Graduate
The Graduate School
Since the authorization of the Division of Graduate Studies in 1937, Prairie View A&M University has sustained its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service through the development of advanced educational offerings, including master's, doctoral, and certification programs. Opportunities for advanced study are available to qualified students seeking graduate education and advanced degrees. These comprehensive programs are administered through a collaborative partnership between the Graduate School and the University’s colleges and schools. This strong partnership supports students in achieving their academic and professional goals.
The Graduate School is the primary source of information about advanced degrees. Similarly, the Academic Catalog is the official sourcebook for graduate programs at the University. Thus, general inquiries about graduate study should be directed to the Graduate School. Specific questions regarding a major program should be directed to the college or school offering the program.
Graduate students are held fully responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies and procedures established by the Graduate School and the colleges and schools in which programs of study will be undertaken. Programs, regulations, and course offerings listed herein are subject to modification and/or deletion at any time by action of appropriate University authorities.
Colleges and Schools with Graduate Programs
- College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- School of Architecture
- Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Business
- Whitlowe R. Green College of Education
- Roy G. Perry College of Engineering
- College of Nursing
- College of Public Affairs and Societal Impact
- School of Public and Allied Health
Graduate programs leading to Master's degrees, Professional Certification, Certificate Endorsements, and Doctoral degrees are offered. Prairie View A&M University offers most of its graduate degree programs on the main campus at Prairie View. However, it offers selected degree programs in education, business, engineering, and nursing at distance sites primarily in the Houston area. Off-campus sites are located at the Prairie View A&M University Northwest Houston Center and the College of Nursing in the Houston Medical Center. Selected graduate programs are offered online.
Academic Advising, Registration, and Degree Plans
Graduate students are assigned to one or more faculty advisors during the first semester in which they are enrolled at the university. New students are required to meet with an advisor before enrolling in classes to plan and obtain approval of plans of study. Continuing students should confer with their faculty advisor at least once per semester to discuss career goals, course selection and sequencing, and other degree/program related matters. Consultation on all academic concerns should begin with the major advisor.
Class Schedule
The class schedule is available in advance of registration each semester on the website area called PVPLACE. Students should consult with their advisors regarding the registration schedule, procedures for registration, and other pertinent information.
Continuous Enrollment
All graduate students enrolled in semester-based programs must register for at least one course and pay associated tuition and fees each semester, not including summer, until the degree is awarded. Certificate, masters, and pre-candidacy doctoral students who will be away from the University for one or two semesters may request a waiver of this continuous enrollment requirement and its associated tuition and fees for the relevant semester(s) by completing and submitting a leave of absence form. A leave of absence is granted at the discretion of the Academic Dean (see Leave of Absence policy). A graduate student should refer to program handbooks for any additional program-specific requirements.
International graduate students must register for at least nine credit hours each fall and spring semester to be considered full-time. An international graduate student who needs less than full-time hours to complete the requirements for the degree such as when the student is at the thesis, dissertation or project stage, may apply for a reduced course load with approval from the academic department and the Office of International Programs. An international student should not drop below the minimum number of required hours without prior approval from the Office of International Programs. A student who drops below the legally required number of credit hours without prior approval may be considered to be out of status.
Leave of Absence
Graduate students are expected to remain continuously enrolled in the fall and spring semesters while pursuing a graduate degree. In certain circumstances, a student may find the need to take a formal leave of absence from a program. A student in good academic standing, who does not expect to be enrolled in a given semester, may request a leave of absence for up to one year but still must meet the time limit on work for the master’s and doctorate degrees. The Graduate Student Request for Leave of Absence form must be submitted to the department. A leave of absence is granted at the discretion of the Academic Dean and Graduate School Dean. A graduate students should refer to their program handbook for additional program-specific requirements.
Registration in Absentia
Graduate students are required to be enrolled in the semester that they intend to graduate. Registration in absentia is for graduate students who have met all degree requirements, including successful defense of a thesis, dissertation or final project but who did not graduate in the semester of completion, typically to complete corrections or final edits. The following semester, a student must register in absentia to complete the degree.
