University of Nebraska
GRADUATE COLLEGE
Bylaws and Policies
Approved by the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty, November 18, 2022
Presented to the Board of Regents, December 2, 2022
[AY 2023-2024 Version]
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Table of Contents
University of Nebraska Graduate College Governance Documents
I. GENERAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GRADUATE COLLEGE ...................................... 6
II. THE GRADUATE FACULT Y ....................................................................................................... 7
A. Authority and Responsibilities ............................................................................................. 7
B. Membership .......................................................................................................................... 7
C. Criteria for Membership ....................................................................................................... 8
D. Procedures for Appointment ............................................................................................... 9
E. Procedure of Appeal .......................................................................................................... 10
F. Graduate and Supervisory Committees ............................................................................. 11
G. Meetings ............................................................................................................................. 12
III. THE EXECUTIVE GRADUATE COUNCIL ................................................................. 13
A. Authority and Responsibilities ........................................................................................... 13
B. Membership ........................................................................................................................ 13
C. Terms .................................................................................................................................. 13
D. Meetings ............................................................................................................................. 14
IV. AMENDMENTS AND CONFLICTS ....................................................................... 14
V. DEAN OF THE GRADUATE COLLEGE .................................................................. 15
VI. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GRADUATE COLLEGE ................................................ 16
A. Office of the Executive Vice President/Provost ................................................................. 16
B. Responsibilities of the Executive Graduate Council ........................................................... 16
C. Procedures for Meeting of the Faculty of the Graduate College ....................................... 17
D. Procedures for Bringing Forward Motions on the Floor of the Executive Graduate Council
Without Prior Review ......................................................................................................... 18
E. Procedures for Voting ......................................................................................................... 19
F. Graduate Application Fee ................................................................................................... 20
G. University of Nebraska Organizational Chart of the Graduate College ............................. 21
Campus Graduate Studies Governance Documents
I. UNIVERSIT Y OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY ............................................................... 22
II. UNIVERSIT Y OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN .............................................................. 26
III. UNIVERSIT Y OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER ............................................................ 29
IV. UNIVERSIT Y OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA ........................................................................ 32
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Related Policy Documents
I. GRADUATE DEGREES/CERTIFICATES ..................................................................... 37
A. Recommendation on the Requirements for Degrees ........................................................ 37
B. Expedited Review of Proposed New Graduate Certificate Programs ................................ 39
II. POLICY ON THE PURSUIT OF GRADUATE DEGREES AT THE UNIVERSIT Y OF NEBRASKA
BY FACULT Y HOLDING THE RANK OF ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
OR ABOVE (OR EQUIVALENT) ............................................................................... 39
III. GRADUATE STUDENTS ..................................................................................... 40
A. Veterans Administration—Certification of Graduate Students ......................................... 40
B. Seniors Approval for Graduate Courses ............................................................................. 41
C. Simultaneous Matriculation ............................................................................................... 41
D. Students Admitted to Professional Colleges or Programs ................................................. 41
E. Procedure for a Graduate Student to Receive a Degree from a Campus Other than that
where the Degree is Based ................................................................................................. 40
F. Policy on Summer Tuition Remission for Graduate Assistants .......................................... 42
G. Retention of Materials used in the Academic Evaluation of Students .............................. 43
IV. RULES FOR NON-TRADITIONAL WORKSHOPS, SHORT-TERM COURSES,
AND SPECIAL SEMINARS OFFERING GRADUATE CREDIT ....................................... 44
A. Background ......................................................................................................................... 44
B. Policy Statement ................................................................................................................. 44
C. Rules for all Non-Traditional Courses Offered for Graduate Credit by a Unit of the
University of Nebraska ....................................................................................................... 44
D. Off-Campus Graduate Course Offerings ............................................................................ 45
V. NON- GRADUATE FACULT Y RULES FOR TEACHING GRADUATE COURSES ................ 45
VI. GUIDELINES FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS ......................................................... 46
A. Guidelines for Submission and Process of Evaluation of New or Modified
Graduate Programs ............................................................................................................ 46
B. EGC Review Cycle for Proposed New Graduate Programs ................................................. 47
C. Addendum—Details of Program Proposal Format ............................................................ 48
D. Process for Monitoring Graduate Program Reviews .......................................................... 52
E. Procedure for the Deletion or Consolidation of Graduate Programs ................................. 52
F. Guidelines for the Deletion or Consolidation of Graduate Programs ................................. 54
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VII. GENERAL APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR ACADEMIC MATTERS CONCERNING
GRADUATE STUDENTS .................................................................................... 55
A. Appeal of General Academic Matters Related to Student Programs................................. 55
B. Appeal of Grades in Graduate-Level Courses ..................................................................... 57
C. Denial of Admission ............................................................................................................ 58
Appendices
Appendix 1: Post-Baccalaureate Professional Credentials (Degrees) .......................................... 59
Appendix 2: Graduate Faculty Application.................................................................................... 60
Appendix 3: Legal Opinion, Richard Wood ................................................................................... 64
Appendix 4: Legal Opinion, John Gourley ..................................................................................... 65
Appendix 5: Sample Degree .......................................................................................................... 66
Appendix 6: Expedited Review Form ............................................................................................ 67
2023-2024 Executive Graduate Council
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COMMITTEE CHAIR
Jeffrey Gold
Executive Vice President & Provost
Graduate College Dean
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Megan Adkins
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Todd Armstrong
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Karen Gould
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Xu Li
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Miechelle McKelvey
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Elizabeth Niehaus
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Christine Toh
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Matt Zimmerman
University of Nebraska Medical Center
ALTERNATES
Tracy Bridgeford
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Martonia Gaskill
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Maria Marron
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Nicole Rodriguez
University of Nebraska Medical Center
GRADUATE STUDIES DEANS
Juan Casas
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Dele Davies
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Mark Ellis
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Debra Hope
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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I. GENERAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GRADUATE COLLEGE
A. There shall be a single University-wide Graduate College with a single University-wide
graduate faculty, having the authority and responsibilities designated in Section II, THE
GRADUATE FACULTY.
B. Unless superseded by direct action of the Graduate Faculty acting as a whole, the legislative
and academic authority of the Graduate Faculty shall be vested in an Executive Graduate
Council. The authority and responsibilities of the Council are designated in Section III, THE
EXECUTIVE GRADUATE COUNCIL.
C. The Dean of the Graduate College shall be the University-wide executive officer for graduate
studies and research. The Dean shall coordinate graduate programs among the respective
campus units. The Dean, or the Dean’s designee, shall serve as the presiding officer of the
University-wide Graduate Faculty and Councils thereof. The Dean shall recommend
appointment to or removal from the Graduate Faculty and shall be administratively
responsible for the welfare of the Graduate College and for implementing the policies of the
Board of Regents and the Graduate Faculty concerning graduate studies and research. The
Office of the Executive Vice President/Provost shall be the clerical center and clearing house
for all official communications between the Executive Graduate Council, and the faculty,
administrators, and external agencies.
D. Campus Deans for Graduate Studies shall be administratively responsible to their respective
Chancellors, and to the Dean of the Graduate College in their capacities as officers of the
College. Campus Deans shall act as liaison officers between the Chancellors and the Dean of
the Graduate College, preside over the meetings of their campus Graduate Councils and
campus Graduate Faculties, and administer their respective campus graduate programs.
E. The Executive Vice President and Provost, after the President, is the University’s ranking
academic and administrative officer and retains such responsibility for all academic programs.
The Provost also serves as the Dean of the University-wide Graduate College; however, the
College does not have administrative responsibility for Professional Post-Baccalaureate
credentials, or the faculty’s instructional eligibility (approval to teach) in such programs,
except where coursework would normally be taken by those seeking Graduate Degrees
(Credentials) offered by the University of Nebraska Graduate College. Professional Post-
Baccalaureate Credentials are listed in APPENDIX 1; all other post-baccalaureate credentials
are degrees offered by the Graduate College. Identification of new Professional Post-
Baccalaureate Credentials must follow the rules and guidance outlined in RELATED POLICY
DOCUMENTS I.A.2 of these Bylaws and Policies. Campuses may choose the administrative
home for any Professional degrees, including Graduate Studies Offices.
F. Under authority delegated to them by the Executive Graduate Council, the Graduate Faculty of
each campus shall conduct the affairs of the Graduate College which are specific to their
campus, including the election of a campus Graduate Council to act on behalf of the campus
Graduate Faculty. Actions of a campus Graduate Faculty or a campus Graduate Council shall
not supersede the authority of the University-wide Graduate Faculty or of the Executive
Graduate Council.
Document History
Amendments approved by the Executive Graduate Council April 25, 2018, October 26, 2022;
approved by a vote of the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on May 18, 2018, November
18, 2022; and presented to the Board of Regents on June 28, 2018, December 2, 2022.
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II. THE GRADUATE FACULT Y
A. Authority and Responsibilities
The authority and responsibilities of the Graduate Faculty shall include adoption of
attendance rules, determination of requirements for graduation in all Graduate
College programs, recommendations of candidates therefore, developing research
and extension programs, discipline of students for conduct solely affecting the
College, and providing to the Board of Regents recommended admission
requirements, courses of study, and other relevant material for meeting statutory
requirements.
B. Membership
1. Graduate Faculty. The Graduate Faculty may vote on any matter presented to the
Graduate Faculty, including the election of the Graduate Council for their specific
campus. They may also hold any elected office in the Graduate College. Graduate
Faculty may teach graduate courses, serve on final examining committees, and
serve on supervisory committees. Graduate Programs may have additional written
criteria, approved by the campus Dean for Graduate Studies, for participation on
doctoral (Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.) supervisory committees. Graduate Faculty have the
additional responsibility of voting on certain nominations of Graduate Faculty in
their department/school or interdepartmental area program. Graduate Faculty
status is not required to teach graduate courses that are solely part of a Post-
Baccalaureate Professional Credential or when a specific graduate-level course has
learning outcomes, deemed by the applicable Program and confirmed by the
campus’ Dean of Graduate Studies, to primarily focus on educating students in the
practice of a given profession or discipline.
2. Emeriti Faculty. Upon the recommendation of the departmental/school or
interdepartmental Graduate Committee retired Graduate Faculty who have been
appointed to emeritus status may retain the rights and privileges associated with
their status as Graduate Faculty. These rights and privileges include permission to
teach graduate courses, to serve as members of graduate programs, or to co-chair
the supervisory committees of doctoral students with a resident Graduate Faculty
member. Emeriti faculty must be reappointed to the Graduate Faculty every four
years by the departmental/school Graduate Committee and approved by the
departmental/school Chair or Head and by the respective campus Dean for
Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska. Any compensation decision continues to
reside with the department/school.
3. Graduate Faculty Associate. Graduate Faculty Associates may teach graduate
courses, direct masters theses, serve on or chair masters examining committees,
and serve on doctoral supervisory committees. Associate status is primarily
designed to provide an opportunity for faculty to contribute towards the education
of graduate students in their discipline, while they simultaneously develop the
credentials to become eligible for Graduate Faculty status. In addition, Associate
status is appropriate for faculty whose professional background or assigned
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instructional responsibilities are such that their contribution towards graduate
education is highly valued, but they are otherwise not likely to seek or be eligible
for Graduate Faculty status.
4. Graduate Faculty Associate status may be granted upon recommendation of the
Graduate Faculty affiliated with a specific department or interdepartmental area
and with approval by the campus Dean for Graduate Studies. Graduate Faculty
Associates may teach graduate courses, direct masters theses, serve on or chair
masters examining committees, and serve on doctoral supervisory committees.
Graduate Faculty Associate status is granted for a specific initial term, not to exceed
a period of four years from the start of the staff member’s faculty appointment or
their proposed involvement in a specific graduate program. Associate
appointments may be renewed for additional terms(s) of four years each, after
obtaining a new recommendation of the Graduate Faculty affiliated with a specific
department or interdepartmental area and with the approval by the campus Dean
for Graduate Studies.
Any waivers or extensions to these provisions must be approved by both the campus’
Dean of Graduate Studies and the Dean of the Graduate College.
5. Adjunct Faculty. Upon recommendation of the departmental/school or interdepartmental
Graduate Committee, Adjunct Faculty previously holding Graduate Faculty status while
employed by the University of Nebraska, may retain certain rights and privileges intended
to aid in successful degree completion of University of Nebraska students previously under
their formal mentorship. Adjunct Faculty, not previously employed by the University of
Nebraska or former employees no longer holding Graduate Faculty status, must be
considered for Graduate Faculty status as per Section D.2, on the following page.
a.
Adjunct Faculty with Graduate Faculty status may teach graduate courses, serve as
members of graduate programs, and co-chair the supervisory committees of doctoral
students with a resident Graduate Faculty member. Adjunct Faculty have no campus-
wide or Graduate College voting privileges outside their supervisory committee work.
b.
All Adjunct faculty with Graduate Faculty status must be reappointed to the Graduate
Faculty every four years by the departmental/school Graduate Committee and
approved by the departmental/school Chair or Head and by the respective campus
Dean for Graduate Studies.
c.
Any compensation decision continues to reside with the department/school.
C. Criteria for Membership
1. Graduate Faculty. A faculty member nominated for appointment as a Graduate Faculty
member must meet the following minimum requirements:
a.
Hold the rank of Senior Lecturer (or instructor at UNMC), Assistant Professor or above;
1
b.
Hold the terminal degree normally accepted for academic employment in the discipline
or its clear equivalent as determined by the Graduate Committee of the nominee’s
1
Senior lecturers (instructor at UNMC) and those with Faculty Practice or Faculty Research appointments must apply for Graduate
Faculty designation.
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department/school or interdepartmental area;
c.
Be actively involved in scholarly activity and/or graduate teaching as part of their
regular duties; and have demonstrated clear evidence of continuing research/creative
activity and potential in the discipline. Such research/creative activity should be of a
quality that would be recognized nationally within the discipline and may include the
creation of new knowledge or innovative application of existing knowledge.
D. Procedures for Appointment
1. Appointment as Graduate Faculty without Application
New faculty in departments/schools with graduate degrees. All new University of
Nebraska faculty members who meet the required criteria and are to be appointed to
specific term, health professions or continuous appointments in academic
departments/schools that house a graduate degree granting program (masters, doctoral,
or both) will automatically be appointed as Graduate Faculty. No application process will
be required. All new faculty in this category will be appointed as Graduate Faculty in their
letter of appointment at the time of hire, contingent upon the approval of the campus
Dean for Graduate Studies.
2. Faculty Who Must Apply to be Designated Graduate Faculty
Faculty in departments/schools not granting graduate degrees. With the exception of new
faculty appointed as Graduate Faculty without application under Section D.1, all current
University of Nebraska faculty members in academic departments/schools that currently
do not house a graduate degree granting program (masters, doctoral, or both) must apply
to be appointed as Graduate Faculty.
Individuals with Faculty Practice, Faculty Research, or Special Appointments [including
senior lecturer, instructor (at UNMC) and adjunct faculty]. All University of Nebraska
faculty members on Special Appointment, Faculty Practice Appointment, or Faculty
Research Appointment in any academic department/school (whether it houses a graduate
degree program or not) must apply to be appointed as Graduate Faculty.
