Justification for Graduate Credit (for Graduate Courses Only)

Provide justification for graduate credit for courses at the 6000-level or above. Graduate courses “should be progressively more advanced in academic content than undergraduate programs” and should “foster independent learning” (SACS guidelines 3.6.1 and 3.6.2). Further, the guidelines presented in the Statement of Clarification of the Definition and Use of 6000-level courses as approved by the Graduate Council, May 21, 1997 apply:

Factors to consider in evaluating a course for graduate credit include but are not limited to the following:

1. use of specific requisites;

2. content of sufficient depth to justify graduate credit (materials beyond the introductory level);

3. content should develop the critical and analytical skills of students including their application of the relevant literature;

4. rigorous standards for student evaluation (all students in a 6000-level course must be evaluated using the same standards);

5. course instructor must hold graduate faculty status or be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.