Academic Procedures

Assignment of Advisor

Students will be assigned an advisor or co-advisors at the time of their admission on the basis of their program of study, career objectives, or research interests. Advisors will assist the student with planning a program of study, including selection of electives, and give other advice. All students are encouraged to contact their advisor(s) once they are admitted to the program. Succeeding in graduate school requires motivation, professional ambition, and the ability to maintain a high level of commitment. Students are expected to make appointments with their advisors in a timely manner, prior to registration and significant activities. If a student needs to delay their academic progress, they should discuss an academic leave with their advisor.  Academic leave for summer sessions should first be approved by your advisor; with an email forwarded to the Graduate Chair and the Graduate Secretary. Information on the academic leave policy for the academic year or for academic year semesters can be found at https://catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/graduate/registration/leave/. It is the students’ responsibility to complete the academic leave of absence form and ensure that it has been signed by their advisor and Graduate Chair and submitted to Graduate Studies.

Changing Advisors

During the course of study a student may change career goals or their initial research focus and, for those or other reasons, decide that another faculty person would be more appropriate for guiding their program or research activity. If you wish to change advisors, you should first discuss making a change with your current advisor(s) or the Graduate Chair. Should you decide to change advisors, it is your responsibility to identify another advisor. If you have questions about which faculty are eligible to serve as an advisor in your area of study, the Graduate Chair can provide suggestions. If a new advisor has agreed to work with you, the Graduate Chair will inform the current advisor regarding the change and process the necessary paperwork to notify Graduate Studies.

Role of the Graduate Secretary

The graduate secretary is available to answer questions pertaining to academic procedures related to degree programs and to assist students with academic matters.

Registration

You will be given an NU ID number at the time of application through Graduate Studies.  Using your NU ID and password a student can register through MyRed for up to 9 hours per semester and 6 hours per summer session.  Permission from Graduate Studies must be granted to increase the number of hours above these limits.

Effective Spring of 2017, registration in all courses in EDAD will require a permission code. This step will help ensure that admitted students have first priority in course sequences. Satisfactory academic progress requires that a student be enrolled in at least one course per term (fall, spring, and summer).

Specific enrollment requirements exist for students who have advanced to candidacy in the doctoral program.  Following admission to candidacy, the doctoral student must register for at least one credit hour of dissertation (EDAD 999) during each academic year semester (fall and spring) until he/she receives the doctoral degree, even if the doctoral student has reached the total dissertation hours on their approved program of study. In addition, the student must receive a grade of IP (in progress) for their work on the dissertation. Failure to register during each academic year semester will result in termination of the program of study. Receiving two grades of XP (no progress) on the dissertation will result in a recommendation of termination. Students who have completed all courses on the program of studies and who are registering for dissertation (EDAD 999) hours in excess of the requirements of the program in order to maintain continuous registration are eligible for a waiver of the non-resident portion of tuition. To qualify for this benefit, students must:

  • Have grades for all courses on the program except for dissertation (999) hours.
  • Send an email to Eva Bachman requesting this benefit. (You need only make this request once; your ABD status, once approved, will remain in effect until you graduate.)

Time-to-Degree

The Graduate College imposes limits on how long a student may take to earn a degree.  The work required for a master’s degree must be completed within ten consecutive years. The time limit on granting the doctoral degree is eight years from the time of filing the student’s program of study in the Office of Graduate Studies. An extension to the time limit for the doctoral degree is considered only if the student has advanced to candidacy and successfully defended the dissertation proposal.

It is recommended that Doctoral students finish the degree in six (6) years (no more than 4 years for course work and comprehensive exam and 2 years to complete a dissertation).  Masters students should complete degree requirements within four (4) years.

Transfer of Credit

Masters Degrees

No graduate credits will be accepted as transfer credit toward a masters program at UNL if the course work is 10 years or older or if the course work has been applied toward a previous masters degree.  Not less than 50% of the course work of the minimum number of graduate credits required for any masters graduate degree must be completed at the University of Nebraska. No graduate credits will be accepted as transfer credits unless earned at an institution fully accredited to offer graduate work in the field of the student’s major; nor should the student expect any graduate credits to be transferred unless the graduate committee evaluates the quality and suitability and determines that they are equal to or superior to offerings available at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A grade of B- or higher is required for any courses to transfer as part of a masters program.

Doctoral Degrees

At least half of the total program of courses and dissertation research must be completed at the University of Nebraska following submission of the program of studies to the Office of Graduate Studies. As a result, a doctoral student must complete at least 48 hours at UNL to earn the EdD and 45 hours (not including research coursers) at UNL to earn the PhD. The supervisory committee is not obligated to accept more than 36 credit hours earned in a master’s degree, credits beyond the master’s degree that are completed prior to filing a program of studies, or credits that are 10 years or older. Course work applied toward a previous doctoral degree will not be accepted. No graduate credits will be accepted as transfer credits unless earned at an institution fully accredited to offer graduate work in the field of the student’s major; nor should the student expect any graduate credits to be transferred unless the graduate committee evaluates the quality and suitability and determines that they are equal to or superior to offerings available at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A grade of B- or higher is required for any courses to transfer as part of a doctoral program.