3. Process for Applying to Become Graduate Faculty
Eligible faculty members will utilize the following process to apply for status as Graduate
Faculty (see Appendix 2):
a. Submit an application form and vita to the chair of the Graduate Committee in the
relevant department/school or interdepartmental program.
b. All Graduate Faculty in the relevant department/school will vote on the application. A
two-thirds majority of these Graduate Faculty must support the nomination in order
for it to be forwarded to the campus-level Dean for Graduate Studies. The chair of the
Graduate Committee will write a letter interpreting the department/school vote (i.e.,
explaining the reasons for supporting the nomination), and then forward the file to the
nominee’s department chair for endorsement and certification to the campus Dean for
Graduate Studies.
c. For faculty in departments/schools without graduate programs, or for
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interdepartmental and/or intercampus programs, or in departments/schools with
graduate programs with fewer than six Graduate Faculty, a six-person review
committee of Graduate Faculty will be appointed by the campus Dean for Graduate
Studies. The chair of the committee will write a letter to the campus graduate studies
dean(s) explaining the reasons for supporting the nomination. A two-thirds or greater
majority of the committee must support the nomination. In the case of
interdepartmental and/ or intercampus graduate programs, the director of the
program will recommend members to the campus Dean(s) for Graduate Studies.
d. The campus Dean for Graduate Studies will then review the nomination, and either
approve or defer it. If approved, the nomination is forwarded to the Dean of the
Graduate College.
e. The Dean of the Graduate College will then review the nomination and either approve
or defer the nomination. If approved, the Dean formally appoints the faculty member
to Graduate Faculty status.
4. Special Procedures
If there is no graduate program in a particular discipline on a given campus, or if the
number of Graduate Faculty in a particular discipline is fewer than six, a person in that
discipline on that campus may be nominated for Graduate Faculty status by any Graduate
Faculty member in that discipline or a related discipline on that campus or another
campus. Such nominations must be recommended by either two-thirds vote of the
Graduate Faculty of the corresponding department/school on another campus, or by two-
thirds vote of a special ad hoc committee of six Graduate Faculty that shall:
a. include all the Graduate Faculty in the nominee’s department/school or
interdepartmental area, with the remainder being Graduate Faculty from the same
campus or similar departments/schools or interdepartmental areas from the same
campus; and
b. be appointed by the campus Dean for Graduate Studies from names submitted by the
nominator.
c. In all cases, nominations for Graduate Faculty shall be submitted from the groups
indicated above to the campus Dean for Graduate Studies for approval. If the campus
Dean approves a nomination, it shall be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate College
for approval.
E. Procedure of Appeal
1. Any nominee, or nominator only with the written permission of the nominee, who believes
that their nomination has not been properly acted upon by the departmental/school or
interdepartmental and/or intercampus Graduate Committee, or the chairperson thereof,
or departmental chairperson/school director, or college dean, may appeal to the campus
Dean for Graduate Studies, who may wish to refer the appeal to the campus Graduate
Council for advice. A nominee, or nominator only with the written permission of the
nominee, who believes that their nomination has not been properly acted upon by a
campus Dean for Graduate Studies may appeal to the Dean. The nominee, or nominator
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only with the written permission of the nominee, may at their discretion discuss the
nomination under appeal with either the campus Dean for Graduate Studies or the Dean.
In the event that such a meeting is scheduled, both the nominee and the nominator may
attend.
2. The Executive Graduate Council shall serve an appellate function when a nominee, or
nominator only with the written permission of the nominee, believes that their
nomination has been improperly deferred by the Dean. If the Executive Graduate Council
upholds the deferment, that decision shall be final. If the Executive Graduate Council
recommends that the Dean’s previous decision to defer be reversed, the nomination shall
be returned to the Dean with a recommendation that it be approved. If the Dean does not
approve it, the nomination and all accompanying documents shall be forwarded to the
President for final disposition. Decisions on appeals forwarded by Council approval must
be made within twenty (20) working days.
3. The nominee, or nominator only with the written permission of the nominee, must file any
appeal of any deferral of their nomination within twenty (20) working days after
notification of such deferral.
4. Only data that accompanied the original nomination may be considered at any level of an
appeal.
5. Even though a particular nomination is under appeal, a new nomination containing
additional information may be submitted to the campus Dean for Graduate Studies at any
time without prejudicing the appeal. The appeal will then be held in abeyance during the
period that the new nomination is being considered by the campus Dean.
F. Graduate and Supervisory Committees
1. Graduate Committees. Each department/school or interdepartmental/intercampus area
offering major work leading to the master or doctoral degree shall have a Graduate
Committee consisting of not fewer than three Graduate Faculty, one of whom shall serve
as chairperson of the Committee.
All Graduate Committees must have at least a two-thirds majority of Graduate Faculty on
the Committee and its chairperson must be a member of the Graduate Faculty. For
graduate programs involving only one department/school, membership on the Graduate
Committee shall be recommended by the Graduate Faculty of the department/school
through its departmental chairperson/school director, for approval and appointment by
the campus Dean. For graduate programs involving more than one department/school
and/or campus, membership on the Graduate Committee shall be recommended by the
participating Graduate Faculty of the participating departments/schools through the
chairperson of the interdepartmental/intercampus area committee, or, if no such
committee exists, through the chairpersons of the participating departments/schools, for
approval and appointment by the campus Dean(s). Graduate Committees are responsible
for the general supervision of graduate work in their departments/schools, and/or
interdepartmental/intercampus areas.
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Graduate Committee Chairs act as the liaison between their Graduate Committees and the
Dean for Graduate Studies. Within their purview, the Committee Chair Is charged with
ensuring fair and consistent compliance with all Graduate College, and campus policies
that govern graduate education from recommending admission through awarding of
credentials. The Committee Chair coordinates the oversight of all graduate degrees,
majors, specializations, minors, and certificate programs to ensure that every graduate
student and member of the graduate faculty Is held to the highest standards of academic
Integrity.
2. Supervisory Committees. For each student who has been accepted by a
departmental/school or interdepartmental/intercampus area for doctoral studies there
shall be a Supervisory Committee, of at least four members, all of whom shall be
Graduate Faculty. Additional members may be appointed to the Committee, either
being non-Graduate Faculty or Graduate Faculty. Graduate Faculty have voting
privileges, while non-Graduate Faculty do not. Membership on Supervisory Committees
shall be recommended by the departmental/school or interdepartmental/intercampus
Graduate Committee for approval and appointment by the campus Dean(s). Graduate
programs may have additional written criteria, approved by the campus Dean for
Graduate Studies, for participation on doctoral supervisory committees. The minor, or
related fields, if applicable, shall be represented on the Committee. The Committee shall
approve the student’s program of studies, monitor the student’s academic and research
or creative activity progress, approve the dissertation subject, prepare, give, and
evaluate the comprehensive and final examinations, and approve the dissertation.
G. Meetings
1. The Graduate Faculty as a whole shall be called into special session by a majority vote of
the Executive Graduate Council, or by a petition signed by any 100 members of the
Graduate Faculty. The quorum for meetings of the Graduate Faculty shall be ten percent of
the voting membership of the Graduate Faculty. Provided a quorum is in attendance, all
actions taken at such meetings under the category of new business, or agenda items
supported by a majority, but less than a two-thirds majority of those present at such
meetings, must be submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College on a mail or electronic
ballot. Any agenda item ratified by a two-thirds majority shall be policy and shall not be
sent to the Graduate Faculty on a mail or electronic ballot, unless specifically requested by
a majority of those present at the meeting.
2. Ten members of the Graduate Faculty may petition to place items on the agenda for
meetings of the Faculty of the Graduate College, if such items are presented in writing to
the Dean of the Graduate College at least three weeks prior to the meeting. Items to be
voted on must be submitted as written motions with proper supporting material. If
substantial amendments to the written motions are made at the meeting, they shall be
considered as new business and shall be submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College
on a mail or electronic ballot. In the absence of a quorum, the agenda items of the
proposed meeting of the Graduate Faculty shall be referred to the Executive Graduate
Council for consideration.
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3. There shall be an alphabetical master list, by campus, of Graduate Faculty available at
meetings of the Graduate Faculty for sign-in purposes. The Dean shall appoint a
parliamentarian, and Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for
Graduate Faculty meetings. Actions taken by the Graduate Faculty as a whole, either at a
duly called meeting of the Graduate Faculty or by a two-thirds majority of those voting by
mail or electronic ballot, shall supersede any action taken by the Executive Graduate
Council.
Document History
Amendments approved by the Executive Graduate Council April 25, 2018, October 26, 2022;
approved by a vote of the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on May 18, 2018, November
18, 2022; and presented to the Board of Regents on June 28, 2018, December 2, 2022.
III. THE EXECUTIVE GRADUATE COUNCIL
A. Authority and Responsibilities
Unless superseded by direct action of the Graduate Faculty acting as a whole, the legislative
and academic authority of the Graduate Faculty shall be vested in the Executive Graduate
Council. Specific responsibilities of the Executive Graduate Council shall include:
1. Exercising the general legislative and academic authority of the Graduate Faculty, and
delegating appropriate portions thereof to the campus Graduate Faculties and campus
Graduate Councils;
2. Recommending approval or disapproval of all new proposed graduate programs or
substantially modified graduate programs, as well as proposed deletions of graduate
programs, and monitoring graduate course offerings;
3. Coordinating graduate programs where such coordination seems in the best interests of
the clientele being served, and of the University;
4. Establishing broad policy concerning graduate education and research for the University of
Nebraska;
5. Assisting and promoting cooperation between campuses, between colleges, and between
departments/schools where such cooperation seems promising;
6. When called upon, conducting a continuing quality audit on all graduate programs,
including graduate programs at the sub-doctoral level, with findings and recommendations
made to the Dean of the Graduate College and the respective Chancellors; and
7. Conducting a continuing review of the criteria for membership on the Graduate Faculty
and the manner in which these criteria are applied in practice.
B. Membership
The Executive Graduate Council is a representative body, consisting of Graduate Faculty. The
Council will consist of two faculty representatives from each campus and one faculty alternate
from each campus.
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The process for selecting representatives to the Executive Graduate Council shall be
determined by the Graduate Faculty or Graduate Council, as appropriate, at the local campus
level, provided that a model of faculty governance is maintained. This process can be modified
at the local campus level. The selection process must ensure that Executive Graduate Council
members also serve on their respective Campus Graduate Council in order to facilitate
communication between the Council and campuses.
C. Terms
The term for faculty members of the Executive Graduate Council shall be three years with the
composition changing at staggered intervals. A faculty member may serve no more than two
terms consecutively. When a faculty member resigns from the Council before their term is
completed, a successor shall be chosen by the campus to serve for the remainder of the
vacated term. The Dean of the Graduate College may appoint temporary replacements to
serve until the campus names a replacement.
D. Meetings
The Executive Graduate Council shall normally meet in regular session as a whole Council
twice each year at such times and such places as shall be designated by the Executive
Graduate Council. A quorum shall be considered to be half the voting membership of the
Executive Graduate Council. Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for
conducting all meetings of the Executive Graduate Council. Special meetings of the Executive
Graduate Council may be called by a petition signed by any three voting members presented
to the Dean or by the Dean.
Document History
Amendments approved by the Executive Graduate Council April 25, 2018, approved by a vote of
the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on May 18, 2018 and presented to the Board of
Regents on June 28, 2018.
IV. AMENDMENTS AND CONFLICTS
All amendments to this Governance Document shall be proposed by the Executive Graduate
Council and, once proposed shall be forwarded to the Graduate Faculty on mail or electronic
ballots, which ballots must be returned to the Office of the Executive Vice President/Provost
within fifteen (15) working days. Approval of all amendments must be by a two-thirds majority of
those Graduate Faculty voting. All amendments that are approved by mail or electronic ballot
shall be forwarded to the Board of Regents for final approval. Nothing in this Graduate College
Governance Document shall be construed to be in conflict with any Bylaws of the Board of
Regents, or any applicable state or federal laws.
Document History
“System-Wide Organization and Procedures for Administrative and Faculty Management of
Graduate Studies and Research” approved by Voting Graduate Faculty in a mail ballot on April 7,
1973, subsequently modified by system Graduate Council on June 18, 1973, which included
“Administrative Understandings Concerning...” the above document. Approved by the Board of
Regents on July 14, 1973.
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Approved “Executive Graduate Council as the representative of the Graduate Faculty” by the
Executive Graduate Council on November 13, 1975, and by the Board of Regents on March 13,
1976.
Amendment (also to the Bylaws) to include “appeal procedure” approved by the Executive
Graduate Council on September 1, 1977, and by the Board of Regents on November 11, 1977.
Amendment to include “graduate student representatives on Council” approved by mail ballot of
the entire Graduate Faculty on March 16, 1978, and by the Board of Regents on May 20, 1978.
Amendment to name “the Executive Committee as a permanent Standing Committee” approved
by mail ballot of the entire Graduate Faculty on February 15, 1979, and by the Board of Regents on
May 18, 1979.
Amendment to include “Committee III of the EGC shall serve as the nominating committee for the
faculty members of the Executive Committee and shall determine a slate of nominees for
presentation to the Executive Graduate Council at the September meeting,” also including
“additional nominations shall be called for from the floor at the time of the election” approved by
the Executive Graduate Council on December 5, 1985, and by the Board of Regents on December
14, 1985.
Amendment to “extend membership to Emeriti Graduate Faculty” approved by mail ballot of the
entire Graduate Faculty on December 7, 1988, and by the Board of Regents on February 11, 1989.
Amendment to include “UNK representation of the EGC and the Executive Committee of the EGC”
approved by mail ballot of the entire Graduate Faculty on November 9, 1990, and by the Board of
Regents on January 12, 1991.
Amendment to “exclude faculty with emeriti or adjunct status from determining the number of
member representatives on the Executive Graduate Council” approved by mail ballot of the entire
Graduate Faculty on May 13, 1993, and by the Board of Regents on July 10, 1993.
Amendment to reduce the size of the Executive Graduate Council and streamline its mode of
operation approved by mail ballot of the entire Graduate Faculty on February 1, 1996, and by the
Board of Regents on February 24, 1996.
Amendment to include the rank of Senior Lecturer in the Criteria for Membership to the University
of Nebraska Graduate College” approved by mail ballot of the entire Graduate Faculty on March
24, 1999 and by the Board of Regents on May 1, 1999.
Amendment to “replace the current two-tier system of Graduate Faculty member and Graduate
Faculty Fellow with a single tier in which all faculty would be designated as Graduate Faculty”
approved by mail ballot of the entire Graduate Faculty on May 12, 2003 and by the Board of
Regents on June 7, 2003.
Amendments approved by the Executive Graduate Council April 25, 2018
Approved by a vote of the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on May 18, 2018 and by the
Board of Regents on June 28, 2018.
V. DEAN OF THE GRADUATE COLLEGE
The following is extracted from the Bylaws of the Board of Regents, Section 2.3:
The Executive Vice President and Provost. The Executive Vice President and Provost shall be
16
appointed by the President as provided in Sections 2.1 and 3.2 of these Bylaws [of the Board of
Regents]. After the President, he or she shall be the University’s ranking academic and
administrative officer. The Executive Vice President and Provost shall perform such duties as may
be required by the President and the Board and shall have the following specific responsibilities:
A. Serve as Dean of the University-wide Graduate College and as the presiding officer of the
Graduate Faculty and the Executive Graduate Council. In this capacity he or she shall:
1. recommend appointment to or removal from the Graduate Faculty,
2. be administratively responsible for the welfare of the Graduate College and for
implementing the policies of the Board and the Graduate Faculty concerning graduate
studies and research, and
3. act as an advisor to the President and, as appropriate, the Chancellors in matters
pertaining to planning, development, coordination, and administration of graduate studies
and research on the several campuses of the University; and
B. Serve as Acting President in the temporary absence of the President.
Document History
Amendments approved by the Executive Graduate Council April 25, 2018, approved by a vote of
the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on May 18, 2018, and presented to the Board of
Regents on June 28, 2018.
