Graduate Studies
Degrees Granted
Master of Arts (M.A.)
M.A. degree programs are offered in Visual Arts and
Communicating Arts.
Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.)
M.S.E. degree programs are offered in Educational
Administration, Guidance and Counseling, Instruction, Reading,
and Special Education.
Specialist in Education (Ed.S.)
The Ed.S. degree program is offered in Educational
Administration.
History
From its beginning in 1896 until 1947, the campus in Superior
was an undergraduate teacher preparatory institution. In 1947 the
legislature granted what was then Superior State Teachers College
the right to broaden its offerings to include baccalaureate
degrees in the liberal arts.
Three years later, the Board of Regents authorized the first
of Superior's graduate degrees: a Master of Education Degree in
School Administration, which offered its first courses in the
1950 summer session. Superior was the first of the state teachers
colleges in Wisconsin to offer a liberal arts degree and later
was the first of that group to offer a post-masters specialist
degree. A Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling was
approved in 1958, followed by a Master of Science in Teaching in
1958, the Specialist in Education (Ed.S) in 1965, and the two
Master of Arts degrees in 1969.
Accreditation
UW-Superior is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher
Education of the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools. All graduate programs culminating in a
state certificate have been approved by the Wisconsin State
Department of Public Instruction. The M.S.E. in Counseling is
accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and
Related Programs (CACREP). The university holds institutional
membership in the American Association of Higher Education, the
American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the
Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges.
Graduate Faculty
The Graduate Faculty is responsible for all aspects of the curriculum, conducting research, and
advising individual graduate students. The Graduate Faculty
serves as the legislative body for the graduate programs, acting
within the limits of policies of the State of Wisconsin and the
University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. Members of the
Graduate Faculty are identified in the faculty and staff section
of this catalog.
Graduate Council
The Graduate Council is a council of the UW-Superior Faculty
Senate. The Graduate Council is the policy-making body for
graduate studies and acts for the Graduate Faculty in the
operation of the graduate programs. The Graduate Council is
responsible to the Graduate Faculty, and includes as members
representatives of the Graduate Faculty by academic degree
program, a secretary elected from and by the Graduate Faculty,
and the Provost.
Admission Procedures |
Admission to the graduate programs may be initiated by
contacting the Graduate Studies Office for application materials.
Call the Graduate Studies Office(715) 394-8295 or contact the office by e-mail
at gradstudy@uwsuper.edu. Apply
online at www.uwsuper.edu/admissions
or http://apply.wisconsin.edu:
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Submit a completed application to Graduate Studies.
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Request that two official transcripts of all previous
undergraduate and graduate work be sent to the Graduate
Studies Office directly from the institutions previously
attended.
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Attach a nonrefundable application fee of $45 payable to
the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
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Submit other application materials required by specific
programs.
Recommended dates for submission of applicaton materials are
April 1 for summer or fall terms and October 15 for the spring term. Students will be admitted under the policies of the current
General Catalog. Any student who applies and is admitted but does
not attend the university within a one-year period must reapply
for admission and must comply with the admission requirements of
the current Graduate Section of the university catalog.
Decisions relating to admission are governed by university
policy and administered by the Provost. Admission to a specific
graduate program rests with the faculty advisors and departments.
Unconditional Admission
A student admitted unconditionally to a graduate degree
program must meet both the requirements of the individual
graduate program and the following Graduate Studies requirements:
1. The applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an
accredited college or university.
2. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75
(four-point scale) or a 2.90 grade point average in the last
half of the undergraduate program. Work from all colleges
attended will be counted in the grade point average.
3. An appropriate undergraduate major or equivalent
evidence of suitable background for entering the individual
graduate program.
4. All necessary papers and information to have been filed
with the Graduate Studies Office.
Probationary Admission
Probationary admission to graduate study may be granted if:
1. The applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an
accredited college or university.
2. The applicant has an undergraduate grade point average
greater than 2.25 (four-point scale.)
3. Probationary graduate students may be admitted
unconditionally when the faculty advisor provides the Provost
with substantial evidence that the student has the potential
for doing satisfactory graduate work. Such evidence may
include:
a. An average grade of B or better in the first 8-10
semester hours of graduate work selected (work may count toward degree.)
b. Other evidence as deemed important by the faculty
advisor.
4. An appropriate undergraduate major or equivalent
evidence of suitable background.
5. All necessary papers and information filed
with the Graduate Studies Office.
