Graduate Advisor Handbook

                                   Table of Contents

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Office of Graduate Studies Information

Directory.............................................................................................................. 4
Office of Graduate Studies Website Tips............................................................. 5
Graduate Advisor’s LISTSERV.............................................................................. 8
Graduate Faculty Membership............................................................................. 9
Thesis Office...................................................................................................... 10
Student Resources and Information.................................................................. 11
English Language Proficiency Requirements...................................................... 13

DEGREE PROCESSING
Departmental Role in Oversight of Graduate Students’ Programs..................... 18
Standardized Tests........................................................................................... 19
Compass........................................................................................................... 20
Compass Reports.............................................................................................. 21
Interdisciplinary Programs................................................................................. 21
Graduate Classifications.................................................................................... 22
Degree Level Changes...................................................................................... 22
Subvention Funding........................................................................................... 22
99-Hour Cap...................................................................................................... 24
Dismissal of a Graduate Student....................................................................... 24
Registration....................................................................................................... 25
Grade Point Ratios (GPR)................................................................................... 27
Degree Plans..................................................................................................... 29
Preliminary & Final Examinations....................................................................... 33

FINANCIAL PROCESSING
Payment of Tuition for Graduate Assistants...................................................... 37
Online Payment Request System (ONPAR)........................................................ 40
Request for Graduate Students to Work Additional Hours................................ 42
Guidelines for Out-of-State Tuition Waivers...................................................... 42
Fellowships, Grants, and Awards...................................................................... 44
OGS Fellowship Details...................................................................................... 51

Graduate Admissions Information

Directory .......................................................................................................... 57
Items Required by the Admissions Office ......................................................... 58
Contacting OAR................................................................................................. 59
Evaluation and Admission Tools ....................................................................... 59
Special Circumstances ...................................................................................... 60
Graduate Admissions Compass Forms Guide..................................................... 62

International Programs for Students Information

Directory............................................................................................................. 76
Resources and Services for U.S. Citizens............................................................ 77
Resources and Services for International Students............................................ 84
Understanding the International Student........................................................... 90
Immigration Information for Academic Advisors of International Students.......... 91
Commonly Used Immigration Terms and Acronyms............................................. 98
Sponsored Student Programs........................................................................... 102

Office of the Registrar – Records Section Information

Add/Drop Requests........................................................................................... 109
Grade Changes................................................................................................. 110
Full Time Classification for Internships/Co-Op Experiences............................... 111
Memo from the Registrar................................................................................... 112
Sample Forms.................................................................................................... 114

Sample Forms -- Office of Graduate Studies................................................. 121
                                                                                  
Registration in Compass Training Documents