Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Residence Credit Requirement

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Policy Number:
UW-1246
Responsible Office:
Graduate School

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

The Graduate School’s minimum graduate residence credit requirement is in accord with accreditation standards and ensures the integrity of a degree granted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Definitions:
Credit Hour

A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

  • (1)One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
  • (2)At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Alternatively, a credit hour is defined as the learning that takes place in at least 45 hours of learning activities, which include time in lectures or class meetings, in-person or online, laboratories, examinations, presentations, tutorials, preparation, reading, studying, hands-on experiences, and other learning activities; or a demonstration by the student of learning equivalent to that established as the expected product of such a period of study.

In all cases, learning in for-credit courses is guided by a qualified instructor and includes regular and substantive student-instructor interaction.

Dissertator
A graduate student pursuing a PhD who has completed all requirements for a doctoral degree except for the dissertation. The Graduate School automatically places a graduate student who passes the preliminary examination into dissertation fee status which restricts enrollment to exactly 3 graded research credits per term. A student may opt out if they wish to enroll in other than 3 graded research credits. Dissertator status is not a requirement to graduate with a doctoral degree.
Residence Credits
For purposes of this policy, credits earned in a UW-Madison course, or taken as a traveling scholar, while enrolled as a graduate student at UW-Madison.
Scope:

Graduate Students

Policy:
  1. The Graduate School’s minimum graduate residence credit requirement for graduation can be satisfied only with UW-Madison courses numbered 300 and above taken while enrolled as a graduate student at UW–Madison
  2. Graduate residence credit minimums:
    1. Master’s degree (except MFA): 16 credits
    2. MFA/Specialist degree and certificate: 24 credits combined
    3. Doctoral degree: 32 credits, earned prior to achieving dissertator status and may include master’s degree credits taken at UW–Madison
  3. In rare circumstances, credits earned as a University Special student may be allowed to count toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. These credits generally are not allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum and degree requirements unless taken at the 700-level or above.
  4. Some programs may require more rigorous credit requirements than the Graduate School’s minimum requirements as indicated in the Graduate Guide.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Dean of the Graduate School
Policy Manager:
Director, Academic Services, Graduate School
Contact:
Director, Academic Services, Graduate School -- Kipp Cox, ervin.cox@wisc.edu, (608) 262-2433
Revised Dates:

04-26-2023

Retrieved:
04-27-2024 00:41:40