Introduction
The first graduate degree, a master's degree, was offered by UNC to three students in 1911. These students graduated in 1913. In 1929 the Doctor of Education was added, in 1934 the Doctor of Philosophy, in 1954 the Educational Specialist, in 1975 the Doctor of Arts, and in 1984 the Doctor of Psychology was added. The Doctor of Audiology was added in 2003, and the Doctor of Nursing Education was added in 2004. In 2013, UNC celebrated a century of graduate education.
Graduate study at UNC involves the graduate student studying under the direction of a qualified member of the graduate faculty. Thus, graduate credit is awarded for courses of study taught by duly appointed members of the graduate faculty who meet the criteria established by the faculty constitution and the bylaws of the graduate faculty. The exchange of information, ideas and values that takes place between the graduate faculty and highly qualified students is the essence of graduate education.
Graduate students must display evidence of superior academic aptitude, achievement and motivation. Moreover, graduate students demonstrate competence in their discipline through a variety of measures: professional demeanor, written and oral exams, directed studies, internships, research projects, theses, capstones and/or dissertations. These measures are an integral part of the graduate education experience. Through cooperative efforts of the graduate faculty, the Graduate Council and the Graduate School, the university seeks to establish an environment in which graduate students and the graduate faculty can achieve the goals of a 21st century graduate education.
Rules and regulations contained herein are intended to help the graduate faculty and the graduate student to accomplish the intent and purposes of graduate education. The Graduate Catalog contains the policies and procedures consistent with policies of the Board of Trustees and University Regulations. These policies and procedures are informed by the Graduate Council and govern the Graduate School, graduate programs, graduate faculty and graduate students.
Graduate Council
It is the responsibility of the Graduate Council to recommend policies governing graduate programs and requirements at the university. It sets minimum standards for admission to the Graduate School at UNC. The council is comprised of representatives from the graduate faculty drawn from all colleges who are elected to serve three-year terms.
Graduate Faculty
Graduate faculty are appointed by the University President, or their designee, after being recommended by the academic unit, the academic dean, the Graduate Council and the Graduate Dean.
At the time of appointment, graduate faculty are authorized to teach graduate courses, act as program advisors for graduate students, serve on doctoral committees and other university committees pertaining to graduate education at UNC. Only graduate faculty who have received the doctoral research endorsement (DRE) are authorized to serve as research advisors on doctoral students’ research committees. A faculty member who has retired and is currently serving as a research advisor on a doctoral committee can continue to serve as research advisor, but they must apply for and be granted Retired Graduate Faculty (RGF) prior to retirement. The term of appointment for RGF status is 3 years.
Upon approval by the school or department, the academic dean and the dean of the Graduate School selected individuals may be appointed as graduate lecturers for a four-year period. These faculty members may teach specific courses that are approved and/or perform other designated graduate responsibilities. Graduate credit can be granted for courses taught by a faculty member who has been appointed to the graduate faculty or to the graduate lecturer faculty.
No graduate credit can be granted for any course taught by a current graduate student at this institution. Graduate faculty members are noted in the listing of UNC faculty in this publication.