Graduate School Policies and Procedures

Introduction

The Graduate School’s policies serve as a resource for both graduate students, their advisors and the staff who support them. These policies contain information on official policies and procedures relating to admissions, registration, grading, student records, degree requirements and academic integrity.

Academic Programs Subject to Graduate School Policies

The Graduate School of the State University of New York at Buffalo is authorized to offer programs and recommend the granting of degrees at levels beyond the baccalaureate. The college, schools and divisions of the university with graduate programs conducted under the aegis of the Graduate School are listed below:

• School of Architecture and Planning (Advanced Certificate, M.Arch, MS, MUP, PhD).
• College of Arts and Sciences (Advanced Certificate, AuD, MA, MFA, MM, MS, PhD).
• School of Dental Medicine (MS, PhD).
• Graduate School of Education (Advanced Certificate, EdD, EdM, MA, MS, PhD).
• School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Advanced Certificate, ME, MPS, MS, PhD).
• School of Public Health and Health Professions (Advanced Certificate, MA, MPH, MS, PhD).
• School of Management (Advanced Certificate, MBA, MS, PhD).
• Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (MA, MS, PhD).
• School of Nursing (Advanced Certificate, DNP, MS, PhD).
• School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS, PhD).
• Roswell Park Graduate Division (MS, PhD).
• School of Social Work (DSW, MSW, PhD).

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Academic Standards and Monitoring Student Progress

Academic Standing

The Graduate School defines good academic standing as a student who is making acceptable progress toward a graduate degree or advanced certificate. All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their study. To monitor graduate student academic standing, the chair/DGS/program director in charge of each graduate program will regularly review the academic records of its graduate students. Any graduate student who fails to remain in good academic standing will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent fall or spring term.
The Graduate School’s minimum academic requirements for each graduate student to remain in good academic standing are: 

1. Achieve a term grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 (B) or better, with no U or F grades earned.
2. Completion of at least 67 percent of their attempted credits each term.

Note: The S grade is awarded only in those instances where a student’s letter grade would have been equivalent to at least a 3.0 (B) or better. As such, the S grade is considered equivalent to a 3.0 grade point average.

Individual college/schools may establish stricter academic standards. Academic requirements other than those established by the Graduate School are determined by the program faculty and approved by the appropriate decanal unit.

Students who are not in good academic standing as defined above, or who are put on academic probation, are not eligible to participate in university activities, including athletics.

Academic Criteria for Financial Aid Eligibility: Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

For financial aid process, a graduate student must:

• Maintain a 2.75 overall graduate grade-point-average (GPA), and
• Complete 67 percent of all credits attempted per term.

In order to be considered making satisfactory academic progress for purposes of continued federal aid eligibility. Any student whose graduate GPA falls below a 2.75, or who completes less than 67 percent of all attempted credits per term, will be considered making unsatisfactory academic progress.

For more information about UB’s graduate SAP criteria for federal aid eligibility please refer to the Office of Financial Aid website.

Annual Academic Review of PhD Students

Each PhD student’s academic progress must be evaluated annually by the director of graduate studies (DGS) and, if appropriate, the student’s dissertation advisor. The most appropriate time for annual review is mid-May, thereby permitting appropriate academic planning for the following semester and allowing for timely responses to inquiries about students in jeopardy of losing federal financial aid. Alternatively, though not ideal, review can take place in mid-October.

Additionally, each PhD student’s academic progress must be reviewed after their first semester of enrollment, in order to identify any academic problems early in the program. Directors of graduate study are required to communicate the annual academic evaluation to the student in writing.

Each graduate program is encouraged to develop its own process for student evaluation and advisement. However certain elements must be included in PhD student annual evaluation:

1. Review of the student’s academic record including:
   • Checking the overall grade point average.
   • Addressing any incomplete and/or resigned courses.
   • Monitoring overall progress toward completing the coursework phase of the program.
2. Checking on progress in completing or preparing for the preliminary or qualifying exam(s) or paper(s).
3. Planning for a timely defense of the dissertation research proposal or prospectus.
4. Monitoring adequate progress in research including timeliness of degree completion.

A sample review form is available to facilitate the academic review process.

Academic Probation

Any graduate student who receives a grade of U or F in any course, including lab work or informal credit (e.g., independent study, research, dissertation guidance, etc.); or who indicates a lack of ability as determined by the director of graduate studies or student’s academic advisor, must receive an immediate academic review. Upon completion of the academic review, the director of graduate studies may place the student on academic probation.

Any student who is not in good academic standing as defined above or who is otherwise determined to be making unsatisfactory academic progress must be placed on academic probation. A probationary letter must be issued to the student (with a copy to the advisor, if applicable) indicating the conditions that must be met and outlining an appropriate period of time in which to regain good academic standing. The outcome that will result if the conditions are not met must also be included in the probationary letter.

In general, academic review takes place at the end of each fall and spring semesters. After review, the department must issue probation letters (in late-December/early-January for fall, and/or in late-May for spring) to the appropriate students. Probation letters must indicate the terms of the probation and the pathway toward its removal. After the specified period outlined in the probation letter, the student must be sent another letter to either remove the probationary status or issue a second probationary letter with new conditions for regaining good academic standing, or to dismiss the student from the program. 

Academic Dismissal

Graduate students not meeting the written terms of their academic probation may be academically dismissed from the program by the director of graduate studies, chair of the department or graduate program director. Such dismissals shall be done in a timely fashion but no later than three weeks after the completion of the term. The Graduate School will be notified in writing of all such academic dismissals.

Graduate students who are dismissed for academic reasons from a graduate program will have a “GRD” (Graduate School) service indicator placed on their academic record to prevent future registration.

Reinstatement After Dismissal

A graduate student who has been officially dismissed and who seeks reinstatement shall submit a formal request for reinstatement, along with a supporting statement of explanation, to the chair of the academic department. The request shall be acted upon by the established procedure or review group appropriate to the particular graduate program. If a student is subsequently reinstated to the program from which they were dismissed or is admitted into another graduate program, the “GRD” service indicator will be removed from the student record by written request from the academic department to the Graduate School.

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Admissions

Admissions Procedures

A graduate student who has been officially dismissed and who seeks reinstatement shall submit a formal request for reinstatement, along with a supporting statement of explanation, to the chair of the academic department. The request shall be acted upon by the established procedure or review group appropriate to the particular graduate program. If a student is subsequently reinstated to the program from which they were dismissed or is admitted into another graduate program, the “GRD” service indicator will be removed from the student record by written request from the academic department to the Graduate School.

Application Fee Waivers and Deferrals

In general, waivers of graduate application fees are not granted. Categorical exceptions are made only for those applicants who provide sufficient documentation of their participation as an undergraduate student in an EOP, HEOP or SEEK program, or as an undergraduate participant in the CSTEP, MARC, PREP, RISE, LSAMP or McNair Scholars programs on any campus, or as an applicant through Project 1000.

An appeal for a deferral (not a waiver) of the application fee can be made by applicants who provide documentation of their receipt of a GRE Fee Waiver. In all other cases, a deferral (not a waiver) will be considered by the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services only for cases of extreme financial hardship and then only with clear documentation from an appropriate official at an institution of higher education certifying the financial need. Please note that self-declaration of need by an applicant or mere eligibility for student financial aid (loans) is not adequate justification. For more information, applicants should consult the department in which they are applying to graduate study.

Standardized Test Requirement for PhD Level 

Effective for the Fall 2023 term, the Graduate School will no longer require PhD applicants to submit test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other standardized national exams (e.g., Miller Analogies Test [MAT]) for admission to UB PhD programs. PhD Program Directors may decide if PhD admissions requirements for their program will include or exclude the GRE or other standardized tests. All PhD program admissions requirements must be clearly communicated to prospective applicants.

Minimum Undergraduate GPA for Admission to Master’s and PhD Programs 

The minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point-average (GPA) for admission to master’s and PhD programs is 3.0. Departments interested in admitting any applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA below 3.0 must petition the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services and provide necessary documentation (transcripts, standardized test scores, etc.) supporting their case. Master’s and PhD program applicants, who have completed at least 12 graduate credits and have a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of at least a 3.0 (or the international equivalent of 12 credits and a 3.0 GPA scale), are waived from the Minimum Undergraduate GPA for Admission requirement.

New York State Residency 

U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled at the University at Buffalo may be considered New York State residents when they are determined to have had a New York State domicile (i.e., a permanent and principal home in New York) for a 12-month period prior to registration. Note: Shorter time limits may apply to supported graduate students. U.S. citizens and permanent residents who do not meet these criteria are presumed to be out-of-state residents and must pay out-of-state tuition rates unless they can present satisfactory proof that domicile in New York State has in fact been established, notwithstanding the durational requirement. Such proof should confirm that it is the student’s intention to make New York State their permanent home. International students are not eligible for New York State residency.

In determining domicile, all surrounding circumstances, in addition to the student’s expressed intention, will be considered. Factors relevant to the determination of domicile include:

• Federal and state income tax returns.
• Utility bills.
• Rent receipts or lease agreements.
• Status of motor vehicle or other personal property registration.
• Place of voter registration.
• Residence of parents or spouse.
• Military orders requiring transfer to New York State.
• Address listed on bank statements.
• Any other documents that tie a student to New York State.

Applications for Residency are available in 1Capen, on the ground floor of Capen Hall, on the North Campus. Completed applications and supporting materials should be returned to 1Capen.

Combined Degree Programs

Tuition for combined degrees: The 2021-22 tuition structure for combined degree programs is currently under revision, pending guidance from SUNY.  Until further guidance is issued, the current policy will be followed:

Combined degree programs offer UB students the opportunity to pursue multiple degree objectives at an accelerated pace and are designed for students who have demonstrated exceptional promise. Combined degree programs pair the curricula of two degree programs from two different levels (e.g., bachelor’s and master’s), resulting in a condensed format where students may complete the combined degree in less time (and often less cost) than is normally required to complete the two degree programs separately. By reducing some courses within the undergraduate major (normally taken near the end of the undergraduate degree) and substituting equivalent graduate-level courses customarily taken during the initial stages of a graduate degree, students are able to shorten the time needed to gain competence in all required curricular content of both degree programs. When completed, students’ records will indicate two degrees individually awarded as part of a combined degree program.

Combined degrees have a two-tier tuition structure. Over the course of a combined degree program, the student is charged the tuition rate each semester that corresponds to the appropriate program rate for that semester. While the student is completing the undergraduate portion, tuition is charged at the undergraduate rate. When the student is admitted at the graduate level, tuition charges change to the appropriate graduate or professional rate. For example, a student pursuing the combined BS/MBA in business administration program is typically required to complete three years of undergraduate coursework and two years of graduate coursework. Thus, the student is classified as undergraduate and is billed at the undergraduate rate for three years. Thereafter, through acceptance to the MBA component in UB’s Graduate Application System, the student matriculates to the graduate level and the student’s bill reflects the appropriate graduate tuition rate until the student completes the combined degree program.

Domestic undergraduate students pursuing combined degree programs may be eligible for New York State sponsored grants and scholarships and federal financial aid, which is comprised of Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Perkins Loans while completing the undergraduate portion of their program. However, once admitted to the graduate portion of their program and charged graduate tuition, domestic students may no longer be eligible for one or more of these awards. Instead, domestic graduate students are eligible to apply for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans as well as a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. For more information regarding student aid and how to apply, please visit UB’s Financial Aid website.

Any student who receives a UB-sponsored undergraduate award (such as an Acker, Provost or Presidential scholarship) and who later pursues a combined degree program, will continue to remain eligible for their undergraduate award through its normal duration (typically four years total) even after matriculating into the graduate portion of their combined degree program. The award amount will continue to be at the undergraduate level.

Any student choosing to leave the combined degree program prior to its completion will have their bill altered in the following manner. A student pursuing the undergraduate portion of the combined program when they choose not to pursue the combined degree program will continue with undergraduate coursework and will be billed accordingly. However, such a student is no longer permitted to pursue a graduate program until they complete the baccalaureate degree in full and is admitted formally to a regular graduate degree program. A student pursuing the graduate portion of the combined degree program when they choose to abandon that combined program of study will continue to be charged at the graduate rate until formally re-matriculated into the undergraduate career for the following semester.

The minimum undergraduate residency requirement for the undergraduate portion of any combined degree program is 18 credit hours. The minimum graduate residency requirement for the graduate portion of any combined degree program varies by program. However, in no case is the graduate residency requirement for any combined degree program ever less than 24 credit hours.

In certain circumstances, a combined degree program may not qualify the student for professional licensure if such licensure requires the completion of a full (non-abbreviated) undergraduate degree program. Students in licensure-eligible programs should discuss these requirements with an advisor to confirm any such limitations.

Non-Degree Graduate Student Attendance

Students who hold a bachelor’s degree are permitted to register for graduate coursework as non-degree students for a maximum of 12 credit hours. Information concerning this opportunity may be obtained from the individual department. Once registration reaches 12 hours, a service indicator will be placed on the student’s academic record by the Graduate School prohibiting further registration until the student matriculates into a graduate degree program.

Summer Session Attendance

Currently enrolled UB graduate students need only to register in order to attend summer sessions. Students enrolled in graduate programs at other universities or students who have completed a baccalaureate degree may register as non-degree students for the summer session. Non-degree students must first secure the approval of the appropriate department or faculty member for each graduate level course to be taken.

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International Admissions

International Student Admissions Procedures

The University at Buffalo welcomes applications from qualified international students. Application information regarding specific programs may be obtained by contacting the academic department in which enrollment is desired. Applicants presenting international educational credentials must possess a university degree that is recognized as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree prior to beginning graduate study. International applicants must meet the following requirements imposed by university policy and by U.S. Immigration Service regulations. 

Academic Standards for International Applicants

In order to be compliant with federal regulations pertaining to the admission and enrollment of international students, the Office of International Admissions (OIA) must review all international applicants the department wishes to accept. OIA checks and verifies all academic documents, test scores and financial documentation, as well as the offer letter from the department. After reviewing submitted dossiers, OIA enters a decision in UB’s Graduate Application System (“Accept Provisional” or “Accept Final”). This action triggers an automatic email confirmation of acceptance to the student from the dean of the Graduate School.

Financial Documentation

All international applicants must document their ability to meet all educational and personal expenses for the duration of their programs. Applicants will receive more detailed information regarding this requirement with their application. Funds must be documented with liquid assets in the form of bank statements, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, stocks, etc. Documentation must be original and dated within one year of the date the student will enroll at UB.

International applicants are eligible for departmental assistantships and some Graduate School fellowships. International students are not eligible for any New York State or federal scholarships or loans. No other financial assistance is available for international students.

A Certificate of Visa Eligibility may only be issued after the applicant has satisfied both the English proficiency and financial requirements and after department recommendation for admission is made and academic documentation reviewed by the Office of International Admissions.

Canadian Citizens With Indigenous Status

Students who are Canadian citizens with Indigenous status do not need immigration documents and may be eligible to pay in-state tuition rates if they meet certain domicile requirements. However Canadian Indigenous status does not change a student’s citizenship nor the manner UB is required to enter that student into university computer systems. Admission records indicate these students as Canadian citizens. Because the Office of International Admissions is not authorized to show a non-U.S. citizen as having in-state status, the student should visit 1Capen (ground floor of Capen Hall) to take the next steps for approval of in-state residency status. Details about in-state tuition, domicile requirements for New York State residency and deadlines can be found on the UB Student Accounts website.
 

