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The Graduate School• PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS

HAROLD SILVERMAN
Dean

STACIA HAYNIE
Associate Dean
225-578-3885
FAX • 225-578-1370

MARIE HAMILTON
Assistant Dean
225-578-3885
FAX • 225-578-1370

MARLENE C. LeBLANC
Assistant to the Dean
225-578-3885
225-578-1370

LAURA DEUTSCH
Director of Graduate Records
225-578-3181
FAX • 225-578-7086

RENEE L. A. RENEGAR
Director of Graduate Admissions
225-578-2311
FAX • 225-578-2112

134 David Boyd Hall
225-578-2311
FAX 225-578-1370

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

CONCEPTS AND PURPOSE

The primary purposes of the Graduate School are:

The Graduate School administers more than 130 graduate degree programs offered at LSU. The school was established because the University recognized its obligation to provide an environment for research and free inquiry and to make the results of these activities available to the public.

The LSU Graduate School may be considered the state center of academic research and advanced studies as it carries on a more extended and comprehensive program than any other educational institution in the state.

Doctoral research programs are the essential defining feature of a university; without them, the institution would more properly be called a college. LSU’s status as one of the top 70 research universities in the nation, and its classification as Research—Extensive by the Carnegie Foundation depend chiefly on two criteria held to be prime indicators that an institution is a major center for the creation of new knowledge:

  1. The funding for research and the number of new PhDs produced each year.
  2. Doctoral education, the training of future generations of scholars, keeps LSU—and helps to keep Louisiana and the nation—on the leading edge of discovery.

LSU offers doctoral programs in 54 major fields of study. These programs offer opportunities for advanced training and research in all areas of the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Master’s degree programs are offered in 72 major fields. These range from Master of Fine Arts degrees in creative writing, studio art, and theatre to professional degree programs in social work, business administration, and library and information science.

Students seeking the professional degree, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), offered through the School of Veterinary Medicine, study and work in one of the most advanced and well-equipped schools of veterinary medicine in the United States. The School of Veterinary Medicine also offers master’s and doctoral degrees through the Graduate School.

Additional information about the degree programs listed below may be found in the Graduate Bulletin, which may be accessed through the LSU home page, www.lsu.edu.

Additional information about specific graduate and professional programs is published in catalogs, or brochures that may be obtained from the department or school at addresses listed in this catalog.

HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION

The first graduate degree recorded was a “ Civil Engineering” degree awarded in 1869. By 1890, 14 master’s degrees had been awarded, and by 1909, a total of 32. In 1909, the Graduate Department was established, with the general supervision of graduate work vested in a Committee on Graduate Courses. During the period from 1909 to 1931, 439 master’s degrees were awarded.

In 1931, the Graduate School was established and the first graduate dean, Charles W. Pipkin, was appointed. The former Committee on Graduate Studies was reorganized into a Graduate Council. Doctoral programs were also established in 1931, and the first doctorate was awarded in 1935. From 1931 through spring 2006, 8,379 Doctor of Philosophy degrees, 492 doctorates other than Doctor of Philosophy degrees, and 43,910 master’s degrees were awarded. The total number of advanced degrees awarded by LSU thus reached 52,779.

The affairs of the Graduate School are administered by the graduate dean, with the advice and consultation of the Graduate Council. The council is composed of the dean and associate dean of the Graduate School, who serve as ex officio members, and 16 faculty members appointed by the Chancellor for rotating terms of five years each. The council considers proposals for new degree programs, recommends membership classifications on the graduate faculty, and makes recommendations to the graduate faculty for changes in Graduate School policy.

ADMISSION • GENERAL INFORMATION

Admission to the Graduate School is awarded on the basis of evidence of academic achievement and promise. Applications of students who meet Graduate School requirements are forwarded to the appropriate academic units for final approval. Because of their nature, certain programs require higher admission standards than those of the Graduate School.