Grading Systems

The University uses an A through F grading system. The letter grades with point value (in parentheses) are: A+ (4.0), A (4.0), A- (3.67), B+ (3.33), B (3.0), B- (2.67), C+ (2.33), C (2.0),
C- (1.67), D+ (1.33), D (1.0), D- (0.67), and F (0). Grades of W (dropped/withdrew),
I (incomplete), P (pass/C or better), and N (no pass) may also be given. W, I, P, and N are not assigned grade points. 

Scholastic Grade Requirements

All programs in the Department of Educational Administration require that a student receive B- or higher grades for all courses.   

A student failing to receive a B- or higher in all graduate-level courses may not continue his/her program of studies without permission of the supervisory committee (at the doctoral level) or the advisor and graduate chair (at the masters level), which may require a plan to address academic weaknesses or a special examination to determine the student’s qualifications for further work. 

Incompletes

Students should consult the syllabi of each course regarding policies for incompletes.  Normally, an incomplete will not be awarded unless a student has completed two-thirds of the requirements for a course. Although the University does not have a time limit for graduate students to remove an incomplete, EDAD has a policy that a student may have a maximum of two (2) incompletes at any given time. It is recommended that the student develop a plan identifying when outstanding requirements will be completed and ask the instructor to indicate acceptance of the plan and to identify when the work will be evaluated and a grade posted. Thesis and dissertation credit hours are graded IP (in progress) or XP (no progress) until the defense of these projects and are not considered as incompletes. A letter grade is recorded for the respective semesters of enrollment in thesis or dissertation upon the successful defense of the work. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The faculty and staff in the Department of Educational Administration are committed to supporting you through your graduate studies within our department.  It is with this support in mind that we have implemented policies and procedures to facilitate success academic progress and the successful completion of your educational program. For your benefit, we have outlined below, the Department of Educational Administration’s policies for satisfactory academic progress, and probation and dismissal procedures of students. Always remember that if you fall behind in your program we would like to help you overcome your obstacles and continue satisfactory progress. 

 The Department of EDAD defines satisfactory academic progress for all students through the following criteria:

  • Satisfactory completion of all conditions of provisional admission as identified in the letter of acceptance within 12 months of admission.
  • Continuous enrollment in at least one course each term, including summer.  If there are circumstances that prevent you from enrolling, you should discuss an academic leave with your advisor. If you fail to enroll or receive an academic leave for 2 consecutive semesters, you will be placed on probation.
  • A grade of  “B-” or higher in all courses.
  • No more than 2 “incompletes” at any given time.  If you receive 3 incompletes at any point in your program you will be placed on probation.
  • Master’s degree students must file the memorandum of courses, approved by your advisor, before completing 18 hours of credits.
  • All doctoral degree students must form a supervisory committee, participate in a program of study meeting, and file a program of study during the first fall semester of enrollment.
  • All doctoral degree students must successfully complete CITI training within the first semester of study and maintain CITI certification throughout their program of study.
  • All doctoral degree students must file an annual progress report by January 15 of each year.
  • All doctoral degree students must successfully complete the credit hour residency requirement by the end of the third year of study. (This requirement is explained in the Residency for Doctoral Students section, see p. 15).
  • All doctoral degree students must successfully complete the comprehensive examination and file the Application for Candidacy by the end of the fourth year of study.
  • Doctoral degree students pursuing the EdD with an educational administration major must complete the on campus summer residencies during the first, second, and third summers of enrollment.
  • Doctoral degree students pursuing the ELHE specialization must successfully complete the 12 hour core by the end of the second year of study.
  • Doctoral degree students pursuing the PhD must provide a plan, approved by their advisor, to enroll in the 6 hours of residency research seminars by the end of the first year of study and must successfully complete the 6 hours of residency research seminars by the end of the fourth year of study.
  • All doctoral students must continuously enroll in dissertation hours (EDAD 999) in Fall and Spring semesters following advancement to candidacy and earn a grade of IP (in progress).  If there are circumstances that prevent you from enrolling, you should discuss an academic leave with your advisor. If you fail to enroll and do not have an approved academic leave, you will be recommended for dismissal from the program. In addition, should a student receive two grades of XP (no progress) in EDAD 999 they will be recommended for dismissal from their program.

 Graduate students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are expected to maintain a high level of achievement in their graduate studies.  Accordingly, students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress may be subject to being denied permission to continue graduate studies in the Department, being placed on probation, or being terminated from a degree program.

