degree program and also seeking admission at a later date to a Graduate Certificate program or vice versa are required to sumbit a separate application and pay the applicable processing fee.

Students must maintain the minimum grade standards set for Conditional admission to the Graduate School. See section on Grade Requirements for Graduate Students Admitted Conditionally. Each academic college has the prerogative to set higher standards for its respective graduate students.

A Graduate Certificate Program is a set of pre-determined subject-matter-specific graduate courses pursued to enhance an individual’s mastery of a subject area without completing a master’s program. As such, certificate programs are not shortened versions of existing master’s programs.

Successful completion of a Graduate Certificate Program results in the receipt of a certificate that specifies graduate certification in a specific area and is accompanied by the appropriate posting on the official Louisiana Tech University Certificate transcript.

Life-Long Learning

Students wishing to enroll in this non-degree category must complete a Graduate School application, pay the application processing fee, must meet minimum Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (UGPA) requirements for Conditional admission, provide an official baccalaureate degree-posted transcript, meet course prerequisites, and understand that they are not admitted to a graduate degree program. Teachers may use their state certification in lieu of an official transcript for admission to the Life-Long Learning category. Each academic college has the prerogative to set higher standards for its respective graduate students. There is no limit to the number of courses that students may take in this category as long as they maintain the minimum grade standards set for Conditional admission to the Graduate School. See section on Grade Requirements for Graduate Students Admitted Conditionally.

Students may apply for a graduate degree program at any time by completing a Graduate School application and by meeting the admission requirements for that specific program. After admission to a graduate degree program, students may file a written request that up to a maximum of 12 total semester hours of graduate credit earned under Life-Long Learning be applied to their graduate degree program Plan of Study by special permission of the College and Committee Chairperson assigned to the student’s degree program. These courses will be specifically identified on the Plan of Study.

Transient

Students admitted to a graduate program at another institution wishing to take a course(s) for transfer credit may be allowed to take such a course(s) with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies in the college in which he or she would normally enroll. Students applying for transient status must

1. Submit an official transcript certifying that they are actively pursuing an advanced degree at another institution and
2. Be in good academic standing at that institution.

A maximum of 12 hours of transient credit will be allowed. Transcripts shall note that such credit is associated with the transient admission. Transient admission is good for one quarter only and students must reapply for any subsequent quarters.

Inter-Institutional Cooperative Program (ICP)

Students may enroll in graduate courses through the ICP program between Louisiana Tech and Grambling State University. Students participating in the ICP program must apply for transient status and follow the appropriate admission procedures. Transient admission is good for one quarter only. Courses taken through the ICP program must be included on a student’s approved Plan of Study in order to count towards degree requirements, and all course prerequisites must be met. Students not in good standing at one university are not eligible to enroll in graduate courses at the other university. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar, 318/257-2176.

Residency Regulations for Tuition Purposes

The residence status of an applicant or student is determined in accordance with the University of Louisiana System regulations and is based upon evidence provided in the application for admission and related documents. Residency status is not determined for students registered for 3 credit hours or less. All students classified incorrectly as residents are subject to reclassification and payment of all non-resident fees not paid. If incorrect classification results from false or concealed facts by the student, the student is also subject to University discipline. Students should refer to the conditions used to determine residency status on the Graduate School website or under the “Undergraduate Admissions ” heading at the beginning of this Catalog for specific residency classification regulations. Any appeals of residency classification should follow the guidelines provided. Graduate applicants should address their residency appeal to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Graduate Degree Admission Categories

Unconditional Admission

Unconditional admission requires that the applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited American university or from a foreign institution of acceptable and verifiable standing. Accreditation status is verified using the American Council on Education publication Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education, and through use of the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. The final decision rests with the Dean of the Graduate School and is based upon the recommendation of the admissions officials of the academic college the student wishes to enter. The following are minimum requirements for unconditional admission consideration:

• Minimum 2.50 (4.0 system) grade point average on all work attempted or 2.75 on the last 60 hours attempted.
• Satisfactory scores on standardized test(s) specified by the academic college.
• Submission of all official admission documents to the Graduate School.

Students qualifying for unconditional admission who have not submitted a standardized test score may be allowed to submit the test score during their first quarter of enrollment as a graduate student, unless otherwise specified by the appropriate college. Students who fail to submit a satisfactory test score by the specified deadline will be dropped from graduate status until a satisfactory test score has been received; those students unconditionally admitted who do not submit a satisfactory test score will be subject to reexamination by the admissions officials of the appropriate academic college.

Students must attain unconditional status and meet all admission requirements prior to graduation from Louisiana Tech University.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission requires that the applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited American university or from a foreign institution of acceptable and verifiable standing. Conditional admission may be gained by those applicants not qualified for unconditional admission while satisfying or validating his/her undergraduate deficiencies or meeting other conditions of admission. The final decision rests with the Dean of the Graduate School and is based upon the recommendation of the admissions officials of the academic college the student wishes to enter. The following are minimum requirements for conditional admission consideration:

• Minimum 2.25 (4.0 system) grade point average on all work attempted or 2.50 on the last 60 hours attempted.
• Maximum of 9 semester hours may be earned while fulfilling stipulated conditions. If the conditions are not removed after 9 hours of course work, the applicant will be dropped from the Graduate School.

Conditional status may be changed to unconditional status when a student earns a minimum of 9 hours of graduate credit at Louisiana Tech, provided he or she has fulfilled the conditions of admission and has a “B” average on all work pursued for graduate credit, including no grade lower than “C” and not more than one course with a grade of “C”.

Students must attain unconditional status and meet all admission requirements prior to graduation from Louisiana Tech University.

Readmission

Students must be in good academic standing with a minimum GGPA of 3.00. Students with a GGPA below 3.00 must appeal for reinstatement by following the Graduate Appeal Process in the current catalog.

Students returning to the same graduate program who interrupt their studies and do not enroll at Louisiana Tech for two or more consectuvie quarters (except for the Summer term) should complete a Readmission Application and pay the application processing fee. Programs determine during the application review whether applicants must pursue new curriculums or may remain in a previous curriculum, and whether previously complete course work is current and applicable to the degree program.

Students who interrupt their studies and do not enroll in the same graduate program at Louisiana Tech for any one quarter (excluding the summer term), must also submit a Readmission Graduate Application but no processing fee is required.

Students changing degree programs within the same college of their current degree program will complete a new Graduate Application, but a processing fee is not required. The curriculum and catalog in effect at the time of admission into the new program will be followed and no mixing of curricula is permitted in satisfying requiremtns for graduation.

Students changing degree programs requiring a transfer from one college to another college at Louisiana Tech must complete a new Graduate Application and pay the processing fee. The curriculum and catalog in effect at the time of admission into the new program will be followed and no mixing of curricula is permitted in satisfying requiremtns for graduation.

Readmission students who have attended another college/university since last enrolled at Louisiana Tech must submit an official transcript from each college/university attended. Transcripts must be transmitted directly from the college/university to Louisiana Tech. If the required transcripts are not received by the end of the first quarter of readmission, the student will not be permittted to enroll for any subsequent quarters. If the required transcripts are submitted and the student is determined to have been ineligible for readmission, no credit will be awarded for that quarter. Official Louisiana Tech academic transcripts will not be provided to any student with incomplete readmission records.

