Graduate College

Information for Master’s Students 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER’S DEGREE 

Graduate College Requirements 

The master’s degree requires the equivalent of at least two semesters of satisfactory graduate work, and such additional work as may be prescribed for the degree. All coursework applied toward the master’s degree must carry graduate credit. Whether or not a thesis is required is determined by the Graduate Council on request from the academic unit offering the degree. 

Thesis Program Requirements 

If a thesis is written, the program will consist of at least 30 credit hours. 

Non-Thesis Program Requirements 

The number of credit hours required for a non-thesis program is program dependent, but all of these programs require at least 32 credit hours. 

Major and Minor Requirements 

The major requirements, as well as undergraduate prerequisites, are determined by the academic unit offering the degree and approved by the Graduate College. Minor emphasis requirements are determined by the academic unit in which the minor is earned. Requirements for the minor are a minimum of 12 hours to be distributed as nine credits from the approved lists of regular courses as defined, and three credit hours from the list of analysis tools. Minors are not currently posted to the graduate transcript. 

Academic Unit Requirements 

A department is permitted to add to the minimum undergraduate course requirements for the graduate minor and major fields, and to make recommendations concerning the preliminary work which that must be done before the student may be recognized as having attained full graduate standing in the department. Statements of these special requirements are included in the academic unit announcements. 

Course Credit Requirements 

All resident credit required for a master’s degree must be taught by members of the graduate faculty of the University of Oklahoma. Some course credit may be transferred from other institutions, under certain conditions. Courses completed through correspondence study are not acceptable toward the master’s degree. 

Obtaining a Master’s Degree While Working on a Doctoral Degree 

Students who do not hold the master’s degree in the doctoral field, but who have passed the general examination for the doctoral degree, may be admitted to candidacy and awarded the appropriate master’s degree provided they meet the following conditions: 

Graduate students working on a doctoral degree cannot apply for a master’s degree based on the passage of the General Examination if a thesis is required for all master’s degrees in that academic unit. The Graduate College normally does not grant an additional master’s degree in the same field in which an individual already holds a master’s degree. 

TRANSFER CREDIT APPLIED TOWARDS THE MASTER’S DEGREE 

Graduate College Guidelines for Transfer Credit 

The acceptance of transfer credit toward master’s degree programs at the University of Oklahoma is determined in accordance with the following criteria: 

1. The coursework transferred represents valid graduate credit earned in graduate-level courses from an accredited college or university; and 

2. The credit is not more than five years old at the time of admission or readmission to the degree program; and 

3. The credit is applicable to the degree program; and 

4. The credit is approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College Dean. 

The credit must carry a grade of A, B, or S on a 4.0 scale, and the S grade must be equivalent to a B or higher. For institutions with an expanded grading system (+/- system), the transfer credit must be equivalent to 3.00 or higher. Grades of B- do not transfer. 

Limitations on Transfer Credit Applied Toward the Master’s Degree 

No more than 25 percent of the minimum number of credit hours required for the master’s degree may be transferred from other institutions. However, eight transfer hours may be accepted in a program that requires less than 34 credit hours. 

Academic Units Unit Guidelines for Transfer Credit 

Academic units with transfer rules more stringent than those of the Graduate College shall so indicate in that section of the General Catalog which specifically describes their program. The rules of these academic units shall take precedence over those found elsewhere and are available in the Graduate College and the academic unit. 

Transfer Credit from OSU-Tulsa to OU-Tulsa Programs 

A list of degree and certificate programs offered by OU in Tulsa is available in this bulletin and on the OU-Tulsa Web site at http://tulsagrad.ou.edu/tgc/. In no case may more than 15 hours from OSU-Tulsa be applied toward a graduate degree earned at OU-Tulsa. A student who interchanges more than eight hours of credit between Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma must petition the Graduate Dean for permission to apply transfer credit from a third institution toward their degree program.  Coursework transferred from OSU-Tulsa must meet all other normal requirements for transfer credit. Individual degree programs may have more restrictive policies regarding transfer credit. Students should contact their academic unit for more information about the acceptability of transfer credit. 