Probation and Termination Procedures

Probation or termination recommendations for master’s degree students are made by the advisor and approved by the EDAD Graduate Committee.  Probation or termination recommendations for doctoral degree students are made by the advisor for approval by the student’s Supervisory Committee and then forwarded for approval to the EDAD Graduate Committee. For all graduate students in EDAD, probation or termination recommendations may be made under the following conditions: 

  1. Violations of the “Student Code of Conduct” listed in the Graduate Student Bulletin;
  2. Failure to satisfy “Scholastic Grade Requirements” established by the Department or University. A student who does not receive a grade of “B-“ or higher in all courses will be placed on probation. As per the Graduate Student Bulletin, a student failing to receive a “C” may not continue his/her program of studies without permission of the departmental graduate committee concerned, which may require a special examination to determine the student’s qualifications for further work;
  3. Failure to maintain “Satisfactory Academic Progress” as described in this Handbook;
  4. Failure in qualifying examinations, preliminary examinations, comprehensive examinations or final degree examinations;
  5. Failure to master the methodology and content of one’s field in a manner that is sufficient to complete a successful thesis or dissertation; or
  6. In fields leading to licensure or certification, ethical misconduct or lack of professional promise in the professional field. 

 A termination recommendation will automatically be made if a student fails to satisfy conditions required for removal of probationary status or provisional admission. 

 Should students experience educational or professional difficulties that interrupt satisfactory progress as outlined above, the student should work with their advisor or the advisor and the supervisory committee to create and implement a plan to address the difficulties and return the student to satisfactory standing within the department.  Should the student be unable to fulfill the expectations set forth in his/her academic plan with his/her advisor, procedures may be initiated to place the student on probation or recommend to the Dean of Graduate Studies that the student be dismissed from their academic program. 

 The following procedures have been developed to ensure that the rights of the student and the integrity of the program are protected. 

Probation Procedure

Should the EDAD Graduate Committee approve the recommendation that a student be placed on probation, the advisor (master’s degree student) or advisor and supervisory committee (doctoral degree student) shall meet with the student and clearly describe the following information in person and in writing:

  1. A description of unsatisfactory progress towards the degree
  2. A plan to return the student to satisfactory standing within the department, with clear criteria for ending the probationary status
  3. A timeline for meeting these criteria

 

Four weeks prior to the end of the probationary period the advisor will meet with the student to review the terms of probation and discuss any additional information needed to return the student to satisfactory standing within the department.

 

At the end of the probationary period the advisor (master’s degree student) or advisor and supervisory committee (doctoral degree student) will evaluate progress towards completion of the plan and inform the student in writing of the following:

  1. Return to full graduate status
  2. Continuation of probation (with the existing or a revised plan) or
  3. Recommendation to the Graduate Committee that the student’s program be terminated.

Termination Procedure

Once the Graduate Committee has approved a recommendation for dismissal, the Chair of the Department will inform the student in writing that a recommendation for termination is being forwarded to the Office of Graduate Studies.  The notice of recommendation to terminate will include the following information:

  1. A description of the specific reason(s) resulting in the recommendation for termination of the student’s academic program, and
  2. A summary of options available to the student, including student appeal

 

The Graduate Student Appeals Process outlined in the Graduate Studies bulletin https://catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/graduate/degrees/termination/ shall be followed in all termination appeals.

 

Graduate Assistantships

A number of graduate assistantships are available in various campus offices to students pursuing the student affairs cohort program.

The Department also sponsors a limited number of graduate assistantships for doctoral students that are awarded on an annual basis.  Normally, assistantships offered to doctoral level students will be offered for no more than four years. To be considered for a departmental assistantship, a student must be on campus and enroll full time.

Doctoral students seeking financial support should also be alert to other opportunities on campus. At times, some administrative offices fund graduate assistantships or faculty members in the College may have positions supported through grant opportunities.

Fellowships

In addition the department offers a limited number of fellowships to qualified students pursuing P-12 administrative certification or endorsement, ranging from $250 to $1500.  There are no work or service requirement associated with the fellowship payment. If you are interested in receiving a Fellowship, you should contact your advisor.

Educational Administration Graduate Student Association

The Educational Administration Graduate Student Association (EDAD GSA) is a student organization run by and for all graduate students of the Department of Educational Administration.  As a Registered Student Organization (RSO) of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the purpose of the Educational Administration Graduate Student Association is to:

a)     develop and promote a sense of community for all educational administration scholars by connecting our on-campus and distance students to EDAD faculty, staff, alumni, and the greater UNL community;

b)     serve as a conduit for scholarly and social interaction among peers, faculty and administrators;

c)     advocate for EDAD graduate students; and

d)    create and disseminate educational and professional information and materials.

 

For more information, contact the EDAD GSA by sending an e-mail message to unledadgsa@unl.edu