Graduate Course Levels:

500 and 600-level course designation:

Master’s-level graduate courses number 500 and 600 require a Bachelor’s degree and admission to a graduate program. These courses are more rigorous than undergraduate courses and often require previous graduate-level study. These courses also require a higher level of critical thinking, necessitate considerably more intellectual rigor, and demand integration of information into frameworks of knowledge.

Assumptions:

The Graduate Programs are specifically designed to enhance the student’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes in their chosen academic arenas and to prepare them to accept professional responsibilities. Success in the Graduate Programs is based not only on completing the required courses work but also on demonstrating competencies and attitudes appropriate to the profession.

Expectations:

1. Students should be capable of sustained, independent inquiry and analysis;
2. Students should have a mastery of writing skills in the format required by the discipline;
3. Students should understand and carry out research at the Master’s level;
4. Students should possess a thorough understanding of the literature within the discipline;
5. Students should possess the ability to communicate effectively on topics within the discipline of study.

700-level course designation:

These courses are reserved for clinical work in the discipline

Assumptions:

Courses at the 700 level are designed to prepare the graduate student for becoming a practitioner within the field.

Expectations:

1. Students should be able to function as practitioners in their field under the supervision qualified professionals;
2. Students should be able to self-evaluate while accepting guidance from supervisors.

800-level course designation:

These courses are offered at the doctoral level. Students must have been admitted into a doctoral program within the University.

Assumptions:

1. A doctoral program involves a serious commitment of time and energy. Requirements for completion of the degree go far beyond completion of courses, examinations, and a dissertation. Throughout the doctoral program, students are expected to be involved in the research projects of faculty members, to assist in teaching courses, to provide group and individual supervision when assigned, to attend and present at professional conferences, and generally to immerse themselves in professional activities at the University. These activities are designed to prepare doctoral students to become faculty members or leaders in their fields.
2. Students at this level should have completed a Master’s degree within the discipline and mastered the requirements necessary to enter a doctoral program. These students should have leadership qualities and the ability to work independently toward completing not only rigorous course work but also independent research leading to a dissertation or action research project.

Expectations:

1. Students should be able to extend and contribute to theoretical and empirical knowledge in the fields;
2. Students should be able to demonstrate the ability to engage in critical thinking, decision making, and independent judgment;
3. Students should be able to design, conduct, evaluate, and disseminate research in their disciplines for its applicability to the field;
4. Students should be able to practice leadership skills in collaboration with members of the profession;
5. Students should be able to evaluate the impact of theory and practice as it relates to their fields;
6. Students should be able to accept individual responsibility and accountability for personal and professional growth;
7. Students should be able to design and complete independent research, leading to either a dissertation or action research project;
8. Students should be able to prepare to assume leadership roles in their fields.