To qualify for registration in absentia, a student must have minimal need for access or use of university facilities or resources during the registration in absentia period. Instead, if a student is not registered in absentia and intends to use university resources, including interaction with their project, thesis, or dissertation committee members, he/she must register for a minimum of one credit hour of a research, thesis, project, or dissertation course.
The Registration in Absentia Form must be approved by the Academic Advisor, Department Head, and Academic Dean before final approval by the Graduate School Dean. The form must be approved at all levels before the registration in absentia fee is paid. The fee for in-absentia registration is $15 for Texas residents and $17.50 for non-residents. The completed application must be submitted to the Registrar by the census date (12th class day) of the applicable semester. If the deadline is not met, a student must apply for a subsequent semester.
Time Limit on Work for Master’s Degree and Revalidation of Courses
A student must complete the requirements for the master’s degree within six consecutive years after the first date of enrollment in Graduate School. Credit for individual courses completed in residence between six and seven years before all requirements for the master’s degree are completed may be re-validated by a special examination given by the department concerned. Courses completed in extension or at another institution beyond the time limit cannot be re-validated. A course in which a grade of “C” was earned cannot be re-validated. A re-validated course is valid as credit toward the master’s degree only during the term in which it is re-validated. Students will be dismissed from their academic program at the end of year six if the degree has not been completed. Students may petition to use year seven to revalidate courses and complete the degree.
Time Limit on Work for Doctoral Degree and Revalidation of Courses
A student must complete the requirements for the doctorate degree within nine consecutive years after the first date of enrollment in Graduate School. Students will be dismissed from their academic program at the end of year nine if the degree has not been completed. Students may petition to use year ten to revalidate courses and complete the degree. Revalidation requires documentation that the faculty have conducted a rigorous process to assess knowledge retention. (e.g. examination, workshop completion, project/paper submission). Faculty may also recommend repeating expired courses in lieu of the revalidation process or deny the petition completely.
For students in candidacy, any expired courses that are reinstated require the student to complete the degree within that tenth year. Courses older than ten years cannot be used toward a doctoral degree.
Each department will have documentation in the doctoral student’s file of a signed acknowledgment by the student of when the degree must be completed. In some programs, this will be less than nine years for example the DBA credits expire in six years.
Concurrent Study for Two Different Degrees
A student pursuing a graduate degree program at Prairie View A&M University may not simultaneously enroll and complete coursework to meet the requirements for any other degree offered by this institution. Each degree must be completed in its entirety before work may be taken to meet the requirements for a new degree. Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Dean of the Graduate School.
Academic Expectations
Comprehensive Examinations and Doctoral Writing Requirement
Comprehensive or qualifying/preliminary examinations are designed to test students' knowledge, their ability to integrate and synthesize the wealth of information in their field, and their preparation for engaging in the kind of independent scholarship required to complete a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
Master’s Programs. Not all master’s programs require a comprehensive or qualifying/preliminary examination. A student should consult with his or her graduate program coordinator regarding department-specific procedures for comprehensive or qualifying/preliminary examinations or other work required toward the completion of the degree.
Doctoral Programs. Before a doctoral student is admitted to candidacy, he/she must complete doctoral examinations. At the doctoral level, students must meet the university’s expository writing requirement before being advanced to candidacy, excluding the DBA program. Students may be exempt with a GRE or GMAT analytical writing score of 3.5. Without an exemption GRE or GMAT score that is no more than five years old, students must take the university’s writing assessment/proficiency examination before taking any graduate coursework. Students who do not pass will be able to utilize writing support services during their first semester and re-test during that semester. If the student does not pass the examination in the first semester of enrollment, the student must complete a zero-credit expository writing course that is offered or administered through Languages and Communication in the second semester of enrollment. The course, which is zero credit hours will be offered in 8A and in 8B as needed. The writing course is eight weeks long, online, asynchronous, and requires a certain level of proficiency for a “pass” grade. This course may be repeated as necessary. For non-exempt doctoral students, passing the writing proficiency examination at some point is a criterion for advancement to candidacy. A student should consult with his or her graduate program coordinator regarding department-specific procedures for comprehensive or qualifying/preliminary examinations. Advancement to candidacy for doctoral programs is governed by the procedures of the program. Information for the specific program is found in this catalog under the degree description.
