This version of East Carolina University’s graduate catalog was published prior to the end of spring semester. As a result, curricular revisions and university regulations may have been officially approved after the date of publication.
For up-to-date information, consult the online version of the university’s graduate catalog. It is the official graduate catalog and can be found at
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/grcat/. There are two versions of the online graduate catalog that students can reference. The HTML version allows the user easy navigation and indicates up-to-date curricular revisions. The PDF version is an exact replica of the printed graduate catalog.
Ordinarily, a student may expect to earn a degree in accordance with the requirements of the curriculum described in the official graduate catalog in effect when he or she first entered the university, or in any subsequent catalog published while he or she is a student. Students should refer to the requirements of their respective college, school, or department for information about their programs of study and confer with their advisors.
The university’s graduate catalogs are for informational purposes only, and do not constitute a contractual agreement between a student and East Carolina University. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, degree requirements, course offerings, or academic regulations at any time when, in the judgment of the graduate faculty, the Chancellor, or the Board of Trustees, such changes are in the best interest of the students and the university.
Standard American English is the language of instruction at East Carolina University, except in certain foreign language programs. Adequate knowledge of that language is expected of all students. The various departments generally evaluate students in this regard, and they may require students to secure remedial instruction if necessary. Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate capability through the TOEFL examinations or other means. Some departments may require knowledge of one or more foreign languages for advanced degrees. For information, the student should contact the department. Official Announcements | Top |
The university maintains approximately one hundred official bulletin boards at key locations on campus and also maintains an official bulletin board on the ECU home page, www.ecu.edu. Through consecutively numbered official announcements, academic departments and other divisions of the university communicate essential and timely information to students. It is the responsibility of the student to read and know the contents of those announcements which affect his or her program.
Falsification of Information on the Graduate Admissions Application | Top |
In order to judge the viability of an applicant for admission to the Graduate School at East Carolina University, it is necessary to have complete and accurate information about the applicant’s academic and professional background, medical history, criminal/disciplinary record, and other relevant personal details. When it is found that an applicant has deliberately lied, misrepresented, or in any fashion included information designed to mislead the application reviewers with respect to any component of the application portfolio, the following actions may take place:
- If the application process has not been completed and an accept/reject admission decision to the Graduate School has not been made, further processing of the application may be discontinued, and if so, no admission offer can be forthcoming.
- If the applicant has been admitted into the Graduate School and not yet enrolled in a graduate degree or certificate program or as a non-degree student prior to the discovery of false, misrepresented, or misleading information in the application portfolio, the offer of admission can be rescinded.
- If the applicant has been admitted into the Graduate School and has enrolled in a graduate degree or certificate program or as a non-degree student prior to the discovery of false, misrepresented, or misleading information in the application portfolio, the student may be administratively withdrawn from all classes and dismissed from the Graduate School. As a consequence the administrative withdrawal, all forms of financial assistance from the Graduate School will be terminated and any outstanding debts to the University will be the student’s responsibility.
Evidence, suggesting that an applicant has deliberately provided false or misleading information or has intentionally misrepresented any personal information on an application to the Graduate School for admission into a graduate degree or certificate program or as a non-degree student, will be brought to the Dean of Graduate Studies. After evaluation of the evidence and consultation with any parties involved with the application deemed relevant by the Dean, a decision regarding the disposition of the application will be made by the Dean.
If the applicant wishes to appeal the decision made by the Dean of Graduate Studies, the applicant has 10 business days from the date of the decision notification to file an appeal with the Graduate School Administrative Board (GSAB) through the Graduate School. The GSAB will hear the appeal at the first convenient, regularly-scheduled meeting and evaluate its merits. To reverse the decision made by the Graduate Dean, a two-thirds majority of a voting quorum must be had.
In all cases where a termination of the application process or dismissal from the Graduate School has occurred, no refund of application fees will be made.
Course attendance is expected of all students. Faculty members have the right to establish attendance and participation requirements in each of their courses. Course requirements (e.g., examinations, oral presentations, laboratory experiments, participation in discussion) are in no sense waived due to absence from class. Instructors may establish penalties when excessive absences would seriously hinder achievement in any course. It is the instructor’s discretion as to how absences will be handled.