VI. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GRADUATE COLLEGE
A. Office of the Executive Vice President/Provost
1. Administration. The Office of the Executive Vice President/Provost will be used as a
clerical center and clearing house for all official communications between the Executive
Graduate Council and its Committees, and the faculty, administration, and external
agencies.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 01-19-78 Edits approved by the Executive
Graduate Council 04-25-18
Approved by a vote of the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on 05-18-18
2. Presiding Officer. The Dean of the Graduate College is required to serve as the presiding
officer of the University-wide Graduate Faculty and councils thereof, irrespective of
whether those bodies are in open or closed session. The mere fact that an election is made
to have an executive or closed session would not alter the mandate of the Bylaws of the
Board of Regents that the officer (Dean) continue to serve as its presiding officer. (See also
legal opinion at Appendix 4.)
SOURCE: Legal Opinion—John Gourley 04-19-78
3. Dean’s Absence. The Dean, if unable to attend meetings of the Executive Graduate
Council, has the authority and responsibility to designate which officer of the University
will preside at meetings of the Council in that absence. (Authority delegated in Section 2.3
17
(h) of the Bylaws of the Board of Regents. See also legal opinion at Appendix 3.)
SOURCE: Legal Opinion—Richard Wood 01-18-79
B. Responsibilities of the Executive Graduate Council
1. Act as the University-wide body responsible for the welfare and continued development of
graduate programs at the University of Nebraska.
2. Act as the constitutional revisions committee for all proposed revisions in the Governance
Document.
3. Encourage development of innovative and high-quality graduate programs and research.
4. Review and recommend policies relating to the welfare of graduate students.
5. Review and act upon university-wide recommendations concerning policy and planning
from sources outside the Executive Graduate Council.
6. Encourage and propose the development of cooperative agreements with other
universities or agencies for the improvement of graduate study and research.
7. Evaluate and make recommendations regarding all proposed new graduate programs or
major revisions in existing graduate programs.
8. Recommend and monitor the application of criteria for appointment as Graduate Faculty
of the Graduate College.
9. Hear appeals from faculty regarding deferral of their nominations as Graduate Faculty of
the Graduate College and make appropriate recommendations.
10. Hear appeals from students on decisions relating to their graduate program, excluding
grade appeals, and make appropriate recommendations.
SOURCE: Approved by the Executive Graduate Council at their meeting on May 1, 1997
C. Procedures for Meetings of the Faculty of the Graduate College
The Graduate Faculty as a whole shall be called into special session by a majority vote of the
Executive Graduate Council, or by a petition signed by any 100 members of the Graduate
Faculty.
The quorum for meetings of the Graduate Faculty shall be ten percent of the voting
membership of the Graduate Faculty. Provided a quorum is in attendance, all actions taken at
such meetings under the category of new business, or agenda items supported by a majority,
but less than a two-thirds majority of those present at such meetings, must be submitted to
the Faculty of the Graduate College on a mail ballot. Any agenda item ratified by a two-thirds
majority shall be policy and shall not be sent to the Graduate Faculty on a mail ballot, unless
specifically requested by a majority of those present at the meeting.
Ten members of the Graduate Faculty may petition to place items on the agenda for meetings
of the Faculty of the Graduate College, if such items are presented in writing to the Dean of
18
the Graduate College at least three weeks prior to the meeting. Items to be voted on must be
submitted as written motions with proper supporting material. If substantial amendments to
the written motions are made at the meeting, they shall be considered as new business and
shall be submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College on a mail ballot. In the absence of a
quorum, the agenda items of the proposed meeting of the Graduate Faculty shall be referred
to the Executive Graduate Council for consideration.
There shall be an alphabetical master list, by campus, of Graduate Faculty available at
meetings of the Graduate Faculty for sign-in purposes. The Dean shall appoint a
parliamentarian, and Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for
Graduate Faculty meetings.
Actions taken by the Graduate Faculty as a whole, either at a duly called meeting of the
Graduate Faculty or by a two-thirds majority of those voting by mail ballot, shall supersede
any action taken by the representative Executive Graduate Council.
Parliamentary Procedures: Meetings of the Executive Graduate Council will follow Robert’s
Rules of Order.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 02-17-77
D. Procedures for Bringing Forward Motions on the Floor of the Executive Graduate Council
Without Prior Review
1. The Executive Graduate Council will not act on any item of new business unless it has been
previously noted.
a. Any item not listed as an item on the agenda of the Council as a whole as Old Business
shall be considered New Business.
2. Previous notification of new business shall consist of:
a. presentation at a prior meeting, or
b. notification to each Executive Graduate Council member so that the member receives
it at least five (5) working days prior to the Executive Graduate Council meeting.
3. New business brought forward on the floor may be referred by the Chair:
a. to an appropriate Committee for consideration at the next meeting, or
b. to the full Council for consideration at the next Executive Graduate Council meeting.
4. The above rules may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of those present.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 12-10-81 and 02-17-83
5. Roll Call Vote. On the request of any member, a vote on any item of business of the
Executive Graduate Council shall be by roll call vote.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 02-17-77
6. EGC Summer Activities. Committees will continue to function, as needed, during summer
months. Mail or electronic ballots will be used for items which require approval by the
19
entire Executive Graduate Council.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 04-25-74, reaffirmed 09-18-80,
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 04-28-18
Approved by a vote of the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on 05-15-18
E. Procedures for Voting
1. Ballots. Mail or electronic ballots may be used during the summer months on Executive
Graduate Council business judged by the Executive Graduate Council to be suitable for
mail or electronic ballots
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 11-16-78;
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11, 04-28-18
Approved by a vote of the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on 05-15-18
2. Mail Ballots Name Tags. Mail Ballots to the Graduate Faculty must have the return address
and name tag on a blank sheet so that the ballot may be returned without identification.
Electronic ballots must insure the same degree of sender confidentiality.
SOURCE: Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 04-28-18
Approved by a vote of the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on 05-15-18
3. Recording Votes. For mail ballots to the Executive Graduate Council, each member signs
his marked ballot and returns it to the Office of the Executive Vice President/ Provost. Each
signature is verified, the vote recorded, and all signed ballots are retained. Thus, even after
the votes have been recorded, it is possible to determine not only who voted on the issue,
but also how each person voted. For electronic ballots to the Executive Graduate Council,
each member returns their marked ballot to the Office of the Executive Vice
President/Provost and/or a mechanism is used to verify who and how each Executive
Graduate Council member voted.
SOURCE: Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 04-28-18
Approved by a vote of the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on 05-15-18
4. Proxy Voting Policy. The conditions under which proxy votes are allowed in Executive
Graduate Council (EGC) matters are as follows:
a. Only EGC members may vote;
b. In absentia voting may take place only on items listed under Old Business in the EGC
Agenda;
c. The vote must be in written or electronic form and transmitted to the Dean prior to the
meeting; and
d. If any motion is formally amended, the ‘in absentia’ vote on that item will be
invalidated.
SOURCE: Approved by the Executive Graduate Council 02-18-88, edits approved by the
Executive Graduate Council 04-28-18
20
Approved by a vote of the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on 05-15-18
5. Destroying Ballots. Method for destroying ballots after an Executive Graduate Council
election:
a. Record the results of the election;
b. Have those results certified by the signatures of the people responsible for recording
the results;
c. Retain the ballots for three (3) weeks and if no challenge is made within that time
period, ballots may be destroyed; and
d. The certified results should become part of the official minutes of the Executive
Graduate Council (not distributed) of the first meeting following the election.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 11-29-73
F. Graduate Application Fee
Each campus may periodically increase its Graduate Application Fee through the normal
process for approval of fees.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 03-19-87; Executive Graduate Council Minutes
12-11-97; edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11
21
G. University of Nebraska Organizational Chart of the Graduate College
Board of Regents
President
Executive Vice President and Provost
and Dean of the Graduate College
Executive Graduate Council
UNL
Chancellor
UNMC
Chancellor
UNO
Chancellor
UNK Chancellor
UNL - University of Nebraska–Lincoln Primary Links
UNMC - University of Nebraska Medical Center Liaison Links
UNO - University of Nebraska at Omaha
UNK - University of Nebraska at Kearney
Document History
Amendments approved by the Executive Graduate Council April 25, 2018, approved by a vote of the
University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on May 18, 2018, and presented to the Board of Regents on
June 28, 2018.
UNL Dean for
Graduate Studies
UNL Graduate Council
UNL Graduate
Committees
UNL Graduate Faculty
UNMC Dean for
Graduate Studies
UNMC Graduate Council
UNMC Graduate
Committees
UNMC Graduate Faculty
UNO Dean for
Graduate Studies
UNO Graduate Council
UNO Graduate
Committees
UNO Graduate Faculty
UNK Dean for
Graduate Studies
UNK Graduate Council
UNK Graduate
Committees
UNK Graduate Faculty
22
Campus Graduate Studies Governance Documents:
University of Nebraska at Kearney
I. GOVERNANCE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AT UNK
The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) Graduate Faculty shall have all powers of
governance of Graduate Studies at UNK, except as otherwise provided herein, or in Graduate
College governance procedures approved by the Board of Regents, or in the general statutes and
rules governing the University.
II. THE UNK GRADUATE FACULT Y
A. Membership of the Graduate Faculty
All Graduate Faculty of the University of Nebraska, who are administratively assigned to the
University of Nebraska at Kearney, shall comprise the UNK Graduate Faculty.
The procedures for appointments of the Graduate Faculty of the University of Nebraska are
given in the “University of Nebraska Graduate College Policy Handbook”. Graduate Faculty
may advise graduate students, participate in the decisions of their graduate department
affecting the graduate program, supervise students working toward master’s and specialist’s
degrees, and serve on final examining committees for master’s and specialist’s degree
candidates. Graduate Faculty may also supervise doctoral students and vote on nominations
for Graduate Faculty status.
B. Powers of the Graduate Faculty
The powers of the Graduate Faculty shall be those outlined in section I; in particular, the
Graduate Faculty shall have the power to determine its own rules of procedure, provide for
regular or special meetings, and establish necessary standing and special committees.
C. Meetings of the Graduate Faculty
1. The UNK Graduate Faculty shall meet if called by the UNK Dean for Graduate Studies, by
vote of the UNK Graduate Council, or by petition of any ten UNK Graduate Faculty
members.
2. The quorum for the purpose of conducting business at meetings of the Graduate Faculty
shall be 25% of the membership.
3. Any member of the UNK Graduate Faculty may petition to place items on the agenda for a
meeting if they are presented in writing to the Dean two weeks prior to the meeting.
4. The UNK Dean for Graduate Studies shall be responsible for recording and distributing the
minutes of all meetings of the Graduate Faculty.
III. THE UNK GRADUATE COUNCIL
The University of Nebraska at Kearney Graduate Council shall serve as the policy and decision-
making body of the UNK Graduate Faculty and as an advisory body to the UNK Dean for Graduate
Studies.
23
A. Membership of the UNK Graduate Council
The Council shall consist of twelve elected members of the UNK Graduate Faculty, three “at
large” Graduate Faculty members, and three graduate student members.
1. Each of the three academic colleges will elect two Graduate Faculty members from
different departments. Six additional Graduate Council members will be allocated between
the colleges based on the Graduate Faculty membership of the colleges. Each college must
have at least three Graduate Faculty on Graduate Council. Terms for elected members of
the Council shall be three years and shall commence with the beginning of the Fall
semester.
When a vacancy occurs and the remaining term is for more than one year, the Office of
Graduate Studies will conduct an election. If the remainder of the term is less than one
year, the Dean for Graduate Studies shall fill the vacancy with a faculty member from the
same College.
2. Three additional UNK Graduate Faculty will be appointed by the UNK Dean for Graduate
Studies as “at large” members of the Graduate Council. At-large members will represent
UNK on the University of Nebraska Executive Graduate Council.
3. The graduate student members of the Council shall be selected by the UNK Graduate
Student Association. In the absence of an active Graduate Student Association, the UNK
Dean for Graduate Studies shall appoint the members from a list of departmental
nominees. Graduate student members must be currently enrolled in a minimum of six
hours and in good academic standing. Terms for graduate student members shall be one
year, commencing with the beginning of Fall Semester.
B. Powers of the UNK Graduate Council
The UNK Graduate Faculty has delegated to the Council its policy and decision-making powers
for graduate matters, subject to review and possible override by a vote of the Graduate
Faculty. Decisions of the Council effecting change of policy and/or regulations may become
effective immediately. All actions become final one month after general publication to the
UNK Graduate Faculty unless a petition signed by at least ten members is submitted to the
UNK Dean for Graduate Studies requesting a meeting of the Graduate Faculty to discuss the
action of the Council. The UNK Graduate Faculty may, after discussion of the matter, request
the Dean to conduct a referendum (mail ballot) of the issue.
C. Meetings of the UNK Graduate Council
1. The Graduate Council shall meet monthly during the academic year. In addition, the UNK
Dean for Graduate Studies may call special meetings when necessary. The Dean shall draw
up the agenda for each meeting and distribute it to all members of the Council and to
other appropriate persons.
2. Robert’s Rules of Order shall serve as the parliamentary authority for Council meetings.
3. The quorum for meetings of the Council shall be 50% of the membership of the Council.
24
4. Any member of the Council may place items on the agenda for a meeting.
5. The Dean for Graduate Studies shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the
Council meetings and distributing them to the members of the Council, the UNK Graduate
Faculty, and other appropriate persons.
IV. THE UNK DEAN FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
The Dean for Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska at Kearney, shall be appointed by the UNK
Chancellor subject to approval by the President and the Board of Regents. The Dean for Graduate
Studies shall be responsible to the Chancellor, University of Nebraska at Kearney, and to the Dean
of the Graduate College, University of Nebraska, and shall be administratively responsible for the
welfare of all graduate programs at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and for implementing
the policies of the Board of Regents and the Graduate Faculty concerning graduate studies.
The Dean for Graduate Studies shall preside at meetings of the Graduate Faculty, University of
Nebraska at Kearney, and shall be chair of the UNK Graduate Council.
V. GRADUATE COMMITTEES
Each department authorized to offer major work leading to the Master’s or Specialist’s degree
shall have a Graduate Committee consisting of not fewer than three UNK Graduate Faculty
members, one of whom is designated as chair of the Graduate Committee. In all cases, at least
two-thirds of the Committee must be Graduate Faculty. Whenever possible, department chairs
should not serve on Graduate Committees.
Membership of the Graduate Committee is recommended by the administrative unit through its
department chair or program director, for appointment by the Dean for Graduate Studies,
University of Nebraska at Kearney (on behalf of the Dean of the Graduate College). Graduate
Committees are responsible for the general supervision of graduate work in their administrative
units.
VI. GENERAL
Policies, procedures, rules, and regulations previously in effect relating to University of Nebraska
at Kearney graduate programs and not superseded or rendered void by this document, or by
policies of the University of Nebraska Graduate College, shall remain in effect upon its adoption.