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English Language Requirements for International Applicants

English Language Proficiency

Unless exempted or waived from the requirement, all international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official test scores from one of the following English language proficiency tests:

English Language Institute (ELI)

International applicants who desire or need to improve their English language proficiency may do so through the university’s English Language Institute, which offers Intensive English Programs during the fall, spring and summer semesters. For further information, contact the English Language Institute, 210 Baldy Hall, North Campus, 716-645-2077.

English Language Proficiency Exemptions

Unless exempted or waived from the English language proficiency requirement, all international applicants must demonstrate proficiency by submitting official test scores from one of the approved English language proficiency tests.  The following categories of international applicants are automatically exempt from the English language proficiency requirement. However graduate admission committees are advised to holistically consider all applicants’ English language proficiency and the needs and expectations of the department to ensure that the student will be successful.

1. Students who are citizens of, and who were educated in the English medium from Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, eSwatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
2. Non-matriculated (non-degree) students attending UB under reciprocal exchange agreements with international institutions of higher education.
3. Students who were enrolled at UB and are moving from one degree-level to another or one program to another with a break in their studies of no more than three years between the time of graduation and new enrollment.
4. International students transferring from another U.S. college to UB, who (a) completed (or will complete) a degree at that U.S. college or were enrolled for at least two years at the prior institution; and (b) had a minimum 2.0 GPA at the prior institution; and (c) had no more than a three-year break between the time of graduation/attendance at the previous institution and new enrollment at UB.

English Language Proficiency Waiver Petitions

Unless exempted or waived from the English language proficiency requirement, all international applicants must demonstrate proficiency by submitting official test scores from one of the approved English language proficiency tests. In rare circumstances, UB academic programs (the UB department, not the applicant/student) may petition the Office of International Admissions for an ELP waiver/exception. Through the university’s graduate application system, the academic program will complete an online petition form and submit a written justification for the waiver request along with compelling supporting evidence.  Copies of all of the applicant’s transcripts, copies of all standardized tests taken (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, GRE, GMAT, DUO, etc.), and an up-to-date CV/resume must be submitted. The petition will be reviewed by International Admissions and a decision communicated to the program.

Conditional Admission Based on Low English Language Proficiency Test Scores

Graduate applicants with English language proficiency test scores below the standard cut-off scores may be admitted to UB under the following condition: The student must enroll in and successfully complete one of two full time intensive English programs (IEP) in the UB English Language Institute (ELI), depending on score received, as detailed below:

• Students accepted to a fall semester with an IBT total score of 75-78 or an IELTS overall score of 6.0 or a PTE overall score of 50 must successfully complete a summer ELI program at UB prior to enrollment in their degree program.
• Students accepted to a spring semester with an IBT total score of 70-78 or an IELTS overall score of 6.0 or a PTE overall score of 50 must successfully complete the fall semester ELI program at UB prior to enrollment in their degree program.

University admission cannot be offered if the ELP score is below the minimum scores indicated above.

Upon successfully completing the required UB ELI IEP program, the student is free to begin the academic degree program of study with no further English as a Second Language (ESL) requirements (with the exception of international teaching, research and graduate assistants, who may be required to register for ESL 512). “Successful completion” is defined as passing the IEP (with an overall grade of C or higher) and meeting the IEP minimum attendance policy or having the endorsement of IEP teachers and the director or associate director of the IEP.

Conditional admission is not granted retroactively (for example, an applicant “self-placing” into the UB ELI IEP, successfully completing the program, and then seeking admission to a UB graduate degree program with no ELP test score or with a low ELP test score).  Conditional admission is a “package” offered by the academic department based on the minimum criteria above.

In addition, SEVIS regulations do not permit a “combined” I-20 issued for both the IEP language study and the degree program study. Students admitted with conditional admission will be issued a “stand alone” I-20 for the IEP study only. Upon successfully completing the IEP program, a “continuing” I-20 will be issued for the degree study.

Examination on Arrival (Also Known as Test Deferral)

UB does not offer English language proficiency examinations on arrival nor does UB “defer” the English language proficiency requirement (with a test upon arrival). Unless exempted or waived from the requirement, all international applicants must demonstrate proficiency by submitting official test scores from one of the approved English language proficiency tests.

International Teaching, Research and Graduate Assistants

In addition to the English language proficiency requirement (demonstrated with a valid score from one of UB’s approved English language proficiency tests), all international students who have been awarded graduate, research or teaching assistantships (including Presidential fellowships) must take the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) test upon arrival on campus. Registration for classes is only possible after taking the SPEAK test. International graduate students in certain programs are also required to take the SPEAK test as a policy of the program, regardless of whether or not they receive an assistantship. 

The SPEAK test is given at the beginning of each fall and spring semester during International Student Orientation. Students required to take the SPEAK test at that time must pick up a SPEAK Test Admission Form at the International Student Orientation site or at the English Language Institute, 210 Baldy Hall, North Campus. The SPEAK test can also be administered by appointment during the semester to students who are applying for assistantships. Individual students are allowed to take a SPEAK test a maximum of two times during a semester.

SPEAK Test

The SPEAK test is used for all international students who have been offered assistantships as well as for departments that currently require the SPEAK test as part of their own admission process. The speaking section of the TOEFL iBT cannot be used to replace the SPEAK test.

International English Language Testing System-Academic (IELTS-Academic)

Although departments may require higher scores, the university’s official minimum score for the IELTS is 6.5 (out of 9.0).

UB does not currently require minimum cut-off scores for the four individual subsections. However graduate admission committees are advised to examine and consider section scores as they are relevant to the linguistic needs and expectations of their departments.

IELTS scores must be dated within two years of the time the application is reviewed by International Admissions in UB’s Graduate Application System. Scores must be sent directly to UB by the testing agency.

Cambridge English Proficiency and Cambridge English Advanced (CEP/CEA)

The Cambridge English Proficiency (CEP) exam is also known as the Cambridge C2 Proficiency.  Although departments may require higher scores, the university’s official minimum score for the CEP (C2 Proficiency) is 185 (out of 230).

The Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) is also known as the Cambridge C1 Advanced.  Although departments may require higher scores, the university’s official minimum score for the CAE (C1 Advanced) is also 185 (out of 210).

UB does not currently require minimum cut-off scores for the subsections. However graduate admission committees are advised to examine and consider section scores as they are relevant to the linguistic needs and expectations of their departments.

TOEFL Minimum Requirements

Although departments may require higher scores, the university’s official minimum score for the TOEFL is:

• 79 (total) on the internet-based test (IBT); or
• 79 (total) on the “MyBest Score” version of the IBT; or
• 550 (total) on the paper-based test (PBT).

UB does not currently require minimum cut-off scores for the four individual subsections. However graduate admission committees are advised to examine and consider section scores as they are relevant to the linguistic needs and expectations of their departments.

Institutional versions of the TOEFL test (ITP), unless conducted and issued by UB’s English Language Institute, are not valid and cannot be used for admission purposes.

TOEFL scores must be dated within two years of the time the application is reviewed by International Admissions in UB’s Graduate Application System. Scores must be sent directly to UB by the testing agency.

Pearson Test of English-Academic (PTE-Academic)

Although departments may require higher scores, the university’s official minimum score for the PTE is 55 (out of 90).

UB does not currently require minimum cut-off scores for the four Communicative Skills subsections. However graduate admission committees are advised to examine and consider section scores as they are relevant to the linguistic needs and expectations of their departments.

PTE scores must be dated within two years of the time the application is reviewed by International Admissions in UB’s Graduate Application System. Scores must be sent directly to UB by the testing agency.

Duolingo (DET)

Although departments may require higher scores, the university’s official minimum score for the Duolingo (DET) test of English proficiency is 120 (out of 160).

DET scores must be dated within two years of the time the application is reviewed by International Admissions in UB’s Graduate Application System. 

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Admissions Integrity

The University at Buffalo admission process provides a holistic evaluation of applicants’ academic records and experiences. UB expects and assumes all applicants will adhere to the highest standards of integrity by fully and accurately providing the information and documentation required for a comprehensive review. The University reserves the right to revoke admission, reverse a decision, or re-evaluate admission should information an applicant submitted be falsified. Falsified application information may include but is not limited to, making inaccurate or plagiarized statements on the application, withholding information requested on the application, omitting transcripts for prior college-level work, giving false information, or submitting fraudulent or falsified documents in support of a graduate admissions application.

The academic unit* will determine if an admission decision should stand or be withdrawn when violations of admissions integrity are identified prior to matriculation (before the first day of the academic term for which the student was admitted).

After UB matriculation (on or after the first day of the academic term for which the student was admitted), suspected violations of admissions integrity are a violation of the University at Buffalo Student Code of Conduct (Article 3, Item 12: Dishonesty) and will be considered via the process delineated in this policy.

Preliminary Inquiry

Step 1: If the Office of International Admissions (OIA) or the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services (GES), or the academic unit believes the student committed an act in violation of admissions integrity standards, OIA, GES, or the chair or director of graduate study in the academic unit shall, within 10 academic days** of discovery of the alleged incident:

a)     provide a written statement of notification to the Office of Academic Integrity. In the case where the OIA or GES provide a written statement of notification, a copy of such notification will be sent to the academic unit. The Office of Academic Integrity will have a service indicator placed on the student’s account. The service indicator will only be removed upon resolution of the admissions integrity case.

b)     notify the student, via email to the students UBIT address, the specific allegation(s) and request a written explanation from the student. The student shall have 10 academic days** to provide a written response.

Step 2: If the student responds and the explanation is deemed reasonable by OIA, GES or the academic unit and adequately addresses the concern, the case will be considered resolved and the service indicator will be removed.

If the student does not provide a written response by the deadline, this will be interpreted to mean that the student admits to falsifying application information. If the student does not provide an explanation, or the explanation is deemed unreasonable, inadequate, or inconclusive, the case will move on to the Formal Procedure.

Formal Procedure

Step 1: The OIA, GES or the academic unit will submit a written request to the Office of Academic Integrity to initiate formal proceedings.

Step 2: The Office of Academic Integrity will officially notify the student via email to the student’s UBIT address of the allegation of admissions dishonesty and the committee hearing process. The student will be given the opportunity to provide a written statement including supporting evidence for the Committee’s consideration in advance of the hearing.

Step 3: The Office of Academic Integrity will convene an Admissions Integrity Committee to consider the case within 20 academic days** from the date of the receipt of the request. The committee will consist of members from the academic unit, GES, the Office of Student Conduct, and the Office of Academic Integrity. In cases where international admissions integrity is in question, the OIA must also have representation on the committee. The Admissions Integrity Committee shall give the student at least 72 hours notice of the hearing.

Step 4: At the hearing, the Admissions Integrity Committee shall provide the student sufficient opportunity to present their position. The student shall have the right to be present and have one advisor present at the hearing. In no case shall the advisor be an attorney, unless they are a member of the UB faculty not acting in a legal capacity. An advisor may not speak on behalf of or advocate for a principal or otherwise address members of the hearing committee. These hearings are conducted in confidence. The technical and formal rules of evidence applicable in a court of law are not controlling and the Admissions Integrity Committee may receive and consider all relevant material and reliable evidence that will contribute to an informed result. The chair of the committee may exclude irrelevant or unduly repetitious evidence.

Step 5: Once the hearing has adjourned, the committee will meet privately to deliberate the case. The committee will submit a written statement of findings and sanction recommendations to the Director of the Office of Academic Integrity. The written statement of recommendations shall be submitted to the Director of the Office of Academic Integrity within 10 academic days** after the final meeting of the committee.

Recommendations may include:

a)     Dismissal of case: Insufficient evidence shall be grounds for dismissal of a case.

b)     Not responsible for breaching admissions integrity standards: No sanctions shall be imposed.

c)     Responsible for breaching admissions integrity standards/sanctions imposed: If a majority of the Admissions Integrity Committee is convinced that the student committed a violation, the committee has the right to recommend to the Director of the Office of Academic Integrity one or more of the following sanctions:

I) Warning: Written notice to the student that subsequent repetition of the wrongful conduct may be cause for more severe sanctions.

II) Dismissal from the graduate program to which the student was admitted: Without written comment on the transcript.

III) Dismissal from the graduate program to which the student was admitted: With written comment on the transcript.

IV) Suspension from the university: With written comment on the transcript. (Note: only the university president, or designee, may suspend a student from the university.)

V) Expulsion from the university: With written comment on the transcript. (Note: only the university president, or designee, may expel a student from the university.)

VI) Other sanctions as appropriate to each individual situation.

Step 6: Upon thorough consideration of the committee’s findings and recommendations, the Director of the Office of Academic Integrity will render a final decision. The final decision and any sanction(s) imposed shall be submitted in writing from the Director of the Office of Academic Integrity to the student via email to the student’s UBIT address within 10 academic days** of receiving the Admissions Integrity Committee’s statement of recommendations. The decision of the Director of the Office of Academic Integrity is final, and no further appeal is available.

*Academic unit is defined as either a university department or a graduate program where no departmental affiliation exists.

**Academic days are defined as weekdays, when classes are in session, not including the summer or winter sessions.

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Registration

Calendar (Official) 

The official university calendar is issued by the Office of the Registrar. Graduate students may obtain a class schedule from the Registrar’s website.

Class Attendance

Since the university desires to promote student responsibility, there is no general rule concerning student class attendance. However, every class instructor shall provide to students a course syllabus during the first week of class that specifies attendance expectations, class dates and times, exams and any other required activities. Classes are to meet at the time and at the location listed in the official university course schedule, unless changed with the consent of the entire class. Instructors may take account of unexcused absences in determining course grades.

Attendance on Religious Holy Days

On those religious holy days when members of a faith observe the expectation of their religion that they be absent from school or work, individual students will be excused from class without penalty if expressly requested. If such a requested absence results in a student’s inability to fulfill the academic requirement of a course scheduled on that particular day, the instructor must provide an opportunity for the student to make up the requirement without penalty. Students shall not be charged any fees or experience any adverse or prejudicial effects due to absence from coursework due to religious observance. 

In the event that a student absence situation cannot be resolved between the student and the class instructor, or either party is aggrieved by the process, appeal shall proceed to the Graduate School.

Reading Days

The university calendar formally indicates the last day of classes. Faculty may not schedule classes after the last official day of classes. University sanctioned reading days are incorporated into the university calendar in an effort to provide graduate students with additional preparation time before the commencement of final examination week. Faculty who wish to conduct study sessions on reading days may do so if, and only if, these study sessions are offered on a voluntary basis, no attendance is taken, and no new information is introduced. Final examinations shall be offered as officially scheduled, and not during university-sanctioned reading days. This policy does not apply to any graduate program that, due to state or national certification or licensure requirements, must operate on a different academic calendar.

Full-Time Status Certification

Under certain circumstances, a graduate student can be certified full-time even though they are registered for less than a full-time academic load as defined above. Full-time status may be required by outside agencies or organizations such as lending institutions, health insurance carriers, USCIS, etc. Eligible circumstances include:

• A student who is at the candidacy stage of their program and is working full-time on a project, portfolio, thesis, dissertation or a final comprehensive exam.
• A student who is engaged full-time in required field work, practicum or internship.
• A doctoral student who is preparing for a qualifying exam prior to candidacy.
• A student who is participating in a university-approved foreign exchange program.

Full-time certification requires that full-time academic effort is put forth, regardless of the number of credits registered in a given term. The weekly hours of academic effort required, in addition to credits registered, must follow this schedule:

If a student meets the conditions described above, the student may request certification by submitting a completed Certification of Full-Time Student Status form.