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL DEGREES
Department Major Degree
Accounting Accounting MS, PhD
Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness Agricultural Economics MS, PhD
Agriculture Agriculture* MAgri
Agronomy & Environmental Management Agronomy MS, PhD
Animal Science & Dairy Sciences Animal and Dairy Sciences* MS, PhD
Architecture, School of Architecture MArch
Art, School of Art History MA
Studio Art MFA
Biological Sciences Biochemistry MS, PhD
Biological Sciences MS, PhD
Biological & Agricultural Engineering Biological and Agricultural Engineering MS in Biol. & Ag. E.
Business Administration Business Administration* MBA
Business Administration (Finance)* PhD**
Business Administration (Information
Systems and Decision Sciences)*		 PhD**
Business Administration (Management)* PhD**
Business Administration (Marketing)* PhD**
Chemical Engineering, Gordon A. & Mary
Cain Department of		 Chemical Engineering MS in ChE, PhD
Chemistry Chemistry MS, PhD
Civil & Environmental Engineering Civil Engineering MS in CE, PhD
Communication Sciences & Disorders Communication Disorders MA, PhD
Communication Studies Communication Studies MA, PhD
Comparative Literature Comparative Literature* MA, PhD
Computer Sciences Systems Science* MS in Sy. Sc.
Computer Science PhD
Construction Management and Industrial
Engineering		 Industrial Engineering MS in IE
Educational Theory, Policy and Practice Education MA, MEd, EdS***
Curriculum and Instruction PhD
Administration MEd
Guidance MEd
Educational Leadership and Research PhD
Economics Economics MS, PhD
Educational Leadership, Research, &
Counseling		 Administration MEd
Guidance MEd
Education MA, MEd, EdS* **
Educational Leadership and Research PhD
Electrical & Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering MS in EE, PhD
Engineering Donald W. Clayton Graduate Program in
Engineering Science at LSU*		 MS in ES, PhD
English English MA, PhD
Creative Writing MFA
Entomology Entomology MS, PhD
Environmental Studies Environmental Sciences MS
Experimental Statistics Applied Statistics MApStat
Finance Finance MS
Food Science Food Science MS, PhD
Foreign Languages & Literatures Hispanic Studies MA
French Studies French MA, PhD
Geography & Anthropology Anthropology MA
Geography MA, MS, PhD
Geology & Geophysics Geology MS, PhD
History History MA, PhD
Horticulture Horticulture MS, PhD
Human Ecology, School of Human Ecology MS, PhD
Human Resource Education & Workforce
Development, School of		 Human Resource Education MS, PhD
Kinesiology Kinesiology MS, PhD
Landscape Architecture, School of Landscape Architecture MLA
Liberal Arts Liberal Arts* MALA
Library & Information Science Library and Information Science MLIS, CAS
Linguistics Linguistics* MA, PhD
Marketing Marketing MS
Mass Communication, Manship School of Mass Communication MMC, PhD
Mathematics Mathematics MS, PhD
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering MS in ME, PhD
Music, School of Music MM, DMA, PhD
Natural Sciences Natural Sciences* MNS
Oceanography & Coastal Sciences Oceanography and Coastal Sciences MS, PhD
Petroleum Engineering, Craft & Hawkins
Department of		 Petroleum Engineering MS in Pet E, PhD
Philosophy & Religious Studies Philosophy MA
Physics & Astronomy Medical Physics and Health Physics MS
Physics MS, PhD
Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology Plant Health MS, PhD
Political Science Political Science MA, PhD
Psychology Psychology MA, PhD
Public Administration Institute Public Administration* MPA
Renewable Natural Resources, School of Fisheries MS
Forestry MS, PhD
Wildlife MS
Wildlife and Fisheries Science PhD
Social Work, School of Social Work MSW, PhD
Sociology Sociology MA, PhD
Theatre Theatre MFA, PhD
Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Medical Sciences* MS, PhD
Veterinary Medicine DVM

Interdepartmental programs are indicated by one asterisk (*). The Ph.D. in business administration is available with areas of specialization in finance, management, marketing, and information systems and decision sciences (**). The M.A., M.Ed., and Ed.S. in education are single degrees shared by two departments, Educational Leadership, Research, & Counseling and Curriculum & Instruction(***).

Because of the high demand for many graduate programs, meeting the minimum requirements of the Graduate School does not guarantee admission into a particular program.

Applicants meeting requirements stated below are normally granted regular admission. Applicants failing to meet all requirements may be granted probationary admission, provided other substantial evidence of capacity to do satisfactory graduate work, including outstanding performance in post-baccalaureate and/or graduate work, high Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (Graduate Management Admission Test—GMAT— scores, where appropriate), and other outstanding achievements, is presented.

Applicants with unsatisfactory undergraduate records who have completed a minimum of nine hours of graded graduate course work with at least a 3.33 graduate grade point average (gpa) (“A”=4.00) in graduate course work and who have acceptable GRE scores (or, GMAT where applicable) will be considered for admission.

Applicants who appear admissible on the basis of unofficial and/or incomplete transcripts of previous work or unofficial test scores, but who are unable to supply the required records prior to registration, may be granted provisional admission. Subsequent enrollment will not be permitted until all provisions are met. Provisional admission does not guarantee subsequent regular admission.

Meeting the minimum requirements, as outlined in the following sections, does not necessarily ensure acceptance into a specific program, since departments may establish higher standards or require special admission requirements and conditions.

Admission to a Degree Program

Regular Admission • Regular admission is awarded to applicants who intend to pursue a degree and who meet the following requirements:

Probationary Admission • Applicants who fail to meet one or more of the requirements for regular admission may be admitted on probation, provided additional evidence of capacity to do satisfactory work is presented. Such evidence might include superior performance in a substantial amount of post-baccalaureate work, high GRE scores (GMAT scores, when appropriate), and other achievements.

Students entering on probation will remain on probation until the completion of nine hours of graduate-level, graded courses (“A,” “B,” and “C” only ) with at least a 3.00 average. Part-time students entering on probation and registering for fewer than nine hours may be dropped from the Graduate School if their semester and/or graduate gpa is less than 3.00 during any semester they are registered.

Provisional Admission • Provisional admission may be considered for applicants who appear to be admissible on the basis of the credentials submitted, but who are unable to supply all of the required official records prior to registration. Students admitted provisionally must submit complete and satisfactory records within 60 days (45 days in summer term) after the first day of registration. If these credentials are not received by the date specified or if they prove to be unsatisfactory, the student will not be permitted to register for the following semester. Provisional admission does not guarantee subsequent regular admission.