An applicant who is not eligible for admission due to an
undergraduate grade point average of less than 2.25 has the right
to initiate a petition to the Graduate Council requesting
probationary admission. Such a petition should include
documentation of the applicant's ability to perform
satisfactorily at the graduate level. Petitions require
concurrence by the program coordinator and department chair.
Any student who is not eligible for unconditional admission by
the completion of 10 semester hours of work will be denied
enrollment in graduate studies.
Special Graduate Status
A student may be allowed to enroll in graduate courses
if:
1. The applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an
accredited college or university. Official transcripts must be provided.
2. The applicant does not wish to pursue a degree or
certification program at this university. A maximum of 10
semester credits taken as a special student may be applied to
a degree or certification program.
3. Special students will not be required to pay the $45
application fee. The applicant makes application through the
Graduate Studies Office or may apply online at
http://apply.wisconsin.edu.
Certification in Professional Education
Individuals seeking UW-Superior approval for certification in
professional education through the graduate programs must apply
for admission (see Admission Procedures) and must also submit a
copy of their current teaching license. No more than 10 semester
credits earned before being admitted to Graduate Studies may be
applied toward graduate level certification programs in
professional education.
Admission to a certification program at the graduate level,
either as part of a degree program or separately from a degree
program, may be denied or withdrawn if there is evidence that the
applicant does not meet the standards, as defined by Chapter PI
34 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code for the Department of
Public Instruction (March 1987) regarding conduct which may
endanger the health, welfare, safety or education of any pupil.
International Student Admission
Qualified international students are welcome to enroll in
graduate degree programs at UW-Superior. To be admitted, the
following information must be submitted to the Graduate Studies
Office:
1. Completed Graduate Studies Application for Admission
form. Apply online at http://apply.wisconsin.edu.
2. Two copies of all transcripts, certificates and
examination results from secondary and postsecondary schools
with official stamp and signature. These documents must be
sent directly to the Graduate Studies Office by the
institution (school) issuing them. Transcripts will not be
accepted from students. English translations, duly certified,
must also be sent.
3. A statement or certificate indicating English language
proficiency. A score of 550 on the Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL) is recommended. Specific departments
may require higher scores and may also require the Test of
Spoken English (TSE). Any deviation from these standards must
be approved in advance by the appropriate faculty advisor and
the Provost.
4. Documented evidence of financial stability for two
years. This should include proof of financial resources
indicating stipend and source and/or a bank statement bearing
the official bank seal indicating the amount of money
available for study in the United States for at least two
years. U.S. consular offices often require that money be
deposited in U.S. currency in the university's business
office before visas are issued. Care must be taken that all
statements of support are thoroughly documented. This
documented evidence must be submitted with the application
for admission. Verification from a local bank that money is
on deposit for use during residency in the United States is
acceptable at the time of application. Students should not
rely on financial assistance in the form of part-time work on
campus as such employment cannot be guaranteed. Information regarding
nonresident tuition waivers may be obtained from the director
of financial aid, the international student advisor or the
Graduate Studies Office.
5. A $45 nonrefundable application fee in U.S. dollars
made payable to the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
6. All required documents for admission must be on file
with the Graduate Studies Office by April 1 for the fall
semester, by September 1 for the spring semester, and by
February 1 for the summer session.
Faculty Advisement
Assignment of an advisor is made by the appropriate faculty
coordinator for the graduate program when the student is
admitted. The faculty advisor will study the student's abilities
and needs, help plan the program and may supervise the thesis,
project or writing requirement.
Registration and Student Identification
Advanced registration for each term will open and close
according to the dates printed in the Class Schedule. Kits for
advanced registration may be requested from the Graduate Studies
Office. The kits contain materials and instructions necessary to
complete registration. Students should meet with their advisors before registration.
After registration and payment of fees, students should obtain
a student identification card at Rothwell Student Center. If a
student already holds an ID card, the Cashier's Office will
validate it for the current term. Several benefits are available
to those who hold a current ID card. For example, students can
check out materials from Jim Dan Hill Library, use networked
computer labs, use the Health and Wellness Center, and obtain
discounts at many university-sponsored events.
Graduate Studies Policies
Student Responsibility
It is the responsibility of students to be informed and to
follow all graduate policies and degree program requirements as
well as any specific requirements of the major program.
Therefore, it is important that all students carefully read this
section of the university catalog. Ignorance of any policy or
requirement does not constitute a valid excuse for noncompliance.
