Program Requirements
Contents |
Academic Standards
A grade of 70% or more must be achieved in all normal graded course work, but students subject to a qualifying or probationary period may be required to achieve a higher overall average in the required course(s). Students who do not achieve the required grade in a course, may repeat that course or substitute another course, if the academic unit and FGSR agree. For fully qualified students, only one course may be repeated. Supplemental examinations are not an option.
NOTE: Qualifying and probationary students will be discontinued if an unacceptable grade is received in one course; a qualifying student may be allowed to retake a maximum of one course. Following completion of the qualifying or probationary conditions, the student will be notified of a change of status to fully qualified.
Students with an unacceptable grade on their record are NOT eligible for funding through FGSR. A failing grade or a grade of Deferred or Incomplete renders a student ineligible for graduate funding until either the failed course (or substitute) or the outstanding course work is successfully completed.
Doctoral Students
The student must have demonstrated proficiency in a broad
field of learning, and the ability to initiate and evaluate
work in the corresponding field. Furthermore, the student
must have shown the ability to work independently in
the chosen field and must have made an original significant
contribution to the advancement of knowledge.
The student is required to provide the Supervisory Committee with a written report of research progress every six to twelve months. This report is retained in the academic unit. The Supervisory Committee will meet with the student at least once a year. Additionally, the student and supervisor are to provide the FGSR Office with an FGSR annual report of the progress in the program. The form is available on the web site and is also to be used to provide information required by the Tri-Council granting agencies.
Comprehensive Doctoral Examinations. Comprehensive examinations, if required, are the responsibility of the academic units. The examination may be written and/or oral. A student who has not performed satisfactorily on the examination may, at the discretion of the academic unit, be afforded a single opportunity to retake it.
If, in the opinion of
the Supervisory Committee, a student is not making satisfactory
progress on either course work or research, a recommendation
will be made to the Dean of FGSR that the student be discontinued.
Such a recommendation requiring a student to discontinue
becomes final only when approved by the Ph.D. Committee.
The Dean of FGSR or the Ph.D. Committee may also initiate
questions concerning a student's progress.
Master's Students
The student is expected to demonstrate mastery of the subject.
There are several routes available to master’s
candidates. The thesis and some project programs emphasize
research and others are based primarily on formal courses.
Students in thesis-based programs and project-based students
who have federal funding must provide an annual report
of progress. The form is available on the web site and
is also to be used to provide information required by the
Tri-Council granting agencies.
If, in the opinion of the academic unit concerned, a student is not making satisfactory progress on either course work or research, a recommendation will be made to the Dean of FGSR that the student be required to discontinue. Such a recommendation becomes final when approved by the Dean of FGSR.
Courses
Definition
- Graduate 800/900 level courses of specific title and description. Courses established to broaden the perspective and expand advanced knowledge in a particular discipline or professional field. Courses are complex and designed to extend the knowledge and intellectual maturity of students beyond the baccalaureate.
- Graduate 800/900 Selected Topics Courses. The category of Selected Topics is reserved for courses that have a defined subject area and for which the adequacy of library resources are/should be known. (As examples, in the AA-ZZ series of courses, Selected Topics in Financial Management or Selected Topics in Inorganic Chemistry, or Advanced Studies in Canadian Literature) will be categorized as a Selected Topics courses and formally-approved, whereas the more broadly based courses for which formal approval and library holdings are not know should be labeled Special Topics).
- Graduate 800/900 level Special Topics or Directed Readings Courses: These courses have not received a formal review by the academic units and the Library, and require the approval of the Head of the academic unit and the Dean of the FGSR. The purpose of this category is to facilitate offerings on a wide variety of topics of relevance, allowing exploration of numerous theories, principles, models and strategies. These courses permit new or visiting faculty to offer a course in an area of expertise where otherwise the approval process would not permit a timely offering. They also allow academic units to experiment with offerings rather than having to commit to a formal approval process without being able to determine demand. As well, they provide an opportunity for students who have individual interests or graduation requirements to be accommodated. These courses may be stand-alone graduate courses or co-scheduled with a fourth-year undergraduate course, although it is recognized that there may be occasions where co-scheduling with a third-year course may be appropriate (requires that a rationale for such be made by the academic unit). If co-scheduled, the requirements and expectations to warrant an 800/700-level designation must be specified on the approval request form.