Admission of International Students

An applicant who has completed degree requirements outside the U.S. must present the following:

A TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), or 79 (Internet based) must be received before a student’s application is evaluated for admission. Application forms and information about the TOEFL may be obtained from American embassies and consulates, offices of the U.S. Information Service, or Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, New Jersey, USA 08541-6000.

Application deadlines for international applicants are the same as for all other applicants; however, because transcripts from foreign universities require special evaluation, prospective international students should begin the application process at least 9-12 months prior to the semester in which they plan to enroll. Applications from international students received after the deadline dates will be processed for the following semester or summer term. Also, when sufficient scholastic records and acceptable evidence of English proficiency are not received early enough to determine admissibility for the semester for which application is made, consideration for a subsequent semester will be made only upon the applicant’s written request.

Upon arrival on campus and before registration, international applicants (except citizens of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or the United Kingdom, certain Caribbean islands, and Belize) who have been admitted to Graduate School must take the LSU Comprehensive English Language Test, which consists of the Michigan Test and a writing sample. Students whose tests indicate a deficiency in English will be required to register for appropriate English composition courses with a reduced load of graduate courses.

All international graduate students awarded graduate assistantships must demonstrate proficiency in English by examination or enroll in a Spoken American English course during the first semester of the assistantship. The course will result in a recommendation (or nonrecommendation) to assume teaching duties. Any international teaching assistant who has not received a recommendation from this speech course may not teach in any capacity.

An international applicant who has completed an undergraduate degree at an accredited U.S. institution must meet the regular admission requirements. Before the applicant can be considered, the Graduate School must receive a satisfactory GRE or GMAT score. An international applicant will not be admitted until this information had been received.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

An “Application for Admission to Graduate Degree Program” packet may be obtained from the Graduate School or from the graduate department to which application is being made. All applications for graduate admission must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $25 application fee (check or money order made payable to LSU). Do not send cash through the mail. Checks or money orders must be drawn on U.S. banks. A late fee of $25 must be paid if the application is postmarked after the following dates: May 1 for intersession, May 15 for the fall semester, October 15 for the spring semester, and May 15 for the summer term. International applications received after the deadline will be processed for the following semester and no late fee will be assessed.

Fall applications must be received before the January 25 priority date in order to receive full consideration for assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships for which the applicant has applied.

International applicants are encouraged to determine course availability before applying for summer entry and are further encouraged to apply at least 9-12 months in advance of their intended semester of entrance.

Applicants for graduate admission should proceed as follows:

I. Applicants are responsible for submitting the following items to the Graduate School, 114 David Boyd Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803:

II. The following materials must be submitted to the department the student wishes to enter. Please send them to Graduate Adviser, Department of _____, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

III. The following is also to be sent to the Graduate School, 114 David Boyd Hall:

IV. Applicants may be responsible for submitting additional materials to the departments to which they are applying. Most departments have specific departmental admission requirements. For specifics, consult the individual departments.

Admission is for the semester requested. Those admitted who do not register must make a written request to be reconsidered for admission for a subsequent semester. Application updates are accepted for two subsequent semesters from the original application semester (summer term included). A new application for admission is required when the original application has been on file more than three concurrent semesters. The Graduate School will not consider for admission any nonimmigrant who has entered the U.S. on an I-20 issued by another institution until that person has been enrolled for at least one semester at the institution issuing the I-20.

NONDEGREE ADMISSION

A student who holds a baccalaureate degree but who does not desire to enroll in a degree program in the Graduate School may enroll as a graduate nonmatriculating student. Course work is taken for academic credit, and all rules and regulations for graduate students apply. A student in this category must register for at least one course numbered 4000 or above each semester to maintain graduate status. Courses numbered below 4000 may be taken concurrently with graduate course work.

Enrollment in courses numbered 6000 and above is limited to a total of six semester hours for graduate students in this classification. However, an unlimited number of courses numbered 5999 and below may be taken.

No more than 12 hours of graduate credit taken as a nonmatriculating student may be applied to the requirement for a master’s degree. No more than 12 hours of combined credit transferred from other schools and earned as an LSU extension or nonmatriculating student may be applied toward a master’s degree at LSU. (See the section titled Transfer of Credit.)

Students wishing to enroll only in courses numbered below 4000 should apply for undergraduate admission through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 110 Thomas Boyd Hall. Students classified as extension students are ineligible to enroll in on-campus courses.

Applications for graduate nondegree admission may be obtained from the Graduate School. Students applying for graduate nondegree admission must submit one official transcript from the highest degree-granting institution and from each institution where graduate credit was earned or attempted. Transcripts must indicate that the applicant has a 2.50 or better gpa on all undergraduate work completed and a 3.00 or better gpa on all graduate work completed. In addition, international applicants must submit scores of 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), or 79 (internet based) or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), except for applicants from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, certain Caribbean islands, Belize, and the United Kingdom. International students who have received a degree from an accredited institution in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, certain Caribbean islands, Belize, and the United Kingdom are also exempt from taking the TOEFL.

A nonrefundable application fee of $25 must be submitted with the application. Students not regularly admitted to the University may attend classes as auditors, provided they meet all previously mentioned requirements for admission, have written permission from the individual course instructor(s), and have made the necessary arrangements and paid the required fees. Prospective auditors should initiate registration by obtaining an “audit only” form from the Office of the University Registrar. Regularly enrolled graduate students may also audit courses with consent of the individual instructors. Auditors will not receive degree credit and will not be permitted to take a credit examination on audited course work. However, previously audited courses may be taken for credit. Audited courses do not count in total course loads and are not recorded on official transcripts.

