INTRODUCTION
The Graduate Policy Handbook includes all policies and procedures pertinent
to the graduate program in the Department of Sociology and Criminal
Justice. The interpretation of these policies and procedures is
the responsibility of the Graduate Policy Committee. Petitions
for waivers of any requirements are the responsibility of, and must
have the approval of, the Graduate Policy Committee, but students may
petition for waiver of any of the policies included in this handbook.
Students may appeal decisions of the GPC following this procedure:
1. Petition the GPC for reconsideration by adding additional information
that the applicant feels may be significant.
2. In the event the GPC does not change its decision, students may petition
the full faculty. A 3/4 vote is required to overrule the GPC.
Students who allege they have been aggrieved because of perceived discrimination
on the basis of race, sex, handicap or because a member of the University
community fails to follow published University or Departmental procedure
should utilize the Student Grievance Procedure stipulated by University
policy.
Additions, deletions or modifications to the Graduate Policy Handbook
become effective at the beginning of the following academic year.
Students are subject to rules existing at the time of entrance into
the program.
Students should also consult the Graduate Catalog of the University
of Delaware for University regulations regarding graduate degrees.
This version of the Graduate Handbook includes all revisions made since
the publication of the original in 1991.
Important:
Requirements and other information are subject to change. Students are responsible for maintaining up to date information.
I. ADMISSION
TO THE GRADUATE PROGRAM
A. Admissions Policy
The decision to admit applicants to the graduate programs in Sociology
and Criminology resides with the Graduate Policy committee, and is based
primarily on the applicant’s performance on the GRE, undergraduate/graduate
grade point average, and letters of recommendation. The GPC may
also consider a limited number of other factors, including: minority
status, quality of undergraduate program, undergraduate major, relevant
work experience, TOEFL scores for foreign students, and/or research
reports, publications, project reports, presentations, or other work
demonstrating the ability to do graduate studies in the field.
Foreign students
must score a minimum of 550 on the TOEFL (213 on the computer-based TOEFL, 79 based on the IBT based TOEFL) to be considered for regular admission. Foreign students must score a minimum of 600 on the TOEFL (250 on the computer-based TOEFL, 100 on the IBT TOEFL) to be considered for a teaching assistantship. The Graduate Policy Committee may modify the requirements
for TOEFL exams, grade points, and GRE scores where such data are unavailable
for foreign students.
B. Transfer of Graduate Credit
From Other Schools
A maximum of nine (9) hours of graduate credit may be transferred for
the Master’s Degree.
Petitions for graduate credit transfer may be submitted only after
six (6) hours of graduate work have been completed at the University
of Delaware. All petitions for transfer of graduate credit require
the approval of the Graduate Policy Committee.
Only credits earned with grades of A or B are transferable.
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II. ADVISEMENT
Upon admission to the program, students are assigned an academic advisor
by the director of Graduate Studies. Assignments attempt to match
the academic interests of students and faculty.
Continuing students will be asked to indicate their choice of advisor
at the conclusion of the academic year. Students or faculty advisors
may request reassignment at any time by petition to the Graduate Policy
Committee. The Graduate Policy Committee may also reassign students
at any time.
The academic advisor and student should plan and periodically review
a plan of study that fulfills departmental requirements and provides
comprehensive professional training. This plan of study should
take account of students’ backgrounds and available departmental resources.
Final responsibility for course selection and the meeting of departmental
requirements resides with the student.
The faculty advisor is responsible for a written letter evaluating
the student’s progress in the degree program at the time of the annual
review of graduate students (see evaluation section).
III. REGULATIONS
REGARDING GRADUATE STATUS
A. Definition of Full Time Status
Students holding teaching or research assistantships involving specific
responsibilities are required to register for a minimum of 6 graduate
credits per semester (taken for credit). Please note that, in
order to make normal progress through the program, it is typically necessary
to take more than 6 credits per semester. Students holding a fellowship
or scholarship with no duties are required to register for at least
9 credits of graduate level courses per semester (for credit).
Full time status is defined as 9 hours for unfunded students.
B. Statutes of Limitations
The statutes of limitations adopted by the Office of Graduate Studies
for the Ph.D. degree are as follows:
I. With an entering M.A. degree, 5 years
II. Without an entering M.A. degree, 7 years
Exceeding these limits may result in dismissal from the program.
Requests for extensions must be made in writing by the student and approved
by the student’s advisor before they will be considered by the Office
of Graduate Studies.