Academic Integrity
Graduate students are expected to maintain academic integrity
in meeting the requirements for a graduate degree. Evidence of
academic misconduct may result in certain sanctions, such as
failure in a course or dismissal from Graduate Studies. Chapter
14 UW-Superior Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures of the
Wisconsin Administrative Code for the University of Wisconsin
System outlines the procedures for identifying academic
misconduct and the appropriate sanctions.
Admission to Candidacy
Application for admission to candidacy for the master's degree
is required when the student has completed between eight and 16
credits of graduate work. This application and a tentative
program of studies, formulated by the student in conference with
the faculty advisor, must be filed in the Graduate Studies
Office. Final approval will be made by the secretary of the
Graduate Faculty and the Provost. At least eight semester hours
of credit must be in other than pass/fail courses. Graduate
students should ascertain from their faculty advisors whether
specific tests (such as the Miller's Analogies Test) are required
for admission to candidacy in their specific degree programs. A
student should be admitted to candidacy no later than the
semester prior to graduation. Final admission to candidacy will
be granted provided that:
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All course deficiencies, including incompletes, have been
removed.
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At least a B average has been maintained in the resident
graduate work.
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Requirements for admission to candidacy required in the
student's graduate program have been met.
Catalog
Students normally use the catalog requirements in force at the
term of their official admission (except for mandatory legal
changes). With their advisor's approval, students may designate a
different catalog year for requirements, which shall not be more
than seven years old at the date of graduation.
Course Numbering System
Courses numbered 500-599 are junior courses open to graduate
students. Courses numbered 600-699 are senior courses open to
graduate students. In courses numbered 500-699, graduate students
must fulfill additional course requirements beyond those required
for undergraduate students. These additional course requirements
are established by the course instructor. Courses numbered
700-799 are open to graduate students only. Courses numbered
800-899 are open to post-master's students. Master's candidates
are permitted to register for courses numbered 800-899 only with
the consent of their advisor and the instructor. Course
requirements for courses numbered 500-899 are approved by the
Graduate Council.
Course Repeat
No graduate student will be allowed to repeat more than one
graduate course taken at UW-Superior for which he or she has
received a mark other than a W or an I. The last grade earned is
the grade of record. All course repeats must be repeated on the
UW-Superior campus or through the University of Wisconsin
Extension.
Credit By Examination
Graduate credit will not be awarded through the mechanism of
credit by examination. Any student desiring to have completed
graduate coursework entered on the official transcript shall be
required to officially enroll in the course, complete all
graduate course requirements and have a grade officially recorded
by the graduate faculty member of record.
Credit Load, Academic Year and Summer
The minimum full-time credit load for a graduate student is
nine credits per semester. The maximum load for a graduate
student is 15 credits per semester. The maximum load includes
undergraduate classes and Extension classes. Graduate students may enroll for a maximum of 12
credits in courses which occur during various summer dates
between the end of the spring term and before the beginning of
the fall term.
Exceptions to Graduate Studies Policies
Exceptions to established Graduate Studies policies may be
requested by submitting a petition to the Graduate Council.
Petition forms are available in the Graduate Studies Office or
online at www.uwsuper.edu/graduate.
Final Examination
Graduate programs hold the option of requiring a written
and/or oral examination.
Grading System
The grading system for courses open to graduate students is
the same as for undergraduates. However, no grade below C-
carries graduate credit and 3.00 grade point average in resident
work is required for graduation. The grade IP may only be given
in courses not normally completed in one semester, such as a
thesis, practicum or internship. An IP grade may be changed to a
letter grade any time at the discretion of the instructor up to a
maximum of seven years from the beginning of the course.
Conversely, the grade I should be given in courses which are
normally completed within the framework of one semester, such as
regularly scheduled classes. A grade of incomplete must be
completed by the end of the next semester (for full-time
students) or within one year from the end of the term in case of
nonattendance or part-time attendance. Graduate students who take
undergraduate classes will have their GPA determined by all
coursework.
Graduation
Application for the Graduate Degree must be made in the
Graduate Studies Office during the final term of attendance
according to the Class Schedule calendar. Payment of a graduation
fee is required. Completion of the Learning Environment Survey is
optional.
To graduate at the end of a specific term, all
requirements and course work must be completed before the first
day of classes for the following term. Students who have applied
but do not graduate must reapply for graduation.
Minimum Credit Requirement
A minimum of 30-49 graduate credits (varies by academic
program) is required for the master's degree. At least half the
required minimum number of credits should be taken in courses
which are open to graduate students only (numbered 700-899).