Policy on Disruptive Academic Behavior | Top |
East Carolina University is committed to providing each student with a rich, distinctive education experience. To this end, students who do not follow reasonable standards of behavior in the classroom or other academic setting may be removed from the course by the instructor following appropriate notice. Students removed from a course under this policy will receive a grade of "drop" according to university policy and are eligible for tuition refund as specified in the current tuition refund policy. The main campus of East Carolina University operates on the semester system. The fall and spring semesters are each approximately fourteen weeks in length. The summer session is divided into two equal terms of approximately five and one-half weeks each. An alternative eleven week summer schedule is available in some areas. Doctoral students may enroll for a single eleven-week summer term. The Division of Continuing Studies will supply calendars for the off-campus centers.
The university is in session five and one-half days each week. Classes usually meet for fifty-minute periods, but some of the courses meet for three hours in one evening or on Saturday morning.
Only courses numbered 5000 or higher can be counted toward completion of graduate degrees or CAS programs. At least one-half of the credit for a master’s degree must be earned in courses for graduates only, numbering 6000 or above. During the summer terms, most courses are offered during the daytime. Three semester hour courses meet one and a half hours daily; five semester hour courses meet two and one-half hours daily. Other courses meet for the appropriate times in order to meet the total contact hour requirement. The university offers many graduate courses, workshops, conferences, and short courses during the summer session.
Graduate degree credit can be earned only at the rate of one semester hour of credit for each calendar week of attendance. Graduate students who seek and obtain permission to take courses at other institutions for subsequent transfer to degree programs at East Carolina University may obtain credit only
at the rate of one semester hour of credit for each calendar week of course attendance. Degree or CAS credit cannot be obtained through completion of correspondence courses. Credit by Examination | Top |
Some colleges, schools, and departments offer graduate course credit by examination according to policies adopted by such colleges, schools, and departments and the regulations described below. Not more than 20 percent of a degree or CAS program may be earned through credit by examination, and credit thus earned will not be counted as residence credit.
Graduate students who are currently enrolled, and who have been accepted in a nondoctoral degree or CAS program, may receive credit by examination for a course in which they have not been enrolled for either credit or audit. This requires approval by the appropriate dean of a college, director of a professional school, or by the chairperson of a department in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences and finally by the dean of the Graduate School. Appropriate forms are available in the Graduate School.
Successful petitioners must pay to the university cashier a nonrefundable fee per semester hour in advance of the examination. The forms, bearing the receipt of the cashier, must be shown to the instructor conducting the examination who, in turn, must report the grade to the registrar and the dean of the Graduate School. The examination must be conducted within one week following approval of the petition by the dean of the Graduate School.
The following departments and schools do not offer credit by examination: English, geography, history, political science, music, and nursing.
Up to 20 percent of the credit hours in a program may be earned in any regionally accredited college. Master’s degree students in business administration, public administration, and social work and doctoral students are governed by statements in degree requirements in Section 7, Curricula.
Graduate-level course work taken elsewhere is not automatically applicable to a graduate degree program at East Carolina University. Applicants for admission must indicate clearly on application forms their attendance at other graduate-level institutions and petition college, school, or departmental advisors to apply such earned credits to their programs. College, school, or departmental petitions for application of transfer credit must be approved by the Graduate School. Ordinarily the Graduate School will approve the application of graduate course transfer credit only if (1) the college, school, or department so recommends; (2) the graduate credit was earned at a regionally accredited institution; (3) the student was admitted to a formal graduate degree program at the time the credit was earned with a minimum final course grade of B; and (4) the credit can be satisfactorily incorporated within the applicable time frame for completion of all degree requirements. Official transcripts which will provide adequate evidence to support such petitions must be supplied.
Students who have been admitted to the Graduate School at East Carolina University may enroll at other regionally accredited graduate-level institutions for course work which is applicable to their programs provided they have obtained advance permission from their college, school, or graduate program director and the dean of the Graduate School. Forms for permission to take course work elsewhere may be secured from the Graduate School office. Such transfer work is included in the 20 percent maximum application of such credit to degree programs. Transfer credit for short courses or workshops can be obtained only at the rate of 1 semester hour of credit for each calendar week of course attendance; concurrent enrollment in two or more short courses or workshops is not permitted.
