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Texas A&M University
Webmaster webmaster@mail.wtamu.edu All contents copyright (C) 1997, WTAMU. All rights reserved. Revised: April 30, 1999 |
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Objective of Graduate Study
The Graduate School at West Texas A&M
University provides the student with an opportunity for advanced study
and specialization in a variety of disciplines. The purpose of graduate
study is to encourage academic inquiry, to stimulate intellectual creativity,
and to foster the spirit of independent scholarship and research. Together,
graduate students and graduate faculty comprise a community of scholars
devoted to the extension of knowledge and to professional achievement.
History of the Graduate School
In 1930, the Board of regents authorized a fifth year of college-level
work and the granting of the master's degree. In 1932, the institution
became the first teachers college in Texas to offer the first year of graduate
instruction.
Between 1932 and 1965, three graduate degrees were offered: master of arts, master of business administration and master of education. In 1965, the University was authorized to grant the master of science degree in biology, chemistry and mathematics. In 1972, approval was given to offer the degrees of master of agriculture, master of professional accounting and master of music. A master of science in nursing was approved in 1977, master of arts degree in psychology in 1978, master of fine arts degree in 1980, master of science degree in finance and economics in 1990, master of science degree in environmental science in 1994 and a master of education in instructional technology in 1997.
Graduate School Accreditation
West Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's and master's degrees. The University
is a member of the Association of Texas Graduate Schools, the Conference
of Southern Graduate Schools and the American Association of Colleges for
Teacher Education.
All teacher-education programs of the University are approved and accredited by the Texas Education Agency. The University was admitted to membership in the National Association of Schools of Music and the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in 1991. The graduate program in nursing received National League for Nursing accreditation in 1983.
Support Facilities
Cornette Library, Killgore Research Center and computer facilties
are available to support graduate studentsÕ educational programs.
These are described in greater detail in the undergraduate portion of this
catalog. Additionally, various academic departments maintain specialized
research equipment, laboratories or other facilities peculiar to their
graduate programs. For more information, contact the academic department
of your choice.
Graduate Council
The Graduate Council consists of graduate faculty members representing
departments which offer the master's degree. Members of the Council are
chosen to serve terms in accordance with the bylaws of the Graduate School.
Chairman of the Graduate Council is the dean of the Graduate School.
Graduate Programs and Degrees
Nine master's degrees are conferred by West Texas A&M University:
All graduate students must submit satisfactory scores from the appropriate standardized examination (application books are available in the Office of the Graduate School). Most students will take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), but the Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT) will be required for students in accounting, finance and economics and business administration. GRE and GMAT exams must be taken before or during the first semester of graduate work. All admission requirements must be met before the end of the first semester of work toward the graduate degree.
A score composed of the student's GRE or GMAT score and their overall undergraduate grade point average or their grade point average (GPA) on the last 60 hours will be used to determine the applicant's Graduate School admission status. However, no GRE score less that 650 (verbal + quantitative or verbal + analytical) nor 400 on the GMAT will be accepted. Students with scores less than these minimums must retake the examination and reapply for admission. Additionally, graduate students must meet criteria for one of the following admissions categories.
Regular Admission
GRE scores for regular admission are determined by adding the
verbal and quantitative scores or the verbal and analytical scores for
a total GRE score (minimum total is 650). The formulas listed below are
used to calculate the score for admission to the Graduate School:
Minimum GMAT is 400. Formulas listed below are used to calculate
the score for admission to Graduate School:
or
Students scoring less than 400 on the GMAT must retake the
exam and reapply for admission to Graduate School.
Probationary Admission
An applicant admitted to the University who does not meet the
criteria for regular admission but who has scored at least 650 on the GRE
(verbal + quantitative or verbal + analytical) or 400 on the GMAT may petition
for probationary admission. The student will be required to complete 12-15
hours of enrollment in graduate work with no grade below "C" and a plan
of study must be submitted.
Unclassified Admission
To ensure applicability of courses, the student should select
a particular graduate degree program before admission to Graduate School.
However, if a student enters an unclassified program of study, the student
may request that a maximum of 15 graduate hours be transferred from the
program of unclassified study to a particular degree program. Acceptance
of the request depends on the applicability of the completed work to the
degree selected, on the caliber of the student's grades and on the approval
of the dean of the Graduate School.
Other Admission Notes
International students desiring to pursue a graduate degree,
students seeking readmission and students seeking academic "Fresh Start"
should consult applicable sections of the undergraduate section of this
catalog for further information. Determination of residency (tuition status)
for graduate students is the same as for undergraduates.
Undergraduates and Graduate Credit
An undergraduate within 12 hours of a bachelor's degree who is
not deficient in grade points may register for work to be counted as graduate
credit under the following conditions:
Admission to Candidacy and Catalog Privilege
Admission to candidacy means that the student has been admitted
to a degree program, that the proposed program for the degree sought has
been approved by the head of the department in which the student is majoring
and that the dean of the Graduate School has officially approved it. The
degree program should be planned by the student and academic adviser as
soon as possible following the student's admission to the Graduate School.