A new Plan of Study with all appropriate signatures must be filed with the Graduate School by the end of the quarter in which the new program is started (see Plan of Study section).

Appeal for Reinstatement When Changing Programs

Students who are in poor academic standing at the time of leaving the program and /or college must submit a written letter of appeal to the original College to reinstate them in that College solely for the purpose of applying to another program.

Testing

Colleges may require that an applicant to Graduate School take the appropriate standardized test(s). Applicants for admission should contact the individual college for specific requirements:

• College of Applied and Natural Sciences: Graduate Record Examination (GRE-general).
• College of Business: Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Scores older than 5 years are not accepted.
• College of Education: Graduate Record Examination (GRE-general).
• College of Engineering & Science: Graduate Record Examination (GRE-general).
• College of Liberal Arts: Graduate Record Examination (GRE-general).

All international students are required to submit documentation of English proficiency before their application can be evaluated. The scores must be achieved within two years of application to the Graduate School. Minimum acceptable scores:

• Paper-based TOEFL is 550 or higher.
• Internet-based TOEFL is 80 or higher.
• IELTS is 6.5 or higher total on 4 academic modules.
• Successful completion of ELS intensive Level 112 at the Ruston ELS Language Center.

Applications for the appropriate test may be obtained from the Office of Testing and Disability Services, Wyly Tower, Room 318. For additional information and to register for these tests, contact the Testing Center, P. O. Box 3009, Ruston, LA 71272. Or, call (318) 257-4882.

Graduating Seniors - Concurrent Baccalaureate and Master’s Program Enrollment

The Concurrent Baccalaureate and Master’s Program enrollment is available to undergraduate seniors who are within 30 semester credit hours (SCH) of completing baccalaureate degree requirements at a regionally accredited institution (referred to as home institution from this point forward) and have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 on all undergraduate work attempted.

Students in this category may apply for Concurrent enrollment (see below), specifying a Master’s degree at Louisiana Tech towards which they may earn graduate credit in the concurrent enrollment program. If these students pursue the specified Master’s degree after earning the Baccalaureate degree, an application to the Graduate School will be processed without an application fee, the graduate credits earned thus far will apply towards the Master’s degree, and standardized tests such as the GRE and GMAT required of regular applicants may be waived by the program. The following criteria and regulations apply:

• Students retain undergraduate status at the home institution until they are awarded the baccalaureate degree.
• Courses taken for graduate credit cannot be used to satisfy undergraduate requirements at Louisiana Tech, except as described in the section: Graduating Seniors - Accelerated Baccalaureate and Master’s Program.
• Once admitted, students must enroll in one graduate course in the admitted term to retain Concurrent status and are expected to continue enrolling in subsequent regular terms, (i.e., Summer enrollment is not expected, unless the admitted term is Summer).
• Students may earn no more than 12 graduate credit hours while completing baccalaureate requirements, at the typical rate of three graduate credits per term. Enrollment for up to six graduate credit hours in one term may be allowed upon written approval of the student’s Dean at the home institution, and Louisiana Tech’s Dean of the Graduate School.
• While in the Concurrent program, the student shall maintain a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 and remain in good academic standing as a graduate student at Louisiana Tech.
• The maximum number of consecutive terms (excluding Summer) in the Concurrent Enrollment program shall be four.

An application for Concurrent admission should be completed through Louisiana Tech’s Graduate School website (along with payment of the application fee), and submitted along with official transcripts, 2 letters of recommendation from faculty members at the home institution, and a letter from the student’s Dean at the home institution certifying that the applicant

(a) is within 30 hours of completing the requirements for the Baccalaureate degree, and

(b) has a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in all undergraduate work pursued thus far.

A Concurrently enrolled student will be required to submit a letter from the Dean of the home institution, if not Louisiana Tech University, each quarter certifying that the student continues to make satisfactory academic progress towards the Baccalaureate degree.

A Concurrently enrolled student may lose Concurrent status in the following ways:

• If after being admitted to the Concurrent enrollment program, a student fails to enroll for a graduate course at Louisiana Tech in the admitted term.
• If after entering the Concurrent enrollment program, the student does not enroll in graduate courses for more than one quarter. Students in this category will have to apply for re-admission to the Concurrent enrollment program to continue earning graduate credits.
• If after entering the Concurrent enrollment program, a student enrolls in a graduate course that is not applicable to the Master’s degree specified in the Concurrent application.
• Upon completion of the baccalaureate program, a student decides to pursue a Master’s degree other than the one specified on the Concurrent application.
• The quarterly and cumulative graduate GPA drops below the minimum required 3.0. Concurrent students in this category will be dropped from the Concurrent program and must appeal for reinstatement prior to any further graduate admission or enrollment.

Students losing Concurrent enrollment status but who wish to pursue a Master’s degree at Louisiana Tech will be expected to meet the same admission requirements as regular applicants to the program. They will have to apply for admission to the Graduate School with application fee; the waiver of GRE and GMAT mentioned above may no longer apply; and the applicability of any graduate credits earned thus far towards the Master’s degree sought will be determined by the program.

While most Master’s degree programs offer Concurrent enrollment, only a limited number of programs offer all courses in an online format, and some offer selected courses in an online format. Students whose home institution is physically outside of the travel radius of the Louisiana Tech University campus should review the program selection carefully to determine if the graduate courses they wish to take are available online to facilitate Concurrent enrollment.

Graduating Seniors - Accelerated Baccalaureate and Master’s Program

Louisiana Tech undergraduate students in the Concurrent Enrollment Program may, subject to the approval of the undergraduate degree program administrators, use up to 12 credit hours of graduate courses to satisfy requirements in their undergraduate curriculum. The maximum number of hours that can be double counted in this fashion is subject to the requirement that the combined Baccalaureate and Master’s curricula will total a minimum of 144 credit hours.

Graduate credits earned as a concurrently enrolled undergraduate may be applied towards a graduate certificate. The certificate will be awarded after the undergraduate degree has been conferred.

Doctoral Program Admission

Applicants for admission to the programs of study leading to the doctoral degree either will be granted an unconditional admission or will be rejected. It is emphasized that no quantitative standards are set and that admission is a judgment of the admissions officials of the appropriate college. These officials make their recommendation to the Graduate School Office.

The following are minimum admission criteria utilized in making a determination of admission eligibility:

• Minimum preparation to proceed at the doctoral level of study.
• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.
• An official transcript demonstrating sufficient undergraduate preparation for advanced study in both major and minor fields.
• A master’s degree is recommended.
• Acceptable test scores on GRE or GMAT. Applications for these tests may be obtained from the Testing Center, Wyly Tower, Room 318.
• A minimum of 3 references is required at the direction of the admitting college.
• A locally administered screening or qualifying examination or an interview of the applicant may be required at the direction of the admitting college.

