Undergraduate Programs

In partnership with their advisor, it is the students’ responsibility to become thoroughly acquainted with all requirements for the degree programs in which they plan to participate. These include all university requirements, as well as the requirements of the College outlined in this section of the catalog. Students are also responsible for understanding the requirements that are unique to individual programs.  By taking an active role in their undergraduate education, students maximize the value of their KU experience.

In general, the student is subject to the requirements in place at the time of admission to KU as a degree-seeking student.

CLAS Baccalaureate Degrees

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers 3 degrees at the baccalaureate level:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.),
• Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.).

The majority of students in the College earn a B.A. degree. The B.A. degree may be earned with a major in all departments and programs in the College except atmospheric science. The B.A. is the traditional baccalaureate degree, structured to ensure both breadth and depth of knowledge through completion of the Core 34, degree specific requirements in writing, quantitative literacy, foreign language, and laboratory science or field experience, as well as course work in the major.

The B.G.S. degree is an option for some majors, allowing intentional breadth, consisting of the completion of the Core 34 and one of two options for degree completion.  For Option B, note - Students completing the B.G.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences, Option B cannot pursue a major or minor.  However, undergraduate certificates may be pursued/completed.

The B.S. degree is offered by all natural science areas except human biology, as well as economics and behavioral neuroscience. In addition to the Core 34, students complete degree and major requirements determined by each program offering the degree and may be different for each B.S. degree in the College. With fewer required non-science general education degree requirements, the B.S. permits more depth in the major. It requires additional work in supporting science areas.

View the list of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Departments & Programs.

Two Degrees

Double Degrees in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The following combinations of degrees are allowable within the College, subject to restrictions placed by departments or programs on the allowable course overlap:

• Two (2) or more Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees. These must be different B.S. degrees, not different concentrations within the same B.S. degree, and must conform to any restrictions placed by awarding departments or programs on the allowable course overlap.
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and B.S. degrees as long as the degrees are in different majors. Students may not, for example, earn both a B.A. and a B.S. in mathematics. Allowable course overlap between the two degrees is determined by each department or program.
• Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) and B.S. degrees as long as the degrees are in different majors. Students may not, for example, earn both a B.G.S. and a B.S. in economics. Allowable course overlap between the two degrees is determined by each department or program. Students pursuing the B.G.S. in Liberal Arts & Sciences are also permitted to pursue a B.S. degree in another area of study.
• Students may complete the requirements for more than one concentration in a major or degree program but should be aware that they are not completing a second degree or major. The following example illustrates this point: A student who completes all requirements for both the traditional English option and the creative-writing option is earning one degree, either the B.A. in English or the B.G.S. in English.
• Students may earn a B.A. or a B.G.S. with more than one major but not more than one B.A. or B.G.S. degree from the College. The B.G.S. in Liberal Arts and Sciences (option B) may not be earned in combination with another major or minor. Allowable course overlap between the two majors is determined by each department or program.
• Students normally may not earn a B.A. degree and a B.G.S. degree.
• Exclusions or Special Circumstances: 

  Requests for exceptions must be discussed with the Assistant Dean of College Undergraduate Academic Services on behalf of College Governance, and all petitions are vetted through the Committee on Undergraduate Studies and Advising (CUSA). Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Committee on Undergraduate Studies and Advising (CUSA).

Double Degrees in the College and a Professional School

Students who wish to work simultaneously toward earning a degree from the College and a degree from one of the professional schools may do so, with the expectation that all requirements are met for both degrees.

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Online Programs

For students who are unable to take their coursework on the Lawrence or Edwards campuses, the College Online offers the Bachelor of General Studies in Communication Studies, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Psychology fully online.  Undergraduate certificates and minors are also available online. For more information visit the Jayhawk Global website, or contact us directly at thecollegeonline@ku.edu.

KU Edwards Campus Undergraduate Programs

Students who would like to complete a bachelor’s degree in the Kansas City area may choose from CLAS undergraduate majors offered on the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park. Contact the appropriate program advisor at Edwards for more information.

• Environmental Studies
• 
  B.A. and B.G.S. degrees are offered.  See requirements under Environmental Studies.

• Law and Society
• 
  B.A. and B.G.S. degrees are offered.  See requirements under Law and Society.
• Literature, Language, and Writing
  B.A. and B.G.S. degrees are offered. See requirements for the major under English.
• Psychology
  B.A. and B.G.S. degrees are offered.  See requirements for the major under Psychology.
• Public Administration
  B.A. and B.G.S. degrees are offered. See requirements for the major under Public Administration.

Degree Requirements for College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Baccalaureate Degrees

Early and Continuous Enrollment in English and Math (All Undergraduate Degrees)

Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are expected to make timely progress towards completing their degree requirements. In an effort to have students remain compliant with the requirements of the Core 34 and the College, students should complete the Written Communication requirements of both the Core 34 and their degree within the first academic year of their enrollment and to complete the Quantitative Literacy requirements of both the Core 34 and their degree by the end of their third full semester.

Written Communication

Students are expected to enroll in two courses that meet the Written Communication requirement of the Core 34 in their first academic year of enrollment. Students should pay close attention to their degree specific requirements given that certain degrees require specific written communication courses despite advanced standing in writing courses due to examination scores.

Quantitative Literacy

Students are expected to meet the requirement of the Quantitative Literacy area of the Core 34 and the requirements in the College by the end of their third full semester of enrollment. Students should pay close attention to their degree specific requirements given that certain degrees require specific quantitative literacy courses.

Requirements for Graduation (All Undergraduate Degrees)

Grade-Point Average Required for Graduation

To be eligible to graduate from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with any of the baccalaureate degrees offered, a student must earn at least a 2.0 grade-point average in courses taken at KU and at least a 2.0 in KU junior/senior courses (courses numbered 300 and above) in the major. All junior/senior level major-eligible courses attempted at KU will be included in the junior/senior major GPA calculation.

Hours Required for Graduation

To be eligible to graduate from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with any of the baccalaureate degrees, a student must successfully complete at least 120 credit hours, 45 of which must be junior/senior hours (courses numbered 300 and above), which must include a capstone course or equivalent. The required 120 hours are divided into the following categories: the Core 34, capstone requirement, College specific degree requirements, major, and elective requirements. The following courses do not count toward completion of requirements: MATH 2 or any developmental course numbered below 100. The following limits toward completion of total hours include: 75 hours of community college credit, 4 hours in physical education activity courses, 6 hours in music organization courses, and any repeated courses for which a student has already received credit.

CAPSTONE REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

To be eligible to graduate from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with any of the baccalaureate degrees, a student must successfully complete a capstone course or equivalent at the junior/senior level.

Minimum and Maximum Hour and Grade-Point Average Requirements for All CLAS Degrees (B.A., B.G.S., B.S.)

Minimums

Maximums

Note: Courses numbered below 100 do not count toward a degree but are included in the grade-point average.

Degree Requirements

All degrees require courses that reflect the breadth of the disciplines in the College.

All undergraduate degrees from the University of Kansas require completion of the Core 34 Curriculum. In addition to the Core 34, students must satisfy the degree specific and major requirements of the degree they are pursuing. Below are the degree specific requirements of the various degrees of the College. Major requirements may be found on the specific departmental pages in this catalog.

BA Degree Specific Requirements for Graduation

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires:

• Quantitative Reasoning. 3 credits. This course must be approved by CUSA and be offered by a department/program within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.  The course should enable students to define a problem, analyze numerical or symbolic information, apply mathematical or logical principles, and integrate quantitative or formal methods into problem solving.  A single course cannot count for both the BA Quantitative Reasoning requirement and the Core 34 Quantitative Literacy requirement.  A list of currently approved courses can be found below.