The actions of the University of Nebraska at Kearney Graduate Council and the UNK Graduate
Faculty shall not supersede the Rules and Regulations nor actions of the University-wide Graduate
Faculty or the Executive Graduate Council.
Approved by the KSC/UNK Graduate Council November 8, 1990, the Executive Graduate Council
January 17, 1991, and by the Board of Regents March 16, 1991.
Revisions approved by the UNK Graduate Council on March 8, 2018.
1. Business and Technology: Accounting, Finance, and Economics; Cyber Systems; Industrial
Technology; Management; Marketing, Agribusiness, and Supply Chain Management.
2. Education: Communication Disorders; Counseling, School Psychology and Family Science;
Educational Administration; Kinesiology and Sports Sciences; and Teacher Education.
25
3. Arts and Sciences: Art and Design; Biology; Chemistry; Communication; Criminal Justice;
English; Geography and Earth Science; History; Mathematics and Statistics; Modern
Languages; Music, Theatre, and Dance; Physics and Astronomy; Philosophy; Social Work;
and Sociology.
26
Campus Graduate Studies Governance Documents:
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
I. GRADUATE STUDIES
Subject to the powers vested in the Board of Regents, assigned to the University-wide Graduate
Faculty or its Executive Graduate Council, or delegated to its administrative officers, the
immediate government of Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, shall be by members
of the Graduate Faculty, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
II. GRADUATE FACULT Y
All Graduate Faculty of the University of Nebraska, who are administratively assigned to the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, shall comprise the UNL Graduate Faculty.
The procedures for appointments, duties, and responsibilities of the Graduate Faculty, including
associates, emeriti, and adjunct, of the University of Nebraska are given in the “University of
Nebraska Graduate College Bylaws and Policies.”
III. POWERS OF THE GRADUATE FACULT Y
The Graduate Faculty administratively associated with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln shall
have all powers of government of Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, except as
otherwise provided herein, or in Graduate College governance procedures approved by the Board
of Regents, or in the general statutes and rules governing the University. The Graduate Faculty,
University of Nebraska–Lincoln, shall have the power to determine its own rules of procedure,
provide for regular or special meetings, and establish necessary standing and special committees.
IV. THE GRADUATE COUNCIL
There shall be a Graduate Council to serve as an advisory body to the Dean for Graduate Studies,
University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and as the administrative body for Graduate Studies subject to
the authority of the Graduate Faculty, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Graduate Council shall
meet formally and as a whole at least two times during each academic semester, and shall consist
of eight elected members of the Graduate Faculty, two graduate students, and the Dean for
Graduate Studies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. A majority of voting members shall
constitute a quorum.
Each year, two members of the Graduate Faculty shall be elected to the Graduate Council to serve
four-year terms of office. The elections of Graduate Council members shall be from nominees
presented by a nominating committee designated by the Graduate Council, and by Graduate
Faculty petition. One member of the Graduate Faculty shall be elected from each of the following
eight areas: Agricultural and Biological Sciences; Arts; Business; Engineering; Humanities; Physical
Sciences; Professional Education; and Social Sciences. A member of the Graduate Council can
serve no more than two four-year terms consecutively.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Graduate Council shall select two of its members to serve as
Representatives and one of its members to serve as an Alternate on the University of Nebraska
Executive Graduate Council. Since the term for faculty members of the Executive Graduate
Council shall be three years, according to the Graduate College Governance Document, only
27
members of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Graduate Council who have at least three years
remaining on the UNL Graduate Council shall be eligible as candidates for Executive Graduate
Council Representative or Alternate positions. A Representative or Alternate shall be elected each
year, so that two Representatives and one Alternate shall be serving at any time.
Two graduate students shall be elected to the Graduate Council each year by the Graduate
Student Assembly, University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In the absence of an active Graduate Student
Assembly, the Graduate Council shall, upon the recommendation of the Dean for Graduate
Studies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, appoint the graduate student representatives to
the Graduate Council.
V. DEAN FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
The Dean for Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, shall be appointed by the UNL
Chancellor subject to approval by the President and the Board of Regents. The Dean for Graduate
Studies shall be responsible to the Chancellor, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and to the Dean of
the Graduate College, University of Nebraska, and shall be administratively responsible for the
welfare of all post-baccalaureate education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and for
adhering to these Graduate College Bylaws, and implementing applicable Bylaws and Policies of
the Board of Regents and the Graduate Faculty concerning graduate studies.
The Dean for Graduate Studies shall preside at meetings of the Graduate Faculty, University of
Nebraska–Lincoln, and shall be chair of the UNL Graduate Council. The Dean for Graduate Studies
shall at all times have a voice, but shall cast a vote only in case of a tie.
VI. GRADUATE COMMITTEES
Each administrative unit authorized to offer major work leading to the Master’s or Doctoral
degree shall have a Graduate Committee consisting of not fewer than three Graduate Faculty
members, one of whom is designated as chair of the Graduate Committee. In the case of an
administrative unit offering a doctoral degree, however, the majority of the Graduate Committee
and its chair must be Graduate Faculty.
Membership of the Graduate Committee is recommended by the administrative unit through its
departmental chair, chair of the interdepartmental area, director, or academic dean, as
appropriate, for appointment by the Dean for Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
acting for the Dean of the Graduate College, University of Nebraska. Graduate Committees are
responsible for the general supervision of graduate work in their administrative units.
VII. SUPERVISORY COMMITTEES
For each student who has been accepted by a department or area for the doctoral objective, a
Supervisory Committee shall be appointed as described in Section 2.F.2 of these Bylaws. At least
one Graduate Faculty member external to the department or area in which the doctorate is to be
granted must be included on the supervisory committee.
VIII. GENERAL
Policies, rules, and regulations previously in effect relating to graduate programs and not
superseded or rendered void by this governance plan shall remain in effect upon its adoption.
28
Revisions approved by the UNL Graduate Council October 5, 1988, March 14, 1996; the University
of Nebraska Executive Graduate Council November 17, 1988, February 17, 1997, October 26,
2022; and presented to the Board of Regents January 14, 1989, June 1, 1996, December 2, 2022.
IX. UNL DEFINITION OF AREAS
A. Arts: The Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts including the School of Art, Art
History and Design, the Glenn Korff School of Music, Johnny Carson School of Theatre and
Film, and the Department of Architecture in the College of Architecture.
B. Humanities: Classics, Communication Studies, English, Modern Languages and Literatures,
Philosophy, and the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
C. Physical Sciences: Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering, Earth and Atmospheric
Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, and Statistics.
D. Engineering: All departments and Schools in the College of Engineering.
E. Business: All departments of the College of Business.
F. Social Sciences: Anthropology, Child, Youth and Family Studies, Community and Regional
Planning, Geography, History, Law, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Textiles,
Merchandising and Fashion Design.
G. Agricultural Sciences and Biological Sciences: The School of Biological Sciences, Nutrition and
Health Sciences, and all departments of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural
Resources.
H. Professional Education: Departments of Educational Administration, Educational Psychology,
Special Education and Communication Disorders, and Teaching, Learning and Teacher
Education.
The Definitions of Areas were approved by the UNL Graduate Council February 14, 2008.
Original document approved by University of Nebraska–Lincoln Graduate Faculty, December
10, 1973. Amendments made by University of Nebraska–Lincoln Graduate Council, Executive
Graduate Council, and subsequently by Regental action on January 14, 1989, and February 11,
1989.
Additional revisions approved by the UNL Graduate Council on February 8, 2018, August 16,
2018.
29
Campus Graduate Studies Governance Documents:
University of Nebraska Medical Center
I. GRADUATE STUDIES AT UNMC
The Graduate Faculty at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) shall have the
authority to govern Graduate Studies on the Medical Center campus, subject to the powers
vested in the Board of Regents and assigned to the University-wide Graduate Faculty and its
Executive Graduate Council.
II. MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNMC GRADUATE FACULT Y
All University-wide Graduate Faculty who are administratively located within the University of
Nebraska Medical Center shall comprise the UNMC Graduate Faculty. The mechanism for
selection of Graduate Faculty has been established on a University-wide basis, as detailed in the
Section II of the University of Nebraska Graduate College Policy Handbook (often called the
“Governance Document”) and implemented at UNMC as summarized below.
Graduate Faculty members are appointed by the Dean of the Graduate College, University of
Nebraska, following nomination by a Graduate Faculty member and endorsement by the
chairperson of the nominee’s department, the chair of the Graduate Committee of the nominee’s
department or interdepartmental area, the nominee’s academic dean or director, and the UNMC
Dean for Graduate Studies.
A. A current faculty member may be designated as Graduate Faculty by the Dean of the Graduate
College, University of Nebraska, when recommended by two-thirds of the Graduate Faculty in
the member’s department (or through an alternative procedure detailed in Section II.D. of the
University of Nebraska Graduate College Handbook) and endorsed by the UNMC Dean for
Graduate Studies.
B. New UNMC faculty members who meet the required criteria and are to be appointed to
specific term, health professions or continuous appointments in academic departments that
house a graduate degree-granting program (masters, doctoral, or both) will automatically be
appointed as Graduate Faculty. All new faculty in this category will be appointed as Graduate
Faculty in their letter of appointment at the time of hire, contingent upon the approval of the
UNMC Dean for Graduate Studies; hence, no application process will be required.
Graduate Faculty may teach graduate courses, supervise students working toward M.S. or
Ph.D. degrees, serve on Supervisory Committees, Comprehensive Exam Committees, and Final
Oral Exam Committees for M.S. or Ph.D. degree candidates, and vote on nominations for
appointment to the Graduate Faculty. Refer to Section II.B.5 of this University of Nebraska
Graduate College Governance Document for policy regarding the privileges afforded to
Adjunct Faculty who have retained Graduate Faculty status when leaving the institution.
III. MEETINGS OF THE UNMC GRADUATE FACULTY
A. The UNMC Graduate Faculty shall meet annually and at other times if called by the UNMC
Dean for Graduate Studies, by vote of the UNMC Graduate Council, or by petition of any 25
UNMC Graduate Faculty members. Twenty-five members shall constitute a quorum.
30
B. The UNMC Graduate Faculty can by majority vote override any specific action taken by the
UNMC Graduate Council.
C. The UNMC Dean for Graduate Studies or the Dean’s designee selected from the membership
of the UNMC Graduate Faculty shall preside over meetings of the UNMC Graduate Faculty.
D. The UNMC Dean for Graduate Studies shall be responsible for recording and appropriate
distribution of minutes of the meetings of the UNMC Graduate Faculty.
IV. UNMC GRADUATE COUNCIL
A. The UNMC Graduate Council shall serve as a governing body acting on behalf of the UNMC
Graduate Faculty and shall serve as an advisory body to the UNMC Dean for Graduate Studies.
The Graduate Council shall consist of the chair of each program Graduate Committee (or
his/her designee), one UNMC graduate student and the Dean for Graduate Studies. In
addition, members of the Executive Graduate Council whose terms have ended on the UNMC
Graduate Council will be ex officio members of the UNMC Graduate Council.
B. The graduate student representative shall be selected by the UNMC Graduate Student
Association. In the absence of an active Graduate Student Association, the Dean for Graduate
Studies shall appoint a student member to the Graduate Council.
C. Each regular member of the Graduate Council shall have one vote.
D. The UNMC Executive Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, serving as the UNMC Dean’s
designee, shall preside over meetings of the UNMC Graduate Council.
E. The UNMC Graduate Council shall meet monthly and as called by the UNMC Dean for
Graduate Studies. A majority of voting members shall constitute a quorum. The UNMC
Graduate Council meetings are open meetings.
F. Decisions by the Council shall be by simple majority vote. The UNMC Dean for Graduate
Studies shall cast a vote only in the case of a tie.
G. Any member of the UNMC Graduate Faculty may request that an item be placed on the
agenda of the UNMC Graduate Council meeting.
H. The UNMC Dean for Graduate Studies shall be responsible for recording and appropriate
distribution of minutes of the meetings of the UNMC Graduate Council.
V. DEAN FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
The Dean for Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska Medical Center, shall be appointed by the
UNMC Chancellor subject to approval by the President and the Board of Regents. The Dean shall
be responsible to the Chancellor and the University of Nebraska Dean of the Graduate College.
The UNMC Dean shall be administratively responsible for all graduate studies programs on the
UNMC campus including the appointment (on behalf of the Dean of the Graduate College,
University of Nebraska) of Graduate Committees and of the Advisory/Supervisory Committees for
each student who is accepted into an approved M.S. or Ph.D. degree program at UNMC. The Dean
or the Dean’s designee shall preside over meetings of the UNMC Graduate Faculty and the UNMC
Graduate Council.
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VI. SUPERVISORY COMMITTEES
For each student who has been accepted by a department or area for the doctoral objective, a
Supervisory Committee shall be appointed as described in Section II.F.2 of these Bylaws.
However, the student's graduate program may require that an Examination Committee, partially
distinct from the Supervisory Committee, assume the responsibility of preparing, giving, and
evaluating the comprehensive exam. All voting members of the Examination Committee must be
members of the Graduate Faculty.
VII. GENERAL
The UNMC Graduate Faculty shall have two representatives on the Executive Graduate Council. In
addition, there shall be one alternate.
The actions of the UNMC Graduate Council and the UNMC Graduate Faculty shall not supersede
the Rules and Regulations nor actions of the University-wide Graduate Faculty or the Executive
Graduate Council.
Approved by the UNMC Graduate Faculty March 2, the University of Nebraska Executive Graduate
Council March 11, and the Board of Regents March 19, 1977.
Revision approved by the UNMC Graduate Council July 11, the UNMC Graduate Faculty August 15,
the University of Nebraska Executive Graduate Council September 20, and the Board of Regents
December 15, 1979.
Second revision approved by the UNMC Graduate Council October 15, 1987, the UNMC Graduate
Faculty January 7, the University of Nebraska Executive Graduate Council February 18, and the
Board of Regents April 9, 1988.
Third revision approved by the UNMC Graduate Council February 15, 1996, the UNMC Graduate
Faculty March 7, 1996, University of Nebraska Executive Graduate Council February 19, 1997 and
the Board of Regents June 1, 1996.
Fourth revision approved by the UNMC Graduate Council February 14, 2018.
Fifth revision approved by the UNMC Graduate Council April 5, 2018, and the UNMC Graduate
Faculty April 24, 2018.
Sixth revision approved by the UNMC Graduate Council April 7, 2022, the University of Nebraska
Executive Graduate Council October 26, 2022, and presented to the Board of Regents December
2, 2022.
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Campus Graduate Studies Governance Documents:
University of Nebraska at Omaha
I. GOVERNMENT OF GRADUATE STUDIES AT UNO
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Graduate Faculty shall have all powers of
government of Graduate Studies at UNO, except as otherwise provided herein, or in Graduate
College governance procedures approved by the Board of Regents. The Associate Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs and Dean for Graduate Studies shall be appointed by the Board of Regents
upon recommendation of the UNO Chancellor and shall be administratively responsible for the
welfare of all graduate studies programs on the UNO campus and for implementing the policies of
the Board of Regents and the Graduate Faculty concerning graduate studies. The UNO Graduate
Council shall serve as the legislative and decision-making body of the UNO Graduate Faculty and
as an advisory body to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean for Graduate
Studies. In this document “the Faculty,” “the Dean,” and “the Council” shall refer to the UNO
Graduate Faculty, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean for Graduate
Studies, and the UNO Graduate Council, respectively.