Academic Load

A full-time academic load for a graduate student is 12 credits per term, unless the student holds a graduate, teaching or research assistantship appointment, in which case a full-time academic load is nine credits per 15-week term. Due to the abbreviated nature of the winter and summer sessions, three credits taken over the winter session and six credits taken within a single summer session, is equivalent to the full-time academic load for a fall or spring term.

Continuous Registration Requirement

As part of the registration process, students select a program of courses with the advice of their advisors or committee and with the approval of their program director. Students must then officially register every semester for the appropriate courses according to established registration procedures and within the deadline dates announced by the Office of the Registrar.
Graduate students must register for a minimum of one credit hour each fall and spring term until all requirements for the degree are completed. If continuous registration is impossible at any time, the student must secure a leave of absence from the Office of the Registrar. Failure to secure a leave of absence by the end of the semester in which the leave is to begin will result in a $350 reactivation fee being assessed to the student’s account when the student subsequently registers for classes. Students may not be on a leave of absence in the semester immediately preceding degree conferral. Under rare circumstances, the continuous registration requirement may be waived for the semester immediately prior to degree conferral if:

• The student has applied for graduation or has an approved PhD Application to Candidacy on file in the Graduate School; and,
• The student will not be using any university services or faculty time; and,
• The student submitted all required conferral materials to the Graduate School prior to the first day of the semester. 

Students may request a waiver of continuous registration by filing the Graduate Student Petition for Waiver of Continuous Registration with the Graduate School.

Maximum Credit Hour Overrides

Graduate students may register for no more than 19 credit hours per semester. The chair or director of graduate studies interested in allowing students to exceed this maximum credit hour limit must submit a letter of justification to the Graduate School for review. In considering such requests, the Graduate School will not grant the 19-credit override to any student who has less than a 3.0 overall average or who carries two or more incomplete (I) and/or resign (R) grades.

Assistantships and Full Time Registration

A student on an Assistantship must register for at least 9 credits during each fall and spring semester to be considered a full-time student.

There are two commonplace exceptions to this basic definition of UB’s full-time Assistantship term load:

• As a doctoral student approaches the all-but-dissertation (ABD) status (e.g., is working on, or has completed a comprehensive exam or qualifying paper), their academic program calls for less than 9 credits of registration per term. Since the dissertation stage is typically a full-time endeavor, ABD students are often eligible for “certified full-time status” and may file for that status with the Graduate School as needed, and at the appropriate time in the student’s academic program. Approved certification of full-time status allows the student to be considered a full-time student while enrolled in less than 9 credit hours.
• As a master’s student approaches the culminating experience portion of their program (usually after about one year), their curricular requirements may call for less than 9 credits of registration per term. A master’s student at the end of their program engaged in full-time academic work on the culminating experience (e.g., project, thesis or comprehensive exam) is eligible for “certified full-time status” and may file for that status with the Office of the Registrar as needed, and at the appropriate time in the student’s academic program. Approved certification of full-time status allows the student to be considered a full-time student while enrolled in less than 9 credit hours.

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Leave of Absence/Break in Continuous Registration 

Leaves of Absence

A request for a leave of absence must be negotiated through the chair or director of graduate studies of the student’s major department using a Graduate Student Petition for a Leave of Absence form. The form must then be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar by the last day of classes of the semester in which the leave is to begin.

Normally, leaves are granted for a maximum of one year, but may be extended for up to one additional year if circumstances warrant. Each department may establish its own policies within the limits of these guidelines. All leave requests must be supported by adequate documentation.

Students approved for a leave of absence remain liable for any outstanding tuition and fee charges.

International students are advised to consult with International Student and Scholar Services, 210 Talbert Hall, North Campus, 716-645-2258, prior to applying for a leave of absence.

Failure to register for classes or secure a leave of absence by the last day of classes of the semester in which the leave is to begin, will result in the student losing their access to register for classes in a future semester. To regain registration access within a subsequent five-year period, the student’s home academic department must file a semester record activation request on behalf of the student (see the “Returning Student Semester Record Activation and Associated Fee” section for more details).

Involuntary Leave of Absence
The University at Buffalo is committed to the safety, health and well-being of the campus community. The University recognizes that students may experience situations that significantly limit their ability to function successfully or safely in their role as students. In such circumstances, students should consider requesting a leave of absence. A leave of absence permits students to take a break from the University and their studies, so that they may address the issues that led to the need for the leave and later return to the University with an enhanced opportunity to achieve their educational goals. Students will be given the option to take a voluntary leave of absence before the University pursues an involuntary leave on behalf of the student.

Learn more about SUNY’s Involuntary Leave of Absence for Students Policy.

View the Involuntary Leave of Absence Related Resources PDF.

Returning Student Semester Record Activation and Associated Fee

Academic departments may file a semester record activation request for graduate students who were previously admitted into an academic program through UB’s Graduate Application System and had a break in attendance of no more than five years and had neglected to secure an approved leave of absence from the Graduate School. Once reviewed and approved by the vice provost for graduate education, a new semester record will be created with exactly the same academic career, program and plan as recorded for the last semester in which the student attended UB. At the time of semester record activation, the student will be assessed a non-refundable record activation fee (currently $350).

It is the prerogative of the academic department to decide whether or not to process/endorse a former student’s request for semester record activation and return to graduate study as described in the previous paragraph. The department also determines how much of the previously completed work may be applied toward the graduate degree program, within established Graduate School guidelines.

Any graduate student who has had an enrollment lapse of more than five years must reapply through the graduate program’s regular application process.
 

Registration Service Indicators

The Graduate School is responsible for processing registration service indicators (to prevent a student from registering) upon receipt of appropriate information from the academic department. Students who have been dismissed from a graduate program due to unsatisfactory academic progress will find a “GRD” service indicator on their record if they attempt to register. Such students may contact the chair of the department from which they were dismissed to seek advice regarding potential removal of this service indicator.

Students who have been registered as non-degree seeking students or who have not complied with departmental or Graduate School policies and procedures may also encounter a “GRD” service indicator when they attempt to register. These students should contact the Graduate School or the department through which they were previously enrolled to determine what is necessary to have the service indicator removed.

Departments wishing to have a “GRD” service indicator issued or removed should forward a letter or email to the Graduate School containing the following information:

• Name of department.
• Name of student.
• Student’s person number.
• Semester or date for which service indicator action is effective.
• Reason for service indicator action with documentation.
• Name of the person requesting the service indicator action.

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Cross-Registration 

Graduate Students Taking Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate courses may be taken by graduate students as appropriate prerequisites to their chosen field of study but may not be used to satisfy graduate program requirements or carry graduate credit. However, some 400-level courses may be suitable graduate credit under the following circumstances and subject to approval in advance by the Graduate School. In order to obtain approval, the student must file a Petition for Course Credit Outside Your Primary Career that must include:

• Justification for taking an undergraduate course for graduate credit. (For example: that the course curriculum is important to the student’s program and not offered as a graduate course.)
• The approval and signature of the course instructor who must be a UB faculty member.
• A description of the nature and extent of the extra work to be assigned to the graduate student.
• The approval and signature of the department chair or director of graduate studies of the student’s graduate program.

If approved, a graduate student may receive up to a maximum of eight credit hours of this nature while pursuing a graduate degree. All such petitions must be filed prior to the end of the official add/drop period of the semester of registration.

Undergraduate Student Access to Graduate Courses

Prior to receipt of the baccalaureate degree, a UB undergraduate student may register for up to nine credits at the graduate level which may later be applied to a graduate, professional or advanced certificate program at UB. In order to exercise this option, the student must have the permission of the department offering the graduate course(s) and possess a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 at the time of graduate course enrollment. Note that the graduate credit hour limit described above does not apply to students formally admitted to, and currently enrolled in, an SED-registered combined undergraduate/graduate degree program at UB, provided that the graduate courses taken are part of that student’s specific combined degree program.

Any graduate level courses successfully petitioned for use at the undergraduate level are not included in the nine-credit limit. However, a graduate level course applied toward an undergraduate degree cannot also be applied toward a graduate degree.

Undergraduate Students Taking Graduate Courses

Within certain academic limitations, undergraduate students can be allowed to take graduate level courses with permission of the course instructor and director of graduate study or department chair. Graduate credit will be awarded for the course unless the student specifically petitions to use the course for undergraduate credit. A graduate course that is awarded undergraduate credit cannot also be awarded graduate credit.

Prior to receipt of the baccalaureate degree, a UB undergraduate student may take up to nine credits at the graduate level which may later be applied to a graduate, professional or advanced certificate program at UB. In order to exercise this option, the student must file a Petition for Course Credit Outside Primary Academic Career, have the permission of the department offering the graduate course(s) and possess a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 at the time of graduate course enrollment.

Note that the nine-credit hour limit described above does not apply to students formally admitted to, and currently enrolled in, an SED-registered combined undergraduate/graduate degree program at UB, provided that the graduate courses taken are part of that student’s specific combined degree program.

Any graduate level courses successfully petitioned for use at the undergraduate level are not included in the nine-credit limit. However, an undergraduate course that is awarded graduate credit cannot also be awarded undergraduate credit.

Cross-Registration With Other SUNY Schools

The SUNY institutions approved for graduate cross-registration are the University at Buffalo, State University College at Buffalo and the State University College at Fredonia. Students must abide by the rules and regulations established by the visiting institution where they intend to cross-register. Students in the cross-registration program may take only those courses where space is available, that are approved by the student’s home department and that are also not available at their home institution.

The UB Graduate Student Cross-Registration form is obtained from the University Registrar’s Office. In order to be enrolled in a cross-registered course, a UB student must get the Graduate Cross-Registration form approved by both their home department and the visiting institution and then return it to 1Capen (ground floor of Capen Hall) by the publicized deadline date. Students who do not meet these deadlines will not be enrolled into a cross-registration course and therefore will not receive credits or grades. Also, a UB student must be registered at UB for a minimum of nine credit hours while participating in a cross-registration program. Each participating institution may establish its own registration procedures and materials. Tuition and fees are paid at the student’s home campus. Grades are forwarded to the home institution after the close of the semester. Contact the Office of the Registrar for information at 716-645-5698.

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Courses Across UB Divisions

Dual- and Cross-Listed Undergraduate and Graduate Courses

A graduate course may be dual- or cross-listed with an undergraduate course only when the undergraduate course is a 4xx level offering. In such a case, a clear explanation of the additional work that graduate students are expected to undertake for the graduate level offering (i.e., extra recitation sections, extra projects, additional papers, etc.) must be explained in the course syllabus.

Dual-listed Course Usability Toward Both an Undergraduate and a Graduate Program

Dual-listed courses that are taken at the undergraduate level and applied toward an undergraduate degree cannot be taken later at the graduate level and applied toward a post-baccalaureate degree or advanced certificate if the student received a B grade or higher in the undergraduate level offering.

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Student Records

Change of Name or Address

As soon as possible (i.e., within one week) following any change of name or address, a student must complete a Student Name Change form or an Address Change/Add Request form located on the Office of the Registrar website. Students may also change their address online using the HUB Student Center through the MyUB portal.

Confidentiality of Records

Student records are confidential and are released only to appropriate faculty and administrative offices. Release of such records to any other college, prospective employer or agency occurs only with the written permission of the student or pursuant to a subpoena or Court order.

In compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the State University of New York at Buffalo releases the following directory information upon request: student’s name, current address, telephone number, email address, major field of study, dates of attendance and degrees received. The university will routinely release such information unless a student indicates on the Request for Directory & Information Release/Non-Release form that they wish not to be listed in the student directory.

The law requires that students be given reasonable time to request that this information not be released. Students who have previously indicated that they do wish to have their directory information released should notify 1Capen (ground floor of Capen Hall), if they wish to rescind that permission to release directory information. The law also affords students the right to inspect and review their educational records and to request a hearing to question the contents of those records.

Inquires or complaints may be filed with the Family Policy and Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington, DC 20202-5920. Phone: 1-800-872-5327

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Transfer Credit

Transfer Credits

The Graduate School will consider for transfer credit graduate-level coursework from nationally accredited institutions of higher education, as well as graduate-level coursework from any international institution that UB recognizes as equivalent to a nationally accredited institution.

Only those graduate courses completed at accredited or recognized international institutions and with grades of full B or better are eligible for transfer credit. Courses with grades of S or P are eligible for transfer except when the transfer institution’s grading policy equates S or P with lower than a full B grade.

Limits for Advanced Certificates

A minimum of 90 percent of all credits applied to a UB advanced certificate credential must be comprised of UB credit. The advanced certificate is an official post-baccalaureate credential in New York State. However, it is not considered a degree program. Therefore, all credits satisfactorily completed for a UB advanced certificate, may also count toward a relevant UB graduate degree. Academic programs may have stricter transfer limits.

Limit for Master’s Degrees

No more than 20 percent of a master’s program may be comprised of credits from another graduate degree program. For example, students pursuing a 30-credit UB master’s degree may transfer up to six graduate credits either from UB, or other accredited institutions, into their program. Students pursuing a 45-credit master’s degree program may transfer up to nine graduate credits.

Limits for Doctoral Degrees

Transfer credits for the doctoral degree may not constitute more than 50 percent of the total minimum credits required for that specific degree program.

Courses transferred from another institution into the graduate division will be transferred with full semester credit value. Conversion of credits from trimester, quarterly and other calendar systems will be completed based on nationally accepted standards: i.e., trimester hours are equivalent to semester credits, however quarterly hours are equivalent to two-thirds semester credits.

Transfer Credit Process

The director of graduate studies or chair of the student’s home department must first formally evaluate any transfer coursework for its applicability toward any particular graduate program of study. Once transfer credits are deemed appropriate and applicable by the department, the student files a Graduate Student Petition for Transfer Credit form during the student’s first year of matriculation to UB. Upon receipt of the transfer credit petition, the Graduate School will evaluate credit and grade equivalences, and verify the courses were completed at an accredited or recognized institution. UB must receive a final official transcript from the transfer institution before the transfer credits may be formally approved and recorded on the student’s UB record.

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Course Sharing and Historic Coursework

In cases where a student wishes to utilize selected graduate level courses to satisfy the degree requirements of more than one post-baccalaureate (graduate and/or professional) degree program, the following limitations apply:

1. The integrity of each master’s level degree program must be observed by the student’s completion of a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit at UB. Individual degree programs may establish minimum credit hour requirements that exceed that level.
2. No more than 10 percent of the total credit hours required to complete two UB master’s degree programs may be comprised of “shared courses” (i.e., courses applied to both programs). For example, in the case of two MS degree programs each of which requires 30-credits (i.e., a total of 60), no more than six credit hours (10 percent) of the 60 may be comprised of courses applied to both programs. Similarly, in the case of two degree programs that, in total, require 90 credit hours between them, no more than nine credit hours (10 percent) of the 90 may be comprised of courses applied to both programs.
3. In cases where one or more specific courses are explicitly required by both programs (i.e., not merely as acceptable electives), such course(s) are considered “shared courses” under policy definitions and will be the first course(s) counted toward the 10 percent limit. If those specific courses explicitly required by both programs exceed the normal 10 percent “shared courses” limit, the 10 percent limit is waived and all such courses may be counted toward both degrees.
4. Up to 50 percent of a student’s PhD program may be comprised of courses used to complete another degree program at UB or at another institution. A minimum of 50 percent of the PhD program must consist of courses completed at UB that have not been applied toward any other degree program.

Historic Coursework Toward a Current Graduate Degree

Coursework more than 10 years old, whether from another institution or from UB, that is to be included in a current graduate degree program must be petitioned at the time of the student’s matriculation to the program. The student should submit a Use of Historical Coursework Petition upon admission to the graduate program to determine whether such courses and associated graduate credits can be applied toward the current degree program requirements. The director of graduate studies reviews the coursework to determine whether the content of those courses is still relevant and applicable and the student must demonstrate their continued knowledge of the course content.

