GENERAL INFORMATION 32 examination or at the final oral defense of the thesis or dissertation, using modern communication technology to participate rather than being physically present. Preparation for Final Term The student is responsible for meeting all requirements and observing every deadline. Deadlines are given in the front of this catalog and in the Graduate Student Handbook. When the thesis or dissertation is ready to be put in final form, the student should consult the Guide for Preparing Theses and Dissertations (http://gradschool.rgp.ufl.edu/ editorial/introduction.html) and work with the ETD lab (http://www.circa.ufl.edu/-etd). Students must also file a degree application with the Office of the University Registrar (222 Criser Hall) at the start of the final term and must meet minimum registration requirements. Verification of Degree Candidate Status This service is not provided during the last 3 weeks before graduation. However, students who before that time have completed all requirements for the degree, including the final examination report and final acceptance of the thesis or dissertation, may request verification to that effect. Verification of Degree Candidate Status (http:// gradschool.rgp.ufl.edu/education/currentstudents.html) request forms should be filled out by the candidate, signed by the supervisory committee chair, department chair, college dean, and Graduate School Editorial Office (160 Grinter); then given to Graduate Student Records (106 Grinter) for verification and processing. Although a student may have fulfilled academic requirements, the degree is not awarded until the Graduate School certifies the degree to the University Registrar. That is done at the end of Fall, Spring, and Summer C terms for all students who applied to graduate. Some employers and licensure boards require the degree statement on the transcript, which is available about 3 days after certification in December, May, and August. Awarding of Degrees The Graduate School authorizes a candidate to be awarded the degree appropriate to the course of study under the following conditions (see degree descriptions for details): 1. The candidate must have completed all course requirements, including an internship or practicum if required, in the major and minor fields; observing time limits and limitations on transfer credit, on nonresident work, and on level of course work. 2. The candidate's grade average must be at least B (3.00, truncated) in the major and in all work attempted in the graduate program, including a minor where appropriate. All grades of I, H, and X must be resolved. Grades of I, X, D, E, and U require a written petition to the Dean of the Graduate School. 3. The candidate must have satisfactorily completed all required examinations (qualifying, comprehensive, and final) and be recommended for the degree by the supervisory committee, major academic unit, and college. 4. The dissertation or, if required, thesis or equivalent project must have been approved by the supervisory committee and accepted by the Graduate School. 5. Recommendations for awarding a degree include meeting all academic and professional qualifications as judged by the faculty of the appropriate academic unit. 6. All requirements for the degree must be met while the candidate is a registered graduate student. Degrees are certified 3 times per year: December, May, and August. Attendance at Commencement Graduates who are to receive advanced degrees are urged to attend Commencement to accept in person the honor indicated by the appropriate hood. Through the University Bookstore, the student may arrange to rent or buy the proper academic attire to be worn at Commencement. Requirements for Master's Degrees The master's degree is conferred only on completing a coherent and focused program of advanced study. Each academic unit sets its own minimum degree requirements beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School. General Regulations Graduate School regulations are as follows. Colleges and academic units may have additional regulations beyond those stated below. Unless otherwise indicated in the next sections on master's degrees, these general regulations apply to all master's degree programs at the University. Course requirements: Graduate credit is awarded for courses numbered 5000 and above. The program of course work for a master's degree must be approved by the student's adviser, supervisory committee, or faculty representative of the academic unit. No more than 9 credits from a previous master's degree program may apply toward a second master's degree. These credits are applied only with the written approval of the Dean of the Graduate School. Major: Work in the major must be in courses numbered 5000 or above. For work outside the major, 6 credits of courses numbered 3000 or above may be taken if part of an approved plan of study. Minor: Minor work must be in an academic unit other than the major. If a minor is chosen, at least 6 credits of work are required in the minor field. Two 6-credit minors may be taken with the major academic unit's permission. A 3.00 GPA is required for minor credit.