READMISSION

Readmission to Original Program

Previously enrolled graduate students who fail to enroll for three or more consecutive semesters (summer terms included) must file an “Application for Readmission” form with the Graduate School. Applications for reentry will be subject to reevaluation under current admission criteria; readmission is not guaranteed.

Official transcripts must be submitted if work has been taken at another institution since the student was last enrolled at LSU. The application deadlines for admission also apply for readmission, as do application fees and late fees.

Readmission with a Change of Program

A student wishing to pursue a degree or program other than the one originally sought— who has not enrolled for three or more semesters (summer term included), must complete application procedures as described above, and comply with the requirements for the new program. Acceptance into one program does not guarantee admission into another. The admission decision ultimately rests with the admission committee of the department or interdepartmental program concerned.

APPLICATION FEE DEADLINES
Fee
Fee Deadline
Fee if Paid After Deadline
Fall Semester
U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens $25 5/15 $50
Nonimmigrant Applicants $25 5/15 0*
Nondegree Applicants $25 N/A N/A
Spring Semester
U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens $25 10/15 $50
Nonimmigrant Applicants $25 10/15 0*
Nondegree Applicants $25 N/A N/A
Summer Term
U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens $25 5/15 $50
Nonimmigrant Applicants $25 5/15 0*
Nondegree Applicants $25 N/A N/A

* International applications received after the deadline will be processed automatically for the following semester or summer term. There are no late fees associated with the January 25 priority date for full consideration for assistantships and fellowships.

FEES • FINANCIAL AID

The Board of Supervisors may modify fees, meal rates, or housing rates at any time and without advance warning. Students should check the Office of Budget and Planning’s Web site www.bgtplan.lsu.edu.

The following discussion of fees, required minimum registration, and related matters covers items that apply only to graduate students or for which graduate students and undergraduates are treated differently. For all other fees (vehicle registration, audit fees, student insurance, and the Student Health Center, etc.) see the section, “Tuition and Required Fees.”

GRADUATE FEES

Application Fees

All applications for graduate admission must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee (check or money order made payable to Louisiana State University). Additional nonrefundable late fees, where applicable, are assessed for all applications received by the Graduate School after application deadlines. The late application fee also applies to applications for readmission submitted after the established deadline dates. Bank drafts are not accepted as payment and the University is not responsible for cash sent by mail.

International applicants should consult the section, “Admission of International Students,” for additional information.

Minimum Graduate Student Registration

Graduate students engaged in the writing of theses or dissertations are expected to register for research hours commensurate with the amount of University resources—faculty time, equipment, library facilities, and/or office space—to be used that semester. Out-of-town students also are expected to register for research hours if they are receiving any faculty advice or direction.

In addition, doctoral candidates must maintain continuous registration for a minimum of three semester hours of credit each regular semester (excluding summers) from the completion of the general examination to the end of the semester in which an approved dissertation is submitted to the Graduate School. Students must be registered for a minimum of one to three semester hours of credit during any semester in which they are taking master’s or doctoral general examinations, including the qualifying examinations required by some departments.

“Degree Only Registration”

Students who have completed all degree requirements, including final examinations taken in a previous semester, may register for“ degree only” and pay only the graduation fee, if their theses or dissertations are approved by the Graduate School on or before the last day to add courses for credit. Eligible students must submit an application for degree and inform the Graduate School of their intent to register for “degree only”. Nonthesis students may also register “degree only” provided all degree requirements were met in a previous semester.

Three-Week Short Courses

Students enrolled in three-week summer short courses are required to pay the Registration Fee (nonrefundable), Tuition, Required Fees, and Nonresident Fee (if applicable). With a few exceptions, these fees conform to the summer term fee schedule.

Audit Fees

Fees for auditing courses are in accordance with the following “Regular Semester” and “Summer Term” fees. Maximum fee is $1,508 for the regular semester and $1,216 for the summer term. Fees for students enrolling for combined credit and audit work will be assessed in accordance with total hours scheduled.

Residency Status

Eligibility for classification as a resident of Louisiana is determined by the Graduate School in accordance with University regulations and is based on evidence provided on the application for admission and related documents. Regulations relate primarily to location of the home and place of employment.

A student classified as a resident is one who has abandoned all prior domiciles and has been domiciled in the state of Louisiana continuously for at least one full year (365 days) immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which classification as a resident is sought. Physical presence within the state solely for educational purposes without substantial evidence of the intent to remain in Louisiana will not be sufficient for resident classification regardless of the length of time within the state.

Graduation Fees

The processing fee includes imaging, archiving and distribution of the dissertation or monograph by ProQuest, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the publication of an abstract in Dissertation Abstracts or Research Abstracts.

Special Research Fees

For specially planned research programs arranged through the Office of International Programs, departmental research fees are applicable and vary with the individual program.

Tuition and Required Fees • Fall Semester (12 Credit Hours)*

Louisiana residents
Graduate Students • $2,227.50
Veterinary Medicine Students • $5,830.50

Nonresidents
Graduate Students • $6,377.50
Veterinary Medicine Students • $16,130.50

M.B.A. Professional Program Fee • Students enrolled in the full-time M.B.A. program will be assessed a program fee of $2, 000 per semester in addition to tuition and required fields.

