GRADUATE RULES
THE GRADUATE PROGRAMS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
AT DENVER
MAY, 1988
Revised: November, 1995
PREFACE
ARTICLE 1. Administration of the CU-Denver Graduate School
Section 1. General Principles
Relation to the systemwide Graduate School
Section 2. Composition of the Graduate School
Section 3. The CU-Denver Graduate Dean
Responsibilities
Section 4. The Graduate Council
Organization
Participation
Responsibility
ARTICLE II: Graduate Degree Programs
Section 1. Types of Degree Programs
Section 2. Graduate Program Development and Modification
ARTICLE III: The Graduate Faculty
Section 1. Definition of Graduate Faculty
Section 2. Membership
Regular Membership
Special Membership
ARTICLE IV. Graduate Student Admissions
Section 1. Student Admissions
Regular Students
Provisional Students
Section 2. Application Procedures
General Provisions
Provisional Students
Former Students
Section 3. Transfer Credits
ARTICLE V: Graduate Degree Requirements
Section 1. Minimum Course Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements
Graduate Status Courses
Section 2. Grades and Quality of Graduate Work
Grade Point Average
Minimum Course Grades
Student Ethics
Probation and Suspension
English Proficiency
Section 3. Examinations
Master's Degree
Doctoral Degree
Section 4. Language Requirement
Section 5. Residence Requirements
Full Residence
Summer Residence
Master's Residence Requirements
Doctoral Residence Requirements
Section 6. Application for Admission to Candidacy
Master's Degree
Doctoral Degree
Section 7. Thesis/Dissertation Requirements
Master's Requirements
Doctoral Dissertation Requirements
Doctoral Dissertation Credit Hour Requirements
Thesis/Dissertation Form Requirements
Section 8. Time Limits for Completion of Degrees
Master's Degree
Doctoral Degree
ARTICLE VI: Graduate Student Assistantship Appointments and Other Forms of
Assistance
ARTICLE VII: Graduate Appeals
ARTICLE VIII: Amendments
ARTICLE IX: Additional Agreements
APPENDIX A: Administration of Coordinated Degree Programs
APPENDIX B: Bylaws of the CU-Denver Graduate Council
PREFACE
The responsibility for planning, implementing and evaluating graduate programs
at the University of Colorado resides in the systemwide Graduate School which
is overseen by the systemwide Dean of the Graduate School. This Dean reports
to the President of the University and is advised by an Executive Committee
composed of appointed members of the Graduate Faculty and graduate students.
Each campus of the CU system has its own Campus Graduate Dean who is charged
with the administration of its graduate programs. In accordance with the
systemwide Graduate School Rules, the CU-Denver Graduate Faculty is charged
with, developing and administering graduate programs to achieve and sustain
the standards of excellence and sound academic administration established by
the Graduate School.
This document sets out the rules of the Graduate School at the University of
Colorado at Denver in order to explain the implementation and administration
of the systemwide Graduate School Rules dated July 1, 1987, and revised July
11, 1990, and to extend their application to the University of Colorado at
Denver (CU-Denver). The Graduate Dean at CU-Denver is advised by the Graduate
Council of CU-Denver on all matters affecting the standards and operation of
the Graduate School at CU-Denver. The council's bylaws appear as Appendix B
to these Rules.
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE DEGREES SET FORTH IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE MINIMUM
STANDARDS ONLY. INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS MAY HAVE HIGHER STANDARDS.
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER
RULES OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
ARTICLE 1. Administration of the CU-Denver Graduate School
Section 1.General Principles
Relation to the systemwide Graduate School
The systemwide Graduate School Rules state:
Each campus shall develop and establish its own Rules which
implement the Rules of the Graduate School. These Campus Rules must be
approved by the Executive Committee and shall not be less restrictive than,
and shall not conflict with, the Rules of the Graduate School. (Article II,
Section 1, University of Colorado Graduate School Rules, July 1, 1987 and
revised July 11, 1990)
CU-Denver, accordingly, has established these campus rules, approved by
vote of the regular members of the CU-Denver Graduate Faculty, holding faculty
appointments at CU-Denver on (Fill in date later, 1995)
Section 2.Composition of the Graduate School
The constituent units of CU-Denver's Graduate School include the
Graduate Faculty and the following schools and colleges:
School of Education
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Graduate School of Public Affairs (Ph.D. program only)
In addition, all Ph.D. programs in all units for which CU-Denver has
degree-granting authority reside within the CU-Denver Graduate School.
Further, some degrees in graduate programs at CU-Denver that involve other
campuses of the CU system are also overseen by the CU-Denver Graduate School.
(See Article I, Section 6 of the systemwide Graduate School Rules for the
definition of various kinds of collaborative degree granting arrangements.)
Section 3.The CU-Denver Graduate Dean
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean, the Campus
Graduate Dean, are established by the systemwide Graduate School Rules.
The CU-Denver Graduate Dean is appointed by the Board of Regents upon
recommendation by the CU-Denver Chancellor, the Dean of the systemwide
Graduate School and the President. The organization of the CU-Denver Graduate
School is at the discretion of the Chancellor (Article I, Section 4,
University of Colorado Graduate School Rules, July 1, 1987).