Application for Comprehensive Examination
Procedures for the comprehensive or qualifying/preliminary examination are governed by the department. A student must contact his/her department for the Application for Comprehensive Examination (if applicable) and relevant deadlines.
Availability of Examinations
Examinations are available during a time period specified by the program faculty. Students must meet the application deadline to sit for a comprehensive or qualifying/preliminary examination.
Scoring of the Comprehensive Examination
Comprehensive or qualifying/preliminary examinations are typically reviewed by faculty in the respective disciplines.
Appealing a Failing Score
Each graduate program has specific guidelines for appealing a failed examination. A student should reference the program handbook in their academic department for guidance.
Graduate Thesis, Dissertation, and Doctoral Project Committees
The school/college dean identifies all faculty qualified to serve as Chair for a thesis, dissertation, or doctoral project committee. In consultation with the graduate program coordinator the student selects a committee chair. The Committee Chair and the student collaborate to identify the members of the committee. The Graduate School Dean is responsible for approving the assignment of faculty to graduate committees. It should be noted on all documents, including the thesis, dissertation, or doctoral project, when the graduate committee chair is not the thesis/dissertation/doctoral project research advisor.
Graduate Thesis, Dissertation, or Doctoral Project
The graduate thesis, dissertation, or doctoral project grade form must be signed by the thesis and dissertation committee members, the college graduate program coordinator, department head, and dean; it must be prepared in a style and format that is prescribed by the specific degree program. Not later than thirty days after graduation, the student must submit a final draft of the thesis, dissertation, or doctoral project to the Graduate School for approval.
An oral examination is generally required of a thesis, dissertation, or doctoral project student. The oral examination is designed to test the verbal and explanatory abilities of students as they explain and defend their research. The examining body is the student’s graduate thesis, dissertation, or doctoral project committee and may include other interested departmental faculty. Graduate School staff may attend or monitor an oral examination. The examination can be repeated only once.
Academic Progress Standards
General Standards
In order to show satisfactory progress toward an advanced degree, a student must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0. A course in which a grade below “C” was earned cannot be counted toward graduation requirements. A student who, in any two consecutive semesters including the summer term, has a cumulative grade point average below 3.0 may be subject to academic dismissal. The university policy on Probation, Dismissal, and Academic Appeals provides further guidance on satisfactory academic progress and the process to appeal an academic dismissal.
Individual graduate programs may have stricter academic standards, which include a maximum number of grades below a "B" before dismissal from the program.
Doctoral Program Standards
Doctoral students remain in good standing when they maintain a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 for coursework. Only grades of “B” or better count toward required coursework (i.e., all but the elective courses) and dissertation hours. Any grade lower than “B” in a required area course will necessitate that the course be retaken and passed with a grade of “B” or higher. While one grade of “C” in an elective course may be counted toward the doctorate, only grades of “B” or better indicate satisfactory completion of courses required for the doctorate. A doctoral student’s progress is monitored at the program level and students will receive an annual performance review with input from program faculty. Students should consult with their Graduate Program Coordinator or Department Head regarding program performance expectations and requirements.
Change of Major/Program
Under certain circumstances, it is possible for a student to change the graduate major/program. ONLY students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all course work taken in post-baccalaureate standing at Prairie View A&M University are eligible to begin the process to change from one degree major/program to another. A complete application packet and application fee must be submitted to the Graduate School. The change must be completed during the regular registration period for a particular semester or term. A graduate student on academic probation cannot change major/program during this period; however, after successfully completing the probation period with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, the student may reapply to the Graduate School through the accepting Graduate Advisor, Department Head, and Academic Dean. The application will be subject to the approval of the Graduate Dean.