ECU graduate students can enroll in dual degree programs (where the student is seeking two degrees from two different disciplines) in which more than 20 percent of a program is credited by the other. Students interested in pursuing two related degree programs at the same time need to be admitted to both degree programs; propose how many semester hours the two programs will accept in common; prepare a statement explaining why they want to pursue the dual degrees and provide a justification for doing so; and obtain approval of their proposal by both degree programs.
In no case will more than 30 percent of a graduate program or 15 semester hours, whichever is greater, be counted in common between two master’s degree programs.
Departments will forward the dual degree agreement to the Graduate School, with final approval residing with the dean of the Graduate School.
No more than 15 semester hours of work may be taken in any
fall or spring semester without the written permission of the department or college and the dean of the Graduate School. A student is considered to be enrolled full-time when registered for a minimum of 9 semester hours during a regular semester. Appropriate allowance can be made and equivalent credit can be given if work other than formal courses undertaken by the student contributes to the educational program.
Auditing a course consists of attendance at classes and listening, but taking no part in the class. An auditor is not responsible for any assignments, nor is he or she allowed to take any tests or examinations. However, in order to have the audited course recorded on the official transcript, a student must attend classes regularly. An auditor may not enroll in a participation course (art classes, laboratories, etc.). Under no circumstances will a grade be assigned, evaluations be made, or performance reports be issued on a student auditing a course. Auditing a course or part of a course is contingent upon the approval of the instructor and the appropriate departmental chairperson, school director, or college dean. Students may not register to audit a course until the last day of the drop/add period. Persons who wish to attend university classes without earning credit must be admitted to the university before seeking approval to audit any course. The applicants shall complete the prescribed procedure for registering through the Office of the Registrar and pay the audit fee to the cashier’s office before attendance in classes is permitted.
Students regularly enrolled in the university wishing to audit course(s) must initiate the approval process with their advisor.
Registration Procedures | Top |
Students who have received a letter of admission from the Graduate School report to the office of the college, school, or department in which they are enrolled to be assigned an advisor who will assist in scheduling classes and completing registration. Each student, new or continuing, has primary responsibility for assuring that he or she is completing degree requirements and is allowed to sign his or her own on-line registration schedule. To register, a student must complete an on-line registration schedule, consult an advisor, if necessary, and register via
Self Service Banner. To complete the process and be officially registered and entered on the class roll, students must pay fees to the cashier’s office. No person will be admitted to any class unless officially registered either for audit or for credit.
Students are expected to complete registration (including the payment of all required fees) on the dates prescribed in the university calendar. Students who register during the early registration period are required to pay their fees and secure their official schedules during a stipulated period prior to registration day. Students who fail to pay fees by this date will have their schedules canceled.
Early registration is a time designated each semester for currently enrolled, readmitted, or newly admitted students to meet with their advisors, if necessary, to review their records and plan their courses for the upcoming semester. The student will complete an online registration schedule, after consulting an advisor if necessary, register
Self Service Banner, and receive a tuition and fee schedule giving further instructions.
A graduate student may add a course or courses through the day following the last day to register for the semester. The student must process and take to the Office of the Registrar the schedule change form but needs only the signature of the advisor, indicating the advisor’s awareness of the action, and the signature of the instructor or departmental chairperson, indicating the space is available in the class.
A graduate nondoctoral student may drop a course and receive no grade according to the date given in the Graduate School calendar. The student must process the schedule change form by taking the form signed by the program advisor to the Office of the Registrar. The advisor’s signature indicates awareness of the change.
A student who drops a course after the last day for graduate students to drop a class without a grade will receive a final grade of F unless he or she has permission from the dean of the Graduate School to drop for medical reasons or other justification. Doctoral students may drop courses only with permission of their departmental chairperson or graduate committees.
Students should pay particular attention to procedural directions printed on the forms. No course is officially dropped or added until the required procedure is completed.
