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General Bulletin 2006-2008

The Graduate School

General Information

Miami offers graduate study leading to master’s, Specialist in Education, and doctoral degrees. Certificate programs are also available.

Information on admission, graduate assistantships, courses, and requirements is online (www.muohio.edu/graduateschool/) and in the Graduate Bulletin, available from the Graduate School.

Departments Offering Graduate Study

Below we list the divisions and departments with the graduate degrees and certificate programs they offer. The Institute of Environmental Sciences is an interdisciplinary program.

Ph.D. program applicants may apply for a special interdisciplinary degree, subject to the approval of the admitting Ph.D. department and the Graduate School. Please contact the Director of Graduate Study in the appropriate department for more information.

All departments offering graduate study have information available about requirements and courses.

College of Arts and Science

Botany: Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching (biological sciences), Doctor of Philosophy, certificate in molecular biology

Chemistry and Biochemistry: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, certificate in molecular biology

Communication: Master of Arts

Comparative Religion: Master of Arts

Economics: See Richard T. Farmer School of Business.

English: Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Technical and Scientific Communication, Doctor of Philosophy

French: Master of Arts

Geography: Master of Arts

Geology: Master of Arts, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy

History: Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy

Mathematics and Statistics: Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching (for licensed teachers), Master of Science in Statistics

Microbiology: Master of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching (biological sciences), Doctor of Philosophy, certificate in molecular biology

Philosophy: Master of Arts

Physics: Master of Science

Political Science: Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Doctor of Philosophy

Psychology: Master of Arts (as required step in Ph.D. program only); Doctor of Philosophy (in experimental, experimental-social, or clinical psychology). For school psychology, see the School of Education and Allied Professions.

Sociology and Gerontology: Master of Gerontological Studies, Doctor of Philosophy in Social Gerontology, certificate in gerontology

Spanish and Portuguese: Master of Arts

Speech Pathology and Audiology: Master of Arts, Master of Science

Women’s Studies Program: Certificate

Zoology: Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching (biological sciences), Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, certificate in molecular biology

Institute of Environmental Sciences

Master of Environmental Science

Richard T. Farmer School of Business

Accountancy: Master of Accountancy

Economics: Master of Arts

Business Administration: Master of Business Administration

School of Education and Allied Professions

Art, education: See School of Fine Arts.

Educational Leadership: Master of Education, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Education

Educational Psychology: Master of Science, Master of Education, Master of Arts, Specialist in Education (school psychology)

Family Studies and Social Work: Master of Science

Music, education: See School of Fine Arts.

Physical Education, Health, and Sport Studies: Master of Science in Exercise and Health Studies, Master of Science in Sport Studies

Teacher Education: Master of Education, Master of Arts in Teaching

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Computer Science and Systems Analysis: Master of Computer Science

Paper and Chemical Engineering: Master of Science

School of Fine Arts

Architecture and Interior Design: Master of Architecture

Art, education: Master of Arts

Art, studio: Master of Fine Arts

Music, education: Master of Music

Music, performance: Master of Music

Theatre: Master of Arts

Requirements for Admission

Regular Standing

For admission to the Graduate School as a degree candidate with regular standing, you must have earned a grade point average (g.p.a.) of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale) at the institution awarding the bachelor’s degree or a 3.0 g.p.a. for the last four semesters (or equivalent) of study for the bachelor’s degree. You must have at least a 3.0 g.p.a. for all graduate work completed. Undergraduate course work taken after completion of the bachelor’s degree will not be considered in determining your g.p.a.

Departmental admission standards may be higher than those of the Graduate School. Departmental admission committees make the determination regarding admission to the specific program.

You may be admitted directly to a doctoral program if you have earned a bachelor’s degree, provided you are recommended by your academic department and approved by the Graduate School.

Conditional Standing

Admission to the Graduate School with conditional standing (master’s degree programs only) is possible if you do not meet requirements for regular standing but you can provide evidence of promise for success in graduate study. If you must satisfy departmental prerequisites, have academic deficiencies, or have earned a bachelor’s degree from a nonaccredited institution, you can be admitted with conditional standing even if minimum requirements for admission with regular standing have been met. Such requests must have support of the academic department in which you seek admission. Evidence in support may include graduate admission test scores, reference to successful professional experience, statements of academic prowess, etc.