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Documented Withdrawal from a Term

Academic Term Withdrawal

Under extraordinary circumstances, graduate students may petition for total academic withdrawal from a given term. The Graduate School will only consider cases where the student or department (on the student’s behalf) can document:

• Lengthy medical incapacitation of the student or a member of the student’s immediate/chosen family or
• Death of a student’s immediate/chosen family member or
• Military orders issued to a student or
• Other similarly extraordinary measures as petitioned by the student.

Academic term withdrawal is for the entirety of a student’s registration in that term (i.e., these cases are considered on an all or nothing basis). The Graduate School reserves the right to consult members of the faculty and others as appropriate when reviewing total academic withdrawal cases. Academic term withdrawal requests must be submitted within one term of the term in question.

Academic term withdrawal will be indicated on the transcript by the symbol W (withdrawal) next to each registered class. For the purposes of determining good academic standing/satisfactory academic progress, courses given W grades are considered to be attempted credit hours but are not considered to be successfully completed.

If a student has already received a semester of academic term withdrawals due to an ongoing medical event, they will not receive approval for a subsequent semester. However, if a student has received an academic term withdrawal because of one medical event and then a different medical event occurs, such circumstances will be considered.

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Official Records

Transcripts

Official transcripts of record are sent from the Office of the Registrar at the student’s request or may also be given to students in a sealed envelope. Students may use the HUB Student Center through the MyUB portal to print unofficial copies at any time while they are enrolled at UB. Official transcripts can be sent directly to a college, institution or company upon student request. Transcripts cannot be issued for any student whose financial obligations to the university have not been met.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be mailed directly from the Office of the Registrar to the graduate’s diploma mailing address on file in that office. When no diploma mailing address is given, the diploma will be mailed to the graduate’s permanent mailing address.

Posthumous Award of a Graduate Degree

In limited instances when certain conditions are satisfied, a posthumous degree may be awarded when a student dies prior to completing all of their graduate degree requirements. UB faculty (in consultation with the student’s family) may request the posthumous conferral of the graduate degree in recognition of the work completed toward that degree at the time of the student’s death.

The request for consideration of the posthumous award of the degree in question may emanate from either a member of the student’s family or a UB faculty member. If the request originates from a family member, they should communicate those wishes to the department within which the student was pursuing the graduate degree. If the request originates from a faculty member, it is incumbent upon that faculty member to first seek the family’s concurrence that the degree be awarded posthumously to the student. The faculty member then directs a written request to the chair of the student’s department. The chair, in turn, submits a formal request for the awarding of the posthumous degree to the vice provost for graduate education/dean of the Graduate School (VPGE).

The posthumous award of a graduate degree will be considered providing that the student:

• Was considered in good academic standing possessing a minimum graduate degree program grade point average of 3.0.
• Had been actively pursuing the degree in an appropriate and timely manner at the time of death and had completed virtually all requirements of the degree program in question.
• Was making satisfactory academic progress and was nearing completion of the final master’s degree project or thesis or the doctoral dissertation.

The following documentation is required when filing the formal request:

1. Departmental evidence of the extent to which the degree program was actually completed and a brief summary of any program requirements that had not been completed. This may include a copy of the application to candidacy, thesis/dissertation prospectus approval forms, evidence of passing qualifying exams or any other documentation deemed appropriate.
2. A written letter of recommendation from the department chair supporting the conferral, together with correspondence from the instructors of any courses in which the student was enrolled at the time of death (including courses outside the department). Each such instructor should indicate the grade (if any) of the student’s work in that course up to the time of death.

If the VPGE reaches a favorable decision in support of granting the degree, they will issue a letter authorizing the university registrar to confer the degree posthumously and issue a transcript and a diploma to the appropriate family member’s current mailing address. In all such cases the degree will be awarded reflecting the next regular institutional conferral date (Feb. 1, June 1 or Aug. 31) following the date of the student’s death.

If the VPGE determines that the degree will not be awarded posthumously, they will provide a letter to the chair of the student’s department explaining the reason(s) for the denial. It shall be the responsibility of the Graduate School to advise the student’s family if the request for posthumous degree conferral is denied.

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Grading

Grade Reports

Grades are available through the HUB Student Center within the MyUB web portal.

Grade Submission Dates

Faculty shall submit grades for all courses by the due date scheduled for each term, which shall be no less than seven days (including weekends and holidays) after the last day of the term’s final examination sessions or the last day of classes of a term not having separately scheduled final examination sessions. Courses offered in a non-standard term, e.g., a non-standard summer session, may have a shorter time for grade submission. Grades may be obtained by students and advisors through the HUB Student Center available through the “MyUB” portal the day after they are submitted.

Repeating Courses

At the graduate level, there are two types of courses: repeatable and not repeatable.  Repeatable courses are informal offerings, not repeatable courses are formal dicatic offerings.

• Repeatable Courses

Repeatable courses are informal courses, where the content of the course changes each time the course is taken.  Repeatable courses include dissertation, research, thesis, project or portfolio guidance; as well as special topics, independent study, and directed readings courses.  Any limits to the number of times this type of course may be repeated is determined by the curricular requirements of each graduate program.  Refer to the Departments/Programs section of this catalog for more information about program requirements.

• Not Repeatable Courses

​On occasion a graduate student needs to retake a graduate course that is not repeatable (see definition above) due to attaining an insufficient grade. When a graduate student retakes a course that is not repeatable, only the highest grade earned in the course and its associated credits, will be counted toward the student’s degree, calculated in the grade point average associated with the student’s graduate degree program (i.e.the degree GPA). However, all grades earned for all courses attempted (including repeated courses) are calculated in the student’s overall cumulative graduate GPA and are reflected on the student’s graduate transcript.

Weighted Grades

Instructors are required to indicate the bases for determining course grades in each course syllabus. Similarly, any deviation from standard grading practice must be made known to all students within a course, in writing, in order to ensure that the standard of equality of opportunity for all students is met.

Audit (N) Grades

An audited course carries no weight and does not count as attempted or accumulated hours. A student desiring an “audit” grade in a course must officially register for the course. The student must also submit a written request to the instructor by the fourth week of class indicating the desire to receive an “audit” grade. The instructor’s decision is final and must be communicated to the student in writing in a timely manner. A student may repeat a previously audited course and receive a weighted grade and academic credit.

Blank/Missing Grades

The appearance of a space ” ” next to a class on the transcript denotes that no grade has been recorded for that class. All UB students are responsible for checking their transcripts at the end of each term. Should a student discover a “missing grade” they should consult immediately with the instructor or the staff in the associated department, to validate their grade. At the end of the following term an F grade will be recorded on the student’s record if an alternative grade is not recorded by that time.

Incomplete (I) Grades

For all graduate-level courses, an interim grade of incomplete (I) may be assigned if the student has not completed all requirements for the course. A grade of I can be assigned only if the student has a passing average in course requirements already completed and successful completion of unfinished coursework could result in a final grade better than the default grade. The instructor shall provide the student specification, in writing, of the requirements left to be fulfilled. An interim grade of I shall not be assigned to a student who did not complete assignments due to non-attendance in the course.

Assignment of an incomplete grade is at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor must specify a default grade when the I grade is submitted. A default grade is the letter grade the student will receive if no additional coursework is completed and/or a grade change form is not filed by the instructor. The default grade can be A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F, S or U.

The default grade shall become the grade of record if the I grade is not replaced by a permanent grade 12 months after the close of the term in which the I was assigned according to the following chart:

If an extension to the incomplete time-frame is sought, the above chart indicates the due date for the corresponding Petition for Incomplete Extension to be filed with the Graduate School.

When assigning an incomplete grade, the instructor may set an earlier deadline for completion of the outstanding course requirements. If an earlier date for completion is set, the instructor shall inform the student thereof in writing.

Any course graded with incomplete that will count toward a graduate degree must be changed to a permanent grade before that degree is conferred. At any time prior to the default date, a student may elect to change the I grade to the default grade using the Grade Retrieval Form.

Load (L) Grades-Prior to Fall 2018

The L grade is removed from the graduate grading options effective fall 2018. L grades assigned prior to fall 2018 will be changed to S grades by the Office of the Registrar upon final acceptance of the dissertation, thesis, project or portfolio and completion of all degree requirements. If the instructor wishes to assign a default grade other than S, a Universal Grade Change form must be submitted. For master’s degree students, if all degree requirements are satisfied by means other than the thesis, research, project or portfolio (e.g., comprehensive exam), any L grades received will remain permanently on the student transcript.

Resign (R) Grades

Graduate Students have the prerogative to resign any course for which they have registered without GPA penalty through the end of the 11 week of the fall or spring term. All course resignations processed during the permissible dates (as published in the class schedule available through the Office of the Registrar) will be indicated as officially resigned courses by the notation R on all grade reports, transcripts and other official university documents. Resignation from all courses should be done through the HUB Student Center, which students may access through the MyUB portal. There are no quality points attached to an R designation.

Extension for the Spring 2020 Semester

For the spring 2020 semester only, the resign deadline will be extended through the last day of spring 2020 examinations: Saturday, May 16, 2020. Prior to resigning from a course, students should speak with an academic advisor and financial aid advisor to understand the implications of taking this action. Instructions on how to Resign a Course are available on the Office of the Registrar website.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) and Satisfactory with Written Evaluation (SW) Grades 

The instructor shall make explicitly evident within the course syllabus the grading procedures for a course. The syllabus shall include the specification of whether or not the class will be graded with “S/U” or with the weighted “letter grade” options.

Students who wish to be graded on a basis different from the one articulated in the syllabus must submit a written request to the instructor by the resign deadline for the course as denoted in the Student Calendar. The instructor’s decision will be final and will be transmitted to the student in writing.

An S indicates credit earned and U indicates no credit earned. The S grade should be awarded only in those instances where a student’s weighted grade would have been equivalent to a B or better. No more than 25 percent of required formal course credits in a student’s graduate program (not including courses taken as research, thesis, project, portfolio and dissertation guidance, or because of the COVID-19 pandemic any course taken during the spring 2020 semester) shall be graded on an S/U basis. An academic unit may establish a lower percentage limit.

Exclusive of S grades, courses to be included as satisfying degree program requirements must average B or better. The U grade indicates unsatisfactory performance, but is not computed in the overall grade point average reflected on the official transcript.

Note: Satisfactory with written evaluation (SW) grades shall not be construed as S grades for this purpose. 

Spring 2020 Semester Exceptions

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, students were allowed to elect to have the grading basis for any course taken in the spring 2020 term changed from the letter grade (A-F) to the S/U grading basis. Additionally:

• The deadline for students to elect this option was extended through the last day of the spring 2020 examinations.
• Spring 2020 courses graded S/U are excluded from the maximum 25 percent of S/U credits allowed towards a degree.

Incomplete (I) Grade Changes

Changing an existing incomplete (I) grade before the default date does not require an explanation nor approval of the Graduate School. Once an I grade has defaulted to the corresponding permanent grade, it cannot be changed. However, if an instructor makes an error, a correction can be made to that final grade if it was assigned before the default date. Such a correction must be requested before the end of the term following the default date listed on the incomplete default date chart.

If an I grade is changed to a failing grade, the course, if offered again, may be repeated for credit.

Weighted Grade Changes

Changes to previously recorded grades must be submitted within 12 months following the end of the term during which the student was registered for the class. Changes from one weighted grade to another (see the  ”Grades: Weighted” section) are made using the electronic grade change tool and must include a justification. The request must be approved by the instructor, the department chair and then submitted to the Graduate School for formal review.

A weighted grade may be changed at the instructor’s discretion only to correct a calculation or data-entry error. Any such change must include justification by the instructor and be approved by the department chair and the Graduate School. A request to change a weighted grade is not permitted under any other circumstance.

Faculty are to maintain copies of student exams, reports and other assignments submitted to the course instructor but not returned to the student that are determinants of a student’s course grade for six months following the term in which the course is offered. Faculty are to maintain records of all graded assignments and other student assessments that are determinants of a student’s course grade for 12 months following the end of the term in which the course is offered. Such retention is to ensure availability of grade determining materials and records to address requests for grade correction (should a calculation or data-entry error be detected) or for student grievances.

After one year, grades are considered final. Any request to change any grade after one year requires documentation describing why the grade change was not requested during the appropriate period.

The director of graduate studies or chair of any department/program may request a change of grade on behalf of any department/program faculty member who is no longer associated with UB and who is not available to address their own grading errors. However, such requests must include an explanation.

Grade Changes After Degree Conferral

Grades shall not be changed any later than one year following a student’s receipt of a degree or permanent departure from UB.

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Graduate Classes

Syllabus Guidelines

View syllabus guidelines on the Graduate Course Syllabus Guidelines page (UBIT name and password required).

Teaching and Grading of Graduate Level Courses

Instruction of graduate students is not limited to members of UB’s Graduate Faculty. Academic departments are free to use their judgment in determining those individuals who are deemed suitably qualified, by virtue of their academic training and professional experience, to provide high quality and relevant instruction at the graduate level. Consult the Graduate School for more information regarding the suitability of individuals to instruct at the graduate level at UB.

Graduate level courses should normally be taught by members or associate members of the UB Graduate Faculty. On occasion, other suitably qualified UB faculty (not graduate students) who have adjunct, visiting or other qualified rank appointments may also teach graduate level courses. Due to conflict of interest and other risks, regardless of appointment type (e.g., teaching assistant, graduate assistant, research assistant, lecturer, instructor, etc.), graduate students may not be the primary instructor or the determiner of final grades for any graduate level course. Exceptions to this restriction can only be made on a case-by-case basis by the dean of the Graduate School and will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances.

Teaching Responsibilities for International Graduate Students

International students expected to have teaching duties and who achieve a score of 55 or 60 on the SPEAK (from a total of 60 scored in five-point increments) are automatically certified to teach lecture, seminar, recitation and lab classes. Those students with a score of 50 are given opportunity to demonstrate their communication skills by means of a teaching demonstration before representatives from the ELI Program and their own department, in order to determine eligibility to teach. A teaching demonstration is only at the request of the student’s department and can be requested even for a student with a SPEAK score below 50, if the department feels that the test results do not completely reflect the student’s true abilities.

Students whose scores are below 55 on the SPEAK test are advised or even required to take Communication Skills for International Teaching Assistants (ESL 512) before being allowed to take on any teaching duties, regardless of the TOEFL score used for admission purposes. This is a graduate-level training course, offered each fall and spring, that provides instruction and practice in oral communication skills and fundamental teaching techniques. Participants in this course prepare a series of micro-teaching presentations, which are videotaped. The students and instructor review these presentations. Upon completion of this course, teaching assistants take the SPEAK test again and are re-evaluated to determine competence for assuming teaching responsibilities.

Students expected to have teaching responsibilities, but whose SPEAK scores are 35 or less are advised to take Advanced Spoken English (ESL 411/412) as a precursor to ESL 512. The English Language Institute also offers a pronunciation course in the evening, to assist students who desire to reduce their accent. It is recommended that these students be assigned reduced duties and responsibilities until they have satisfactorily completed ESL 512.

Students who cannot pass ESL 512 within two semesters (fall and spring) after entering the university will not be permitted to teach or supervise undergraduate students. The English Language Institute communicates such failures to the academic department and works with them to help the student. Directors of graduate study should work with international students to integrate them into the department and encourage them to speak the English language during the time they are registered for ESL 512.

