Program Requirements

Contents

Academic Standards

A grade of 70% or more must be achieved in all normal graded course work, but students subject to a qualifying or probationary period may be required to achieve a higher overall average in the required course(s).  Students who do not achieve the required grade in a course, may repeat that course or substitute another course, if the academic unit and FGSR agree. For fully qualified students, only one course may be repeated. Supplemental examinations are not an option.

NOTE: Qualifying and probationary students will be discontinued if an unacceptable grade is received in one course; a qualifying student may be allowed to retake a maximum of one course.  Following completion of the qualifying or probationary conditions, the student will be notified of a change of status to fully qualified.

Students with an unacceptable grade on their record are NOT eligible for funding through FGSR. A failing grade or a grade of Deferred or Incomplete renders a student ineligible for graduate funding until either the failed course (or substitute) or the outstanding course work is successfully completed.

Doctoral Students
The student must have demonstrated proficiency in a broad field of learning, and the ability to initiate and evaluate work in the corresponding field. Furthermore, the student must have shown the ability to work independently in the chosen field and must have made an original significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge.

The student is expected to meet with their entire supervisory committee at least once a year. The purpose of this meeting is to give the committee an opportunity to give input into the direction of the student’s research, resolve any issues regarding the student’s research or progress, and ensure that the student has a feasible plan for the completion of their program. The student and supervisor are expected to submit an FGSR Annual Progress Report each year. The FGSR Annual Progress Report is available online and upon completion should be submitted through UR Self Service -> Students -> Graduate Student Requests for approval by FGSR. This report must be signed by the department or unit head, and will be reviewed by the Dean of FGSR. The Dean will contact the supervisor if FGSR has any concerns about the student’s progress and the completed report will be sent, by FGSR, to the supervisory committee.

Comprehensive Doctoral Examinations. Comprehensive examinations, if required, are the responsibility of the academic units. The examination may be written and/or oral. A student who has not performed satisfactorily on the examination may, at the discretion of the academic unit, be afforded a single opportunity to retake it.

If, in the opinion of the Supervisory Committee, a student is not making satisfactory progress on either course work or research, a recommendation will be made to the Dean of FGSR that the student be discontinued. Such a recommendation requiring a student to discontinue becomes final only when approved by the Ph.D. Committee.
The Dean of FGSR or the Ph.D. Committee may also initiate questions concerning a student's progress.

Master's Students
The student is expected to demonstrate mastery of the subject. There are several routes available to master's candidates. The thesis and some project programs emphasize research and others are based primarily on formal courses.

If, in the opinion of the academic unit concerned, a student is not making satisfactory progress on either course work or research, a recommendation will be made to the Dean of FGSR that the student be required to discontinue. Such a recommendation becomes final when approved by the Dean of FGSR.

Courses

NON-CREDIT

GRST 801 (GRST 800AA): Grad Thrive Plus
As an investment in your success in your graduate program, the University is providing a no-cost, online introductory course on academic integrity, the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, inclusive values and essential skills that help students thrive at the University of Regina and beyond. This is a compulsory course for all incoming graduate students, and is to be completed at your own pace by the end of your first term. Please ensure that you register for GRST 801 along with your regular courses during your first registration period.

Every graduate student is required to complete GRST 801. This is an on-line tutorial about student success that includes academic integrity. Essentially academic misconduct is when you represent other people’s work as your own. At FGSR we take academic misconduct very seriously, the penalties for academic misconduct range from grade reductions to suspension. Be sure that you complete GRST 801 early in your program and that you understand the regulations concerning academic misconduct. Be sure to ask your instructors if you are unclear about what may constitute academic misconduct.