The CU-Denver Graduate Dean shall be appointed by the Chancellor and
shall be a tenured member of the CU-Denver graduate faculty. The Graduate
Dean is the chair of the Graduate Council and is responsible for implementing
the decisions of the Council, is involved in strategic planning, program
review, strengthening of and advocacy for graduate programs at CU-Denver, and
serves as a member of the Dean's Council.
The CU-Denver Graduate Dean shall be responsible for the implementation
and the enforcement of the rules contained in this document.
Section 4.The Graduate Council
Organization
The CU-Denver Graduate Council was established by vote of the Graduate
Faculties of all units in April 1986. Later, the council was incorporated
within the campus' faculty governance structure, by vote of the CU-Denver
faculty during Spring 1987. The founding bylaws of the council were fully
incorporated within the governance structure. In ADD DATE LATER both the Rules
of the Graduate School and the bylaws of the Graduate Council were revised and
approved by vote of the CU-Denver Graduate Faculty and of the Graduate
Council. The bylaws of the Graduate Council appear in Appendix B of these
Rules.
Participation
The Graduate Council is composed of the elected representatives of each
school and college at CU-Denver. One graduate student serves on the council.
The CU-Denver Graduate Dean chairs the council.
Responsibility
The Graduate Council advises the CU-Denver Graduate Dean on all matters
related to the management, operation, and enhancement of graduate certificate
and degree programs, and graduate instruction in general at CU-Denver, as
specified in the council's bylaws. The Graduate Council hears student
appeals, participates in and initiates strategic planning, reviews new degree
programs, and participates in program review. The council may receive advice
from the committees it establishes.
ARTICLE II: Graduate Degree Programs
Section 1.Types of Degree Programs
The University of Colorado Graduate School recognizes four categories
of graduate degree programs: independent, integrated, joint and coordinated.
Each is described in Article I, Section 6 of the systemwide Graduate School
Rules.
Section 2.Graduate Program Development and Modification
As noted in Article I, Section 7 of the systemwide Graduate School
Rules, proposals for new degree programs and for the substantial modification
of existing degree programs advance from the program to the unit
instructional Dean, then to the CU-Denver Graduate Dean. The CU-Denver
Graduate Dean submits the proposal to the Graduate Council. Upon its review,
the proposal proceeds to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the
systemwide Graduate Dean, the President, the Board of Regents and CCHE as
appropriate.
ARTICLE III: The Graduate Faculty
Section 1.Definition of Graduate Faculty
According to the systemwide Graduate School Rules, a graduate faculty
includes all Graduate Faculty members who are appointed by the Graduate Dean.
At CU-Denver, a Graduate Faculty Member appointed to the CU-Denver Graduate
Faculty has primary involvement in the pertinent graduate degree programs.
Both special and regular Appointments, as identified in Article III, Section
2, below may be restricted to participation in a particular area of
involvement specified by the CU-Denver Graduate Dean.
Section 2.Membership
Provisions for membership on the Graduate Faculty of the Graduate
School of the University of Colorado are established in the systemwide
Graduate School Rules, Article I, Section 8. There are two categories of
membership, regular and special.
Regular Membership
Regular membership on the CU-Denver Graduate Faculty is generally
limited to full-time, tenure track faculty members who hold an earned doctoral
degree or other terminal degree appropriate to the discipline or have
demonstrated significant professional accomplishment deemed to qualify them
for Graduate Faculty membership.
Appointment to regular membership is based on the recommendation of the
graduate program director and the Dean of the unit, with the approval of the
CU-Denver Graduate Dean.
If a degree program involves more than one campus and if the program is
overseen by the Graduate School, then faculty members on one campus may be
required to obtain an "intercampus" appointment by the other participating
campus or campuses. Endorsement of an intercampus appointment involving CU-
Denver proceeds as does appointment to regular membership. Endorsement by the
second (and third) campus is then required as specified in Article I, Sections
5 and 8 of the systemwide Graduate School Rules.
Criteria
The criteria to be applied in evaluating applications for regular
membership include:
1. Evidence of continuing scholarship
2. Evidence of teaching competency
3. Additional criteria, consistent with these overall standards,
which may be developed by each program.
Privileges
A regular member of the CU-Denver Graduate Faculty is entitled to
participate in systemwide Graduate School activities and in any degree program
for which the Graduate Faculty and the CU-Denver Graduate Dean have certified
the member.
Privileges of regular members of the Graduate Faculty include:
1. Teaching graduate courses
2. Voting on issues that are before the Graduate Faculty
3. Serving on committees of the Graduate School
4. Participating in the activities of the specific program or
programs in which the faculty member is appointed or in which her or his
instruction may be deemed relevant
5. Serving as chair or member of graduate student examining
committees
If course instruction, thesis committee involvement or supervision on a
campus other than that of the member's primary Graduate Faculty appointment is
contemplated, the member must first secure an intercampus appointment. Such
appointments are normally restricted to a specified set of activities or to a
limited duration of involvement.
Review Process
Recommendations for regular membership are initiated by the graduate
program director. Any faculty member may submit her or his credentials for
review for appointment to the graduate program director. The recommendation
is forwarded to the Dean of the appropriate school or college who forwards the
application upon approval to the CU-Denver Graduate Dean. The CU-Denver
Graduate Dean may seek the advice of the Graduate Council. Upon approval, the
CU-Denver Graduate Dean then submits the application with her or his positive
recommendation to the Dean of the systemwide Graduate School.
