8.1. Part-time MS Option
On a limited, case-by-case basis, students may be admitted to the MS program as part-time students. Part-time students need to complete the same course requirements but may do so while enrolled less than full-time in courses. Students enrolled part-time in the MS program must complete all coursework and successfully defend and deposit the MS thesis within 8 semesters of matriculation into the program. All other stipulations in the handbook (e.g., satisfactory academic progress, student conduct) apply to part-time students as they do full-time students. Students may begin the program part-time and later matriculate as a full-time student assuming satisfactory academic progress. Students enrolled part-time are not eligible for graduate research or teaching assistantships, fellowships, or other similar university appointments intended for full-time graduate students. Applicants considering part-time enrollment should indicate their interest as early as possible in the application and admission process.
8.2. Part-time PhD Option
On a limited, case-by-case basis, students may be admitted to the PhD program as part-time students. Part-time students need to complete the same course requirements as full-time students. They may do so while enrolled part-time in coursework, but must meet the following Graduate School requirements:
- They must complete the entire program within the same time-to-degree requirements (8 years from the date of successful completion of the qualifying exam) as other students.
- They must complete two consecutive semesters within one 12-month period as a registered full-time student (9 credits or more). Note that there are stipulations that allow full-time University employees enrolled in a PhD program to establish residency with 6 or more credits. See the Graduate School policy GCAC-601 for details.8
- Graduate School policy requires that all students complete the qualifying examination within three semesters of starting the graduate program, and after having completed at least 18 credits. Exceptions to this policy may be requested for part-time students. If an exception is requested and granted by the Graduate School, the Rural Sociology program will require that the qualifying examination must be completed within five semesters of matriculation into the program.
- All students, including part-time students, must maintain continuous registration. Part-time students who are full-time university employees who have completed their comprehensive examination must register for RSOC 611.
Additional markers of satisfactory academic progress are adjusted for part-time status as follows:
- Coursework must be completed within 8 semesters of matriculation
- The comprehensive examination must be completed within 10 semesters of matriculation
- The successful completion and defense of the dissertation must occur within 12 semesters of matriculation
All other stipulations in the handbook (e.g., student conduct) apply to part-time students as well as full-time students. Students may begin the program part-time and later matriculate as a full-time student assuming satisfactory academic progress. Students enrolled part-time are not eligible for graduate research or teaching assistantships, fellowships, or other similar university appointments intended for full-time graduate students. Applicants considering part-time enrollment should indicate their interest as early as possible in the application and admission process.