Reentry
Students who have not enrolled in graduate coursework within a calendar year
are considered inactive. Inactive students and students who have completed their
degree programs must update and reactivate their files by completing a Graduate
Reentry form before they will be eligible to register for graduate courses.
Forms are available at
www.uwsuper.edu/graduate and the Graduate Studies Office.
Residency Requirement
A minimum of 16 semester hours of residence credit must be completed, nine of which must be earned on campus at
UW-Superior.
Retention
When students, who have been admitted unconditionally, have not been
admitted to candidacy within the completion of 16 semester hours
they will be placed on probation. If not admitted to candidacy
after 20 hours of resident graduate work due to the lack of a B
average, they will be excluded from registration..
Students admitted on probation will be excluded from further
registration if they cannot be unconditionally admitted upon the
completion of 10 semester hours.
The Provost shall notify the faculty advisor of any student
who has been admitted to candidacy and who has failed to achieve
a B average by the time the student has attempted 20 semester
hours of graduate work. Such notification to the faculty advisor
will serve as notice that the student will be excluded from the
graduate program unless a petition to the Graduate Council is
approved. The petition must have prior approval of the faculty
advisor and the academic department chair.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Graduate students who receive a stipend, salary or nonresident
tuition waiver from the university, based upon their status as a
graduate student, must maintain satisfactory academic progress
each term of their award or appointment. This requirement also
applies to students granted a nonresident tuition waiver under
the Tuition Award Program (TAP). Satisfactory academic progress
requires completion of at least nine earned graduate credits,
with a grade point average of 3.0 or greater, per semester.
Courses in which a grade of IP is given shall be considered
earned credits. (The grade point average of 3.0 may be required
in fewer than nine graduate credits if the stipend stipulates
that a smaller number of credits may be taken.)
Second Master's Degree
Additional master's degrees are permissible but each such
degree requires 30 to 49 semester credits (as per the catalog
requirements) beyond the credits earned for the previous master's
degrees. Courses taken as part of a prior master's degree at
UW-Superior or elsewhere may not count toward the credit
requirement for a subsequent master's degree.
Seven-Year Limit
All credits used in meeting the requirements of a graduate degree or
certification in professional education must be earned within a period of not
more than seven consecutive years, commencing with the enrollment date in
courses applicable to the degree (or certification program) rather than the
completion date of applicable courses. This limit applies to resident credit
courses, Extension courses, and courses taken at other universities. Waiver of
the seven-year limit for specific courses may be allowed, up to a maximum of
nine semester credits, upon petition to the Graduate Council. The seven-year limit will
not be waived for any course taken 10 or more years before the
degree (or certification program) completion date. Petitions to
the Graduate Council must specify the anticipated graduation
date.
Thesis, Seminar Paper or Project
All master's degree candidates are required to complete a
thesis, seminar paper or project as prescribed by the graduate
program and approved by the faculty advisor. Evidence of
completion of this requirement must be filed in the Graduate
Studies Office prior to graduation. The thesis should be typed or
printed using a word processor or microcomputer with a
letter-quality or laser printer. Three copies of the thesis must
be bound. One bound copy must be filed with the faculty advisor
and two bound copies must be filed in the Graduate Studies Office
for transmittal to Jim Dan Hill Library. Departments may require
additional bound copies. An original typed or printed copy of the
thesis must be one of the two copies submitted to the Graduate
Studies Office.
UW-Superior meets current federal regulations by expecting that all graduate
student and faculty research dealing with human subjects will secure approval
from the UW-Superior Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human
Subjects.
Transfer Credit
A student who is admitted may transfer a maximum of 14
semester credits (may vary by academic program) from other institutions accredited to offer
graduate programs provided the transfer credit is appropriate to
the degree being undertaken. No credit below a grade of B will
transfer and no credit will be allowed for undergraduate work,
work completed more than seven years before the expected degree,
or work used to complete another degree. Students who wish to
transfer credit from another accredited institution must:
1. Have two official transcripts sent to the Graduate
Studies Office.
2. Complete a Transfer Credit Request form.
Each course transferred must have approval of the student's
faculty advisor and department. If there is a question regarding
validity of the graduate credits, the student must furnish the
Graduate Studies Office with appropriate documentation that the
courses were taken for graduate credit. Transfer Credit Request
forms are available in the Graduate Studies Office.