Informal Courses

Definition: Informal courses include registration in independent study; project, thesis or dissertation guidance; directed or supervised reading; and directed research coursework.

A formal Independent Study Agreement (see section below regarding Independent Study Agreements) must be established in writing between the instructor and the student for each registered independent study course by the end of the first week of classes. It is the responsibility of the student and the instructor to see that all Independent Study Agreements are maintained in the student’s file within the student’s home department. Independent Study Agreements are to become part of the student’s permanent academic record.

Informal courses associated with final project, portfolio, thesis, research or dissertation completion do not require the establishment of formal Independent Study Agreements.

With the exception of Introductory Language Courses, use of undergraduate courses below the 400 level, as the criteria for creating an informal graduate course, is strictly prohibited.

Independent Study Agreements
Independent Study coursework agreements should contain the following components:

• The student and the instructor’s names and signature.*
• Name and number of the course.
• Number of credits for the independent study.
• Description of work required to complete the course.
• Tentative schedule for when/how often the student and instructor will meet during the given term.
• Course objectives.
• Intended learning outcomes.
• Method of assessment.
• Clearly delineated grading type (e.g., pass/fail, letter grade).

*If the Independent Study Agreement is filed electronically, some indication of acceptance of the agreement from both the instructor and the student.

Language Requirement

Although the Graduate School does not have a language requirement for master’s or doctoral degrees, some departments have established a language or skill requirement for their programs.

Language Classes

Graduate students are sometimes encouraged to conduct research or utilize reference sources in languages other than English. In addition, graduate students enrolled in certain UB degree programs may be required to demonstrate basic competence in at least one language other than English.

UB graduate students may start their study of languages, or increase their proficiency, by enrolling in coursework at UB in any of the following ways:

• Register directly for an undergraduate language course (levels 1xx-4xx) for undergraduate credit. To facilitate this registration, students complete the Petition for Course Credit Outside Your Primary Academic Career. The form requires the signatures of the director of undergraduate studies of the department offering the course, the course instructor and your academic advisor, and should be submitted as early as possible to ensure timely enrollment in the class. 
A graduate student cannot earn graduate credit for these undergraduate courses, nor can they be applied toward a graduate degree. Exceptions may be possible for some 400-level language courses, subject to prior approval by the director of graduate studies (or the director of the language program) of the department offering the course and the Graduate School. 
Note that all courses registered for in a given term (graduate and undergraduate) count toward the minimum of nine credit hours (for TA/GA/RAs) or 12 credit hours (non-TA/GA/RAs) required for full-time enrollment status.
 
• Sit-in (as a non-registered attendee) and fully participate in an undergraduate language course at the 1xx through 4xx levels while concurrently registered for an appropriate graduate level tutorial course. While a graduate student does not need to file the Petition for Course Credit Outside Your Primary Academic Career, approval is still required from the director of undergraduate studies (or the director of the language program) of the department offering the language course, the undergraduate course instructor and the student’s academic advisor. The graduate student’s advisor or another suitable faculty member serves as the instructor of the graduate course and will ensure that the graduate student completes sufficient extra work and performs at a more advanced (graduate) level than is required of undergraduate students in the lower-level language course the graduate student attends. A graduate student must fulfill all requirements of the undergraduate language course, as well as fulfill the requirements outlined in the associated graduate level tutorial course.
• Register for a 500-level or higher graduate language course designed for graduate students. Currently, such courses are routinely offered in a limited number of language areas and can be offered upon request in other language areas.

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 Master’s Degree Requirements 

Master’s Requirements Overview

Before degree conferral is possible, all master’s candidates must:

1. Maintain continuous registration each spring and fall semester until all requirements for the degree have been completed.
2. Complete a minimum of 30 credits (or more depending on program) of graduate study, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
3. Fulfill the minimum residency requirement of 24 UB credits of registration.
4. Apply for graduation.
5. Successfully complete the master’s culminating experience, as specified by the academic program: pass a comprehensive examination, complete a final project, prepare a comprehensive portfolio or finish a thesis based on independent research. 

Master’s Program Supervision

Initial supervision of a student’s program is exercised by a faculty member appointed as an advisor by the major department. This advisor assists the student in planning their program until the student chooses a major professor under whose supervision they will work on the final thesis, project or portfolio. The major professor must be either a full member or an associate member of the UB Graduate Faculty.

The Graduate School requires only one Graduate Faculty member, the major professor, to supervise and approve a master’s thesis, project or portfolio. Individual academic departments or programs may permit or require additional committee members to supervise the final master’s capstone.

Project vs. Thesis Comparison

The difference between a master’s thesis and a master’s project is generally related to the extent and focus of the research, the formatting of the finished written product, the requirement to give an oral defense of the work and the final approval of the finished product.

A thesis is typically longer than a project and is a well-organized, thoroughly documented scholarly paper, detailing research purpose, methods, results, analysis and conclusions. Research for a thesis maybe more extensive than research for a project in terms of the amount required, but this varies with the individual and the discipline. While a thesis must be defended orally in a public forum, a project need not be so defended unless the department requires such a defense. Whereas a master’s project only needs approval at the department level, a master’s thesis must receive final approval from the Graduate School and will be kept in perpetuity in the university’s thesis/dissertation database within the library.

Master’s Final Project

The focus of the research for a master’s project is generally more applied than that for a thesis, with the student often defining a problem and developing a solution for it. The project may be a scholarly undertaking that results in a tangible outcome (a photo exhibit, a performance piece, a business plan, a technical report, a computer program) that does not fit neatly within the framework of a traditional scholarly thesis paper. However, the final project should be accompanied by a paper written by the student that introduces, analyzes and contextualizes the project and demonstrates the student’s familiarity with the relevant literature of the field. A master’s project/paper receives final approval at the department level.

Master’s Portfolio Option

A small number of master’s degree programs at UB offer the portfolio as a culminating capstone option. A student who completes the master’s portfolio option is required to compile a set of materials that summarizes and displays the student’s knowledge, skills and problem-solving capabilities within their discipline as well as their ability to design, manage, operate and report on topics typically required for professional employment. While the project option requires the student to research one specific topic, the portfolio option emphasizes the student’s competence across several areas within their discipline. The materials in the portfolio must be assembled and presented in a professional manner. All elements of the portfolio must be organized cohesively and be self-explanatory.

The portfolio cannot be solely comprised of a student’s previous work/coursework (e.g., course projects/papers). While such materials could comprise elements of the portfolio, the portfolio must also contain new and additional substantive work that would satisfy the expectations of another capstone option (e.g., thesis, project).

Master’s Thesis Requirements

Master’s theses, except those in the department of romance languages and literatures and those associated with the Caribbean studies specialization within the humanities interdisciplinary program, should be written in English.

• Students who complete the thesis option for the master’s degree should generally undertake the following steps in its preparation:
• Design an appropriate research or other scholarly study with the help of their faculty advisor(s).
• Conduct and document the necessary background literature review.
• Investigate a specific aim or focused question(s).
• Analyze the results.
• Write their findings according to guidelines outlined in the Graduate School’s Guidelines for Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Preparation and Submission.

Where the thesis option is completed, a public oral defense examination at the department level and electronic submission of the resulting master’s thesis to the Graduate School is mandatory.

Since 2005, all master’s theses and doctoral dissertations completed by UB students in fulfillment of graduate program requirements have been archived and accessible through ProQuest’s dissertations and theses database. Beginning with the June 1, 2018 degree conferral, all theses and dissertations will also be accessible for public access through UB’s Institutional Repository. Students will continue to have the option to request a temporary embargo (delayed release) of their thesis or dissertation containing patentable material or content being submitted to peer-reviewed journals or for commercial publication. See the Public Access of Theses and Dissertations and Embargo (Delayed Release) of Thesis and Dissertation policies.

Oral Defense of a Master’s Thesis

A public oral-defense-of-thesis examination, scheduled by the student’s department is required for all students who complete a master’s thesis. The oral-defense-of-thesis is attended by the candidate’s major professor (and graduate committee, if applicable), members of the faculty from the major department and the outside reader if one is required by the academic department or program. The department has the prerogative to open the “oral-defense-of-thesis” to a larger audience if that is desired.

Master’s Thesis Formatting Requirements

The Graduate School will accept any self-consistent format that follows conventions of a recognized discipline, but some general formatting standards are also expected as outlined on the Electronic Thesis & Dissertation (ETD) Guidelines page.

Master’s Thesis Copyrighting Option

A small number of master’s degree programs at UB offer the portfolio as a culminating capstone option. A student who completes the master’s portfolio option is required to compile a set of materials that summarizes and displays the student’s knowledge, skills and problem-solving capabilities within their discipline as well as their ability to design, manage, operate and report on topics typically required for professional employment. While the project option requires the student to research one specific topic, the portfolio option emphasizes the student’s competence across several areas within their discipline. The materials in the portfolio must be assembled and presented in a professional manner. All elements of the portfolio must be organized cohesively and be self-explanatory.

The portfolio cannot be solely comprised of a student’s previous work/coursework (e.g., course projects/papers). While such materials could comprise elements of the portfolio, the portfolio must also contain new and additional substantive work that would satisfy the expectations of another capstone option (e.g., thesis, project).

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PhD Degree Requirements

PhD Requirements Overview

Before degree conferral is possible, all PhD candidates must:

1. Maintain continuous registration until the PhD degree is conferred.
2. Complete a minimum of 72 credit hours of graduate study. A minimum of 50 percent of the PhD program must consist of courses completed at UB and uniquely applied to that degree program (see the policy on course sharing).
3. Complete UB’s Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training requirement.
4. Successfully complete an oral and/or written comprehensive or preliminary qualifying exam; or a dissertation prospectus; or a preliminary paper or prospectus.
5. Submit a PhD Application to Candidacy form within the proper deadline dates for approval at the department, decanal, divisional committee (where required) and Graduate School levels.
6. Complete and orally defend an acceptable doctoral dissertation; electronically submit the dissertation to the Graduate School for final approval and filing in the UB Institutional Repository.
7. Complete the M-form for PhD degrees and submit it to the Graduate School.
8. Fulfill the doctoral degree recipient survey requirement.
9. Complete additional requirements as the department or program might duly specify.

PhD Candidacy Qualification

Qualifying to become a PhD candidate is a significant milestone along the path to program completion and is a gateway to the dissertation-preparation phase of the PhD program. Candidacy qualification may be accomplished through discipline-specific/program-defined assessment measures such as an oral and/or written comprehensive or preliminary qualifying exam; or a dissertation prospectus; or a preliminary paper or prospectus. Oversight and assessment of the candidacy qualification process is limited to members of the UB Graduate Faculty. Only students who successfully pass or complete the qualifying milestone and who have an approved PhD Application to Candidacy through the Graduate School may refer to themselves as a “doctoral candidate.”

PhD Advancement to Candidacy

Admission and matriculation into a PhD program does not automatically qualify a student to be a candidate for that PhD degree.  Typically, a student advances to candidacy by the end of the third year in the PhD program, but this can vary from person to person, or by degree program. To become a formal PhD candidate, generally after passing the PhD qualifying exam or qualifying paper, a student formulates their dissertation committee with the help of the DGS or another assigned academic advisor, and submits the PhD Application to Candidacy (ATC) to their department to begin the application vetting process. Each PhD student shall consult with the director of graduate study (DGS) to discuss the right time to file for PhD candidacy.

At such time, the student’s PhD committee and the director of graduate study and/or the department chair will carefully review the student’s performance in coursework, independent study, and any qualifying exam results as evidenced in the PhD ATC materials. Upon department approval, the ATC is then vetted by the school’s divisional committee (if required), the relevant dean, and finally the Graduate School. Upon Graduate School approval of the ATC, the PhD student becomes a candidate, enters the final ABD stage of their program, and engages generally exclusively, in scholarship leading to a completed dissertation.

Typically, the PhD ATC is submitted one year or more prior to the student’s anticipated degree completion. Regardless, the PhD ATC must be filed with the Graduate School at least three months before the student’s anticipated graduation, according to these deadlines:

• March 1 for June 1 degree conferral.
• July 1 for Aug. 31 degree conferral.
• Oct. 1 for Feb. 1 degree conferral.

PhD Application to Candidacy and Degree Completion Timetable

Dissertation Committee

A doctoral dissertation committee, selected by the student with the approval of their home department, oversees the doctoral student’s work in preparing the PhD dissertation. The doctoral dissertation committee must be comprised of at least three core members: a major professor and at least two additional core committee members. Each core committee member must be a member of the UB Graduate Faculty. Associate members of the UB Graduate Faculty may not serve on doctoral dissertation committees as core members, but may serve as additional committee members. On occasion, individuals who are neither members nor associate members of the UB Graduate Faculty may serve as additional dissertation committee members if their expertise would be of significant value to the student and the core members of the committee. Questions concerning the composition of doctoral dissertation committees should be referred to the Graduate School.

Changes in Major Advisor and Committee Membership When Graduate Faculty Leave UB

When a graduate faculty member retires from UB with no intention of assuming a faculty appointment at another institution, that faculty member is eligible to continue serving as the major advisor or as a committee member for a current student. The actual decision whether or not that person may continue to serve in such a capacity with a current student rests with the director of graduate studies and the chair of the department. However, subsequent to their retirement, graduate faculty members should not accept major advisor or committee membership assignments for any new student.

When a graduate faculty member leaves UB for an appointment at another institution and the student is at the final stages of completing the thesis or project (generally with one year or less needed to finish), the Graduate School will allow the departed faculty member, if they are willing, to retain their role on that student’s committee, providing the department chair and the director of graduate studies concur. The primary consideration in retaining a departed faculty member on a committee should be to avoid delaying completion of the degree and unwittingly penalizing the student. However, if the student is more than a year from degree completion, the Graduate School does not recommend allowing a departed faculty member to remain on that student’s committee since, after that time, the faculty member will become immersed in responsibilities at their new place of employment, often leaving little time to devote to our student.

Review of the Dissertation

The dissertation must be examined and approved by the candidate’s PhD dissertation committee and if required by the student’s home department, by an outside reader.

Oral Defense of a Doctoral Dissertation

The oral defense is a public event scheduled by the department and must be attended by the candidate’s PhD dissertation committee and if required, the outside reader. At the discretion of the department, the defense-of-dissertation examination may take the form of a seminar with a more varied selection of participants. Examination questions will always include questions arising from the dissertation itself. In many cases, particularly ones in which departments have not required extensive examinations during the course of the student’s tenure, questions will be more general and the examination longer.

Dissertation

The dissertation should be an original contribution to the field as determined by the PhD candidate’s department or program. Doctoral dissertations, except those in the department of romance languages and literatures, are normally written in English.

There are several style manuals available in the UB Libraries, including Strunk and White, Turabian and the University of Chicago Press, that answer a host of questions regarding the technical aspects of a properly prepared dissertation. A bibliography is also available which provides further examples that are more specific to various disciplines (e.g., the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association). Students should consult the appropriate professional journals and their major professors to determine the most appropriate style within their area of research.

It is the prerogative and responsibility of the candidate and the sponsoring department to ensure that the canons of organization, presentation and documentation usually prescribed for publication in their discipline are observed. Likewise, the dissertation must be certified as substantially free of errors and ready for publication before it is submitted to the Graduate School.