Transfer Credit From the OU Health Sciences Center 

Graduate coursework completed at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is considered residence credit. Upon approval by the academic unit and Graduate Dean, this credit may be used without limitations as credit toward a degree on the Norman campus. 

Transfer Credit From the OneNet Conferencing System 

An exception to the 25 percent limit on transfer credit is made for courses taken through the OneNet two-way video conferencing system. Up to 50 percent of the credit hour requirements for a master’s degree may be transferred from Oklahoma State University if the courses were taken via OneNet. Residence credit is granted for graduate-level coursework taken via OneNet when taught by a member of the University of Oklahoma graduate faculty. 

Transfer Credit From a First Master’s Degree Applied Toward a Second Master’s Degree 

Credit hours previously presented and counted for one master’s degree may not be applied toward satisfying the requirements of a second master’s degree with the exception of approved dual degree programs. 

Transfer Credit From a Professional Degree Applied Toward a Master’s Degree 

With the approvals indicated above, the credit from a professional degree (e.g., DD, MD, JD, DVM, DDS) may be applied toward a master’s degree as transfer credit, provided that such courses carry a grade of B or better and have been approved for graduate credit. 

Transfer Credit in Absentia 

Courses and fieldwork done in absentia may be transferred in rare cases upon recommendation of the academic unit and with approval of the Graduate Dean. 

Transfer Credit From Advanced Standing Exams 

No graduate credit may be earned by advanced standing examinations. 

Transfer Credit and Grade Point Average Computation 

Transfer credit is considered neutral in the computation of the University of Oklahoma grade point average for the purpose of determining continued admissibility and graduation. 

COURSE CREDIT LIMITATIONS (Graduate) 

3000/4000-Level Courses 

With approval of the academic unit, a student may apply up to a total of 12 credit hours of 3000 and/or 4000 level courses that carry graduate credit toward a 30 to 36 credit hour master’s degree. For any graduate degree requiring more than 36 credit hours, a student may apply up to one-third of the total credit hours, but no more than 16 credit hours of 3000- and/or 4000-level courses toward the degree. A maximum of three-fourths of the credit hours of 4000-level courses permitted by the Graduate College may be from the academic unit offering the degree (e.g., nine hours on a 30- to 36-hour master’s degree). No 3000-level courses from the academic unit offering the degree may apply toward any of its graduate degrees. 

A student who has special coursework needs that cannot be met within the limitations listed above may petition the Graduate Dean for an exception to the limitations. The petition must be submitted before the student completes 12 hours of graduate work in the program. The petition must contain a detailed justification for requesting the exception and must list all courses to be applied toward the graduate program. The petition must be endorsed by the student’s graduate liaison. The Graduate Dean will make a decision based on the merit of the petition. This decision will not be considered as a precedent for further petitions requesting an exception to the number of 3000/4000-level courses that can be applied toward a graduate degree. 

S/U Graded Courses 

No more than one-half of the coursework for an OU master’s degree, excluding research for the thesis (5980), may be S/U graded coursework. 

Research for Master’s Thesis Credit 

Within the limit of six credit hours, each academic unit must set the number of credit hours of Research for Master’s Thesis (course 5980) that may be counted toward the master’s degree. Each academic unit must inform the Graduate College of its limits. 

Application of Credit from an Unsuccessful Graduate Program to Another Graduate Program 

The student must gain admission to a different program from the unsuccessful program, and must have permission from that academic unit and the Dean of the Graduate College to include courses taken for the first graduate program. The courses must be applied to a different academic program than the one in which the student failed the comprehensive examination or thesis defense, and the courses must be applicable to the new degree program. Courses taken prior to failing the general examination for the second time may count for no more 50 percent of the credit hours required for another a master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma, and they are applicable only if the courses were taken within five years of the student’s admission to the second master’s degree program. Courses taken prior to failing either the comprehensive examination for the second time or the thesis defense can count for no more than 25 percent of the credit hours required for a another master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma. No credit hours from a failed graduate degree can be applied directly to a doctoral program. However, if credit hours from a successful master’s degree were applied to the failed doctoral degree, the hours taken for the master's degree may be applied toward another doctoral degree. 