- Integrated courses. These are titled or Selected Topics graduate courses that are regularly co-scheduled with a formally-approved, fourth-year undergraduate courses, and are identified in the graduate calendar as Course Name 8XX (4XX), or 7XX (4XX), e.g. HIST 805 (405), where the 4XX defines the corresponding undergraduate course. When co-scheduled, the syllabus is to define the expectations and other distinctive aspects pertaining to 800/700-level credit, which may include separate reading lists, assignments, and final examinations.
The course has been critically assessed by the academic unit and the corresponding faculty, verified by the Library and approved at Executive Council.
Note: An integrated course may not be taken for credit at the graduate level (i.e., HIST 805) if the student has already completed the undergraduate course component (i.e., HIST 405). An exception is seminar format courses (SOC 404/804), which may be repeated, but the method of grading at the graduate level will be as Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit.
Note: A formally-approved course may be delivered as lecture, seminar, laboratory or independent study. Directed Readings herein is limited to courses where formal approval has not been received and will effectively be delivered as an independent study.
Requirements
- Up to half the course work in a graduate program may consist of Directed Readings/Special Topics courses. Therefore, at least half the program must be comprised of stand-alone or integrated courses.
- Up to half the course work to be credited to a student’s program may be undertaken with the supervisor as the course instructor.
- Some programs allow a senior undergraduate course to be credited in a master’s program. At the doctoral level, undergraduate courses may not normally form part of the primary program requirements and will be considered as courses of secondary importance or courses additional to the program.
- Master's students who are accepted in the qualifying category will do more course work than the program minimum. Fully-qualified students may wish to take more than the required minimum hours in order to make full use of available courses or research facilities. Permission to register in courses outside the prescribed program requires a demonstration of relevance to the program of studies and is subject to approval by the head of the academic unit and the Dean of FGSR prior to registration. Graduate students may obtain permission to audit courses. Auditing students may attend lectures, but may otherwise participate in classes only to the extent permitted by the instructor. The deadline for students to change from credit to audit or audit to credit is the add/drop deadline.
Directed Reading and Special Topics Courses. Course offerings in Directed Reading/Special Topics of variable content and credit require completion of a form. These courses need to be catalogued and then timetabled each and every semester, so timely decisions are required. Courses for which these procedures apply are in an AA-ZZ series.
It is very important that the nature and number of activities and the grading aspects be defined on the form.
Time-tabling of Courses. All courses to be offered in a given semester must be time-tabled. Do not assume that because a course has been offered in the past that it will be automatically scheduled. FGSR does not time-table program specific graduate courses---this is the responsibility of the academic unit. Academic units send an email (time.table@uregina.ca) or a memo to the Time Tabling staff in the Registrar’s Office. An example of the appropriate format and information is given below:
ENEL 885AK-001 Data and Digital Computer Networks
Type: Lecture (or directed reading)
Credit hours: 3
Max Enrolment: 10
Time and Day: As determined by unit
Instructor: Joe Smith 200 100 100
Final Exam: do not schedule
**Students will not be able to register if a course is not time-tabled. Students should contact their academic units concerning any scheduling issues.
Time-tabling of full-year’ courses
A course that is always, or regularly offered as, a two-semester course is to be catalogued and scheduled as follows:
- First semester: catalogued as Course numberAA, Course title – 1st half. Scheduled for half the number of total credit hours in Part of Term 1 (assuming standard start and end dates); graded normally at the end of the second semester.
- Second semester: catalogued as Course numberAB, Course title – 2nd half. Scheduled for half the number of total credit hours in Part of Term 1 (assuming standard start and end dates); graded normally. Instructor must alert Dean or designate to approve grades for the 1st semester when submitting this semester’s grades.
Note:
- Fees for each semester are paid at the start of the semester.
- The student must register in each half during the normal registration period.
- The grade in each course is the same, and numeric grades are included in GPA calculation.