Since 2005, all master’s theses and doctoral dissertations completed by UB students in fulfillment of graduate program requirements have been archived and accessible through ProQuest’s dissertations and theses database. Beginning with the June 1, 2018 degree conferral, all theses and dissertations will also be accessible for public access through UB’s Institutional Repository. Students will continue to have the option to request a temporary embargo (delayed release) of their thesis or dissertation containing patentable material or content being submitted to peer-reviewed journals or for commercial publication. See the Public Access of Theses and Dissertations and Embargo (Delayed Release) of Thesis and Dissertation policies.

Dissertation Formatting Requirements

The Graduate School will accept any self-consistent format that follows conventions of a recognized discipline, but some general formatting standards are also expected as outlined on the Graduate School’s Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Guidelines page.

Dissertation Copyrighting

The student’s copyright is established as soon as the dissertation is fixed in a tangible medium, i.e., saved on a computer hard drive. However, it is the student’s choice whether or not to then register that copyright. Registering the copyright will allow the student to file suit against anyone who infringes upon this copyright in the future. Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is not required in order to establish copyright. The rights of a copyright owner include the ability to make copies of the work, make derivative works, distribute copies of the work, perform the work publicly and display the work publicly. Whether or not a student chooses to register their copyright, that student retains the rights to their dissertation and may authorize others (i.e., a publisher or another researcher) to exercise them. The student retains these rights unless they relinquish them, as is the case with some publisher contracts. It is the student’s responsibility to guarantee that the work is original and that they have followed accepted standards for documenting the use of references and citations of other works. Attribution of one’s sources, however, has nothing to do with copyright and does not protect a student from copyright infringement when using other copyrighted works in their dissertation. Students should discuss the option to register the copyright of their work with their major professor before reaching a decision. Once the decision has been made to register one’s copyright, the appropriate symbol, the date, and the author’s name must be included on the page immediately following the title page. Regardless of registration, the student’s copyright will run for the life of the author plus 70 years. Students may request this service to be provided through the Graduate School’s online submission system as an option under the ProQuest Dissertation Publishing Agreement they sign when submitting the final dissertation.

Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP)

A Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) constitutes a doctoral-level scholarly endeavor that integrates research methodologies with practical applications. Focused on addressing a limited problem within a professional context, the DiP prioritizes the generation of impactful solutions that directly improve practices in a particular field. In contrast to traditional dissertations that primarily contribute to the theoretical foundation of a discipline, the DiP emphasizes the purposeful application of research to effect positive change.

EdD Dissertation-in-Practice Committee

An EdD Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP) committee, selected by the student with the approval of their home department, oversees the EdD student’s work in preparing the dissertation-in-practice for a formal defense. The EdD Dissertation-in-Practice faculty committee must be comprised of at least two members: a major professor and one additional committee member. The major professor must be a Member of the UB Graduate Faculty, and the second committee member must be an Associate Member or Member of the UB Graduate Faculty. An additional person(s) may be added to the committee if their expertise would contribute to supporting the student’s research.

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Graduate Student Research 

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training Requirement

All students admitted to a PhD program for the fall 2009 semester or thereafter are required to document successful completion of “Responsible Conduct of Research” (RCR) training when they submit their PhD Application to Candidacy form for their PhD degree. This training requirement may be fulfilled by either (1.) enrolling in and passing with a grade of B (3.00) or better LAI 648 Research Ethics or RPG 504 Responsible Conduct of Research or BMS 514 Intro to Scientific Investigation and Responsible Conduct or RSC 602 Research Ethics for the Health Sciences or (2.) completing a Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online Responsible Conduct of Research course with an average score of 80 percent or higher, or (3.) successfully completing UB’s Responsible Research Micro-Credential. Students opting to complete the CITI online course or the Responsible Research Micro-Credential must supply proof of completion with their PhD Application to Candidacy.

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Online Program in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

The University at Buffalo has an institutional membership in the CITI online RCR program. That online program can be accessed through the CITI Program website.

There are four versions of the basic CITI online RCR course from which students should choose the version most appropriate for their area of doctoral study: biomedical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, physical sciences or humanities. The RCR program is comprised of a series of modules, each of which consists of readings and case studies and ends with a quiz covering the material. The program allows the student to enter and exit at any point and to re-take the quiz associated with each section. A minimum total score of 80 percent is required to pass the online course. Assistance is available online at the CITI website if any technical difficulties are encountered.

Once the student has successfully completed the appropriate version of the CITI RCR program, they must print the “Completion Report” from within the CITI program and submit it with the PhD degree Application to Candidacy.

Research Involving Human Subjects

The State University of New York at Buffalo has established an Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations governing research involving human subjects. Since research comprises a vital part of graduate education and research may involve human subjects, graduate students must be aware of their responsibilities.

It is the policy of the university that all research involving human subjects must be reviewed and approved by a University Human Subjects Review Board (HSRB) prior to initiation of the research. A student’s dean or director of graduate studies can direct them to the appropriate board.

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Degree Requirements 

General Degree Requirements

Registration Prior to Degree Conferral

Students must be registered for at least one credit in the term immediately prior to degree conferral as indicated below:

• Fall term registration is required if a student intends to finish degree requirements in time for the Feb. 1 degree conferral.
• Spring term registration is required if a student intends to finish degree requirements in time for the June 1 or Aug. 31 degree conferral.

Time Limits for Degree Conferral

Master’s degrees must be completed within four years from the student’s first registration date in that master’s degree program. Doctoral degrees must be completed within seven years from the student’s initial formal matriculation in that doctoral program. Requests for extensions of time limits must be petitioned using the Extension of Time Limit to Complete a Degree Program form. Each divisional or area committee may establish its own stricter policies within the constraints of these overarching institutional policies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the spring 2020 term is excluded from UB’s time-to-degree calculations.

Historic Coursework for Use Toward a Current Graduate Degree Program

Coursework more than 10 years old, whether from another institution or from UB, that is to be included in a current graduate degree program must be petitioned at the time of the student’s matriculation to the program. The student should submit a Use of Historical Coursework Petition upon admission to the graduate program to determine whether such courses and associated graduate credits can be applied toward the current degree program requirements. The director of graduate studies reviews the coursework to determine whether the content of those courses is still relevant and applicable and the student must demonstrate their continued knowledge of the course content.

Thesis/Dissertation in a Foreign Language

Students who wish to write their dissertation or thesis in a language other than English (except those in the department of romance languages and literatures) must obtain prior approval from the Executive Committee of the Graduate School. A petition for such approval must include reasons why the work cannot be written as effectively in English as in the other language. In addition, the following conditions must be met:

1. Students must demonstrate an adequate command of the language prior to undertaking their projects.
2. The topic of the thesis or dissertation must be extensively represented (i.e., include primary and/or secondary sources) in the foreign language in which the thesis or dissertation is to be written.
3. The members of the thesis or dissertation committee must all read the language fluently (i.e., with sufficient ease and accuracy to enable them to determine the quality of work).
4. A lengthy and detailed summary or translation in English of the thesis or dissertation must be supplied by the candidate to the department for the oral defense.
5. The topical examination and oral defense must be conducted in English.

Advanced Certificate Conferral Requirements

Depending on the particular advanced certificate program in question and its admission/eligibility requirements, a graduate student may be authorized to pursue that advanced certificate program on a “stand-alone” basis or in conjunction with an existing graduate level degree program. When a graduate student who is pursuing an advanced certificate program has nearly completed the requirements for it, the student must apply for graduation in HUB in order to become a candidate for conferral of the advanced certificate.

On rare occasion, when clerical error causes delay in submission of the Advanced Certificate Program of Study Approval form from a department to the Graduate School, that department must file the approval form within 12 months of the student’s last date of attendance at UB. Such a request must specifically state the reason for the delay in processing the request. Requests received after the 12-month period will not be processed.

Finished Thesis/Dissertation 

Public Access of Theses and Dissertations

Affirmation of Public Access
Submission of a thesis or dissertation to the Graduate School is the last step in many academic programs leading to the award of a graduate degree. The manuscript is a scholarly presentation of the results of the graduate student’s research and/or creative work. The University at Buffalo requires that research and scholarly work conducted by graduate students and incorporated into theses and dissertations be made publicly available through the University at Buffalo’s institutional repository (UBIR). The University at Buffalo’s Graduate School hereby affirms the principle that graduate students have a responsibility to share their work with scholars in all disciplines and the general public, and stands by the university’s commitment to ensuring public access to master’s theses and doctoral dissertations. The policy of the University at Buffalo is that graduate students own the copyright to their original works of authorship. The license granted to UB as required by the Public Access of Theses and Dissertations policy is fully consistent with university copyright policy.

Public Access
As one of the requirements for conferral of a degree, a graduate student must submit their thesis or dissertation to UB through the ETD Administrator website. Approximately three months afterward, the manuscript is made available for viewing through ProQuest’s dissertations and theses database as well as the UBIR. Requests for delayed public access through either ProQuest or the UBIR must adhere to the Graduate School’s Embargo (Delayed Release) of Thesis and Dissertation policy.
Upon submission of their thesis or dissertation as a requirement for conferral of the degree, the graduate student shall grant a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to the University at Buffalo/SUNY as set forth in the University at Buffalo Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Reproduction and Public Access Agreement form.

Author Warranties
Upon submitting the thesis or dissertation as a requirement for conferral of a degree, the graduate student shall affirm that the work: (a) is the graduate student’s original work and that they have full power to enter into an agreement; (b) does not infringe copyright, intellectual property rights, or privacy rights of another; (c) contains no material that is libelous, defamatory or other unlawful material; and (d) the graduate student has not made, and will not hereafter make, any contract or commitment contrary to the terms of the agreement with UB or in derogation of the license granted to the university hereunder. The graduate student shall indemnify, defend and hold the university harmless from any losses, claims, damages, awards, penalties or injuries incurred, including reasonable attorney’s fees, which arise from any claim by any third party of an alleged infringement of copyright or any other property right arising out of the access and use of the work.

Embargo (Delay Release) of Thesis and Dissertation

Delayed public access, commonly known as an “embargo,” postpones public distribution of the thesis or dissertation that has been approved and filed with the university. In some cases, it may be reasonable and appropriate to put in place an embargo that delays public release, but only in narrowly prescribed circumstances affecting intellectual property rights (such as when a patent is being filed), to satisfy requirements for the review of grant-sponsored research, to allow time for the submission of content to a peer-reviewed journal, or for potential consideration of content by an academic or commercial press. Such an embargo must be limited in time.

If delayed public access is necessary due to the purposes set forth in the previous paragraph, a graduate student should select this option when uploading the thesis or dissertation to ProQuest, and a completed and signed Request for Embargo (Delayed Release) of Thesis and Dissertation form should be submitted to the Graduate School.

The delayed release requested at the time of submission will postpone public distribution of/access to a thesis or dissertation via both ProQuest and the University at Buffalo’s institutional repository (UBIR). Students may request embargoes for up to one year or two years, with longer time periods considered by exception. If a delayed release is approved, ProQuest and UBIR will display only the graduate’s citation and abstract for the duration of the embargo. The full text of the graduate’s thesis or dissertation will become available for public access only after the embargo expires. The UB Libraries will archive and preserve the manuscript in perpetuity.

Exception Requests for Extended Embargos

Under rare circumstances and prior to the filing of the thesis or dissertation, the dean of the Graduate School may approve requests for embargoes beyond the two-year limit. A request for such an exception to UB policy should be made as soon as the graduate student’s master’s or doctoral committee is aware of the need to do so.

The Graduate School is the first point of contact for exception requests. The graduate student and their major advisor must submit a formal request for a time-delimited extended embargo using the Request for Embargo (Delayed Release) of Thesis and Dissertation form available from the Graduate School. The request must be made prior to filing the thesis or dissertation.  Each request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The Graduate School’s review of such requests will take the following factors into consideration:

• Are there serious mitigating circumstances whereby publication of the thesis or dissertation would cause undue risks or potential harm to the author or subjects?
• Will the data generated through the student’s research support other in-progress publications from people on the student’s research team, which could be impacted by public dissemination?
• Is the student applying for a patent based on research that is discussed in their dissertation?
• Is the data or material in the thesis or dissertation subject to review by the sponsor or grantor prior to publication?
• Is there a need to prevent disclosure of information about persons, institutions, technologies, etc.?
• Is there an academic or commercial press that has documented its requirement of manuscript embargo in order to acquire the rights to publish the thesis or dissertation as a book?

When an exception request is approved by the Graduate School, the library will be notified to ensure that UBIR suppresses access until the end of the approved extended embargo period.

Post Submission Requests for Delayed Public Access

Students who wish to delay public access must select this option at the time they submit their theses or dissertations to the Graduate School via ProQuest. Requests to embargo a thesis or dissertation after the manuscript has been filed generally are not allowed. Post-submission embargo requests to the UBIR are permissible only in exceptional circumstances and require Graduate School review and approval.

Procedure

The Graduate School is the first point of contact for post-submission embargo requests to the UBIR. To make such a request, which is considered only for exceptional circumstances, the graduate student must submit a Request for Embargo (Delayed Release) of Thesis and Dissertation form to the Graduate School detailing the reason for the request for an embargo and the reason for the delay in seeking the embargo, and including an explanatory letter from the thesis or dissertation committee chair.  Each request will be reviewed on a case-by- case basis.

ProQuest allows graduate students to embargo their manuscripts at any time and for any duration, but cautions that “the rules and policies around dissemination related to a university’s institutional repositories are created and managed separately by the university”.*

ProQuest will notify UB’s Graduate School of each request for a post-submission embargo. Upon receiving the notification from ProQuest, the Graduate School will send an email to the graduate student reminding them of the university policy restricting delayed release. The Graduate School will approve of such post-submission requests in accordance with the procedure set forth below for review of post-submission requests.

Review of Post-Submission Embargo Requests

The review of a post-submission embargo request by the Graduate School will take the following factors into consideration:

•    Are there serious mitigating circumstances such that publication of the thesis or dissertation would cause undue risks or potential harm to the author or subjects?
•    Is there a need to prevent disclosure of information about persons, institutions, technologies, etc.?
•    Is there good cause for the failure to seek delayed public dissemination at the time of submission?
•    Is the work already accessible via UBIR?

In the rare cases in which a post-submission embargo request is approved by the Graduate School, the Graduate School will notify the library and UBIR to withhold release for the approved embargo period.
*ProQuest, Embargoes and Restrictions

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Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a fundamental university value. Through the honest completion of academic work, students sustain the integrity of the university while facilitating the university’s imperative for the transmission of knowledge and culture based upon the generation of new and innovative ideas.

Students are held to a high level of accountability and are expected to uphold our standards of honesty in order to sustain a fair learning environment. Academic dishonesty comes in many forms, including but not limited to:

• Aiding in academic dishonesty. Taking action that allows another student to engage in an act of academic dishonesty, including completing an examination or assignment for another student, failing to protect academic work by leaving it unattended, or collaborating without instructorⁱ permission.
• Cheating. Use of unauthorized resources, including sources not permitted by the course instructor, or tools such as calculators, smart watches, phones, or other students’ work.
• Falsifying academic materials. Altering, fabricating, forging, or submitting: any course-related materials, including laboratory reports, notes, or any forms of data; an instructor’s name or initials; an examination or assignment for re-evaluation; an assessment (in whole or in part) prepared by any person or technology (e.g., artificial intelligence) other than the student responsible. 
• Misrepresenting documents. Altering, fabricating, forging, or submitting any non-course-related materials, including any university or official document, instrument of identification, or medical record.
• Plagiarizing. Representing the ideas or work (e.g., written text, computer code, artwork) of another as one’s own or improperly referencing original authors.
• Purchasing academic assignments. Buying assignments intended for submission in fulfillment of any course or academic program requirement.
• Selling academic assignments. Offering for sale and/or receiving compensation for any academic assignment intended to fulfill any course or academic program requirement.
• Submitting previously submitted work. Also called self-plagiarism, re-submitting academic material (in whole or in part) that has been previously submitted by the same student without prior and expressed consent of the instructor.

