Graduate
Degree Programs
At UW-Stevens Point you may select among
fully accredited programs leading to these graduate degrees:
In addition, you may take part in programs offered through
UW-Stevens Point's cooperative arrangement with UW-Oshkosh that lead to the:
You may also take part in programs offered through
UW-Stevens Point's cooperative arrangements with UW-Superior that lead to the:
Responsibility and Policy
The graduate faculty, through the Graduate Council and Faculty
Senate, establish general requirements for graduate degrees. Each department offering
a graduate program establishes discipline-specific degree requirements.
Graduate Study policies intend to:
- Facilitate orderly progress of graduate students through
their degree programs;
- Meet expectations of accrediting agencies, other graduate
schools, and the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents;
- Provide a common university standard and encourage the
development of quality programs.
As a graduate student, it is your responsibility to become
aware of and abide by graduate study policies. Every effort will be made by graduate study
personnel, coordinators, and advisors to aid you as you progress through your graduate
career at UW-Stevens Point.
Graduate
Study Faculty/Staff
Graduate Faculty
Members of the graduate faculty have all earned terminal degrees (or equivalent), hold
the rank of assistant professor or higher, and have successful teaching experience or
continuing evidence of scholarly achievement and professional activity in their
discipline. They are nominated by their departments and are approved by the
UWSP Graduate Council. Graduate faculty status allows individuals to regularly teach
graduate courses, be actively involved in graduate affairs, and chair graduate students' committees. Graduate faculty have a "G" following their listing which
appears at the end of the printed catalog. Please check
with your department for names of graduate faculty members who are eligible
to chair
graduate students' committees.
Graduate Council
The Graduate Council is a
standing committee of the Faculty Senate. As the representative body of the
graduate faculty, the Graduate Council has the authority to recommend and
determine policies related to the graduate programs of the university
(subject to review by the Faculty Senate).
Departmental Graduate Committees/Coordinators
Most of the larger departments offering graduate degrees have graduate committees
and/or a graduate coordinator to deal with policy matters related specifically to their
graduate degree programs. These committees/coordinators have general departmental
concerns, and they should not be confused with your personal graduate committee and your
graduate advisor. Departmental graduate committees/ coordinators serve ALL of the graduate
students in the department. Your graduate advisor and your graduate committee serve
YOU.
UW-Stevens Point does not have a dedicated
office for handling graduate student issues and administration. When you
have questions about a specific degree program, go to the department
graduate committee or coordinator first. You will find that these
coordinators or committees are a valuable resource of information.
Student/University Relationships
Freedoms and Responsibilities. The
university assumes that graduate students have intellectual maturity and a sense of
commitment to the academic community. The freedoms and responsibilities listed below are
general guidelines for your relationship to the university.
As a graduate student you are FREE:
- to express yourself freely in the classroom and take
reasoned exception to the data and views presented in any course.
- from prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation.
- from disclosure of views or beliefs presented to an
instructor during graduate study, except with your consent.
- to organize and join associations to promote your common
interests.
- to examine and discuss questions of interest both publicly
and privately.
- exercise the rights you enjoy as citizens (the freedom of
speech, peaceful assembly, and rights of petition) without interference from the
university.
As a graduate student you have the RESPONSIBILITY:
- to help maintain the atmosphere of free inquiry and free
expression inherent in the academic community.
- to respect the right of other members of the community to
express themselves freely.
- to observe scrupulous standards of intellectual honesty.
Graduate Study Academic Ethics
Only work that is solely yours may be submitted to a professor in the form of an
examination paper, weekly course work, term paper, class project, research project, or thesis, unless the
instructor specifically authorizes group work. This expectation applies to all
work submitted.
Cheating and plagiarism are prohibited. Plagiarism is the
process of stealing or passing off as your own someone else's words or ideas, or
presenting as your own an idea or product which is obtained from an existing source. To
avoid any appearance of plagiarism or accidental plagiarism, it is important that you
learn correct citation procedures for your discipline and your classes. The plea of
ignorance regarding citation procedures or of carelessness in citation is no defense
against allegations of plagiarism.
You may not:
- purchase papers from commercial sources.
- use a single paper to meet the requirements of more than one
course unless the professors of the courses approve.
- submit a paper or project completed by someone else.