Grades and Scholarship | Top |
At the first scheduled class meeting, the instructor must state the basic requirements and assignments of the course and indicate his or her method of evaluation.
In the Graduate School, grades consist of A, B, C, I, F, N
, Q and R.
Change of Grade
A change of grade, other than I, for any reason, must be made within one year from the date the original grade was received.
Definition of Grades
- A-Excellent
- B-Good
- C-Passed
- I-Incomplete – The grade of I is given for a deficiency in the quantity of work done in a course. “I” grades must be resolved within one calendar year or a grade of “F” will automatically be assigned. No exceptions to this policy will be allowed. No student will be allowed to graduate with an incomplete on his or her record.
- Q and R-In Progress – A special grade reserved for capstone courses such as thesis, dissertation, professional paper, internships, practica, and similar courses. The "Q" grade is removed when the course is successfully completed and replaced with a grade of "R". The grades in these courses are not included in meeting the cumulative “B” average required for graduation.
- F-Failure
- N-Audit
Termination or Continuance of Graduate Study | Top |
Each graduate student is admitted to study on the recommendation of the graduate faculty of a college, school, or department, or its authorized agent, who are responsible for courses and research in the major field of the student’s program. When a student’s record indicates that he or she has failed to maintain standards described in this section, or specific standards of the student’s program described elsewhere in the graduate catalog or in school or departmental program descriptions, the dean of the Graduate School will notify the student by letter (copy to the advisor of the student) that his or her program must be terminated unless special arrangements for continuance are recommended by his or her major faculty, or an authorized agent, and approved by the Graduate School. The advisor will confer with the unit graduate faculty or its authorized agent. Any appeal by the student must be considered at this stage in the process. Following conference and possible student appeal, the advisor will forward a written recommendation (copy to the student) to the Graduate School. If the recommendation is for termination, the student’s program is terminated. A recommendation for continuance should stipulate requirements through which the student could complete his or her graduate program.
The Graduate School may either accept the requirements or request that the student’s major faculty modify them. When the requirements are acceptable to the Administrative Board, the dean of the Graduate School will inform the student by letter of the approved requirements (copy to the advisor of the student). The Graduate School office will ensure that these requirements are met before the student graduates.
Nondoctoral Programs
- Graduate courses with a final grade of C may be credited toward completion of any part of a nondoctoral degree program, but any student who receives a final grade of C or F on courses totaling in excess of 6 s.h. will be subject to termination.
- A B average is required for graduation based on semester hours of A graded work equal to or exceeding semester hours of C and F work. A student failing to maintain a B average will be subject to termination.
Doctoral Programs
- Students must maintain a cumulative B average in all formal course work while enrolled in doctoral programs, based on semester hours of A graded work equal to or exceeding semester hours of C work. If the cumulative average falls below B, the student’s program is subject to termination. However, at the discretion of the student’s department, one or two semesters of additional course work may be allowed to bring the cumulative average to B or better.
- No grade less than B in a graduate-level course may be used to satisfy any part of the minimal credit hours required for the PhD or EdD degree. A grade less than B in a course defined by the student’s department as being essential for the doctoral degree might, at the department’s discretion, result in program termination.
- A cumulative B average in graduate-level courses is a prerequisite for the administration of the PhD candidacy examination and of the EdD qualifying and comprehensive examinations.
- The PhD student’s department and individual advisory committee are responsible for evaluating research skills with respect to potential for independent and creative research. Failure to meet departmental standards may result in program termination.
Comprehensive Assessments | Top |
All graduate programs require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. The assessment may include a comprehensive examination (written and/or oral), a research project, thesis, capstone course, portfolio, and/or equivalent. The specific requirements may be found in descriptions of degree programs in Section 7, Curricula.
Graduate School Appeals Procedure | Top |
Graduate students may appeal decisions concerning unsatisfactory performance on comprehensive assessments, academic probation for reasons of unsatisfactory progress toward the degree other than insufficient grade point average, termination of or election to void an assistantship for reasons set forth in the terms and conditions applicable to graduate assistant appointments, or dismissal from the graduate program. This policy does not apply to the appeal of decisions regarding course grades.
