Bruce McLeod, Ian Godwin, Craig Stewart, Jan Bowman, Ken Bowers, Kent Swift, Gretchen McNeely, and Gretchen Iman. There have been an increasing number of students requesting that their master s degree credits be applied toward a Ph.D. program and policy needs to be established addressing this issue. A proposal was made that perhaps a typical doctoral program would require 45 credits past the bachelor s degree, plus 18 dissertation credits, equaling 63 total credits. The student s proficiency is evaluated by their committee.
Flexibility is needed in proficiency areas, due to Ph.D. programs being so individualized.
It was felt that some students are so prepared and ambitious that they are earning a master s degree and Ph.D. at the same time. A problem was discussed involving students who fail a doctoral comprehensive exam, then ask for a master s degree. It was agreed that if a student fails a Ph.D. comprehensive for the second time, a maximum of 9 credits could be used toward a master s program, if the student wishes to re-apply to pursue a master s degree. An important point that was stressed involved the importance of the graduate committee members in advising and supporting students. Proficiency levels should be determined by the department and the student s committee as early as possible.