UAM 2005/2007 Catalog

Graduate Degrees Offered

The University of Arkansas at Monticello offers four master’s degree programs:
Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Forest Resources
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Degree
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Degree in Educational Leadership
Master of Arts (M.A.T.) Degree in Teaching

Admission to the University

All students must be admitted to the University before they may enroll in graduate classes. A completed application for graduate school must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and who have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better may be unconditionally admitted to the University and enroll in graduate-level courses.

Graduate school applicants are required to submit an official transcript verifying their baccalaureate degree. Students who do not submit an official transcript may be admitted provisionally. Provisional students may not enroll for a second semester without the required documents. Graduate students living in a UAM residence hall must also submit proof of immunization as required by state law. In addition, applicants may be required to submit scores on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general test. To pursue a graduate degree, applicants must also be admitted to the appropriate school. Specific master’s degree programs may require a certain GRE score before students may be admitted to that program. Students should refer to the specific master’s degree program for its requirements.

International applicants must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and must submit supporting documents required to receive an I-20. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) on the TOEFL is required for admission.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum grade point average of 2.50 may petition to the Graduate Council for probationary admission. Probationary admission will allow a student to enroll in up to 12 hours of course work. To continue enrollment in graduate classes, students admitted on probationary admission must complete 12 hours with a grade point average of 3.00 or better.

A graduate student who has not been enrolled for a period of two calendar years will be classified as inactive. To resume graduate study, the student must reapply for admission to the University through the Office of Admissions.

Acceptance of Transfer Credit

Normally, no more than six transfer credits will be accepted from another institution for inclusion into a student’s UAM academic record. Additionally, no courses with grades below a “B” will be accepted for transfer credit.
As many as 9 (nine) credits, not to include specifically required courses in areas of specification may be accepted from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Acceptance of transfer credit toward the student’s degree plan must be approved by the degree program committee and/or advisor, and the dean of the school.

Course Loads and Course Work

Normally, the maximum course load must not exceed 12 graduate hours during the spring or fall semesters and six (6) hours for each summer term. Students who hold a graduate assistantship must enroll for a minimum of six 6) hours during the fall and spring semesters. To be considered full-time status, during the academic year, graduate students must enroll in six (6) hours during the fall and spring semester. Students, especially graduate assistants, should refer to their specific degree programs for additional enrollment requirements.
Normally, courses older than six (6) years will not apply to a graduate program of study. Courses older than six years must be appealed to the Graduate Council.

Independent Study

A graduate student’s intellectual growth can be enriched when he/she is engaged in independent study.
Independent study courses may require extensive independent study, research, formal written reports and regular conferences with the instructor. A detailed description of the independent study and its requirements must be submitted for approval to the instructor, dean/chair, and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Graduate Dean. Students may complete only one independent study course each semester. Independent study should not duplicate existing courses in the academic catalog.
Only students who have been admitted to a degree program will be eligible for
independent study. Normally, a maximum of nine hours of independent study may apply to a degree program.

Professional Development Courses

Courses offered specifically for the purpose of professional development are designated with a PD course prefix. These courses focus on the exact skill development needed by the professional that is relevant for a specific need and purpose. PD courses are not transferable into a master’s degree graduate program of study at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Graduate Certificate Program

The graduate certificate program is a focused collection of courses in a given discipline or set of related disciplines. The completion of a graduate certificate provides the individual with a coherent academic program of 12-18 hours. The eligibility requirements for this graduate certificate include meeting admission and completion requirements of UAM’s graduate school.

Grades and Academic Status

Graduate students may earn grades of A, B, C, D, or F. These grades indicate the following:
A Excellent graduate work
B Good graduate work
C Marginal graduate work
D Poor graduate work
F Failing graduate work

Students whose grade record includes three courses in their approved graduate program of study with grades of “C” or lower will be dismissed from their Graduate Program.

Undergraduate Students Enrolling in Graduate Courses

Qualified undergraduate students may be permitted to enroll in graduate courses for either undergraduate or graduate credit within the following guidelines. Only undergraduate students within 30 hours of graduation may petition to enroll in graduate courses through the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Graduate Dean. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00, approval by the course instructor, faculty advisor, and consent of the dean or chair of the offering unit must be presented as part of the petition. When circumstances warrant, upon petition from the student, the Graduate Council may authorize awarding graduate credit. Students enrolling in graduate courses for graduate credit (not undergraduate credit) may not apply such credits to undergraduate degree requirements.

Academic Conduct Code

Academic dishonesty involves any act that undermines the professional standards and integrity of the academic programs at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: A) cheating, B) plagiarism; and, C) misuse of University documents.
Academic dishonesty is considered unsatisfactory progress and may result in an AF@ grade(s), withdrawal from a course(s), dismissal from the UAM Graduate School and/or from the graduate degree program. The level of penalty is determined by the faculty member, advisor, school dean, and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Graduate Dean.

Dismissal

Any graduate student whose course work is unsatisfactory or violates good student conduct or campus employment rules may be dismissed from graduate courses or graduate programs.

Policy and Regulation Changes

The University further reserves the right to change any other regulations affecting the student body. Changes shall become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine, and shall apply not only to prospective students, but also to those currently enrolled in the University.

Graduation Under a Particular Catalog

Students have a maximum of six years to graduate under the catalog in effect at the time of their admission to a specific graduate program.
Students have the following two options: 1) abiding by the requirements of the UAM catalog in effect at the time of their original enrollment, or 2) abiding by a more current active UAM catalog, as long as they were enrolled at UAM during the period that the catalog was in effect. Changes in academic programs or actions taken by authorities external to the University (e.g., accrediting agencies or state agencies) may make it necessary for a student to move to a more recent catalog.
The present catalog is in force from Summer II 2005 through Summer I 2007.

Appeals of Academic Policy

Appeal rights are open to all students in graduate programs. Appeals should be initiated through the graduate student’s advisor and pursued with the school dean, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Graduate Dean, and the Graduate Council.