Graduate Degree Types, Admission, and Requirements

Graduate Education at SUU

Graduate Studies

The University awards master’s degrees and a Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, as well as offers programs for the educational administrative/supervision license and elementary, secondary, and special education teaching licenses. Master’s degree requirements may or may not include a thesis. For more information, visit www.suu.edu/graduatestudies.

Mission Statement

Southern Utah University graduate studies provides accessible and affordable professional education within a private institution atmosphere. The University offers unique and rigorous graduate education in a dynamic and personalized environment. Our programs enhance career opportunities and increase critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills while promoting integrity and empathy.

Student Responsibilities and Discipline

Utah’s universities are dedicated to the intellectual, social, and moral development of students in order to provide responsible leaders who can work effectively in a democratic society. Under the authority granted by the Utah State Board of Higher Education, universities have the right and responsibility to determine who will be admitted to the institution, student conduct or behavior acceptable to the institution, and under what conditions one may continue as a student. As a condition for admission to one of the state universities, students agree to abide by the policies and regulations of the institution.

The President of the University or their designee has responsibility for student conduct and discipline. Every student is subject to federal and state law, respective county and city ordinances, and all University rules and regulations. Violations of these laws, ordinances, or rules and regulations may subject the violator to appropriate disciplinary action by University authorities. The President has the authority, after notice to the student of the charges and a hearing thereon, to expel or otherwise discipline any student who shall be found to have violated a rule or regulation of the Board of Higher Education or the University or any law or ordinance. The President will have the authority to order any student to cease and desist any activity which in their judgment disrupts the orderly operation of the institution. Any student failing to abide by the cease and desist order will be subject to suspension, pending a hearing.

The conviction of a student for a criminal offense of a kind that interferes with the educational or orderly operation of the University or of a kind that, if the student were allowed to remain enrolled, would endanger the health, safety, or property of members of the academic community, will be sufficient grounds for expulsion or other disciplinary action against such student.

Except as provided above, in all student violations of non-academic rules and regulations, a student will be afforded adequate notice of charges, a reasonable time to answer, a fair and impartial hearing and a decision. The final administrative appeal will be to the President or approved designee who may make or accept determination of punishment.

Admission Policies and Procedures

Admission Steps

1. Apply to the University. Applicants for graduate study who hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution must first apply to the University. Graduate applications can be found online at www.suu.edu/apply.html. ​Applicants must be eligible for readmission at the last school attended. A non-refundable application fee must accompany the application. Applicants should submit an application for admission and an official transcript from each institution attended to:
   
   Southern Utah University Admissions Office
   PO Box 8008
   Cedar City, UT 84720
    
2. Review Specific Graduate Program Requirements. Each academic unit or department offering graduate degrees has written policies and procedures governing admission to its programs. These include the policies and procedures for accepting or denying admission and other information relevant to the admissions process. All requests for specific academic program information, including admission requirements, should be directed to the department or other academic unit housing the degree program. General requirements for admission to an SUU graduate degree program are as follows:
   • A baccalaureate degree that will be completed before matriculation in the graduate program.
   • A 3.0 or higher grade point average on the last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits.
   • Appropriate admissions test, where applicable.
   • Three letters of recommendation.
3. Complete Necessary Admission Exams (where applicable). Take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Millers Analogies (MAT), or, if applicable, Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) as appropriate and ask that scores be directly submitted from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the appropriate department at SUU. Applicants to certain programs must submit scores from the appropriate subject test of the GRE. Check with your department for this requirement.

Applicants and Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may contact the Disability Support Office for assistance. The Office may, at its discretion, based upon the facts of a particular situation, authorize accommodations or auxiliary aids.

International Student Admission

For international student admission requirements, see International Affairs .

International students on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible to enroll as non-degree-seeking students. Students on F-1 visas are required to register for a full-time course load.

Admission Appeals

An applicant who has been denied admission to graduate study at SUU may request reconsideration by writing to the University within 30 days of the date of denial. Requests should be sent to the Associate Provost and should include the reasons for requesting reconsideration. Supporting materials and information justifying the request should be supplied. The applicant will be provided timely notification of this determination.

Conditional Admission

In general, applicants who do not meet all programmatic admission criteria, or who meet quantitative criteria but lack an appropriate undergraduate course background, may be admitted for up to one year on a conditional basis. However, policies can vary by program. Students should consult with program in such cases.

By (or before) the end of the conditional admission, the academic department must notify the Admissions Office of the final action to be taken on the student’s admission, by either fully accepting the student or removing the student from degree-seeking status.

Undergraduate Preparation, Prerequisite Courses, and Departmental Requirements

Undergraduate preparation of graduate program candidates for a master’s degree will correspond to requirements for the same or a similar baccalaureate degree at SUU. Candidates lacking such preparation may be required to complete additional coursework.

