Conferring the Degree
Candidacy
To be admitted to candidacy for the Master of Science degree, a
student must be in Good Academic Standing and demonstrate mastery of
their specific Plan of Study and preparedness to conduct graduate level
research. This mastery is evaluated by an advisory committee, who in turn
recommends candidacy to the Graduate Council. Demonstration of
preparedness and mastery necessary for the master's degree may be
accomplished by passing a Qualifying Examination (eg., an examination for
the thesis) or through completion of a specifically designed course or
course sequence (eg., a clinical research practicum).
If a qualifying examination is used, it usually will be taken
following the completion of at least 24 credit hours of graduate
coursework (approximately the middle the second year). The examination
may consist of a written test sampling all the courses taken by the
student, or it may examine the student's grasp of the theory and
techniques used in research in their major field. The student’s advisory
committee establishes the format and content of the exam and usually
administers it. The Qualifying Examination may consist of either or both
written and oral parts, and may test the sub-disciplines of the major
field, research methodology, experimental design and/or analysis.
Admission to candidacy must be achieved at
least one trimester prior to the term in which the student expects to
receive the master's degree. No exception to this rule will be made.
Candidacy for the master's degree shall be valid for no more than three
calendar years. Any student whose candidacy has expired may apply to the
Graduate Council for readmission. The committee under which the student
is seeking the degree shall determine the conditions under which he or
she may be reinstated, subject to the approval of the Graduate Council.
Graduation
The Master of Science degree is based on a curriculum consisting of at
least 36 credit hours. Fitness for the degree is determined by the
advisory committee selected by the student and approved by the Graduate
Council. The basis for this determination may be an oral presentation of
research completed (eg., Thesis Defense) or completion of a specifically
designed course or course sequence (eg., a clinical research practicum).
When this committee is satisfied that the work and report reflect an
appropriate quality on the academic profession, Palmer College of
Chiropractic, and themselves, they will indicate their approval of this
graduate research and recommend the candidate for graduation.
The oral defense of a thesis is usually a pubic presentation describing
at least some part of a graduate student’s research. The content and
format of this presentation is determined by the specific program,
however, it usually is a formal presentation before the entire academic
community, followed by questions from the floor. After the presentation,
the candidate usually meets with their faculty mentors to discuss the
research in greater detail.
Commencement exercises are held three times a year, in February, June
and October. The Office of the Faculty Marshall coordinates all aspects
of the graduation ceremonies.
Graduate Council
The Graduate Council is a standing committee that meets regularly to
review and evaluate applications for the Master of Science degree, to
review graduate curricula and student progress, and to certify and
recommend candidates for degrees.
Transcripts
Each student or alumnus is furnished one transcript of record free of
charge. Federal law requires that a written request be made by the
student before issuance of a transcript. The Division of Graduate Studies
will not deliver transcripts by FAX or for those having outstanding bills
or obligations to the Division of Graduate Studies and/or Palmer College.
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