Graduate Curriculum

Doctoral Degree Requirements

For specific requirements, see the catalog sections on:

• Ph.D. in Business Administration.
• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.
• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
• Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling.
• Cooperative Doctorate in Pharmacy in cooperation with the University of Texas at Austin.

Once a student registers for the dissertation, he/she must continue to enroll in the appropriate dissertation course each succeeding semester (except summer sessions) until the dissertation is completed.

Residency: One-third of the credits towards a graduate degree must be earned through instruction offered by UTRGV. Transfer students may be required to complete additional hours above those on their degree plan to meet this requirement.

Master’s Degree Requirements

The following are requirements for a master’s degree:

1. A student cannot receive two master’s degrees at the same time. A student who wishes to pursue degrees that fall under different disciplines must decide at the point of graduation the type of degree he/ she will receive at that time. For students wishing to pursue a new degree, please refer to the section of “Subsequent Master’s Degrees”.
2. No more than six hours earned in one master’s degree may count towards a second master’s degree and each master’s degree must have a minimum of 30 unique hours. Please refer to “Additional Master’s Degrees”.
3. A minimum of 30 hours of coursework, or with the thesis option a minimum of 24 hours of coursework plus six hours for the thesis is required for a master’s degree. Once a student registers for the thesis, he/she must continue to enroll each succeeding semester (except summer sessions) until the thesis is completed. Credit is counted only once per thesis course level unless additional hours are required by the degree program. For more information, see the sections of the catalog that pertain to the specific degree programs.
4. During or at the end of the student’s final semester of work, the student may be given a comprehensive written examination as required by the graduate degree program. Students must arrange comprehensive examinations with their adviser prior to graduation.
5. Degree programs may allow a student the option to include a maximum of six semester hours of work that is not a part of the student’s major field. It is the option of each graduate program to determine if graduate courses taken outside of the college are acceptable.
6. A maximum of 18 hours in 5000-level courses may be taken for graduate credit toward a master’s degree and/ or as required by program accreditation standards.
7. Seven-Year Time Limit: All requirements must be completed within one seven-year period. Work more than seven years old will not meet graduation requirements and can be reinstated only by special permission of the Dean for the Graduate College.
8. A student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in master’s coursework.
9. Residency: One-third of the credits towards a graduate degree must be earned through instruction offered by UTRGV. Transfer students may be required to complete additional hours above those on their degree plan to meet this requirement.

Dissertation and Thesis Requirements

Each college and/or department may have its own guidelines for the development and completion of the dissertation or thesis, including the formation of the committee. The student shall choose a dissertation or thesis committee in consultation with their faculty advisor, as follows:

• A thesis/dissertation committee must be comprised of at least three and no more than six members.

• One member may be from outside the department.

• One member may be from outside UTRGV.

• A majority of the committee members must be fulltime faculty members in the department conferring the degree.

A master’s student considering the thesis option should contact the graduate program director in the first semester of enrollment for specific procedures. A doctoral student should refer to the dissertation requirements and procedures in the program’s degree information or contact the doctoral program director.

Each college and/or department may determine its own guidelines for scheduling thesis/dissertation oral defenses, as follows:

• Thesis/dissertation oral defenses cannot be scheduled after the last class day of the semester in which the student intends to graduate. For Fall 2020 the last class day is Wednesday, Dec. 2, for Spring 2021 the last class day is Wednesday, April 28, for Summer I 2021 the last class day is Friday July 2, and for Summer II 2021 the last class day is Wednesday Aug. 11.

The manual detailing the University requirements for the format and submission of a dissertation or thesis is available on the Graduate College’s website.

Deadlines for the submission of the final draft and the finalized copy of the thesis or dissertation can be found on the graduate website. Students who do not submit a draft by the draft deadline will not have their thesis or dissertation title listed in the commencement ceremony program.