C. Quality of Graduate Work
Consistent with University regulations, a minimum of a “B” average
is required for certification of readiness to take graduate examinations
and for conferral of a graduate degree. Students should consult
the graduate catalog for further information regarding graduate standing.
D. Normal Progress
Students are expected to make continuing progress toward the completion
of their graduate education. In order to assess their progress and professionals development, each graduate student is required to submit a self-evaluation to the Director of Graduate Studies by the first week in May. The self-evaluation should cover the student's activities involving courses, area examinations, thesis and dissertation, paper presentation, teaching, publications, research, and other relevant items. In addition a letter from one faculty member of the student's choice should be submitted. Under ordinary circumstances we define
“normal progress” in the following ways.
Full time students entering without a master’s degree are expected
to complete their master’s degree by the end of their second year in
the program.
Full time students entering without a master’s degree are expected
to complete their Ph.D. examinations by the end of their third year
in the program.
Full time students entering with a master’s degree are expected to
complete their Ph.D. exams by the end of their second year in the program.
The department also considers headway on thesis and dissertations,
number of credits accumulated and failure to complete course work in
a timely manner in defining progress
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IV. ASSISTANTSHIPS
AND FELLOWSHIPS
There are a variety of forms of financial support available through
the department and the university.
A. Annual Evaluation of Continuing Students
All continuing students requesting financial support are evaluated
annually during the Spring semester. Although the formal criteria
described below can be requested at any time by the GPC, the evaluation
process since 1998 has been conducted on a more informal basis.
The Director of Graduate Studies is responsible for the administration
of the process. Responsibility for the evaluation resides with
the director of Graduate Studies and the GPC.
The criteria for the annual evaluation of continuing graduate students
are:
I. Mastery of a substantive body of knowledge,
II. Critical ability,
III. Oral and written communication skills,
IV. Development of independent research skills,
V. Previous assistantship performance,
VI. Progress through the program (incompletes in courses are considered
here,) and,
VII. Related professional activities.
Students should prepare an evaluation of their performance and progress
in the program. Their self-evaluation should include performance
on the above mentioned criteria.
It’s also the student’s responsibility to request letters of recommendation
from a minimum of three faculty members using a standardized form provided
by the GPC. The three faculty must include the student’s advisor
(official or informal), thesis or dissertation director (or someone
familiar with their work if they do not have proposal), and TA or RA
supervisor. Students may also include two additional names of
people they are working with on papers or projects. Due: March
1.
Students should at the same time also provide the director of Graduate
Studies with a separate letter indicating their preference(s) for a
teaching assistantship, a particular research assistantship or other
form of financial aid. Students applying for financial aid are
entitled to inspect all documents in their files relating to the above
in the week following the deadline for their submission. Students
may file any comments they deem appropriate within one week of the deadline
for the original submission of documents.
Members of the Graduate Policy Committee subsequently review students’
files and each independently rank students on departmental criteria
and forward their ranking to the Director of Graduate Studies.
The Director of Graduate Studies complies a composite ranking of students
which becomes the basis for discussion of student rankings at a meeting
of the Graduate Policy Committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.
A final ranked list of students is produced and forwarded to the Department
Chair.
Students who are not funded, but qualified to receive funding, will
be placed on a waiting list, pending the subsequent availability of
funds. Students on the waiting list may request the Director of
Graduate Studies to inform them of their place on the waiting list.
B. Funding of Incoming Students
Ordinarily, one-fourth of all available teaching assistantships are
reserved for incoming students in order to assure an incoming class.
Other incoming students are funded only after qualified continuing students
have been awarded funding.
C. Procedures for Assigning
Assistantships
Research Assistantships: Faculty anticipating funding for research
assistantships for the following academic year are encouraged to contact
graduate students to inform them of possible research assistantship
opportunities and to determine which students wish to work on their
research projects. Faculty, whenever possible, are encouraged
to arrange research schedules to fit the academic year. Research
assistantships on funded projects may be offered to graduate students
regardless of their placement on the GPC funding list.
Teaching Assistantships: Faculty requesting teaching assistants submit
a work plan to the Chair of the Department. The work plan should
specify faculty expectations of the teaching assistant (for example,
regular class attendance, grading of examinations, leading discussion
groups, delivering lectures, etc.) Faculty requesting particular
students as teaching assistants should also indicate so at this time.
The Director of Graduate Studies asks graduate students with teaching
assistantships to indicate their preferences for assisting in particular
courses.
