VI. General Academic Requirements

1. Grades and Index Requirements
   
   A graduate student is expected to maintain a graduation index representing a B average (3.0/4.0 GPA.) or better. Indices below this level are marked “less than good standing” on the transcript. The student also is expected to earn S grades for research registration. Two consecutive sessions of U grades for research registration mandate that the department take formal action and inform the student, in writing, and the Graduate School with regard to discontinuation or conditions for continuation of the student’s graduate study. In any event, the student’s progress should be reviewed each session by the student’s department. The student’s progress also may be reviewed by the Graduate School.
   
   The graduation index for graduate students includes all grades earned in 50000- and 60000-level courses taken while enrolled as a graduate student, except FR, GER, RUSS, or SPAN 60100, 60300, or 60500, plus grades received in 30000- or 40000-level courses taken while in the graduate program (once they are approved as part of the graduate plan of study). When 30000- and 40000-level courses are listed on the approved plan of study, and completed with a B- or better grade, grades associated with those courses will be added into the graduation index. If a student receives less than a B- in a 30000- or 40000-level course, then the course must be retaken or removed from the plan of study.
   
   If a Purdue course taken by a graduate student is repeated for a grade, the Registrar’s Office will delete the first grade from a student’s graduation index, providing that specific course was originally taken while the student was enrolled as a graduate student. Neither excess undergraduate Purdue courses nor courses transferred from another institution are used in computing the graduation index.
   
   Courses taken as pass/not pass or satisfactory/unsatisfactory are unacceptable on plans of study. Grade option changes will not be approved by the Graduate School except in cases of a clerical or mechanical error during the normal drop/add period. Coursework required for a degree will be complete when a student obtains grades for all courses on the plan of study that meet grade requirements of the department and the Graduate School.

2. Degree and Registration Requirements
   
   In order for a degree to be granted by the Purdue University Graduate School, it is important for a significant component of that degree to be directed by Purdue graduate faculty; therefore, the following registration requirements exist. Registration is defined as formal enrollment in courses offered by Purdue University, including courses offered via distance learning technologies. Courses include all Purdue University graduate courses approved by the student’s graduate committee, including formal coursework and research credits.
   
   In fulfilling degree requirements, a maximum of 18 credit hours (from one or more institutions) will be allowed from any one session. A maximum of 9 credits (from one or more institutions) taken during Summer Session, are permitted to fulfill graduation requirements.
   
   The total number of hours of academic credit used to satisfy degree requirements consists of all graduate course credit hours with a grade of C- or better (B- or better for 30000- or 40000-level courses) that appear on the plan of study and the appropriate number of research credit hours (69800 and 69900) with grades of S that appear on the Purdue transcript. [See Section VII-B-1-a-(1) ]
   1. Master Degree
      1. At least one-half of the total credit hours used to satisfy degree requirements must be earned while registered at Purdue University.
      2. More than 50 percent of the Purdue credits must be earned through the campus where the degree is conferred.
      3. At least 30 total credit hours are required.
      4. With the exception of doctoral students who are re-classified as master’s students and leave the Graduate School with the master’s degree, 69900 credits may not be used towards the fulfillment of master’s degree requirements.
   2. Doctor of Philosophy Degree
      1. At least one-third of the total credit hours used to satisfy degree requirements must be earned while registered for doctoral study at Purdue University.
      2. At least 90 total credit hours are required
      3. A master’s degree or professional doctoral degree from any accredited institution may be considered to contribute up to 30 credit hours toward satisfying this requirement at the discretion of the student’s graduate program. (The intent of this policy is to provide colleges/schools, departments, and a student’s advisory committee with flexibility in determining what credits, [up to a maximum of 30 and earned from the master’s or professional doctoral degree] may be applied toward the Ph.D. degree. These credit hours are not subject to the “Five-Year Rule” that prohibits the use of out-of-date coursework on plans of study. See Section VII-B-1-a .).
      4. Under no circumstances may 69800 credits, other than as part of the 30 credits which may be used from a master’s degree, contribute toward the 90 credits required for a Doctor of Philosophy degree
3. Maximum Time Limits for Completion of Ph.D. Degree
   Each department should establish policies to assure that graduate students complete their Ph.D. degree programs in a period of time that is reasonable and commensurate with the practice of scholarship in that field. Current policies governing the completion of the Ph.D. degree should be filed with the dean of the Graduate School. In formulating completion policies, departments should give special consideration to the conditions that must be met before students can be recommended for research in absentia.
4. Knowledge of a Language Other than English
   There is no Graduate School general requirement of knowledge of a language other than English for seekers of advanced degrees. Some departments, however, do require a reading knowledge of one or more languages other than English. This requirement may be indicated on the plan of study; however, the Graduate School does not monitor the satisfactory completion of any such requirements.
   
   If a department requires reading knowledge of one or more languages other than English, the department may stipulate its own method to be used by a student whose native language does not satisfy this requirement. When a department wants the School of Languages and Cultures to administer the examination, evaluate the performance, and validate the competency, that department must consult with the School of Languages and Cultures a session in advance of the student’s deadline for establishing knowledge in a language other than English.