Students who have engaged in academic
misconduct will be subject to UW-System procedures.
Research Misconduct Policy
Standards of Conduct. As a
researcher, you are expected to retain appropriate documentation for your research and
adhere to accepted ethical standards appropriate to your academic discipline.
Definition of Research Misconduct.
Misconduct is
intentional falsification of data, plagiarism, or other practices that deviate from common
research practice within the academic community for proposing, conducting, or reporting
research. Honest error and differences in interpretation of data are not considered
misconduct. Misconduct is prohibited at UWSP and may be cause for discipline or dismissal.
Reporting Research Misconduct.
Research
collaborators, colleagues, and anyone who has reason to believe that research misconduct
has occurred are responsible for reporting the misconduct. Retaliation because of good
faith reporting of misconduct is prohibited. However, individuals found to have brought
allegations of a frivolous and/or malicious nature are subject to the same range of
disciplinary action as those who are found guilty of this policy.
Procedures regarding Culminating
Experiences:
Allegations
- Report allegations in writing to the dean of the appropriate
college. The accused and the dean of his/her college will be informed in writing within 10
days of the allegation: (1) that he/she is being investigated, (2) exactly what the
allegations are, and (3) the identity of the accuser.
- The dean of the college will undertake a prompt and discreet
inquiry. All matters pertaining to the investigation and evidence supplied will be kept in
strict confidence. An inquiry consists of information gathering and preliminary
fact-finding to determine whether an allegation or apparent instance of misconduct
warrants an investigation. The initial inquiry will be completed within 60 days from the
time allegations were made to the dean.
- If the inquiry concludes that the allegation of misconduct
is unsubstantiated, and an investigation is not warranted, the reasons and supporting
documentation for this conclusion will be reported to the chancellor, who will be
responsible for reviewing the conclusion of the inquiry. If the chancellor concurs in the
conclusion that an investigation is not warranted, his/her determination, and all other
supporting documentation from the inquiry will be recorded and the record maintained
confidentially for a period of three years after the termination of the inquiry.
- If the preliminary inquiry finds reasonable cause to believe
the allegations are not frivolous or misguided, the matter will be referred to an ad hoc
committee appointed by the dean for formal investigation. The accused will be given a copy
of the report of the dean’s inquiry. The committee members will be knowledgeable
about the researcher’s area of inquiry, but will not be involved with the research in
question or in competition with the accused. It may be necessary or advisable in certain
situations to invite researchers from other institutions to participate in the
investigation. The investigation must be initiated within 30 days of the completion of the
inquiry. If the research has been supported by extramural funds, federal agencies require
notification that a formal investigation is underway.
- The ad hoc committee will determine whether misconduct has
taken place and assess its extent and consequences.
- If the ad hoc committee finds the charges to be true,
regular governance procedures will be followed by the dean of the college in consultation
with the associate vice chancellor in determining the proper course of action.
Recommendations may range from reprimand to dismissal depending upon the seriousness of
the misconduct. The investigation should ordinarily be completed within 120 days of its
initiation.
- A copy of the ad hoc committee’s preliminary report
will be provided to the individual being investigated. The dean shall give the individual
an opportunity to discuss the matter with the ad hoc committee and himself/herself before
any action is taken under D2 of this policy. The individual may reply in writing to the
committee. These replies will be attached to the committee’s report.
- Appropriate agencies and journals will be notified by the
dean of the college of the ad hoc committee’s findings if the committee finds that
misconduct is substantiated.
- If the misconduct is not substantiated, extensive efforts
will be made to restore the reputation of the accused.
Academic Misconduct Procedures for Graduate
Coursework
As a graduate student, if
you
plagiarize or engage in academic misconduct within any aspect of your
graduate coursework, you will be subject to academic misconduct sanctions as outlined
in UWS 14.
Research
Using Human Subjects. All graduate student research using humans as
subjects, whether funded or not, must be approved by the university’s
Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure compliance with the state of
Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Guidelines on
Research Involving Human Beings (45 CFR 46), and UW System principles
concerning research on human beings as subjects.
Copyrights and Patents
Any copyrights you obtain as a graduate student on your original works (theses,
educational products, research papers) belong to you except when they are subject to prior
agreements between the university and extramural sponsors.