  Course List

  Code	Title	Hours
  ASTR 391	Physical Astronomy, Honors	3
  CHEM 130	General Chemistry I	5
  CHEM 135	General Chemistry II	5
  CHEM 150	Chemistry for Engineers	5
  CHEM 170	Chemistry for the Chemical Sciences I	5
  CHEM 175	Chemistry for the Chemical Sciences II	5
  CHEM 190	Foundations of Chemistry I, Honors	3
  CHEM 195	Foundations of Chemistry II, Honors	3
  COMS 356	Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods in Communication	3
  ECON 104	Introductory Economics	4
  ECON 105	Introductory Economics, Honors	4
  ECON 142	Principles of Microeconomics	3
  ECON 143	Principles of Microeconomics, Honors	3
  ECON 144	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
  ECON 145	Principles of Macroeconomics, Honors	3
  GEOL 190	Introduction to Quantitative Geoscience	3
  MATH 101	College Algebra: _____	3
  MATH 104	Precalculus Mathematics	5
  MATH 105	Introductory Quantitative Reasoning	3
  MATH 115	Calculus I	3
  MATH 116	Calculus II	3
  MATH 125	Calculus I	4
  MATH 126	Calculus II	4
  MATH 127	Calculus III	4
  MATH 145	Calculus I, Honors	4
  MATH 146	Calculus II, Honors	4
  MATH 147	Calculus III, Honors	4
  MATH 365	Elementary Statistics	3
  PHIL 210	Playing the Odds: Reasoning, Chance, and Probability	3
  PHSX 114	College Physics I	1-4
  PHSX 211	General Physics I	1-4
  PHSX 213	General Physics I Honors	1-5
  POLS 206	Political Science Methods of Inquiry	3
  PSYC 210	Statistics in Psychological Research	3
  PUAD 332	Quantitative Methods for Public Administration	3
  SOC 380	Elementary Statistics and Data Analysis	3

• Laboratory or Field Experience. Variable credits. Students will complete a laboratory or field experience in the natural, social, or behavioral sciences, meeting this requirement by taking either: i) a laboratory course or field experience of at least one credit hour; ii) a combined lecture‐laboratory course containing at least one credit‐hour of laboratory or field work activity; or iii ) an approved independent study of at least one credit hour.  A laboratory or field experience should involve: 1) Analysis and interpretation of data obtained through observation and/or measurement using appropriate scientific methods; 2) The use of established scientific theories and models to develop and critically evaluate conclusions drawn from data analysis; 3) Understanding and identifying sources of error and uncertainty in experimental results. Such experiences could be hypothesis‐driven, aim to fill a gap in knowledge, or serve to reinforce understanding of a scientific phenomenon or theory in the subject area.  Courses that fulfill this requirement will contain the code "LFE" and may be found in the Schedule of Classes.
• Writing. 6 credits. Students must complete six credit hours (two courses) of collegiate writing-level instruction. The specific courses depend on initial placement. A student whose initial placement is ENGL 101 (Composition) must take ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 (Critical Reading and Writing). A student whose initial placement is in ENGL 102 or ENGL 105 (and who does not have credit for ENGL 101) must take ENGL 102 or ENGL 105 (the honors equivalent of ENGL 102) and ENGL 205.
• Non-English Language Proficiency
  Variable credits. Students must demonstrate fourth semester proficiency in a single non-English language, or third semester proficiency in a first non-English language and first semester proficiency in a second non-English language. This requirement may be met through coursework or examination by the appropriate language department.

BGS Degree Specific Requirements for Graduation

A Bachelor of General Studies is a broad-based liberal arts and science degree that offers elements of both breadth and depth, while preserving educational rigor. This degree prepares students for the workforce with intellectual flexibility and expertise in a variety of areas.  The Bachelor of General Studies degree has two distinct options for completion and requires either:

• Option A. Completion of the requirements of a single B.G.S. major AND a secondary field of academic study (a second degree offered by CLAS or other school, a second CLAS major or co-major, a minor offered by CLAS or another school, or two certificates offered by CLAS or another school/unit);
• Completion of an approved career preparation course, or a combination of approved courses (minimum 3 credit hours total).  Eligible courses can include both department specific experiential courses or traditional classroom instruction. In both cases, a career preparation class will emphasize and develop students’ ability to select and secure a career, succeed in the workplace, and pursue professional development.  A list of currently approved courses can be found below. 

  Course List

  Code	Title	Hours
  ABSC 675	Practicum in Infant-Toddler Care and Early Intervention I	3-5
  ABSC 676	Practicum in Infant-Toddler Care and Early Intervention II	3-5
  ABSC 677	Practicum in Preschool Education and Intervention I	3-5
  ABSC 678	Practicum in Preschool Education and Intervention II	3-5
  ABSC 679	Practicum in Behavior Analysis Research in Early Childhood Education	1-6
  ABSC 680	Practicum in Advanced Laboratory in the Development of Behavioral Treatments for Children with Autsm	1-6
  ABSC 685	Practicum in Community-Based Services for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities	3-6
  ABSC 690	Practicum in Community Health and Development	1-6
  ABSC 691	Practicum in Community Health and Development, Honors	1-6
  ABSC 692	Practicum in Basic Research and Conceptual Foundations	3
  ABSC 696	Special Practicum in, Honors: _____	3-6
  COMS 330	Effective Business Communication	3
  COMS 342	Problem Solving in Teams and Groups	3
  DANC 475	Career Preparation in the Arts	3
  ENGL 362	Foundations of Technical Writing	3
  ENGL 494	Research Internship	1-3
  ENGL 496	Internship	1-3
  ENGL 497	Service Learning Internship	1-3
  EVRN 491	Capstone Internship	3
  EVRN 615	Capstone Project	3
  FMS 485	Capstone in Film and Media Studies	4
  GEOG 500	Senior Capstone in Geography	3
  HA 550	Capstone in Art History: _____	3
  HIST 475	Professional Skills in the Humanities	3
  LA&S 172	Exploring Health Professions	3
  LA&S 372	Preparing for Programs in the Health Professions	3
  LA&S 475	Professional Career Management	3
  LA&S 480	Preparing for International Careers	1-3
  LA&S 485	Global Career Management	3
  LA&S 490	Internship Exploration	1-5
  LDST 200	Introduction to Leadership Studies and Applications	3
  LDST 201 & LDST 202	Introduction to Leadership and Introduction to Leadership Applications	3
  LING 420	Capstone: Research in Language Science	3
  LING 421	Capstone: Typology-Unity and Diversity of Human Language	3
  POLS 494	Washington Semester Seminar	3
  POLS 495	Seminar for Fieldwork and Internships	3
  POLS 496	Washington Semester Field Work	3-6
  POLS 497	Topeka Semester Field Work	3-6
  PSYC 483	Undergraduate Internship in Psychology	1-3
  PSYC 484	Classroom to Career	3
  SPAA 691	Internship Experience	1-3
  SPLH 568	Introduction to Audiological Assessment and Rehabilitation	4
  SPLH 571	Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology	4
  THR 307	Undergraduate Theatre Internship	1-3
  THR 560	Collaborative Production	3

                      OR

• Option B. Completion of the B.G.S. in Liberal Arts and Sciences. This degree program requires:
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences Breadth Requirement.
    Satisfied by the completion of a course (with a minimum of 2 credit hours) in 15 unique departments/programs within the College or School of the Arts (as determined by course prefix). Courses fulfilling this requirement may also contribute to the KU Core and other requirements.
  • World Language and Culture.

2 courses (each with 3 credit hours or more) in a single world language, or proof of two-semester proficiency in a language other than English, 

OR

Completion of 3 courses beyond the Core 34 requirements (each with 3 credit hours or more) in world, non-Western culture (W or NW designated courses), or language areas. This may include a variety of areas, languages, and cultures.

• Additional Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Satisfied by the completion of two additional courses from the natural sciences (requirement code N) and/or mathematics (MATH prefix courses) beyond the Core 34.

The Bachelor of Science degree:

• All Bachelor of Science degree requirements are listed on their respective academic department pages within this catalog.

Each degree allows a certain number of elective hours. In addition to degree and major requirements, students may choose elective courses to bring the total credit hours to 120. In choosing electives, students should be aware of limits in certain areas listed under Hours Required for Graduation. 

Junior/Senior Hours Required for Graduation

KU requires all students pursuing bachelor’s degrees to complete a minimum of 45 credit hours at the junior/senior level (courses numbered 300 and above at KU).

Majors and Minors

Major Requirements

Students must complete a major to graduate with a degree in the College. Students pursuing the B.G.S. in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Option B may not choose a secondary field of study.

A major requires the student to study at least one discipline in depth. The average number of required credit hours in the major for the B.A. degree is 30 hours. The Board of Regents requires a major to be at least 24 credit hours. See the individual major listings for specific minimum requirements. View a current list of all CLAS majors and minors.

Degree requirements and course descriptions are subject to change. Check with department offices or College Undergraduate Academic Services for current information.

Declaration of Major

The College expects that every student declare a major or be admitted to a professional school no later than the semester of completion of 60 credit hours.  Students should contact College Undergraduate Academic Services to indicate major choice(s).

Departments may reserve enrollment in courses in the department for declared majors.

Changing majors late in the academic career may delay graduation. Consult an academic advisor in Jayhawk Academic Advising for further information regarding a change in major and the possible impact on degree completion timeline.

Students are encouraged to explore different disciplines before choosing their majors. Help with choosing a major can be obtained through the Jayhawk Academic Advising office, and the University Career Center.

Hours in the Major: Maximums and Minimums

There is no limit on hours taken in the major for the B.A., B.G.S., or B.S. degree. Departments may not require more than 40 hours in the major for the B.A. or more than 50 hours in the major for the B.S. Some skills courses and supporting science courses are not included in this maximum limit. A minimum of 12 hours in the major must be in courses numbered 300 or above. At least 15 hours in the major must be taken in residence at KU.

Major Grade-Point Average Graduation Requirement

A student must earn a grade-point average of at least 2.0 in KU junior/senior courses (numbered 300 and above) completed in the major. All junior/senior level major-eligible courses attempted at KU will be included in the GPA calculation.

The Credit/No Credit option is not available for any course that may satisfy major requirements. If a student has mistakenly requested the Credit/No Credit option for a course in the major, 1.7 grade points for any CR grade recorded and 0.0 points for any NC grade recorded are calculated into the major grade-point average for certification purposes. A department may determine that any major course taken with the CR/NC option must be repeated.  Students seeking admission to a professional school, but who are currently in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences should consult with the desired school to determine how the election of the Credit/No Credit option might impact future admission and degree completion in that school.

Double Major

A student may earn a double major if they satisfy the requirements of both majors in consultation with advisors in each department, as awarding departments and programs may place restrictions on the allowable course overlap.

Minors

The College offers more than 40 approved minors. These are open to all students in the College regardless of the degree they are pursuing. The schools of Architecture and Design; Business; Education and Human Sciences; Engineering; Journalism and Mass Communications; Music; Nursing; and Social Welfare permit their students to earn College minors.

Requirements for the minor vary, but all must be at least 18 hours including 12 hours at the junior/senior level (numbered 300 and above). Nine of the junior/senior-level hours must be taken in residence at KU.  Students may not earn a major and a minor in the same field (ex. a major and a minor in English).  Students may not earn a minor unless they have completed a major and have completed at least one course for the minor after the date the minor was approved by College Assembly. Successful completion of a minor requires a minimum KU grade-point average of 2.0 in all courses taken that are eligible to count for the minor. For requirements for each minor, see the programs listed on the Departments & Programs page.

The Credit/No Credit option is not available for any course that may satisfy minor requirements. If a student has mistakenly requested the CR/NC option for a course in the minor, 1.7 grade points for any CR grade recorded and 0.0 points for any NC grade recorded are calculated into the major grade-point average for certification purposes. A department may determine that any minor course taken with the CR/NC option must be repeated.

View a current list of all College majors and minors.

Core 34

The Core 34 curriculum, coupled with degree and major requirements in the College, ensure a balance of breadth and depth of knowledge critical in today’s world.  Requirements for the Core 34 can be found here.

Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

All degree, major, and supporting requirements for each B.S. program are specified by department faculty, with approval of the College Assembly. They are listed under the department or program on the Departments & Programs page. B.S. candidates are held to a more prescribed program with fewer electives than B.A. candidates. Students pursuing the B.S. may complete an approved minor.

Overlap Between Requirements

A student may earn more than one major/minor if they satisfy the requirements of all majors/minors.  Course overlap is generally allowed between two majors, a major and a minor, or between two minors, but is subject to restrictions set by awarding departments or programs with reference to specific combinations of majors and minors.  Any restrictions set by departments or programs are communicated as a part of the approved major and minor requirements.

Graduate Programs

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (called the College) is KU’s largest academic unit with more than 50 departments and programs. Graduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences include disciplines in the arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and natural and mathematical sciences, as well as many interdisciplinary degree programs where disciplines come together to offer students a unique graduate experience. Each graduate program’s page contains program-specific information about admission, course curriculum, and advising.

The College’s participation in graduate education reflects a long and distinguished commitment to higher learning and research across the liberal arts and sciences. The College takes full advantage of KU’s role as an international research institution to ensure that the knowledge imparted to students is current and that they learn the skills of inquiry and critical evaluation. Graduate students are central to the research and teaching missions of the College. They are also the next generation of scholars, artists, and skilled professionals who will make contributions to our communities and the production of knowledge for many years to come.

Graduate Degrees in the College

The College offers Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in 36 fields, including 2 fields within the School of the Arts and 1 within the School of Public Affairs and Administration.  Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degrees can be earned in more than 40 disciplines and the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree is offered in creative writing, visual art, and theatre design with a concentration in scenography. Professional degrees are offered at the master’s level in the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program, the Master of Urban Planning (MUP), and the Professional Science Master's (PSM) program.

The College also offers Bachelor's + Master's Dual Accelerated degree options in the following fields:

• Classics
• Economics
• English
• Environmental Studies/Environmental Assessment
• Environmental Studies/Urban Planning
• History of Art
• Latin American & Caribbean Studies
• Philosophy
• Speech Language Pathology
• Urban Planning

For students whose academic and professional goals can best be achieved through investigations at the interface of 2 or more disciplines, the College offers master’s and doctoral degree programs in Interdisciplinary Studies. Please see the policy governing graduate degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies section of the online catalog.

The College offers more than 30 Graduate Certificates, with additional certificate programs in development. 

View the College's Departments & Programs section of the online catalog for more information on specific fields of study.