TIME LIMITS FOR COMPLETION OF THE MASTER’S DEGREE 

Graduate College Time Limits 

A student registered in a master’s degree program will normally complete all of the degree work within five calendar years of graduate enrollment at the University of Oklahoma. 

Academic Unit Time Limits 

Academic units with shorter time limits shall so indicate in those sections of the General Catalog which refer specifically to their programs. This information also is available in the Graduate College and the academic unit. Students in these programs must abide by the lesser time period. No program may set a longer period for degree completion than that established by the Graduate College. 

Extensions 

If additional time is necessary and proper to complete the degree, the student’s committee should petition the Graduate Dean for an extension. This petition must be endorsed by the graduate liaison. Extensions may be granted for a variety of reasons that may include, but are not limited to, job relocation, military duty, pregnancy, illness, a serious accident, divorce, or other personal tragedies within the immediate family. The extension may be granted with qualification or it may be denied. An extension of time for completion of degree requirements does not affect the limitations of the number of allowed over age credit as outlined below in “Course Age Limits.” 

Extensions over One Year 

Extensions exceeding one year may require that the academic unit certify that the student’s knowledge is current and appropriate to the degree at the time it is awarded. The academic unit is required to describe how it will determine that the student is current in the field at the time the degree is awarded. This may involve re-examination or additional coursework. See below, “Validating Overage Coursework.” 

Course Age Limits 

Graduate credit taken at the University of Oklahoma or at another accredited university that is to be applied toward a master’s degree must not be more than five years old at the time of admission or readmission to the Graduate College. No more than 25 percent of the total credit hours (residence credit and transfer credit, if any) applied toward the master’s degree can be more than five years old at the time of graduation. 

Validating Overage Coursework 

When a student wishes to apply overage credits from coursework taken at the University of Oklahoma, the overage credits must be validated. The department must develop a plan for evaluating the course content and the student’s knowledge. The process for validating overage coursework must have the approval of the Graduate Dean before it is implemented. After the evaluation is conducted, a report is made to the Graduate Dean for approval of the credits. The evaluation must address two issues: 

1. The material in the overage course must represent the current state of the discipline. The coursework must represent current knowledge; therefore, the department must determine what knowledge is now contained in the current course. If the course content is no longer current, the department must determine whether the student has mastered the subjects currently addressed in these courses. 

2. The department must develop a concrete plan to evaluate the students’ currency. The evaluation cannot be oral or informal. Usually the evaluation is done by a written exam, which may or may not be a component of the comprehensive or general exam.  In the case of students who have carried out continued academic activity in the field, the department can accept continuing creative activities in the area, such as teaching or refereed presentations or publication in the field. 

The coursework must be validated by a committee, usually the student’s committee. A separate evaluation must be made for each overage course. Directed readings cannot be validated as overage coursework. No course for which a grade of less than B was earned can be validated. Transfer credits cannot be validated as overage coursework; the coursework must have been taken at the University of Oklahoma. 

ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY (Master’s) 

A student who has done satisfactory graduate work and has maintained an overall grade point average of at least 3.00 on all resident graduate level courses and on all resident credit attempted may normally be admitted to candidacy for a master’s degree as soon as the student has enrolled in sufficient hours for the degree. A student can initiate the steps to schedule the comprehensive examination, the final oral/written examination, and/or the thesis defense only after he or she has received candidacy status. Final authority for admission to candidacy rests with the Graduate Dean. 

Admission to Candidacy Form 

An Admission to Candidacy form must be filed in the Graduate College no later than the first Monday in March (for summer graduates), the first Monday in April (for fall graduates) and the first Monday in October (for spring graduates). When appropriate, use the program-specific form. The The Admission to Candidacy form must be signed by the graduate liaison in the student’s department. The liaison’s signature indicates that the proposed course of study has been approved. Only those graduate-level courses needed to complete the requirements of the degree should be listed on the Admission to Candidacy form. If graduate-level courses are listed in excess of those required for the degree, they will be considered part of the degree program. This can create problems for students who plan to complete a second master’s degree or a doctoral degree program. 