- Credit hours are earned in both semesters.
- Counts at face value in each semester for student loan purposes.
A course that is normally a one-semester course but that is being offered exceptionally over two semesters is to be scheduled as follows:
- First semester: scheduled in Part of Term A for the full number of credit hours; graded IP at the end of the semester.
- Second semester: scheduled in Part of Term B for the full number of credit hours, and normally graded at the end of the semester.
Note:
- Fees are paid in the first semester.
- The student’s registration is rolled from the first semester to the second by the Registrar’s Office.
- The grade of IP is administrative and does not count in GPA calculation.
- No credit hours are earned in the first semester.
- Counts for half the total credit hour value in each semester for student loan purposes.
Language Requirement
Some academic units require a demonstration of language proficiency other than English. Please refer to detailed program information.
Program Specifics
For all fully qualified students, the Head of the academic unit ensures that an appropriate program is in place and this should be defined in the first semester of study for master’s students, and in the first year for doctoral students. The program is prepared in consultation with the proposed research supervisor and the student, and must be in accordance with the approved program given in the Graduate Calendar. Proposed changes that deviate from the approved program must be agreed to through the FGSR office, and final approval may be at the level of the Faculty Council.
Publication
The University does not require the publication of Doctoral theses as a whole other than in microfilm by the UMI. Each thesis is expected to include material acceptable for publication in scholarly journals of the field in which the candidate has done the research. The Examining Committee as an element for the award of the degree may require evidence of the publication, or acceptance for publication, of a paper by a relevant journal.
Registration
Refer to Section on Registration Regulations and Procedures.
Research
Research activity is an integral part of most graduate programs and varies in nature depending on the field. The research document is to be structured so as to be suitable to the level of the student and the time expected for completion of the degree (in full-time study, approximately two years for a Master’s degree; two or more years for a Doctorate, following a Master’s degree). The research is directed and guided by the supervisor and other members of the supervisory committee (required for all doctoral students but optional for master’s). The student is to consult his/her supervisor/supervisory committee about access to space and equipment. The student is required to provide regular evidence of progress in the program. Lack of reasonable progress will lead to discontinuation from the program.
Integrity in Scholarly Research. Scholarly activity varies among the disciplines. It includes original published works, artistic or engineering design, as well as distinguished performance in the arts or in a professional area. Judgment of scholarly activity is based mainly on the quality and significance of an individual’s contributions to the particular discipline.
The University of Regina is committed to excellence in scholarly activities and as such is committed to assuring that the highest standards of scholarly integrity are to be understood and practiced. As a scholarly community, the University, and all the individuals that comprise it, have a responsibility to maintain the highest standards of scholarship.
Intellectual Property Policy. An overview of the University of Regina’s Intellectual Property Policy and its relevance for graduate students has been prepared by the Dean and should be consulted at http://www.uregina.ca/gradstudies/publications/ip_grad.shtml.
Research Ethics Board and President’s Committee on Animal Care. The University of Regina considers the protection of the dignity and welfare of human research participants to be of paramount importance. The Research Ethics Board (REB) will regulate the conduct of research with human subjects in a manner that is consistent with the most current version of the Tri-Council Policy for the Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans (hereafter referred as the Tri-Council Policy Document). Researchers are encouraged to regularly review the policies and procedures outlined in the Tri-Council Policy Document.
All research projects involving human subjects are required to have approval from the University of Regina Research Ethics Board regarding the proposed research protocol before research begins. Failure to observe this requirement can result in discontinuation or non-acceptance of the research undertaken. Every research project involving human subjects is required to have the approval of the Research Ethics Board (REB) of the University before the research begins. Students who are in doubt as to whether their research projects should be reviewed by the REB should address the matter with their supervisor and the Chair of the REB. Failure to obtain this approval will cause delay in completion of the program and can result in discontinuation. Ethical clearance forms part of the official documentation required when the thesis is presented for defense. Students must be enrolled in order to access the REB. Students must be registered in order to conduct research towards their degree and represent themselves as students at the University.