In unusual circumstances, thesis/dissertation chairs may request extensions to these deadlines in writing to the Graduate College. Extensions to the final submission deadline will be granted by the Dean of the Graduate College only when special circumstances warrant doing so.

The thesis and dissertation requirement will not be considered complete until the student has uploaded a final copy on the ProQuest website that has been approved by the Graduate College and the student submits a signed “Certification of Completion of Thesis or Dissertation” form to the Graduate College.

All submissions and payments for copies of manuscripts and copyright are done online at the ProQuest website. Students are not required to purchase copies for the UTRGV Library; however, programs, departments, or colleges may require the purchase of additional copies of the thesis (at additional binding expense to the student). Students may order personal copies at his or her discretion. If you select to purchase a copyright, payment is required after uploading your manuscript to ProQuest.

Interdisciplinary Programs

UTRGV offers two interdisciplinary degree programs at the graduate level, the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) and the Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (MSIS). These degrees offer the student the option of obtaining a broader background at the master’s level, rather than specializing in a particular area. The degrees both have the same basic structure:

Non-Thesis Option

• 18 hours in Discipline One (concentration area)
• 9 hours in Discipline Two
• 9 hours in Discipline Three
  
  

Thesis Option

The thesis option provides a similar distribution of hours, but with the thesis being completed in place of six hours of coursework. The thesis should be in the main discipline.

• 18 hours in Discipline One (concentration area)
• 6 hours in Discipline Two
• 6 hours in Discipline Three
• 6 hours Thesis

Special Requirements for Interdisciplinary Degrees

1. 18 hours of graduate work must be taken in the primary area of concentration in addition to any thesis hours.
2. Students must submit a plan for their interdisciplinary studies to be approved by the Graduate program director in the concentration area during the first semester.

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

The following areas — Anthropology, Art History, English, History, and Mexican American Studies have defined the courses required for a concentration in their area. Please consult the Graduate Program director in the concentration during the first semester for specific degree plan.

Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

The area of Science and Technology has defined the courses required for a concentration in their area. Please consult the Graduate Program director in the concentration during the first semester for specific degree plan.

Subsequent Master's Degrees

A student seeking an additional master’s degree must:

• Complete a minimum of 30 hours of additional graduate credit in UTRGV courses for each additional master’s degree sought.
• Complete all requirements for the additional major including admissions as set forth in this catalog or by the graduate degree program.
• Complete all requirements for the additional degree including GPA requirements, elective courses, etc. as set forth in this catalog.
• Complete all courses within one seven-year period.

Expired Coursework

All academic coursework applied toward a Masters degree must have been earned in the seven (7) years immediately preceding completion of the graduate program. All academic coursework applied toward a Doctoral degree must have been earned in the ten (10) years immediately preceding completion of the graduate program. In some circumstances, upon approval of the Dean of Graduate College, expired course credits may be revalidated for one year only and may not be revalidated more than once.

A limit of 9 course credits may be revalidated and reinstated in a 30-credit hour degree plan, and a limit of 12 course credits may be revalidated and reinstated in 36-credit hour or greater degree plans. In addition, transferred and/or substituted credits will not be revalidated, students must graduate within one (1) academic year of credit revalidation, and revalidation does not change the grade initially earned in the course. Students seeking to revalidate expired coursework must meet with their Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) to discuss revalidation and to develop a degree plan/path to graduation. Non-enrolled students must be re-apply and be admitted into a degree program at UTRGV in order to pursue course revalidation.

Graduation Under a Specific Catalog

The degree requirements that must be completed for graduation will be those in effect at the time of the student’s entrance or those provided in a subsequent catalog. In any case, the catalog used to determine the degree requirements must not be more than seven years old for students seeking a master’s degree and 10 years old for students seeking a doctoral degree.

Any changes in the degree plan to comply with a later catalog must be approved by the department chair and the dean of the college.

 

Graduation Policies and Procedures

Application for Degree

Students eligible to apply for graduation must submit a Graduation Application Form via gradcertification@utrgv.edu by the established deadline published in the University Calendar.  

Applications received after the published deadline may be processed for the next available graduation date. Graduation application deadlines are necessary for timely notification of outstanding deficiencies prior to graduation and to allow students sufficient time to clear such deficiencies.

Students who wish to have a maiden or other previous name added to their diploma must notify the Office of the University Registrar at least four months prior to graduation. Only the student’s official full name according to his/her academic record will be printed on the diploma. 

 

Graduation Application Fee

A nonrefundable graduation fee of $50 is charged for undergraduate and graduate degrees as student seeks. This fee will be charged to the student’s UTRGV online account. This fee is applied towards costs associated with processing of applications for graduation, auditing for degree completion, printing, packaging, and shipment of diplomas, as well as costs of facilities for Commencement ceremonies along with other related expenses. The fee is assessed to all students regardless of plans to participate in Commencement ceremonies. 

Comprehensive Exams and Other Degree Exit Options

Students must be enrolled in the semester in which they complete their exit option. The comprehensive exam may not be scheduled prior to the student’s final semester of coursework or the student’s completion of required core courses. The purpose of the comprehensive exam is to evaluate the student’s mastery of the field(s) of study. The method and procedure for examination must be specified on the student’s program of study. The academic department prepares, administers and grades the comprehensive exam. The Graduate College notifies students when they have been cleared to take the exam and informs exam takers of the results.

Results of the comprehensive exam will be one of the following:

• PASS with recommendation that candidate be cleared to receive the degree
• FAIL stipulating conditions that must be met before the candidate is eligible to take the exam a second time.

Colleges/programs will determine the policy regarding repeating the comprehensive exam or exit options in the event of a failing grade. A review period of not less than 90 days or more than 1 year after the student is notified of the results of the first exam is required before a second exam may be completed. Conditions for a second exam may be imposed by the faculty advisor or department chair.

After retaking the exam and earning a second grade of FAIL, the program may recommend  that the candidate be dismissed from the program.

Degree Audit and Graduation Clearance 

Upon submission of a graduation application a preliminary degree audit will be completed to determine a student’s academic progress toward degree. Students will be notified of outstanding deficiencies prior to graduation and be provided with a deadline to clear such deficiencies. In order to remain a degree candidate for the semester graduation is planned, all degree program requirements must be met by the deadline published. A final degree audit will be processed upon posting of final semester grades to verify degree completion. Students unable to clear degree requirements by published deadline will be required to submit a Transfer Graduation Date form. 

Transfer of Graduation Date 
Degree candidates not clearing for graduation by the established deadline are required to submit a Transfer Graduation Date form to change their graduation application date to a future semester. This form is available online via Graduate College website. 
 
Correspondence 
Correspondence regarding graduation requirements, deficiencies and commencement ceremonies will be disseminated in a timely manner throughout the final semester of a student’s enrollment, via UTRGV student e-mail account. The Degree Audit Systems and Support Office (Degree Audit Team) will communicate information regarding graduation requirements, deficiencies, clearance for graduation, and all respective deadlines. The Office of the University Registrar will communicate information regarding graduation and commencement ceremonies. UTRGV email must be monitored regularly for related degree audit, graduation, and commencement ceremony correspondence. For timely delivery of diplomas, students must have a correct address on file with the Office of the University Registrar. 
  

Commencement Ceremonies  
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley holds commencement ceremonies in December and May (Fall and Spring Commencement). All students participating in a commencement ceremony are required to purchase the proper graduation regalia from the University Bookstore. Students will not be permitted to participate without proper regalia. Students may participate in only one ceremony and are subject to requirements for eligibility to participate based on degree progression and outstanding requirements. 

 

Diploma Language 
Students who wish to have a maiden or other previous name added to their diploma must notify the Office of the University Registrar at least four months prior to graduation. Only the student’s official full name according to his/her academic record will be printed on the diploma.