KU Edwards Campus Graduate Programs

Students who would like to complete a graduate degree in the Kansas City area may choose from a variety of master's degrees and graduate certificates that are offered on the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park. Information about program requirements, facilities, tuition, and fees is available on the Edwards Campus website. Residents of Kansas City metro area counties admitted as degree-seeking students to one of these programs may qualify for the MetroKC tuition rate for Edwards Campus courses. For more information, contact the College's Graduate Advisor at the Edwards Campus at (913) 897-8400.

Ceremonies

At the end of each Spring semester, the College holds a master’s hooding ceremony for graduates in the College and the Office of Graduate Studies organizes the annual campus-wide doctoral hooding ceremony. The School of the Arts also hosts a ceremony for SOTA graduates. University Commencement information is available in the KU Commencement section of the KU website.

Attendance at these ceremonies is optional. Please consult the Graduate Studies and COGA website for more information.

Undergraduate Advising

Academic advising helps undergraduate students develop educational plans, clarify career and life goals, and appreciate the values of a liberal arts education. Undergraduate students in the College are advised through Jayhawk Academic Advising.  Faculty and staff in the College work closely with JAA to help undergraduate students achieve their educational and personal goals, and to maintaining the academic integrity of our degree programs. Together we welcome students, encourage them to be active participants in their educational experience, and celebrate their milestones.

The College encourages students to consult frequently with advisors, and to declare their majors as soon as possible in order to get connected with all resources in their chosen area of study. Academic advisors serve as guides, helping students explore options and make decisions.  They work closely in partnership with faculty to connect students and provide a comprehensive advising experience during their academic journey. 

Degree Progress Report

The Degree Progress Report (DPR) is a computerized advising and degree-audit system, used to assist students and advisors in tracking progress toward completion of general education degree and major requirements. Students should review their DPR each semester and be prepared to review and discuss information contained in the DPR at all advising appointments. The DPR can be accessed through the student's account in the MyKU Portal. Although the DPR provides a list of courses taken and grades earned, it is not an official transcript and can be used only for internal advising. Students must obtain all official transcripts from the Office of the University Registrar, KU Visitor Center.

4-Year Graduation Plans

With careful planning and commitment to a full-time course load, students can graduate in 4 years.  Degree Plans for all degrees are available through the catalog "degree plan" tab. Individually tailored degree completion plans should be made by students in consultation with their academic advisor.

Change of Advisor

Graduate mentoring relationships can break down. If so, the formation of new mentoring relationships should be encouraged without prejudice. (For more information about what to do when a mentoring relationship breaks down, see Chapter 6 of the University of Michigan’s How to Get the Mentoring You Want: A Guide for Graduate Students.)

Undergraduate University Regulations

For information about university regulations, see Regulations or visit the University of Kansas Policy Library.

Academic Integrity

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences strictly enforces KU and College policies on academic misconduct. Academic integrity requires honest performance of academic responsibilities by students. These include preparation of assignments, reports and research papers, taking examinations, completing administrative requirements, and a sincere and conscientious effort by students to abide by the policies set forth by instructors.

Academic Standing

Good Standing

Students with a KU cumulative GPA of a 2.00 or higher are in good academic standing.

Notice

Students who fall below a 2.00 KU cumulative GPA for the first time will be placed on notice.  During the notice semester students are required to participate in all programming. Students failing to return to good academic standing at the end of the notice semester will be placed on probation. Students will only receive one notice semester.  Students who have previously returned to good academic standing will be placed on probation should their KU cumulative GPA fall below a 2.00.

Probation

Students on probation must meet their required KU Term GPA (see chart below) every semester until their KU cumulative GPA reaches or exceeds a 2.00. Students are allowed to continue on probation provided they meet their KU term GPA every fall and spring semester until their KU cumulative GPA reaches or exceeds a 2.00. While on probation students are required to participate in all programming.  The required KU term GPA increases to a 2.50 after attempting 45 or more hours at KU to help students on probation return to good academic standing before they are at risk of being unable to raise their KU cumulative GPA in time for graduation.  Failure to meet the required KU Term GPA during a fall or spring semester will result in academic dismissal.

Academic Dismissal

Students on probation who fail to meet their probation requirements during a fall or spring semester will be academically dismissed and are not allowed to continue in the College of Liberal & Sciences until they meet their readmission after dismissal requirements. Students are not dismissed at the end of summer.

Readmission after Dismissal

Students can be readmitted back to KU after a first and a second dismissal but they must complete their readmission requirement.  If all requirements for the Core 34 goals are completed, no coursework is required.  Students returning after an academic dismissal will be readmitted on probation and must meet their required term GPA requirements to avoid another dismissal.

Terms for Readmission after Dismissal

First Dismissal - Sit out one fall or spring semester; complete at least one 3 credit hour course that transfers to KU to meet Core 34 Goals; earn a 2.50 in all courses taken since dismissal.

Second Dismissal - Sit out one academic year; complete at least one 3 credit hour course that transfers to KU to meet Core 34 Goals; earn a 2.50 in all courses taken since dismissal.

Third Dismissal - a third dismissal is final.

Change of School

Students with a KU cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher (or in their first semester) can fill out a Change of School Form requesting to be admitted to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and/or School of the Arts, from a KU professional school, through the 20th day of class for the current semester. Requests made after that will be for admission in the upcoming semester. This process is for active KU students. Students not admitted to KU follow the University’s admission policy.

Students with a KU cumulative GPA of less than a 2.00 will be evaluated according to the College’s academic standing policy and may not be admissible based on past academic performance at KU. Students who have been dismissed from another KU School will need to submit a change of school request by the 20th day of the current semester; after that date requests will be considered for the next semester.

•  After the 20th day of the semester, Change of school requests will not be reviewed until current semester grades are posted.
• Students admitted to the College on probation will need to meet the College’s academic probation requirements during the semester they are admitted or face an academic dismissal.
• Students dismissed from another school at KU and are found to be inadmissible to the College can follow our readmission after dismissal policy to return to KU for a future semester.
• Students admitted to the College via a Change of School request will go by the requirement term of their original matriculation to the University of Kansas. A student may petition the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences to request to change to the term requirements based on the term they requested entry into the College.  This should be considered in consultation with their academic advisor, and a petition should be submitted to College Undergraduate Academic Services.

To change from one school to another, a student must submit a Change of School form in the dean’s office of the school they plan to enter or in College Undergraduate Academic Services if they plan to enter the College. Deadlines are included on the form. See the school’s requirements for admission.

Students applying for admission to the College from other schools in the university must meet the same minimum grade-point average requirements in KU attempted course work as continuing College students. Consult College Undergraduate Academic Services, Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 109, Lawrence, KS 66045-7518, 785-864-3500.

Credit/No Credit

A Credit/No Credit option is available to all degree-seeking undergraduates. A student may enroll in 1 course a semester under the option, if the course is not in their major or minor. To exercise the option, the student must fill out the online form via the Registrar's website during the fifth and sixth weeks of the semester (or the third week of summer session and 8-week courses). See the Academic Calendar for current dates for electing this option. After the close of the option period, the choice cannot be changed. Under the option, a grade of Credit is recorded for grades of A, B, or C; No Credit is recorded for grades of D or F. Courses graded Credit or No Credit do not count in computing the grade-point average. Courses graded Credit are included in the total hours counted toward graduation. Courses graded No Credit do not count toward graduation. For more information, visit the KU Policy Library.