* as of September 2006; fees are subject to change.

Please refer to the Office of Budget& Planning Web site (www.bgtplan.lsu.edu) for a listing of current fees.

Social Work Students • An internship fee of $100 per course must be paid by all students enrolled in Social Work 7007, 7008, 7502, and 7503.

Students in Veterinary Medicine • A microscope fee of $40 per semester is assessed each student during Years I and II of the professional curriculum. No fees are assessed regularly admitted students in the summer of Year IV, regardless of the elective blocks taken. Regularly admitted students accepted from contract states pay the same fees as residents of Louisiana, with respective states paying an additional increment as specified by contract.

For information about room rent, dining plans, refunds, and other special fees, see the“ Undergraduate Fees and Expenses” section of this catalog.

FINANCIAL AID

The University offers financial assistance to graduate students through a variety of programs including fellowships, assistantships, internships, work-study programs, student jobs, and loans. Since these programs are administered by separate offices, a student interested in applying should contact the appropriate office for more detailed information.

Fellowships and Scholarships

The Graduate School offers a number of fellowships and scholarships to exceptional students. Superior students can expect to receive some type of aid throughout their graduate careers. In some cases, recipients are required to have completed a minimum amount of graduate work prior to receiving an award. All such assistance is awarded on the basis of the individual’s academic achievements. Interested students should contact the chair of the department in which they plan to study.

Graduate Enhancements and Supplements • Superior graduate students awarded departmental assistantships and fellowships in selected departments may receive a monetary enhancement to their departmental assistantships/fellowships.

Graduate School Dissertation Fellowships • Dissertation Fellowships are available to exceptional doctoral students who will begin their final year of study. A maximum one-year stipend of $18,000 is awarded. Resident tuition and nonresident tuition (if applicable) are waived. The recipient will be responsible for paying required university fees. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that there is a high probability for completion of the dissertation during the fellowship year. Dissertation fellowships are available only to full-time students. For information on application procedures, which entail departmental nomination from March 15-April 15, contact the assistant dean, LSU Graduate School.

Board of Regents Graduate Fellowship Program (Ph. D. And M.F.A.) • The Louisiana Educational Quality Support Fund provides Board of Regents’ Graduate Fellowships for exceptionally qualified doctoral students. These awards range from $12,000 to $20,000 per year for up to four years. Resident and nonresident tuition (if applicable) are waived. Recipients are responsible for paying university required fees. Academic departments eligible for these awards vary from year to year. Most major areas, including humanities, social sciences, basic sciences, arts, design, education, agriculture, and engineering, are included annually.

Applications must be submitted to the candidate’s department and must include scores on both the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (or GMAT scores if appropriate), an official transcript of all gpas on all college work, a one-page narrative of educational goals, and three letters of recommendation. Complete applications should be submitted not later than February 15 annually.

Graduate School Tuition Awards • The graduate dean may award up to 200 tuition exemptions to graduate students from underrepresented groups. The tuition awards provide for an exemption from either or both the resident and nonresident fee. Recipients are responsible for paying university-required fees. Preference will be given to African American students and students from Latin American countries. Students must be regularly admitted to a graduate program at LSU and be nominated by their departments.

Assistantships

More than 2,000 teaching, research, and service assistantships are awarded annually. All communication regarding graduate assistantships should be directed to the chair of the appropriate department. Applications and supporting credentials are accepted at all times, but priority for graduate assistantships beginning in the fall semester is given to applicants who submit their materials by January 25. Students who accept assistantships before April 15 may be free to resign to accept another offer up to that date. An acceptance given or left in force after April 15 is a commitment not to accept another appointment without first obtaining formal release from the prior commitment.

A graduate assistantship is intended to be supportive of the student’s educational experience by being related to the graduate program in which the student is enrolled. Proposed appointment to duties unrelated to the student’s major program must have the concurrence of the student’s major department prior to approval by the Graduate School.

Eligibility Requirements • Only graduate students with acceptable academic records may be appointed to graduate assistantships. A student admitted on probation may not be appointed to a graduate assistantship until good standing has been achieved. A graduate student placed on academic probation by the Graduate School for failing to make satisfactory progress may not be appointed or reappointed to a graduate assistantship unless the student’s cumulative/semester gpa is at least 3.00.

Details and additional information regarding eligibility for a graduate assistantship may be found in PS-21, available in the appendices on the Graduate Bulletin, the Graduate School, and in departmental offices.

Stipends • Graduate assistant stipend levels vary widely, depending on the department and the assigned duties. Assigned duties may include research, teaching, and/or service. Graduate assistantship appointments may also be for one-third or one-quarter time, with an appropriate adjustment in the stipend. Appointments for more than one-half time require special justification. Although most appointments are made on an academic-year basis, assistantships are available in certain departments during the summer months, with an appropriate adjustment in the stipend.

Federal Work-Study Program

Another form of financial assistance available to graduate students is the federal work-study program. A graduate student who qualifies for this program can be assigned parttime employment in an academic area or in any other University office. The amount of aid available is determined by assessment of the student’s needs. Students may also be assigned to community service agencies.