Undergraduate Seniors
Second-semester UW-Superior seniors, with approval of the
Graduate Council, may take a maximum of six graduate semester
credits in courses numbered 500 to 699, subject to certain provisions. The graduate credits
must be beyond those required for the baccalaureate degree, and
cannot count toward the baccalaureate degree. Permission to
enroll for the graduate credits requires approval of the Graduate
Council (obtained by means of a petition during the prior
semester). Seniors seeking this privilege must meet the grade
point average required for unconditional admission to Graduate
Studies. Undergraduate academic fees will be charged for these
six graduate credits. After completion of an undergraduate
degree, these graduate credits will be entered on the student's
graduate transcripts.
Workshops
Workshops at the graduate level may be offered each term. A
student may use a maximum of eight semester hours (may vary by
program) of workshops toward the degree. Workshop credit must be
appropriate to the degree program.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Graduate students have access to a variety of financial aid
opportunities, as described below.
Advanced Opportunity Program
The Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP) of UW-Superior makes
funds available for eligible graduate students who are
disadvantaged or belong to American ethnic minorities (limited by
UW System Guidelines to Native American, African American,
Hispanic, and Southeast Asian students). These fellowships
provide a maximum equivalent to a graduate assistantship (see
below) for full-time students, from which all academic fees are
to be paid by the student receiving the AOP award. Applications
for AOP Fellowships should be submitted by April 1 preceding the
academic year of planned attendance at UW-Superior. Summer AOP
Fellowships must be requested separately. Applications are
submitted to the Provost and the student must file a financial
aid application (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Partial AOP stipends may be
awarded to part-time graduate students who otherwise qualify for
the AOP fellowship. AOP fellows must maintain satisfactory
academic progress in their degree program to retain the
fellowship in subsequent semesters required for the degree.
Minnesota-Wisconsin Reciprocity
Minnesota and Wisconsin employ reciprocity for tuition
purposes. Minnesota students may pay Minnesota resident fees at
UW-Superior provided they are granted Reciprocity Fee Status by
the Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board. Apply online
at www.mheso.state.mn.us.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available in some academic
programs of the university. Students interested in a graduate
assistantship should contact the Graduate Studies Office for an
application and additional requirements. All information should
be filed before April 1 for the Fall Semester. All
graduate assistants pay resident Wisconsin or Minnesota tuition
and fees. Applicants for graduate assistantships must comply with
requirements of the Immigration Control and Reform Act of 1986.
For further information regarding procedures for compliance,
contact the university's Human Resources Office.
Graduate assistants must enroll for a minimum of nine graduate
resident credits each semester in which they hold a graduate assistantship. Graduate assistants
must maintain satisfactory academic progress in their degree
program, including completion of at least nine semester credits
to retain their assistantship within the appointment year. A
graduate assistantship may not be held while student teaching,
doing a practicum, or interning for certification.
Tuition Award Program
The Tuition Award Program (TAP) allows UW-Superior to waive a portion of the
out-of-state tuition that nonresident students are charged. Graduate students
applying for admission may also apply for a TAP award. Applications, which
include information on limitations and restrictions, are available from the
Graduate Studies Office. Applications must be received by April 1 for the
following fall semester.
Financial Aid
Graduate students may be eligible for need-based financial aid
through the Office of Financial Aid or online at
www.fafsa.ed.gov. Admission to Graduate Studies and financial aid
need to be completed by March 1 for students desiring work study.
Graduate special students are not eligible for financial aid.
Beecroft Graduate Travel Grant
The Beecroft Graduate Travel Grant provides a grant of $1,000
for travel to the New England states, the province of Quebec, or
countries outside the United States and Canada to graduate
students whose graduate work would be aided or enhanced by
travel. Applications are available in the Graduate Studies
Office.
Graduate Tuition/Refund of Tuition and Fees
Graduate tuition is higher than undergraduate tuition due
primarily to the higher costs associated with smaller class sizes
and greater individualized programming. UW System policy
specifies that graduate students who take undergraduate courses
as part of their graduate program will be charged at the graduate
tuition level for all courses. Students will receive full refunds
for courses dropped from their schedule before or during the
first week classes begin. The day of record for the drop is the
day written notification is received by the registrar's office.
The tuition and fee refund schedule is available in the Class
Schedule.
It should be noted that the difference of a single day may
result in a substantial reduction in refund. While Graduate Studies Office
personnel will be glad to provide as much service as they can, the opening weeks
of a term are busy ones for the office. Graduate students would be well advised
to process any drops in person and directly through the Registrar's Office
during the first to fourth weeks of classes.
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