Master’s and Specialist Degree Academic Standards
(Consolidation of GP 1.12, GP 1.13.2, GP 1.3)
| Applies to: | Original Policy Date: | Date of Last Review: | Approved by: |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Master’s and Specialist Degree Students |
May 2025 |
Dr. John Z. Kiss, Provost and Senior VP for Academic Affairs |
Policy Owner: Office of Graduate Programs
Policy Purpose
This policy establishes academic standards and degree requirements for master’s and specialist degree programs.
Policy Scope
This policy applies to all master’s and specialist degree programs at Florida Tech and students enrolled in these programs, regardless of location or modality.
Policy Statement
Each master’s or specialist degree program at Florida Tech is based on a coherent course of study, appropriate to the graduate level, that is set forth in each student’s program plan. Students are required to have a current, approved program plan or Curriculum, Advising and Program Planning (CAPP) evaluation and meet minimum academic standards in accordance with the stated policy procedures and guidelines. Academic programs may have additional and/or more stringent requirements as articulated in the University Catalog.
Definitions
Cumulative Graduate GPA: Cumulative grade point average based on all graduate- numbered courses taken at Florida Tech while enrolled as a graduate student.
Program GPA: Grade point average based on all graduate and non-deficiency undergraduate coursework approved to be included in the program of study.
Transfer Credit: Academic credit earned at another institution that is accepted toward a master's degree or specialist program at Florida Tech.
Joint-Degree Program: A program offered in collaboration with another institution leading to a single degree.
Dual-Degree Program: A program offered in collaboration with another institution leading to two separate degrees.
Accredited Institution: An educational institution that has been recognized by an appropriate accrediting body.
Procedures/Guidelines
- Credit Hour Requirements
A candidate for the master's degree must successfully complete at least 30 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree as specified on the approved program plan.
A candidate for the specialist degree must successfully complete at least 30 semester credit hours beyond the master's degree as specified on the approved program plan.
- Program Plan
Upon matriculation, academic units must assign each master’s or specialist degree student an academic/major advisor who develops a program plan and monitors the student’s academic progress towards earning the degree. An official program plan requires approval from the student’s major advisor and the academic unit head.
Courses related to the degree program that are taken in excess of degree requirements may be included in the program plan. Students requesting a change in their approved program plan must submit “Request Change in Graduate Program Plan” form or submit a new program plan to the Office of Registrar.
- Deadline for Submitting Program Plan
All master’s-level or specialist degree graduate students are required to have an approved program plan on file after having registered for nine graduate-level credit hours.
A student may have only one active program plan per degree at any time. If a student changes their major, a new program plan must be completed with the guidance of their new academic advisor and approved by the respective academic unit head.
- Coursework
Master’s and specialist degree coursework is generally focused on the student’s primary area of study. In interdisciplinary master’s or specialist programs, academic coursework should be inclusive of multiple academic disciplines. Coursework requirements are stated for each degree program description in the University Catalog and will be documented in student’s program plan.
To qualify for a master’s or specialist degree from Florida Tech,
- up to 12 semester hours of credit can be transferred from a regionally accredited institution or, in some cases, from a foreign university, or
- in the case of a partner institution in a dual-degree or joint-degree program with Florida Tech, up to half of the total minimum credit hours required in the program may be transferred.
Transfer credit requirements are described in Policy on Transfer Credits for Master’s Degree and Specialist Programs.
- Undergraduate Courses for Graduate Credit
With the advance approval of the academic unit head, a graduate student may apply up to eight undergraduate credits taken at Florida Tech while enrolled as a graduate student toward partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master's or specialist degree, provided that graduate rigor is documented by “Permission for Graduate Student to Take Undergraduate Course” form. These credits may include a maximum of either eight credits at the 4000-level, or four credits at the 3000-level and four credits at the 4000-level. Such undergraduate courses must enrich the master’s or specialist degree program, not dilute it. Therefore, undergraduate courses taken while enrolled as an undergraduate student cannot be applied to any graduate degree at Florida Tech even if they are not applied to the student’s undergraduate degree.
Requirements in courses not exclusively designed for graduate credit but that allow both undergraduate and graduate enrollment must ensure that there is a clear distinction between the requirements of undergraduate students and graduate students. Once an undergraduate course is approved for use in the master’s or specialist degree and moved to the graduate transcript, the course cannot be moved back to the undergraduate level.
- Deficiencies
If the academic unit overseeing the program has identified deficiencies in the student’s prior coursework that must be remediated, they are identified on the program plan as deficiencies. Courses that are considered deficiencies in a student’s prior education cannot be used in fulfilling the requirements for a master’s or specialist degree and do not count in any program GPA.
- Deadline for Submitting Program Plan
- Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements
A minimum program GPA of 3.0 and a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 are required for graduation with a master’s or specialist degree.
It is not possible to remove a course from the GPA once the course has been taken, although an exception is made if the statute of limitations is exceeded as described in Policy on Statute of Limitations for Graduate Degree Programs.
In case of a change of major prior to earning a master’s or specialist degree, courses that are not applicable to the new major may be deleted from the cumulative graduate GPA by a recommendation from the Graduate Council. This review process starts with the new academic unit head’s formal request submitted to the Graduate Council through the Office of Graduate Programs and the Office of the Registrar. Upon approval of the request, the course(s) will be dropped from the cumulative graduate GPA calculation.
- Degree Completion Requirements
Master’s and specialist degrees must include a culminating experience as described in Policy on Master’s and Specialist Degree Program Examinations.
Compliance Reference
SACSCOC Standards:
- Standard 5: Institutional credits for a graduate/professional degree
- Standard 6: Post-baccalaureate rigor and curriculum
- Standard 7: Program requirements
- Standard 1: Academic policies
Responsibilities
The Office of Graduate Programs implements the policy based on the standards established in recommendation from the Graduate Council and approved by the Provost.
The Office of Graduate Programs monitors for effectiveness and compliance, reviews the policy at least annually, and recommends updates or revisions as needed. The Office of Graduate Programs is responsible for communication, compliance, and enforcement of this policy.
In collaboration with the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Graduate Programs maintains student records and notifies students deemed not to be in good standing as described in Policy on Graduate Academic Standing.
Academic units ensure each master’s and specialist degree student has an approved and up-to-date program plan on file.
Students are responsible to know their degree requirements and applicable minimum academic standards, consult with their academic/major advisor to prior to registration deadlines, and follow their approved program plan.