The Graduate School will receive and expedite the handling of all admission documents. Complete official transcripts of the applicant’s undergraduate and graduate record, and of all academic work taken at other institutions must be submitted to the Graduate School in order to have a doctoral application considered. The applicant should consult the doctoral admission requirements for the appropriate college in order to determine that area’s specific requirements for test scores and other items. Each academic college has the prerogative to be more selective and to establish higher standards for its respective graduate students.

Graduate Course Requirements

All 500-level courses are open to graduate students. Courses numbered in the 600- and 700-level generally require doctoral classification and are specifically associated with doctoral programs. There are courses numbered in the 400-level that are usually for seniors but may carry graduate credit. Graduate students taking 400-level courses for graduate credit are required to undertake additional work in order to bring the course requirements up to graduate-level rigor.

In order to pursue and/or receive a graduate degree, students must first be admitted to a specific degree program. Courses taken by graduate students that do not appear on an approved Plan of Study will not apply toward meeting the requirements of any graduate degree.

Curriculum Matriculation

Graduate students entering specific degree programs will follow the curricula in effect at the time of their admission to the University, as long as the students are pursuing their degrees on a continuing basis.

Students changing degree programs or those transferring from other institutions will follow the curriculum in effect at the time of admission.

Students may follow an updated curriculum that becomes effective while in a program of study; however, mixing of curricula is not permitted in satisfying requirements for degree completion or graduation.

Grading System

Official grades are maintained in the University Registrar’s Office. Louisiana Tech applies a traditional system of grading and awards quality points for grades earned. An A is awarded for the highest degree of excellence that is reasonable to expect of students of exceptional ability and application. A grade of “B” is superior. A grade of “C” is average. A grade of “D” is given for a quality of work that is considered the minimum for receiving credit for the course. A grade of “F” is given for a failure, and the work must be repeated to receive academic credit. The University’s grading system is as follows:

Definition of the Incomplete (I) Grade

The grade “I” (Incomplete) is used to denote failure to complete all assigned class work and/or exams as a result of conditions beyond the student’s control. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a request with the instructor that a grade of “I” be issued. If the student’s work is of passing quality, the instructor may approve the student’s request and will assign a grade of “I” plus the average letter grade on all work completed to that point (e.g., “IA”, “IB”, “IC”, or “ID”). A grade of “IF” cannot be issued. If the instructor agrees to issue an “I”, he/she will complete a standard contract with the student detailing requirements for course completion and specifying the date those requirements must be finished. Instructors then provide a copy of the contract to the student and a copy to the department head/director. Students will receive a grade of “IA”, “IB”, “IC”, or “ID” for that quarter. Incompletes are factored into hours attempted and quality points awarded. Therefore, they impact a student’s quarter and cumulative grade point averages and are a factor in academic probation or suspension decisions.

The maximum amount of time allowed for a student to finish incomplete work is Friday of the fourth week in the following quarter, with one exception: students receiving an “I” in the Spring Quarter have until Friday of the fourth week in the following Fall Quarter to complete their work. A reminder of this date is published in the academic calendar each quarter and can also be found on the academic calendar at Tech’s web site (www.latech.edu).

If the student does not complete the required work within the contracted period, the instructor will change the “I” to an “F” by delivering a final grade change to the Registrar’s Office by Friday of the fifth week of the quarter. The final grade replaces the “I” on the student’s permanent record (transcript); attempted hours, earned hours, quality points, and quarter/cumulative grade point averages are recalculated applying the final grade. A student may be placed on or removed from academic probation or suspension based on the recalculated GPA at the time an “I” grade is cleared. “I” grades are cleared only by completing the required course work, and not by registering for the course again.

NOTE: Students registered for approved research, practicum, dissertation, or thesis courses requiring multiple quarters of the same course registration to complete the research receive an “I-A”, “-B”, “-C”, or “-D” (or an “I-S” in the case of Satisfactory/Failure graded courses) for each attempt until the research or practicum is accepted as complete by the advising faculty member. At that time, the graduate student’s “I” grades are changed to the appropriate “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “F”, or “S” on his/her permanent record.

Definition of the Permanent Incomplete (PI) Grade

All grades of “I” awarded for Research & Thesis (551), or Research & Dissertation (651 or PSYC 660 ) courses will be automatically converted to Permanent Incomplete (PI) grades by the designated College representative (i.e. Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Research Advisor, Instructor of Record, etc.) under the following circumstances:

• Student resigned from the academic program without completing the thesis or dissertation
• Student changed from a thesis track to a non-thesis or practicum track within the same Master’s program.
• Time limitation for the degree has expired.

Thesis and dissertation course attempts with “I” grades changed to “PI” grades will remain on the student’s graduate transcript. The attempted hours will continue to be tracked in the cumulative attempted graduate semester hours statistic. As the basic “I” grade is not calculated into the cumulative or quarterly GPA, there is no effect on GPA. The legend on the transcript will instruct the recipient that the student’s thesis or dissertation is no longer in progress and will not be completed at Louisiana Tech University.

Thesis or dissertation “I” grades to “PI” grades are not eligible for use toward any future academic program, or a future return to the initial program, at Louisiana Tech University.

Definition of the Satisfactory (S) Grade

A grade of “S” indicates satisfactory completion of a course. The “S” grade increases hours earned but does not affect hours attempted or quality points and is not computed in any grade point average (GPA). Students registered for a course where the grade of “S” is used who do not complete the required course work will receive the grade “F”.

Definition of the Withdrew (W) Grade

A “W” is issued when a student withdraws from a class (drops a class) after the final date for registration has passed and before the end of the first seven weeks of a quarter. The “W” grade will appear on the student’s permanent record (transcript), but is not included in computing the student’s GPA. Students who stop attending class(es) without following proper drop/withdraw or resignation procedures (walk-away) will receive an “F” grade for each class affected.

Definition of the No Credit (NC) Grade

The grade NC (used for undergraduate developmental courses and credit exams) denotes no credit earned or hours charged and is not computed in any GPA calculation.

Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA)

Graduate grade point averages are based on all graduate credit attempted and graded. Courses taken for undergraduate credit are not eligible for graduate credit and therefore are not factored into the graduate GPA.

For graduate students, the GPA is the benchmark figure used to determine continued graduate academic eligibility, graduate academic probation, and removal from graduate status. Quarterly and cumulative GPAs are recorded on the student’s permanent academic record (transcript) and reported each quarter with their grades.

The Quarterly GPA

A student’s quarterly grade point average (GPA) is obtained by dividing the sum of the quality points earned for the quarter by the number of semester hours attempted that quarter.

The Cumulative GPA

The cumulative GPA is determined by dividing the total quality points earned by the total number of hours attempted.

Grade Reporting

Louisiana Tech University does not mail grade reports. Students can obtain their final grades on the Internet using their BOSS account at the end of the quarter. Specific instructions for access are published quarterly in the Schedule of Classes, on the Tech web site, www.latech.edu, and reminders provided by the University Registrar’s Office during early registration. Students needing a copy of their grades after the reporting period may obtain them thru BOSS by printing a copy of their unofficial transcript, requesting an official transcript, and/or requesting specific letters of verification.

Grade Requirements

To receive a graduate degree from Louisiana Tech University, a student must have unconditional status and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on all work applicable to the degree, as listed on the student’s approved plan of study. No grade lower than “C” and no more than two “C“s will count toward a graduate degree. If more than two grades of “C” or below are earned during a student’s graduate program and the cumulative GPA is below the 3.0 required, a student will be dropped from graduate status to post-baccalaureate status. Students dropped to post-baccalaureate status must appeal for reinstatement by following the Graduate Status Appeals Procedure. Each academic college has the prerogative to establish higher standards for its respective graduate students. Students are advised to refer to program-level and college standards as well as grade requirements.

Grade Requirements for Students Admitted Unconditionally

A graduate student unconditionally admitted to a graduate degree program will be placed on graduate academic probation if his/her quarterly or cumulative GPA, drops below 3.0 on all work pursued for graduate credit. The student will be allowed two additional quarters (three consecutive quarters total) to regain his/her good standing in graduate status by restoring his/her graduate cumulative GPA above the 3.0 minimum and providing he/she earns grades no lower than a “B” while on academic probation. A student will be dropped from graduate status to postbaccalaureate status if he/she does not fulfill the requirements to be restored from graduate academic probation to unconditional graduate status during the 3 consecutive quarters. The student will be required to appeal his/her dismissal from the graduate program through the appropriate individual(s) in his/her college to be reinstated to graduate status.

Grade Requirements for Students Admitted Conditionally

A graduate student conditionally admitted to a graduate degree or graduate non-degree program is not eligible for graduate academic probation and therefore must maintain a 3.0 graduate average while completing the conditions of his/her graduate admission. Failure to achieve a quarterly and cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or better will result in the student being dropped from graduate status to post-baccalaureate status. The student will be required to appeal his/her dismissal from the graduate program through the appropriate individual(s) in his/her college to be reinstated to graduate status.

Students admitted under the Graduate Certificate Program, Life Long Learning program, Transient, and Interinstitutional Cooperative Program (ICP) categories are required to earn a 3.0 or better each quarter of registration.

Final Grade Appeals Procedure

A final grade in a course represents the cumulative evaluation and judgment of the faculty member placed in charge of that course. If a student thinks the final grade in a course was not determined in accordance with University policies or was determined arbitrarily, the student may appeal by adhering to and completing the following three-step procedure by the 10th class day of the academic quarter immediately following the quarter in which the appealed grade was received.

1. Confer with the faculty member, setting forth clearly all points of concern. If the student remains unsatisfied with the results of the conference, proceed to Step 2.
2. Confer with the head of the department in which the course is taught, clearly setting forth all points of concern. If the student remains unsatisfied, proceed to Step 3.
3. Write a letter of appeal to the dean of the college in which the course is taught. The dean will send copies of the letter to the faculty member and department head.

• The student must initiate the written appeal by providing an accurate and complete statement of all facts pertaining to the matter. Falsification may result in disciplinary action.
• The dean must receive the letter within the first 10 class days of the academic quarter immediately following the quarter in which the appealed grade was received.

Notification

The dean may make a decision, which would be final in the matter. The decision should normally be communicated to the student within 10 class days after the appeal deadline.

The dean may refer the appeal to a college committee for review and recommendation. The committee’s report would be a recommendation to the dean, whose decision would be final. When appeals are referred to the Committee, the final decision should normally be communicated to the student by the dean within 20 class days after the appeal deadline.

In reviewing the appeals, both the dean and the committee would have broad latitude in their procedures and recommendations, taking appropriate account of the interest of both the student and the faculty member. In all cases, the dean shall communicate the final decision to the student, faculty member, department head, and, if a grade change is involved, the University Registrar.

NOTE: In the case of academic misconduct where a faculty member invokes a grade penalty on a student, the faculty member will report the incident and penalty to his/her department head and to the Office of Student Life. If the student chooses to appeal the sanctions, the student will follow the procedures contained in the Academic Honor Code (Section Eight: Appeals ) paragraphs of this catalog.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct at the University is determined by the faculty member, committee, or other supervisor(s) under whom such misconduct occurs. The misconduct may occur in an individual class, a comprehensive exam, a practicum, an internship, a thesis or dissertation, a research project, a multi-quarter sequence of courses, or any other academically related matter or setting. Sanctions may range from dismissal from the University or an academic degree program to a failing grade or other penalty as determined by the faculty member, Plan of Study committee, supervising authority, or judiciary. The student has the right to appeal the charge of academic misconduct in accordance with the procedures contained in the Academic Honor Code (Section Eight: Appeals ) paragraphs of this catalog.

Academic Status

Graduate students have the responsibility to learn their academic status prior to the beginning of the next enrollment period. Following completion of faculty submission of final grades, and final calculation of GPAs and Academic Status, students are responsible for viewing their grades and status on their personal BOSS account (menu option “Grades” or “Unofficial Transcript”).

A student may be in academic good standing and eligible to enroll; graduate academic probation and eligible to enroll; or dropped to post-baccalaureate, and therefore not eligible to enroll in graduate-level courses.

Although students will usually receive additional official notification of academic status, such notice is not a prerequisite to students being placed in one of the above categories.

Graduate Status Appeals Procedure

Recognizing the unique attributes of graduate study, Louisiana Tech University has adopted policies pertaining to the appeal process for issues faced by graduate students. Students who are in poor academic standing that want to apply to change degree programs also follow this appeals procedure and may be reinstated solely for the purpose of applying to another program. The new program determines any condition of admissions. The following policy will be followed by graduate students wishing to appeal decisions related to their status as graduate students or their progress in graduate programs.

1. Graduate status appeals must be presented in writing to appropriate University personnel detailing the issue to be addressed and a proposed solution to students’ appeals.
2. A student must initiate a College-level appeal of his/her graduate status within two calendar weeks of a change in graduate status. Each subsequent appeal must be made within two calendar weeks of the student being advised of the previous level appeal decision.
3. Levels of Appeal:

• Loss of graduate status may be appealed in writing to the Graduate Director of the college in which the student is enrolled. A letter of support from the graduate advisor should accompany student appeals. If appeal is denied at the college level, student may file an appeal at the next administrative level.
• The College decision may be appealed to the University Graduate Council. A letter of support from the College should accompany an appeal to the Graduate Council. The Council will make a decision at a scheduled meeting or by poll vote. If a majority of the Council cannot be contacted for a poll vote, the Dean of the Graduate School may make a decision.
• A student may appeal the decision of the Graduate Council to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
• A decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs may be appealed to the President of Louisiana Tech University.

Student Loads

The maximum graduate credit course load for a graduate student is 12 semester hours in a regular session. Not more than 9 hours of this total may be 500- and 600-level courses which will include, in master’s programs, research and thesis and/or special non-lecture courses, except with the permission of the student’s director of graduate studies. Students who hold full-time assistantships in a regular session will be required to reduce the maximum load by 3 hours. In addition, the appropriate department may require further load reductions. For sessions shorter than 1 quarter, the maximum load will be 1 hour of graduate credit for each week of the session.