You have complete ownership and control of any patents that
result from inventions you make as a graduate student at UW-Stevens Point. However, you
must honor any contractual rights of extramural sponsors if you develop an invention while
being financially supported through a grant or contract. To insure such sponsor rights,
you should sign a patent agreement with the external agency at the beginning of your
assistantship. Contact the associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs if you have any questions regarding
inventions or patents.
Admission to
Graduate Study
There are three admission categories
designed to meet your graduate needs.
Graduate Regular:
If you wish to pursue a master’s degree at
UW-Stevens Point, you will need to be formally admitted to the university as
a graduate regular student. Submit to the Admissions Office (or apply
online) a completed
graduate study application form, the nonrefundable application fee ($56
domestic applicants; $125 foreign applicants), and official transcripts
from each college you have attended (both undergraduate and graduate). The
transcript from the college from which you graduated must certify that you
have received your baccalaureate degree. Upon receipt of your completed
application file, the Admissions Office will forward your application
materials to the coordinator of your intended graduate program. You may then
be asked to submit additional application materials to the graduate program
coordinator of your intended program.
Graduate Special:
If you wish to take graduate
courses but do not wish to pursue a master’s degree at UW-Stevens Point, you may
register as a student with graduate special status. To attend UW-Stevens Point as a
student with graduate special status, you must
hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. You do not need to complete
a formal application process. You will be granted graduate special status when you
register for classes.
As a graduate special student you can enroll in
graduate-level courses and receive graduate credit for teacher certification requirements
or for personal enrichment. A maximum of 9 credits can apply toward a master’s degree
provided they are approved by your advisor and fit within the seven-year time period.
If
you decide to pursue a master's degree, it is in your best interest to change your status
to graduate regular as soon as possible.
Graduate Guest:
If you wish to apply credits taken
at UW-Stevens Point toward a graduate degree at another institution, you are neither
evaluated nor formally admitted to UW-Stevens Point, but are permitted to enroll in
specific courses with the approval of your graduate advisor at the other institution. This
procedure assures that credits taken at UW-Stevens Point will transfer properly to another
institution.
Admission Status and Your Specific Degree Program
Successful admission to Graduate Study requires admission to a
specific degree program. Most graduate programs require additional application criteria
such as letters of reference, personal interviews, standardized test scores, verification
of certification, etc. You should contact the graduate coordinator in your discipline for
these additional requirements. The Admissions Office forwards your graduate study
application file to the graduate coordinator of your designated program area for final
consideration for admission to that particular program.
Admission to Candidacy
Admission to a specific degree program does not automatically
make you a candidate for a master's degree. You must meet residency and evaluation
requirements before you are a degree candidate. The formal admission to candidacy process
varies from one program to another, but generally you must:
- earn at least 9 credits in residence at UW-Stevens Point.
- remove any academic deficiencies and/or complete all subject
matter prerequisites.
- maintain at least a 3.00 (B) grade point average.
- select a graduate advisor (and a graduate committee if
required by your discipline).
- complete and get approval for your Program of Study.
Graduate Advisor
When you first enter your graduate program you will probably be
assisted by a departmental graduate advisor who counsels all incoming graduate students.
In some of our graduate programs this person continues to advise all students in the
program until the degree is nearly completed. In other programs, you will need your own
personal advisor who may also be known as your "major professor." This
individual plays a key role in guiding you through your graduate career. Your graduate
advisor should act as a personal advisor, mentor, advocate, constructive critic, and
friend. Your graduate advisor is the person who should "go to bat" for you when
you encounter problems with your program plan, courses, and/or research.
Selecting a Graduate Committee
Your graduate advisor may be required to use other graduate
faculty to make final decisions about the acceptability of your program plan and the
quality of your thesis, if you choose to write one. Therefore, give careful consideration
to your choice of these critical advisors who will form your graduate committee. The
graduate coordinator or your graduate advisor normally assists in this process.
The graduate committee consists of at least three graduate
faculty members including your graduate advisor. Try to ask a person from outside your
major discipline area to serve on your committee. A non-graduate faculty member who
possesses expertise particularly relevant to your field of study may be appointed as a
special extra member.
