The Graduate School Handbook
The Graduate School Handbook contains the policies and procedures of The Graduate School, as established by the actions of the Administrative Board of The Graduate School. Each student should become familiar with the material pertaining to his or her degree program, and, together with a faculty advisor, make certain that the chosen program of study complies with all policies.
Section I: Contains information related to graduate education at UNC-Chapel Hill, including a description of The Graduate School and its Academic Policy Committee, a staff directory, and links to graduate education references. Section II: Describes the policies and procedures pertaining to the general academic requirements of The Graduate School. Section III: Provides a detailed outline of requirements for master's and doctoral degrees.
All graduate degree-granting entities at UNC-Chapel Hill including departments, curricula, schools, and programs will be referred to as academic programs throughout this Handbook.
The Graduate School has attempted to include most of the regulations governing graduate academic programs; however, many programs have additional requirements and regulations. Sometimes these requirements are more stringent than the general requirements of The Graduate School.
The Graduate School reserves the right to make changes to this Handbook at any time. In instances of discrepancy between this document and the Graduate Record, this Handbook takes precedence.
It is the student's responsibility to be aware of, and comply with all regulations, policies, procedures, and deadlines.
Changes and Updates to the Current Edition
Changes to the current edition of The Graduate School Handbook include:
- Provided additional context and definition for the graduate grading scale at UNC-Chapel Hill, including the HPL scale and the NG grade.
- Announced the removal of the S grade as a graduate grade effective in the 2013 fall semester.
- Clarified language regarding pass/fail graduate courses.
- Clarified that, when necessary, exam or defense committee participation via distance-based capabilities is appropriate.
- Confirmed how transfer credit hours are calculated and posted.
- Provided guidance and deadlines for processing waiver of hour requests.
- Revised the policy that a student who withdraws during the first semester of enrollment must formally apply for new admission. In such cases, a readmission may be processed for two years, after which a reapplication would be required for the student to return.
- Clarified appropriate timing for thesis and dissertation enrollments.
- Included information about the Student Emergency Fund in Student Affairs and Scholarships and Student Aid.
- Provided greater detail and a checklist of degree clearance items for graduation.
- Updates links and included new campus policies developed in the past year.