A graduate student is verified as full-time with 6 or more graduate semester hours. A student receiving an assistantship must be qualified as a full-time graduate student. A graduate degree candidate, in his/her final quarter, may carry only the courses required for graduation and still be considered a full-time student.

Regulations for Enrollment, Registration, and Graduation

Continuous Enrollment and Registration

If circumstances prevent continuous enrollment for one or more quarters (except Summer Quarter), graduate students must apply for readmission. Graduate students must remain continuously enrolled during the research/practicum phase of their program. Students requiring, at any point during the academic term in question, a faculty or staff member’s time and assistance, laboratory facilities, library services, etc., while engaged in research or practicum, must register for a minimum of 3 hours of graduate credit in the subject associated with the required activity – research or practicum. Students sitting for examinations only (i.e. not registered for coursework or research) must register in the appropriate examination course required by their academic program. Graduate students must comply with time limitations for completion of programs set by policy for the graduate program in which they are enrolled.

Graduate students will conform to the registration schedule of the University and may not enter later than the last allowable date published in the Academic Calendar by the University Registrar.

Graduate International students are required to be enrolled for a minimum of 6 graduate credit hours in their degree program each term until graduation to maintain F-1 student visa status.

During his/her first quarter of graduate study, and before registering for successive quarters, a graduate student must obtain his or her advisor’s approval of his/her proposed program (Plan of Study).

Graduate Status for Graduation

Graduate students are required to register for graduation in the quarter during which they complete all degree requirements. The candidate must be unconditionally admitted to their program (e.g. not in reinstatement/conditional readmission status).

A candidate for graduation who fails to pass the final examination in only one course during the last quarter’s work may be permitted to take a “deficiency examination” in this course. If the student fails the “deficiency examination,” the course must be repeated.

Graduation

Commencement exercises are held and advanced degrees may be conferred at the close of any quarter, including the Summer Quarter. A student who is scheduled to receive a degree at the end of a quarter is expected to attend the commencement exercises. Degree candidates are required to arrive at the place of assembly no later than 1 hour before commencement exercises are scheduled to begin. A candidate can petition to be absent through a written request to the University President.

The applicant for graduation must be registered at Louisiana Tech University. Applications for graduation must be reported to the appropriate director for graduate studies and to the University Registrar by Friday of the third week of the quarter in which the student expects to graduate. Arrangements for caps, gowns, and hoods should be made in the University Bookstore.

Oral Defense of Thesis or Dissertation

Graduate students completing a thesis or dissertation as part of their degree program should check with their academic college for specific requirements. Oral defense of a thesis or dissertation must take place no later than the 10^th class day of the quarter of expected graduation. Students are strongly advised to complete their defense in the prior quarter. In addition, all published deadlines for submission of a thesis or dissertation to the Graduate School and Library must be met for any given quarter.

General Requirements for all Master’s Degrees

Some departments impose degree requirements that are more restrictive than the general requirements. The student is advised to check the department or college section of the Catalog for the area of study to be pursued. All students are expected to make and are responsible for making continuous satisfactory progress while pursuing the master’s degree.

Advisory Committee

Thesis, Dissertation, and/or Comprehension Examination with Committee Membership Programs

Students pursuing a thesis, dissertation, and/or comprehension examinations with committee membership programs are assigned a major advisor upon approval for admission to Graduate School. After consultation with the Major Advisor, an Advisory Committee consisting of 3-5 members of the graduate faculty will be appointed for each student no later than the second year of study. For students pursuing a program of study administered by more than one college, the Advisory Committee shall consist of at least 3 members, with at least 1 member from the participating colleges. Colleges may require a specific makeup of committee membership for specific degree programs. It will be the responsibility of the Advisory Committee to counsel with the student and to make any changes to the individual Plan of Study that is then filed with the Graduate School.

Course Work Only, Practicum, and/or Comprehensive Examinations with Single Membership Programs

Students pursuing course work only, practicum, and/or comprehensive examinations with single membership programs are only required to have the Major Advisor. However, the decision to require an Advisory Committee will be left to the discretion of the College and Academic Program.

Plan of Study

A Major Advisor is assigned to each student upon approval for admission to the Graduate School. It is the responsibility of the Major Advisor to counsel with the student and to develop a Plan of Study that is then filed with the Graduate School by the end of the first quarter of graduate study (except Summer Quarter). For students pursuing a program of study administered by more than one college, an Advisor from each participating college should approve the initial Plan of Study and any revisions made to the Plan of Study. Students will not be allowed to register is on file with the Graduate School. A final Plan of Study with all graduate grades earned except final grades for the current quarter must be completed and submitted to the Graduate School prior to graduation.

Minimum Credit Requirement

The minimum credit requirement for the master’s degree is 30 semester hours of graduate work, not more than 6 of which may be allowed for research and thesis. In optional programs not requiring a thesis, the standard course requirements should not be less than 30 hours. Students who do not write a thesis must demonstrate acceptable proficiency in research and reporting. A minimum of one half of the credit hours for the degree must be in courses open only to graduate students.

Transfer Credits

To satisfy requirements, a graduate student must earn at least two-thirds of the credit hours required for a master’s degree at Louisiana Tech University.

Upon approval of the department involved, 1/3 of the hours required for the master’s degree, a maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate resident credit, may be transferred for degree credit from a U. S. regionally accredited college or university. Accreditation status is confirmed through the publications Higher Education Directory and Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education. The grade earned must be “B” or above, and the credits must be accepted as applicable to the master’s degree program by the student’s academic college. Research and thesis credits are not eligible for transfer. Transfer credit from non-U.S. institutions may require the evaluation of transcripts by an external agency. The final approval of transfer credit rests with the Dean of the Graduate School. No correspondence credits are applicable toward a master’s degree.

Transfer credit for graduate courses will be posted on the student’s transcript only by written request from the student’s graduate committee chairperson and approved by the college graduate director. Transfer credit will be posted only for courses listed on the student’s approved Plan of Study.

Thesis

The requirement of a thesis varies within the University; therefore, the prospective student should check the college and/or departmental sections of the catalog for their stipulations. General requirements, applicable to all graduate students meeting this thesis requirement, are enumerated below.

• A thesis subject should be selected by the student in consultation with the student’s advisor and must be approved by the Advisory Committee. With permission of the Advisory Committee, a student not in residence but who has satisfied all course requirements may complete the thesis “in absentia.”
• The research and thesis must be certified by registration in and completion of all requirements of the research and thesis courses numbered 551. If the student does not complete the course during the quarter in which he or she is registered for it, an incomplete or “I” grade will be given in the course until such time as all requirements are completed, including the thesis. The limit on clearing this grade is graduation. The thesis, in order to be approved, must be written in correct English and in scholarly form. It must show independent thought, both in its recognition of a clearly defined problem and in its method of treatment. It must reveal the sources of information and a knowledge of the bibliography of a special field. If a student’s thesis contains proprietary information that the student wishes to retain as proprietary after submitting his or her thesis to the Graduate School and the Library, the student is permitted, based upon the recommendation of the chairperson of the committee responsible for approval of a student’s thesis to the Graduate School, to substitute sample data for actual data, facsimile illustrations for actual illustrations, and “what-if” situations for actual situations, as appropriate, in the document being released to the public domain. The student will include an appropriate disclaimer in the thesis to state that samples, facsimiles, etc., are being substituted for proprietary information in the document being released to the public domain.
• The publication “Guidelines for the Preparation of Your Thesis or Dissertation” is available in the Graduate School Office and on the Graduate School website at http://www.latech.edu/graduate_school/thesis_dissertations/grad_guidelines_thesis.php and should be used as a guide in the preparation of the thesis. Students must meet published deadlines for submitting their thesis. The approved final copy of the thesis must be submitted to the college director of graduate studies 3 weeks before the expected date of graduation, to the Dean of the Graduate School 2 weeks before the expected date of graduation, and to Prescott Memorial Library 5 working days before the expected date of graduation.
• The director of graduate studies in each academic college will notify the academic dean and the Graduate School a minimum of one week prior to graduation that the candidate has completed all requirements other than the final quarter’s grades and is eligible to receive the appropriate degree. A student will not be permitted to graduate unless all grades are cleared.