The President’s Committee on Animal Care (PCAC) reviews all research projects involving non-human animal species. Failure to obtain this review will cause delays in completion of the program and may result in discontinuation. Please consult the following web site: http://www.uregina.ca/research.
Residence
The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research has not set residency requirements for either master's or doctoral degree programs, but encourages academic units to carefully consider the aspect of residency, reflecting on the purposes for it (see below) and ensuring that there is clarity regarding it. Thus, it is within the purview of individual academic units to set specific residency requirements for the programs specific to their units. Note that residency requirements may differ for different programs within the same academic unit.
Purposes
Residency requirements for graduate programs are intended to
ensure that students have an opportunity to benefit from the
advantages of a university environment. These advantages
include the accessibility of computing facilities, library,
laboratory, and other physical facilities as well as the
opportunity to participate in seminars and a variety of
on-campus cultural activities. Residency provides an
opportunity for sustained and concentrated intellectual
effort, as well as for immersion in a dynamic research
environment, and facilitates extensive interaction with
fellow students and the faculty members in the academic
unit, on both a social and professional basis.
Another major purpose of residency requirements is to give faculty members the opportunity to properly assess the professional development of students, guide and direct their studies, and determine their competency. Additionally, a major component towards the professional development of students pertains to the experiences gained while working collaboratively on research with other students and one's advisor, or other faculty members.
Supervision & Supervisory Committees
Refer to Section on Supervisor Eligibility, Selection, Supervisory and Graduate Student Responsibilities.
Time Limit Requirements
Doctoral. Ph.D. candidates have a maximum of six years to complete their work irrespective of whether they started the program from a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. Students who transfer from a master’s to a PhD are determined to have commenced their program at first registration at the master’s level.
Master's. Students in thesis-based Master’s degree programs are expected to work with reasonable continuity and complete their program in a timely manner but have up to five years to do so from the time of first registration. In non-thesis based master’s degree programs, students have a maximum six years from first registration.
Non-Degree. The Non-degree student is afforded the opportunity to register in up to four (4), approved courses over a period of one year (three consecutive semesters) or the completion of the specified courses, whichever comes first. The start point for the one-year completion date is the semester directly following the issuance of the acceptance letter. The student who has not completed the prescribed courses may make a formal request for an extension, justifying the reasons why an extension may be warranted. The Non-degree student who withdraws or whose time elapses, may apply for reinstatement, providing the original application as a Non-degree student is not more than three years old and progress in previous non-degree courses is deemed satisfactory. If the application is older than three years, a new application will be required.
Submission of final corrected copy of thesis. If revisions of the thesis are required by the examining committee prior to submission to FGSR and the Library, students must submit the final corrected copy no later than the end of the next semester or the student will be required to register.
Time Limits for a Thesis Evaluated “Unacceptable for Defense”. If a Master’s or Doctoral candidate’s thesis has been judged as unacceptable by FGSR, or the External examiner, then the candidate may be given an opportunity to revise the thesis document and submit a revision for defense. The thesis must be resubmitted for defense no later than the end of the next semester. Where additional research is required, the Associate Dean of FGSR will meet with the relevant parties to determine an appropriate deadline. A student whose time limit will expire must request an extension.
Project and Practicum and Internship Students are subject to the same time lines.
Delays to Completion
Extensions. Extensions are granted to students who encounter difficulties while actively trying to complete their program. Students must be registered in their program in order to request an extension. Time extensions may be granted for one semester and typically no more than two such semesters will be granted. The request should be made using the Request for Graduate Program Extension available from the web site and is to be made at least two (2) months prior to the end of the semester. If no request is received, the student will be discontinued and must seek reinstatement to the program. A student seeking an extension must make the request through his/her supervisor. The supervisor will provide a letter defining his/her perspective on why the work was not completed in the allotted time. Evidence of sufficient progress to warrant an extension, as well as a statement of what remains to be done, and the time-frame for its completion, is required in order for an extension to be granted. The letter and request are to be given to the Graduate Program coordinator for comment, who will then send all materials to the Dean (FGSR) for consideration. Full-time students who have received approval for an extension must register in GRST 996AA in each corresponding semester. Part-time students who have received approval for an extension must register in GRST 996AB in each corresponding semester. Students must register in any formal remaining credit hours in addition to an extension course.