Timeline

• Instructors must notify students within 10 academic daysⁱⁱ of discovery of the suspected dishonesty.
• Students must meet with instructors within 10 academic days of notification or the instructor will make a decision in their absence.
• Instructors must notify students and the Office of Academic Integrity of the charge and sanction within 10 academic days of the consultative resolution meeting.

Instructors have the responsibility to charge and sanction students who are in violation of these standards through the Consultative Resolution procedure. All cases must be filed, regardless of severity, with the Office of Academic Integrity. While a case is pending, students are not allowed to withdraw or resign from the course. Instructors have the authority to execute one or more of the sanctions below. If the violation is not the student’s first offense, the chosen sanction may be revised by the Office of Academic Integrity.

• Warning. Written notice to the student that they have violated a university academic integrity standard.
• Revision of work. Requirement that the student replace or revise the work in which dishonesty occurred.
• Reduction in assignment grade. Student’s grade is decreased with respect to the particular assignment.
• Reduction in course grade. Student’s final grade in the course is decreased.
• Failure in the course. A grade of “F” is applied.
• Remediation. Requirement that the student complete an educational remediation assignment through the Office of Academic Integrity. If the student passes the remediation assignment, the instructor may alter the original sanction.
• Other. Faculty may determine another appropriate assignment or penalty (e.g., an additional assignment, inability to drop lowest grade), except for any OAI or university sanction described below.

Recommendations for more serious sanctions may be made to the Office of Academic Integrity for review. Possible sanctions requiring Office of Academic Integrity approval include:

• Failure in course, remediation required, temporary notation of academic dishonesty. A grade of “F” for the course is recorded on the student’s transcript with notation of academic dishonesty. Upon successful completion of UB’s remediation assignment, the notation is removed. Failure to successfully complete the OAI assignment will result in the notation remaining permanently on the student’s transcript.
• Failure in the course with permanent notation of academic dishonesty. A grade of “F” for the course is recorded on the student’s transcript with a permanent notation that the grade of “F” was assigned for reason of academic dishonesty.
• Dismissal from the degree program. The academic integrity violation results in ineligibility for continuation in the student’s degree program.
• Dismissal from the degree program with notation of academic dishonesty. The academic integrity violation results in ineligibility for continuation in the student’s degree program, with a notation on the student’s transcript that the dismissal is for reason of academic dishonesty.
• Dismissal from the department. The academic integrity violation results in ineligibility for continuation in any degree program within the department.
• Dismissal from the department with notation of academic dishonesty. The academic integrity violation results in ineligibility to continue in any degree program within the department, with a notation on the student’s transcript that the dismissal is for reason of academic dishonesty.

Possible sanctions requiring both Office of Academic Integrity and Office of the President (or designee) approval include:

• Suspension from the university. The student is suspended for a defined time period with stated conditions and a permanent notation on the transcript that suspension is due to reason of academic dishonesty.
• Expulsion from the university. The student is expelled with permanent notation on the transcript that expulsion is due to reason of academic dishonesty.

Infractions not associated with a course in which the student is enrolled will be assigned appropriate penalties and may be additionally referred to Student Conduct for judicial procedures.

Students have the right to appeal the instructor’s findings to the Office of Academic Integrity. While a case is pending, students are not allowed to withdraw or resign from the course.

Upon request and with the student’s permission, academic integrity violations and sanctions may be reported by the OAI to an authorized body (e.g., a graduate school application or employment application).

Academic Integrity Procedures

ⁱFor the purposes of this policy, the term “instructor” is defined as the instructor of record, a staff member, or their appropriate designee.

ⁱⁱAcademic days are defined as weekdays, when classes are in session, not including the summer or winter sessions as defined by the University Academic Calendar. Days in the final exam period and Reading Days are not considered academic days. With the agreement of all principals and the OAI, proceedings may continue during non-academic days.

Appendix A: Academic Integrity Pool Membership and Adjudication Committee Participation

The OAI shall assemble a pool of faculty and students willing to participate on Adjudication Committees for academic integrity cases. It is the responsibility of each decanal unit to name student and faculty members to this pool. Typically, the duration of service in the academic integrity pool is two years. The OAI is responsible for ensuring that the pool reflects the diversity of the campus community and for training all members of the adjudication pool.

From this pool, the OAI will form an Adjudication Committee for each hearing of no fewer than two faculty members, two graduate students, and one member of the OAI. Members from the academic integrity pool will be selected so that no one member will be involved in a disproportionate number of academic integrity cases. Prior to a hearing, committee members verify that there is no conflict of interest with either principal party. If a conflict exists, a committee member shall disqualify themself and a replacement will be named.

Appendix B: Confidentiality of Proceedings

The principals and members of the Adjudication Committee have an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of hearing proceedings and of all supporting materials and testimony presented. If a breach of confidentiality occurs, OAI may replace a committee member and/or levy additional charges as appropriate.

Appendix C: Sample Infractions and Possible Sanctions

The above list of sample academic integrity infractions and sanctions is not exhaustive. It is meant to offer some general information about common infractions and possible associated sanctions.

Repeat offenses are assigned a greater penalty than a first offense and typically range from failure in course to failure with transcript notation. These penalties are applied at the discretion of the Office of Academic Integrity.

Academic Integrity and Grievance Policies: Other Related University Policies 

Other University at Buffalo policies may apply to situations to which the Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures for Undergraduates, the Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures for Graduates, the Academic Grievance Policy and Procedures for Undergraduates or the Academic Grievance Policy and Procedures for Graduates apply. Among these are UB’s Responsible Conduct in Research and Creative Activity and Student Conduct Policies, as well as professional school or program policies and procedures. Priorities and relations among these are addressed by three specifications. Promulgated by President John B. Simpson, 16 Dec. 2005. Effective, 28 Aug. 2006.

Responsible Conduct in Research and Creative Activity

The Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures (AIPP) and the Academic Grievance Policies and Procedures (AGPP) are secondary to UB’s Responsible Conduct in Research and Creative Activity (RCRCA) policies and procedures. The RCRCA addresses misconduct that may include violations of the AIPP or AGPP. If proceedings initiated pursuant to the RCRCA include possible violation of the AIPP or AGPP, formal actions pursuant to the AIPP or AGPP shall be postponed until the RCRCA proceedings are completed. If the RCRCA proceedings result in recommendation of formal AIPP or AGPP proceedings, these shall be initiated promptly. If the RCRCA proceedings result in findings that a student has violated the AIPP, penalties that may be imposed include dismissal from the program in addition to any and all specified in the AIPP. If the RCRCA proceedings result in findings that a student has not violated the AIPP, the student may not be charged again with the same offenses under the AIPP. RCRCA proceedings, findings and penalties shall be neither challenged nor appealed through the AIPP or AGPP.

Course Materials - Improper Distribution

Graduate students are sometimes presented with opportunities to provide and sell course materials developed by faculty to companies that post and/or sell those materials without the author’s permission. Posting and selling course materials without the author’s permission violates the intellectual property rights of the author.  In addition, it degrades educational quality and the classroom experience by promoting a lack of direct participation in the class, and encourages students to use the work of others to complete their own course requirements. Therefore, instructors may prohibit the distribution of their course materials by including a notice in their course syllabus. The prohibition is not effective or enforceable unless an explicit written directive is provided in the syllabus to the students in the course. This policy in no way expands, limits or otherwise modifies any and all rights established pursuant to Article XI, Title J of the SUNY Board of Trustees Policies.

Students who violate this policy will be required to complete an educational sanction about the value of intellectual property. More serious and/or repeat violations of this policy may be treated as acts of “academic dishonesty” under the Academic Integrity Policy or subject a student to disciplinary charges under the Student Code of Conduct.

Other University Policies and Procedures

The Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures (AIPP) and the Academic Grievance Policies and Procedures (AGPP) are independent of UB’s other policies and procedures. Many of these provide for investigation and recommendation of actions regarding alleged misconduct, but neither provide for nor may result in findings that a student has violated the AIPP. If other proceedings include possible violation of the AIPP, formal actions pursuant to the AIPP shall be postponed until the other proceedings are completed. Should findings or recommendations of these other proceedings provide bases for charges pursuant to the AIPP, formal proceedings under the AIPP shall be promptly initiated. Except as here provided, proceedings, findings and recommendations resulting from other proceedings shall be neither challenged nor appealed through the AIPP or AGPP.

Professional School and Program Policies

UB professional school or program student conduct policies and procedures are subject to the provisions governing relations of the Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures (AIPP) and Academic Grievance Policies and Procedures (AGPP) to UB’s Responsible Conduct in Research and Creative Activity (RCRCA) and other policies and procedures. Professional school or program student conduct policies and procedures shall be congruent with the provisions of the AIPP for Undergraduates for baccalaureate programs and to the AIPP for Graduates for all other programs. Any appeal of procedures or actions taken pursuant to a professional school or program’s student conduct policies and procedures shall follow the provisions of the AIPP or AGPP applicable to the degree level of the program. Charges of misconduct by a student in a professional school or program that does not set its own student conduct policies and procedures shall be considered pursuant to the provisions of the AIPP applicable to the degree level of the program. Penalties that may be imposed upon findings of misconduct by a student in a professional school or program include dismissal from the program in addition to any and all other penalties specified in the AIPP.

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Academic Grievance 

Preamble

Academic Grievance Preamble

It is an objective of the University at Buffalo and its Graduate School to encourage the prompt consultative resolution of grievances of graduate students as they arise and to provide orderly procedures for the formal consideration and resolution of complaints that cannot be resolved through consultation.

This set of procedures is designed to provide a well-defined, yet appropriately flexible structure that recognizes and reflects the issues unique to graduate education as well as academic areas common to all faculty-student or administrator-student relationships.

The following procedures provide a sequence of steps for the orderly and expeditious resolution of grievances initiated by graduate students. While recognizing and affirming the established principle that academic judgments and determinations are to be reached solely by academic professionals, it is the Graduate School’s intention to secure, to the maximum extent feasible, equitable treatment of every party to a dispute. To that end, those who oversee the grievance process are charged to pay heed not only to issues of procedural integrity, but also to considerations of substantive fairness.

Definitions and Limits

Grievance Definitions and Limits

1. Definition. A grievance shall include, but is not restricted to, a complaint by a graduate student:
   1. that they have been subjected to a violation, misinterpretation or inequitable application of any of the regulations of the university, the Graduate School, a college or school or department or program; or
   2. that they have been treated unfairly or inequitably by reason of any act or condition that is contrary to established policy or practice governing or affecting graduate students at the University at Buffalo.
2. Time limit. A grievance must be filed within one calendar year from the date of the alleged offense. The department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight), college or school dean or the dean of the Graduate School may extend this time limit upon demonstration of good cause.

Consultive Resolution

Virtually all disputes originate in the department (or program where there is no chair oversight) and should, if feasible, be resolved through consultation between the disputants. The parties should meet and exert a good faith effort to resolve the dispute amicably.

At the request of either or both parties, the consultation may be recorded by a departmental or program note-taker (a staff or faculty member, but not a student). If a departmental or program note-taker is present during the consultation, the student may have an additional note-taker of their choosing also in attendance. Neither note-taker may actively participate in the consultation between the parties to the grievance other than to request repetition or clarification of statements made by either party during the consultation session.
It may be useful for the student to seek first the assistance of their advisor, department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight), or director of graduate studies acting as a mediator to aid in evenhandedly resolving the dispute.

Formal Resolution

I. DEPARTMENTAL OR PROGRAM LEVEL REVIEW

Step 1: The student who believes that the grievance is severe or has been unable to obtain an acceptable consultative resolution should submit in writing to the department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight) a description of their complaint, including any evidentiary or supporting materials and a request for a hearing. (If the department chair or program director is a party against whom the grievance is brought, either as a teaching faculty member or as chair or director, or where the department chair or program director can demonstrate that it will best serve the interests of the parties, direct petition to the school or college level may be pursued. A Decanal Grievance Committee will be convened in all cases where direct petition to the school or college level occurs.)

Step 2: The department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight) shall begin to assemble a Departmental or Program Grievance Committee within 20 academic days** of receipt of the student’s appeal (see Appendix A).  The department chair or program director shall give the Departmental or Program Grievance Committee and each principal a copy of the written grievance, including any evidentiary or supporting materials and a copy of the Academic Grievance Policy and Procedures for graduate students.

Upon initial review of the materials and statements presented by the grievant, if the Departmental or Program Grievance Committee finds the grievance does not have reasonable supporting grounds, the committee shall conclude the grievance is without merit. In this initial review the committee may also consider materials or statements submitted by the teaching faculty member(s) against whom the grievance is lodged. If the grievance is found without merit, the committee shall report this denial to the department chair or program director. The committee shall complete this initial review within 15 academic days** of its receipt of the grievance. The department chair or program director shall then submit a Statement of Decision to the principals (via email to the student’s UBIT address), the college or school dean and the dean of the Graduate School within 10 academic days** of receipt of the committee’s decision.

If the Departmental or Program Grievance Committee finds the statement of grievance has reasonable supporting grounds, the committee shall begin to assemble a hearing (as provided below) within 20 academic days** of the committee’s receipt of the written grievance.

Step 3: The Departmental or Program Grievance Committee shall convene hearing(s) as necessary to allow both principals the opportunity to present their positions and shall allow each principal the right to question the presentation(s), written and verbal, of each principal and of others who contribute information to the committee. Principals shall be notified of the hearing date, location, and Grievance Committee member names at least 72 hours prior to a scheduled hearing.

The hearing(s) shall be conducted in a fair and expeditious manner, but shall not be subject to the rules governing a legal proceeding. Each principal shall have the right to be present (under unusual circumstances, if either party is considered to pose a physical threat to the other or to the committee, the chair of the committee may request that either the student or instructor participate by phone) and to have one advisor present at all hearings. In no such case shall the advisor be an attorney, unless they are a member of the UB faculty who is not acting in a legal capacity on behalf of a principal. An advisor may not speak on behalf of or advocate for a principal or otherwise address members of the hearing committee. Hearing(s) shall be conducted in confidence (see Appendix B).

Step 4: The Departmental or Program Grievance Committee shall submit its recommendation(s) in writing, including findings and reasons for the recommendations, to the department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight) within 10 academic days** of the final meeting of the committee.

Step 5: The department chair or program director shall consider the committee’s findings and recommendations and render a final decision. This Statement of Decision and an indication of the student’s right to appeal the department chair’s or program director’s decision (including time limit) shall be submitted, in writing, from the department chair or program director to the principals (via email to the student’s UBIT address), the college or school dean and the dean of the Graduate School within 10 academic days** from receiving the Departmental or Program Grievance Committee’s written recommendations.

Files shall be maintained in the offices of the dean and the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School.

II. SCHOOL OR COLLEGE LEVEL APPEAL

Step 1: If either principal wishes to appeal the departmental or program ruling, a written statement of the appeal, including any additional evidentiary or supporting materials, shall be filed within 10 academic days** of receipt of the department chair’s (or program director’s where there is no chair oversight) Statement of Decision. The appeal shall be filed with the college or school dean. (If the dean is a party against whom the grievance is brought, either as a teaching faculty member or as dean, or where the dean can demonstrate that it will best serve the interests of the parties, a direct petition to the Graduate School level may be pursued.)

