Other Actions

Changing From Nondegree to Degree Status

A nondegree student wishing to change status to a degree candidate is required to apply for readmission as a degree candidate, and to compete with others applying for degree status that term.

Changing from Limited Status to Full Standing

When conditions originally limiting a student’s status are satisfied, the student is automatically changed to full standing by the Graduate College.

Changing Advisers within a Department

A change of advisers is handled within the student’s department.

Applying Certificate of Advanced Study Credits in Doctoral Programs

A student who has completed course work taken as a part of the requirements for the Certificate of Advanced Study in Education at the University of Illinois may petition for not more than 24 hours of such work and dissertation hours combined toward the program leading to the Ed.D., provided that the course work was taken within five years of the date of the petition. Credit earned in the Certificate of Advanced Study degree may not be applied toward a Ph.D. degree. If an individual is pursuing a Certificate of Advanced Study and decides to seek a Ph.D. instead, the usual Graduate Student Petition procedures should be followed without receiving the Certificate of Advanced Study degree. If this change is effected and the Certificate of Advanced Study degree is not awarded, previous course work intended to apply to the Certificate of Advanced Study can be counted toward the Ph.D. degree, subject to other policies governing the Ph.D. program.

When considering a Certificate of Advanced Study program or a change of status from Certificate of Advanced Study to a doctoral degree program one issue to consider is that doctoral degree time limit begins with the first course used to meet doctoral requirements, even if this course was originally taken as part of a Certificate of Advanced Study program.

Two-Year Rule

Under the conditions of this rule, which assumes full-time enrollment, a student is evaluated no later than the second year after entry into the department. The intent of this rule is to better inform the doctoral student of degree progress prior to the preliminary oral examination. The result of this evaluation is to be reported to the student, the adviser, and the Student Academic Affairs Office. This “two-year rule” does not apply to master’s degree students. In addition, the Student Academic Affairs Office will routinely monitor student records to identify students who are failing to meet important milestones (qualifying exams, preliminary exams, etc.) in a timely fashion. Students and advisers will be notified and asked to respond to the perceived lack of progress.

Certification and Licensure

Some Ed.M. programs require teacher certification for admission and/or graduation. Information concerning these certification requirements may be obtained through the student’s department or the Council on Teacher Education.

Teacher, administrative, and other certifications for public schools are awarded by the Illinois State Board of Education. In most cases, certification may be awarded after completing an approved program at a university. The College of Education has approved programs for most certifications, including various teaching fields, Library Media Specialist, Learning Behavior Specialist, School Service (School Social Worker, Speech/Language Pathologist), and Administrative (General Administrative and Superintendent). Most of the approved administrative programs require completion of a graduate degree at the University of Illinois. Since requirements change, it is important that anyone desiring to obtain certification discuss the matter with his or her adviser and the Council of Teacher Education at the start of the program.

All persons seeking admission to a certification program in educational administration must respond to a separate application procedure. For details, contact the Department of Educational Organization and Leadership.

The Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology offered by the Department of Educational Psychology is designed to meet American Psychological Association (APA) requirements for eligibility for licensure.

Satisfying Required Courses by using a Course Waiver Application or Graduate Student Petition

Required foundation courses for Master’s and Certificate of Advanced Study degrees may be satisfied by completing the Course Waiver Application form administered by the Department of Educational Psychology and completing a Graduate Student Petition administered by the Department of Educational Policy Studies. These required courses may also be satisfied by a waiver from the Departments of Educational Psychology and Educational Policy Studies when a similar graduate level course has been completed elsewhere. Copies of official transcripts from the institution where the graduate credit was earned must be submitted with one of the above forms.

In each of the above instances, the Student Academic Affairs Office must receive a copy of the approval from both departments. If course credit to meet requirements is approved by petition and there is a request for transfer of credit, the course waiver application form is not necessary.

Auditing Courses

A student wanting to audit a course must first complete a Visitor’s Permit. More information on auditing a course can be found in the Graduate College Handbook.

Temporary Discontinuation of Degree Progress

Temporary discontinuation of degree progress is appropriate only if time limits permit. Under justifiable conditions, a leave of absence may also be appropriate. (See Leaves section in Graduate College).

Graduate Student Leave of Absence

Graduate students and advisers should be guided by the Graduate College policy on Leaves.