GRADUATE LEVEL CREDIT COURSES

1. Graduate 800/900 level courses of specific title and description. Courses established to broaden the perspective and expand advanced knowledge in a particular discipline or professional field. Courses are complex and designed to extend the knowledge and intellectual maturity of students beyond the baccalaureate.
2. Graduate 800/900 Selected Topics Courses. The category of Selected Topics is reserved for courses that have a defined subject area and for which the adequacy of library resources are/should be known. (As examples, in the AA-ZZ series of courses, Selected Topics in Financial Management or Selected Topics in Inorganic Chemistry, or Advanced Studies in Canadian Literature) will be categorized as a Selected Topics courses and formally-approved, whereas the more broadly based courses for which formal approval and library holdings are not know should be labeled Special Topics).
3. Graduate 800/900 level Special Topics or Directed Readings Courses: These courses have not received a formal review by the academic units and the Library, and require the approval of the Head of the academic unit and the Dean of the FGSR. The purpose of this category is to facilitate offerings on a wide variety of topics of relevance, allowing exploration of numerous theories, principles, models and strategies. These courses permit new or visiting faculty to offer a course in an area of expertise where otherwise the approval process would not permit a timely offering. They also allow academic units to experiment with offerings rather than having to commit to a formal approval process without being able to determine demand. As well, they provide an opportunity for students who have individual interests or graduation requirements to be accommodated. These courses may be stand-alone graduate courses or co-scheduled with a fourth-year undergraduate course, although it is recognized that there may be occasions where co-scheduling with a third-year course may be appropriate (requires that a rationale for such be made by the academic unit). If co-scheduled, the requirements and expectations to warrant an 800/700-level designation must be specified on the approval request form.
4. Integrated courses. These are titled or Selected Topics graduate courses that are regularly co-scheduled with a formally-approved, fourth-year undergraduate courses, and are identified in the graduate calendar as Course Name 8XX (4XX), or 7XX (4XX), e.g. HIST 805 (405), where the 4XX defines the corresponding undergraduate course. When co-scheduled, the syllabus is to define the expectations and other distinctive aspects pertaining to 800/700-level credit, which may include separate reading lists, assignments, and final examinations.

The course has been critically assessed by the academic unit and the corresponding faculty, verified by the Library and approved at Executive Council.

Note: An integrated course may not be taken for credit at the graduate level (i.e., HIST 805) if the student has already completed the undergraduate course component (i.e., HIST 405). An exception is seminar format courses (SOC 404/804), which may be repeated, but the method of grading at the graduate level will be as Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit.

Note: A formally-approved course may be delivered as lecture, seminar, laboratory or independent study. Directed Readings herein is limited to courses where formal approval has not been received and will effectively be delivered as an independent study.

Directed Reading and Special Topics Courses. Course offerings in Directed Reading/Special Topics of variable content and credit require completion of a form. These courses need to be catalogued and then timetabled each and every term, so timely decisions are required. Courses for which these procedures apply are in an AA-ZZ series.

It is very important that the nature and number of activities and the grading aspects be defined on the form.

International Study Tour
In support of the University of Regina’s goal of internationalization and its expressed objective of providing educational opportunities of high quality, the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is committed to develop strategies that will provide graduate students opportunities to study and do research in Canada and abroad. It is important for them to have opportunities to work with experts and researchers from other countries, not on just their research, but also to learn and understand the people that they are working with.

• For Credit:  For thesis, project, and practicum based programs, 3 credits might be from the graduate research hours or as additional credit hours. For course based programs, this can either replace an existing course or as an additional course decided by the program and approved by the FGSR.
• Length: A spring or summer course: One week preparation classes to clarify students research project, two weeks of international tour, followed by the submission of a report.
• Destination:  Can be determined between FGSR and faculties. This will be based on the students’ needs, funding available and availability of the course coordinators. Destination may vary from year to year.
• Organization: FGSR will take the lead to work with the Faculties to design the study tour of the year. It will then be promoted among all the current graduate students. Faculty and/or graduate programs are welcome to take the initiative.
• Content: Students research and decide an area of interest for the tour and design a project proposal. The course will be a Pass and Fail mark, based on the course requirements: participation (attendance), field journal, and a final report. Pre-departure classes include lectures and information sessions regarding the country of destination.

GRST 900AA-ZZ Graduate International Study Tour (3)
This course promotes global understanding and experience for graduate students through a guided visit to a foreign country.  One week pre-departure classes will included lectures, information sessions, and preparation of a project proposal.  Students will explore an area of their interests in addition to learning about the culture and people.  A report is to be submitted upon return.