Courses, Credits, and Grades
The Course Numbering System
Beginning with the 1984-85 academic year, Prairie View A&M University moved from a three-digit to a four-digit course numbering system. Under the new system, the first digit represents the course level (i.e., below college level/developmental 0, freshman 1, sophomore 2, junior 3, senior 4, master's 5, both master's and doctoral 6, and doctoral 7). Beginning in Fall 2021, the second digit indicates the credit-hour value of the course. The third number may indicate the subject within the field, and the fourth number the recommended course sequence within that subject area.
Unit of Credit
The unit of credit used at Prairie View A&M University is the semester hour. A semester hour is the equivalent of one lecture contact hour per week for one semester. Time requirements for the semester credit hour in activities other than lectures vary according to the nature and objectives of the activities.
The federal definition of the credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency.
Course Load
The following limitations on course loads are in effect:
- This University defines full-time enrollment for a graduate student as a minimum of nine semester credit hours during the regular fall and spring semesters and six semester credit hours for the summer semester.
- During a regular session, a graduate student may not enroll in more than twelve semester credit hours without permission from the advisor, Department Head, and Dean. Approval from the respective college/school dean is required for fifteen semester credit hours, and approval from the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs is required for any semester credit hours over fifteen credit hours.
- During a five week summer session, a graduate student may not enroll in more than six semester hours. The total credit hours earned for the two summer sessions may not exceed twelve credit hours.
- A graduate student may not enroll in more than three semester credit hours during three weeks of a summer session.
- A graduate student enrolled in three week session may not enroll in more than one three -hour course in the five week session being conducted concurrently.
Repeated Course Grade
If a course is repeated, the official grade is the last grade earned. This is especially important for determining current GPA and could affect financial aid status, honor roll, candidacy for a student organization position, membership in an organization, graduation, or other opportunities. NOTE: Courses taken more than twice will be charged at a higher rate. See the section on Tuition and Fees.
Grade Reports
Students may acquire their mid-term and final grades via the web link for PVPLACE. Midterm grades are progress reports and are not recorded on the student’s permanent record. Final grades are recorded on the student’s permanent record at the close of each semester and summer term. If an error in the recording of grades is suspected, the student should report this immediately to the instructor, department head, or college/school dean for verification or correction.
Grading System
The standard university grading scale is indicated below. The score range applies to all programs except the College of Nursing.
| Grade | Meaning | Score Range | Grade Values |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 90-100 | 4 |
| B | Good | 80-89 | 3 |
| C | Passing | 70-79 | 2 |
| D | Below Standard | 60-69 | 1 |
| F | Failing | 0-59 | 0 |
| FN | Stopped Out | 0 | |
| S | Satisfactory | 70-100 | 0 |
| U | Unsatisfactory | 0-69 | 0 |
| I | Incomplete | 0 | |
| IP | In Progress | 0 | |
| NR | Grade Not Reported | 0 | |
| W | Withdrawal from course | 0 | |
| WV | Withdrawal from the University Voluntarily | 0 | |
| MW | Military Withdrawal | 0 | |
| AW | Administrative Withdrawal | 0 |
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grade
“S”/“U” grades will not factor into GPA computation.
In Progress Grade
An “IP”, in progress, is assigned to thesis, dissertation, internship, project, and practicum courses provided the student remains enrolled and makes satisfactory progress as certified by the committee chair, dean, and coordinator of the graduate program. The time allocated for the removal of the “IP” shall be the same as the maximum time for completion of a degree or certificate.
Incomplete “I” Grade
An “I,” incomplete, may be granted only when an authorized absence or other cause beyond the student’s control has prevented the student from completing a major course requirement, usually a final examination or major paper due near the end of a course. The student must have a passing average in all work completed at the time the incomplete is given. Incomplete work must be completed and a grade recorded within one calendar year from the close of the term in which the grade was earned. If the incomplete is not removed within the time allotted, the “I” will be changed to “F” by the registrar.