Each applicant for admission to graduate studies should consult the portion of the Catalog that deals with the academic program the student wishes to pursue. Additional information may be required by individual colleges and/or departments. Each applicant should make an appointment with the appropriate college official to plan a program of study.

Financial Assistance Opportunities

Graduate assistantships and/or tuition waivers are available on a limited basis, as well as other forms of financial aid, including federal work study. Information can be obtained from respective programs and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Graduate Policies and Procedures

Academic Advising

Upon entry to a graduate degree program, each student will be assigned an advisor by the department chair or program director. Initial advisement will focus on determining deficiencies, requesting transfer credit where applicable, and establishing a proposed program of study (academic plan). If applicable, the advisor should be succeeded by a supervisory or research committee, as defined below, as soon as possible.

Academic Appeals/Exceptions to Policies and Procedures

Students have the right to appeal decisions that affect them academically according to established University policies and procedures. Exceptions to graduate policies and procedures must be approved by the college/school dean and in some cases the Provost. The student may contest a ruling by submitting an appeal to the Associate Provost for final review through their college/school’s representative.

Classification of Residency

For the purpose of assessing registration and tuition fees, a student is classified as a “Utah” or a “Non-Utah” resident student. Additional information on Utah residency may be obtained from the Admissions Office. Residency status is determined at the time of application. Students who are online-only qualify for the online-only tuition rate.

Continuous Enrollment

Unless otherwise exempted by the college/school dean, depending on program requirements, graduate students may be required to enroll for at least one (1) credit during at least two (2) consecutive semesters (fall, spring, or summer) or at least two (2) consecutive summer sessions in order to remain eligible for the degree. Students should consult their department for more information.

Course Load

Students are considered full-time if they are registered for a minimum of six (6) semester hours of coursework. Students who drop courses during a regular semester and reduce their registration below six (6) semester hours will be regarded as part-time students. Graduate students in good standing may enroll in up to 15 credit hours during each semester. Master of Education graduate students may enroll in up to six (6) credit hours (6000-level courses) during each semester and up to 12 credit hours (6000-level courses during the summer session. Graduate students on probation are limited to nine (9) credit hours per term including summer. Students should work with their advisor to determine an appropriate course load for their program of study.

Grading System

SUU has a plus/minus (+/-) grading system. At the graduate level, the grades of “A” through “C” and “P” are passing grades. The grades of “C+” and “C,” while considered passing for graduate students, may be indicative of unsatisfactory work and may not be accepted for some programs. Different from the undergraduate grading system, the grades of “C-,” “D+,” “D,” and “D-” are not utilized. The grading system moves directly from “C” to “F.” In extraordinary circumstances, the faculty may record “I” or “T,” temporary grades which will appear on the transcripts until the situation is resolved. No credits are earned in courses in which grades of “F,” “W,” “UW,” “I,” “T,” or “AU” are received.

All thesis grading will be Pass (“P”)/Fail (“F”). Refer to the catalog’s Grades and Credits  section for further information.

Leave of Absence Policy

Students are discouraged from taking a leave of absence from graduate studies. However, as this may be necessary in some cases, the student must communicate with the respective specific graduate program prior to an absence. Leave of absence policies vary between programs as to allowable reasons for a leave of absence and requirements for continuing after an absence.

The student must be in good standing (eligible to return) at SUU and at any institution attended since the last period of enrollment at SUU.

If the student has attended another institution since the last period of enrollment at SUU, official transcripts must be forwarded directly to the SUU Admissions Office by the Registrar of the other institution(s).

Recency of Credit

No credit that is more than 10 years old at the time the degree is awarded may be counted toward a graduate degree at SUU.

Registration for Entering Degree-Seeking Students

New graduate students may register during the registration period online or in-person. Qualified undergraduate seniors may enroll in graduate courses for no more than 12 credit hours before they graduate.

Satisfactory Academic Performance

Continuation in a graduate program at SUU requires satisfactory progress toward a graduate degree. Evidence of such progress includes, but is not limited to, maintenance of at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA throughout the course of graduate study. However, some programs may have greater requirements and may not accept certain individual grades. Please check with program for specific academic standards policy.

Transcripts

Transcripts of a student’s SUU academic record are available from the Registrar’s Office through the student’s mySUU Portal. Transcripts will be released upon request to the student or sent to a designated address. There is a fee for official transcripts. For more information, visit www.suu.edu/registrar/transcripts.html.

Transfer of Graduate Credit

Up to 12 semester graduate-level credits may be transferred to a graduate program at SUU, provided they are from a fully accredited institution listed within the Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs and in good standing with one of the accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All transfer credits must be evaluated as graduate credits by the major department, be approved by the major’s college/school, and have been completed with grades of “B-” or higher. Some programs may accept fewer than 12 transfer credits.