Time-tabling of Courses.
All courses to be offered in a given term must be time-tabled. Do not assume that because a course has been offered in the past that it will be automatically scheduled. FGSR does not time-table program specific graduate courses---this is the responsibility of the academic unit. Academic units send an e-mail (time.table@uregina.ca) or a memo to the Time Tabling staff in the Registrar's Office.

**Students will not be able to register if a course is not time-tabled. Students should contact their academic units concerning any scheduling issues.

Language Requirement

Some academic units require a demonstration of language proficiency other than English. Please refer to detailed program information.

Program Specifics

For all fully qualified students, the Head of the academic unit ensures that an appropriate program is in place and this should be defined in the first term of study for master's students, and in the first year for doctoral students. The program is prepared in consultation with the proposed research supervisor and the student, and must be in accordance with the approved program given in the Graduate Calendar. Proposed changes that deviate from the approved program must be agreed to through the FGSR office, and final approval may be at the level of the Faculty Council.

Publication

The University does not require the publication of Doctoral theses as a whole other than in microfilm by the UMI. Each thesis is expected to include material acceptable for publication in scholarly journals of the field in which the candidate has done the research. The Examining Committee as an element for the award of the degree may require evidence of the publication, or acceptance for publication, of a paper by a relevant journal.

Research

Research activity is an integral part of most graduate programs and varies in nature depending on the field. The research document is to be structured so as to be suitable to the level of the student and the time expected for completion of the degree (in full-time study, approximately two years for a Master's degree; two or more years for a Doctorate, following a Master's degree). The research is directed and guided by the supervisor and other members of the supervisory committee (required for all doctoral students but optional for master's). The student is to consult his/her supervisor/supervisory committee about access to space and equipment. The student is required to provide regular evidence of progress in the program. Lack of reasonable progress will lead to discontinuation from the program.

Integrity in Scholarly Research.
Scholarly activity varies among the disciplines. It includes original published works, artistic or engineering design, as well as distinguished performance in the arts or in a professional area. Judgment of scholarly activity is based mainly on the quality and significance of an individual's contributions to the particular discipline.

The University of Regina is committed to excellence in scholarly activities and as such is committed to assuring that the highest standards of scholarly integrity are to be understood and practiced. As a scholarly community, the University, and all the individuals that comprise it, have a responsibility to maintain the highest standards of scholarship.

Intellectual Property Policy.
An overview of the University of Regina's Intellectual Property Policy and its relevance for graduate students has been prepared by the Dean and should be consulted.

Research Ethics Board and President's Committee on Animal Care
Ethics in research, including the research of graduate students, is under the purview of the Research Office. Graduate students are expected to follow the Research Office’s policies on Ethics – Research with Humans (RCH-020-010) and Care and Use of Animals (RCH-020-005).

The Research Ethics Board (REB) regulates the conduct of research with human subjects. All research projects, including the research of graduate students (both in classes and thesis work), involving human subjects are required to have approval from the University of Regina Research Ethics Board regarding the proposed research protocol. This approval must be granted before research begins.

The President's Committee on Animal Care (PCAC) reviews all research projects involving non-human animal species. All animal care and use must be reviewed and approved by the PCAC prior to commencement. 

Failure to obtain REB or PCAC approval when required is considered research misconduct, and may result in the student being required to discontinue their program.

Residency

The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research has not set residency requirements for either master's or doctoral degree programs, but encourages academic units to carefully consider the aspect of residency, reflecting on the purposes for it (see below) and ensuring that there is clarity regarding it. Thus, it is within the purview of individual academic units to set specific residency requirements for the programs specific to their units. Note that residency requirements may differ for different programs within the same academic unit.

Purposes
Residency requirements for graduate programs are intended to ensure that students have an opportunity to benefit from the advantages of a university environment. These advantages include the accessibility of computing facilities, library, laboratory, and other physical facilities as well as the opportunity to participate in seminars and a variety of on-campus cultural activities. Residency provides an opportunity for sustained and concentrated intellectual effort, as well as for immersion in a dynamic research environment, and facilitates extensive interaction with fellow students and the faculty members in the academic unit, on both a social and professional basis.