If the application is denied or downgraded, the CU-Denver Graduate Dean
will provide written explanation to the faculty member. A copy of this
explanation is provided to the relevant instructional Dean. If the Dean of
the systemwide Graduate School contemplates an action different from that
requested by the CU-Denver Graduate Dean, an attempt will be made to reconcile
the differences.
Requests for appointment/reappointment should be received in the Office
of the Graduate Dean prior to the academic term in which the appointment
begins. Each request is made on the CU-Denver Graduate Faculty Appointment
Form and includes (1) a comprehensive current vita and (2) a letter from the
School or College Dean justifying the appointment. In all instances, the
submittal to the CU-Denver Graduate Dean must address or document the
candidate's teaching ability.
Term of Appointment
Regular membership in the CU-Denver Graduate Faculty cannot exceed
seven years. Regular Memberships awarded to untenured faculty members will
not exceed their term of faculty appointment.
Special Membership
Special members are individuals who are not full-time faculty of the
University or who are full-time faculty but not regular members of the
Graduate Faculty. Special appointments are typically made for teaching
specific courses, for a specific length of time or for service on thesis or
dissertation committees. Special members must hold an earned doctoral degree
or other terminal degrees appropriate to the discipline, or must have
demonstrated other attainments deemed to qualify them for special membership.
Requests for appointment/reappointment are made on the CU-Denver
Faculty Appointment Form and include (1) a comprehensive current vita, (2) a
letter from the School or College Dean justifying the appointment, and (3) a
letter from the graduate program director listing the graduate
responsibilities and duties to be assigned.
Special appointments for doctoral committee service must reflect the
ability of the individual to contribute, evaluate and guide the student's
creative work because of their professional expertise in the subject area.
Special appointments may begin in any academic term and are generally
for one to three consecutive calendar years or, in the case of members of a
doctoral committee, for the duration of the student's committee. School and
college Deans identify applications for special appointments in their letters
of submittal and, upon approval by the CU-Denver Graduate Dean, the
application is forwarded to the systemwide graduate school in the usual
manner.
The privileges of special membership and procedures for the initiation
and review of special appointments and revocation of membership are identical
to those for regular appointments as described in Article I, Section 8 of the
systemwide Graduate School Rules, except that a special member may not vote in
Graduate School elections and may serve as chair of an examining or advisory
committee only with the approval of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean.
ARTICLE IV. Graduate Student Admissions
Section 1.Student Admissions
Regular Students
Students are admitted by the program faculty as regular degree students
to the Graduate School at CU-Denver provided the following conditions are
satisfied. These are minimum requirements only; individual programs may have
more restrictive requirements. However, meeting these minimum requirements or
the still more restrictive requirements of individual programs does not
guarantee admission.
The student must:
1. Hold a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited
college or university or demonstrate the completion of work equivalent to that
required of these degrees at CU-Denver,
2. For the master's degree, have earned a cumulative
undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, where "A" is
equal to 4.0, or have completed 24 semester hours of relevant graduate course
work with at least a 3.25 GPA,
3. For the Ph.D. degree, have earned a 3.0 cumulative graduate
GPA,
4. Meet the specific requirements for admission as established
by the program faculty, including remedial course work or examinations.
International applicants to degree programs within the Graduate School
at CU-Denver must achieve a minimum TOEFL ("Test of English as a Foreign
Language") score of 500 (or its equivalent on the Michigan Test) if English is
not their native language. Individual programs may have higher standards.
Provisional Students
An applicant may request admission to provisional status if he or she
cannot meet the minimum requirements for admission as a regular student or has
taken more than 20 percent of her or his undergraduate courses as "pass/fail."
A student may be removed from provisional status by earning at least a
3.0 GPA in the first twelve hours of graduate course work in admitted status.
Individual programs may require higher standards. This must occur within two
calendar years following the start of study as a provisional student.
Provisional students must earn at least a 3.0 GPA every semester. If
they do not, the Office of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean will suspend the
student and notify the student and the Graduate Program Director.
Section 2.Application Procedures
General Provisions
Admission to the CU-Denver Graduate School is approved by the program
faculty and forwarded to the Office of Admissions and Records.
Application materials must include:
1. Parts I and II of the CU-Denver Graduate School application.
2. Two official transcripts for all academic work in colleges
and universities completed to date.
3. Three letters of reference.
4. A non-refundable application fee.
5. The Tuition Classification Form.
6. Any other material required specifically by the program
faculty.
Additionally, foreign students on an F-1 Visa must provide the
following:
1. Acceptable TOEFL scores (Test of English as a Foreign
Language). (See Article IV, Section 1 of these Rules).
2. Financial Documentation. Students must attach documentation
sealed or notarized by a bank, showing the amount of funds available for the
student's support. If there is a private sponsor, the Affidavit of Support
and bank statements and/or employer's verification of yearly salary must also
be provided. If a scholarship from a private source or government agency has
been awarded, the award letter must be provided. If the applicant is self-
supported, official verification of availability of funds must be provided.
This information would normally be supplied by a bank or other financial
institution.
3. One additional letter of reference (for a total of four).
4. Test scores as required by the program to which the applicant
is applying.
