New Student Information

Graduate School Policies and Procedures

While faculty advisors, committees, and graduate staff members play consultative and/or oversight roles, students are responsible for following the policies and procedures that govern the completion of their degrees.

Additional rules and policies applying to graduate students are contained in the Graduate School Policies and Procedures. All graduate students should read these policies and procedures carefully.

Online Training

Students must complete online training on Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Prevention (accessible on Percipio) and on the Responsible Conduct of Research. Students must complete one other training session offered by the university, such as a teaching workshop or a grant-writing seminar. Students must provide proof to the Graduate Coordinator that all these training sessions have been completed.

Transfer Credits

Graded graduate-level course work (with a grade of B or higher) taken toward a master’s degree at an accredited institution may be used toward a doctoral degree at WSU (these courses cannot be older than 10 years) with the approval of the student’s committee and the program director. However, graded graduate-level course work (with a grade of B or higher) taken toward a completed master’s degree at an accredited institution may NOT be used toward another master’s degree at WSU. All other graded graduate-level course work (with a grade of B or higher) taken as a graduate student, but not taken toward a completed graduate degree, may be used toward a master’s degree or a doctoral degree at WSU with the approval of the student’s committee and program director. In all transfer cases, the number of such credit hours is limited to no more than half of the total graded course credits required by the program that is listed on the Program of Study. None of this credit may be applied toward another advanced degree. Individual departments/programs may choose to limit transfer credits to an amount less than what is specified above.

Residency Requirements

For newly admitted students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents but who are not residents of Washington State, non-resident waivers are available but cannot be guaranteed beyond one year. These students should contact the Graduate School for information regarding residency requirements and establishing residency, more information is located on the Graduate School’s Establishing Residency webpage.