The assignment of graduate students to positions within the department
is the responsibility of the Department Chair in consultation with the
Director of Graduate Studies, matching student and faculty preferences
wherever possible. The assignment of graduate students to faculty
members should be in keeping with the professional objectives of the
student and the department. Students eligible for more than one
type of support will be awarded the type they ranked the highest.
The director of Graduate Studies may change assignments and make additional
assignments if new sources of funding become available.
D. Rights and Responsibilities
of Funded Students
Students receiving University Fellowships are expected to devote full
time to their graduate training and may not engage in any remunerative
employment while holding the fellowship. Students eligible for
fellowships should be in at least their third year of graduate study
and have successfully completed their Ph.D. exams.
Assistantships carry the expectation of twenty hours of effort per
week. It must be remembered that a funded student, regardless
of assigned position, is still involved in professional training.
Therefore, wide exposure to a variety of experiences in both teaching
and research is necessary for professional development.
No graduate student may be assigned to teach any regularly scheduled
CEND or winter/summer session course who has not completed at least
one semester at the University of Delaware.
E. Limits on Funding
The department has established maximum periods of eligibility for University
funding, not necessarily consecutively, for graduate students:
Students entering with a B.A. are eligible for two years of funding
for an M.A. degree, and three additional years for the Ph.D.
Students entering with an M.A. are eligible for a total of four years
of funding.
Exceptions can be considered in the case of research
grants, fellowships, and other sources of external funding.
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V.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER'S DEGREE
All students at the master’s level are required to take 30 hours of
graduate credit, at least 21 of which must be in the Department of Sociology
and Criminal Justice.
All students at the master’s level are required to take the following
core courses: SOCI 605, SOCI 612, SOCI 614 or other Method equivalent.
Other courses may be required for the options listed below:
Students have three M.A. options:
Thesis Option (Sociology or Criminology)
Examination Option (Sociology or Criminology)
Internship/Analytic Paper Option (Sociology or Criminology)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: All new students are required to take a non-credit
one-hour pro-seminar.
A. M.A. in Sociology
1) M.A. in Sociology with Thesis Option
SOCI 605 - Data Collection
SOCI 612 - Development of Sociological Theory
SOCI 606 – Qualitative Methodology OR
SOCI 614 – Advanced Data Analysis OR
EDUC 812 – Regression Models in Education OR
EDUC 874 – Multivariate Data Analysis in Education OR
EDUC 876 – Structural Models in Education OR
EDUC 873 – Hierarchical Linear Modeling in Education
5 elective courses - from at least two different substantive areas to
assure breadth in substantive
areas of sociology
SOCI 869 - M.A. Thesis (6 credits) *cannot be taken pass/fail
2) M.A. in Sociology with Master’s Examination Option
SOCI 605- Data Collection
SOCI 612 - Development of Sociological Theory
SOCI 606 – Qualitative Methodology OR
SOCI 614 – Advanced Data Analysis OR
EDUC 812 – Regression Models in Education OR
EDUC 874 – Multivariate Data Analysis in Education OR
EDUC 876 – Structural Models in Education OR
EDUC 873 – Hierarchical Linear Modeling in Education
SOCI 621 - Deviance
SOCI 626 - Organizations
SOCI 609 - Stratification
3 elective courses -
Comprehensive Exams in two areas - (See section D)
3) M.A. in Sociology with an Internship and Analytic paper
SOCI 605 - Data Collection
SOCI 612 – Development of Sociological Theory
SOCI 606 – Qualitative Methodology OR
SOCI 614 - Advanced Data Analysis OR
EDUC 812 – Regression Models in Education OR
EDUC 874 – Multivariate Data Analysis in Education OR
EDUC 876 – Structural Models in Education OR
EDUC 873 – Hierarchical Linear Modeling in Education
SOCI 626 - Organizations
3 electives - selected with the advice of the Intern Director
Internship (6 credits) - (See section I)
B. M.A. in Criminology
Required Courses:
SOCI 605 - Data Collection
SOCI 612 - Development of Sociological Theory
SOCI 606 – Qualitative Methodology OR
SOCI 614 – Advanced Data Analysis OR
EDUC 812 – Regression Models in Education OR
EDUC 874 – Multivariate Data Analysis in Education OR
EDUC 876 – Structural Models in Education OR
EDUC 873 – Hierarchical Linear Modeling in Education
SOCI 835 - Seminar in Criminal and Delinquent Behavior
Additional Courses (9 credits from Group A and B with at least one course
from each group:
Group
A: Criminal and Deviant Behavior
SOCI 628 - Corporate/Government Deviance
SOCI 621 - Social Deviance
SOCI 836 - Seminar I Criminal and Delinquent Behavior
SOCI 667 - When topic is crime, deviance, law or social control
Group B: Criminal Justice and Legal Systems
SOCI 655 - Law and Society
URA 624 - Seminar in Criminal Justice
SOCI 6XX - American Legal Systems
There
are thesis, exam or internship options as in Sociology.
