Utah State University School Of Graduate Studies

Continuous Graduate Registartion

All graduate students must be continuously registered for a minimum of three graduate credits each fall and spring semester until theycomplete all requirements for a graduate degree. The following continuous registration alternative are available to the graduate student:

1. Students may enroll in regular courses, seminars, independent study, or thesis research fall and spring semester.
2. Students can register for three credits of continuing graduate advisement, ScEd 6990, if they are not enrolled in any other courses but are using faculty time or university facilities. Students can also use continuing graduate advisement if they use university facilities or consult with faculty during summer quarter.
3. A graduate student who is not registered for at least three credits and who will not be using any university facilities or faculty time may meet the continuous registration requirement by paying the continuing registration fee of $15 per semester. The continuing registration fee is not required for summer semester. Use of the continuing registration fee alternative requires written verification by the department head that the student is not using faculty time or university facilities and approval by the Graduate Sean. The continuing registration fee is paid directly to the School of Graduate Studies.

During the semester in which students take their final oral examination, they must register for at least three credits. This requirement can be met by registering for either continuing graduate advisement(6990) or appropriate graduate courses. The continuing registration fee will not fill this requirement. A student must also be registered for at least one credit the semester of completion, if it is not the same semester as the oral defense.

Continuous registration is required beginning with the academic semester for which the student is admitted to the School of Graduate Studies as a matriculated or provisionally matriculated student. In cases where appropriate graduate admission procedures are not followed, the School of Graduate Studies may apply the continuous registration requirement retroactively.

How to Maintain Continuous Graduate Registration

As you noted above, if you are not taking courses and not using faculty time or university facilities, you can maintain your status as an active graduate student through continuous graduate registration. Please follow these steps at the first of each semester:

• Telephone the secretary in the Department of Secondary Education (435) 797-2221 requesting that a "Continuous Graduate Registration" letter be sent in your behalf to the School of Graduate Studies.
• Send your check for $15 to the School of Graduate Studies, Utah State University, 0900 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah, 84322-0900. The Graduate School telephone number is (435) 797-1189.

Notice and Reactivation

A Student who does not maintain continuous registration will be notified and a copy of the notification will be sent to the department. If, after notice, the student fails to register, the department will be notified and the student’s records will be put on inactive status. On the recommendation of the department, the student’s file may be reactivated, if the time limit for the degree has not expired. The student will be required to pay the Continuous Registration Fees or register for the semesters missed, as determined by the department and the School of Graduate Studies.

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence, during which continuous registration is not required, may be granted under the following conditions:

1. Illness, required military service, and other extenuating circumstances acceptable to the department head and the graduate dean.
2. Lack of availability of courses in a planned Extension program.
3. Participation in a planned program based primarily on summer semester courses.

For either 2 or 3, the student must have an approved Program of Study on file in the School of Graduate Studies before a leave of absence will be granted.

A leave of absence must be approved by the graduate dean, upon written recommendation of the department head. A leave of absence may be the basis for extending the time limit to complete a degree, but not to extend the time limit for course validity.

Forms and Procedures

The Supervisory Committee Assignment Form should be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by the end of the student's second semester for a master's program (Plan B).

The Program of Study Form for a master's program must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, along with the Thesis Proposal if a thesis program, at least two months prior to the final examination.

The Appointment for Examination Form (Plan B) must be submitted at least five working days before the final examination or the thesis/dissertation defense.

The Completion of Requirements Form (Plan C) must be submitted at the beginning of the semester you plan to complete your program.

Graduation forms must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies and all fees paid before a degree program is considered to be complete.

You should be familiar with the USU General Catalog (Graduate General Regulations) and keep in touch with the School of Graduate Studies to ensure that all forms are submitted and approved.