Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies
In light of pressures resulting from COVID-19, Rackham has extended certain academic deadlines and approved an adjusted grading policy for the 2020 winter term.
The graduate programs of the Rackham Graduate School are located in the schools, colleges, and departments of the University of Michigan. The academic policies and regulations in this document have been established by the Rackham Executive Board to ensure consistent standards in admissions, registration, degree requirements, and the awarding of degrees across all Rackham graduate programs. Individual graduate programs have additional requirements and rules. Students are expected to be familiar with both the policies of the graduate school and those of their programs.
The graduate school maintains an academic, scholarly, and professional code of conduct to safeguard standards of learning, research, and professional integrity. Students are expected to understand and observe these standards. In conjunction with the schools and colleges, the graduate school has procedures for investigating allegations of misconduct and imposing sanctions.
The authoritative version of Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies is updated annually and published online. In the event of any discrepancy, the version published on the Rackham website is the authoritative version. Each new edition is archived.
Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies
This edition of Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies was written by Assistant Dean John Godfrey, with help from staff members of the Rackham Graduate School. Comments or suggestions are welcome. Students, faculty, and staff may send comments to rackham.policies@umich.edu
Table of Contents
Fundamental Tenets of Membership in the University Community
1 Admission, Matriculation, and Tuition
- 1.1 Admission to Graduate Programs
- 1.2 Admission as Non-Candidate for Degree
- 1.3 Tuition and Fees
- 1.4 Required Fee Totals for the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) Degree
2 Registration
- 2.1 Full-Time Study and Enrollment Eligibility
- 2.2 Registration and Enrollment for Ph.D. Programs
- 2.2.1 Extramural Study Status for Ph.D. Students
- 2.2.2 Leaves of Absence for Ph.D. Students
- 2.2.3 Withdrawal and Discontinuation from a Ph.D. Program.
- 2.2.4 Reinstatement to a Ph.D. Program.
- 2.2.5 Candidacy Course Registration
- 2.3 Registration and Enrollment for Master’s and Doctorate of Musical Arts Programs
- 2.4 Within-Semester Medical Accommodation
- 2.5 Graduate Student Parental Accommodation
- 2.6 Time Limit Extensions for Family Care
- 2.7 Emergency Mental and Physical Health Withdrawal and Reinstatement
- 2.8 Retroactive Term Withdrawal 16
- 2.9 Change of Graduate Program.
- 2.10 Special Arrangements for On-Campus and Off-Campus Course Enrollment
- 2.11 Non-Candidate for Degree Status
3 Coursework, Grading and Academic Standing
- 3.1 Adding, Dropping, Modifying, and Repeating a Course
- 3.2 Visiting (Auditing) a Course
- 3.3 Grades and Transcripts
- 3.4 Good Academic Standing
- 3.5 Deficiencies in Academic Progress, Academic Probation, and Dismissal 22
4 Doctoral Degrees
- 4.1 Cognate Requirement
- 4.2 Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship Training
- 4.3 Advancing to Candidacy
- 4.4 Doctoral Dissertation Requirements
- 4.4.1 Time Limit for Completing a Doctoral Degree
- 4.4.2 Candidacy Course Registration
- 4.4.3 Formation of the Dissertation Committee
- 4.4.4 Human Subject and Other Research Approval 30
- 4.4.5 Use of Copyrighted Material 30
- 4.4.6 Dissertations in Languages Other Than English
- 4.4.7 Dissertation Formatting Requirements
- 4.4.8 Oral Defense Preparation
- 4.4.9 Oral Examination Report and Approval 30
- 4.4.10 Post-Defense Dissertation Submission and Revisions
- 4.4.11 Submitting the Dissertation to the University Library
- 4.4.12 Dissertation Embargo
- 4.4.13 Final Dissertation and Degree Requirement Deadlines, and Commencement Eligibility
- 4.5 Student-Initiated Ph.D. Programs
5 Master’s Degrees
- 5.1 Residency Requirement
- 5.2 Credit Hours
- 5.3 Cognate Requirement
- 5.4 Additional Program Requirements
- 5.5 Time Limit
- 5.6 Application for Degree
- 5.7 Transfer of Credit
- 5.8 Accelerated Master’s Programs
6 Dual Degree Programs
- 6.1 Student-Initiated Dual Degree Programs
- 6.2 Double-Counting Credit Hours for Dual Degree Programs
7 Certificates of Graduate Studies Programs
8 Rackham Academic and Professional Integrity Policy
- 8.1 Forms of Academic and Professional Misconduct
- 8.1.1 Cheating or Obtaining an Improper Advantage
- 8.1.2 Plagiarism.
- 8.1.3 Research Misconduct
- 8.1.4 Dishonesty in Publication
- 8.1.5 Abuse of Confidentiality
- 8.1.6 Misuse of Computer Facilities
- 8.1.7 Misuse of Hazardous Substances in Research-Related Activities
- 8.1.8 Fabrication, Falsification, or Unauthorized Modification of an Academic Record
- 8.1.9 Obstruction of the Academic Activities and Research of Another
- 8.1.10 Illegal or Unauthorized Use of University Resources
- 8.1.11 Other Forms of Academic Misconduct and Attempted Academic Misconduct
- 8.1.12 Professional Misconduct
- 8.2 Handling Allegations of Misconduct
- 8.2.1 Inquiries Concerning Non-Academic Misconduct
- 8.2.2 Who Conducts Investigations into Allegations of Academic and Professional Misconduct
- 8.2.3 Reporting Allegations of Misconduct to Rackham.
- 8.2.4 Procedures for Academic Misconduct Hearings
- 8.2.4.1 The Hearing Board
- 8.2.4.2 Graduate Program Representative
- 8.2.4.3 Student Advisor
- 8.2.4.4 Preparation of Evidence
- 8.2.4.5 Witnesses
- 8.2.4.6 Procedures of the Hearing Board
- 8.2.4.7 Recording of the Hearing
- 8.2.4.8 Deliberative Session
- 8.2.4.9 General Guidelines for Sanctions
- 8.2.4.9.1 Restitution
- 8.2.4.9.2 Educational Project
- 8.2.4.9.3 Service
- 8.2.4.9.4 Corrective Action
- 8.2.4.9.5 Formal Reprimand
- 8.2.4.9.6 Grade Change
- 8.2.4.9.7 Course Repeat
- 8.2.4.9.8 Disciplinary Probation
- 8.2.4.9.9 Restriction from Employment at the University
- 8.2.4.9.10 Removal from Specific Courses or Restriction from Particular Activities, Services, or Locations
- 8.2.4.9.11 Suspension
- 8.2.4.9.12 Expulsion
- 8.2.4.9.13 Withholding a Degree
- 8.2.4.9.14 Revoking a Degree
- 8.2.5 Findings and Decision
- 8.2.6 Appeal
9 Academic Dispute Resolution Policy and Procedures
- 9.1 Scope of the Policy
- 9.2 Resolution Board
- 9.3 Dispute Resolution Principles and Responsibilities
- 9.4 Resolution Conference
- 9.5 Academic Dispute Resolution Process
- 9.6 Reconsideration
- 9.7 Rackham Dispute Resolution Process
- 9.8 Rackham Dispute Resolution Process (Expedited Process for extended time to degree of doctoral students due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
- 9.8.1 Rackham Dispute Resolution Process
- 9.8.2 Rackham Appeal Process