Transfer of Credit
Graduate credit earned at another accredited institution before enrolling in a graduate program, not exceeding six semester hours, may be transferred and applied toward the master's or doctoral degree at Prairie View A&M University. Graduate credit earned at another accredited institution during enrollment in the graduate program at Prairie View A&M University cannot be used to satisfy a certificate/degree requirement at that institution, fulfilling the degree requirements at Prairie View A&M University. Only courses with a grade of “B” or better may be transferred. An “A” grade from another institution or earned in extension may not be used to validate a grade of “C” earned at Prairie View A&M University. An official transcript denoting the transfer course(s), year, and grade received must be on file in the Office of the Registrar before acceptance of transfer credit is official. The official Approval of Transfer Credits Form, the official transcript (or copy of the official transcript on file in the Office of the Registrar) denoting the transfer course(s), the year with grade(s) received, and a copy of the course description(s) from the transfer institution’s catalog must be received by the Graduate School before transfer credits may be reviewed for approval.
This institution will not consider credits from other institutions to meet the requirements for a graduate degree unless the institution offering the courses allows these credits to be applied toward the requirements of an advanced degree on its own campus. Transfer coursework should not be more than six years old at the master’s level and more than nine years old at the doctoral level at the time that the degree is awarded.
Degree Majors - Master's and Doctoral Level
| Colleges and Schools | Degree Majors |
|---|---|
| College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources | MS Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences |
| MS Nutrition | |
| School of Architecture | MARCH Architecture |
| Marvin D and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences | MS Chemistry |
| MS Clinical Adolescent Psychology | |
| PHD Clinical Adolescent Psychology | |
| MCD Community Development | |
| MSJFP Juvenile Forensic Psychology** | |
| MA Sociology | |
| College of Business | MS Accounting |
| MBA General Business Administration | |
| DBA Business Administration | |
| Whitlowe R. Green College of Education | MA Counseling |
| MAED Curriculum and Instruction | |
| MSED Curriculum and Instruction | |
| MED Curriculum and Instruction | |
| MED Special Education | |
| MSED Special Education | |
| MED Curriculum and Instruction - Reading Education | |
| MSED Curriculum and Instruction - Reading Education | |
| MED Educational Administration | |
| MSED Educational Administration | |
| MS Human Sciences | |
| PHD Educational Leadership | |
| Roy G. Perry College of Engineering | MS Computer Information Systems |
| MS Computer Science | |
| MSENGR Engineering | |
| MSEE Electrical Engineering | |
| PHD Electrical Engineering | |
| College of Nursing | MSN Nurse Administration |
| MSN Nurse Education | |
| MSN Nurse Practitioner | |
| DNP Nursing Practice | |
| College of Public Affairs and Societal Impact | MSJJ Juvenile Justice |
| MSW Social Work | |
| PHD Juvenile Justice | |
| School of Public and Allied Health | MED Health |
| MS Health | |
| MED Physical Education | |
| MS Physical Education |
** Moratorium
Graduation Requirements
The following requirements apply to all graduate degree programs. Specific degree requirements may be found in the appropriate college sections of this catalog. All candidates expecting to graduate must file an application for the degree. The deadline for filing an application for the degree is published each semester by the Registrar in the Academic Calendar which is available online. The semester before graduating complete a graduation audit with your advisor. Degrees are publicly conferred at each University Commencement.
Registration Requirement: Students completing work required for a degree must be enrolled during the term in which the work is completed and the application for graduation is filed. A fee is required for registration in absentia.
Application for Graduation
A student who plans to receive a degree from Prairie View A&M University must apply for graduation online in PVPLACE. Students are to apply by the published deadline available on the website via the academic calendar for each graduation semester (fall, spring, or summer).
To start the process, complete the graduation checklist found online via PantherTracks at the “Apply to Graduate” link, then process the online application. A fee is required as part of the application process and will be billed to the student at the time the application is electronically submitted. Students who apply for graduation that are not enrolled for the term in which they plan to graduate will be charged an absentia fee. Finally, students receiving financial aid must participate in the financial aid exit loan process and should visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for assistance.
