Grad Council Minutes 10/19

Attending:

Jim Lee, Christine Licata, Twyla Cummings, Danielle Smith, MichaelRadin, Gerry Bateman, JessicaBayliss, Bruce Smith, Joseph Hornak, Sean Hansen, Jayanti Venkataraman, Marla Schweppe, Stan Rickel, Jim Perkins

Topics Discussed:

Review RIT Policy D2.0 regarding transfer credit allowable to an RIT graduate program and make modifications as needed to ensure we are not penalizing our own RIT graduate students. (Sean Hansen, Jim Lee, Bruce Smith)

Sean Hansen presented Policy D02.0 addressing several issues of potential confusion related to transfer credit for external (non-RIT) students and internal students desiring to transfer graduate credit toward a degree (or second degree) and in the process not penalizing our own RIT graduate students.

With Policy D2.0.XII (Overlapping Credit for Second Degree)Much spirited discussion ensued. Motion was put forth to change language in section (see highlighted below) Motion was 2nd , voted on. Majority approved motion.

Graduate Students:

At the discretion of the graduate committee in the specific degree area, a maximum of 20% of previous RIT master's degree hours can normally be applied toward satisfying requirements for a subsequent master's degree. The use of a given course in two different programs can be allowed only if the course which applied for credit toward the first master's degree is a required course for the second degree, and if use is made in both programs during a period not in excess of five years from the first to the last usage. In no case shall the second degree require less than the minimum 30 credit hours of study. [Where duplication of required courses causes a student to go below the 30 hour limit in the second degree program, the student would be exempted from these courses but be required to replace the credit hours with appropriately approved courses.]

*See additional attached Document from Sean Hansen for Full Details.

Discussion opened by Bruce on the language for PhD, Master and Graduate programs in policies.There was no time to continue this item and is open for further discussion.

Graduate Council Policy Review

October 19, 2016

RIT Transfer Credit Policy Review – Subcommittee Report

The subcommittee was tasked with reviewing the RIT governance polices pertaining to admissions and the awarding of transfer credit (i.e., Policies D2.0, D5.0, and D12.0). The specific concern raised with respect to these policies is that they create bias against RIT graduates applying for admission to other RIT graduate programs vis-à-vis allowance for transfer credit: “Some graduate program directors have pointed out that this [i.e., the 20% rule in Policy D2.0] seems to be biased against prior graduate degrees obtained from RIT.”

Based a thorough review and discussion of Policies D2.0, D5.0, and D12.0, the subcommittee contends that the issue raised in the charge is a result of inconsistencies between the current text of policy D2.0.II.B (Admission → Graduate → External(non-RIT) Transfer Credit); see Appendix 1) and Policy D2.0.XII (Admission → Overlapping Credit for Second Degree; see Appendix 2). Specifically, overlapping credit for a second graduate degree from RIT was expressly limited by both the “20% rule” (i.e., a maximum of 20% of the program degree credits may be awarded from another degree program) and the “30 semester credit hour rule” (i.e., “in no case shall the resulting graduate program requirements be reduced below 30 semester credit hours”), whereas external (non-RIT) transfer credit was only limited by the “20% rule.”

To address the inconsistency, the Graduate Council has voted that the language in Policy D2.0.XII (Overlapping Credit for Second Degree) be revised to eliminate the language pertaining to the 30 semester credit hour requirement. In addition, the Graduate Council proposes that the language in the same policy (D02.0.XII) indicating a five-year window for transfer credit between RIT graduate programs should be eliminated since the existing seven-year rule would still be in effect for any degree completion. The relevant policy edits would reflect the following:

“Careful consideration must be given to designing a second RIT baccalaureate or second RIT graduate degree program since large numbers of credits may be used to satisfy both degree requirements. The following criteria should be used in advising students regarding work towards second degrees. There must be careful planning of the academic requirements of both programs.

Undergraduate Students:

For information about dual degrees and double majors, refer to policies D1.2 and D1.3.

Graduate Students:

Appendix 1

D02.0 ADMISSION

II. GRADUATE

B. External (non-RIT) Transfer Credit

“Transfer credit at the graduate level may be granted for those graduate courses completed with a grade of "B" or better under the same stipulations stated above for undergraduate transfer credit. A maximum of 20% of the program degree credits as published in the RIT Bulletin may be awarded as transfer credit from other institutions. Waived courses will be recorded for graduate students on an individual course basis. Waived courses are those eliminated from the list of requirements that a graduate student must take to graduate. For a complete definition see the policy on "Grades" (D5.0). The total combined amount of credit applied through external (non-RIT) transfer credit, waived courses, and credit by competency may not exceed 20% of the total credits in the graduate program as published in the RIT bulletin.

Academic units may informally advise non-degree students, but no formal program of study can be approved prior to admission.

The formal program is laid out by the dean's designee (department head, coordinator or program director, etc.) and is the one that must be followed by all students applying for admission or readmission in that program.

In certain cases graduate students may be admitted prior to but conditional upon completion of the baccalaureate degree. Applicants should not be considered for admission prior to the start of their final year of undergraduate study. The student must present a final transcript signifying successful completion of their baccalaureate degree by the end of the first term they are enrolled in the graduate program.

Graduate applicants who do not fully satisfy all admission criteria as to grades, test scores or other credentials, but do show sufficient promise to qualify for a trial period of graduate study may be admitted on probation to the university. Such students must achieve a 3.00 ("B") program grade point average by the end of their first 9 credit hours of graduate study. Those students who do not meet this criterion will be suspended. Responsibility for specific requirements and maintenance of the student's appropriate status rests with the academic unit in consultation with the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services and the Office of the Registrar.”

Appendix 2

D02.0 ADMISSIONS

XII. OVERLAPPING CREDIT FOR SECOND DEGREE

“Careful consideration must be given to designing a second RIT baccalaureate or second RIT graduate degree program since large numbers of credits may be used to satisfy both degree requirements. The following criteria, should be used in advising students regarding work towards second degrees. There must be careful planning of the academic requirements of both programs.

Undergraduate Students:

For information about dual degrees and double majors, refer to policies D1.2 and D1.3.

Graduate Students: