Student Responsibility

A student is responsible for knowing the requirements for the degree or nondegree program that he or she is pursuing and for enrolling in courses that fit into that program. The Graduate School Catalog is the official catalog for all graduate students, and nothing in this admissions packet should be construed as prevailing over the requirements and procedures stated in the Catalog.

Assignment of Faculty Advisor

Each student is assigned a faculty advisor (not the same as the graduate advisor) to work with during each registration period to plan the individual's program of study, and with whom the student may consult at any time about academic, professional, or personal matters. Faculty advisors are generally assigned during new student orientation.

Assistance for International and Minority Group Students

Consultation and assistance for international students are available not only from the School of Information faculty and staff, but also from the University's International Office. Similarly, a faculty member serves as the School of Information Minority Liaison Officer and is available for consultation and assistance on any matters of concern to School of Information minority group students and staff.

Eligibility to Enroll in Courses

All School of Information students are encouraged to explore the many resources that such a large university as UT Austin offers. To facilitate this, the School of Information cross-lists several courses each semester from other schools and colleges. The School of Information places no limitations on a student enrolling in such courses, though some of those other units may do so. There are restrictions, however, on the courses that may be credited toward the Master of Science in Information Studies or other degree. Students should consult their faculty advisor or the Graduate Advisor about these restrictions.

Scheduling of Classes

In order that persons who work full-time may have the opportunity to enroll in School of Information courses, the School endeavors to offer a substantial portion of its courses at times in late afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays over a period of three to four academic years. The courses offered at such times include the courses required for the Master of Science in Information Studies.

Maximum Course Load

The maximum course load for a graduate student is 15 semester-hours in the fall or spring semesters, eight semester- hours in any one summer term, and no more than 12 semester-hours combined in the two terms of a summer session. The University's Graduate School considers full-time loads to be a minimum of nine semester-hours in a long semester and a minimum of three semester-hours in each summer session.

Summer Session

All of the School's degree and nondegree programs may be completed by attendance in summer sessions. School librarians often prefer this option. Courses are offered in two terms of 5 weeks each. Summer session schedules are available for distribution early each spring.

Distance Education

The iSchool does not offer a complete master's degree to students at a distance. There are, however, a varying number of mostly or fully Web-based courses. To learn which UT iSchool courses use a substantive Web-based component, peruse the semester course schedules.

You may also qualify to register for a course offered through WISE, web information science education http://www.wiseeducation.org, a consortia of top-tier information schools who offer high quality courses at a distance. See WISE @ UT http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~wise/ for more information.

Standard of Work and Continuance in the Graduate School

In order to remain in the University's Graduate School, students must maintain a "B" average in all upper-division and graduate coursework undertaken. If a student makes less than a "B" average in a given semester or summer session, the dean of Graduate Studies will send a warning letter advising that continuance in the University is in jeopardy. During the next semester or summer session of enrollment, the student's overall grade average must be raised to at least a "B" or be subject to dismissal from the University at the end of the term.

Beta Phi Mu

Graduates of the School who have earned a grade-point average of at least 3.75 may be considered for membership in the Beta Eta Chapter of Beta Phi Mu, the international honor society in library and information science. Membership brings with it both the recognition of high academic achievement and the opportunity to participate in local Chapter meetings and meetings held in conjunction with the American Library Association. Beta Phi Mu faculty members also host a luncheon each semester for students who have maintained 4.0 grade-point averages while in the School of Information.

Time Limit

Master's Degree - Students must complete all requirements for a graduate-degree program at the University of Texas at Austin within one six-year period. The School of Information imposes the same requirement on its nondegree programs. Coursework more than six years old is lost; it may be reinstated only in exceptional circumstances by special permission of the dean of Graduate Studies, upon recommendation of the School of Information Graduate Studies Committee.

Doctoral Degree - No time limit is imposed on acquiring the doctoral degree; however, all completed work that is included in the degree program at the time of admission to candidacy must have been taken within the previous six years (exclusive of a maximum of three years of military service). If a student has not completed the degree at the end of three years from admission to candidacy, the Graduate Studies Committee will review the student's program; the committee will review the student's program yearly thereafter. At those times the committee may recommend additional coursework, further examinations, or termination of candidacy. In addition, the student's program is subject to review by the graduate dean.