For the purpose of determining degree requirements, the student's official
University catalog shall be the catalog that is current during the semester
the student's plan of study is approved.
Procedure for Obtaining the Master's Degree
A convenient summary of procedures for obtaining the master's
degree is available in the Office of the Graduate School. It is the student's
responsibility to make sure that all degree requirements are met for graduation.
General Requirements
The undergraduate preparation of candidates for the master's
degree will correspond to requirements for the same or a similar bachelor's
degree at West Texas A&M University. Candidates may be required to
complete additional work in specified courses in addition to the minimum
courses and residence requirements.
Students with undergraduate degrees in social sciences and the social studies composite teaching field are eligible to major in any social science in which they have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours (six hours advanced).
Eighteen hours of education or a permanent teacher's certificate are prerequisite for the master's degree in education except for Instructional Technology and Professional Counseling. Master's degree programs in mental health and professional counseling have specific requirements, and interested students should consult these advisers.
Time Requirements and Course Loads
Once a student has been accepted as a graduate major, requirements
for the master's degree must be completed within six years unless the graduate
dean, in consultation with the head of the student's major department,
grants an extension of the time limit. The time period will begin with
the first course beyond leveling courses counted toward the master's degree.
Maximum semester load for graduate students is 15 hours, seven hours during summer sessions. Course loads above the maximums may be approved by the student's academic dean. Six hours is considered a minimum full-time load.
Courses numbered 5300 or higher are for graduate credit. In special cases, graduate credit may be given for 300- and 400-level courses by special permission. Students must file for this credit through the dean of the Graduate School prior to registration.
Scholarship Standards
Graduate students must maintain a "B' average for all course
work offered toward degree requirements. Courses with grades of "D", "F",
"I" (incomplete), "T" (thesis in progress) or "X" (drop or withdrawal)
cannot be used to satisfy requirements of a graduate degree but will be
used in computing a studentÕs academic standing.
If a graduate student's grade point average falls below a "B", the student will be placed on academic probation. Length of the probationary period will be determined by the dean of the Graduate School. Students who do not raise their grade point average to a "B" by the end of the probationary period will be dismissed from the Graduate School and suspended from further work toward a master's degree at WTAMU. Students suspended from the Graduate School may request removal from suspension by seeking a written request from the appropriate academic dean to the graduate dean.
Resident Requirements
Thesis Option
A student electing to write a master's thesis must register for
Thesis 5501 when beginning thesis research . The student must then register
for Thesis 5502 every consecutive 16-week semester until the thesis is
completed and accepted by the University, including the semester in which
the degree is conferred. The student may not enroll in Thesis 5501 and
5502 in the same semester. If the student fails to enroll, a reinstatement
fee will be assessed. If a degree is to be awarded at the end of the summer
sessions, the student must enroll in a thesis course in one summer session.
A thesis guide is available from the University Bookstore. Theses will
be made available to the public.
Students receive a grade of "T" (thesis in progress) for each enrollment in Thesis 5501 and 5502. When the thesis has been accepted, the student receives six hours (Thesis 5501 and 5502) toward the master's degree and a final letter grade for both thesis courses. Students registered only in Thesis 5501 or 5502 pay reduced tuition and may register by phone (5502 only). To receive reduced tuition, the student must contact the Graduate School.
Non-Thesis Option
Students selecting the non-thesis option must complete at least
one course in research and reporting as suggested by the departmental adviser.
Degree Plans
A plan of study will be prepared by the departmental graduate
adviser and submitted to the graduate dean for approval.
Programs of study that are legally binding are those approved
by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Plans of study are intended
as guides to students. The student bears the ultimate responsibility for
meeting all requirements that result in the University conferring the master's
degree.
Comprehensive Examination
A comprehensive examination-oral, written or both-covering the
field of concentration and the thesis (if the thesis option is chosen)
is required for all master's candidates except M.B.A. and M.P.A./B.B.A.
students. Examinations are administered by the head of the student's major
department. Results of the exam must be reported in writing to the Office
of the Graduate School. For more information about departmental policy
on comprehensive examinations, please see the appropriate department head.
If a student fails the first examination, one semester or the equivalent (16 weeks or two summer sessions) must elapse before the student takes the exam again. Additional course work, research or directed study will be recommended for the student in the interim. The second failure of a comprehensive examination will result in automatic suspension from the Graduate School.
At least five days prior to the comprehensive examination, the name of the candidate, the title of the thesis or research, recital or exhibition, if any, and the day, date, time and place in which the event is scheduled shall be posted in a prominent place, and the dean of the Graduate School shall be so notified in writing. Oral comprehensive examinations, recitals and exhibitions shall be open to all members of the University academic community. Participation of noncommittee members is at the discretion of the committee chairperson.