Warning: Certain undesirable consequences may result from exercising the option. Some schools, scholarship committees, and honorary societies do not accept this grading system and convert grades of No Credit to F when computing grade-point averages.  Students in the College with pre-professional school codes are subject to the College's CR/NC policy.  To determine the impact a CR/NC selection may have on future admission or degree completion in another school, students should consult directly with that school.

The university-established timeline for exercising this option is strictly enforced.

Enrollment

See the Enrollment Guide for complete enrollment information.

New and Readmitted Student Enrollment

Immediately before the beginning of classes each term, an enrollment session is scheduled for new students. New students admitted for a summer or fall term have an additional option of enrolling in fall courses during one of several summer orientation sessions. Invitations to orientation are sent automatically to newly admitted and readmitted students who applied for the spring, summer, or fall terms (except non degree-seeking students). Readmitted students may attend a special abbreviated orientation session, may enroll during continuing enrollment, or may attend the enrollment sessions immediately before the start of the semester. Readmitted students whose readmission applications are completed by a designated date also may enroll during continuing enrollment, after meeting with an advisor. All students must preregister for orientation and enrollment sessions.

International students must complete the required check-in processes before enrollment and are encouraged to attend International Student Orientation, which includes advising and enrollment sessions.

Continuing Enrollment

This enrollment allows students who are currently enrolled during one term to enroll for the next term. Spring-enrolled students enroll in April for the following summer session or fall semester or both. Fall-enrolled students enroll in October or November for the following spring semester.

Late Enrollment

Each semester, the Academic Calendar announces dates for late enrollment and the last day to submit a Petition to Late Enroll.  Petitions are evaluated based on past academic performance.  A student may enroll in a course or change class sections after the semester has been in session for 4 weeks only if the course has met fewer than 25 percent of the class sessions. For most classes, the faculty have established earlier dates for beginning class attendance and participation. A fee is assessed for late enrollment.

Grading

The letters A, B, C, D, S (satisfactory), and Credit indicate passing work. The letters F and U (unsatisfactory) and No Credit indicate that the quality of work was such that, to obtain credit, the student must repeat regular course work. P represents satisfactory progress (an interim grade pending completion of a subsequent term’s course work). See the KU Policy Library for more information.

Graduation with Honors

Undergraduates may earn honors upon graduation in 3 ways. The student may graduate with distinction or highest distinction, earn departmental honors in the major, or complete the University Honors Program. It is possible to earn honors in 1 of these areas, any combination of them, or all 3. The award of honors is noted on the student’s transcript and in the Commencement program. Distinction and highest distinction are noted on the diploma.

Graduation with Distinction or Highest Distinction

The top 10 percent of each year’s graduating class is designated as graduating with a type of distinction (either distinction or highest distinction). The top one-third of the top 10 percent is designated as graduating with highest distinction. 

Students must have completed at least 60 hours graded A through F in residence at KU (including the hours in which they are enrolled during the semester of graduation). Awards of distinction and highest distinction are based solely on the grade-point average determined by KU residence credit hours unless the overall grade-point average (including transfer hours) is lower than the residence grade-point average. In this case, the award is determined by the overall grade-point average. Students who rank in the upper 10 percent of their graduating class graduate with distinction. The upper third of those students graduate with highest distinction.

Potential candidates are determined in mid-April and invited to a recognition ceremony during Commencement weekend in May. Final designation is determined in mid-July.

Graduation with Departmental Honors

Most departments and programs allow qualified majors to work toward graduation with departmental honors. Graduation with departmental honors is awarded in recognition of exceptional performance in the major, completion of a program of independent research or an alternative project, and a strong overall academic record.

In addition to the requirements of individual departments and programs (which must be approved by the College Committee on Undergraduate Studies and Advising), the College requires the following for graduation with departmental honors:

1. Candidates must declare the intention to work for departmental honors with the appropriate departmental honors coordinator(s) no later than the time of enrollment for the final undergraduate semester, but sooner if required by the department(s). Copies of the intent form should be returned to College Undergraduate Academic Services.
2. At the end of the final undergraduate semester, the candidate must have achieved a grade-point average of at least 3.5 in the major, and some departments may also require an additional overall minimum GPA. This includes work completed at other institutions, as well as at KU. No minimum grade-point average is required to declare candidacy for graduation with departmental honors unless specified by the department.
3. Each candidate’s departmental honors work must include independent research or an acceptable alternative project. The results of research are presented in a form appropriate to the requirements of the major department. Equivalents to the independent research component are established by approved departmental honors programs. In courses meeting the independent research requirement, the candidate must earn a grade of B or higher. Successful completion of all departmental honors requirements must be certified to the departmental honors coordinator(s) by a panel composed of at least three members of the College faculty who have read the report of the independent research and heard the oral presentation, where required.

Petitions

A department or program may petition to award graduation with departmental honors to deserving students who, for good reason, do not meet every College and departmental requirement. Send petitions to the Committee on Undergraduate Studies and Advising, via College Undergraduate Academic Services.

Late Completion of Honors Requirement

Requirements for graduation with honors may be completed after the date on which certifications are requested from departments, and in some cases, requirements, if not needed for graduation, may be completed after a student has graduated. However, the Incomplete policy does apply and grades would lapse at the time of graduation. When a candidate finishes all requirements, departments must notify College Undergraduate Academic Services in writing.

Honor Roll

Undergraduates with a minimum semester grade-point average of 3.5 who have completed at least 12 hours with letter grades (A, A-,B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F) are recognized on the honor roll or dean’s list in fall and spring. An Honor Roll notation appears on the transcript. See University Senate Rules and Regulations 2.4 for further details about GPA calculation.

Honors Program

The University Honors Program provides opportunities for outstanding and creative undergraduates in all schools at KU to develop their full potential during their undergraduate years. See Honors in this section of the online catalog for further information.

Incompletes

The letter I indicates incomplete work, such as may be completed without re-enrollment in the course. The letter I should not be used when a definite grade can be assigned for the work done. It is not given for the work of a student in any course except to indicate that some part of the work has, for reasons beyond the student’s control, not been done, while the rest has been satisfactorily completed. At the time an I is reported on the electronic roster, the character and amount of work needed, as well as the date required for completion and lapse grade if further work is not completed by this date, should be indicated.

A student who has an I posted for a course must make up the work by the date determined by the instructor, in consultation with the student, which may not exceed 1 calendar year, or the last day of the term of graduation, whichever comes first. An I not removed according to this rule automatically converts to a grade of F or U, or the lapse grade assigned by the course instructor, and appears on the student’s record.

Extensions to the time limit may be granted by the dean’s representative upon submission of a petition from the student containing the endorsement of the course instructor who assigned the I grade, or the department chairperson if the instructor is unavailable, prior to the expiration of the Incomplete. After the I grade is converted to a grade of F or U, the grade may only be changed in accordance with USRR Article II, Section 3.

Maximum and Minimum Undergraduate Semester Enrollment

No undergraduate may enroll for more than 20 hours a semester except by permission of the Assistant Dean for College Undergraduate Academic Services. Summer enrollment is limited to 10 hours. Permission is not considered unless the student has demonstrated high levels of academic ability in previous semesters.

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

Students are advised to enroll according to prerequisites and co-requisites noted in individual course descriptions. These prerequisites are enforced in a variety of ways including blocking enrollment, administrative drops without notice, etc.

Required Undergraduate Work in Residence

Junior/Senior Hours Required for Graduation

KU requires all students pursuing bachelor’s degrees to complete a minimum of 45 credit hours at the junior/senior level (courses numbered 300 and above). The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requires that 30 of these 45 credit hours be completed in residence.

