Policy on Continuous Enrollment

Purpose

The purpose of the Continuous Enrollment policy is to provide a mechanism for allowing continuous usage of university resources (library, advising, network privileges, etc.) during periods of sustained research and scholarship and to account for student enrollments and faculty involvement in capstone and theses projects not completed within the semester in which the student is registered for the final capstone course.

Definitions

"Continuous Enrollment" is defined as a 1-credit hour graduate course for which a graduate student is required to register during semesters following a capstone course until completion of thesis/capstone work.

Grading

A grade of 'IP' (In Progress) will be assigned to the original thesis/capstone course and will remain on the student's transcript until the student either completes the work or fails to complete the thesis/capstone work within five years of admission to the degree program. A final grade for the original thesis/capstone course will replace the 'IP' grade upon completion of the work. A grade of 'S' (Satisfactory) or 'U' (Unsatisfactory) will be assigned to each extension course for which the student enrolls.

Student Responsibilities

The student and capstone/thesis advisor must complete the Graduate Work Completion Contract, indicating the specific work that remains to be done and an agreed-upon date for completion.  The form must be sent to the Graduate Studies office; a copy will be sent to the Registrar, to the student's department chair, and the appropriate Dean's office.

Restrictions

A student is not eligible for academic leave for the purpose of thesis/capstone completion once work on thesis/capstone research has begun. If a student must suspend work on the research for compelling reasons, students must formally withdraw from the graduate degree program and apply for reinstatement when they are prepared to complete the thesis/capstone project. Withdrawing from a graduate degree program curtails student usage of university resources, including the faculty advisors involvement in the research project. Reinstatement to a graduate program following a leave of absence requires Department, Dean and Associate Provost for Graduate Studies approval.