Doctoral Degree
General Requirements
A doctoral program of study must include a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework. Subject to the approval of the students’ advisors and the Registrar, doctoral students who have a “B” grade average or above in graduate work from another approved institution may be permitted to transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of credit. Only work with “B” or better grades earned at an accredited institution and acceptable toward a graduate degree at that institution will be considered for transfer.
Dissertation Requirements
A dissertation is required in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, the Doctor of Philosophy in Heritage Studies, the Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences and the Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biosciences. The department chair/program director and college dean, upon recommendation of the major professor, will approve the student’s dissertation committee. The committee comprises a minimum of three (3) committee members. The chair of the committee must hold Regular Graduate Faculty status at Arkansas State University. Students can elect to have two (2) co-chairs when specialized expertise is required for their research topic. If a co-chair is appointed, at least one of the co-chairs must hold Regular Graduate Faculty status at Arkansas State University. All other members must have Regular, Professional, or Affiliate Graduate Faculty status at Arkansas State University and represent areas of the student’s research. In the event of a tied vote for approval of the dissertation, the chair will cast the deciding vote. In order to register for dissertation hours, a Request to Form Thesis or Dissertation Committee Form and a Submission of Thesis or Dissertation Proposal Form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar.
Time to Degree
The time allowed for completion of the doctoral degree is eight (8) years from first enrollment in the program, exclusive of time spent in the armed forces of the United States. Graduate work completed outside of the eight-year time frame cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements. Transfer credit taken prior to admission to A-State may be included in the eight-year, time-to-degree limit. The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is an exception to the 8-year time to completion; please see specific department policy for this degree.
Program Policies
Specific doctoral program policies can be found in the Graduate Bulletin sections below:
College of Education and Behavioral Science
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
College of Liberal Arts and Communication
Doctor of Philosophy in Heritage Studies
College of Nursing and Health Professions
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biosciences
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) Degree
General Requirements
The Specialist degree is a sixth-year program of study consisting of a minimum of 30 hours beyond the Master’s degree. Each candidate’s program will be planned during the initial enrollment period with an advisory committee to ensure that professional requirements are met.
Subject to the approval of the students’ advisors and the Registrar, specialist students who have a “B” grade average or above in graduate work from another approved institution may be permitted to transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of credit. Only work with “B” or better grades earned at an accredited institution and acceptable toward a graduate degree at that institution will be considered for transfer.
Comprehensive Examination
Some Specialist degrees require a comprehensive examination over the program of study. The comprehensive examination may be written or oral or both as determined by the department in which the major is earned. An examination period is scheduled by each department during each enrollment period. The date of examination is announced in writing via email to all enrolled students during the second week of the term by each department. Students must be enrolled in order take the comprehensive exam.
Specialist candidates may choose to take the comprehensive examination at the department’s scheduled time during any enrollment period. Students must notify the department chair of the intent to sit for the examination at least two weeks prior to the scheduled test date. Students must pass the examination within the six year time limit for completion of degree requirements. Students will not be permitted to take the comprehensive examination unless a “B” average has been earned on all graduate work completed.
The examination shall be prepared and graded by the comprehensive examination committee selected from the faculty by the chair of the major department and the dean of the college. Results of the examination are submitted to the Registrar. Prior to a deadline established by the University for each enrollment period, the Registrar must be notified in writing when students have passed or failed the examination. Students failing the examination may repeat it at a time approved by the comprehensive examination committee but no earlier than the next scheduled period.
Before repeating the examination, students should consult with their committee. The completion of additional coursework or other additional study may be required.
Students who fail the comprehensive examination a second time will be dropped from candidacy for the degree.
Time to Degree
The time allowed for completion of the specialist degree is six (6) years from first enrollment in the program, exclusive of time spent in the armed forces of the United States. Graduate work completed outside of the six-year time frame cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements without the approval of the Graduate Dean. Transfer credit taken prior to admission at A-State may be included in the six-year limit.
Master’s Degree Policies
General Requirements
The program of study must include a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework.