Informal resolution of appeals concerning unsatisfactory performance on comprehensive assessments, academic probation for reasons of unsatisfactory progress toward a degree, termination of or election to void assistantships, or dismissal from the graduate program is always the most desirable approach, and encouraged whenever possible. Before initiating a formal appeal, the student should discuss the problem with the person or persons whose actions are being challenged, henceforth referred to as the ‘academic officer’, within ten business days following the adverse recommendation or decision. The student should keep the head/chair of the department in which the student’s program resides apprised of the situation and progress of negotiations. For matters concerning unsatisfactory performance on comprehensive assessments, academic probation for reasons of unsatisfactory progress toward a degree, termination of or election to void assistantships, or dismissal from the graduate program, the appropriate academic officers are the student’s advisor, the graduate advising committee, and/or the student’s supervisor. If the matter is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction within twenty business days following the informal discussion between the student and the academic officer(s), the student may initiate a formal appeal by submitting the matter in writing to the dean of the Graduate School. The student shall have five additional business days to file this appeal. In the written appeal, the student must clearly address three important aspects of the appeal: 1) the action(s) being challenged, 2) the person(s) against whom the complaint is being made, and 3) the redress sought. A decision shall be deemed final on the expiration of the period for filing an appeal, or if an appeal is filed, upon issuance of a decision in such an appeal, whichever is later. No adverse recommendation or action shall be effective until such date.
The dean of the Graduate School, together with the director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, shall examine the appeal and jointly determine whether the actions complained were disciplinary or academic. If the challenged action is deemed to be disciplinary, the dean of the Graduate School shall refer the complaint to the appropriate university officers responsible for disciplinary matters within five business days. If the challenged action is deemed to be an academic matter, other than a grading decision, the dean of the Graduate School shall implement the procedures defined below, keeping all records associated with the case.
A review panel comprised of two faculty members and a graduate student will be appointed. One faculty member, from a college other than the one in which the student’s academic department resides, will be appointed by the dean of the Graduate School. The other faculty member, from the college in which the student’s program resides, will be appointed by the dean of the college. However, this representative will not be from the student appellant’s department. In the event that either of the two aforementioned deans is a complainant in the case, the vice chancellor for research and graduate studies will appoint the appropriate faculty members. The Graduate Student Council will provide a list of graduate students who expressed a willingness to serve on review panels from which the dean of the Graduate School will appoint a student from a department other than that of the student appellant. In the event that the dean of the Graduate School is a principal in the case, the vice chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies will appoint the student member.
The review panel will consider the case in detail. It must review any and all written records of the case. It must afford the student appellant an opportunity to appear in person before it, and consider any written materials the student may wish to bring to its attention. The review panel will hear from the academic officer(s) whose action is being appealed and may confer with other involved parties. It shall evaluate any other information it deems important to its deliberations. Written summaries of the deliberations will be kept. To overcome the presumption of good faith in the performance judgment by the advisor, supervisor, and/or graduate committee, an appeal must demonstrate that the evaluation was based upon matters that are inappropriate or irrelevant to academic performance and applicable professional standards and that consideration of those matters was the deciding factor in the evaluation. Should the review panel find in favor of the student, it will submit a report, making appropriate recommendations, to the dean of the Graduate School, e.g., reassignment to a different advisor and/or graduate committee, administration of another examination, or alternative assistantship assignment. The dean of the Graduate School and the dean of the appellant’s college shall jointly review the case, giving due consideration to the review panel’s report and recommendation. Following consultation with the vice chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, the dean of the Graduate School shall make the final decision of the university. In the event that the dean of the Graduate School is a principal in the case, the duties of the dean of the Graduate School, with respect to this case, shall be transferred to the vice chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies. In the event that the decision recommends termination of an assistantship due to unavailability of funds or other conditions beyond the university’s control or performance of assigned duties and functions as set forth in the terms and conditions applicable to graduate assistant appointments, such terminations must be approved by the chancellor, as the representative of the Board of Trustees.