Degrees for students who are indebted to the University or have not completed “Exit Loan Counseling” will be posted if earned, but the transcript and diploma will be withheld until the debt is paid, the exit loan counseling completed, and the hold removed by Student Financial Aid.
Canceling a Graduation Application After Submission to the Registrar’s Office
A student has ten business days after the application deadline to cancel an application. No cancellations will be accepted after this period. The Graduation Cancellation Form (Forms Library-WEB) must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the graduation applicant. Graduation fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Probation, Dismissal, and Appeals
All graduate students are required to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 during any semester of enrollment, the student will be placed on academic probation. Within a semester, students must raise their GPA to 3.0 or above or they may be dismissed from the Graduate School. A student who is dismissed has the right to appeal the decision first to the departmental committee, followed by the Dean of the College and the Dean of the Graduate School. The decision first rests with a department faculty committee. If the pertinent department/school, the College Dean, and the Dean of Graduate School agree to reinstate the student, the decision will be communicated to the student. The decision regarding summer and fall dismissals will be made in the spring semester and dismissals in the fall semester will be decided in the spring semester.
A graduate student who is readmitted will return on academic probation until the cumulative GPA of 3.0 is met. A student who earns a 3.0 term GPA while on probation may register for subsequent semesters without an appeal. A student who earns a term GPA of less than 3.0 while on probation will be dismissed from the program. Individual graduate programs may also impose additional cumulative GPA and/or grade restrictions for their students.
Academic Appeal Process
The Notice of Academic Dismissal will be provided by the Office of the Registrar for graduate students who have been dismissed for failure to maintain the required 3.0 cumulative grade-point average. The notice will include instructions for submitting an appeal for readmission. Students should carefully review the instructions for submitting the appeal and adhere to the prescribed format. Appeal documents may be found on the Graduate School website. All appeals should be signed and submitted to the Graduate School. An incomplete appeal will not be processed. Students should not email, contact by phone, or visit any member of the Appeals Committee. The Notice of Academic Dismissal from the Office of the Registrar will generally be transmitted to the respective graduate students via email by the fifth working day after grades have been posted for the semester or session. Students are encouraged to check their grades soon after the end of a given semester to determine if an appeal is necessary.
The deadlines for submitting the appeal for readmission will be determined by the Graduate School and provided in the Notice of Academic Dismissal. Information regarding deadline dates will also be available on the Graduate School website. A student will be notified by the Graduate School within two weeks of submission of the appeal documents as to whether the appeal has been denied or approved.
Deadline for submitting an Academic Appeal to the Graduate School*
Fall (dismissal at end of spring term) - August 1
Spring (dismissal at end of summer or fall term) - January 2
* If the date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the following business day.
Graduate Research, Teaching, and Non-Teaching Assistantships
Most Graduate Research, Teaching, and Non-Teaching Assistantships are managed by colleges and schools. These positions are available for full-time, enrolled graduate students. Assistantships may be distinguished as follows:
- A graduate research assistant must have a bachelor's degree and be fully admitted to a graduate program. Assignments may include assisting in faculty research, writing grant proposals, and performing grant-related assignments.
- A graduate teaching assistant (master's level) has at least a bachelor’s degree and eighteen graduate credits in the field in which employment is held. A graduate teaching assistant may assist the professor of record by giving lectures and carrying out other classroom teachings and may prepare and grade examinations under the direct supervision of an experienced faculty member.
- A graduate teaching assistant (doctoral level) must have a master’s degree, be fully admitted to a Ph.D. program, and have a minimum of eighteen graduate credits in the field in which employment is held. A doctoral teaching assistant is the teacher of record but performs teaching duties under the supervision of an experienced faculty member.
- A graduate non-teaching assistant must have a bachelor’s degree and may be assigned to tasks that do not involve classroom teaching. Such activities may include laboratory assistance, research assistance, grading objective examinations, keeping class records, and performing similar functions.
Supervision
Each assistant must be assigned to a supervisor who will give guidance and assist the student in carrying out work assignments. The supervisor is responsible for assigning tasks, monitoring the progress of work, keeping a record of hours worked, and evaluating the performance of the student.