The Graduate School Handbook
The Graduate School Handbook contains most of the policies and procedures of the Graduate School, as established by the actions of the Administrative Board of the Graduate School over a period of years. Each student should become familiar with the material pertaining to his or her degree program, and, together with a faculty advisor, make certain that the chosen program of study complies with all policies.
Section I of this Handbook contains information related to graduate education at UNC-Chapel Hill, including a description of the Graduate School and its Academic Policy Committee, a staff directory, and links to graduate education references. Section II describes the policies and procedures pertaining to the general academic requirements of the Graduate School. Section III provides a detailed outline of requirements for the Master’s and Doctoral degrees. All graduate degree-granting entities at UNC-Chapel Hill including departments, curricula, schools, and programs will be referred to as academic programs throughout this Handbook.
Although we have attempted to include most of the regulations governing graduate academic programs, many programs have additional requirements and regulations of their own. Sometimes these requirements are more stringent than the general requirements of the Graduate School.
The Graduate School reserves the right to make changes to this Handbook at any time. In instances of discrepancy between this document and the Graduate Record, this Handbook takes precedence.
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of, and comply with all regulations, policies, procedures, and deadlines.
Changes and Updates to the Current Edition
Changes to the current edition of The Graduate School Handbook include:
- Updated sections related to meeting the foreign language requirement in English and the native language for international students
- Clarified the roles of faculty advisor and committee chair, including the use of co-advisors. Note these updates also include changes to the Master’s Comprehensive Exam or Approved Substitute Form, the Report of Doctoral Committee Composition Form, and the Doctoral Exam Report Form.
- Clarified the language on failure of written or oral examinations and the subsequent reinstatement process.
- Separated the defense of a thesis or dissertation and the approval of the formal document. Note these updates also include changes to the Master’s Comprehensive Exam or Approved Substitute Form and the Doctoral Exam Report Form.