II. THE UNO GRADUATE FACULT Y
A. Membership of the Faculty
The Graduate Faculty of the University of Nebraska, who are administratively assigned to the
University of Nebraska at Omaha, shall comprise the UNO Graduate Faculty.
The procedures for appointments of the Graduate Faculty of the University of Nebraska are
given in the “University of Nebraska System-Wide Organization and Procedures for
Administration and Faculty Management of Graduate Studies” (often called the “Governance
Document”). Graduate Faculty may advise graduate students, participate in the decisions of
their graduate department(s) affecting the graduate program(s), supervise students working
toward master’s degrees, and serve on final examining committees for master’s degree
candidates. Graduate Faculty may also supervise doctoral students and may vote on
nominations for Graduate Faculty Status.
B. Powers of the Faculty
The powers of the Faculty shall be those outlined in section I; in particular, the Faculty shall
have the power to determine its own rules of procedure, provide for regular or special
meetings, and establish necessary standing and special committees.
C. Meetings of the Faculty
1. The Faculty shall meet once each semester in regular session. The agenda shall be drawn
up by the Dean and Committee A: Policy and Planning of the Council with input from
Committee B: Courses, Programs and Evaluation.
2. Robert’s Rules of Order shall serve as the parliamentary authority for meetings of the
Faculty.
3. The quorum for meetings of the Faculty shall be 10% of the membership of the Faculty.
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4. Any member of the Faculty may petition to place items on the agenda for a meeting of the
Faculty if they are presented in writing to the Dean two weeks prior to the meeting. Items
to be voted on must be submitted as written motions with proper supporting material.
5. Any ten members of the Faculty may petition for a special meeting of the Faculty. The
petition must state a rationale for such a meeting. The agenda for special meetings shall
consist only of the item or items addressed by the petition.
6. The Dean shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the meetings of the Faculty and
distributing them to all members of the Faculty and to other appropriate persons.
III. THE UNO GRADUATE COUNCIL
A. Membership of the Council
The Council shall consist of elected members of the Faculty, the two Executive Graduate
Council members and the Executive Graduate Council alternate, and two student members.
1. The number of elected members of the council allocated to each college shall be based on
the number of graduate students and the number of members of the Faculty in the
college. Terms for elected members of the Council shall be three years and shall commence
on August 15 following election to the Council.
a. When the term of office for a member of the Council ends or when a vacancy occurs
for some other reason and the remainder of the term is more than one year, the
election to fill the vacancy shall be conducted by the Office of Graduate Studies. A mail
or electronic ballot shall be sent to all members of the Faculty. Nominations for the
mail ballot shall be obtained as follows:
The cognizant Dean, after determining if there are members of the Faculty in the
college who prefer not to stand for election, shall prepare a printed or electronic ballot
containing the names of all members of the Faculty in the college who will stand for
election. The ballot as prepared shall be submitted to all members of the Faculty in the
college. The two persons on the ballot who receive the highest number of votes shall
stand for elections to the Council.
b. If the remainder of the term is one year or a portion of one year, the Dean shall
appoint a member of the Faculty in the college concerned (with the concurrence of the
cognizant Dean) to fill the remainder of the term.
2. The minimum number of representatives granted to each college shall be two so that each
college has a minimum of one representative on each of the two Graduate Council
committees. Terms of representative to the Graduate Council shall be staggered so that no
more than one-third of the representatives on the Graduate Council are replaced in a
given year.
a. Representatives on the UNO Graduate Council
*Using this minimum plus the allocation formula, the current number of
representatives on the Graduate Council are as follows
34
College
Arts & Sciences
Business Administration
Education, Health and Human Sciences
Communication, Fine Arts & Media
Information Sciences & Technology
Public Affairs & Community Service
Number of Representatives
5
4
6
3
3
4
b. UNO Definition of Areas
i. Arts and Humanities: Art and Art History, Black Studies, Dramatic Arts, English, Fine
Arts Press, Foreign Languages, History, International Studies, Music, Philosophy,
Religion, and Writers Workshop.
ii. Business: All Graduate Faculty departments in the College of Business
Administration & ISQA and IS&T.
iii. Social Sciences: Communication, Geography, Political Science, Psychology,
Sociology, and all departments in the College of Public Affairs and Community
Service.
iv. Natural Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, and
Physics.
v. Education: All departments in the College of Education, Health and Human
Sciences.
3. The University of Nebraska at Omaha Graduate Council shall select two of its members to
serve as Representatives and one of its members to serve as an Alternate on the University
of Nebraska Executive Graduate Council. Since the term for faculty members of the
Executive Graduate Council shall be three years, according to the Graduate College
Governance Document, only members of the University of Nebraska at Omaha Graduate
Council who have at least three years remaining on the UNO Graduate Council shall be
eligible as candidates for Executive Graduate Council Representative or Alternate
positions. A Representative or Alternate shall be elected each year, so that two
Representatives and one Alternate shall be serving at any time.
The alternate’s role is to take the place of an EGC Representative if the Representative
cannot attend a meeting. It is not the role of the alternate to replace a Representative.
4. The graduate student members of the Council shall be selected by the Graduate Student
Association. In the absence of a recommendation from the Graduate Student Association,
the Dean shall appoint the graduate student members from a list of departmental
nominees.
Graduate student members must be currently enrolled students in good standing. Terms
for graduate student members shall be one year, commencing on August 15 in the year of
appointment.
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IV. POWERS OF THE COUNCIL
The Faculty has delegated to the Council its legislative and decision making powers for graduate
matters, subject to review and possible override by vote of the Faculty. Decisions of the Council
effecting change of policy and/or regulations shall be final within twenty (20) working days
(summer sessions and vacation periods excluded) after general publication to the Faculty unless a
petition signed by at least ten (10) members of the Faculty is submitted to the Dean requesting a
meeting of the Faculty to discuss the decision of the matter, request the Dean to conduct a
referendum (printed or electronic ballot) of the Faculty on the matter under discussion. A majority
vote of the Faculty voting on the referendum can override a decision made by the Council.
V. MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL
A. The Council shall meet monthly. In addition, the Dean may call a special meeting of the
Council. The Dean shall draw up the agenda for each meeting and distribute it to all members
of the Council and to other appropriate persons.
B. Robert’s Rules of Order shall serve as the parliamentary authority for meetings of the Council.
C. The quorum for meeting of the Council shall be 50% of the membership of the Council.
D. Any member of the Council may place items on the agenda for a meeting of the Council.
E. The Dean shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the meetings of the Council and
distributing them to the members of the Council and to other appropriate persons.
VI. DEAN FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
The Dean for Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska at Omaha, shall be appointed by the UNO
Chancellor subject to approval by the President and the Board of Regents. The Dean for Graduate
Studies shall be responsible to the Sr. Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Nebraska
at Omaha, and to the Dean of the Graduate College, University of Nebraska, and shall be
administratively responsible for the welfare of all graduate programs at the University of
Nebraska at Omaha and for implementing the policies of the Board of Regents and the Graduate
Faculty concerning graduate studies.
The Dean for Graduate Studies shall preside at meetings of the Graduate Faculty, University of
Nebraska at Omaha, and shall be the chair of the UNO Graduate Council. The Dean for Graduate
Studies shall at all times have a voice, but shall cast a vote only in case of a tie.
VII. GRADUATE PROGRAM COMMITTEES
Each Graduate department authorized to offer major work leading to the master’s or doctor’s
degree shall have established for it a Graduate Program Committee consisting of not fewer than
three members of the Graduate Faculty, one of whom is designated as chairman. In the case of a
graduate department offering a doctoral degree, the majority of the Committee and its chairman
must be members of the Graduate Faculty. In all cases, at least two-thirds of the Committee must
be members of the Graduate Faculty. Membership of the Graduate Program Committee is
recommended by the Departmental chairman or other appropriate administrator for appointment
by the Dean of the Graduate College, who has delegated that responsibility to the UNO Dean.
In its graduate department the Graduate Program Committee shall have the responsibility for the
36
planning of the graduate program, the general supervision of candidates
for graduate degrees and the evaluation of students by means of qualifying or final
comprehensive examinations. The word “program” denotes all kinds of academic requirements
which must be satisfied by the students admitted to the departmental graduate studies—
including both major and minor requirements, together with quality-of- work standards, transfer
credits, and those electives which are not major or minor courses.
____
Approved UNO Graduate Council October 12, 1981.
Revised UNO Graduate Council November 14, 1988, approved by the Board of Regents July 22, 1989.
Revised UNO Graduate Council December 11, 1997, approved by the Board of Regents May 16, 1998.
Revisions approved by the UNO Graduate Council on November 13, 2017.
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council April 25, 2018 and approved by a vote of the University
of Nebraska Graduate Faculty on May 18, 2018. Presented to the Board of Regents on June 28, 2018.
37
Related Policy Documents
I. GRADUATE DEGREES/CERTIFICATES
A. Recommendation on the Requirements for Degrees
The Executive Graduate Council reaffirms the exclusive right of faculty members to assign
grades, to recommend admission of students to programs (retaining Board of Regents
admission standards), to make recommendation on the requirements for degrees, to
recommend the awarding of assistantships (the deans retain the authority to appoint graduate
assistants), and to recommend candidates for degrees. The Executive Graduate Council does
not recognize the administrative assignment of a grade, or the administrative awarding of an
assistantship not recommended by appropriate faculty action (this does not apply only to
graduate committees). The Executive Graduate Council reaffirms the right of all students to
evaluations for grades, awards, and degree procedures written into the graduate catalogs, and
does not recognize agreements between departments and students which circumvent the
existing appeal procedures.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 10-18-79
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11, 04-25-2018
1. Subdoctoral Degree Credits. All graduate credits to be counted toward the satisfaction of
subdoctoral degree requirements—including all transfer credits— must be approved and
recommended by the cognizant Graduate Committee of the student’s major department
or area. Not less than 50 percent of the course work required for any subdoctoral graduate
degree must be completed at the University of Nebraska. No graduate credits will be
accepted as transfer credits unless earned at an institution fully accredited to offer
graduate work in the field of the student’s major; nor should the student expect any
graduate credits to be transferred unless the Graduate Committee evaluated the quality
and suitability equal to or superior to offerings available at the University of Nebraska.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 04-03-75, edits approved by the Executive
Graduate Council 11-30-11
2. Professional Post-Baccalaureate Degree (Credential). A post-baccalaureate degree which is
the first or minimum degree offered by the University of Nebraska that qualifies a person
to stand for licensure in one of the recognized professions, and which is pursued, for all
intents and purposes, exclusively by persons intending to seek licensure in that profession,
is regarded as a professional degree.
Further, degrees may be considered as professional degrees if:
• the program is designed around curriculum or standards prescribed by a
professional accrediting body and the program has received or will seek
accreditation,
• the program may lead to licensure, but is not restricted to first licensure for a
profession,
• the program is designed for, and admits only, licensed professionals, and is
intended to expand the scope of practice of the licensed profession, or
38
• the program is designed for a professional practitioner to enhance their career
options within that profession
Post-Baccalaureate degrees that meet the criteria above and receive such a designation
by a campus, with affirmation by the Executive Vice President and Provost, are not
administered by the University of Nebraska Graduate College and do not go through the
Graduate College review process. Any other post-baccalaureate degree is to be
considered a graduate degree and subject to the Bylaws and Policies of the University of
Nebraska Graduate College and granted the benefits of affiliation with the Graduate
College and respective graduate studies offices. If a proposed degree (with the exception
of Expedited Certificates) is deemed a professional degree but does not have an
accrediting body or has yet to be accredited, clear alignment with the curricular
requirements of the body to which professional accreditation is being sought or evidence
of a rigorous external review (similar to the EGC process for graduate degrees) will be
required prior to submittal for Board of Regents approval.
SOURCE: Letter from Executive Vice President to Chancellors 02-01-82 Edits approved by
the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11, 10-26-22
3. Certificates. The certificate at the graduate level may be either sub-master or post- master
and is intended to indicate a given level of proficiency in a given area where there is an
established need, just as master and doctoral degrees do—not that a given number of
credit hours have been earned.
SOURCE: Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11
4. Format for Graduate Degrees. The heading shall read “The University of Nebraska.” There
shall be a subsidiary heading reading “Graduate College.” Following the subsidiary heading
shall be a paragraph reading “This diploma makes known that the Board of Regents of the
University of Nebraska upon the recommendation of the Graduate Faculty and by
authority of the statutes of the State has by its officers specially authorized hereto
conferred the degree.”
a. The above paragraph will be followed by the formal name of the degree and by the
word “upon” and by the full name of the degree recipient. The degree recipient’s name
will be followed by the statement “who is entitled to enjoy all the rights, honors, and
privileges pertaining to that degree.”
b. A paragraph reading “in testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names
and caused the seal of the said Board to be affixed this day of 20 .”
c. The seal of the University will be in the lower left-hand corner, the word “attest” will
appear after the seal and following this word will appear the signatures and printed
titles of the corporation secretary of the Board, the chairman of the Board, and the
President of the University.
d. Across the bottom of the diploma will be printed the names of the four campuses of
the University in the following order: The University of Nebraska–Lincoln, The
University of Nebraska Medical Center, The University of Nebraska at Omaha, The
University of Nebraska at Kearney.
(See also Appendix 5)
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B. Expedited Review of Proposed New Graduate Certificate Programs
Under certain circumstances proposed new Certificate Programs would receive expedited
review and approval. This would involve review by the Campus Graduate Council and the
Council of Academic Officers, with final approval by the Executive Vice President and Provost,
and President.
For a program to be considered for expedited review and approval, it must meet the following
requirements:
1. The proposed certificate must be a reasonable extension of an existing masters or doctoral
program in that it uses existing courses in the present masters.
2. The proposed certificate would require at least 12-15 hours of work past the bachelor’s
degree but no more than 20 hours. A core of required or elective courses must be in the
department/program offering the certificate; however, there could be an opportunity for
graduate students to take up to one third of the program in optional or elective courses
in collateral departments of relevant disciplines, consistent with the requirements of the
existing program.
3. The proposed certificate would be a repackaging of existing graduate courses, requiring no
additional or reallocated resources to support the program. The proposal would have to
demonstrate the availability of internal capacity to offer the certificate.
4. The proposal would need to show evidence of demand and that the proposal is being
responsive to a demonstrated need in the university or community. However, the
justification would not need to be as elaborate as that required for a completely new
degree program.
5. Following approval of such a new Certificate Program, the action will be reported to the
Board of Regents at the next meeting.
6. Please see Appendix 6 for material that will help prepare a request for Expedited Review.
SOURCE: Policy approved by Board of Regents on July 15, 2000
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11, 04-25-2018
II. POLICY ON THE PURSUIT OF GRADUATE DEGREES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA BY
FACULT Y HOLDING THE RANK OF ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OR ABOVE (OR EQUIVALENT)
While it is not the intention of the University of Nebraska to deny access to graduate education to
any qualified person, the University is concerned about possible conflict of interest, or even the
appearance of such a conflict, when faculty members of this University pursue advanced degrees
in its Graduate College.