5. A certified English translation of all records and references
not in English.
Credentials submitted become the property of the University of Colorado
at Denver and are not returned to the applicant. No file is considered
complete until all materials are received.
Provisional Students
If an applicant is accepted into provisional status, a provisional
application form containing a program recommendation and conditions for
removal of provisional status must be submitted by the graduate program
director to the CU-Denver Graduate Dean in addition to the above.
Former Students
A student applying to a doctoral program immediately following
completion of a master's degree or a student changing major fields of study
must resubmit Parts I and II of the Graduate School application.
A student who was previously admitted to the Graduate School at CU-
Denver, but who left in good standing without finishing a degree, may seek to
return to complete the degree subject to these provisions:
1. If three or fewer semesters, including the summer session,
have passed since the student was first admitted to a degree program at the
University, he or she need only notify the Office of Admission and Records.
2. If four or more semesters have passed since the student last
attended the University, but less than four years have passed since the
initial admission date, then he or she is required to resubmit Part I of the
standard application to the Graduate Program, which will then decide on the
student's readmission and then forward the application to the Office of
Admissions and Records.
3. If more than four years have passed since the time of initial
admission, then the full application must be resubmitted.
If a student gains admission but delays the start of study, admission
at a later date is at the discretion of the program. Upon approval of the
program faculty, the student must contact the Office of Admissions for
registration information.
Changing Degree Programs
Students seeking to change from one degree program to another must
provide all items required of students applying to the Graduate School at CU-
Denver for the first time. However, these applicants may petition the program
to which they were initially admitted for release of documents supplied with
their initial application.
Section 3. Transfer Credits
Transfer credits for academic course work are accepted only after
evaluation and approval by the program and under the conditions given below:
1. The maximum number of semester credit hours that may be transferred
from another accredited institution including those credits earned as a
special student at the University of Colorado is as follows:
Professional or performance oriented master's degrees requiring
at least 48 credits..................... 18
All other Master's degrees..........................9
Ph.D. and all other doctoral degrees ..............30
or 50 percent of the non-dissertation course credits
required by the program, whichever is smaller.
2. Work already applied toward a graduate degree received at the
University of Colorado or at another institution cannot be transferred toward
another graduate degree of the same level at CU-Denver.
3. Courses with "Pass/Fail" or "Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory" grades
will not be transferred.
4. Grades received in courses transferred from another institution are
not included in the GPA at CU-Denver. A grade of "C plus" (2.3) or better
must be earned in any course transferred into a master's program, and "B
minus" (2.7) or better into a Ph.D. program.
5. All work accepted for transfer credit must have been completed no
more than six years prior to advancement to candidacy or else must be
validated. See Item 8 below. See also Article V, Section 8 of these Rules on
time limits for completion of degrees.
6. Master's and doctoral degree students should submit requests for
transfer credit as soon as possible, but no later than the date on which the
application for candidacy is submitted. See Item 8.
7. Credit will not be accepted for transfer until the student has been
in residence in the CU-Denver Graduate School for at least one semester.
Transfer credit does not reduce the full residence requirement. See Article
V, Section 5, of these Rules.
8. Undergraduate credits from another institution may not be
transferred into the CU-Denver Graduate School. However, graduates of the
University of Colorado may transfer up to nine hours of graduate courses taken
during the senior year of their undergraduate studies (courses numbered 5000
or above) provided they (i) carry a grade of "B" (3.0) or better, (ii) fall
within the time limit for the graduate degree, (iii) have not been applied to
another degree, and (iv) are approved by the program faculty and the CU-Denver
Graduate Dean.
9. With the approval of the graduate program director, courses taken
on other campuses of the University of Colorado are regarded as resident, not
transfer credit, so long as the faculty members who taught these classes held
an appointment to the Graduate Faculty at the time the courses were taken.
ARTICLE V: Graduate Degree Requirements
Section 1.Minimum Course Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements
Master's Degree
Plan I (thesis option):
At least 24 credits, including 4 to 6 hours of thesis work. A minimum
of 18 credits must be at the 5000 level or above and of graduate rank, as
defined below. No more than six credits may be in individual study such as
independent study, practica, internships or cooperative education.
Plan II (non-thesis option):
At least 30 credits. A minimum of 18 credits must be at the 5000 level
or above and of graduate rank, as defined below. No more than seven credits
may be earned in individual study such as independent study, practica,
internships or cooperative education.
Ph.D. Degree
The Ph.D. degree encompasses a minimum of 30 credit hours of courses
numbered 5000 or above and of graduate rank as defined below and at least 30
credit hours of dissertation work.
Graduate Status Courses
All courses applied toward the minimum 18 credit requirement for a
graduate degree must be 5000 level and above and taught by regular or special
members of the Graduate Faculty in accordance with systemwide Graduate School
Rules (Article I, Section 8; Article IV, Section 1). All courses applied
toward a graduate degree must be of graduate rank.
Graduate rank courses are defined as:
1. Courses within the major program at the 5000 level or above.
2. Courses outside the major program, as approved for a specific
degree plan by the faculty of the degree-granting program.
3. Courses within the major program below the 5000 level, as
approved for a specific degree plan by the faculty of the degree-granting
program.
