Proposal 27-16

The University Senate of Michigan Technological University

Proposal 27-16
(Voting Units: Academic) 

“Amendment to Senate Policy 408.1 (Board of Trustees Policy 7.2), Residency Requirements for Graduation” 

PDF version of Proposal 27-16

Introduction: This proposal is not intended to change the policy. The changes are in text only and are being proposed to provide clarification:

  • Remove wording regarding co-op and study abroad credits because it is confusing

    • Co-op is a Michigan Tech course for which students earn a grade so there is no need for this additional wording

    • Study abroad credits taken through a University-approved program are considered "in-residence" courses so there is no need for this additional wording

  • Add wording to the requirement for thirty credit hours of advanced level courses to clarify that there must be at least 30 advanced level credits that apply to the degree

  • Add wording to definition of courses which meet the "at Michigan Tech" requirement to include courses taken as part of a university-approved study abroad program

Current Policy with track changes:
The residency requirements for a student to receive a baccalaureate degree from Michigan Technological University are the following: 

a. Thirty of the last 36 semester credit hours of academic work to be applied to the degree must be completed at Michigan Technological University. Study abroad and co-op credits earned through Michigan Tech may be included in this 30 hours of Michigan Tech courses if the student has completed 30 credit hours of courses at Michigan Tech among the last 60 credit hours to be applied to the degree.

b. Thirty semester credit hours of advanced level courses (3000 or higher) to be applied to the degree must be completed at Michigan Tech. 

The residency requirements for a student to receive a graduate degree from Michigan Technological University are the following: 

a. A minimum of two-thirds of the required non-research course-work credits required for the degree must be taken through Michigan Tech. 

b. Ph.D. students must take at least 20 credits beyond the masters or 50 credits beyond the bachelors through Michigan Tech. 

c. Research credits used to satisfy degree requirements must be taken through Michigan Tech and must be supervised by a member of Michigan Tech graduate faculty. 

d. Some graduate degree programs may have other specific requirements. 

Courses which meet the "at Michigan Tech" requirement are defined as courses that were taken as part of a university-approved study abroad program or as courses that are listed in the course catalog and taught by Michigan Tech faculty either on campus, at field locations, or through distance learning. 

The President or the President's designee, the Provost, is authorized to grant exceptions to these requirements in extraordinary individual cases. 

Degree programs with other special requirements may apply for exemptions. The President or the President's designee, the Provost, may grant such programmatic exemptions upon recommendation of the Senate.

Introduced to Senate: March 23, 2016
Approved by Senate: April 6, 2016
Approved by Administration: April 21, 2016