Therefore, a member of the faculty in an instructional department who holds the rank of assistant
professor or above or equivalent rank, or a member of the faculty in an instructional department
who holds an appointment for a specific term, or a member of the administrative staff holding the
rank of assistant professor or above, may pursue an advanced degree in the Graduate College only
after receiving special permission from the person’s academic dean or administrative supervisor
and from the campus Graduate Council responsible for the program which he or she wishes to
pursue. The advanced degree cannot be in the person’s own department or area or in a closely
40
related department or area. Whether a second department or area is too closely related to the
person’s own department shall be determined by the Dean for Graduate Studies of the campus
involved in consultation with the Graduate Committees of the two departments or areas.
Permission may be granted to pursue an advanced degree in the equivalent department on
another campus of the University of Nebraska.
The Graduate Faculty status of a person who is a member of the Graduate Faculty must be
suspended when the person receives permission to pursue an advanced degree in the Graduate
College of the University of Nebraska. However, with the permission of the appropriate campus
Dean for Graduate Studies and the appropriate Graduate Committee, such persons shall be
eligible to continue to teach graduate courses, supervise graduate students at the master’s degree
level, and serve on graduate supervisory and examining committees. Such permission must be
obtained before starting such a program and annually after entering the program. Upon
completing or withdrawing from such an advanced degree program, the original Graduate Faculty
status shall be reinstated upon recommendation by at least two-thirds of the Graduate Faculty of
the department or area if the person returns to the same department in which he or she held an
appointment originally. A change of appointment to another department requires that the person
follow the established procedure for obtaining Graduate Faculty status.
SOURCE: Approved by the Executive Graduate Council at the May 8, 1984, Special Meeting Edits
approved by the Executive Graduate Council 04-28-2018
III. GRADUATE STUDENTS
Graduate Students Defined. Full-time graduate students at the University of Nebraska shall be
defined as graduate students enrolled for at least 9 credit hours during an academic semester or
at least 4 hours during summer sessions irrespective of whether or not the student holds a
graduate assistantship.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 03-18-76
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11, 04-25-2018
A. Veterans Administration - Certification of Graduate Students
Graduate students requiring certification as full-time students must be enrolled for at least
nine credit hours during an academic semester or at least three credit hours during
summer sessions, whether or not the student holds a graduate assistantship. With
approval of the Dean for Graduate Studies, students in the final semester of a master’s
degree program, or Candidates for doctoral degrees, registered for fewer than the
minimum hours required for a full program may be granted full-time status provided they
are not employed more than 22 hours per week (half time).
B. Seniors Approval for Graduate Courses
Seniors at an accredited institution who have obtained in advance the approval of the
appropriate campus Dean for Graduate Studies may receive up to 12 hours of credit for
graduate courses taken at any campus of the University of Nebraska System in addition to the
courses necessary to complete their undergraduate work, provided that such credits are
earned within the 12 months prior to receipt of the baccalaureate.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 09-26-74
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C. Simultaneous Matriculation
Normally, no graduate student may be a degree-seeking student in more than one graduate
program at the University of Nebraska, unless enrolled in an approved dual- degree program.
Any exceptions must have prior approval of every Graduate Program Committee and every
campus Dean for Graduate Studies through which the programs are administratively assigned.
When there is approved simultaneous matriculation, the same course credit will not be
accepted for more than one degree without prior approval of every Graduate Program
Committee and every campus Dean for Graduate Studies through which the programs are
administratively assigned.
SOURCE: Approved by the Executive Graduate Council 03-19-92
D. Students Admitted to Professional Colleges or Programs
Students admitted to professional colleges or programs at the University of Nebraska may
enroll in up to 9 credit hours of graduate level courses (800 - and 900 - series) with the
approval of the dean of the college that administers the program, the instructors for the
graduate courses, and the campus Dean for Graduate Studies. In exceptional circumstances
registrations above 9 credit hours may be permitted subject to the same approval. Reciprocal
arrangements permitting students admitted to the Graduate College to enroll in courses
offered in the professional colleges should be encouraged.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 02-27-75
Edits approved by Executive Graduate Council 10-26-22
E. Procedure for a Graduate Student to Receive a Degree from a Campus Other than that where
the Degree is Based
1. The student submits a request to the Dean of the Graduate College, stating in which
campus commencement ceremony they would like to receive the degree.
2. When making formal application for the degree, the student should indicate the campus
ceremony in which they would like to receive the degree.
3. Campus Deans for Graduate Studies are to resolve the mechanics to comply with the
request. These arrangements should include the following:
a. Each student graduating under these circumstances shall be so noted in the program
and commencement script with a statement similar to the one formulated for the
December 1977 UNO commencement as follows:
“A degree awarded on the recommendation of the Graduate Faculty in (major
department) at the University of Nebraska (–Lincoln, at Omaha, at Kearney or Medical
Center) in cooperation with the Graduate Faculty in (major department) at the
University of Nebraska (–Lincoln, at Omaha, at Kearney, or Medical Center).”
ALL COMMENCEMENT PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE THE STATEMENT THAT: “ALL
GRADUATE DEGREES ARE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA DEGREES.”
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 03-16-78
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11
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Intercampus Registration Process
Host Campus
Registrar
Home Campus
Graduate Office
Step 1: Intercampus Registration Form
Step 2: Registration Reports
Step 3: Send Copies of Registration Reports
Step 4: Grade Reports
Step 5: Request Transcript go to home campus Graduate Office
Step 6: Send Transcript
Step 7: Request to Enter Transcript on the Permanent Record
Host Campus
Graduate Office
Home Campus
Registrar
4. Necessary Conditions
a. Student must file an intercampus registration form.
b. Host campus must flag that student’s record to assure communication with home
campus (Step 1).
5. Description of Process
a. Host campus registrar sends a copy of the intercampus registration forms to host
campus graduate office (Step 2). This will allow the office to flag the records of those
students.
b. During the semester, the registrar on a particular campus sends information to the
graduate office on that campus indicating the courses for which each graduate student
taking courses on that campus is registered. The graduate office will forward this
information to the home campus graduate office so that the home campus office can
maintain a record of courses in which a student is enrolled on other campuses (Step 3).
c. At the end of the semester, a grade record is sent to the graduate office on the campus
in which the courses were completed (Step 4). The host campus graduate office will
request the registrar to send a transcript to the home campus graduate office at that
time (Step 5). This is done without charge (Step 6).
d. The home campus graduate office will then pass on the host campus transcript to the
registrar on the home campus and request that the information be entered officially on
the student’s transcript as it is maintained on the home campus (Step 7).
F. Policy on Summer Tuition Remission for Graduate Assistants
Any graduate assistant who is employed for one-third FTE or more during both semesters of
an academic year may be eligible to receive tuition remission during the subsequent summer.
Any graduate assistant who is employed for one-third FTE or more during only one semester
of the preceding academic year may be eligible to receive reimbursement of summer session
43
tuition, provided he or she is employed as a graduate assistant for one-third FTE or more
during the following fall semester. Any graduate assistant who is employed for one-third FTE
or more during the summer may also be eligible for tuition remission during that same
summer.
The amount of tuition remission for which each graduate assistant is eligible during the
summer shall be determined as follows. Graduate assistants whose equivalent academic year
stipends equal or exceed the amount charged for tuition and fees for thirty credit hours of
graduate work on a non-resident basis shall be eligible to receive tuition remission for up to
twelve credit hours during the summer. Graduate assistants whose equivalent academic year
stipends are less than the above, but equal or exceed the amount charged for twenty-four
credit hours of graduate work on a non-resident basis, shall be eligible to receive tuition
remission for up to six credit hours during the summer.
SOURCE: Issued by the Executive Vice President and Provost 03-18-82
1. Tuition Remission. Tuition remission will be granted to graduate assistants for auditing
courses when officially registered to audit the courses.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 10-21-82
2. Any graduate student who drops below four credit hours in summer sessions will lose their
eligibility for Social Security and Medicare tax exemptions.
SOURCE: Federal Tax Code, Rev. Proc. 2005-11
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11
Out-of-State Graduate Students. Graduate students registered for thesis work who have
qualified as Nebraska residents while in attendance at the University and who are earning
thesis credit while residing in a state other than Nebraska shall continue to be considered
as residents for tuition purposes.
SOURCE: Minutes of the Board of Regents 06-10-59, Page 289 Legal Opinion from Richard
Wood, General Counsel 12-09-80
G. Retention of Materials used in the Academic Evaluation of Students
Faculty members must decide either: (1) to retain custody for at least 30 days after the end of
the semester of materials, such as examinations, term papers, and written or creative
assignments, used in the academic evaluation of their students, or (2) to make reasonable
efforts to return such materials to the student’s custody.
If a faculty member decides to retain custody of some or all the materials used in the
academic evaluation of a student, the faculty member must exercise reasonable care to
maintain such materials for at least thirty days after notice of the student’s final course grade
has been transmitted from the appropriate campus.
This does not mean that the faculty member must retain such materials and records. The
faculty member has the option of returning some or all such materials to the student’s
custody. However, it is then the faculty member’s responsibility to make reasonable efforts to
ensure that the materials are either given to the student personally or returned to the student
by mail.
In any event, after the expiration of the aforementioned thirty-day period, the faculty member
44
may dispose of the academic evaluation materials for any student who has not filed an appeal
of their grade, or who has not been granted an extension of time for the filing of such an
appeal, or who has not challenged the accuracy of their educational records under the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Once a faculty member has been notified of a student’s intent to file a grade appeal in a
particular course, or once the appeal process has been initiated, or once a challenge has been
initiated under FERPA, the faculty member is obligated to exercise extraordinary care for the
materials in the faculty member’s custody relating to that student’s grade in that course, until
such time as the appeal has been finally resolved.
It should be understood that the standards incorporated within this policy, including the
thirty-day time frame, are minimum standards. Individual campuses, colleges or departments
may, at their discretion, adopt more stringent policies for the retention of materials, provided
such policies conform to the procedures outlined above.
SOURCE: Policy Memorandum Issued by Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 10-13-81
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11
IV. RULES FOR NON-TRADITIONAL WORKSHOPS, SHORT-TERM COURSES, AND SPECIAL
SEMINARS OFFERING GRADUATE CREDIT
A. Background
From time-to-time arrangements are made to offer graduate credit in conjunction with a
workshop or conference. In the past, there has been no consistent practice with respect to
providing information in brochures or other material describing the requirements that must
be met by a student who wishes to earn graduate credit for participation in the particular
workshop or conference in question.
SOURCE: Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11
B. Policy Statement
In all instances where graduate credit is offered for participation in a workshop or conference,
all brochures and advertisements shall include a statement indicating if any additional
requirements are necessary to receive credit and the name of a responsible contact person.
All such brochures and advertisements must be approved by the campus Dean for Graduate
Studies responsible for the program.
SOURCE: Policy issued by Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 01-21-82
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11
C. Rules for all Non-Traditional Courses Offered for Graduate Credit by a Unit of the University of
Nebraska
The following are rules for all non-traditional courses offered for graduate credit by any unit of
the University of Nebraska. Individual campuses of the University may develop more detailed
policies, but they must conform to the rules given below. The intent of these rules is to assure
that all courses offered for graduate credit will meet all standards of quality prescribed by the
Graduate College of the University of Nebraska.
45
1. General Rules
a. Approval of all courses to be offered for graduate credit by any unit of the University of
Nebraska is the responsibility of the appropriate campus Graduate Council or its
designee. Recommendation for such approval shall be obtained, at a minimum, from
the academic program, campus Graduate Council, and the campus Dean for Graduate
Studies.
b. The offering of an approved course shall be under the authority of the academic
program.
c. All courses shall be equivalent in the following respects:
i. admission requirements for all students;
ii. grading system and evaluation standards;
iii. course requirements that allow for evaluation of student performance;
iv. access to faculty outside the scheduled course meetings for consultation;
v. qualification of faculty; and
vi. reasonable access to materials, facilities, and support.
2. Assignment of Credit Hours for Non-Traditional Credit Offerings
a. Credit hours will be assigned according to the following minimum requirements
regardless of if it is called a course, a workshop, special topics, etc. For each hour of
credit there needs to be at least 15 hours in-class instruction. The typical offering is 3
hours per day for 5 days per each graduate credit, i.e., 1 credit in 1 week, 2 credits in 2
weeks, etc.
b. The other option is for a concentrated 3 day offering for one graduate credit. In this
format, the duration of the course shall be at least one week greater than the number
of credits offered except for a one credit offering, i.e., 1 credit over 1 week, 2 credits
over 3 weeks, 3 credits over 4 weeks, etc.
SOURCE: Approved by the Executive Graduate Council 04-21-83, revised and approved by
the Executive Graduate Council 02-20-92, revision of Section IIB by Executive Graduate
Council 04-21-94, edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11
D. Off-Campus Graduate Course Offerings
For all University campuses, any regularly scheduled campus course or approved online course
(exclusive of non-traditional courses), taught by authorized graduate faculty of the University
of Nebraska, can be considered for approval to be taught at an off- campus site without
special course designation.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 10-17-91
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11
V. NON-GRADUATE FACULTY RULES FOR TEACHING GRADUATE COURSES
Unusual circumstances may arise in which a department wishes to assign, on a limited basis,
the teaching of a course for graduate credit to a staff member who (1) is not a member of the
Graduate Faculty and (2) does not qualify for Associate Graduate Faculty status. In such cases,
special permission may be given by the campus Graduate Studies Dean. Such permission must
46
be limited to a specific course or courses and must be effective only for a specific time period,
not to exceed one semester. A first extension, for a maximum of one additional semester,
must be approved by the campus’ Graduate Council. Any further extension of the special
permission must be approved (each semester) by the Executive Graduate Council.
SOURCE: Executive Graduate Council Minutes 11-17-83;
Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 10-26-22
VI. GUIDELINES FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS
A. Guidelines for Submission and Process of Evaluation of New or Modified Graduate Programs
1. Introduction
Evaluation of new graduate programs will emphasize the anticipated quality of the new
program (as defined by faculty credentials, the content of the course of study, library and
research resources, etc.), as well as the potential for the development of a high-quality
program. Other aspects of the review will focus on the relationship of the proposed
program to the overall mission of the campus, the resources that will be necessary to
develop a program of high quality and the need for the program, both with respect to
opportunities for future employment and with respect to the impact of the proposed
program on existing campus or University-wide academic programs.
All new academic programs must be approved by the Board of Regents and the Nebraska
Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education prior to their being established or
offered. Requests for new graduate programs are initiated at the departmental, unit or
program level. Each request is reviewed at several levels prior to submission to the Board
of Regents for approval. For the purposes of this policy, the term “academic program”
shall mean a degree, major, certificate, diploma or equivalent curriculum. Programs
proposing new “Certificates in Course” should be handled in the same way as proposed
new programs.
2. Modification of Existing Programs
Programs undergoing significant modifications, which do not involve the establishment of
a new degree, will be submitted to the appropriate campus Graduate Council, which, in
consultation with the Dean for Graduate studies, will decide whether the changes are
major or minor. Minor changes (i.e., items that do not have to go to the Board of Regents)
will be reviewed only by the campus Graduate Council. Major changes (i.e., items that
must go to the Board of Regents) may need to be treated in a manner similar to that for
new proposals and should be forwarded to the Dean of the Graduate College for
consideration. The Dean will then determine which procedures are applicable to the
particular proposal.
3. Review Process for New Programs
The department or unit initiating a request for a new program should prepare a proposal
providing the information outlined below, and any other material that might be of value in
supporting the request and should submit this information through appropriate campus
channels to the campus Graduate Dean(s) for review by the campus graduate council.
