Policies

The rules governing degree programs are made by the Graduate School, the College of Education, and the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies. All of these rules apply to your degree program.

Graduate School Information & Policies

Please note: The 5th edition of the American Psychological Association (APA) style manual is currently required by the Graduate School for all dissertations and theses (unless otherwise approved).

College of Education Policies

Time Limits for Doctoral Study
Doctoral programs of study may include appropriate coursework that has been earned six years prior to the date of the student's admission to the doctoral program. All degree requirements must be completed within seven years of the date of the student's admission to the doctoral program. For example, a student being admitted on August 15, 2001, may utilize appropriate coursework earned after August 15, 1995, and may also utilize appropriate coursework earned after August 15, 2001, until August 15, 2008.

Time Limits Extension Request
Under unusual circumstances, a student may petition for a one-semester extension to the seven-year time limit which, if recommended by the department head and approved by the graduate dean, will not require the student to validate any out-of-date courses. Validation of out-of-date courses is not an option in the College of Education. If a student fails to complete all degree requirements within seven years of his or her admission to the doctoral program, the student will be dropped from the doctoral program and must reapply for admission.

Repeating Courses When Given an Extension
When requests are made for extensions of Graduate School deadlines, and it is deemed that an out-of-date course is integral to the degree program, the Dean of the College of Education may request permission of the Graduate School for these courses to be repeated. In such instances, both grades shall be used in calculation of the GPA.

Residency Policy

Master’s Residency: A student’s program at the master’s level must provide sufficient association with the resident faculty to permit individual evaluation of the student’s capabilities and achievements. All requirements for the master’s degree must be completed during the six years immediately preceding the date on which the degree is to be awarded.

Educational Specialists (Ed.S.) Residency: All requirements for the Ed.S. degree must be completed during the six years immediately preceding the date on which the degree is to be awarded. A student’s program at the Ed.S. level must provide sufficient association with the resident faculty to permit individual evaluation of the student’s capabilities and achievements.

Doctoral Residency: The minimum period in which the doctoral degree can be earned is three full academic years of graduate study. The student must spend an academic year in continuous residence as a full-time student in the Graduate School of The University of Alabama (or, if specifically approved by the faculty concerned, one full summer consisting of two terms, preceded by or followed by one regular semester). This requirement can be satisfied only by enrolling in coursework; dissertation or thesis research cannot be used.

Doctoral Residency Options for the College of Education

NORMAL DOCTORAL RESIDENCY (Ed.D. and Ph.D.)
Two contiguous semesters registered on-campus for a minimum of nine hours each term. This requirement may be satisfied only with courses taught in Tuscaloosa, and may not include dissertation or thesis research.

ALTERNATIVE DOCTORAL RESIDENCY (Ed.D. only)
Educational Leadership Department Only

Plan 1. A total of 24 hours taken on-campus as follows:

  • First summer: 9 hours

  • Fall semester: 3 hours

  • Spring semester: 3 hours

  • Second summer: 9 hours

Plan 2. For those students enrolled in a doctoral program at Gadsden, 24 hours of continuous enrollment within 24 months. Courses may be taken either at Gadsden or on-campus.

Outside Member of Dissertation Committee
A special committee, with the director of the dissertation as its chairperson, supervises the preparation of the dissertation. The committee shall have not fewer than five members, appointed by the dean of the Graduate School. One member must be from outside the student’s major department.

Outside Member of Thesis Committee
All examining committees for theses and comprehensive examinations consist of at least three members appointed by the dean of the Graduate School. In the case of a thesis examining committee, one member must be from outside the student’s major department.

Departmental Policies

PhD and EdD Degree Programs
Most questions and concerns are left to the discretion of the Program of Study committee.

ELPTS Policy on the Hiring and Employment of Graduate Assistants

  • Funds for graduate assistantships in the department are available from the following sources: a) the Dean’s Office; and b) TAD (Technology Assisted Delivery) funds

  • As per departmental policy, each tenure-track faculty member is assigned a graduate assistant to assist the faculty member in fulfilling his/her teaching, research, and service commitments to the department, College, University, and academic community at large

  • In the event that the number of faculty exceed the number of graduate assistantships available to the department, priority will be given to faculty on the following basis:

  • junior faculty on tenure track carrying a full teaching load (especially 1st-year faculty even if they are not carrying full load during their first year);

  • all other tenured faculty carrying a full teaching load;

  • junior faculty on tenure track carrying less than a full teaching load;

  • all other tenured faculty carrying less than a full teaching load.

  • All students admitted into the graduate programs in the department who also wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship should indicate their interest on the application form or submit a letter of interest to Ms. Sue Williams, Administrative Specialist at 309 Carmichael. Graduate Assistantship applicants must include at a minimum: transcripts, 3 relevant references (phone numbers and email addresses), and a written statement of competencies, skills, and potential contributions to the department.

  • Ms. Williams will send a list of all potential applicants and a copy of their supporting materials to the Department Head.

  • The Department Head will establish a department-wide screening committee to review applications no later than March 1 of each year. Based on department need and the availability of open positions, students will be selected to fill these open positions. All graduate assistantship assignments should be completed not later than May 1st each year.

  • In the event that graduate assistantship positions remain unfilled after going through the pool of applicants in the department, these positions will be opened up to graduate students outside the department whose skills meet the specific needs of faculty in the department. Preference will first be given to students in the College of Education and only then to students outside the College of Education.

  • The duties/responsibilities of graduate assistants may vary based on the specific needs of the faculty they are assigned to on a yearly basis. As part of these duties/responsibilities, graduate students will provide assistance to faculty in enhancing pedagogical instruction, conducting research, and participating in service projects that contribute to the stature of the department, program, College, and University.

  • Graduate Assistants should to reapply each year to Ms. Williams in order to be considered for a position the following year.

  • Graduate Assistants can be reappointed to their positions for a period not exceeding 3 years. After 3 years of services, graduate assistants may have their appointments extended for a period not exceeding two years, provided that they submit a written petition to the department that includes the following information:

  • current academic status;

  • expected date of completion of the degree program;

  • explanation of the need to continue in the position;

  • demonstration of how the reappointment in the position will help the student achieve his/her academic and professional goals.

  • Graduate assistantships are 9-month appointments and hence are not covered in the summer. However, recognizing that both graduate assistants and faculty may need graduate assistantships in the summer, some graduate assistants may be hired during the summer term to assist those faculty whose summer teaching appointments and/or summer research grants that provide summer salary. Students interested in summer assistantships should follow these procedures:

    • graduate assistants needing summer funding make their need known to the Department Head;

    • the Department Head will make a determination of funds available for funding graduate assistants in the summer based on faculty need;

    • Faculty who need a graduate assistant in the summer will submit a proposal to the Department Head that describes (i) their goals related to research/teaching/service; (ii) specific tasks that will be performed by the graduate assistant; (iii) contributions of these tasks in research/teaching/service that will enhance the professional stature of the department, college, and University.

    • Summer assistantships will be dependent upon available resources and the needs of faculty