Students requiring a faculty member’s time and assistance, laboratory facilities, library services, etc., while engaged in research and/or practicum must register for a minimum of 3 hours of graduate credit in the subject associated with the required activity – research, practicum, or examinations.

Should a chair of a thesis/dissertation committee leave the University and no suitable faculty member on staff at the University be available to fulfill the duties of chair, then, at the discretion of the College and with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School, the chair in question may continue to serve on a voluntary basis with an adjunct appointment to the University’s Graduate Faculty for that specific purpose only. The adjunct appointment will terminate upon the student’s successful completion of the thesis/dissertation or upon the chair’s subsequent replacement by a suitable faculty member on staff at the University.

Examinations

Oral and/or written comprehensive examinations will be administered by the Advisory Committee sufficiently in advance of graduation in order that the dean of the academic college (or a representative) in which the student is a candidate for a graduate degree may notify the Graduate School Office. This notification should be made at least one week before commencement and should state that all requirements have been satisfied, contingent upon satisfactory grades for the final quarter. Otherwise, the candidate will be delayed one quarter in receiving his or her degree. A student who does not successfully pass the comprehensive examination is entitled to only one repeat examination. No oral or written comprehensive examination is required for the MBA and MPA.

Time Limit for Degree

The time limit for the completion of all requirements for the master’s degree shall be six consecutive calendar years from the time of initial enrollment in the degree. 

Appeal:  Appeals for extension of the time limit must originate with the student. The appeal must describe the circumstances that prevented the student from completing the degree in a timely manner, a plan, and a timeline for the remaining steps to complete the degree. The appeal will be reviewed by the College graduate director, Dean of the College, and the Dean of the Graduate School and, if appropriate, approved. An extension to the time limit for degree completion will not normally exceed one year. 

Dual-Degree Programs

Students wishing to pursue two degrees simultaneously must provide the Graduate School with documentation for the Primary and Secondary degree program from the college(s) in which the degree program(s) resides. Appropriate admission procedures must be followed and separate applications submitted for each degree program. A processing fee must be paid for each program application. Each degree program must be supervised by an appropriate Advisory Committee with all paperwork, including Plan of Study, completed and submitted for each program being pursued.

Program changes must be reported by the appropriate college(s) to the University Registrar and the Graduate School immediately. Degree audits are required for each program being pursued. The Primary program must be completed first.

If two master’s degrees are sought simultaneously, the requirements for “A Second Master’s Degree” apply to the secondary program of which no more than 15 graduate credit hours from the primary degree may be applied towards the secondary degree. All published guidelines, policies, and procedures are applicable to these programs.

Earning a Second Master’s Degree

A student pursuing a second master’s degree must earn a minimum of 15 additional graduate hours at Louisiana Tech, in addition to the thesis or practicum if required, and must satisfy the requirements for a minimum number of exclusive graduate courses to be taken in the area in which the second degree is being earned, Some colleges may require more than 15 hours. A student pursuing a second master’s degree may be allowed to apply from a previous graduate degree a maximum of one-half the credits required for the second degree. Transfer hours will not be approved on a second master’s degree. If two master’s degrees are sought simultaneously, the requirements for “Earning a Second Master’s Degree” apply to the secondary program.

International students wishing to pursue a second master’s degree or advance to a doctoral program need to obtain a new I-20 to comply with INS regulations.

Pursuing Two Concentrations

A graduate student may earn two concentrations within the same degree/major combination, provided that at least 30% of the total credit hours applied towards one concentration is distinct from the other, and the requirements for both concentrations are completed at the time of graduation. Thesis and Practicum credits from one concentration cannot be applied to the other. Separate Plans of Study are required for each concentration.

General Requirements for All Doctoral Degrees

The doctoral degree is not awarded on the basis of completion of a course of study, however well done. Instead, the degree is earned by intensive individual study, inquiry, and original research by a well-qualified candidate under the close supervision of appropriate graduate faculty. The program must be tailored to the needs and interests of the candidate and to the needs and demands, present and future, of his or her profession. All students are expected to make and are responsible for making continuous satisfactory progress while pursuing the doctoral degree. Consequently, it is neither possible nor desirable to set firm and rigid requirements.

Because of the unique nature of each doctoral program and external programmatic constraints such as accreditation guidelines, the university-authorized requirements for individual doctoral programs may be more rigorous than the general requirements listed in this section or as specified by the State Board of Supervisors. Students interested in these programs should refer to listings under individual colleges or on appropriate college web sites.

Plan of Study

A Major Advisor is assigned to each student upon approval for admission to the Graduate School. It is the responsibility of the Major Advisor to counsel with the student and to develop a Plan of Study that is then filed with the Graduate School by the end of the first quarter of graduate study (except Summer Quarter). For students pursuing a program of study administered by more than one college, an Advisor from each participating college should approve the initial Plan of Study and any revisions made to the Plan of Study. Students will not be allowed to register until a Plan of Study is on file with the Graduate School. A final Plan of Study with all graduate grades earned except final grades for the current quarter must be completed and submitted to the Graduate School prior to graduation.

Minimum Credit Requirement

Formal course work is of indisputable value to bring the student into a scholarly relationship with members of the graduate faculty and to demonstrate accepted knowledge of a subject. A program leading to a doctoral degree normally shall be the equivalent of at least 3 years of graduate study beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Transfer Credits

Doctoral-level transfer credits can be granted for appropriate courses in which the grade earned is “B” or above, provided the credits are accepted as applicable to the degree program by the student’s academic college. Individual doctoral programs may impose more restrictive criteria for approving transfer credit.No transfer credit for extension courses will be accepted. Research and dissertation credits are not eligible for transfer.

The request for transfer credit is initiated by the student through the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies of the college. Transfer credit from non-U.S. institutions may require the evaluation of transcripts by an external agency. The final approval of transfer credit rests with the Dean of the Graduate School. A majority of the total credits required for a doctoral degree (excluding research and dissertation) must be earned at Louisiana Tech.

Transfer credit for graduate courses will be posted on the student’s transcript only by written request from the student’s graduate committee chairperson and approved by the college graduate director. Transfer credit will be posted only for courses listed on the student’s approved Plan of Study.