If you are admitted with conditional standing, you must achieve a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.0 in the first 12 hours of graduate courses taken for grades. Grades earned in undergraduate courses do not apply to the required g.p.a. The probationary period begins on the date of admission with conditional standing. If you do not satisfy the requirements of conditional standing, you are denied further registration in the Graduate School. If you meet these requirements, you are readmitted with regular standing.

If you are admitted with conditional standing, you are not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship or a graduate grant-in-aid. Once you meet the conditions of admission and are readmitted with regular standing, you are eligible for an assistantship or a grant-in-aid.

If you have no plans to pursue a graduate degree, you may be admitted to continuing nondegree graduate status. Please consult the Graduate Bulletin for more information.

Test Scores

Some departments require you to submit scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test. The School of Business requires the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for all applicants. Please check with the department or in the Graduate Bulletin to see if your program requires tests. Information about the tests is available from the Graduate School or most college counseling centers.

English Competency

International students whose native language is not English need to submit evidence of proficiency in English – in most cases, satisfactory scores on: (1) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and (2) Essay, part of the computer-based TOEFL, or Test of Written English (TWE).

International students admitted to the Graduate School are required to take an on-campus test in the use of English. This test is taken after arrival at Miami and prior to registration for classes. Students are required to register for ENG 108 and/or 109 in their first semester of study if it is determined that additional instruction in English is needed.

Students who will be assigned instructional responsibilities (including laboratory supervision) as a teaching associate or graduate assistant are required by Ohio law to demonstrate English-speaking proficiency and will be required to take a test that assesses proficiency in spoken English.

Financial Assistance

Many graduate students attend Miami with the aid of an assistantship. In exchange for teaching, doing research, or working in a university office, you are paid a stipend and receive an instructional fee waiver.

Application for a graduate award is included as part of the admission application. Complete the appropriate section and you will automatically be considered for an award. Information is available from the Graduate School and online (www.muohio.edu/graduateschool/).

Applying for Admission

U.S. Applicants

You can apply online (www.collegenet.com). Information and an application form are also available online (www.muohio.edu/graduateschool/) and from:

The Graduate School
102 Roudebush Hall
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
Phone: 513-529-3734
Fax: 513-529-3762
E-mail: gradschool@muohio.edu

International Applicants

Information and application forms fpr prospective international graduate students are available online (www.muohio.edu/apply/) and from:

The Graduate School
102 Roudebush Hall
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
U.S.A.
Phone: 513-529-3734
Fax: 513-529-3762
Email: intlapp@muohio.edu

Application Deadlines

Submit your application form(s) at least six weeks before you want to enter Miami. To be considered for financial aid or a graduate assistantship, however, the deadline is March 1 before fall semester.

Admission deadlines vary by department. Click on Programs and Degrees on the Graduate School website (www.muohio.edu/graduate) and see your area of study for current application deadlines.

Requirements for Graduate Degrees

The minimum g.p.a. for any graduate degree is 3.0, both in the major field of study and in all courses taken for the degree.

For a master’s degree, minimum requirements include 30 semester hours with at least 12 semester hours in courses numbered 600 and above. For master’s degrees in education, 15 semester hours must be earned in courses numbered 600 and above. At least half of the minimum semester hours required must be earned on the Oxford campus. Exceptions are the Master of Education (M.Ed.) and the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degrees. The M.Ed. can include more hours from Hamilton and/or Middletown campuses. The part-time M.B.A. can be done at Oxford, Hamilton, or Middletown campus or a combination of campuses; the full-time M.B.A. must be done at the Oxford campus. Each department determines whether or not a thesis is required. Candidates must pass a final examination, oral and/or written. Work for a master’s degree must be completed within five years after your first registration as a graduate student.

For the post-master’s Specialist in Education degree, offered only in school psychology, minimum requirements are 30 semester hours, including 10 semester hours for a research project.

Minimum requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree include 60 semester hours beyond a master’s degree or its equivalent (i.e., 30 semester hours), of which 48 must be earned at Miami. Doctoral candidates must also pass a preliminary (comprehensive) examination, a final examination, and complete a dissertation. Requirements for the Doctor of Education are similar.

Graduate Certificate Programs

These specializations, which enhance a graduate degree, are available to students who have been admitted to the Graduate School and have met program prerequisites.


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