C. The Master’s Thesis
The thesis will be in the form of a scholarly journal article.
With advice of the thesis committee each student will select a journal
most appropriate to his/her area of interest, and write a paper of the
type normally considered by that journal.
Each thesis will adhere to a particular journal’s page limits, bibliographic
format, manner of data presentation, etc. Where appropriate, students
are encouraged to develop their thesis from research conducted for their
course work, or from faculty member’s data bases. [Adopted April
12, 1996].
Candidates without a thesis committee may not accumulate more than
three credits in SOCI 869. This course is graded by the student’s
Thesis Committee independently of their thesis evaluation.
1. Thesis Proposal Procedures
It is the responsibility of the student to form an M.A. thesis committee
consisting of a Chairperson who is a member of the faculty of the department
of Sociology and Criminal Justice and two additional members (one of
whom may be from an outside department).
Upon obtaining the written consent of all potential members, the student
notifies the Graduate Policy Committee and the director of Graduate
Studies by memo of the composition of the Thesis Committee.
Upon subsequent approval of the M.A. Thesis Proposal by the committee
students provide one copy for their file (approved and signed by all
members of the committee). The chair of the Thesis Committee shall
notify the Graduate Policy Committee and the Director of Graduate Studies
and all members of the faculty by memo of the existence of the signed
proposal as well as the proposed thesis title.
2. Oral Defense of the Master’s Thesis
All requirements for the Master’s degree must be completed prior to
defending the thesis.
The oral examination is administered by the Thesis Committee.
The thesis chairperson shall be responsible for notifying the faculty
ten (10) days prior to the scheduled examination and to see that a copy
of the thesis is on file in the departmental office 10 days prior to
the scheduled defense.
Any faculty member of the department may attend and examine if desired,
but the right of voting is reserved to members of the thesis committee.
A majority vote of the committee is required for any action.
The thesis and oral defense will be evaluated as a combined effort.
There are three possible outcomes: Pass, accept into Ph.D. program,
Pass, M.A. Terminal, Fail.
Upon failure, the oral defense may be repeated within one semester of
the first attempt.
It is the responsibility of the chairperson of the Thesis Committee
to notify the director of Graduate Studies in writing of the action
taken by the Thesis Committee.
Successful candidates need to provide copies of the completed thesis
to the Office of Graduate Studies, and one copy for the departmental
archives and one copy for the chair of the committee. Students should
consult with the Office of Graduate Studies regarding regulation for
graduate theses.
D. Format and Scope of the Comprehensive Examinations
Candidates for the Master’s degree must take the Master’s examination
prior to completion of their fourth semester in the program. Petitions
to sit for Master’s examinations must be submitted to the director of
Graduate Studies at least thirty days prior to the scheduled examination
period.
Examinations are written, and a maximum of three hours per exam is
allowed. Successful completion of the Master’s examination requires
passing the exam in two areas. Upon completion of the written
examinations, an oral examination may be required at the option of the
Area Examination Committee.
Candidates for the master’s degree are examined in:
I. Theory or methods,
II. One additional area from the standing areas of specialization offered
in the department.
The examination in theory will cover the course content of SOCI 612
and a reading list provided by the area committee. The examination
in methods will cover the course content of SOCI 605, SOCI 614 or Method
equivalents and a reading list provided by the area committee.
Standing area committees are responsible for providing reading lists
and constructing and evaluating examinations. Reading lists are
to be provided at least on semester prior to the scheduled examinations.
If the candidate wishes to be examined in a specialized area for which
there is no standing committee, the student must obtain three faculty
members willing to serve as examiners in that area by providing reading
lists and constructing and evaluating exams.
The Graduate Policy Committee must review and approve the petition
of the student and inform the director of Graduate Studies and the chairperson
of the department and the committee of the decision.