Research and Dissertation

The dissertation is required of all candidates for the doctoral degree and must be supported by adequate research and independent study of a problem of reasonable scope under the close supervision of appropriate graduate faculty. Each student is responsible for becoming knowledgeable of Graduate School and specific program requirements and policies. A minimum of 15 semester hours credit is granted for this research and dissertation through the medium of appropriate registrations as guided by the student’s Advisory Committee. Some doctoral programs may require more than the minimum 15 credit hours of research and dissertation. If the student does not complete the course during the quarter in which he or she is registered for it, an “I” grade will be given in the course until such time as all requirements are completed, including the dissertation. The limit on clearing this grade is graduation. Grades of “I” and “S” are used for these courses.

Students must meet published deadlines for submitting their dissertation. The approved final copy of the dissertation must be submitted to the college director of graduate studies 3 weeks before the expected date of graduation, to the Dean of the Graduate School 2 weeks before the expected date of graduation, and to Prescott Memorial Library 5 working days before the expected date of graduation.

If a student’s dissertation contains proprietary information that the student wishes to retain as proprietary after submitting his or her dissertation to the Graduate School and the Library, the student is permitted, based upon the recommendation of the chair of the committee responsible for approval of a student’s dissertation to the Graduate School, to substitute sample data for actual data, facsimile illustrations for actual illustrations, and “what-if” situations for actual situations, as appropriate, in the document being released to the public domain. The student will include an appropriate disclaimer in the dissertation to state that samples, facsimiles, etc., are being substituted for proprietary information in the document being released to the public domain.

The publication “Guidelines for the Preparation of Your Thesis or Dissertation” is available in the Graduate School Office and on the Graduate School website at http://www.latech.edu/graduate_school/thesis_dissertations/grad_guidelines_thesis.php and should be used as a guide in the preparation of dissertations. The University participates in the service for publication of doctoral dissertations provided by University Microfilms. Each abstract is published in “Dissertation Abstracts.” The doctoral candidate is advised to check with Prescott Memorial Library concerning this program.

The director of graduate studies in each academic college will notify the academic dean and the Graduate School a minimum of one week prior to graduation that the candidate has completed all requirements other than the final quarter’s grades and is eligible to receive the appropriate degree. A student will not be permitted to graduate unless all grades are cleared.

Should a chair of a thesis/dissertation committee leave the University and no suitable faculty member on staff at the University be available to fulfill the duties of chair, then, at the discretion of the College and with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School, the chair in question may continue to serve on a voluntary basis with an adjunct appointment to the University’s Graduate Faculty for that specific purpose only. The adjunct appointment will terminate upon the student’s successful completion of the thesis/dissertation or upon the chair’s subsequent replacement by a suitable faculty member on staff at the University.

Majors and Minors

It shall be the responsibility of the student’s Advisory Committee to explore with him or her and, subsequently, to define for the student his or her obligations toward majors and minors. The general content and scope of these majors for the disciplines involved shall have been approved by the Graduate Council and shall be so framed that their integrity is served in the administration of the program.

Examinations and Admission to Candidacy

After completion of a minimum of two full academic years of graduate work and compliance with any other requirements of the appropriate academic college, comprehensive examinations (general examinations) are required to determine whether the student is ready to be admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree. The results of these examinations may also determine additional work to be taken and may determine the feasibility of the dissertation project.

An examination defending the dissertation must be completed successfully at least two weeks prior to the date the final copy of the dissertation must be submitted to the college director of graduate studies before the degree is to be received.

Residence Requirement

The doctoral student is required to spend at least 3 quarters of graduate study in continuous residence. The transfer of course work from a recognized graduate school carries with it the transfer of residence credit, but a majority of the total credits required for a doctoral degree (excluding research and dissertation) must be earned from Louisiana Tech University. 

Time Limitation

Doctoral students will have nine years from initial enrollment in the degree to complete all requirements for the degree. All prior work applied to the degree (including transfer and locally earned credits) must have been completed within nine calendar years immediately preceding the date on which the degree is conferred. A student who does not complete the doctoral degree within the time limits described will be dropped from the program. 

Appeal:  Appeals for extension of the time limit must originate with the student. The appeal must describe the circumstances that prevented the student from completing the degree in a timely manner, a plan, and a time line for the remaining steps to complete the degree. The appeal will be reviewed by the College graduate director, Dean of the College, and the Dean of the Graduate School and, if appropriate, approved. An extension to the time limit for degree completion will not normally exceed two years. 

General Requirements for Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate Certificate Programs consist of a minimum of 12 to 24 graduate semester hours. No more than one-third of the 12 to 24 semester hours can be taken at the 400-level (eligible for graduate credit). All course work must be registered for and completed through Louisiana Tech University within a three-year (twelve-quarter) time limit.

Graduate students enrolled in Graduate Degree Programs (master’s or doctoral) at Louisiana Tech University can be concurrently enrolled in a Graduate Certificate Program. Undergraduate seniors are not eligible for concurrent enrollment in the Graduate Certificate Program.

The Graduate Certificate Program is a non-degree track. It should be noted that success in or successful completion of a Graduate Certificate Program does not guarantee admission into a Graduate Degree Program. Federal Title IV student financial assistance and tuition waivers will not be available for students classified as graduate certificate students.

Admission to the Graduate Certificate Program

Obtain an application for admission to the Graduate Certificate Program, and follow the same timing of Graduate School admission procedures.

Applicants must:

• Have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited educational institution.
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.25/4.0 (or 2.5/4.0 on the final 60 semester hours of baccalaureate degree work).
• Provide a baccalaureate degree-posted official transcript, sent directly to the Graduate School.
• Submit a completed application to the Graduate School, including all required documentation and the application processing fee by the application due date.
• GRE/GMAT test scores are NOT required for admissions unless specifically required by the Graduate Certificate Program.
• International student applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL and/or IELTS scores before the application can be evaluated for admission. TOEFL score requirements are paper-based 550 or higher, or Internet-based 80 or higher; the minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. Successful completion of ELS 112 will be accepted as demonstration of English proficiency.
• Admission into a Graduate Certificate Program does not guarantee admission into a Graduate Degree Program, nor does admission into a Graduate Certificate Program imply the waiver of any requirements for admission into a Graduate degree program.
• The decision for admission into a Graduate Certificate Program will follow the procedures of review used for admission into existing Graduate degree programs.

Discipline-specific admission requirements will be monitored by the program coordinator in conjunction with the student’s assigned faculty advisor.

Student Enrollment Procedures

Students admitted to a Graduate Certificate Program will follow standard procedures for advising, registration, tuition/fee payment deadlines, grade reporting, and academic standards. Each student admitted into a Graduate Certificate Program will be assigned a faculty advisor.

Specific procedures relating to registration, enrollment, and matriculation are found in the University Catalog, in the quarterly publication “The Racing Form,” and in the special instructions areas of the Bulldog Online Student System (BOSS) areas of the Louisiana Tech University website.