To be considered for the work-study program, a current or prospective graduate student must file the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).” This form should be completed and filed as soon after January 1 as possible. It is to the student’s advantage to apply early. Aid is awarded on a yearly basis, and students must reapply each year. Application forms are available from the Office of Student Aid & Scholarships.

Loan Programs

The Office of Student Aid and Scholarships administers a number of loan programs created to help deserving graduate students who need financial assistance to continue their education. All such funds are subject to policies and regulations authorized by the Faculty Senate Student Aid& Scholarships Committee. To be eligible, a student must be making satisfactory academic progress.

Perkins Loan (Formerly the National Direct Student Loan Program) • The Perkins Loan Program is for students who are enrolled at least half-time and who need loans to meet educational expenses. Perkins Loans are made by and repaid to LSU. Under this program graduate students may borrow up to $30,000 to finance graduate study. (Ths includes any Perkins Loans borrowed as an undergraduate.) Loans range from $200 to $4,000 per year for graduate students. The actual amount of the loan depends upon financial need and the general availability of funds. Half of the annual amount awarded will be received each semester. Six months after the student leaves school (nine months for new borrowers), interest begins to accrue on the total amount of money borrowed. Seven months after the student leaves school (10 months for new borrowers), he/she must begin repaying the loan. Payments are made in monthly installments of at least $30 (regardless of the size of the loan) at 5 percent simple interest.

Stafford Loan (Formerly the National Direct Student Loan Program) • The Stafford Loan Program allows students to borrow funds from a participating lender to begin or continue their postsecondary education. The loan is a transaction involving the student, the lending institution, and the guarantee agency. Some lenders may require additional endorsements. With the privilege of borrowing goes the responsibility for repayment of the loan with interest when the student leaves school. The annual interest rate varies, but is capped at about 9 percent.

In addition, the borrower is charged a guarantee fee, and a 5 percent origination fee is assessed by the lender for each loan processed. When the student leaves school, arrangements are made with the lender to repay the loan in monthly installments with interest. Normally, loans are repaid within a maximum of 10 years, beginning six months after leaving school, with minimum monthly payments of $50. Repayment of the loan may be accelerated without penalty.

The maximum amount that can be borrowed is $8,500 per year for graduate and professional study. The aggregate loan maximum is $65,500. This total includes amounts that may have been borrowed at the undergraduate level. The loan amount will be based on the student’s educational costs, any other aid received, and the financial situation of the family. In addition, the student must be making satisfactory academic progress in order to be eligible.

The University normally views any student who is not on academic probation and who meets the requirements for retention in a degree program under the scholastic regulations of the University as being in good standing and making satisfactory academic progress.

Veterans’ Benefits

The Office of Veterans’ Affairs has the responsibility for handling all applications for benefits under the various public laws. In order to receive full VA benefits, a veteran graduate student must be registered for nine or more semester hours.

Details and additional information concerning benefits for veterans may be obtained from the Office of Veterans’ Affairs, 112 Thomas Boyd Hall. Information is also available at the Veterans’ Affairs Web site: www.lsu.edu/slas/vetaffairs.

FALL SEMESTER FEES • GRADUATE STUDENTS

Hours
Residents
Nonresidents
Tuition &
Required Fees
Tuition &
Required Fees
Nonresident Fee
Total
Full-time (9 or more hours):
15 hours AND ABOVE
$2,242.50
$2,242.50
$4,150.00
$6,392.50
14 hours
$2,237.50
$2,237.50
$4,150.00
$6,387.50
13 hours
$2,232.50
$2,232.50
$4,150.00
$6,387.50
12 hours
$2,227.50
$2,227.50
$4,150.00
$6,377.50
11 hours
$2,212.50
$2,212.50
$4,150.00
$6,362.50
10 hours
$2,197.50
$2,197.50
$4,150.00
$6,347.50
9 hours
$2,182.50
$2,182.50
$4,150.00
$6,332.50
Part-time:
8 hours
$1,399.00
$1,399.00
$2,529.00
$3,928.00
7 hours
$1,349.00
$1,349.00
$2,529.00
$3,878.00
6 hours
$872.00
$872.00
$1,761.00
$2,633.00
5 hours
$822.00
$822.00
$1,761.00
$2,583.00
4 hours
$776.00
$776.00
$1,761.00
$2,537.00
3 hours
$482.00
$482.00
$376.00
$858.00
2 hours
$431.00
$431.00
$376.00
$807.00
1 hour
$382.00
$382.00
$376.00
$758.00

 

SUMMER SEMESTER FEES • GRADUATE STUDENTS

Hours
Residents
Nonresidents
Tuition &
Required Fees
Tuition &
Required Fees
Nonresident Fee
Total
Full-time (6 or more hours):
12 hours
$1,866
$1,866
$2,075
$3,941
11 hours
$1,550
$1,550
$2,075
$3,625
10 hours
$1,532
$1,532
$2,075
$3,607
9 hours
$1,517
$1,517
$2,075
$3,592
8 hours
$1,169
$1,169
$2,075
$3,244
7 hours
$1,119
$1,119
$2,075
$3,194
6 hours
$1,070
$1,070
$2,075
$3,145
Part-time:
5 hours
$706
$706
$1,465
$2,171
4 hours
$658
$658
$1,465
$2,123
3 hours
$451
$451
$415
$866
2 hours
$401
$401
$415
$816
1 hour
$352
$352
$415
$767