Grading - Possible outcomes are: Pass, accept in Ph.D. program, Pass,
M.A. terminal, Fail. It is the responsibility of the Chairpersons
of the examinations committees to notify the Director of Graduate Studies
in writing of the action taken by the examination committee. Within
one week of notification of the grade on the master’s examination, students
will receive a detailed evaluation in writing from the chair of the
examination committees.
E. Format and Scope of Internships:
The internship program is designed to combine course work with professional
work experiences. The internship is organized to: offer interaction
with off-campus professionals and extend knowledge in career fields,
provide training in public and private agencies and organizations that
utilize the application of sociological knowledge to applied issues,
expose students to a variety of career opportunities available in the
applied areas of their concentrations, provide career-related experience
that may enhance employment opportunities for graduates, and require
students to place this work-related experience within a scholarly framework
by analytically evaluating their experiences in light of the theoretical
and empirical literature in sociology.
A three-person internship committee directs and supervises the program.
This committee should be formed during the second semester of their
program in accordance with established departmental policy for selection
of graduate degree committees. The purpose of this committee will
be to advise on internships, review progress of students, recommend
courses, aid the students in developing a sociological understanding
of applied experiences and assist in the development and evaluation
of the major internship paper.
Internship Requirements: submission of an internship proposal approved
by the Internship committee two months prior to beginning the internship,
compilation of daily logs including a description of activities undertaken
in the field and an valued analysis of this activity, weekly submission
of the field notes for evaluation by the intern Director, attendance
at one-hour tutorials with the Internship Committee Chair, submission
of a paper that analyzes and addresses the nature of applied sociology
within the setting and is based upon, and integrated, with sociological
theoretical and empirical literature.
The internship must include a minimum of 240 hours in the field.
Grading of internship performance will be the responsibility of the
student’s three person committee and will be based on the paper, field
performance and work. Completion of Intern program will be recorded
as pass or fail.
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VI. REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DOCTORAL DEGREE
A. Admission to the Doctoral Program
for students with an M.A. in Sociology or Criminology from the University
of Delaware.
The student submits a dossier at least two months prior to the beginning
of the semester in which admission to the Ph.D. program is being requested.
The dossier includes:
1. A vita from the applicant describing: past academic achievement
and activities (including TA, RA, or fellowship awards),
2. A letter detailing the reasons for obtaining the Ph.D. in Sociology
or Criminology; and an outline of the intended course of study (including
both substance of course work as well as an expected schedule for completion
of course work, exams, proposals and dissertation defense).
3. Three letters of recommendation, one of which shall be a letter
from the masters thesis advisor evaluating past graduate performance
and future potential for doctoral work.
4. A transcript of all graduate course work.
5. The applicant may, at their discretion, include other materials
including the Master’s thesis, seminar papers, published papers or conference
presentations.
Normally, the minimum GPA in all graduate course work should be a 3.5
but the Graduate Policy Committee may evaluate the GPA in light of other
criteria such as course difficulty. Passage of the Master’s thesis
defense with a minimum of a “pass, accept into Ph.D. program level”
is also required.
The application must be approved by the GPC.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Regulations of the Office of Graduate Studies
require one continuous academic year of full-time residency for the
Ph.D.
There are no minimum number of credit hours prescribed for the Ph.D.
in Sociology, but students are required to take the following courses.
(The Graduate Policy Committee is responsible for approving course equivalents
for courses taken elsewhere).
B. Ph.D. in Sociology
To permit maximum flexibility for developing an individualized Ph.D.
program, there are no minimum course hour requirements. However,
six specific courses are required. Current requirements are as
follows:
1-
SOCI 605 - Data Collection and Analysis
2-
SOCI 614 - Data Analysis
3-
SOCI 606 - Qualitative Methodology OR
3- SOCI 611 - Demographic Data Collection and Analysis
[Methods requirement adopted April 12, 1996]
4-
EDUC 812 – Regression Models in Education OR
4-
EDUC 874 – Multivariate Data Analysis in Education OR
4-
EDUC 876 – Structural Models in Education OR
4-
EDUC 873 – Hierarchical Linear Modeling in Education
5-SOCI 612 Development of sociological Theory
6-SOCI 813 Current Issues in Sociology
A one-credit course in Teaching Techniques
4 elective courses (12 credits excluding independent studies)
Comprehensive Exams in two areas
SOCI 969 - Dissertation (9 credits)
C. Ph.D. in Criminology
There are no minimum number of credit hours prescribed for the Ph.D.
in Criminology but the following courses are required. The Graduate
Policy Committee is responsible for approving course equivalents for
courses taken elsewhere.