Grade Requirements

Graduate Certificate Program students will meet the following quarterly and cumulative grade requirements at Louisiana Tech University:

• Graduate Certificate students must maintain a quarterly and cumulative 3.0 GPA on all course work.
• No grade lower than “C” and no more than two C’s will be counted toward a Graduate Certificate Program.
• Failure to achieve the quarterly/cumulative GPA requirements will result in the student being dropped from the certificate program.
• Student appeals for reinstatement will follow the Graduate Status Appeals Procedure (details can be found in this chapter of the University Catalog).

Full-time status for a Graduate Certificate Program student will consist of a minimum of 6 graduate semester hours. Graduate Certificate Program students should remain continuously enrolled until completion of their program. If they are unable to do so, they must apply for admission upon return to the program.

Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Louisiana Tech University provides equal educational opportunities for all graduate students, and this policy of equal opportunity is fully implemented in all programs of financial aid to assist students in obtaining an education at Louisiana Tech.

An extensive financial aid program encompassing employment, loans, and scholarships is available to assist students. Need, skills, and academic performance are carefully weighed to develop a “financial package” for qualifying graduate students.

Employment is available in a wide variety of forms to the graduate student who is willing to work. Areas of work include but are not limited to clerical, maintenance, food service, laboratories, library, and dormitories. Pay rates are commensurate with the skill and experience required, and work is limited to avoid interference with academic pursuits. The University participates in the Federal College Work-Study program designed to assist students with financial need in addition to employment available through individual departments on campus.

The student is advised to make inquiries at the Office of Student Financial Aid in person or by writing to the office at Box 7925, Ruston, Louisiana 71272-0029 in January prior to fall enrollment.

Graduate students must be unconditionally admitted and enrolled in their degree program in order to qualify for their federal assistance. Federal regulations stipulate that any undergraduate and graduate student must be enrolled “in an eligible program for the purpose of obtaining a degree, certificate, or other recognized credential.” Non-degree students do not qualify for financial aid. Before graduate students can be considered eligible for any financial assistance, they must meet all admission standards as specified by the Graduate School and their academic college. Students admitted as Transient and Life-Long Learning are considered enrolled in a non-degree program, and, therefore, are not eligible to receive federal financial aid. Federal Title IV student financial assistance and tuition waivers are not available for students classified as graduate certificate students. All inquiries regarding these standards should be referred to the Graduate School or to the appropriate academic dean.

Graduate students must meet the requirements for “satisfactory progress” in order to be eligible for participation in the programs of student financial aid at Louisiana Tech University. What constitutes “satisfactory progress” and the consequences of failure to meet them successfully are applicable to the federal financial aid programs in a different fashion from regulations governing academic probation and suspension. Federal regulations frequently mandate amendments to established policies; consequently, financial aid participants (and potential participants) would be well-advised to maintain close liaison with the Financial Aid Office regarding these requirements.

All applicants for federal financial assistance must complete their file in the Financial Aid Office at least two months prior to the beginning of the quarter for which they seek to receive aid. Priority is given to applications received by or before published deadlines. The following sources of financial assistance are available to eligible students, providing funds are available.

Monthly Payment Options for Students and Families

Tuition Management Systems offer families several Monthly Payment Options to help make education expenses more affordable. The Interest-Free Monthly Payment Option enables families to spread all or part of the annual expenses over equal monthly payments. There are no interest charges and only a small annual fee. This plan includes life insurance protection covering the unpaid balance at no additional cost. Additionally, low-interest monthly payment options, including an unsecured loan, a home equity credit line, and federally backed loans, are also available. Please contact Tuition Management Systems at 1-800-722-4867 or 401-849-1550 for more information on these programs.

Federal Perkins Loan Program

A Perkins Loan is a low-interest loan designated to help undergraduate and graduate students pay educational costs. A graduate student may borrow up to an aggregate for all years of $60,000. A new student borrower has a nine-month “period of grace” after the student ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis at the University before repayment must begin.

Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program (Formerly Guaranteed Student Loan Program)

Stafford loans are available for students meeting certain qualifications. Loans are made up to $8,500 per year for Subsidized Stafford and $12,000 per year in the Unsubsidized Stafford for graduate students. Aggregate loan limits are $138,500 for graduate/professional students of which no more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate debt limit includes any subsidized Stafford Loans received for undergraduate study.

After a student’s application has been processed by the Office of Student Financial Aid, his/her Stafford loan is electronically certified and submitted for guarantee. He/She will receive a promissory note from the Guarantee agency which he/she must complete with references and return to his/her lender, credit union, or savings and loan association. This process may take three weeks before funds are available. Under the Subsidized Stafford Loan Program, interest charges to the student and repayments begin six (6) months after the student is no longer at least a half-time student. In the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program, interest does accrue while the student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis and students are required to make interest payments while in school or have the interest capitalized. To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a Louisiana Tech Financial Aid Data Form.

Academic Scholarships

Louisiana Tech University has a General Scholarship Program; in addition, each of the five colleges (Applied and Natural Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering & Science, and Liberal Arts) has its own scholarship program. Graduate students interested in applying should contact their academic college for more information.

Scholarships are divided into the following categories:

• Academic Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of demonstrated ability—usually with regard to need.
• Grant-in-aid and Service Awards. Frequently, these are awarded on the basis of special skills and require the student to render a service to the University. Included in this category are scholarships in athletics, music, band, and academics.

Vocational Rehabilitation Grants

Vocational Rehabilitation is a public service program for physically and mentally handicapped individuals. To be eligible, a person must have a permanent disability which constitutes a job handicap. Graduate students with disabilities are advised to contact the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation in their districts for consideration of their cases.

Veterans’ Orphans Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to sons and daughters of deceased war veterans. Students apply to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in their district.

Graduate Assistantships

Assistantships are offered for students pursuing master’s or doctoral degree programs. A student should contact the appropriate college for information concerning these assistantships. Students admitted to Graduate School non-degree programs will not be considered for assistantship funding.

Applications for Graduate Assistantships should be submitted to the Graduate School at least 4 months prior to the term the student expects to enroll. For assistantships awarded in the Fall quarter, applications would need to be submitted by February 1 preceding the fiscal year (fiscal year begins July 1) for which application for admission is made. Assistantship forms can be completed online on the Graduate School web site at www.latech.edu/graduate_school/financial_assistance.

Eligibility requirements:

• Must be eligible for admission to the Graduate School,
• Must meet the requirements of the individual College, and
• Must submit a satisfactory standardized test score required in his/her field.

University Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines for Graduate Assistants may be viewed on the Graduate School website at www.latech.edu/graduate_school/financial_assistance/.

Federal regulations for student financial aid consider assistantships as a financial aid resource and must be calculated when determining a graduate student’s financial aid award.

Graduate Residentships

Graduate residentships are positions appointed by the Director of Housing for graduate students serving as hall directors in both men’s and women’s residence halls. Applicants may be married or single. There are limited positions available for summer. The applicant must be enrolled as a graduate student and agree to register for not more than six hours of course work each quarter. Responsibilities include residence hall staff supervision, program implementation, and coordination of hall administration. Additional information and application forms can be obtained from the Department of Housing, Louisiana Tech.