 

FALL SEMESTER FEES • VETERINARY MEDICINE STUDENTS

Hours
Residents
Nonresidents
Tuition &
Required Fees
Tuition &
Required Fees
Nonresident Fee
Total
Full-time (10 or more hours):
15 hours AND ABOVE
$5845.50
$5845.50
$9,300
$15,145.50
14 hours
$5,840.50
$5,840.50
$9,300
$15,140.50
13 hours
$5,835.50
$5,835.50
$9,300
$15,135.50
12 hours
$5,830.50
$5,830.50
$9,300
$15,130.50
11 hours
$5,825.50
$5,825.50
$9,300
$15,125.50
10 hours
$5,820.50
$5,820.50
$9,300
$15,120.50
Part-Time:
No Part-Time Students
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

REQUIRED FEES • FULL-TIME GRADUATE & VETERINARY MEDICINE STUDENTS
STUDENT RECOMMENDED FEES FALL SPRING SUMMER
Student Sports Recreation Complex
$45.00
$45.00
$20.00
BR Crisis Intervention (The Phone)
$2.00
$2.00
$1.00
KLSU Radio
$5.00
$5.00
$3.00
Performing Arts - Music
$2.00
$2.00
--
Performing Arts Series
$1.80
$1.80
--
Performing Arts - Theatre
$1.00
$1.00
--
Performing Arts - Black Box
$0.20
$0.20
--
LSU Union Maintenance Fund
$24.00
$24.00
--
Mass Transit System
$35.00
$35.00
$22.00
Organization Relief Fund
$6.00
$6.00
--
LSU-TV
$2.00
$2.00
$1.00
Women’s Transit ($1.00 Total) :
Distr to Women’s Transit Acct
$0.80
$0.80
$0.80
Distr to SGA Acct
$0.20
$0.20
$0.20
Gumbo (Yearbook)
$5.50
--
--
Legacy (Magazine)
$1.50
--
--
The Reveille
$2.00
$2.00
$1.00
SG Newspaper Initiative
$1.00
$1.00
--
Student Government Programming, Support, & Initiatives:
Spring Concert
$3.00
$3.00
--
Fall Concert
$0.30
$0.30
--
SG Concert Series
$0.90
$0.90
--
Recreational Sports Assistance
$0.20
$0.20
--
Organizational Initiatives & Conference Support
$0.10
$0.10
--
Late Night Programming
$1.00
--
--
SUBTOTAL (Student Recommended Fees)
$140.50
$132.50
$49.00
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE FEE:
$100.00
$100.00
$60.00
OTHER ALLOCATED FEES::
Student Government Association
$2.00
$2.00
$0.75
Auxiliary Enterprise Maintenance Fund
$3.75
$3.75
$1.85
Student Services Maintenance Fund
$3.75
$3.75
$1.90
The Reveille
$2.00
$2.00
$0.75
Student Media
$0.25
--
--
Gumbo (Yearbook - Spring Semester Only)
--
$4.50
--
Legacy (Magazine)
--
$1.50
--
LSU Union Fee
$12.50
$12.50
$5.00
LSU Union Maintenance Fund
$67.50
$67.50
$30.75
LSU Union Enrichment Fund
$3.00
$3.00
--
Golf
$1.25
$1.25
$0.75
Organization Relief Fund
--
$0.25
--
Student Government Initiatives
--
$1.00
--
Organization Programming & Support
--
$1.25
--
Facilities Access
--
$3.50
--
SUBTOTAL (Other Allocated Fees)
$96.00
$107.75
$41.75
TOTAL (Excluding Registration Fee)
$336.50
$340.25
$150.75
REGISTRATION FEE (NONREFUNDABLE)
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00
TOTAL STUDENT REQUIRED FEES
$346.50
$350.25
$160.75

GENERAL GRADUATE SCHOOL REGULATIONS

The following discussion of general Graduate School regulations should be read in conjunction with the section, “Requirements for Advanced Degrees.” Regulations common to graduate and undergraduate students (the Code of Student Conduct, grade appeals, etc.) are covered in the section, “Undergraduate Degree Requirements and Regulations.”

Graduate School requirements are minimal, and, in many cases, they are exceeded by those of individual departments. Statements of specific departmental requirements for degrees are published in the Graduate Bulletin. Most departments also have brochures describing in detail their programs and requirements.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY AND PROGRAM CHANGE

Graduate students must assume full responsibility for knowledge of Graduate School policies and departmental requirements concerning their individual degree programs. Advances in knowledge and changes in methodology at times require alterations in degree programs. Therefore, graduate students should at all times be aware of the current regulations and requirements of the Graduate School and their departments.

The current regulations and requirements take precedence over any previously promulgated policies. Between catalog issues, notices of changes will be available in the Graduate School, in each department, and at www.gradschool.lsu.edu.

GRADUATE CREDIT

A student may receive graduate credit only for courses taught by members of the graduate faculty or other persons approved in advance by the dean of the Graduate School. Except as noted, a student may receive graduate credit only for work taken while officially enrolled as a graduate student.

Any student dropped from a graduate program because of unsatisfactory performance will not be permitted to take courses for credit toward a graduate degree beyond the semester in which the student is dropped. In addition, graduate students may not take credit examinations in graduate-level courses.