SOCI 605 – Data Collection and Analysis
SOCI 614 – Advanced Data Analysis
SOCI 606 – Qualitative Methodology OR
SOCI 611 – Demographic Data Collection
[Methods requirement adopted April 12, 1996]
EDUC 812 – Regression Models in Education OR
EDUC 874 – Multivariate Data Analysis in Education OR
EDUC 876 – Structural Models in Education OR
EDUC 873 – Hierarchical Linear Modeling in Education
SOCI 612 - Development of Sociological Theory
SOCI 835 and 836 - Criminal and Delinquent Behavior
4 courses (12 credits excluding independent studies from the courses
listed in Parts A and B of the M.A.
in Criminology program)
A one-credit course in Teaching Techniques
Comprehensive exam in Criminology and one additional area, except Social
Deviance
SOCI 969 - Dissertation (9 credits)
D. Ph.D. Comprehensive Exams
Candidates for the doctoral degree must be certified in two specialized
areas. The department currently offers specialization in the following
areas: Theory, Methodology/Statistics, Collective Behavior/Disaster
Studies, Criminology, Deviance, Gender, Law and Society. NOTE:
Students in Criminology may not select deviance as their second area.
Certification is normally by written examination, although students
(in consultation with area committees) might in some circumstances be
certified by dossier or another method of certification.
Certification in at least one of the specialized areas must be by written
examination.
Students are required to take at least one of their certified areas
from the standing areas offered by the department. If the candidates
wish to be certified in a specialized area for which there is no standing
area committee, they must obtain three (3) faculty members willing to
serve as examiners in that area by providing reading lists, constructing
and evaluating examinations and other certification requirements.
The Graduate Policy Committee must review and approve the petition of
the student and inform the Director of Graduate Studies and the Chairperson
of the department of its decision.
1. Administration of Comprehensive Exams
Two dates will be established for comprehensive examinations, one at the beginning of the semester and one at the end of the semester. A given area exam, e.g., deviance, will be offered once per semester. The Director of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the area committee chairs, which schedule specific area examinations. Comprehensive examinations will be administered to students in a common room with a faculty member present.
2. Area Committees
Area committees are responsible for preparing reading lists, recommending
courses to students, overseeing the respective curriculum in this area,
and providing students with written guidelines to aid them in the selection
of courses and preparation for examinations. Area committees are
responsible for preparing examination questions, reading and evaluating
exams.
Area committees are responsible for designing the specific certification
requirements for their particular area. Certification will normally
be by written exam, although other requirements may be designed in consultation
with each student pursuing the area. Requirements other than written
examinations must be submitted to the Graduate Policy Committee for
approval by the chair of the area committee.
Published guidelines and reading lists are reviewed and revised as
necessary, usually on a regular cycle of every two (2) years during
the Fall of even-numbered academic years.
Members of area committees and their chairs are appointed by the Chair
of the Department. Committees are composed of at least three (3)
members of the faculty, but committees may consult other members of
the faculty with competence in the area during the preparation of exams
and reading lists.
Students wishing to be examined in an area for which there is no standing
committee may petition the GPC. Petitions are to be accompanied
by a reading list provided by the faculty committee and a signed memorandum
indicating their willingness to serve on the committee.
Comprehensive exams, and the committees’ grades should be filed with
the Director of Graduate Studies who is responsible for notifying the
students and the faculty of the results. Committees are required
to notify the director of Graduate Studies of the results of their examinations
within one month of the exam.
3. Scope of the Examinations
Minimal preparation for written examinations includes the review of
reading lists provided by area committees. However, reading lists
are merely guidelines and should not be considered as the sole basis
for examinations. Committees are responsible for clarification
of the goals of reading lists, with specific attention to the question
of whether such lists represent “minimal” or “exhaustive” definitions
of the core literature.
For each area of certification the candidate is expected to be: up-to-date
with the literature in the field at the time of the exam, able to discuss
the most important controversies, issues and problems (in both theory
and methodology) that exist in the field, and capable of evaluating
existing theory and methodology and suggesting new direction of effort.
4. Pre-requisites and Schedule of Examinations
Examinations or other certification procedures are scheduled during
the second and third week of Fall and Spring semesters.
Students are required to declare their intent to take a comprehensive
examination, in writing, within the first two weeks of the previous
semester to the Director of Graduate Studies who will notify the relevant
Area Committee. The Committee will schedule an interview with
the student to explore his or her level of preparedness. Students
are expected to provide Committee members within written documentation
of their preparedness in that area prior to the interview (e.g. courses
taken, etc.)
