Dean Sims explained that this section consisted of changing the name of the degree from ad hoc interdisciplinary, to interdisciplinary studies, to avoid the possible negative connotation of ad hoc, and bringing the number of the dissertation advisory committee members into parity with other doctoral degrees. There was support for the Graduate College serving as degree sponsor, as this would avoid the problem of a department imposing some of its requirements on the student, even if unrelated to the proposed project. The motion was called to question. The vote in favor of the changes was unanimous. Some master s programs do not require a final exam.
Students are responsible for checking the specific requirements of their individual degree programs.
The proposed changes to this section will make the final examination a departmental option for professional Master s degrees, and will make knowledge of final requirements a responsibility of the student. Professor Menninger was concerned that the change would blur the distinction between a Master s and a Bachelor s degree. Professor Raheim was supportive of the change for the MSW program, which has been devising a final exam just to meet the written requirement. M.A. and M.S. degrees will still require a final exam as specified in the new wording proposed for section X.A., Master s Degrees. After brief discussion, the question was called.