47
It should be noted that proposals prepared according to these guidelines may be
submitted to the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education in the
same format, following approval by the Board of Regents. This will then avoid duplication
of effort in preparing program submission materials that are duplicative, but with differing
formats.
4. Program Proposal Format will follow the guidelines of the CCPE.
https://ccpe.nebraska.gov/legal-and-regulatory
SOURCE: Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11, 04-25-2018
5. Additional Considerations for the Formulation of Cooperative and Joint Degree Programs
a. “Cooperative programs” shall refer to those academic program organizations whose
primary home is a department or unit on one campus (UNL, UNO, UNMC, UNK), with
formally affiliated graduate faculty from more than one campus. The formally affiliated
graduate faculty may be from the same discipline department on another campus and
provide one or more specialization options to the graduate program. Proposals for
cooperative programs should be approved by the Graduate Council, campus Graduate
Dean, and campus channels on the campus of the primary home department before
submission to the Dean of the Graduate College.
b. “Joint programs” shall mean programs offered and administered jointly by more than
one department or unit located on more than one campus. In terms of the governance
of the graduate program, the units participate equally in a single graduate committee.
For a joint program, students may apply to any campus offering the program and be
awarded the diploma at the commencement at the campus of their choice.
Proposals for joint programs should be approved by the respective Graduate Councils,
Graduate Studies Deans, and campus channels on all campuses which are to be
offering the program before submission to the Dean of the Graduate College.
c. A proposal for either a Cooperative or a Joint program should describe the rationale for
the establishment of the program. Particular attention should be paid to the
governance of the proposed program, including the composition of the Graduate
Committee, the selection process for committee members and the overall
coordination of the program. The proposal should also describe how faculty affiliated
with the program will be identified and approved for participation in the program.
d. Mechanisms should be described that facilitate the registration of students and the
cross-campus development of curricula as the program is developed. The proposal
should describe how students are provided with ready access to the core curriculum.
The program description should also make clear the extent to which faculty or students
will be required to travel between campuses to provide access to courses essential to
the degree program.
SOURCE: Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11, 04-25-2018
B. EGC Review Cycle for Proposed New Graduate Programs
The Executive Graduate Council review of a proposed new program begins upon receipt of a
proposal by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, together with a list of
48
nominees for external evaluation of the program after the campus Graduate Council has
approved the proposal.
The outside review team is selected by the Dean or a designee, using the list of possible
external reviewers. The Dean, or designee, is free to seek additional names from other
sources, such as officers of professional societies in the discipline or distinguished faculty or
administrators at other institutions.
The schedule for the outside review team is coordinated through the Office of the Executive
Vice President and Provost. A package of materials, including the program proposal and any
supplementary materials requested by the review sub-committee, and any materials
describing the University (role and mission statements, catalogs, etc.) is assembled by the
Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and disseminated to the review team, along
with a charge.
Review team members have an entry meeting with the Graduate College Dean, and
subsequently meet with relevant campus Graduate Studies Dean(s), academic Dean(s), Vice
Chancellors, program coordinators/directors, proposed program faculty, current and/or
potential students, and community stakeholders. Review team exit interviews are held with
the Executive Graduate Council and the Graduate College Dean.
The written consultant report is sent to the Dean, who then sends copies to the campus
Dean(s) for Graduate Studies, academic Dean(s), academic Vice Chancellor(s), and Department
Chairperson(s) or Program Director(s). The Graduate Studies Dean(s) shall prepare a response,
and if substantial changes are suggested by the review team, the department, unit, or
program should prepare an amended proposal and resubmit this to the campus graduate dean
for eventual transmission to the Dean of the Graduate College and Executive Graduate
Council.
The proposal shall be considered for the consent of the Council of Chief Academic Officers and
forwarded to the Executive Graduate Council. Assuming approval at each of these levels, the
Executive Vice President and Provost will then forward the proposal to the Board of Regents
requesting their approval. Finally, the program will be sent to the Nebraska Coordinating
Commission for Postsecondary Education for its consideration. The program cannot be
initiated until the Commission’s approval is obtained.
SOURCE: Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11, 04-25-2018
C. Addendum–Details of Program Proposal Format
1. Descriptive Information
The proposal should provide the name of the institution proposing the program, the name
of the program (major), the degrees/credentials to be offered in the program (M.A., M.S.,
Ph.D., etc.), if appropriate, designation as a Post- Baccalaureate Professional Credential or
Degree, the administrative units for the program (college, division, department, etc.), the
date approved by the governing board, the proposed date the program will be initiated,
and a concise description of the proposed program.
2. Abstracts of Proposal
The abstract should be a one-to-two-page summary of the proposed degree program. The
49
abstract should stand alone without further reference to the body of the proposal.
Abstracts are distributed to members of the Executive Graduate Council for informational
use.
3. Formulation of a Program and Preparation of a Self-Study Report
a. Centrality to Role and Mission. In this section, refer to the institutional role and mission
as defined in the Nebraska statutes and in the CCPE Comprehensive Statewide Plan for
Higher Education. The language in the role and mission statements that refers to the
types of instructional programs, degree levels, and subject areas is most relevant to
program review. The report shall also include references to more detailed role and
mission statements adopted by the President and Board of Regents, institution, or
administrative unit.
b. Consistency with the Comprehensive Statewide Plan. In this section, refer to the
relationship of the proposed program to priorities in the Comprehensive Statewide
Plan not covered under other criteria (e.g., role and mission and need and demand).
i. Program of Study. Describe the proposed program of study and explain its
structure, coherence, its objectives, and the plans to regularly review and revise
the program to reflect new developments in the discipline. Identify any new
courses that will be needed to implement the program and indicate the number of
credit hours that will be required to complete it. Provide complete, detailed syllabi
of all courses which will be included in the proposed program.
ii. Learning. Describe the assessment of student learning plan for the proposed
program, including the plans for using the data to improve the quality of the
program. Examples of data that could be collected are retention and graduation
rates, placement rates, employer surveys, graduate satisfaction surveys, results of
licensing or certification exams, and other measures of student achievement.
iii. Accreditation. Describe plans, if any, to seek specialized accreditation of the
program. Regional accreditation status of the institution is usually not relevant to
the quality or effectiveness of specific degree programs.
iv. Needs of Diverse Student Groups. Include descriptions of any specific program-level
or department-level initiatives or strategies, currently in place or planned, that are
designed to enhance the recruitment, retention, and success of students from
diverse backgrounds, including those from under-represented populations.
v. Collaboration with Other Postsecondary Institutions. Identify any collaborative
agreements with other postsecondary institutions to expand the curriculum, to
extend access to the program, or to ensure that courses will be transferable.
Describe the interactions that will take place with cognizant departments, units,
and programs on all campuses. What participation will be required in terms of
faculty in other programs? (Provide letters documenting willingness to participate
and the type of interaction that will take place.)
vi. Off-campus Delivery Sites and Distance Learning. Identify any plans to deliver the
program to other sites using telecommunications or other means. Also identify any
plans to use courses or materials produced by other institutions and provided by
50
telecommunications technologies.
vii. Partnerships with Businesses, Organizations, and Public Agencies. Identify any
partnership agreements that will enhance the quality of the program or provide
educational and practical experiences for the students. Are practica and internships
readily available, for example? How will the quality of these practica and
internships be evaluated and maintained?
4. Evidence of Need
a. Constituency and Community Resources. In this section include information about the
need for this program in the community, the region, the state, or the nation. Include
data, reports, or studies about the workforce needs of business, industry, and other
employers in Nebraska and about the job opportunities for graduates. Explain any
potential for the program to contribute to economic development in the service area
or in the state. Describe the effect that the program will have on the department
initiating it. If the program involves community participation (field experience,
externships, preceptorships, visiting consultants), is there reason to expect support for
the program and from what segments of the community will support come?
b. Impact on Existing Academic Community. This section should thoroughly address the
issue of unnecessary duplication. It should identify other similar programs offered in
the state by public or private institutions, explain any differences among the programs,
and explain why an additional program is needed at this time. Similar programs offered
within the states that are members of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and
programs that are offered in contiguous states that are reasonably accessible to
residents of Nebraska should also be identified. If similar programs exist, explain why
those programs cannot meet the need for which the proposed program is designed.
Documentation must be furnished that relevant departments or areas on all campuses
have been given copies of the proposal and have been invited to prepare a written
response to it.
5. Evidence of Demand
This section should include information about the extent of student interest in the
proposed program. Include studies, surveys, or other evidence about student demand. Are
there adequately prepared students available for the program? What is the academic
background of potential students? How many students are expected to enroll in the
program in each of the first five years of operation? What is the minimum number of
students required to make the program viable? What is the maximum number of students
that could be accommodated with the resources committed to the program? Will the
program be available to students from other states through the Midwestern Higher
Education Compact?
6. Adequacy of Resources
a. Faculty/Staff. Identify the number of faculty and staff required to implement the
proposed program. Distinguish between full-time faculty in the major, the number of
regular faculty from other majors who will teach courses in the proposed program, and
the number of temporary, part-time faculty (adjuncts) who will teach courses. How
many of the required faculty are currently employed by the institution? What are the
51
credentials of the faculty (graduate faculty status, research productivity, experience in
teaching or professional practice in the field)? Identify any additional administrative
and support staff required, including graduate assistants, and identify the capacity in
which they will serve.
i. Resumes. Provide current curriculum vitae for every faculty member participating
in the program.
ii. Projected Incremental Expenses. Complete the staffing section of Table 1: Projected
Incremental Expenses.
iii. Summary of the Current Research Programs Available for Graduate Student
Involvement.
b. Library/Information Resources. This section should include information about the
relevant library holdings and electronic information resources that are currently
available. Will additional learning resources be needed? (Information about the rating
of the library as a whole is useful but is not a sufficient response. This section may also
include information about interlibrary load agreements with institutions that have
similar programs.) Describe the resources that will be available to students and faculty
through electronic technology and discuss the services provided to assure that
students and faculty can access and use the information available through those
resources. Complete the Library resources section of Table 1: Projected Incremental
Expenses.
c. Physical Facilities. Describe the physical facilities, such as classrooms, laboratories, and
offices that will be required for the program and describe how those resources will be
provided. Identify any plans for renovating existing facilities, constructing new
facilities, or leasing additional facilities for the proposed program within the next ten
years. List other special consideration or facilities which are essential and available to
the program. Complete the facilities section of Table 1: Projected Incremental
Expenses.
d. Instructional Equipment. Describe any specialized equipment that will be needed for
use in instruction and explain how the equipment will be provided. Special emphasis
should be given to the availability of computers and other information technologies. If
new equipment will be required, identify the source of funds for this equipment.
Complete the equipment section of Table 1: Projected Incremental Expenses.
e. Budget Projections. What will it cost to initiate the program and maintain it? Are any
planned expansions built into the overall format for starting the program? Where will
the money come from for activating and maintaining the program? What will these
increases cost? If federal or state funding is involved, what conditions or requirements
are set for these funds? What is the length of the granting period? Complete Tables 1
and 2 showing the projected incremental expenses and the revenue sources for those
expenses for the first five years of the program.
i. Faculty. If additional faculty will be required, specify why. Have those faculty lines
been approved? What is the source of funds for these lines?
ii. Student Support. What is the source of funding for the research programs? What is
the source of support for graduate student stipends? What is the level and source
52
of external funding of the faculty? Will these funds contribute to the graduate
program? What support will be given to students and to educational requirements
associated with student training (cost of visiting speakers, consultants, etc.)?
iii. Non-faculty Staff. If the program requires additional non-faculty staff, describe the
source of funds for these additional staff?
iv. Operating Funds. Will additional operating funds be necessary? Source of these
funds?
7. Summary of Responses to the Major Criteria
In this final section briefly summarize the proposal. The summary should recap the
institution’s responses to each of the major criteria such as consistency with role and
mission, need and demand, and adequacy of resources. Include a timetable for approval
and introduction of courses and initiation of program and estimates of the anticipated
admission, matriculation, and total enrollment during the initial five
year period.
8. Letter of Support from Administrators and Stakeholders
Supporting letters from administrators at the Departmental, College, and Campus levels
should be included in the information transmitted to the Executive Graduate Council;
letters from external stakeholders (potential employers and/or communities to be served)
are also encouraged.
SOURCE: Approved by the Executive Graduate Council at their meeting on 05-01-1997, Edits
approved by the Executive Graduate Council on 04-25-2018, 10-26-22
D. Process for Monitoring Graduate Program Reviews
Each graduate program must be periodically reviewed by the campus from which the program
originates. Normally, the campus review of a graduate program occurs at the time of the
review of the department which offers it. In cases of a program offered jointly, the process of
periodic review (normally, every five to seven years) must be determined when the program is
created. The Coordinating Commission also requires periodic review with specific data
requirements for average number of degrees awarded.
The use of a standardized form for presentation of the program review summaries will
facilitate the review of the programs and minimize the need for requesting additional
information from departments for the Graduate Dean or the Coordinating Commission.
https://ccpe.nebraska.gov/legal-and-regulatory
SOURCE: Edits approved by the Executive Graduate Council 11-30-11, 04-25-2018, 10-26-22
E. Procedures for the Deletion or Consolidation of Graduate Programs
1. Principles
The following principles should be considered in the deletion, consolidation, or contraction
of graduate programs:
a. The pursuit of graduate degrees is based fundamentally on the search for new
knowledge.
53
b. Graduate education provides basic principles which students may apply to
unforeseeable challenges.
c. Teachers of graduate students should engage actively in research and in the
dissemination of the results of their research.
d. In general, graduate programs cannot be considered independently. Many of the
programs considered for deletion or consolidation are undergraduate or professional
programs with a closely associated graduate program. A complex interrelationship
frequently exists among the programs.
e. Reasons for deletion or consolidation may include lack of need or demand for
graduates (local, state or national); substandard quality; lack of adequate faculty or
decline in quality of faculty; lack of adequate library holdings, laboratories or physical
facilities; unnecessary duplication; transfer of a department or unit between colleges;
lack of adequate financial support or a financial exigency; substantial increase in cost
to continue program; or substantial savings affected by consolidation.
f. The overall importance of each program must be considered within the context of the
role and mission of each campus as promulgated by the Board of Regents.
