Graduate Graduation Requirements
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS AND OTHER DEGREE 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 term 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.
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.
CATALOG OF GRADUATION
The degree requirements that must be completed for graduation will be those in effect at the time of the student’s matriculation at UTRGV or those provided in a subsequent catalog. In any case, the catalog used to determine the degree requirements must not be more than 7 years old for students seeking a master’s degree and 10 years old for students seeking a doctoral degree. Students must be enrolled in at least one course in the catalog year under which they will graduate.
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.