Students are required to take both comprehensive exams (and repeats
thereof) in the same semester, or in consecutive semesters.
All outstanding Incomplete grades and Ph.D. degree requirements must
be completed before students are eligible to take Ph.D. examinations.
The format of all comprehensive examinations is as follows: they
will be written and administered on-campus with a maximum 6-hour time
allotment.
No more than one exam will be scheduled per day; no exams are scheduled
on consecutive days.
Students may type exams if they desire following the submission of
the exam to the committee; no substantive changes may be made at this
time, though committees may ask for completed bibliographies.
Agreements about this should be reached with the committee prior to
taking the exam.
5. Grading
The outcome of examinations and defenses of all types is determined
by majority vote.
There are four possible outcomes: Pass with distinction, Pass, Conditional
outcome, Fail.
Conditional Outcomes: Students receiving this grade are required to
complete additional work within two months of formal notification of
the committee’s decision. If the committee is satisfied with the
quality of the work, the student will receive a grade of Pass.
If the committee is not satisfied with the quality of the work, the
student will receive a grade of Fail.
Within one week of formal notification of the grade on the certification
requirement, students will receive a detailed evaluation in writing
from the chair of the area committee.
Students who fail a written exam, or any part thereof, may request
a re-reading from the original area examination committee. This
request is to be submitted within 20 days of the student receiving the
detailed written evaluation.
6. Repeats of Examinations: Written Comprehensive
- Only one repeat for each area is permitted. Failure
on a repeat examination is a permanent failure for that area.
- Three failures of Ph.D. comprehensive examinations in any
combination shall result in dismissal from the program.
E. ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY
Formal Ph.D. candidacy follows the approval of the dissertation proposal.
Procedures for admission to Ph.D. candidacy are as specified by the
Office of Graduate Studies. Admission to candidacy must be obtained
before the deadlines specified in the graduate catalog calendar. Responsibility
for seeing that admission is secured at the proper time rests with the
student, but must include the recommendation of the student’s
dissertation committee and the chairperson of the department.
F. DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS
1. Dissertation Committees
It is the responsibility of the student to form a four-person Ph.D.
dissertation committee, consisting of a chairperson, who must be a member
of the department, and three additional members. two from within the
department and one of whom must be from an outside department. Faculty
on joint appointments in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
are considered to be inside members of the department for the purposes
of dissertation committees.
After obtaining the written agreement of all members of the committee,
the student must notify the director of graduate Studies, the Graduate
Policy Committee, the Department Chair in writing of the composition
of the committee. Subsequent changes in the composition of the dissertation
committee also require the approval of the Graduate Policy Committee.
Overlap in membership between the Graduate Policy Committee and the
dissertation committee does not require those involved to disqualify
themselves.
Candidates without an approved dissertation committee may not enroll
for more than three credits of dissertation research (SOCI 969).
2. Dissertation Proposals
Dissertation proposals should be worked out with the advice of the
dissertation committee. It is strongly suggested that committees meet
jointly with the student to discuss the dissertation topic and methodology.
Once it has been approved by all members of the committee, the chair
makes a copy of the proposal available to departmental faculty. Departmental
members have two weeks to review it, and submit comments, questions,
criticism to the Chair of the committee. At the end of the review period,
the dissertation committee should consider all comments received and
arrive at a final judgment on the proposal.
After final approval the chair communicates this fact to the faculty
and the director of Graduate Studies. A signed copy of the proposal
is placed in the student’s permanent file.
The student is responsible for initiating the paperwork necessary for
admission to formal candidacy by the University Coordinator of Graduate
Studies. (Please consult the graduate catalog for specific time schedules).
3. The Ph.D. Dissertation
Students are expected to prepare copies of the dissertation for the
departmental archives, the chair of the committee, and those required
by the Office of Graduate Studies.
The bibliographic format and style of the dissertation must conform
to the standards of the Office of Graduate Studies.
4. Oral Defense of Dissertation
An oral defense of the dissertation is required. It is administered
by the dissertation committee.
The chair is responsible for scheduling the defense and for notifying
the faculty and the
University Coordinator of Graduate Studies at least three (3) weeks
prior to the defense. The oral
defense is open to the public, but the right of voting is reserved to
the dissertation committee.
All other requirements for the degree must be completed before the
oral defense of dissertation can be scheduled.