Hours in the Major: Maximums and Minimums

There is no limit on hours taken in the major for the B.A., B.G.S., or B.S. degree. Departments are not allowed to require more than 40 hours in the major for the B.A. or more than 50 hours in the major for the B.S. Some skills courses and supporting science courses are not included in this maximum limit. A minimum of 12 hours in the major must be in courses numbered 300 or above. At least 15 hours in each major(s) must be taken in residence at KU.

Time Limits

Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to complete the bachelor’s degree within 4 academic years. Students should complete a minimum of 30 credit hours each year. If a student is unable to complete 30 hours in the fall and spring terms, summer enrollment and/or winter session enrollment should be strongly considered.

Students have a maximum of ten years to complete their undergraduate work in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences under degree requirements in effect at the initial term of matriculation. Students experiencing a break in enrollment during these ten years will follow their curricular requirements at the point of matriculation provided that the break in enrollment does not exceed two calendar years. Students readmitted after two years are held to the curricular requirements in place at the term of readmission.

Students readmitted after a break in attendance of less than two years may petition the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences to request to change to the term requirements based on their readmission term.  This should be considered in consultation with their academic advisor, and a petition should be submitted to College Undergraduate Academic Services.

Students maintaining continuous enrollment but who do not complete their degree requirements within ten years, may petition the College to complete their degree requirements under the curricular requirements in effect during the term of admission.

Transfer of Credit

CredTran is a transfer course equivalency system that lists more than 2,200 colleges and universities from which KU has accepted transfer courses in the past. If your school or course is not listed, your evaluation will be completed when you are admitted to KU.

Only transfer grades of C or higher contribute to total hours earned for students entering KU in spring 1990 or after, and for courses taken in spring 1990 or after by all students. For questions about transfer work fulfilling College requirements, contact College Undergraduate Academic Services, 109 Strong Hall.

Graduate Regulations

It is the students’ responsibility to comply with all requirements for the degree programs in which they plan to participate. These include the university requirements for graduate study at KU outlined in the College and Graduate Studies sections of the KU Policy Library, the University Senate Rules and Regulations, the Graduate Studies sections of the online catalog, as well as the requirements of the College outlined in this catalog section. Additionally, students are responsible for understanding the requirements that are unique to individual graduate programs outlined in the graduate handbooks of individual academic units and the Departments & Programs sections of the online catalog.

In general, the student is subject to the regulations in place at the time of matriculation as a degree-seeking student. If degree requirements change, the student may opt to follow the new requirements or to continue under the regulations in place at the time of admission. Any student readmitted 10 years or more after his or her initial term as a degree-seeking student must fulfill the requirements in effect on the date of readmission to the graduate program.

Information presented on this page is limited to the most frequently consulted policies and key milestones in the graduate career. Students should also consult the academic unit’s handbook, Graduate Studies and College sections of the KU Policy Library, and the Graduate Studies and University of Kansas Regulations sections of the online catalog.

Degree Requirements

Requirements for the completion of master’s and doctoral degrees in the College are governed by department- or program-specific policy, College policies and procedures, Graduate Studies policies, and the University Senate Rules and Regulations.

Master's Degree Requirements

Coursework

At least 50% of required coursework for a master’s program must be numbered 700 or above. Specific coursework requirements for the Master’s degree are established and tracked by the department or program. The College then verifies that completed coursework meets all College and University requirements for master's students.  Please consult with your advisor, the academic unit’s graduate handbook, and the relevant Departments & Programs section of the online catalog for further information on specific courses or course sequences required for the degree.

Thesis

Master’s students complete either a thesis or an equivalent enrollment in research, capstone/portfolio, independent investigation, or seminar. Students earning a master's thesis degree must have completed at least 1 hour of thesis enrollment.  General rules for the preparation of a thesis are available on the Graduate Studies website.

Final Examination

A final general examination or thesis defense in the major subject is required for MA and MS degrees. The examination, which may be oral, written, or both, is held during the semester of the student’s final enrollment in coursework and, in the case of thesis students, when the thesis has been substantially completed. All master's exams must be preapproved by the College in advance of the scheduled exam date.  See also Master’s Degree Requirements and M.A. and M.S. Degrees in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements

Coursework

Coursework requirements for the doctoral degree are established and tracked by the department or program. The College then verifies that completed coursework meets all University and College requirements for doctoral students. Please consult with your advisor, the academic unit’s graduate handbook, and the relevant Departments & Programs section of the online catalog for further information on specific courses or course sequences required for the degree.

Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship

Graduate Studies requires that all doctoral students meet the Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement before proceeding to the Comprehensive Exam. Specific requirements are determined by each department or program in consultation with Graduate Studies. Information on these requirements is contained in the department or program’s approved research skills requirement plan. Consult with your advisor and the Departments & Programs section of the online catalog for further information.

Enrollment Requirement

Prior to the comprehensive oral exam, all doctoral students must complete a minimum program engagement equivalent to two full-time semesters.  This may be accomplished through either of the following:

• Two semesters (fall and/or spring) of full-time enrollment in KU coursework, as defined by the Full-Time Enrollment for Graduate Students policy in the Graduate Studies section of the KU Policy Library.
• At least 18 hours of enrollment in KU coursework spread out over several part-time semesters

Please see the Engagement and Enrollment in Doctoral Programs policy in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog and the KU Policy Library for more information about this requirement.

Comprehensive Oral Examination

The comprehensive oral examination covers the major field and any additional content for which the academic unit wishes to hold the student responsible. The examination is expected to be broader than a mere defense of the dissertation proposal.  Exam dates must be approved by the College in advance of the scheduled exam date.

The student must be enrolled the semester or summer session in which he or she completes the comprehensive oral examination. This enrollment may count toward the post-comprehensive enrollment requirements as described in Graduate Studies’ Doctoral Candidacy policy.  If more than 5 years elapses between the completion of the comprehensive exam and degree completion, the student may be required to retake the exam.

More information about comprehensive exam requirements may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.

Dissertation and Final Exam

Completion of the dissertation is the culminating phase of a doctoral program, marked by the final oral examination and defense of the dissertation. In all but the rarest cases, tentative approval of the dissertation is followed promptly by the final oral examination. The exam must be approved by the College in advance of the scheduled exam date. Refer to the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog for further information on the regulations governing the final oral examination, including committee composition and attendance regulations.

Guidelines for preparing and submitting the final copies of the dissertation are available on the KU Libraries' ETD website.

Enrollment

Full-time, Half-Time and Part-Time Enrollment

There are multiple definitions for what constitutes full-time enrollment for graduate students at KU, including variations for doctoral candidates enrolled in dissertation hours, students with GTA/GRA/GA appointments, and active duty military.  Please see the Full-time Enrollment policy in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog and the KU Policy Library for the definitions of full-time, half-time, and part-time enrollment.

Maximum enrollment for graduate students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, except in rare instances, is 16 hours in Fall or Spring semester and 9 hours in the summer session.  

At a minimum, all graduate students must be continuously enrolled in the Fall and Spring semesters while completing the requirements for fulfillment of their degree. Please consult the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog and the KU Policy Library for other enrollment regulations

Continuous Enrollment for Master’s Students

The College requires that all master’s students who have completed the required coursework for their degrees must be continuously enrolled in the Fall and Spring semesters until all remaining requirements for the degree, including the thesis when applicable, are completed. No enrollment is required during the summer session unless it is the semester during which the student will graduate, in which case enrollment is required. Certain academic units have additional rules governing summer enrollment.