Your graduate advisor and/or the graduate committee is
responsible for supervising your program of study and should:
- guide you in an appropriate selection of courses and
experiences to ensure that you are aware of all relevant material necessary for a complete
understanding of your chosen field of study. This not only includes concentration of
coursework in your major area of interest, but also selecting courses to bridge the gaps
you may have in your previous educational experiences. This may require you to take some
undergraduate courses to make up for deficiencies.
- determine whether you have accumulated and demonstrated
sufficient ability to engage in the analytic process of problem solving. A graduate degree
entails more than just taking additional courses within a major. You will be expected to
demonstrate your ability to synthesize the new knowledge you have gained in your graduate
courses and apply this knowledge to solve contemporary problems.
- make certain that if you elect to write a thesis it is
consistent with the degree, confronts the interdisciplinary relationships of your subject
area, and focuses on problem-solving methodology.
Your graduate committee members, including your graduate
advisor, will be listed on your Program of Study form. They must sign this form indicating
their approval of your graduate program plan. If you desire a change in the composition of
your committee, it is your responsibility to explain to the current committee members why
the change is desirable or necessary. If the change is acceptable to the outgoing and
incoming professors, you should then notify the graduate coordinator for your department,
school, or college to complete the transfer of committee members.
Program of Study
You and your graduate advisor jointly develop a Program of
Study that is primarily a listing of courses and other experiences that will be required
for your degree. It is personally designed for you, taking into account previous academic
strengths and weaknesses as well as your career goals. This plan is outlined on the
Program of Study form which, once approved, becomes a contract-like agreement between you
and the university. It is important that this agreement be made before you have
accumulated 15 credits, since it is intended to be a realistic plan and defines all
requirements necessary to complete your degree.
The Program of Study may include courses, both graduate and
undergraduate, that are designed to add to your expertise or correct deficiencies. These
are in addition to the minimum of 30 graduate credits required of master's
degree candidates. The Program of Study also lists when courses are to be taken,
the tentative title and completion date of the thesis or product, tentative dates for
final examination and graduation, etc.
You may make minor changes in your approved Program of
Study with the approval of your graduate advisor in consultation with the graduate
committee members. Major changes such as course substitutions, changing of committee
members, changing from thesis to non-thesis, etc. require formal concurrence of you, your
major professor, your graduate committee, and the graduate coordinator of your department,
school, or college.
General Requirements for All Master's Degrees
and Clinical Doctorate Degree
- Have a maximum of 9 credits completed at the time of
admission.
- Complete a minimum of 30 credits in graduate courses (Communication,
30 cr + 1 credit colloquium), (Communicative Disorders, 37 cr + 21 cr practicum).
- Take at least 15 credits must be taken in courses numbered 700
and above.
- Have an approved Program of Study must be on file with your
advisor and the graduate coordinator of your department, school, or college before you
complete 15 credit hours toward the degree.
- Maintan a minimum overall grade point average
(GPA) of 3.00.
- Apply no more than 6 credits total in special topics courses and
independent study courses toward your master's degree.
- Successfully complete a culminating experience.
All credits accepted toward a degree, including
transfer credits, must be earned within a seven-year period. The time period starts
with the beginning of the term in which the first course approved for your Program of
Study was taken. For example: You are accepted into a UWSP graduate program in fall
2007.
Part of your approved plan of study for your master’s degree includes a course taken
in spring 2005. Thus, your seven-year time period to complete the degree starts with the
beginning of the spring 2005 semester, NOT the semester in which you were accepted into
your graduate program.
General
Requirements for All Master of Science
in Teaching (MST) Degrees
In addition to the general requirements of all
master's degrees, the MST degree has the following requirements:
- Be eligible for teacher certification in
your area of
specialization (biology, English, history) in Wisconsin or another state.
- Complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits distributed among:
- Group I:
Major area of specialization, 18-24 credits.
These courses provide additional depth in your teaching field and increase familiarity
with new knowledge, problems, and trends.
- Group II:
Professional education, 6-9 credits. These
courses enhance your understanding of education and improve performance in the art of
teaching.
- Group III:
Liberal studies, 0-6 credits. These
courses are taken outside the content area of your specialization and broaden your
knowledge and outlook.
- Complete, at minimum, the equivalent of a major in
your area of
specialization at the completion of the graduate program.
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.00 in
your area of
specialization at the time of graduation.
|