4. No course below the 3000 level may be considered of graduate
rank.
Section 2.Grades and Quality of Graduate Work
Grade Point Average
To receive a graduate degree, a student is required to maintain at
least a 3.0 GPA in all course work while enrolled in the Graduate School at
CU-Denver. The average of the grades received in all courses applied to the
graduate degree program must be at least 3.0. Grades received in foreign
language courses taken to fulfill the language requirement and those received
in courses to remedy deficiencies or prerequisite for graduate study are not
to be used in calculating the GPA.
Minimum Course Grades
A student who receives a grade of "C", "D", or "F" in a course may
repeat that course once. The grade received in a repeated course will
substitute for the original grade, and only the latter grade will be used in
calculating the GPA. However, all grades received will appear on the
student's transcript.
Only courses in which grades of "B minus" (2.7) or better are received
are accepted for the Ph.D. program.
Only courses in which grades of "C plus" (2.3) or better are received
are accepted for a master's degree program or for the removal of academic
deficiencies.
Grades received in courses transferred from another institution and/or
grades earned while classified as a special student are not included in
calculating the GPA.
Courses applied to a graduate degree may not be taken pass/fail.
Student Ethics
Students are expected to adhere to the highest code of personal and
professional ethics. Students who do not meet these standards may be
disciplined or dismissed by the student's graduate program.
Probation and Suspension
When a regular graduate student's cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, the
student and the program director will be notified and the student placed on
academic probation by the CU-Denver Graduate Dean.
In the semester following placement on probation, the student's GPA in
all course work taken must be at least 3.0. Otherwise, he or she will be
suspended by the Office of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean at the conclusion of
that semester.
At the end of two semesters following placement on probation, the
student must raise her or his cumulative GPA to 3.0. Otherwise, he or she
will be suspended by the Office of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean and both the
student and program director will be notified.
In extenuating circumstances, the student may petition the CU-Denver
Graduate Dean for an extension of the probationary time period. The
suspension decision is in force unless a temporary extension is approved by
the CU-Denver Graduate Dean.
English Proficiency
As specified in Article IV, Section 2 of the systemwide Graduate School
Rules, a student must be proficient in the use of the English language in
order to receive a graduate degree.
Section 3.Examinations
A student must be registered at the time he or she takes the
comprehensive final examination for the master's degree or the comprehensive
examination for the Ph.D. degree.
Master's Degree
Each candidate for the master's degree must take a comprehensive final
examination after the other requirements for the degree have been
substantially completed. If Plan I is followed, the comprehensive final
examination may include the defense of the thesis.
The comprehensive examination is given by a committee appointed by the
graduate program director and approved by the CU-Denver Graduate Dean. The
Committee must include at least three members of the Graduate Faculty.
Individual programs will determine the criteria for the student to pass.
Doctoral Degree
Preliminary Examination. Each graduate program director is responsible
for ensuring that students are qualified for doctoral study. This may be
accomplished by examination or other means.
Ph.D. Advisory Committee. By the time of the comprehensive exam, a
doctoral student must have selected, with the approval of the graduate program
director, an advisory committee consisting of the student's dissertation
advisor and at least two additional members of the Graduate Faculty.
Comprehensive Exam Committee. The Ph.D. comprehensive examination
shall be conducted by a committee appointed by the graduate program director
and approved by the CU-Denver Graduate Dean. The committee consists of the
Ph.D. advisory committee and additional members as necessary to a minimum of
at least five persons who are members of the Graduate Faculty.
Comprehensive Examination. Before admission to candidacy for the
Ph.D., the student must pass a comprehensive examination in the field of
concentration and related fields. This examination may be written or oral or
both and will test the student's mastery of a broad field of knowledge, not
merely the formal course work which he or she has completed. The oral part of
the comprehensive examination is open to members of the Graduate Faculty.
Individual programs will determine criteria for the student to pass.
Final Examination/Dissertation Defense. A final examination of the
dissertation and related topics will be conducted. The examination will be
conducted by a Committee appointed by the graduate program director and
approved by the CU-Denver Graduate Dean and will consist of at least five
members of the Graduate Faculty, one of whom must be from outside the
student's program. Individual programs will determine criteria for the
student to pass.
Section 4.Language Requirement
The decision on the language requirement for Ph.D. degrees is the
responsibility of the Graduate Faculty of each graduate program.
Section 5.Residence Requirements
Full Residence
A student is in full residence in any fall or spring semester when he
or she is registered before the registration deadline and carries the
equivalent of at least five credit hours. These may include both
undergraduate and graduate courses.
Summer Residence
A maximum of two-thirds of a semester of credit toward the residence
requirement may be earned during the summer if a student registers for at
least three semester credit hours in courses numbered 5000 or above, or five
credit hours of mixed undergraduate, graduate, and thesis or dissertation
hours, or any number of thesis/dissertation credit hours.
Master's Residence Requirements
Master's degree residence requirements can be met only by full
residence at CU-Denver for at least two semesters.
Doctoral Residence Requirements
The minimum residence requirement for doctoral students is six
semesters of residence at CU-Denver.
Two semesters of doctoral residence credit may be allowed for a
master's degree from another approved institution; however, at least four
semesters of doctoral residence credit must be earned while in full residence
at CU-Denver, two semesters of which must be consecutive in one academic year.