Tuition and Fees

For general information about tuition, fees, and financial assistance, please see Tuition & Financial Aid . For the most up-to-date graduate tuition rates, visit the SUU Cashier’s website at www.suu.edu/cashier/tuition.html.

Types of Graduate Degrees

Degree Requirements

General Graduate Degree Requirements

The following requirements apply for students seeking a master’s degree or doctorate degree:

• If applicable and with approval of the graduate Program Director, coursework completed as a non-degree student may be credited subsequently to a degree program. The number of credits that can be completed as a non-degree-seeking student and accepted into a graduate program is limited to a maximum of 12 credit hours.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 is required on all work completed in a graduate degree. Some programs may have higher CGPA requirements.
• If a capstone experience (project, internship, thesis, or equivalent) is required that deals with research involving any federally mandated compliance issues, approval by the appropriate dean or designee must be received prior to any collection of data. All students conducting human subjects research are required to comply with policies and procedures of the Institutional Review Board on Human Subjects (IRB) before they may begin data collection on their study. Students should consult their program’s catalog entry for any special or additional requirements for the graduate degree sought.

First Master’s Degree

The following requirements apply for students seeking their first master’s degree:

• A minimum of 30 credit hours (not including repeated courses) is required for any master’s degree. Depending upon the student’s undergraduate preparation and the particular graduate program of study, additional graduate hours may be required as specified by the program.
• At least two-thirds (2/3) of the credits in any master’s degree program (including capstone thesis, internship, or project) must be designated as 6000-level courses or above or meet department- or program-approved standards. The student’s Department Chair, Program Director, or designee must approve all courses applied to graduation.
• A master’s degree student has six (6) calendar years from the date of first registration in the master’s program to complete the degree. Departments or programs may set shorter time requirements. During this time, the student’s graduate program is governed by the rules and procedures of the catalog under which the student is admitted, unless the student opts to adopt the rules and procedures of a later catalog. Time extensions may be granted under specific circumstances.

Second Master’s Degree

A second master’s degree may be earned at SUU either concurrently or consecutively. All degree requirements must be met for both graduate degrees. When a course is required for both graduate degrees, another course is not substituted; taking the required course satisfies the requirements of both graduate degrees. However, the total number of credits for the second master’s degree must be at least an additional 15 unique credit hours from the first degree sought or earned.

Doctorate Degree

The following requirements apply for students seeking a doctorate degree:

• The minimum number of credits for a doctorate degree is established by the individual program.
• Generally, students complete 6000- and 7000-level courses for a doctorate degree. Courses at other levels may be applied with permission of the Program Director.
• A doctorate degree student has seven (7) calendar years from the date of first registration in the doctoral program to complete the degree. Departments or programs may set shorter time requirements. During this time, the student’s graduate program is governed by the rules and procedures of the catalog under which the student is admitted, unless the student opts to adopt the rules and procedures of a later catalog. Time extensions may be granted under specific circumstances.
• Specialized graduation requirements for doctorate degrees may be established by individual programs. These specialized graduation requirements may include, but are not limited to, clinical components, dissertations or other capstone experiences, oral defenses, etc.

Residence Requirements

The minimum number of hours taken in residence will be determined by the college/school offering the degree.

Awarding of Degree

Graduation Procedure

Students are responsible for meeting all degree requirements. Each student who plans to graduate is required to complete the steps to do so, listed on the website below. Students should carefully follow dates on the Academic Calendar and should apply for graduation within their mySUU Portal. For additional information about graduation and Commencement, refer to www.suu.edu/registrar/apply-to-graduate.html.

Graduation Exercises

Candidates degree posting need to complete the online graduation application by the dates listed at www.suu.edu/graduation/graduates.html. Note: Degrees will not be posted until all transfer work has been received and approved. Appropriate clearance of outstanding charges must be done through the Cashier’s Office before a diploma or transcript can be released.

All degree candidates are encouraged to attend graduation exercises. Caps and gowns are required for all graduates participating in Commencement exercises and should be ordered through www.suu.edu/graduation before February 1st. Students who will complete their program requirements during the summer or fall semester may elect to participate in the Commencement exercises of the current or the following year. For additional information, visit www.suu.edu/graduation.

Conditions and Timetables for Graduation

Formal coursework for a graduate degree should be completed in a timely manner within limits set by each degree program. Students are urged to form their thesis or project committees as early as possible, if applicable. SUU will confer the graduate degree when the following conditions have been met:

1. Submission of the required online application, by the stated deadline;
2. Confirmation that all degree requirements have been met in Degree Works;
3. Achievement of the grade requirements as defined by the department or program; and
4. satisfactory completion of a capstone experience, if required, following program guidelines.

The Registrar will promptly notify the candidate and the college/school if graduation is not approved for any reason.