Guide to Curricular Procedures, Section Three: The Graduate School

Bylaws Article VII, Section 2, of the Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules of the University Faculty Senate provides the authorization for the Graduate Faculty to approve new and revised graduate programs and courses. It reads as follows:

Section 2
The faculty of the Graduate School, as represented by the Graduate Council, is delegated authority for the interests of the Graduate School except in those matters that have University-wide implications; it shall administer its own affairs subject to review by the Senate.

The review process shall include a report of actions of the Graduate Council to the Senate through the Senate Council. On special motion of the Senate Council, any of those actions may be placed on the agenda of the Senate for appropriate action.

The Senate Council will provide for liaison with the Graduate Council.

The Dean of the Graduate School shall present an annual report to the University Faculty Senate.

This delegation is interpreted by the Graduate Faculty to include actions governing the introduction of new graduate programs and courses, and changes in existing graduate programs and courses.

A. Program, Option, or Minor Proposals

See the Graduate School’s website for an Overview of the Graduate Council Curricular Review Process and a guide to Developing Graduate Program Proposals. Graduate Council policies and procedures relating to curricular review can be found in the GCAC-200 Programs and Curriculum Policies section of Graduate Education Policies. The GCAC-206 Graduate Program Proposals – Procedure document is particularly relevant. Questions may be directed to the Director of Graduate Council Administration (814-865-2518).

B. Postbaccalaureate/Graduate Credit Certificate Programs

See Graduate Council policy GCAC-212 Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs.

C. Graduate Course Proposals

See the Graduate School’s website for an Overview of the Graduate Council Curricular Review Process and a guide to Graduate Course Proposal Submission. Graduate Council policies and procedures relating to curricular review can be found in the GCAC-200 Programs and Curriculum Policies section of Graduate Education Policies. The GCAC-206 Graduate Program Proposals – Procedure document is particularly relevant. Questions may be directed to the Director of Graduate Council Administration (814-865-2518).

D. Common Course Numbers

See Graduate Council policy GCAC-215 Common Course Numbers.

Specific titles may be added to some common course numbers (594, 894, 595, 895, 596, 896, 597, 897, 598, 898, 599, 899) in any given semester by using alpha suffixes following the same procedure that is used for undergraduate courses outlined in Section I.D.2. The following alpha letters have been reserved for this purpose: A-G, I, and K.

E. Graduate Credits

See Graduate Council policies GCAC-203 Graduate Course Designations and GCAC-204 Graduate Course Definitions – 500- vs. 800-Level Courses.

F. Pass/Fail Grading System

See Graduate Council policy GCAC-401 Grading System, Policy Statement #4.

G. Concurrent Offering of Graduate and Non-graduate Courses

See Graduate Council policy GCAC-205 Concurrent Offering of Graduate and Non-Graduate Courses.

H. Courses with Fixed Credits

A fixed-credit or variable-credit graduate course at the 500, 600, or 800 level may not be offered for fewer or more than the number of credits approved in the course proposal, either on an individual or a section basis.