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Academic Standards of Behavior

FGCU is committed to a policy of honesty in academic activities. Conduct that breaches this policy, including cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of university records, shall result in academic and/or disciplinary action. The Code of Conduct, published in the Student Guidebook, is a part of the terms and conditions of admission and enrollment and applies to all undergraduate students, graduate students, and student organizations.

Academic Standing/Academic Progress

Colleges, schools, and departments have established regulations governing academic standing and academic progress at the graduate level. It is the student’s responsibility to become familiar with unit regulations and program requirements.

Graduation Requirements

Master's Degrees

The following are minimum requirements for the Master’s degree. Individual program requirements may exceed the minimum listed below. Students must:

• Apply for graduation by the deadline indicated in the university calendar.
• Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Earn more than 50% of the credit hours toward the degree through FGCU (see Enrollment and Course Requirements).
• Complete all program requirements as determined by the appropriate college. Consult with program coordinators for specific details regarding graduation requirements.

Education Specialist Degree

The following are minimum requirements for the Ed.S. degree. Individual program requirements may exceed the minimum listed below. Students must:

• Apply for graduation by the semester deadline indicated in the university calendar.
• Earn a minimum of forty-eight (48) credit hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Earn more than 50% of the credit hours toward the degree through FGCU.
• Complete all program requirements as determined by the appropriate college. Consult with program coordinators or chairs for specific details regarding graduation requirements.  

Doctoral Degree

The following are minimum requirements for the Doctoral degree. Individual program requirements may exceed the minimum listed below. Students must:

• Apply for graduation by the semester deadline indicated in the university calendar.
• Earn a minimum of seventy-two (72) credit hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Earn more than a 50% of the credit hours toward the degree through FGCU.
• Complete all program requirements as determined by the appropriate college. Consult with program coordinators or chairs for specific details regarding graduation requirements.

General Degree Requirements

 Master's Degree

The following minimum degree requirements must be met for successful completion of a Master's degree in an approved program of study. Individual colleges, departments, and programs may have their own requirements that exceed the minimum requirements presented here. Students should therefore refer to the specific degree requirements of the individual graduate program for additional information.

Enrollment and Course Requirements

• Students enrolled in a Master's degree program must complete a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours in the approved graduate program.
• Students may transfer a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours from graduate level courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university, or equivalent foreign institution, into the graduate program at FGCU. Transfer courses must be applicable toward the graduate degree being sought at FGCU, should be current with respect to the specific field of study, and must be approved by the college dean (or designee). Individual graduate programs may limit the number of transfer credits allowed to less than twelve (12); admitted students should therefore check with their individual graduate programs for specific information on transfer credits.    
• Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all graduate work attempted.
• Students may apply a maximum of nine (9) credit hours completed as a non-degree seeking student toward the completion of a graduate degree as approved by the program. Students in the College of Education may apply a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours.
• The number of credits than can be applied from an academic certificate earned at FGCU to a graduate degree program varies by college.  

 Requirements for Graduation

• Students must apply for graduation in the semester in which they expect to graduate. Students should refer to the academic calendar for specific deadline information.
• Students must complete a minimum of one (1) credit hour during the semester in which they apply for graduation. 

Degree Time Limitations/Extension of Time Limit for Degree Program

• In order to ensure that students working toward a Master's degree maintain currency in their field of study, all credit hours (excluding transfer credits) applied toward the degree must have been earned within seven (7) academic years prior to graduation. Coursework completed before this time period cannot be applied toward the degree.
• Any student requiring more time to complete his or her Master's degree may request an extension from the Office of Graduate Studies, provided the student has written approval from the program.  

Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) Requirements

The following minimum degree requirements must be met for successful completion of Ed.S.

Enrollment and Course Requirements

• Students enrolled in an Ed.S. degree program must complete a minimum of forty-eight (48) credit hours in the approved graduate program.
• More than 50% of the credit hours toward the degree must be earned through FGCU.
• Students may transfer a maximum of eighteen (18) credit hours from graduate level courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university, or equivalent foreign institution, into the graduate college program at FGCU. Transfer courses must be applicable toward the graduate degree being sought at FGCU, should be considered current with respect to the specific field of study, and must be approved by the college dean (or designee).
• Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all graduate work attempted.
• Students may apply a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours completed as a non-degree seeking student toward the completion of a graduate degree as approved by the program.  

Requirements for Graduation

• Students must apply for graduation in the semester in which they expect to graduate. Students should refer to the academic calendar for specific deadline information.
• Students must complete a minimum of one (1) credit hour during the semester in which they apply for graduation. 

 Degree Time Limitations/Extension of Time Limit for Degree Program

• In order to ensure that students working toward an Ed.S. degree maintain currency in their field of study, all credit hours (excluding transfer credits) applied toward the degree must have been earned within seven (7) academic years prior to graduation. Coursework completed before this time period cannot be applied toward the degree.
• Any student requiring more time to complete his or her Ed.S. degree may request an extension from the Office of Graduate Studies, provided the student has written approval from the program.  

Doctoral Degree Requirements

The following minimum degree requirements must be met for successful completion of a doctoral degree in an approved program of study. Individual colleges, departments, and programs may have their own requirements that exceed the minimum requirements presented here. Students should therefore refer to the information provided for individual graduate programs for specific information regarding required coursework, examinations, and dissertations.

Enrollment and Course Requirements

• The minimum credit hours for the degree are seventy-two (72). Students should consult the graduate program for total credit hours required, which may be more than the minimum specified here.
• Students may transfer a maximum of thirty (30) credit hours in fulfillment of the above seventy-two credit hour minimum from acceptable graduate level courses completed at a regionally accredited college or university, or equivalent foreign institution, into the graduate program at FGCU. An exception can be made under unusual circumstances based on the determination of the graduate program in question. Transfer courses must be applicable toward the graduate degree being sought at FGCU, be approved by the college dean (or designee), and meet any other requirements as specified by the graduate program in question. 
• More than 50% of the credit hours toward the degree must be earned through FGCU.
• Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all graduate work attempted.
• Students may apply a maximum of nine (9) credits hours completed as a non-degree seeking student toward the completion of a graduate degree as approved by the program.
• The doctoral degree is earned on the basis of satisfactory completion of course requirements and the dissertation, or scholarly project, or equivalent as determined by the graduate program.

Qualifying Examinations/Admission to Candidacy/Dissertation Requirements for Ed.D. and Ph.D.

• Students should consult with the program coordinator or chair for information regarding qualifying examinations, admission to candidacy and dissertation requirements specific to the degree program in question.  

Requirements for Graduation

• Students must apply for graduation in the semester in which they expect to graduate. Students should refer to the academic calendar for specific deadline information. 
• Students must complete a minimum of one (1) credit hour during the semester in which they apply for graduation.  

Degree Time Limitations/Extension of Time Limit for Degree Program

• All requirements for the doctoral degree (excluding transfer credits) must be completed within 8 calendar years from the date of admission to the doctoral program.