Grading is limited to Pass or Fail, and a majority vote is required
for any action. It is the responsibility of the chairperson of the dissertation
committee to notify the Director of Graduate Studies of the decision
of the dissertation committee.
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VII.
INSTRUCTIONAL EDUCATION FOR TEACHING ASSISTANTS
The majority
of graduate students in Sociology and Criminology are pursuing Ph.D.’s
in preparation for a career in higher education. Therefore, we
are committed to providing our students with a broad and systematic
set of instructional experiences as an integral part of their graduate
education.
This will normally include the following elements:
A. Mentoring Experiences:
All faculty have accumulated a storehouse of knowledge and skills that
they can and should share with students as part of an “every faculty
as mentor” approach to the teaching enterprise. Therefore, faculty
supervising TAs are expected to offer students meaningful introductory
instructional experiences commensurate with students’ experience and
ability. Included among the suggested activities are preparing
exams, handling review sessions, developing a lecture or a seminar session.
We envision a process of planning, supervision and feedback for each
of these activities.
B. Instruction in Teaching Techniques:
All graduate students will be expected to participate in a one-semester,
one-credit Pass-Fail course in teaching techniques. It will focus
on some of the central elements in course preparation and instruction,
vis., instructional philosophy, textbook evaluation, selection of reading
assignments, syllabus preparation, managing large and small classes,
developing lecture outlines and student evaluation techniques.
C. Instructional Philosophy Seminars:
This semester-long seminar will bring together faculty and students
to assist students in developing a personal approach to teaching.
Among the issues to be discussed are broad pedological issues such as
philosophies of teaching, goals of higher education, and the role of
sociology and criminal justice in the undergraduate curriculum.
D. Discussion Leaders:
Each year one of our larger survey courses will be designated for team-teaching
by a member of the faculty and advanced TAs. The course will be
organized into two lecture sessions taught by the instructional faculty
and a number of smaller discussion sections taught by TAs. This
means that TAs will have full responsibility for one-third of the course--planning,
class time, reading assignments, content, and grading. Instructional
faculty will retain overall responsibility for the format of the course
and coordination of the activities of TAs.
E. Individual Courses:
Students having participated in the courses on teaching and acted
as a seminar leader will earn the privilege of teaching their own sections.
Students have the responsibility of enlisting the cooperation of a faculty
mentor of their choice to provide advice and assist in assessing their
effectiveness.
Broad faculty participation in all phases of the program is important
to the success of the program. Therefore, responsibility for teaching
the Undergraduate Teaching course and offering seminar courses should
rotate among sociology and criminal justice faculty.
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VIII. ADDENDUM
A. Independent Studies
Independent study courses are
not required. Rather, they are designed to provide students with the
opportunity to take a course in an area or on a topic that is not offered
by the Department but which is crucial to their area(s) of specialization.
B. Pre-candidacy Credits
Pre-candidacy credits are taken in preparation
for the dissertation. They are taken after all required coursework has
been completed but when students have not yet passed their comprehensive
examinations and have not yet had their proposal approved. Students
may enroll for anywhere from 3 to 12 credits. According to the Office
of Graduate Studies, pre-candidacy credits no longer count toward the
degree after the completion of 12. Pre-candidacy credits are not required.
Once a student has passed his or her comprehensive examinations and
has an approved proposal on file, pre-candidacy credits can be used
toward dissertation credits. In order to do so, the student must contact
the Assistant Provost in the Office of Graduate Studies. While these
are not independent studies, a student must enroll using a faculty member's
supervised study number. It is typical that a student will enroll with
the faculty member who will be chairing their dissertation.
C. DissertationCredits Once a student has passed his
or her comprehensive examinations and has an approved proposal on file,
he or she enrolls for 9 dissertation credits. While these are not independent
studies, a student must enroll using a faculty member's supervised study
number with the faculty member who is chairing their dissertation. A student
may enroll for all nine credits in one semester. A student who wishes
to enroll in 6 one semester and 3 in another must augment those 3 dissertation
credits with 3 more credits from another source including: A course, an
independent study, or 3 additional dissertation credits in order to maintain
full-time status.
D. Doctoral Sustaining
Doctoral sustaining is for students who are ABD. They will have passed
their comprehensive examinations, have an approved proposal on file,
and have all 9 dissertation credits completed. Enrolling for doctoral
sustaining implies that a student is working full-time on his or her
dissertation and confers full-time status on that student.
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