Another major purpose of residency requirements is to give faculty members the opportunity to properly assess the professional development of students, guide and direct their studies, and determine their competency. Additionally, a major component towards the professional development of students pertains to the experiences gained while working collaboratively on research with other students and one's advisor, or other faculty members.

 

Supervision & Supervisory Committees

Refer to Supervisor Responsibilities

Time Limit Requirements

Doctoral. PhD candidates have a maximum of six years to complete their work irrespective of whether they started the program from a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. Students who transfer from a master's to a PhD are determined to have commenced their program at first registration at the master's level.

Masters. Students in thesis-based Master's degree programs are expected to work with reasonable continuity and complete their program in a timely manner but have up to five years to do so from the time of first registration. In non-thesis based master's degree programs, students have a maximum six years from first registration.

Graduate Certificate and Post Graduate Diploma students have a four-year limit.

Non-Degree. The Non-degree student is afforded the opportunity to register in up to four (4) approved courses over a period of one year (three consecutive terms) or the completion of the specified courses, whichever comes first. The start point for the one-year completion date is the term directly following the issuance of the acceptance letter. The student who has not completed the prescribed courses may make a formal request for an extension, justifying the reasons why an extension may be warranted. The Non-degree student who withdraws or whose time elapses may apply for reinstatement, providing the original application as a Non-degree student is not more than three years old and progress in previous non-degree courses is deemed satisfactory. If the application is older than three years, a new application will be required.

Submission of final corrected copy of thesis. If revisions of the thesis are required by the examining committee prior to submission to FGSR and the Library, students must submit the final corrected copy no later than the end of the next term or the student will be required to register.

Time Limits for a Thesis Evaluated "Unacceptable for Defense". If a Master's or Doctoral candidate's thesis has been judged as unacceptable by FGSR, or the External examiner, then the candidate may be given an opportunity to revise the thesis document and submit a revision for defense. The thesis must be resubmitted for defense no later than the end of the next term. Where additional research is required, the Associate Dean of FGSR will meet with the relevant parties to determine an appropriate deadline. A student whose time limit will expire must request an extension.

Project and Practicum and Internship Students are subject to the same time lines.

Delays to Completion

Extensions. Extensions are granted to students who encounter difficulties while actively trying to complete their program. Students must be registered in their program in order to request an extension. Time extensions may be granted for one term and typically no more than two such terms will be granted. The request should be made through UR Self Service -> Students -> Graduate Student Requests and is to be made at least two (2) months prior to the end of the term. If no request is received, the student will be discontinued and must seek reinstatement to the program. Supervisors of students requesting extensions will need to upload an attachment in workflow with the following information:

• A letter defining his/her perspective on why the work was not completed in the allotted time;
• Evidence of sufficient progress to warrant an extension;
• A statement of what remains to be done;
• The time-frame for its completion

This information is required in order for an extension to be granted. Full-time students who have received approval for an extension must register in GRST 996AA in each corresponding term. Part-time students who have received approval for an extension must register in GRST 996AB in each corresponding term. Students must register in any formal remaining credit hours in addition to an extension course.

Leaves-of-Absence. A student may request a leave-of-absence (LOA) and this, if granted, is for a standard time 12 months (18 months for parental leave). The student may re-enter the program at the start of any term within the leave period, or must register in the semester following the end of the leave period in order to remain active in the program.  An LOA may be granted for medical, parental, compassionate or other substantive reasons, but not to accept employment. The student must submit the Request for an LOA from a Graduate Program through UR Self Service -> Students -> Graduate Student Requests and upload the appropriate documentation. A student on an LOA is not entitled to the University services normally provided to students. The student on an LOA pays no fees and the time of the leave does not count in the graduate program. An LOA is not granted retroactively, and only one leave will be granted to a student during the tenure of their graduate program.  An additional absence must take the form of a voluntary withdrawal.  The limit of one leave does not apply to parental leaves. 

Students must comply with the study permit regulations. Please consult CIC or the UR International Office.