Step 2: Upon review of relevant materials, including all materials and statements presented during prior hearings and materials and statements subsequently presented, if the college or school dean does not find that the statement of appeal provides reasonable grounds to appeal nor raises doubt concerning the adequacy of prior review, or alternatively if the college or school dean finds clear and convincing evidence to support findings in favor of the appellant, the dean may issue a formal decision regarding the appeal. In such a case, the dean shall submit a Statement of Decision to the principals (via email to the student’s UBIT address), the department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight) and the dean of the Graduate School within 20 academic days** of receipt of the appeal.

Alternatively, if the dean deems it necessary or appropriate to consider further the circumstances of the appeal, they shall begin to assemble a Decanal Grievance Committee within 20 academic days** of receipt of the appeal. The Decanal Grievance Committee shall include no fewer than two faculty members and two graduate students. In those college/schools comprised of multiple academic departments, the Decanal Grievance Committee shall not include representatives from the department(s) or program(s) involved in the grievance (see Appendix C).

Step 3: The dean shall give the Decanal Grievance Committee and each principal a copy of the Academic Grievance Policy and Procedures for graduate students, the original written grievance, the written appeal to the school or college level, any supplemental materials and statements and all documentation and recommendations from the departmental or program proceedings.

Step 4: The Decanal Grievance Committee shall convene hearing(s) necessary to allow both principals the opportunity to present their positions and shall allow each principal the right to question the presentation(s), written or verbal, of the principals as well as others who contribute information to the committee. Principals shall be notified of the hearing date, location, and Grievance Committee members at least -72-hours prior to a scheduled hearing.

The hearing(s) shall be conducted in a fair and expeditious manner, but shall not be subject to the rules governing a legal proceeding. Each principal shall have the right to be present (under unusual circumstances, if either party is considered to pose a physical threat to the other or to the committee, the chair of the committee may request that either the student or instructor participate by phone) and to have one advisor present at all hearings. In no such case shall the advisor be an attorney, unless they are a member of the UB faculty who is not acting in a legal capacity on behalf of a principal. An advisor may not speak on behalf of or advocate for a principal or otherwise address members of the hearing committee. Hearing(s) shall be conducted in confidence (see Appendix B).

Step 5: The Decanal Grievance Committee shall submit its recommendation(s) in writing, including findings and reasons for the recommendations, to the college or school dean within 10 academic days** of the final meeting of the committee.

Step 6: The dean shall consider the committee’s findings and recommendations and render a final decision. This Statement of Decision and a statement of the student’s right to appeal the dean’s decision (including time limit) shall be submitted in writing from the dean to the principals (via email to the student’s UBIT address), the department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight) and the dean of the Graduate School within 10 academic days** from receiving the Decanal Grievance Committee’s written recommendations.

Files shall be maintained in the offices of the dean and the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School.

III. GRADUATE SCHOOL LEVEL APPEAL

On rare occasions, when all established procedures within a college or school have been exhausted, it may be appropriate for the dean of the Graduate School to consider a final university appeal. In general, the dean of the Graduate School will consider only those appeals that document violations of applicable due process in prior proceedings or which establish sound cause to believe that prior proceedings have resulted in a decision contrary to law, the Polices of the SUNY Board of Trustees, or policies of the University at Buffalo. In general, the dean of the Graduate School will not consider appeals that merely challenge the appropriateness of a judgment reached following a full and fair review of a matter by the department or program and the dean of the college or school.

Step 1: If either principal wishes to appeal the decision(s) of the college or school dean, the written statement of appeal, including any additional evidentiary or supporting materials, shall be filed within 10 academic days** of receipt of the Statement of Decision. The appeal shall be filed with the dean of the Graduate School.

Step 2: Upon review of relevant materials, including all materials and statements presented during prior hearings and any materials and statements subsequently presented, if the dean of the Graduate School does not find that the statement of appeal provides reasonable grounds to appeal nor raises doubt concerning the adequacy of prior review, or alternatively if the dean of the Graduate School finds clear and convincing evidence that due process violations have occurred, the dean of the Graduate School may issue a formal decision regarding the appeal. In such a case, the dean of the Graduate School will submit a Statement of Decision to the principals (via email to the student’s UBIT address), the department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight) and dean within 20 academic days** of receipt of the appeal.

Alternatively, if the dean of the Graduate School deems it necessary or appropriate to consider further the circumstances of the appeal, they shall begin to assemble a Graduate School Grievance Committee within 20 academic days** of receipt of the appeal. The Graduate School Grievance Committee shall include no fewer than two faculty members and two graduate students.  The Graduate School Grievance Committee shall not include representatives from the college/school involved in the grievance (see Appendix D).

Step 3: The Graduate School shall give the Graduate School Grievance Committee and each principal a copy of the Academic Grievance Policy and Procedures, the original written grievance, the written appeals to both the school/college and the Graduate School levels, any supplemental materials and statements and all documentation and recommendations from the departmental or program and decanal proceedings. Principals shall be notified of the hearing date, location, and Grievance Committee members at least 72-hours prior to a scheduled hearing.

Step 4: The Graduate School Grievance Committee shall convene hearing(s) as necessary to allow both principals the opportunity to present their positions and shall allow each principal the right to question the presentation(s), written or verbal, of the principals as well as others who contribute information to the committee.

The hearing(s) shall be conducted in a fair and expeditious manner, but shall not be subject to the rules governing a legal proceeding. Each principal shall have the right to be present (under unusual circumstances, if either party is considered to pose a physical threat to the other or to the chair, the chair of the committee may request that either the student or instructor participate by phone) and to have one advisor present at all hearings. In no such case shall the advisor be an attorney, unless they are a member of the UB faculty who is not acting in a legal capacity on behalf of a principal. An advisor may not speak on behalf of or advocate for a principal or otherwise address members of the hearing committee. Hearing(s) shall be conducted in confidence (see Appendix B).

Step 5: The Graduate School Grievance Committee shall submit its letter of recommendations, including findings and reasons for recommendations, to the dean of the Graduate School within 10 academic days** after the final meeting of the committee.

Step 6: The dean of the Graduate School shall consider the committee’s findings and recommendations and render a final university decision/determination. The dean of the Graduate School’s Statement of Decision shall be submitted in writing to the principals (via email to the student’s UBIT address), the department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight) and the academic dean within 10 academic days** from receiving the Graduate School Grievance Committee’s written recommendations.
The decision/determination of the dean of the Graduate School constitutes the final step in the university review process and may not be further appealed.

Files shall be maintained in the office of the dean and the Graduate School.

**Academic days are defined as weekdays when classes are in session, not including the summer or winter sessions.

Department Committee Membership

Academic Grievance Appendix A

Departmental or Program Grievance Committee Membership

The department chair (or the program director where there is no chair oversight), or the chair of the departmental or program Grievance Committee, shall assemble, from a pool of individuals comprising the Departmental or Program Grievance Pool, a Departmental or Program Grievance Committee comprised of no fewer than two faculty members and two graduate students or a larger number of participants maintaining this same ratio.  The members of the Grievance Committee shall be selected so that no member is involved in a disproportionate number of grievances.

Each principal to the dispute shall have five academic days** to request, without stipulating a reason, the replacement of one member of the committee assembled to hear the grievance. If any principal finds the replacement committee member inappropriate, the party shall transmit, within five additional academic days** of member identification, a written statement of the grounds for this “challenge for cause” to the department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight) who shall rule on its merits and either retain or replace the committee member so challenged.  Each committee member selected shall have the option of disqualifying themselves from the committee by stipulating reasons why they feel unable to deal with the grievance in an unbiased fashion.

Confidentiality of Proceedings

Academic Grievance Appendix B

Confidentiality of Proceedings
Once the department chair (or program director where there is no chair oversight), college or school dean or the dean of the Graduate School initiates a grievance hearing, principals and committee members shall have the obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the proceedings and of all materials or testimony presented in hearing proceedings, until a decision is formally transmitted to the principals involved in the grievance.
If a breach of confidentiality by either principal (as defined above) is formally brought to the attention of the Grievance Committee, upon a majority vote of the committee, it may choose to consider this breach a case of possible misconduct. If a committee member is charged with a possible misconduct, such charge will be heard at the next highest level Grievance Committee. Such consideration shall take precedence over the pending grievance and a misconduct hearing shall be conducted and findings shall be transmitted, in writing, to the principals and committee members and shall be placed in a supplemental file of the grievance proceedings. Such findings may then be considered in the subsequent review of the grievance.

Decanal Committee Membership

Academic Grievance Appendix C

Decanal Grievance Committee Membership

The college or school dean, or the chair of the school or college Grievance Committee, shall assemble, from a pool of individuals comprising the college or school Grievance Pool, a Decanal Grievance Committee comprised of no fewer than two faculty members and two graduate students or a larger number of participants maintaining this same ratio. In those college/schools comprised of multiple academic departments and programs, the Decanal Grievance Committee shall not include representatives from the department(s) or program(s) involved in the grievance.   The members of the Grievance Committee shall be selected so that no member is involved in a disproportionate number of grievances.

Each principal to the dispute shall have five academic days** to request, without stipulating a reason, the replacement of one member of the committee assembled to hear the grievance. If any principal finds the replacement committee member inappropriate, the party shall transmit, within five additional academic days** of member identification, a written statement of the grounds for this “challenge for cause” to the academic dean who shall rule on its merits and either retain or replace the committee member so challenged. Each committee member selected shall have the option of disqualifying themselves from the committee by stipulating reasons why they feel unable to deal with the grievance in an unbiased fashion.

Graduate School Committee Membership 

Academic Grievance Appendix D

Graduate School Grievance Committee Membership

The Graduate School Grievance Committee shall be comprised of no fewer than two faculty members and two graduate students (all from outside of the college/school involved in the grievance) or a larger number of participants maintaining this same ratio.   The members of the Graduate School Grievance Committee shall be selected so that no member is involved in a disproportionate number of grievances.

Each principal to the dispute shall have five academic days** to request, without stipulating a reason, the replacement of one member of the committee assembled to hear the grievance. If any principal finds the replacement committee member inappropriate, the party shall transmit, within five additional academic days** of member identification, a written statement of the grounds for this “challenge for cause” to the dean of the Graduate School who shall rule on its merits and either retain or replace the committee member so challenged. Each committee member selected shall have the option of disqualifying themselves from the committee by stipulating reasons why they feel unable to deal with the grievance in an unbiased fashion.

Grievance Pool Development
The dean of the Graduate School shall encourage departments to request faculty and student representatives for the departmental, program, and decanal pools and encourage departments and programs to facilitate development of faculty and student representatives in order to ensure a suitable pool of personnel for departmental, program, decanal and Graduate School grievance committees.

Departmental or Program
The departmental or program representatives in the Grievance Pool shall be selected by the respective faculty and student constituencies in an appropriate democratic fashion and in no case shall these representatives be appointed by the departmental, program or decanal administration.  The members of the Grievance Pool shall be selected so that no member is involved in a disproportionate number of grievances.  If deemed appropriate, the Departmental or Program Grievance Pool may also serve as the Departmental or Program Academic Integrity Pool.

Decanal
The college or school Grievance Pool shall include two representatives, as appropriate, from each department or program: one faculty member and one graduate student. The departmental and program representatives in the Grievance Pool shall be selected by the respective faculty and student constituencies in an appropriate democratic fashion and in no case shall these representatives be appointed by the departmental, program or decanal administration. The members of the Grievance Pool shall be selected so that no member is involved in a disproportionate number of grievances.  If deemed appropriate, the Decanal Grievance Pool may also serve as the Decanal Academic Integrity Pool.

Graduate School
The departmental representatives comprising the Graduate School Grievance Pool shall be selected by the respective faculty and student constituencies in an appropriate democratic fashion and in no case shall these representatives be appointed by the departmental, program or decanal administration. The members of the Grievance Pool shall be selected so that no member is involved in a disproportionate number of grievances.  If deemed appropriate, the Graduate School Grievance Pool may also serve as the Graduate School Academic Integrity Pool.

**Academic days are defined as weekdays when classes are in session, not including the summer or winter sessions.

Amended policies promulgated by President John B. Simpson, 26 June 2008. Effective 25 Aug. 2008.

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Funding

Broad-Based Fee Coverage for Fully Funded PhD Students

Full-time, fully funded PhD students are eligible for central funding to cover the following broad-based fees charged in fall and spring semesters only:

• Comprehensive Fee,
• Academic Excellence and Success Fee (ACES),
• Student Activity Fee, AND
• International Student Fee (where applicable).

Decanal offices and departments are responsible for identifying eligible students through the timely placement and removal of a service indicator in HUB, UB’s student registration system.

Fully Funded PhD Student

A fully funded PhD Student is defined as:

• A PhD student (other doctoral students are not considered PhD students)
• who is registered full-time or approved for full-time certification AND
• whose tuition costs are fully covered at the tuition rate as determined by the student’s residency and academic program AND
• who receive a full-time Assistantship from their academic department for the full academic year starting in the fall term.

*Tuition rates are higher for non-NYS residents. Overall costs are lower for programs that are delivered 100% online.

Graduate Student Assistantship

A graduate student Assistantship is a form of employment and financial support offered to some graduate students at UB. Assistantships offer a blend of academic responsibilities and advanced studies while providing valuable and related work experiences that supports the student’s educational journey through graduate school.

• There are three types of Assistantship positions at UB: Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Project Assistantships (RA) and Graduate Assistantships (GA).
• Assistantships can be awarded to graduate students at a full or half-time work obligation. A full-time Assistantship carries a 20-hour weekly work expectation, and a half-time Assistantship carries a 10-hour weekly work expectation.
• A person appointed to a half or full-time Assistantship should be a full-time matriculated graduate or professional student at UB so that they can devote their full attention to their graduate program.
• Every graduate student holding an Assistantship must be in, and maintain, good academic standing. However, a student does not have to be full-time in order to be in good academic standing or to receive an Assistantship.
• Any graduate student who holds a full-time or half-time TA, GA, or RA position AND is registered for 9 or more graduate-level credits, is considered a full-time student.

New York State (NYS) Residency and Graduate Tuition Scholarship

• International students in the U.S. on certain Visa types cannot become NYS residents for tuition rate purposes. Therefore, any international student on any J or F visa is not eligible for the NYS (in-state) tuition rate, whether or not they receive the Graduate Tuition Scholarship, a graduate student Assistantship, or both.
• A domestic non-NYS resident who receives a Graduate Tuition Scholarship AND a full-time Assistantship is required to file for in-state residency status by submitting a NYS residency application during their first semester of matriculation into their graduate program.
• A domestic non-NYS resident who receives a Graduate Tuition Scholarship ONLY should pursue in-state residency status by submitting a NYS residency application during their second semester of matriculation into their graduate program.

NSF GRFP Fellow Conference Funding

NSF GRFP Fellows who are attending and/or presenting at a professional conference are eligible to apply for funding for one conference during their three On Tenure years. Conference participation must be directly related to the Fellow’s NSF-related research and scholarship endeavors and contribute toward completion of the doctoral program. The maximum reimbursement is $3,000, subject to availability of funds. Only expenses directly related to the conference will be considered reimbursable; membership fees are not reimbursable. 

NSF GRFP Fellow Health Insurance Coverage and Reimbursement

NSF GRFP Fellows who are On Tenure may enroll in the Research Foundation Graduate Student Employee Health Plan (GSEHP) or may apply for reimbursement for health insurance fees for individual coverage purchased from other providers. The maximum reimbursement rate is determined by the Research Foundation Graduate Student Health Employee Health Plan individual coverage rates for the same period.

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