Policies

Most current policies are available at:
Academic Regulations
Graduate School Online Bulletin

University Requirements

Students must have an advisory committee named and program of study approved by the said committee not later than the semester following the student completing the 24th semester hour. For most full-time students that should be Fall Semester of the second year of study. The program of study is made up of all the courses already taken and the courses that will be taken to complete degree requirements including specialty area.
The following information was taken from The University of Georgia Bulletin to provide an overview of the official statements regarding particular issues pertaining to your degree program. The Bulletin is considered your agreement with the University, in the sense that expectations and regulations described therein are considered by The University of Georgia as binding policies and procedures. Departments and programs may institute requirements and procedures above and beyond those specified by the Graduate School, but no program is permitted to alter or reduce those specified in the Bulletin. If at any time during your program of study you are confused about degree requirements or procedures, please consult with your advisor or the Coordinator of the SAA program.

Time Limit

The University requires that “all requirements for a professional doctoral degree must be completed within six (6) years beginning with the first registration for courses on the student’s program of study. An extension of time may be granted only on conditions beyond the control of the student” (Bulletin). It is the expectation of the department that students admitted to the Student Affairs Administration Program on a full-time basis will complete all requirements for the doctoral degree in three calendar years. A student who fails to complete degree requirements within five years of being admitted to candidacy, must retake written prelims and orals and be admitted to candidacy a second time.

Grade Point Average

“To be eligible for graduation a student must maintain a 3.0 (B) average on all graduate courses taken and on all courses on the program of study” (Bulletin).

Appointment of Advisory Committee

Each student has an advisory committee that assists him or her in selecting courses and who evaluates the student’s performance on prelims and oral examinations. The committee must be composed of at least three members, three of whom must be members of the Graduate Faculty. The chair is the student’s advisor and must be a member of the Graduate Faculty. Advisory committees must be appointed not later than the semester that the student completes 24 semester hours. All faculty members of the University of Georgia (adjunct and regular) are eligible to serve on advisory committees.

Program of Study

Students must have an advisory committee named and program of study approved by said committee not later than the semester following the student completing the 24th semester hour. For most full-time students that should be Fall Semester of the second year of study. The program of study is made up of all the courses already taken and the courses that will be taken to complete degree requirements, including specialty area.
Prior to submitting the program of study to the advisory committee, the student should compose a short (2-3 page) document that outlines for the committee the student’s professional background and experience, professional interests and career plans. This document should also identify the proposed specialty area, specify the courses that will have been taken in the area and why these courses are the best available for creating expertise in the specialty area. Usual specialty areas are: (a) administration and management, which generally includes courses in higher education and/or business and management, (b) teaching and pedagogy, which generally includes courses in adult education, instructional technology, and or educational psychology, (c) outcomes assessment, program evaluation, and student needs assessment, and (d) qualitative research. Students who wish to declare a specialty area other than these must present a convincing argument that the proposed specialty area fits within the general domain of college student affairs administration and is directly related to the student’s career plans. Specialty areas must contain at least 9 semester hours.
Once the program of study is approved by the advisory committee and filed, any changes in the courses taken must be approved by the advisor and graduate coordinator before taking the course(s). A change of program of study form also must be filed with the Graduate School for each change made. These forms are available from the Graduate Records Specialist in 402 Aderhold. The Program of Study form should be filed with the Graduate School after completing 24 semester hours. Forms can be found on the Graduate School’s webpage.

Other Institutional Policies Related to Students

Students are encouraged to become familiar with University-wide policies which are described in the student affairs handbook for all students. Pay particular attention to policies pertaining to drug/alcohol use, sexual harassment, safety and security, parking, use of space and facilities. These are some important student life issues to be familiar with prior to beginning your program of study.