Subject to the approval of the students’ advisors and the Registrar, master’s students who have a “B” grade average or above in graduate work from another approved institution may be permitted to transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of credit. Only work with “B” or better grades earned at an accredited institution and acceptable toward a graduate degree at that institution will be considered for transfer.
Comprehensive Examination
Some candidates for master’s degrees are required to take a comprehensive examination over their program of study (see each program for more information). The comprehensive examination may be written or oral or both, or may involve a practicum or internship experience as determined by the department in which the major is earned. An examination period is scheduled by each department during each full semester (Fall and Spring) and once in the Summer at the department’s discretion. The date of the examination is announced in writing to all enrolled students, and all previously enrolled students who have requested notification, during the second week of the term.
Master’s candidates may choose to take the comprehensive examination at the department’s scheduled time during any enrollment period. Students must notify the department chair of intent to sit for the examination at least two weeks prior to the scheduled test date.
Students must pass the examination within the six-year time limit for completion of degree requirements. The language requirement or other research tool must have been fulfilled before completing the comprehensive examination for those degree programs having a language requirement or other research tool. Prior to a deadline established by the University for each enrollment period, the Registrar must be notified in writing via email when students have passed or failed the examination. Students failing the examination may repeat it at a time approved by the comprehensive examination committee but no earlier than the next scheduled period.
Before repeating the examination, students should consult with their committee. The completion of additional coursework or other additional study may be required.
Students who fail the comprehensive examination a second time will not be eligible for the degree.
Thesis
Where required or elected, the thesis will carry a minimum of six hours of credit. Students may not register for thesis credit until they have submitted a Request to Form a Thesis or Dissertation Committee form and the committee has approved the proposed topic. Credit is awarded only upon completion and approval of the thesis. The student must be enrolled for thesis credit the semester it is completed and approved by committee, even if all required thesis-credit hours have already been completed. Upon the successful oral defense of the thesis, a grade of Pass (“P”) will be assigned.
The thesis must demonstrate the student’s capacity for creative expression, research, ability to organize and interpret data, and ability to report research in an acceptable style. The thesis subject is approved by the major professor and by the student’s thesis committee no later than the close of the semester preceding that in which the student is planning to complete degree requirements. If degree completion is planned for a summer session, the thesis subject must be approved no later than 60 days after the first day of classes in the spring semester. The thesis shall be in the form prescribed by the University as presented in the Guide for Writers of Dissertations and Theses, available on the Graduate Programs website.
The student’s thesis committee approves the thesis, including passing its defense. The thesis must be delivered to the major professor at least four weeks before the anticipated commencement date. The original, with the Thesis Defense Form signed by all thesis committee members, must be submitted to the Registrar by the deadline listed on the University’s Academic Calendar. The completed thesis will be submitted online through ProQuest according to the Thesis/Dissertation guide. The student is required to purchase two copies of their thesis for the Library.
Thesis Committee
The department chair/program director and/or college dean, upon recommendation of the major professor, will approve the student’s thesis committee. The committee comprises a minimum of three (3) committee members. The chair of the committee must hold Regular Graduate Faculty status at Arkansas State University. Students can elect to have two (2) co-chairs when specialized expertise is required for their research topic. If a co-chair is appointed, at least one of the co-chairs must hold Regular Graduate Faculty status at Arkansas State University. All other members must have Regular, Professional, or Affiliate Graduate Faculty status at Arkansas State University and represent areas of the student’s research, as approved by the Graduate Council. In order to register for thesis hours, a Request to Form Thesis or Dissertation Committee Form and a Submission of Thesis or Dissertation Proposal Form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar before students can enroll in thesis hours.
Time to Degree
The time allowed for completion of the master’s degree is six (6) years from first enrollment in the program (unless otherwise approved by the graduate school dean), exclusive of time spent in the armed forces of the United States. Graduate work completed outside of the six-year time frame cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements. Transfer credit taken prior to admission at A-State may be included in the six-year limit.
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