The Graduate College must approve both sides of the form — the Admission to Candidacy side and the Program of Graduate Work side. All courses listed on the Program of Graduate Work side must be completed with a satisfactory grade. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that all courses with I grades have been completed and that the I make up reports have been filed. Students pursuing a dual degree must file candidacy forms for both programs in the Graduate College before the Graduate College will authorize the comprehensive examination or thesis defense. 

Information Packet 

When the student files the Admission to Candidacy form in the Graduate College, then he or she will receive a packet containing written instructions for the completion of the master’s degree. These packets also are available on the Graduate College Web site at http://gradweb.ou.edu. 

There are two packets, “Information for Master’s Candidates-Thesis Option” and “Information for Master’s Candidates-Non-Thesis Option,” are available in the Graduate College. Students are encouraged to obtain this information at least the semester prior to the completion of their program of study. 

Changes to the Admission to Candidacy Form 

Thesis Option 

A master’s thesis is the product of individual research. It should represent an original contribution to the academic field of knowledge, and it must represent original research by the student. 

Thesis Topic and Committee Selection 

A student in a thesis track program must work with an adviser to select both a thesis topic and a thesis committee. The thesis topic and committee must be chosen no later than the semester in which the student is required to submit the Admission to Candidacy form, or following the procedures established by the academic unit, if earlier. 

Thesis Committee Selection 

The committee must consist of a major professor and at least two other members of the graduate faculty. The Graduate Dean must approve the committee members. In rare circumstances the Graduate Dean may appoint additional members to a student’s master’s thesis committee. 

Application for Approval of the Master’s Thesis Topic and Committee Membership 

The Application for Approval of the Master’s Thesis Topic and Committee Membership form must be signed by all the committee members and the graduate liaison of the academic unit. This form must be filed in the Graduate College at the time the Admission to Candidacy form is filed. No substitute forms will be approved by the Graduate College and only forms correctly completed, with original signatures, will be evaluated. 

Changes to Thesis Committee or Thesis Topic 

If there are any changes in either the committee membership or the topic of the thesis, a new Application for Approval of the Master’s Thesis Topic and Committee Membership form must be completed. Changes in either the thesis topic or thesis committee membership must be fully approved by the Graduate College at least 14 days prior to the thesis defense. 

If the committee membership changes, all members of the new committee and all members of the previous committee must sign the new form. If a member of the previous committee is not in residence during the semester of the defense, then the chair or director of the academic unit may sign the form. Any faculty member who is being replaced and who is in residence during the semester of the defense, must indicate approval of the change by signing the back of the new form. This signature indicates a willingness to be deleted from the committee. If the committee member being replaced is no longer employed by the University of Oklahoma, the Graduate College should be contacted for instructions on completing the new form. 

If the thesis topic changes, all committee members and the graduate liaison of the academic unit must sign the new form. 

CHANGE IN TITLE 

Changes to the title (not topic) listed can be made with permission of the Graduate Dean. 

THE THESIS 

Copies of instructions for writing the thesis are available in the Graduate College or on our Web site at http://gradweb.ou.edu. 

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THESIS RESEARCH 

The initial enrollment in “Research for the Master’s Thesis” (5980) must be for at least two credit hours. Following the initial enrollment in “Research for Master’s Thesis” (5980), the student must maintain continuous enrollment on the home campus at the University of Oklahoma in at least two hours of 5980 during each regular semester until all degree requirements are completed or the candidacy is discontinued. 

Number of Thesis Credit Hours 

The minimum enrollment in 5980 is two hours each semester. The number of thesis credit hours for each enrollment will be determined by the faculty adviser on the basis of the amount of faculty and University services required by the individual student. A student working full-time on the thesis and using University facilities should enroll in at least nine hours of 5980 in regular semesters and four hours of 5980 during summer sessions. Such enrollments must be completed during the regular registration period. 

Summer Enrollment in 5980 

Students are not required to enroll in 5980 during the summer session unless any one of the following apply: 

Exceptions to Continuous Enrollment in 5980 

The continuous enrollment regulation will be waived for a student who is not working on the thesis and who is enrolled in at least nine graduate credit hours per regular semester. However, if thesis work is being done during a regular semester or summer session, a student must enroll in 5980 regardless of the number of other hours of enrollment. Other exceptions to the continuous enrollment regulation will be considered on an individual basis by petition to the Graduate Dean. 