Required to Discontinue (RTD)

Graduate Students will be required to discontinue:

• for failing to register. Doctoral and International students must register every term; for domestic master's students no more than two consecutive terms may elapse without registering.
• for failing to complete their program within the time limit
• for academic reasons of failing two courses if fully qualified
• for academic reasons of failing one course if qualifying or probationary
• for academic reasons of failing one course if enrolled in any Graduate Certificate
• for academic standing (academic average, failing comprehensive(s), failing to meet academic standards or research progress standards of the academic unit, or failing the thesis/defense)
• for academic misconduct (plagiarism in courses or thesis, cheating, claiming undue credit for group work, misrepresentation or other unethical behaviour).
• for non-academic misconduct or disciplinary reasons (theft, inappropriate behaviour, vandalism, mischief)

Sanctions

• The minimum length of an administrative (registration) RTD is normally one term.
• The minimum length of an academic RTD is one year and can be permanent (e.g. for no research progress).
• The minimum length for academic misconduct RTD is one year and can be permanent.
• Upon appeal, the minimum length for disciplinary reasons is determined by the Council Discipline Committee.

Students are notified by email of any faculty action to the students' current e-mail address.  An RTD may be appealed to the Dean, FGSR by the deadline set in the letter of notification.  Students who have been RTD are not permitted to remain in classes during the appeal process. 

The possible penalties for academic misconduct, depending on the nature of the misconduct and whether or not there have been previous occurrences, include a warning, a reduction in the grade for an assignment, a grade of XF in a course, loss and/or repayment of scholarships and other awards, suspension (dismissal for a fixed time), expulsion (dismissal indefinitely), and withholding or rescinding of a degree. A grade of XF, suspension, and expulsion appear on the official transcript. Applicants will be refused admission, and graduate students may be expelled permanently from the University of Regina, and if applicable, have a degree revoked for:

• fraudulent or falsified documents - the Faculty will also notify the Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada
• fabrication of data or results
• plagiarism of the thesis/project

Reinstatement following an RTD for Academic Reasons. A student who has been discontinued for academic reasons i.e., failing grade(s) may request reinstatement by submitting the request through UR Self-Service -> Students -> Graduate Student Requests. If the supervisor and department support the request it will be forwarded to FGSR outlining the work that is outstanding and the timetable for completion. Permission to resume candidacy is given only on the recommendation of the relevant academic unit and the agreement of the Dean of FGSR. The reinstatement will be as a Probationary student for at least one term of full-time registration.  Courses that have been completed six or more years prior to the reinstatement must be shown to be current and relevant.

A reinstatement fee (refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research fee schedule) is assessed.

A new application is required from students who are seeking entry to a new major or program. Students must register in the term of reinstatement or will remain discontinued.

Reinstatement following an RTD for Administrative Reasons. A student who has been discontinued for administrative reasons i.e., failure to register or complete within the time limit may request reinstatement by submitting the request through UR Self-Service -> Students -> Graduate Student Requests. If the supervisor and department support the request, it is to be forwarded to FGSR outlining the work that is outstanding and the timetable for completion. Permission to resume candidacy is given only on the recommendation of the relevant academic unit and the agreement of the Dean of FGSR.  Courses that have been completed six or more years prior to the reinstatement must be shown to be relevant.

A reinstatement fee (refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research fee schedule) is assessed.

A new application is required from students who are seeking entry to a new major or program. Students must register in the term of reinstatement or will remain discontinued.

Withdrawal & Reinstatement. If circumstances occur whereby a student will be absent from his or her program for a time exceeding one year, the student should request a voluntary withdrawal (VW). VW requests may be made through UR Self Service -> Students -> Graduate Student Requests. If the student later wishes to return to the program, it will be necessary to formally seek reinstatement. Reinstatement is not assured, but depends on the ability and willingness of the academic unit to provide the necessary supervision and accommodation. Requests form's for reinstatement are available online and must be accompanied by an outline of what needs to be completed and the schedule for completion. Reinstatement to a program is subject to a reinstatement fee (refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research fee schedule) except in those cases where the withdrawal was due to illness or injury. Note: Formal acceptance by FGSR and the academic unit is required for any courses taken six years prior to the anticipated date for the award of the degree in order for such courses to remain credited towards the program requirements.

** While on a withdrawal or an RTD, the time in program is stopped, although students should be aware of regulations related to current relevancy of course work.