Thesis: Research, Examination, Preparation, and Delivery | Top |
In programs where a thesis is prepared, the student must comply with the specific regulations of his or her school or department and the general requirements of the Graduate School. These requirements are specified in the
Manual of Basic Requirements for Theses and Dissertations which is approved by the Graduate School and available on the Graduate School’s web site,
www.ecu.edu/gradschool/. The manual contains details on the form, preparation, and binding of theses and dissertations.
Thesis topics must be approved by the thesis advisory committee and the chairperson of the department. All students whose thesis projects involve human subjects must have their proposals approved by the University and Medical Center Institutional Review Board (UMCIRB) before beginning their studies. All students whose research involves animals must have their proposals approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). A copy of the appropriate committee approval must be submitted with the title of the thesis.
Copies of the thesis must be presented by the student to his or her faculty thesis advisor for the use of the examining committee not later than one week prior to the date on which the examining committee will conduct the oral examination and defense of the thesis. At this oral defense of the thesis, the examining committee may ask the student questions regarding the subject matter in the major field. A student may attempt to defend the thesis no more than twice.
Students in the EdD program must complete a scholarly dissertation. Specific requirements for the proposal and the dissertation are available from the coordinator of the EdD program.
After the thesis or dissertation has been defended successfully, the original copy of the thesis or dissertation, prepared and printed on the required paper with the required format, properly signed by the director of the thesis or dissertation committee and the dean of the school or chair of the major department, must be submitted to the dean of the Graduate School. It must be delivered at least ten days prior to the last day of classes of the student’s final semester.
After approval by the dean of the Graduate School, additional copies of the thesis or dissertation may be prepared by photocopy or printed by offset printing.
Three copies (including the original) of the final, approved thesis must be submitted to the university library. These three copies will be bound at no cost to the student. Two of these copies remain in the university library and the third is delivered to the school or department of the student’s major. Additional copies may be bound at the student’s expense. These optional copies may be for the thesis director and the student’s personal use.
For copy requirements and binding procedures for PhD dissertations, see program descriptions, Section 7, Curricula.
In order to change graduate degree programs, a student must file a petition to change programs on forms obtained from the Graduate School. The student’s credentials will be sent to the new school or department for evaluation and recommendation. The petitioning student will be notified by the Graduate School concerning the outcome of the petition. A student who petitions successfully for transfer to a new degree program must complete new program requirements in force at the time of the change of program. Any courses credited from the old program must meet the time frame requirements for completion of the new program.
Withdrawal and Readmission | Top |
For information on withdrawal and readmission, see Section 2, Admission and Readmission.
Student Educational Records | Top |
Policy on Posting Grades | Top |
As soon as they are determined at the end of each semester or summer term, grades are posted electronically. Students may secure their grades via
Self Service Banner. In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, faculty are not allowed to post grades by Social Security Number or any other personally identifiable characteristic. Upon receipt of a written request to the Office of the Registrar, a report of grades is sent to the student at his or her permanent home address. Questions about final examination grades should be directed to the instructor who determined the grade.
Transcripts of Records | Top |
Requests for transcripts of a student’s record should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar. For each copy, there is a fee of $5. A transcript will not be issued for a student who is financially indebted to the university.
Privacy of Student Educational Records Policy | Top |
The university policy for the administration of student educational records is in accordance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Amendment or FERPA. This policy provides that the student has a right of access to student educational records maintained by the university or any department or unit within the university. The policy also protects the confidentiality of personally identifiable information in student records. A copy of the university policy
regarding the privacy of student educational records is maintained in each professional school and academic department within the university. Each member of the faculty should be thoroughly familiar with this policy and comply with its provisions.
Access to Student Educational Records | Top |
In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, it is the policy of the university that students have the following rights in regard to official educational records maintained by the university.
- Each student has the right to inspect and review any and all official educational records, files, and data maintained by the university and directly related to the student and not related to other students.
- The university will comply with the request from a student to review his or her records within a reasonable time, but in any event not more than forty-five days after the request is made. Any inquiry pertaining to student records should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.