Part of the residence requirement may be met by study at another
graduate institution or in field work in absentia, provided that prior
approval is given by the graduate program director and that the student's
registration is maintained for the period away from CU-Denver.
Continuous Residence for Doctoral Student
Following successful completion of doctoral comprehensive examinations,
students must register continuously until the requirements for the degree are
completed. Doctoral candidates must register for no less than three and no
more than ten credit hours of dissertation credit for each spring and fall
term following advancement to candidacy.
Section 6.Application for Admission to Candidacy
Admission to a graduate program does not imply admission to candidacy
for degree.
Master's Degree
After completion of a significant portion of the required course work,
a student who wishes to become a candidate for a degree must file an
application in the office of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean. This application
must be filed no later than ten weeks prior to the date of the start of the
Comprehensive Examination. The student's Degree Plan must be reported in this
application along with approval of the Plan by the major advisor and the
program director. The CU-Denver Graduate Dean will approve the application
for candidacy only when it is demonstrated that the residency requirement and
all standards of quality and content have been met.
Doctoral Degree
After completion of a significant portion of the required course work
and before the comprehensive examination is scheduled, a doctoral student who
wishes to become a candidate for a degree must file an application in the
Office of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean. The application must be submitted at
least 14 days before the scheduled start of the comprehensive examination. It
must include a degree plan approved by the student's advisor and the program
director. Approval of the application will occur only after the comprehensive
examination has been passed, the student has been in residence for at least
three semesters, the language requirement has been satisfied, and all
standards of quality and content have been met.
Section 7.Thesis/Dissertation Requirements
Master's Requirements
A thesis, which may focus on research or expository, critical or other
creative activities is required of every master's degree candidate under Plan
I. Each thesis is presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the master's degree.
The master's thesis must be filed with the Office of the CU-Denver
Graduate Dean at least two weeks prior to the date on which the degree is to
be conferred. Requirements about the number of copies, approval format, and
sign-offs are established by the office of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean.
Doctoral Dissertation Requirements
A dissertation based upon original investigation that demonstrates
mature scholarship and critical judgement as well as familiarity with the
tools and methods of research must be written on a subject approved by the
student's advisor and the graduate program director.
Doctoral Dissertation Credit Hour Requirements
To complete the requirements for the Ph.D. and other doctoral degrees,
a student must complete at least 30 dissertation credit hours.
A doctoral student may not register for more than ten dissertation
credit hours in any one semester.
No more than a total of ten dissertation credit hours taken in
semesters prior to and including the semester in which the Comprehensive
Examination is passed will be counted in the 30 dissertation hours required
for the degree.
A student must register for at least three dissertation credit hours
each semester continuously in the fall and spring semesters of each year,
beginning with the semester following the passing of the comprehensive
examination and extending through the semester or summer session in which the
dissertation is defended.
A student who fails to register continuously for dissertation credit
hours after passing the comprehensive examination may be required by the
advisor to retake and pass the examination to regain status as a student in
good standing in the Graduate School at CU-Denver.
The Ph.D. dissertation must be filed with the Office of the CU-Denver
Graduate Dean at least 18 days prior to the date on which the degree is to be
conferred. Requirements about the number of copies, approval format, and
sign-offs are established ty the Office of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean.
Thesis/Dissertation Form Requirements
The thesis/dissertation must conform precisely with the form
requirements available in the Office of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean. The
graduate program director has the primary responsibility for ensuring that
these rules are satisfied; however, the Office of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean
will conduct a final review. If the form is improper, then the dissertation
will be returned and the student placed on graduation hold until the standard
is met.
Section 8.Time Limits for Completion of Degrees
Master's Degree
Master's degree students have five years, from the date of the start of
course work, to complete all degree requirements (including filing the thesis
with the Office of the CU-Denver Graduate Dean if Plan I is followed). For
students who fail to complete the degree in this five-year period, the
Graduate Program Director must file an annual statement with the CU-Denver
Graduate Dean explaining that the student is making adequate progress and
should be allowed to continue in the program. Students who do their work
exclusively in summer sessions must complete all degree requirements within 72
months from the start of course work.
A student who does not complete all degree requirements within the
specified period of time must validate, by special examination(s), any course
work taken more than six years prior to advancement to candidacy.
Doctoral Degree
Doctoral students are expected to complete all degree requirements
within seven years from the start of course work in the doctoral program. For
students who fail to complete the degree in this seven year period, the
graduate program director must file an annual statement with the CU-Denver
Graduate Dean explaining that the student is making adequate progress and
should be allowed to continue in the program. This request must be signed by
three members of the student's advisory committee. If the CU-Denver Graduate
Dean approves this request, the student may continue her or his studies for
one additional year. If the CU-Denver Graduate Dean does not approve the
request, the student may be dropped from the program. If the Dean and the
Program Director cannot agree on whether a student should be continued, the
Graduate Council will make the final decision.
This seven-year rule is applicable regardless of when the student
passes the comprehensive examination. Taking or retaking the comprehensive
examination does not automatically entitle a student to an extension of the
time limit for completion of the degree, but the student may petition the CU-
Denver Graduate Dean for an extension.