Post-Comprehensive Enrollment for Doctoral Students

After passing the Comprehensive Oral Exam, doctoral candidates must be continuously enrolled. During this time, until all requirements for the degree are completed (including the filing of the dissertation) or until 18 post-comprehensive hours have been completed (whichever comes first), the candidate must enroll for a minimum of 6 hours a semester (Fall and Spring).  At least one of these hours each semester must be in dissertation or approved dissertation-equivalent coursework.

Upon completion of the 18-hour requirement, a student’s level of enrollment should reflect, as accurately as possible, the faculty time he or she utilizes. This may be as little as one dissertation (or approved equivalent) hour per semester.

In addition, Graduate Studies requires a period of at least 1 month to elapse between the comprehensive oral exam and the final exam. Students that have completed all degree requirements before completing 18 hours are still required to continue enrollment until this 1-month requirement has been met.

Special enrollment requirements apply to those with GTA/GRA/GA appointments. Please consult the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog and the KU Policy Library.

Lapses in Enrollment

Generally, no student is allowed to enroll in full term courses with an established meeting time after the first 4 weeks of a semester or the first 2 weeks of a summer session.  Non-standard dated courses, or "short courses," as well as research or independent study courses with a "by appointment only" meeting time have different deadlines.  Students should consult the academic calendar and the short courses listing for deadlines.

If a student does not intend to enroll, he or she must determine the appropriate course of action in consultation with the department or program.  The student may elect to Voluntarily Discontinue from the program, and must inform the department or program in writing of this decision.  The department will submit the necessary forms to the College. This option requires the student to seek re-admission to the program if they choose to return at a future date. They also remain eligible to seek admission to another department or program in the College.

The student may also petition for a Leave of Absence of up to one calendar year. If granted, the Leave of Absence maintains the student’s place in the program. Leave of Absence petitions must be submitted by the department or program and provide evidence of the department or program’s endorsement of the student’s petition. Students interested in this option should begin by consulting with their advisor.

The time spent on Leave of Absence does not count against the student’s time to degree, and therefore does not shorten the time available to complete their degree requirements. Similarly, if a student that has elected to Voluntarily Discontinue subsequently returns to the program, the time that has elapsed since his or her discontinuance does not count against the time to degree.

Students who fail to enroll without completing the Voluntary Discontinuance process or without being granted a Leave of Absence are reviewed by the College Office of Graduate Affairs and the students’ academic units for possible dismissal. Time that accrues during these lapses of enrollment in which the student does not occupy any approved enrollment category (i.e., Enrolled, Voluntarily Discontinued, or Leave of Absence) is counted against the time to degree.

International students seeking a Leave of Absence must consult with the International Support Services office prior to any change in enrollment status to determine how the change may affect their legal status.

Please see Graduate Studies policies governing Leave of Absence and Voluntary Discontinuance in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog and in the KU Policy Library.

Dual Enrollments

Students enrolled in two schools or working on two degrees at the same time must complete the work for both degrees. Courses may not be counted toward both degrees, except in the joint degree programs that have been established (e.g., M.P.A./J.D., M.A. in Economics/J.D., M.B.A./M.A. in Area Studies, etc.). Please refer to the Combined Degrees information in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog for a complete list of approved joint degree programs.

University Regulations on Grading

Article II of the University Senate Rules and Regulations provides detailed information on regulations governing the grading of graduate coursework. Students should also consult the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog and the KU Policy Library for more information on the Grading Policy.

The following are of particular relevance for graduate students in the College:

Passing Grades for Graduate Coursework

Only courses graded C or above are considered passing and may be counted for graduate credit. Courses graded C-, D or F may not be used to fulfill degree requirements.

Incomplete (I) and Waiting Grades (WG)

Incomplete (I) grades are used to note, temporarily, that a student's work has been satisfactory to date, but that they have been unable to complete a portion of the required course work during that semester due to circumstances beyond their control. Incomplete work must be completed within the time period prescribed by the course instructor, at which point a permanent grade will be assigned.  After one calendar year from the original grade due date, an Incomplete (I) grade will automatically convert to a grade of F or U, or the lapse-to grade assigned by the course instructor.

The I grade is not appropriate for enrollments in thesis, dissertation, or research hours or the first semester of a two-semester sequence.

Waiting Grades (WG) are placeholders and should only be used in rare instances when, for reasons beyond his or her control, an instructor is not able to assign a course grade by the deadline.  WG should not be used to delay evaluation of thesis or dissertation hour enrollments.   This practice often leads to difficulties with timely graduation processing.  WG is also not appropriate for students who are unable to submit their completed work by the grade deadline.  In these cases an Incomplete may be more appropriate.  Instructors should follow their unit's internal guidelines for use of Incomplete. 

In accordance with USRR 2.2.3.4, any incomplete (I) or waiting grade (WG) on the student’s transcript must be resolved before the College will preapprove the doctoral oral comprehensive exam.  Additionally, the College will not approve an application for graduation if a waiting grade (WG) or an incomplete (I) grade remains on the student’s transcript.

Credit/No Credit (CR/NC)

The University establishes a time period each term during which students may elect a Credit/No Credit grading option for an individual course.  Graduate students may elect the CR/NC option only for those courses that do not fulfill a degree requirement. Degree requirements include those courses used to fulfill the Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement. CR/NC is elected via the Registrar's electronic form.  Students should consult with their advisor prior to electing the CR/NC option.

College-Specific Grading Policy

A-F Plus/Minus (+/-) Grades

Plus/minus (+/–) grades may be used in the College. The plus or minus sign describes intermediate levels of performance between a maximum of A and a minimum of F. Intermediate grades are calculated as 0.3 units above or below the corresponding letter grade.

Participation (P) Grades

Use of the Participation (P) grade is restricted in the College. It is only approved for a limited number of courses for which special permission has been sought. When permission is granted, P is only used to indicate participation in thesis, dissertation, or research enrollments (related to thesis or dissertation), or in the first semester enrollment of a two-semester sequence course. In any semester when evidence about performance is available, the instructor may elect to assign a letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F.  A letter grade (A, B, C, D, or F) must be assigned in the last semester of enrollment to characterize the quality of the final product.

If a department or program has a course for which the P grading system may be more appropriate than the A-F or S/U grading system, it must seek special approval from the College.

Grading of Thesis and Dissertation Hours (and Approved Equivalents)

The SP/LP/NP grading scale is restricted to thesis and dissertation hours, as well as those research courses approved by Graduate Studies as equivalents. All departments in the College are required to have a policy in place that governs the consequences of a student receiving LP or NP for one or more semesters.  SP/LP/NP It is the preferred scale for the grading of these courses in the College and is applied in the following manner:

SP - Satisfactory Progress.  Progress is consistent with the goals for the semester as agreed upon with the advisor and/or supports timely completion of the degree.

LP - Limited Progress.  Progress is less than what was agreed upon with the advisor and/or may cause delays in timely degree completion. Consequences of receiving an LP are determined by each department.  In cases where a student receives more than one LP (consecutive or otherwise), academic probation is strongly encouraged.

NP - No Progress.  The student has provided no evidence of progress on the thesis or dissertation work, or work completed was insufficient to move the thesis or dissertation project forward.  Probation is strongly encouraged and dismissal may be warranted.

In cases where a student’s progress results in an LP or NP, execution of the College’s Mentorship Agreement is strongly encouraged. See the College's mentoring & advising hub, or the Graduate Mentoring & Advising tab of this catalog section for more information.

