Texas A&M University-Commerce

Requirements for the Master’s Degree

1. Prerequisites. Admission to Graduate Studies does not imply that the applicant has the necessary background to earn a degree in a specific department. To major or minor in a department, the candidate must have or must obtain adequate preparation to assure successful graduate work. Background courses cannot be applied toward the graduate major.

2. Grades. A grade point average of 3.00 or better on all graduate work completed at this university; on all graduate courses used toward the degree; and on all major courses in the student’s major field, as well as an overall grade point average of 3.00 or better on all graduate courses completed, is required for graduation. If a course is retaken, the last grade will be counted in the computation of the overall grade point average. No grade of “D” or below will count toward a graduate degree. A course in which an “F” is received is considered a course completed. A “DF” is calculated the same as an “F” and counts as a grade below “B”. A student receiving a grade of “C” or lower in four graduate courses will be suspended and will not be allowed to pursue further graduate study at this institution for six years. This provision applies to all courses taken, including all duplicated courses.

Note: Only grades earned at A&M-Commerce are calculated into the student’s grade point average.

3. Major. The student should check the major department section of the catalog for specific course requirements, however, a minimum of eighteen hours is necessary to complete a major. Students desiring to change majors, must be in good standing with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, and must complete a Change of Major/Degree form.

4. Minor. A student must complete at least twelve hours in an approved subject area before that subject may be listed as a minor. Completion of a minor is not, however, a mandatory requirement. Students receiving a minor must satisfy candidacy and comprehensive examination requirements of the minor department.

5. Admission to Candidacy for Master’s Degree. In those programs requiring candidacy, the student must apply and be admitted to candidacy at least one semester prior to graduation. Not all programs require candidacy. Degree programs requiring candidacy are as follows: Art, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Counseling, History, Music, Physics, Psychology, Sociology and Social Work. Admission to candidacy requires:

a. full admission into the master’s program and satisfactory completion of all background courses and other departmental requirements,

b. completion of at least four and not more than six Texas A&M University-Commerce graduate courses. Three of the courses must be in the major field, and

c. a grade point average of 3.00 or higher on all graduate work attempted at A&MCommerce and on all graduate courses in the major.

When the above requirements have been met, the student should petition the major (and minor, if applicable) department for admission to candidacy. The major and/or minor department may require a written and/or oral qualifying examination before granting approval. It is the student’s responsibility to see that the candidacy forms are submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research prior to the semester in which the student expects to graduate.

6. Residency. A minimum of two-thirds of the course work applied to a master’s degree must be taken from A&M-Commerce. Students should check with the department for any departmental residency requirements.

7. Time Limitation. All work for the master’s degree must be completed during the six years immediately preceding the date on which the degree is to be awarded. Credit earned over six years prior to graduation will require specific written departmental justification and approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in order to be counted toward a master’s degree. The discipline in which the course(s) was taken shall be involved in the validation of an old course. In no case, may courses more than 10 years old be applied to the master’s degree. These same limitations apply to all transfer courses.

8. Thesis Proposal. All students writing a thesis must submit a thesis proposal to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research at least one semester prior to graduation. This proposal, which should be completed in consultation with the major advisor, must be approved by all members of the thesis committee and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Proposal forms and instructions for preparation of the thesis are available from the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.

Human Subjects Protection. In preparing your thesis proposal you should be aware that any research which involves human subjects must be in compliance with University Rule A15.02 Human Subjects Protection. If your research involves human subjects you must have written approval from your department and the University Institutional Review Board prior to contacting your research subjects and before your proposal will be approved. Failure to gain appropriate approval before interacting with research subjects could result in denial of your proposal and have possible legal ramifications for you.

9. Thesis (518) and Research Literature and Techniques (595) Credit. All degree programs require the satisfactory completion of either the 518 or 595. The student must be registered for the 518 to receive advice and assistance from a member of the faculty or while utilizing university facilities. Credit for no more than six hours of 518 or three hours of 595 will be given upon satisfactory completion of each requirement. A reduced fee for 518 may be approved by the Registrar’s Office after all other course work for the degree is completed. Students writing a thesis must be enrolled during the semester the thesis is approved by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
Completion of the 595 must be evidenced by a product that shall be available for reference in the department for a minimum of three years.

10. Filing for Graduation. Students must file for graduation in the Registrar’s Office during the semester they plan to graduate. Deadlines can be found in the current class schedule and this catalog under university calendar. A student must be in good academic standing in order to complete graduation requirements.

11. Catalog Privileges. A student is entitled to use the degree provisions of any catalog in effect between the semester the student is admitted to the master’s degree program and the semester the student’s degree is conferred, provided the catalog used is not more than six years old at the time the degree is conferred.

12. Final Comprehensive Examinations. The candidate must pass a comprehensive examination administered by the advisory committee covering all the work within the master’s degree program including an acceptable defense of the thesis, if applicable. The student must be fully admitted to a master’s degree program and be in good academic standing with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research to be eligible to take the final examination. The Final Comprehensive Examination Report must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research prior to graduation according to the deadline found in the current Graduate Catalog or class schedule. A candidate who fails to pass the comprehensive examination may retake the exam with the approval of the advisory committee. Under extenuating circumstances, a third attempt may be granted but only upon recommendation of the advisory committee and approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

13. Submission of Thesis.
a. Initial submission. One copy of the thesis in its final form must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research by the deadline indicated in the schedule of classes or the Graduate Catalog for that particular semester (this deadline is approximately five weeks prior to commencement). Accompanying this copy will be the following:
(1) the Final Comprehensive Examination Report,

(2) receipt showing payment of the master’s fees (binding and mailing the thesis), plus fees for copyright, if applicable. (Payment is to be made to the Business Office, cashier’s window, Administration Building.)

(3) four signature pages on 100 percent cotton bond, at least 20 lb. paper, with each page signed by the committee members,

(4) the Office of Graduate Studies and Research forms: Agreement Form (copyright); Information Data Sheet; one extra copy of the abstract and title page.

b. Final submission. The candidate will be contacted as to any changes that need to be made in the manuscript. Once these changes are made, bring the final four copies on 100 percent cotton bond, at least 20 lb. paper to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. The Office of Graduate Studies and Research requires four final copies of the thesis that will be distributed to the student’s major department, major advisor, the library and the student. An additional copy on regular paper will be required for students who are submitting a thesis for copyright.

c. Final approval of the thesis rests with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
14. Use of Courses Taken During Non-Degree Status. No more than 12 hours taken in certification or non-degree status can be applied to a master’s degree.

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