Leaves-of-Absence. A student may request a leave-of-absence (LOA) and this, if granted, is for a standard time of one year, although the student may re-enter the program at the start of any semester within the leave period, or must register at the end of the year’s period in order to remain active in the program. An LOA may be granted for medical, maternity/parenting, compassionate or other substantive reasons, but not to accept employment. The student must submit the Request for an LOA from a Graduate Program on the form available from the FGSR website and provide with the appropriate documentation. A student on an LOA is not entitled to the University services normally provided to students. The student on an LOA pays no fees and the time of the leave does not count in the graduate program. An LOA is not granted retroactively, and only one leave will be granted to a student during the tenure of his/her graduate program. An additional absence must take the form of a voluntary withdrawal.
Required to Discontinue (RTD)
Graduate Students will be required to discontinue:
- for failing to register. Doctoral students must register every semester; for domestic master’s students no more than two consecutive semesters may elapse without registering.
- for failing to complete their program within the time limit
- for academic reasons of failing two courses if fully qualified, and one course if qualifying or probationary
- for academic standing (academic average, failing comprehensive(s), failing to meet academic standards or research progress standards of the academic unit, or failing the thesis/defense)
- for academic misconduct (plagiarism in courses or thesis, cheating, claiming undue credit for group work, misrepresentation or other unethical behaviour).
- for non-academic misconduct or disciplinary reasons (theft, inappropriate behaviour, vandalism, mischief)
Sanctions
- The minimum length of an administrative (registration) RTD is normally one semester.
- The minimum length of an academic RTD is one year and can be permanent (e.g. for no research progress).
- The minimum length for academic misconduct RTD is one year and can be permanent.
- Upon appeal, the minimum length for disciplinary reasons is determined by the Council Discipline Committee.
The possible penalties for academic misconduct, depending on the nature of the misconduct and whether or not there have been previous occurrences, include a warning, a reduction in the grade for an assignment, a grade of XF in a course, loss and/or repayment of scholarships and other awards, suspension (dismissal for a fixed time), expulsion (dismissal indefinitely), and withholding or rescinding of a degree. A grade of XF, suspension, and expulsion appear on the official transcript. Applicants will be refused admission, and graduate students may be expelled permanently from the University of Regina, and if applicable, have a degree revoked for:
- fraudulent or falsified documents - the Faculty will also notify the Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada
- fabrication of data or results
- plagiarism of the thesis/project
Reinstatement following an RTD. A student who has been discontinued may request reinstatement by submitting the request form (Request for Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Reinstatement or Program Transfer Form) through the graduate program coordinator and supervisor(s). If the supervisor and department support the application, it is to be forwarded along with a covering memorandum to FGSR outlining the work that is outstanding and the timetable for completion. Permission to resume candidacy is given only on the recommendation of the relevant academic unit and the agreement of the Dean of FGSR. Courses that have been completed six or more years prior to the reinstatement must be shown to be relevant. A reinstatement fee billed at the equivalent of 1.5 credit hours is assessed. A new application is required from students who are seeking reinstatement to a new major or program. Students must register in the semester of reinstatement or will remain discontinued.
Withdrawal & Reinstatement. If circumstances occur whereby a student will be absent from his or her program for a time exceeding one year, the student should request a voluntary withdrawal. If the student later wishes to return to the program, it will be necessary to formally seek reinstatement. Reinstatement is not assured, but depends on the ability and willingness of the academic unit to provide the necessary supervision and accommodation. Requests for reinstatement must be accompanied by an outline of what needs to be completed and the schedule for completion. Reinstatement to a program is subject to a reinstatement fee equivalent to 1.5 credit hours except in those cases where the withdrawal was due to illness or injury. Note: Formal acceptance by FGSR and the academic unit is required for any courses taken six years prior to the anticipated date for the award of the degree in order for such courses to remain credited towards the program requirements.
** While on a withdrawal or an RTD, the time in program is stopped, although students should be aware of regulations related to current relevancy of course work.