2. Procedures
a. Initiation of Deletion or Consolidation Proceedings
Proceedings may be initiated by a graduate program committee; a departmental
Chairperson; an academic Dean; a campus Graduate Studies Dean; a campus Graduate
Council; the Executive Graduate Council; an academic Vice Chancellor; a Chancellor;
the Dean of the Graduate College; or the President.
b. Notification of the Initiation of Deletion or Consolidation Proceedings
Any recommendation for deletion or consolidation shall be forwarded by the initiating
party to graduate committee chairpersons of all affected graduate programs and the
campus Graduate Council for consideration, review, and recommendation. The
departmental Chairperson of the effected program; the academic Dean; the campus
Graduate Dean; the Academic Planning Committee or its equivalent; the Executive
Graduate Council; the academic Vice Chancellor; the Chancellor; and the Dean of the
Graduate College shall also be notified of this action.
c. Campus Review by Standing or Ad Hoc Groups
Any review concerning deletion or consolidation of graduate programs is most
appropriately conducted at the campus level. These Procedures insure adequate
representation by the campus Graduate Council, and appropriate consideration of the
graduate component in any such review process, in accord with established campus
procedures. If a standing committee is empowered by campus Bylaws or legal contract
to conduct a review of all programs to be considered for such deletion or
consolidation, then that committee should consider the full merits of the case made
for deletion or consolidation of the identified graduate programs. If such a standing
committee does not exist, any ad hoc review committee established by the Chancellor
should include at least one representative of the campus Graduate Council and the
54
campus Graduate Studies Dean. Either the standing or ad hoc review committee shall
assure appropriate input from the campus Graduate Studies Dean, the campus
Graduate Council, and the affected graduate programs on the status and quality of
graduate programs it is reviewing.
d. Review by the Campus Graduate Council
The appropriate campus Graduate Council shall make a recommendation to the
Executive Graduate Council with regard to the proposed deletion or consolidation. In
order to do that, the campus Graduate Council must perform a review of the program
if it considers other reviews and data to be inadequate. An outside team of visiting
scholars may be requested to review a program that is proposed for deletion or
consolidation. The team will be appointed by the campus Graduate Studies Dean in
consultation with the academic Dean and Chairperson of the affected graduate
program. The campus Graduate Council representative on any review committee shall
report the results of deliberations on deletion or consolidation of graduate programs
to the campus Graduate Council. After appropriate review, the campus Graduate
Council shall submit its recommendation to the campus Graduate Studies Dean. The
recommendation shall be forwarded to the Chancellor and the Graduate College Dean
for transmission to the Executive Graduate Council; copies of the recommendation
shall be forwarded to the Academic Planning Committee or its equivalent; the
academic Dean; and the Academic Vice Chancellors.
e. Review by the Executive Graduate Council
The Executive Graduate Council shall receive the recommendation from the Dean of
the Graduate College for review. The recommendation of the Executive Graduate
Council will be forwarded to the Dean of the Graduate College for transmission to the
President and the Board of Regents.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Consult next section for Guidelines.
SOURCE: Approved by the Executive Graduate Council 02-19-87, 2-19-97, 04-25-2018
F. Guidelines for the Deletion or Consolidation of Graduate Programs
The Executive Graduate Council approved at its February 19, 1987, meeting the Procedures for
the Deletion/Consolidation of Graduate Programs. The Executive Graduate Council adopted
the following guidelines for the deletion/consolidation of graduate programs at its meeting on
January 22, 1987. The Executive Graduate Council will utilize these guidelines in its evaluation
of proposed deletion/consolidation of graduate programs and urges that these guidelines be
followed at the campus level. The reports of programs being reviewed should include the
following information:
1. Brief Description of the Program
2. Statement of Need
a. Student demand.
b. External demand.
c. Number of graduates per year for last 5 years.
d. Current employment of graduates for last 5 years and other indicators of program
55
quality.
e. Institutional need and impact on other graduate and undergraduate programs,
departments, or campuses.
3. Curriculum
a. Description of curriculum.
b. Special requirements.
c. Scheduling of courses for the last 5 years.
d. Current course syllabi.
e. Availability/quality of practica, internships, etc.
f. Duplicate or closely related course offerings at the department, campus, University-
wide levels.
g. Dual-listed courses (graduate and upper-division undergraduate).
4. Faculty
a. Narrative description summarizing expertise of the faculty.
b. Résumés including publications, current research activities and outside funding (grants,
contracts, etc.), conferences attended and papers presented, other scholarly activity.
c. Possible reassignment, retraining or retirement of faculty and staff.
5. Students
a. Number of students influenced by deletion/consolidation.
b. Level of progress of affected students.
c. Potential for transfer to other programs/departments.
d. Relative cost to students.
6. Facilities
a. Laboratories/faculty offices.
b. Library holdings.
c. Other.
7. Budget
a. Present cost of the program (budget).
b. Income of the program (grants, contracts, student tuition, fees, etc.)
c. Funds saved if the program is eliminated/consolidated.
d. Phase-out costs and timeline.
SOURCE: Approved January 22, 1987 DATE OF LAST REVISION: January 1988
VII. GENERAL APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR ACADEMIC MATTERS CONCERNING GRADUATE
STUDENTS
A. Appeal of General Academic Matters Related to Student Programs
1. Graduate students holding admission with unclassified status in the Graduate College,
admission with a master’s objective, or admission with a doctoral objective (but prior to
the appointment of a doctoral supervisory committee) should appeal as follows:
a. Initially, the appeal should be submitted to the student’s adviser.
b. If denied, the appeal may be submitted to the Departmental or Interdepartmental Area
56
Graduate Committee administratively responsible for the student’s graduate program.
c. If denied, an appeal may be made to the Graduate Council for the campus
administratively responsible for the student’s graduate program. Normally, this will be
the final appeals body (for exceptions, see Sections 5-7).
2. Graduate students holding admission with a doctoral objective in the Graduate College and
for whom a doctoral supervisory committee has been appointed should appeal as follows:
a. Initially, the appeal should be submitted to the student’s adviser.
b. If denied, the appeal may be submitted to the student’s supervisory committee.
c. If denied, the appeal may be submitted to the Departmental or Interdepartmental Area
Graduate Committee administratively responsible for the student’s graduate program.
d. If denied, an appeal may be made to the Graduate Council for the campus
administratively responsible for the student’s graduate program. Normally, this will be
the final appeals body (for exceptions, see Sections 5-7).
3. When a student’s graduate program consists of registrations essentially or entirely on one
campus, the Graduate Council of the campus administratively responsible for the program
will constitute the appeal board. When a student’s graduate program includes substantial
registrations on a campus other than the one administratively responsible for the program,
three members of the Graduate Council for the other campus will be designated by the
Dean for Graduate Studies on that campus to augment the Graduate Council on the
campus administratively responsible for the program. In this case, the augmented Council
will constitute the appeal board. The decision concerning augmentation of a campus
Graduate Council for a specific appeal involving registrations on a campus other than the
one administratively responsible for the student’s program will be made by the Deans for
Graduate Studies on the campuses involved.
4. In all cases, appeals should be made in writing to the appropriate adviser, Committee, or
Council.
a. In those cases where the appeal concerns graduate-level qualifying exams,
comprehensive exams, or final oral exams, the following deadlines must be observed. It
is the responsibility of the student to make reasonable efforts to ascertain the results
of the examination within thirty days after its completion.
b. The initiation of the appeal, in writing, by the student must be filed within thirty days
following the student’s receipt of notification of the evaluation.
c. In those cases involving an appeal of termination of program, an initiation of the
appeal, in writing, by the student must be filed within thirty days following the
student’s receipt of the official written notification by the campus Office for Graduate
Studies.
5. There is no absolute right of appeal to the Executive Graduate Council. The Executive
Graduate Council will accept appeals only in those cases where in the exercise of its sole
discretion it shall first find that one or more of the following grounds for accepting the
appeal exist:
57
a. That the campus Graduate Council has violated some element of fair procedure
(example: has failed to allow the parties concerned to present their cases fully to their
campus Graduate Council);
b. That the campus Graduate Council has failed to examine or give adequate weight to
important evidence relevant to one party’s position;
c. That the campus Graduate Council has given undue weight to evidence not pertinent to
the case; or
d. That some gross miscarriage of justice would be perpetrated if the decision of the
campus Graduate Council is allowed to stand.
A decision by the Executive Graduate Council not to accept jurisdiction of an appeal shall
be final and is not subject to further appeal.
6. Appeals to the Executive Graduate Council must be made in writing and must specifically
outline the grounds for the appeal. Such appeal must be made within twenty (20) working
days of the day the decision of the campus Graduate Council is received (working days shall
not include those days the University is not in session).
a. The Executive Graduate Council must make a decision to hear the appeal or not to hear
the appeal within thirty (30) working days after receipt of the appeal. Acceptance or
denial of jurisdiction over the appeal will be made in writing.
b. The decision of the Executive Graduate Council on the merits of the case will be made
and transmitted to the concerned parties within forty (40) working days after the
decision to hear the appeal.
7. No person who was a member of the department or campus Graduate Council involved in
the case will be eligible to participate in the decisions of the Executive Graduate Council
either to decide whether the case should be heard or to decide the merits of the case.
However, the Dean for Graduate Studies may replace members of the Executive Graduate
Council not eligible for participation in the decision to hear the appeal or in the appeal
itself.
B. Appeal of Grades in Graduate-Level Courses
Appeal of grades in graduate-level courses shall be made through the graduate student grade
appeal procedures for the campus through which the grade was awarded. Students who
believe their evaluation in a course has been prejudiced or capricious must first attempt to
resolve the matter with the course instructor and then the department through which the
course was offered. If the matter is not resolved, the student may file an appeal in writing to
the campus Dean for Graduate Studies who shall inform the student of the grade appeal
procedures approved by the Graduate Faculty or by their duly elected representative
Graduate Council for that campus and shall forward the appeal to the student-faculty
committee or council which is designated to hear graduate-level course grade appeals on that
campus. Since awarding grades in courses occurs at the individual campus level, the decision
of the campus committee or council designated to hear the case on behalf of the campus
Graduate Faculty shall be final and is not subject to further appeal.
SOURCE: Approved by the Executive Graduate Council 12-11-80, amended by the Executive
Graduate Council 03-18-82
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C. Denial of Admission
There is no right to due process hearing with respect to denial of admission of a graduate
student. Therefore, there is no need for an appeal procedure for applicants for graduate
programs.
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Appendix 1: Post-Baccalaureate Professional Credentials (Degrees)
University of Nebraska at Kearney
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Doctor of Plant Health
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (jointly with Iowa State)
Master of Architecture
Juris Doctorate in Nebraska College of Law
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Doctoral Degrees
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Doctor of Dental Surgery Advanced Standing (DDSA)
Doctor of Medical Sciences (DMSc, currently in the approval process)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
Master’s Degrees
Master of Diagnostic Cytotechnology (MDC)
Master of Genetic Counseling (MGC)
Master of Health Administration (MHA)
Master of Medical Nutrition (MMN)
Master of Perfusion Science (MPS)
Master of Physician Assistant Sciences (MPAS)
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Master of Rehabilitation Science (MRS, currently in the approval process)
Master of Respiratory Care (MRC)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Post-bachelor’s Certificates associated with Professional Degrees (associated professional degree in parentheses)
Applied Biostatistics (MPH-Biostat)
Infectious Disease Epidemiology (MPH-EPI)
Emergency Preparedness (MPH-EP)
Occupational Health and Safety (MPH-ENV)
Public Health (MPH)
Advanced Education in General Dentistry (dental residency)
Dental Endodontics (dental residency)
Dental Orthodontics (dental residency)
Pediatric Dentistry (dental residency)
Dental Periodontics (dental residency)
Medical Nutrition (Master of Medical Nutrition)
Nursing Certificate (Post Master’s Nursing)
University of Nebraska at Omaha
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Appendix 2: Graduate Faculty Application
Nomination for Graduate Faculty
University of Nebraska Graduate College
Graduate Faculty Responsibilities:
The Graduate Faculty may vote on any matter presented to the Graduate Faculty,
including the election of the Graduate Council for their specific campus. They may also hold any elected office in the
Graduate College. Graduate Faculty may teach graduate courses, serve on final examining committees, and serve on
supervisory committees. Graduate Faculty have the additional responsibility of voting on certain nominations of Graduate
Faculty in their department/school or interdepartmental program.
Graduate Faculty Criteria
: The following requirements for the nomination of Graduate Faculty were adopted by
the Graduate Faculty to establish consistent standards for faculty members eligible for appointment to carry out
these assignments.
1.
The nominee must hold the rank of Senior Lecturer, Assistant Professor, or equivalent or above.
2.
The nominee must hold the terminal degree normally accepted for academic employment in the discipline or its
clear equivalent as determined by the Graduate Committee of the nominee's department/school or
interdepartmental area.
3.
The nominee will be actively involved in scholarly/creative activity and/or graduate teaching as part of their
regular duties.
4.
The nominee must have demonstrated clear evidence of continuing scholarly activity at the national level.
The evidence must be provided by the nominator.
Name of Nominee
NU ID Number
Department
Academic Rank
College or Division
UNK/UNL/UNMC/UNO
Mailing Address
(Building, Room, Campus Zip)
Office Phone
II. H
IGHEST
D
EGREE
E
ARNED
Highest Earned Degree
Year Conferred
Major Field
Institution Granting
Title of dissertation (or thesis) for terminal degree:
Or
Description of other scholarly or creative project for terminal degree:
Page 1 of 4
61
If the highest degree earned, as described above, is not the degree normally considered terminal in the nominee's academic
discipline, what is? Describe in detail the basis on which this nominee is recommended as having the
clear equivalent of that degree and provide supporting materials.
In what way(s) is the nominee to be actively involved with graduate student research?
In what department or interdepartmental area?
In what way(s) is the nominee to be actively involved with graduate teaching?
In what department or interdepartmental area?
What is the evidence of scholarly/creative activity and potential beyond teaching on the part of the nominee? (Attach separate
sheet if necessary; enclose documentary evidence.)
a.
List publications and manuscripts that have been submitted to and/or accepted by scholarly journals. Indicate
whether journals are refereed and give current status of manuscripts (i.e., submitted, accepted, etc.).
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62
b.
List creative productions in professional discipline other than publications. Provide available evidence of acceptance
by peers within the
discipline.
c.
List scholarly/creative presentations made at professional meetings. Designate which presentations were invited and
which were competitively
selected.
d.
Indicate the current involvement of the nominee in scholarly research and/or creative activity.
e.
List other publications, books, and evidence of scholarly/creative activity.
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I have seen and assent to material submitted, with
the exception of those materials for which I have
signed waivers of access.
I am familiar with the training and abilities of the nominee
and certify that he or she is fully qualified to carry out the
responsibilities of a Member of the Graduate Faculty.
Nominee Nominator
Name Name
Department or Area Department or Area
Signature Date Signature Date
I certify that this nomination has been evaluated and recommended by at least two-thirds of the Graduate Faculty in the
nominee's department or interdepartmental area or by other procedures in accord with Graduate College guidelines. Also, I am
familiar with the training and abilities of the nominee and certify that he or she is fully qualified to carry out the
responsibilities of a Member of the Graduate Faculty.
I have attached my letter of support.
Graduate Faculty in this Department or Interdept. Area
Number recommending this nomination
Number opposing this nomination
Number abstaining
Name
Graduate Committee Chair
Number not voting
Total number of Graduate Faculty in
Department or Area
department or area (sum of above)
Signature Date
I endorse the nomination and certify that the nominee as part of their regular duties is to be actively involved in graduate
student research and/or graduate teaching.
Nominee's Department Chair Nominee's Dean or Director
Name Name
Signature Date Signature Date
Approval/deferral:
Campus Dean for Graduate Studies
I approve this nomination.
I defer this nomination.
Dean of the Graduate College
I approve this nomination.
I defer this nomination.
Signature Date Signature Date
Page 4 of 4 PRINT
Appendix 3: Legal Opinion, Richard Wood
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Appendix 4: Legal Opinion, John Gourley
65
Appendix 5: Sample Degree
66
Appendix 6: Expedited Review Form
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EXPEDITED REVIEW OF CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Campus submitting proposal
Name of Proposed Certificate
Name of Existing Master’s Program
Page in Bulletin Describing Existing Master’s Program
Courses in Existing Master’s Program
Master’s
Credit Hours
Certificate
Credit Hours
TOTAL
