Graduate Bulletin and Course Catalog

Program of Study

Degree-seeking students: Students must submit a program of study to the Graduate Records staff in the Registrar’s Office after receiving approval from the academic advisor and either the program director or department chair. The Program of Study form is available from the Graduate School (http://www.graduate.appstate.edu). The Graduate Records staff will perform an initial review of the program and then forward the Program to the Graduate School for final approval. All deviations in required coursework should be explained on the form. The program of study should follow the program listing for the student’s major. Students may change concentrations within a program by indicating that change on the Program of Study form. Students cannot be admitted to candidacy without an approved Program on file. The following is a list of the credit limitations for programs of study for degree seeking students. Please refer to individual notations in this section for further information on each item.

  • The program of study must include at least the number of hours required for the program as specified in this Bulletin. The program of study should include all required coursework as listed; substitutions must be approved by the advisor, program, and Graduate School.
  • The program of study may not include more than the allowed number of transfer hours (6 or 9 depending on the type of program). Transfer hours must be approved by the advisor, the program, and the Graduate School, and must have grades of “B” or better.
  • The program of study may not include more than nine (9) hours of non-degree coursework taken before admission to the degree program. Use of non-degree hours must be approved by the advisor, the program, and the Graduate School.
  • The program of study may not include more than 25% of independent study (5500/6500/7500) and special topics (5530-5549, 6530-6549, 7530-7549) coursework combined.
  • The program of study GPA must be at least 3.0, and may not include any courses in which a grade of “F” or “U” was received, and may not include more than three (3) courses with C-level grades.
  • All coursework on the program of study must meet the seven (7) year time limitation at the date of graduation.

Certificate-seeking students: Students must submit a Certificate Program of Study to the Graduate School along with the Notification of Certificate Completion form when they have completed the coursework required for the certificate. The following is a list of credit limitations for certificates. Please refer to individual notations in this section for further information on each item.

  • The program of study must include at least the number of hours required for the program as specified in this Bulletin. The program of study should include all required coursework as listed; substitutions must be approved by the advisor, program, and Graduate School.
  • The program of study may not include more than 25% transfer hours. Transfer hours must be approved by the advisor, the program, and the Graduate School, and must have grades of “B” or better.
  • The program of study may not include more than nine (9) hours of non-degree coursework taken before admission to the certificate program. Use of non-degree hours must be approved by the advisor, the program, and the Graduate School.
  • The program of study may not include more than 25% of independent study coursework (5500/6500/7500), and not more than 50% independent study and special topics (5530-5549, 6530-6549, 7530-7549) coursework combined.
  • The program of study GPA must be at least 3.0, and may not include any courses in which a grade of “F” or “U” was received.
  • All coursework on the program of study must meet the seven (7) year time limitation at the date of completion.