Enrollment Non-compliance 

In the event that a graduate student does not comply, or has not complied, with the enrollment provisions above, then the student must enroll during the semester in which graduation is expected in the exact number of hours of 5980 that would have been completed with continuous enrollment. In addition, the student must pay a late enrollment fee for each of these semesters. Retroactive fees and tuition are assessed at the current semester rates. The final determination of the number of hours of 5980 in which the student must enroll in the final semester of the degree program, along with the collection of the appropriate fees, is the responsibility of the Graduate College and the Bursar’s Office. 

THESIS DEFENSE 

The candidate is permitted only one thesis defense. A student must be enrolled for credit in at least two graduate credit hours at the University of Oklahoma in the semester in which the thesis defense is taken. 

Thesis Draft 

The student is responsible for providing every member of the Thesis Committee with a draft of the thesis. The Thesis Committee will determine the timing of the student’s submission of the draft in order to give committee members sufficient time to review the thesis prior to the deadlines for submitting a reading copy to the Graduate College. 

Authority for the Thesis Defense 

The reading copy must be presented in person, not by mail, to the Graduate College two days before the thesis defense. The Graduate College will review and approve the reading copy. Once the reading copy of the thesis is approved, the Graduate College will issue to the student the Authority Report Form of the Thesis Defense. The student may not defend until this authority form has been issued. Failure to obtain the authority form may negate the results of a successful thesis defense. Authorization for the defense is valid for the period listed on the form. If the defense is not completed during this period, the Graduate College must be notified and the form returned marked “Not Taken.” 

The Defense 

A majority of the members of the thesis committee must be present and participate in the defense. It is expected that all participants will be present, but members can attend by video or telephone by permission of the Graduate Dean. The thesis defense may not be held when a suitable committee cannot be assembled. The thesis defense may not be held when the University is not in session or during the period of final course examinations. In unavoidable circumstances, a student and committee can petition the Graduate Dean to hold the defense when the University is not in session. 

Decision 

Within 72 hours of the thesis defense, the chair of the committee will report the committee’s decision to the Graduate Dean on the Authority Report Form of the Thesis Defense. All members of the thesis committee must sign the report form. A unanimous vote at the defense of the thesis is expected; however, on occasion some dissenting reports are received. 

DISSENTING VOTES 

If one member of the thesis committee dissents, the dissent is recognized as a minority report. If the committee consists of more than three members and two dissent, then the Graduate Dean will investigate and make a final decision. If more than two members of the Committee vote unsatisfactory, the thesis defense will be judged a failure regardless of how the majority of the Committee votes. 

UNSATISFACTORY DEFENSE 

If the defense is determined to be unsatisfactory, this decision is final and the defense cannot be repeated. The student will be disenrolled from the Graduate College and the student’s candidacy for the master’s degree will be terminated. A student who is disenrolled from a graduate program may apply to pursue a graduate degree in another major field, provided that, at the time of the new admission, the student satisfies all applicable requirements under the rules and regulations of the University of Oklahoma, it colleges, and its academic units. 

SATISFACTORY DEFENSE 

Once the thesis has been successfully defended, the student must deliver three originally signed, unbound copies of the thesis on white, 20-pound weight, 100 percent watermarked cotton or rag bond paper to the Graduate College. These copies must be brought to the Graduate College within 60 calendar days following successful defense of the thesis. They cannot be sent through the mail. Students who are planning to graduate in a particular semester must meet specific deadlines and may not have 60 days available. The Graduate College will review the thesis and perform a final degree check. If everything is in order, the student will receive a deposit form that must be signed by library personnel and returned by the student to the Graduate College. 