Graduate Credit in Law

Students registered in Graduate School may receive graduate credit for certain courses offered by the Hebert Law Center if the courses have been approved in advance by the Law Center and the dean of the Graduate School. Students should submit a written petition to the Graduate School for such approval. They must obtain permission from the Hebert Law Center in order to register for these courses.

JD-MBA Joint Degree Program

The E. J. Ourso College of Business and the Paul M. Hebert Law Center offer a joint degree program allowing the student to earn both the JD and MBA degrees.

Students enrolling in the joint program must be admitted separately to the MBA program and the Law Center. Students should consult with the admissions office of each institution prior to enrolling concerning the student’s intent to earn a joint degree.

The first year of the program must be spent exclusively either at the Law School or the Ourso College. Scheduling of subsequent semesters is flexible.

The Ourso College will waive the 18-hour concentration requirement, essentially giving a concentration in law. The Law School will award 12 hours of credit for classes taken in the MBA program. The transfer of credits will allow a student to complete the joint JD-MBA program in four years. Without the transfer of credits, completion of the two degrees would take a minimum of five years.

A student successfully completing the program will receive two degrees, a JD awarded by LSU’s Hebert Law Center and a MBA awarded by the E. J. Ourso College of Business.

Transfer of Credit

To petition for acceptance of these credits, the student must be currently enrolled, must have completed at least nine hours of graduate residence course work in a degree program at LSU, and must be in “good academic standing.”

Transfer credit from other schools must have been earned for graduate residence credit. This course work must be judged appropriate to the student’s program by the graduate faculty of the major department, must have been taught by a professor whose credentials are comparable to those of graduate faculty at LSU, and must, in terms of time invested, be comparable to graduate courses at LSU.

Transfer work may not be used to fulfill the master’s program requirement that at least one-half of the minimum required credit be in courses at or above the 7000 level.

Course work completed at institutions outside the United States is not accepted for transfer credit toward a master’s degree at LSU.

No more than 12 hours of combined credit transferred from other schools and earned as an LSU extension or nonmatriculating student may be applied toward a master’s degree at LSU. Credit earned as an LSU extension or nonmatriculating student or transferred from another institution must be for course work in which the student earned a grade of “A” or“ B.” Courses in which a grade of “C” was earned will not be accepted for transfer into a master’s degree program.

Transfer work must have been completed within five years of the time the student is eligible to petition. Once transfer credit is approved, it is valid as long as the master’s degree is completed within the five-year time limit or the transfer work was taken within five years of degree completion.

Graduate work transferred from other institutions may be applied toward degree requirements, but the grades earned will not be computed in the LSU graduate average nor will transfer work appear on the official transcript.

Graduate course work taken at other campuses within the LSU System is not considered transfer credit, and any number of hours may be applied toward a degree if approved by the chair of the student’s department on this campus.

Graduate Credit for LSU Seniors

A senior at LSU who needs fewer than 15 semester hours to complete requirements for the bachelor’s degree, who has maintained a gpa of at least a 3.00 during the preceding year at LSU, and who has a cumulative gpa of at least 2.75 may be permitted to register for graduate credit in courses numbered 4000 - 4999, provided the student registers for all the remaining courses required for graduation and for no more than 15 semester hours total. This privilege applies only during the final semester of the student’s undergraduate work and is extended only upon recommendation of the dean of the student’s college and approval of the dean of the Graduate School. The head of the department in which the student plans to enroll as a graduate student must also approve the courses taken for graduate credit.

A student must complete all undergraduate degree credit courses in order to retain the privilege of obtaining graduate credit for the remaining courses. The requested signatures of approval should be submitted on a form de-signed specifically for this program. This form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the last day to add classes in the semester in which graduate credit is desired.

Superior Undergraduate Student Program

Superior undergraduate students may register for 4000- and 7000-level courses; these courses do not count for graduate credit. Requirements for undergraduate enrollment in these graduate courses are as follows:

4000-Level Courses • Student must have earned at least 30 semester hours witwith a cumulative gpa of 3.50 or higher.

7000-Level Courses • Student must have earned at least 75 semester hours with a cumulative gpa of 3.50 or higher.

Approval by the instructor and the dean of the student’s undergraduate college is required.

Correspondence Study

No graduate credit is allowed for work done by correspondence study at this or any other university.

ELIGIBILITY OF FACULTY AND STAFF FOR GRADUATE DEGREES

LSU System regulations govern the eligibility of LSU employees to work toward graduate degrees. A faculty member above the rank of instructor may not work toward a graduate degree at this University. Other employees who, in the opinion of the Graduate Council, are of equivalent status may not work toward graduate degrees. Nonfaculty, professional staff/administrators may pursue master’s degrees; only those who do not hold positions where there is a potential conflict of interest will be permitted to pursue doctoral degrees.

If an employee serving as a professional staff member/administrator wishes to pursue a doctorate, the employee, the immediate supervisor of the employee, and the chair of the department in which the employee wishes to pursue the degree must submit to the dean of the Graduate School statements outlining the job responsibilities of the employee and providing an analysis of the independence of the employee’s official duties from the department in which doctoral work is to be taken. The Graduate Council will review the statements and make a recommendation through official channels to the chancellor.

GRADES

Graduate Grading System

Grades in the Graduate School have the following meanings: