Policies & Procedures

Academic Advising

SIS has a formal Academic Advising Policy. Please familiarize yourself with the protocol related to advising at SIS. 

Course Load

A full load in all semesters, including summer, is 9 or 12 hours, enabling students to complete the program in no less than 18 months. Courses audited do not count toward minimum graduate hours required for SIS graduate assistantships or other financial assistance.

Incompletes

An incomplete (I) is a temporary grade indicating that a student has performed satisfactorily in the course but, due to unforeseen circumstances, has been unable to finish all requirements. An I is not given to enable a student to do additional work to raise a deficient grade. An incomplete must be removed within one year. If the incomplete is not removed within one year, the I will be changed to an F. The course will not be counted in the cumulative grade point average until a final grade is assigned. A student must request an incomplete in writing using a standard form. The form must indicate the reason for the request and the projected date for completion of the work. The form must be signed by the instructor and placed in the student’s folder. The instructor’s decision for acceptance or rejection of the petition for an I is final.

Requirements for Admission to Candidacy and Graduation

Application for admission to candidacy for the M.S. degree should be completed when the student registers for the final semester. The student must submit the Admission to Candidacy Master's Degree form with appropriate signatures to the Office of Graduate Admissions and Records at the time stated above, but no later than commencement day of the semester preceding the final semester. The application for diploma is completed at the Office of Graduate Admissions and Records at the time stated above but no later than the registration period of the final semester. The student is responsible for completing the Admission to Candidacy Master's Degree form and the Graduation Application. Graduation packets are available in the SIS main office. Students must complete their credit hours for the M.S. degree within six years from the date of the earliest course applied to the degree.