ARTICLE VI: Graduate Student Assistantship Appointments and Other Forms of
Assistance
1. A student admitted provisionally or as a non-degree student is not
permitted to hold a Graduate Assistant appointment.
2. A student on academic probation is not permitted to hold an
appointment.
3. A student on appointment must demonstrate continued adequate
progress toward her or his degree and be a full-time student.
Adequate Progress means: Certification by the graduate advisor,
committee chair, or graduate program director that the student is making the
progress required by those most closely associated with the student's graduate
work.
Full-time status means: Enrollment for at least five hours of course
work each semester or for one or more hours of thesis or dissertation credit.
4. If the appointment is supported by university resources, the
student may be appointed for at most 50 percent time. If the appointment is
supported by external grant and contract revenues, then the appointment may
exceed this limit upon approval by the graduate program director.
5. An exception to any of the above regulations governing graduate
student appointments may be warranted in special cases. The graduate program
director may request exceptions by writing the CU-Denver Graduate Dean to
explain the circumstances that warrant such exceptions. Such requests must be
made in advance of the students' beginning their appointments. Direct
requests from students will not be accepted.
ARTICLE VII: Graduate Appeals
Appeals of grades and other specifically course-related matters shall
be conducted according to the appeals procedures established for these
purposes within each school and college, with final resolution resting with
the deans of these units.
The Graduate School recognizes that under some rare and extenuating
circumstances a student may wish to appeal one or more of these Rules.
Appeals of matters related to these Rules proceed as follows:
1. The student is responsible for constructing a petition and
presenting arguments and evidence as to why a Rules matter should be forgone
or applied differently to his or her particular case. This petition shall be
submitted by the student to the program director.
2. The graduate program director in consultation with the
Graduate Faculty in the student's program reviews the petition. If they
decide to support the petition, a letter of support shall be provided, and
this letter, plus the petition, shall be forwarded to the Graduate Dean. A
student may forward a petition directly to the Graduate Dean, if desired, in
the absence of a letter of support. The student must, however, show evidence
that the matter has been fully reviewed within the program before it will be
considered by the Graduate Dean.
3. The final decision rests with the Graduate Dean, who may, if
he or she deems it necessary, consult with the Graduate Council or a
subcommittee thereof.
4. If an appeal of these Rules involves two or more campuses,
the final action rests with the Dean of the systemwide Graduate School.
ARTICLE VIII: Amendments
Amendments to the standing Rules of the CU-Denver Graduate School may
be adopted by a two-thirds majority of those who return ballots in a vote by
written ballot of all regular members of the CU-Denver Graduate Faculty who
are appointed as faculty members at CU-Denver. Upon consultation with the
Graduate Council, the CU-Denver Graduate Dean may approve revisions of the
campus' standing rules that update information, resolve ambiguities, promote
clarity, or ensure consistency with the systemwide Graduate School Rules.
ARTICLE IX: Additional Agreements
Additional agreements on the administration of coordinated programs not
found in the systemwide Graduate School Rules are included in Appendix A of
these rules.
APPENDIX A: Administration of Coordinated Degree Programs
Coordinated programs are administered through the authority of the Dean
of the systemwide Graduate School. The Dean of the systemwide Graduate School
is responsible for the following:
1. Ensuring compliance with the standards for faculty
appointments
2. Ensuring compliance with standards for student admission and
graduation requirements
3. Approving modifications to the curriculum
4. Promoting cooperative relationships among
institutions(campuses) and among college, schools and departments
5. Resolving intercampus issues and problems
6. Ensuring appropriate faculty representation in areas of
admission, comprehensive examinations and thesis work
Each coordinated program shall have a coordinating committee that
recommends to the Dean of the systemwide Graduate School standards for faculty
appointment, standards for student admission and graduation, modifications to
the curriculum, cooperative arrangements among the campuses, and mechanisms
for providing faculty representation on program committees. Coordinated
graduate degrees shall be awarded by the University of Colorado. No campus
designation will appear on the diploma title. The diplomas are signed by the
home campus Chancellor in the appropriate place.
The CU-Denver Graduate Deans has responsibility for the following
implementing procedures related to coordinated programs:
1. Faculty appointments to coordinated graduate degree programs
are initiated by the home department using the graduate faculty appointment
form.
2. Faculty appointments are approved by the home campus
department chair, the dean of the unit, and the CU-Denver Graduate Dean and
forwarded to the Dean of the systemwide Graduate School for approval.
3. The CU-Denver Graduate Dean's office shall, consistent with
the standards recommended by the coordinating committee and approved by the
CU-Denver Graduate Dean of the systemwide Graduate School, handle the
processing of students for graduate degrees at CU-Denver: admission,
degree requirements, grade and quality of work, examinations,
foreign language requirements, application for admission to candidacy,
thesis/dissertation requirements, time limits for obtaining the degree,
approval of committees, form and content of theses, degree approvals,
tuition and fees, ordering of diplomas, and any other matters normally
related to a graduate degree.
APPENDIX B: Bylaws of the CU-Denver Graduate Council
ARTICLE I - Name
The name of the organization shall be "The Graduate Council of the
University of Colorado at Denver", hereafter called the Graduate Council.
ARTICLE II - Authority and Purpose
The Graduate Council was established upon the recommendation of the
Associate Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, CU-Denver, Spring 1985.
The purpose of the Graduate Council is:
1. To recommend policies relevant to graduate study and research and
creative work at CU-Denver to University administrative officers and to the
Graduate Faculties.
Note: "Graduate Faculties" include regular faculty members at
CU-Denver who hold appointment to the Graduate Faculty and other regular
faculty members responsible for graduate instruction outside the Graduate
School who are not members of the Graduate Faculty.
2. To oversee the functioning of its Standing and Ad Hoc committees.
3. To ensure that the Graduate Faculties are informed about
decisions of the council and its committees.
Note: The Graduate Council informs the Graduate Faculties of its
actions through the elected representative of each academic unit and at the
plenary meetings of the Graduate Faculties.
4. To call a plenary meeting of all Graduate Faculties as needed to
report to and consult with the Graduate Faculties.
Note: Meetings of the Graduate Faculties may also be initiated
upon request from members of the Graduate Faculties, and with the approval of
the council.
5. To advise the CU-Denver Graduate Dean on student appeals, if
needed.
6. To participate in strategic planning and in program reviews.
7. To review new degree programs.
ARTICLE III - Membership
The CU-Denver Graduate Dean serves as Chair of the Graduate Council.
The council is composed of one graduate faculty representative elected by each
of the respective Graduate Faculties of the Colleges of Engineering and of
Architecture and Planning and the Schools of Business Administration,
Education, and Public Affairs, four representatives from the College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences, one representative from the Library, and one non-
voting graduate student.
The student member is appointed by the Graduate Dean from a different
constituency each year in rotation.
ARTICLE IV - Committees
The Graduate Council oversees the functioning of the two standing committees,
as well as directing ad-hoc committees created as needed.
Standing committees implement policies of the Graduate Council and make policy
recommendations to the Council.
The chairs of these official committees shall be members of the Graduate
Council.
Curriculum Committee
The curriculum committee reviews and recommends new graduate courses
and new graduate degree program proposals, as well as revisions to them, and
recommends criteria for graduate level courses.
Research and Creative Activities
The research and creative activities committee seeks to support
scholarly and creative work and awards funds for research and creative work.
ARTICLE V - Term of Appointment
Graduate Council
Appointment is for a three-year term. Membership from the Colleges of
Engineering and Architecture and Planning is staggered so that one new
appointment or reappointment from these colleges is made annually. Similarly,
membership from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and from the three
other professional schools (Business Administration, Education, and Public
Affairs) is staggered so that one new appointment or reappointment from CLAS
and from these three professional schools is made annually. The non-voting
graduate student representative serves a one-year term.
Standing Committees
In consultation with deans and department chairs, the Graduate Dean recommends
committee members for approval by the Graduate Council. Recommendations are
made with sensitivity to representation of the respective Graduate Faculties
at CU-Denver.
Appointments to standing committees are for a two-year term. Terms of
appointment are staggered so that one-half of a committee membership consists
of continuing members and one-half consists of newly appointed members.
Ad-Hoc Committees
Appointments are for a term necessary to complete the task set before the ad-
hoc committee.
Council and Committee Vacancies
Mid-term vacancies among Graduate Council and committee members may occur due
to resignation or other unanticipated causes. To fill a Graduate Council
vacancy the school, college or library in which the vacancy occurs will hold
an election to determine the new representative. The newly elected
representative will complete the term of the departed representative. As
committee vacancies arise, the Graduate Dean in consultation with the former
member's dean or director will recommend a replacement to the Graduate
Council. Newly appointed Committee members will complete the term of the
departed member.
ARTICLE VI - Meetings
Graduate Council
A minimum of two meetings per semester, fall and spring terms, will be held.
Summer meetings will be called as needed.
Standing Committees
A minimum of one meeting will be held during each of the fall and spring
semesters. Summer meetings are called as needed.
Ad-Hoc Committees
These committees will meet as appropriate to conduct their assigned tasks.
Upon conclusion of its assigned task, the ad-hoc committee will be dissolved.
Plenary Session of the Graduate Faculties
Plenary sessions may be called by the Graduate Council or Graduate Faculties.
ARTICLE VII - Quorum
The Graduates Council and its standing and ad-hoc committees are called to
order when at least two-thirds of their membership is present. Matters other
than amendments to the bylaws are decided by a majority vote of those present.
The chair of the Graduate Council votes only in the case of a tie vote by
council members. The chair of the council also serves ex officio as a non-
voting member of all standing and ad-hoc committees of the council.
ARTICLE VIII - Bylaws
The Graduate Council has the power to adopt such bylaws, rules, and procedures
as desired for the accomplishments of its purposes. The Graduate Council may
refer major policy questions to the Graduate Faculties for discussion. The
council will determine whether policy questions will be referred to the
Graduate Faculties and whether a vote should be taken on them. Matters
requiring a vote of the Graduate Faculties are referred to the faculty by mail
ballot and are decided by a majority vote of those voting.
ARTICLE IX - Amendments
Amendment to these articles may be proposed by any Graduate Council member in
writing. Copies of proposed amendments shall be sent to each Graduate Council
member two weeks prior to a regularly scheduled meeting. The proposal shall
be discussed during the Graduate Council meeting and, if brought to a vote, is
decided by a two-thirds vote. Absentee voting is not allowed.