- A student who believes that his or her educational records contain inaccuracies or misleading information or that his or her right of privacy is violated on the basis of information contained in such records has the right to a hearing to challenge such information and to have it removed from his or her record or to include in the record his or her own statement of explanation. Any complaint pertaining to student records should be made directly to the Office of the University Attorney, telephone 252-328-6940.
- The university will not release any information from student records to anyone (except those agencies noted in item 5., below) without the prior written consent of the student. The consent must specify the records or information to be released, the reasons for the release, and the identity of the recipient of the records.
- Legitimate educational interest is a demonstrated “need to know” by those officials of an institution who act in the student’s educational interest. They include: faculty, administration, clerical and professional employees, and other persons who need student record information for the effective functioning of their office or position. The following criteria shall be taken into account in determining the legitimacy of a University official’s access to student’s records:
- The official must seek the information within the context of the responsibilities that he or she has been assigned.
- The information sought must be used within the context of official University business and not for purposes extraneous to the official’s area of responsibility to the University.
- Information from the student’s records may be released without the written consent of the student in the following situations:
- in compliance with a court order or subpoena;
- requests from the staff or faculty of the university who have a legitimate educational interest in the information;
- requests from other departments or educational agencies who have legitimate educational interest in the information, including persons or companies with whom the university has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, collection agent, or The National Student Clearinghouse);
- requests from officials of other colleges or universities at which the student intends to enroll provided the student is furnished with a copy, if he or she so desires, so that he or she may have an opportunity to challenge the contents of the record;
- requests from authorized representatives of the US Comptroller General or the administrative head of a federal educational agency in connection with an order or evaluation of federally supported educational programs;
- requests in connection with a student’s application for receipt of financial aid;
- requests from parents of a dependent student as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; or
- requests from appropriate persons in connection with an emergency if the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons.
A student has the right to file a complaint at any time with the US Department of Education. However, it is expected that the student normally would exhaust the available administrative remedies for relief according to the university grievance procedures before filing such a complaint.
If student’s complaint is not rectified through the university grievance procedures, complaints may be sent to:
Family Policy Compliance Office
US Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Change of Name and Address | Top |
It is the obligation of every student to notify the Office of the Registrar of any change in name or address. Students may also change their address via
Self Service Banner. Failure to do so can cause serious delay in communication with the student.
Release of Directory Information | Top |
The university routinely makes available in an annually updated printed directory and in an online directory certain information about its students. This policy is for the convenience of students, parents, other members of the university community, and the general public. In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the university will continue this policy of releasing directory information, including the following: the student’s name, address (including e-mail address), telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institute attended by the student. If any student does not wish this directory information released without prior consent, the student must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing within seven days after registration day of the current term of enrollment.
Residence and Graduate Requirements | Top |
Residence Requirement
The residence requirement for a graduate degree program is met when a student has earned at least eighty percent of the required degree credit for his or her program (a program is defined as 30 or more s.h.) through enrollment in courses offered by East Carolina University. Individual graduate programs may specify additional residence requirements.
Continuous Enrollment (or Registration) | Top |
Graduate students who have previously registered for all credits in a graduate degree program but who have not completed all requirements (e.g., thesis, professional paper, internship, etc.) must continue to register each semester (except summer terms) until all degree requirements are completed and filed with the registrar. Under special circumstance, exception to continuous registration may be approved by the dean of the Graduate School. Students must be registered for the semester of graduation (except summer, if registered for the prior spring semester).
Research Skills Requirement | Top |
Programs require completion of a research skills component. How the research skills requirement is completed is defined by the academic program.
The time limit for completing all credit (including transfer credit) in nondoctoral programs is six years (except for the master of science in social work which is limited to four years for full- and part-time students). College, school, and departmental petitions for time extensions for completion of degrees will be reviewed and acted upon by the Graduate School. The Graduate School is empowered to establish the length of time for extensions that are granted and to specify the conditions governing time extensions that student petitioners must meet.
Students in the EdD program must complete their course work in six years. An extension may be granted with the approval of the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership and the Graduate School.
For limitation of PhD programs, see Section 7, Curricula.
Application for Graduation | Top |
Application for graduation must be made on a form provided by the registrar at least one semester prior to completion of the requirements of the degree.