Application for a Graduate Degree
Students must make application for graduate degrees early in
the semester they expect to receive their degrees. Deadline for spring
graduation is March 1, for summer graduation is July 1 and for fall graduation
is October 1. (Consult the appropriate Schedule of Classes for corrected
dates.) Applications are available in the Office of the Graduate School.
Transfer, Extension and Correspondence Work
Approved transfer and extension work is counted as graduate credit
but may not be used to fulfill the 5500-level requirement. In order for
graduate course work to be transferable to WTAMU, the course must have
been assigned a formal grade, "A" or "B" only. Upon approval of the dean
of the Graduate School, up to one-third of formal course work toward the
graduate degree may be transfer work, exclusive of thesis and independent
study courses.
Correspondence work will not be accepted toward a master's degree.
Permission to utilize transfer and extension courses on a Plan of Study must be approved in advance by the department head, college dean and graduate dean. Transfer and extension work may not constitute more than one-third of the formal course work toward the degree, exclusive of thesis.
Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree
A candidate for the master of arts degree completes a minimum
of 30 hours of graduate work. A minimum of 18 hours will be in the student's
major field, and at least nine hours will be in courses numbered 5500 or
above. At least half of the total hours for this degree will be in courses
numbered in the 5500s. The remaining work may be done in courses numbered
5300 or above, or in approved 300- and 400-level courses.
Master of Science (M.S.) Degree
This degree is for students working toward the master's degree
with majors in agriculture, biology, chemistry, exercise and sport sciences,
engineering technology, environmental science, finance and economics, interdisciplinary
studies and mathematics. Students may take the thesis or non-thesis option
as decided by the head of the major department. The student's work may
all be in the major field, or at least 18 hours in the major field (thesis
plan) and additional hours in a related area(s). Students following the
non-thesis plan may take all work in the major field, or at least 21 hours
in the major field and additional hours in a related field or fields. At
least half of the total hours for this degree will be in courses numbered
in the 5500s.
Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A. or M.S. Degree)
The master of arts degree or master of science degree in the
interdisciplinary studies was conceived to meet the needs of two particular
groups: (1) mature individuals who are established in their careers but
seek intellectual stimulation and enrichment possible through continuing
university educational experiences, and (2) students whose career goals
are such that a somewhat flexible program allowing for graduate-level studies
in non-traditional combinations is more beneficial than established programs.
Admission Requirements
In addition to admission requirements for graduate study, a candidate
for admission must submit essay responses to the following:
Degree Requirements
36 hours satisfying the following requirements:
Professional Degree Requirements
For professional degree requirements in agriculture, business,
education, fine arts or nursing, refer to these sections of the catalog.
Second Master's Degree
Upon completion of a master's degree, a student may begin a second
master's program in a field of concentration different from the first master's
program. Credit hours applied to one degree cannot be applied to the second
degree, except the M.F.A. degree.
Financial Aid, Scholarships, Assistantships and
Expenses
Financial Aid and Scholarships
West Texas A&M University students have federal, state and
private financial aid available, including scholarships, grants, loans
and student-employment opportunities.
Many aid programs are based on financial need. However, a number of scholarships honor students for achievements without regard for need. Part-time students are also eligible for some forms of financial aid. For a listing of scholarships, loans and student employment opportunities offered through the University, see the "Financial Aid and Scholarships" section, page 253. For more information about financial aid programs, contact Student Financial Services, WTAMU Box 60939, Canyon, Texas 79016-0001 or call (806)651-2055.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate teaching assistantships are available to students pursuing
graduate degrees in art, biology, business, chemistry, economics, English,
mathematics, music, nursing, psychology and speech. These assistantships
generally carry a stipend of $6,000 for approximately half-time teaching
during the academic year. The assistant must at the same time take work
toward the master's degree in a chosen field. Students must check with
the appropriate department head to determine the number of hours required
for enrollment while receiving an assistantship. Normally, the student
whose assistantship requires approximately half-time teaching may expect
to complete the graduate degree in two years by taking some work in summers.
A limited number of non-teaching assistantships are available. Stipends
are subject to change based on available funds.
Students interested in graduate assistantships should contact the head of the department in which they plan to pursue the graduate degree.
Expenses
A summary of costs and tuition exemptions (for veterans and vocational
rehabilitation) is available in the "Expenses and Financial Aid" section
of this catalog. Expenses exclusive to the graduate program include:
Fees are subject to change by the University.
| Catalog
Homepage |
Top of Page |
| West
Texas A&M University
Webmaster webmaster@mail.wtamu.edu All contents copyright (C) 1997, WTAMU. All rights reserved. Revised: April 30, 1999 |
|