To be eligible for graduation, the final semester of dissertation/thesis enrollment must be graded SP.

The College strongly encourages the use of the SP/LP/NP grading scale for all thesis and dissertation courses. In cases where the department has elected to use a different grading scale for thesis or dissertation hours, to ensure consistency and transparency in the evaluation of student progress, the department must have in place a rubric defining expectations for each letter grade (e.g. for progress and/or for quality of work). In no case is the S/U scale to be used for thesis or dissertation hours or their equivalents.  Per Graduate Studies policy, no more than 6 credit hours graded S/U may count toward a graduate degree.

College-specific Admission Policy

Program Admission Deadlines

For all graduate programs in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, no deadlines for the submission of applications for graduate study may fall on a weekend or a University-observed holiday.

During calendar years when an established admission deadline falls during one of these times, CLAS graduate programs must either:

• Allow the online application to remain open and applications to be accepted through the end of the first business day following the established deadline; or,  
• Adjust the department’s established deadline for those years.

Probation and Dismissal Guidelines in the College

To be in good standing, a student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average and be making satisfactory progress toward the degree, as determined by Graduate Studies' Good Academic Standing policy and the department or program's internal guidelines. The Good Academic Standing policy may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog and the KU Policy Library.

Probation Due to GPA

In any semester, a student whose cumulative GPA has fallen below a 3.0 is automatically placed on academic probation for the following semester (Fall or Spring). Students are notified by the College of their probationary status. The student has one semester (not including the summer term) in which to raise the cumulative GPA to a 3.0 or the College will dismiss the student. Refer to the Graduate Studies’ Academic Probation policy for more details. Departments may petition the College for the student to be granted a one- semester extension of the probation.

If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.5 as a result of the second or a subsequent semester of enrollment, the College will dismiss the student without eligibility for probation. Students whose GPA falls below 2.5 in the first semester of enrollment are eligible for probation with department recommendation. In the absence of this recommendation, the College will dismiss the student.

Probation Due to Unsatisfactory Progress

Upon recommendation of the department or program, a student may be placed on probation for failing to make satisfactory progress toward the degree. This may include, but is not limited to, failed exams or failure to make adequate and timely progress on the dissertation or thesis. See the Good Academic Standing policy in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog and the KU Policy Library for more information on what constitutes satisfactory progress.

Dismissal

It is the academic unit’s responsibility to ensure that students who are not demonstrating academic achievement sufficient to meet the requirements of a College graduate degree or who are failing to make timely progress to the degree are dismissed from their programs. This typically occurs when a student fails to meet the terms of the probationary period. Academic dismissal should occur immediately following a student’s failure to meet the terms of the probationary period. If dismissal occurs during the semester, the dismissal is effective immediately and the student is administratively withdrawn from coursework. The department or program will notify the student in writing of the reasons for their dismissal. This will be followed by a letter from the College confirming the student’s dismissal from graduate study at KU.

A student who has been dismissed from a graduate program at KU is not eligible for readmission to graduate study in any department or program at the University of Kansas. A student may petition for an exception.  The petition must be approved by the department to which the student intends to apply, the graduate division of the College, and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Such petitions are rarely approved.

Time Limits

The University and the College have established time limits governing various stages of the graduate student career.

Maximum Time to Count Required Course Work

Courses completed at the University of Kansas, or transfer credits from another university, are valid for a period of 10 years. Courses that were completed more than 10 years before the scheduling of the final defense may not be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

With the endorsement of their graduate programs, students may petition the College to accept out-of-date course work to fulfill the requirements for their graduate degrees, provided they are able to justify why this course work meets the current standards of scholarship in the discipline.

Maximum Time to Submit Thesis or Dissertation

The College requires that students make all final revisions and complete electronic submission of the final version of the thesis or dissertation manuscript to UMI within 6 months of the date of final presentation and/or defense of the thesis or dissertation work. Until the final manuscript of a thesis or dissertation is submitted, the student must be enrolled in accordance with enrollment policy. Graduate students in the College who do not file the final manuscript within the 6-month time limit must enroll in 3 hours a semester until the thesis or dissertation is completed and submitted.

Maximum Time to Complete the Degree

Graduate Studies has established time limits on master’s and doctoral degree completion. Please see Graduate Studies policies on Engagement and Enrollment in Doctoral Programs and Master's Program Time Constraints in the Graduate Studies sections of the online catalog and in the KU Policy Library for full details.

Master's degree students have a total of seven calendar years, excluding any periods of absence due to an approved leave of absence or voluntary discontinuation from a program, in which to complete the work for a master’s degree.

Doctoral degree students have a total of 8 calendar years, excluding any periods of absence due to an approved leave of absence or voluntary discontinuation from a program, to complete the Ph.D. This includes students who enter with a master’s degree from an institution other than KU and bachelor’s degree holders who bypass the master’s and are admitted directly to a Ph.D. program.

Students who complete a master’s and doctoral degree within the same academic unit at KU have 10 years to complete both degrees.

A time limit extension may be granted by the College.  All extension petitions require the student and department to prepare and submit a Graduate Degree Completion Agreement, which must then be approved by a designated subcommittee of the Committee on Graduate Studies.   Per Graduate Studies policy, extensions may be granted for up to 1 year.  However, additional time may be requested in the Completion Agreement.  If a Completion Agreement with a timeline greater than one year is approved, the department must submit a renewal petition annually after the first year until the Completion Agreement has ended.  Renewal petitions must indicate the student's progress on the Completion Agreement and will receive expedited review. 

Academic units may set their own, more rigorous time limits. Consult with your advisor and review your academic unit’s handbook and the relevant Departments and Programs section of the online catalog for program-specific information, requirements, and restrictions.

Academic and Research Integrity

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences strictly enforces KU and College policies on academic and scholarly misconduct. Academic integrity requires honest performance of academic and research responsibilities by students. These include, but are not limited to, ethical preparation of assignments, reports, and research papers; completion of examinations; ethical treatment of human and animal subjects; execution of administrative requirements; and a sincere and conscientious effort by students to abide by the policies set forth by instructors and research advisors.

Graduation

All graduate students must be enrolled the semester they complete all degree requirements.

Graduate Studies establishes an early deadline for degree completion for each semester and summer session, usually occurring at the end of the first 2 weeks of a semester or the end of the first week of summer session. If the student was enrolled the previous semester and meets all degree requirements including the submission of all required documentation by this early deadline, they are not required to enroll for that semester.

The final Graduate Application for Graduation Deadline is set by the Registrar for each semester. Please consult the official Academic Calendar for specific dates. To be eligible for graduation, an application for degree must be submitted and all degree requirements met by this deadline. This includes the submission of all required documentation to the College Office of Graduate Affairs. See the Graduation section of the COGA website for more information.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers several awards to recruit, support, and recognize outstanding graduate students, and to recognize faculty service, teaching excellence, and exemplary advising. Below, you will find a brief description of each award. More specific information about eligibility and the call for nominations each year can be found on the College's website under Awards & Opportunities.

Graduate Student Awards

Allen S. Wilber Scholarship

Selected departments may nominate one student each year for this award, which provides one-time funding of up to $10,000 for the study of social sciences or modern languages and literatures at the graduate level.  The award is limited to those who completed an undergraduate degree at KU.

Outstanding Thesis/Research Project Award

The Committee on Graduate Studies in the College has established this award for students receiving a master's degree. The bi-annual award carries a $500 stipend, and either a thesis or research project awardee is selected in each cycle. Students are nominated for the award by their advisors.