FAILURE TO DEPOSIT FINAL THESIS WITH LIBRARY 

If the thesis is not deposited in the library by the last day of the semester in which it was defended, the student may be required to enroll in additional hours. If the final thesis is not deposited in the library within 60 days of the defense, then the results of the first defense will be set aside and the student must repeat the thesis defense. A student required to repeat the thesis defense under these circumstances must present to the Graduate College a new reading copy of the thesis, which has received preliminary approval of the major professor. When this new reading copy has been accepted by the thesis committee, the student can then schedule the thesis defense. The student must be present in person for the thesis defense. 

Graduation Completion 

A student may not graduate until all degree requirements are completed, including depositing the final copy of the thesis in the Library. 

Non-Thesis Option 

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION 

A comprehensive examination is one of the requirements of a non-thesis program and cannot be waived. The examination may be either oral or written, or both. In any case, it should cover all work offered for the degree (fields, not courses). The maximum number of attempts to pass the master’s comprehensive examination is limited to two. A comprehensive examination is valid for two years from the end of the semester in which the comprehensive examination was taken. 

Authority Report Form for the Comprehensive Examination 

An Authority Report Form for the Comprehensive Examination must be requested in writing by the student’s chair or graduate liaison from the Graduate College prior to the administration of the examination, and at least one week before the examination. The authority report will not be issued until an Admission to Candidacy form is on file in, and has been approved by, the Graduate College. A student who has not completed the required or core courses and at least 75 percent of all coursework listed on the approved Admission to Candidacy form is not normally granted authority to take the comprehensive examination. However, exceptions can be made upon request to the Graduate Dean, provided that the graduate liaison and the student sign the Waiver for Early Examination. Core courses are defined as those specific courses that must be taken as part of the degree. They do not include courses taken from a prescribed list of courses. A student who is on probation may not take the comprehensive examination until probation status is cleared. The Graduate Dean must authorize the examination and approve the examining committee, consisting of no fewer than three persons. The authorization is valid for one semester only. The comprehensive examination may not be held when the University is not in session, during the period of final course examinations, or when a suitable committee cannot be assembled. If the examination is not completed during the semester in which authorization is given, the Graduate College must be notified and the form returned marked “Not Taken.” A new form must be obtained for the semester in which the examination is taken. 

Enrollment Requirements During the Semester the Comprehensive Examination is Taken 

A student must be enrolled for credit in at least two graduate credit hours at the University of Oklahoma in the semester in which the comprehensive examination is taken. 

The Comprehensive Examination 

A student should never take the comprehensive examination before authority is granted by the Graduate College. Failure to follow this procedure could invalidate a satisfactory performance on the comprehensive examination. All members of the committee must participate in the examination. 

Decision 

Within one week after the comprehensive examination is held, the Authority Report Form of the Comprehensive Examination must be returned to the Graduate College with the results and the signatures of all committee members. A unanimous vote of the examining committee is expected; however, on occasion some dissenting reports are received. 

DISSENTING VOTES 

If one member of the committee dissents, the dissent is recognized as a minority report. If two of three members of an examining committee judge the student’s performance unsatisfactory, the examination will be judged a failure. If the committee consists of more than three members and two dissent, the Graduate Dean will investigate and make a final decision. If more than three members of the Committee vote that the student’s performance is unsatisfactory, the student is judged to have failed the examination. 

FAILED EXAMINATION 

If the comprehensive examination is failed, the student may, at the discretion of the committee, repeat the examination once in the following semester or later. The comprehensive examination may not be taken a third time, nor may it be taken twice in the same semester. 

FINAL EXAMINATION 

A final examination consists of a thesis defense and/or a separate comprehensive examination subject to the discretion of the academic unit. For those programs requiring both the thesis defense and a separate comprehensive examination, students will follow Graduate College and University regulations regarding both the defense and the comprehensive examination. Refer to the preceding sections on the “Comprehensive Examination” and “Thesis Defense” for those requirements and procedures. 

Enrollment Requirements During the Semester the Final Examination is Taken 

A student must be enrolled for credit in at least two graduate credit hours at the University of Oklahoma in the semester in which the final examination is taken. As a minimum, with department approval, a student may enroll in these two hours as an auditor. 

GRADUATION 

A student must file for graduation. Students who fail to apply by the stated deadlines will not be cleared for graduation until the semester all requirements are completed.

Checklist for Master’s Students 

September 2007