Admission of matriculated students occurs through the Office of Graduate Admissions and the graduate review committees.
Available entry terms vary by program.
A Graduate Student Orientation program for newly admitted graduate students occurs prior to the entry term. Advising and registration takes place at Orientation. The Office of Graduate Admissions holds both in-person and virtual orientation events based on graduate programs.
Non-matriculated students are limited to 9 credit hours, in total, in most graduate programs. The MAED, MAIT, and MBA limit non-matriculated students to 6 credit hours of attempted study, without the possibility of repeating a course. Applications for nonmatriculated status are processed through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Full-time status is defined as 9 credits per semester.
Financial aid is available, including Graduate Assistantships (matriculated, degree seeking students only) and scholarships.
Academic advisors (preceptors) are assigned upon enrollment (matriculated students only). Students meet with their preceptor to plan courses and discuss their academic progress.
Grading system is based on an A-F range (plus/minus included); grades of I (incomplete) convert to an F grade if not completed by the end of the succeeding semester.
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 to remain in good academic standing.
Individual programs have policies and procedures that govern academic and professional requirements as specified in the individual program’s handbook.
Students are required to check their university-assigned email accounts regularly.
University policy requires that, once matriculated, students must be enrolled continuously each semester (excluding summer/winter terms). A Maintenance of Matriculation or Leave of Absence Form must be completed each fall or spring term for which the student is not enrolled. Students continuing their master’s thesis are required to register for 1 course credit of the thesis course for each semester of thesis work (following the first one) until completion.
o Maintenance of Matriculation is an online request form processed by the School of General Studies and Graduate Education.o Leave of Absence is an online request form that is processed by the Office of the Registrar.
For information about graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website or email us at gradschool@stockton.edu or call is at 609.626.3640.
Applicability of General Policies and Procedures
All policies and procedures of the University that refers to students and courses of study apply equally to graduate study except where explicitly stated otherwise. This includes the campus code of conduct, academic honesty policy, and all other rules relating to individual conduct. Graduate students must also follow the policies and procedures applicable in their individual graduate programs.
Definition of Graduate Student Statuses
Full-time and part-time
A full-time graduate student is enrolled in 9 or more credits per semester, as defined by the graduate program in which the student is enrolled. Students are not required to be full-time to work toward and complete a graduate degree (unless required by their program), but the normal time limit for degree completion is five years.
Audited courses and withdrawals do not count toward full-time status.
Continuing Education courses do not count towards full-time status.
When students are in their normal sequence of field education experience, and are registered for co-op, field, clinical or lab experience as part of their program cohort, they may be certified by the Dean of the School where the program resides as full-time students for a minimum registration of 3 credits each semester.
International students must be in full-time status every semester (excluding summer/winter terms).
Part-time students are those registered for fewer than 9 credits during a semester.
Part-time students may be given this (full-time) designation for Federal and other reporting purposes if they meet one of the following conditions:
1. They are registered for between 6 and 8 credits in a semester.
2. They have completed all other course work and other degree and credit requirements and are registered in final project or thesis research and seminar, for at least 3 credits for the semester.
3. They are enrolled in the MAED-CE program with the School of Education, are enrolled for all requisite Education course work and are employed full-time as classroom teachers as part of their alternate route certification process.
4. A student enrolled in the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership program and enrolled for all requisite courses.
Matriculated Student
A matriculated graduate student is one who has formally applied and been accepted for admission by the Office of Graduate Admissions, and who has satisfied the acceptance deposit requirement. Matriculated students are working toward a degree, an educational endorsement, or certificate of graduate study. A newly matriculated student who cannot enroll during the term specified in their acceptance letter must request a deferral of admission. Admitted applicants who wish to defer may do so at the time of admittance. Granting the deferral is at the discretion of the specific graduate program and will only be granted once. Only matriculated students may be considered for the awarding of a degree. Each program that offers a graduate degree determines whether a non-matriculated student may enroll in the program’s courses. Where such enrollment is permitted, the program guide states the conditions of enrollment and any limits on applicability toward the degree of courses taken as a non-matriculated student toward the degree. The University sets an upper limit of 9 credits attempted in non-matriculated status, though some programs have a limit of 6 credits. Matriculated graduate students are assessed graduate tuition for all courses attempted.
Non-Matriculated
A non-matriculated graduate student is one who has been granted permission to take courses for credit, but who has not formally been admitted to Stockton. Non-matriculated students are not considered matriculated or working toward a degree until they complete the formal application process as described below. Non-matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid, nor are they eligible to live in campus housing. Non-matriculated students who enroll in graduate courses are assessed graduate tuition for all graduate courses attempted.
Except where limited by individual graduate degree programs (e.g. Doctor of Physical Therapy or Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders), a student who is interested in taking graduate credit-bearing courses, but who is not presently working toward a degree, may enroll as a non-matriculated student. Registration for classes is on a space-available basis. Note that graduate programs may require either undergraduate or other graduate courses as prerequisites.
For a graduate degree program, no more than nine (9) credits may be attempted in nonmatriculated status, though some programs (e.g. Master of Arts in Education, Master of Arts in Instructional Technology, and Master of Business Administration) may set lower limits. For graduate certificate or endorsement programs, normally no more than six (6) graduate credits may be attempted in non-matriculated status, though some programs may set lower limits. After a student reaches the maximum cap, a prospective student must apply to the graduate program through the Office of Graduate Admissions. All courses in which a student receives a grade or notation (such as a W for withdrawal or I for incomplete) are counted towards the six graduate credit limits.
A non-matriculated student does not automatically qualify for matriculation after completion of course work in non-matriculated status. When the non-matriculated student wishes to change student status to matriculated, she/he must formally apply through the Office of Graduate Admissions. Evaluation of the student includes course work taken as a non-matriculated student.
Undergraduates Taking Graduate Courses (the “Higher Flyer Program”)
Graduate programs may permit qualified undergraduate students to enroll in graduate courses if space is available and if an undergraduate student meets the following minimum University requirements.
Only Stockton undergraduates who have successfully completed 96 semester hours of undergraduate credit by the time the graduate course begins will be eligible to enroll.
Students must have earned at least a 3.2 overall G.P.A. A program may set a higher minimum G.P.A.
Students may take up to 6 semester hours (typically two 3 credit courses) of 5000 level courses for credit.
Students must have fulfilled appropriate prerequisites with a passing grade.
Undergraduates will receive three (3) credits for each course successfully completed. Students should meet with their preceptor prior to starting this application to discuss how 3 credit courses will affect their overall credits needed toward undergraduate degree completion as well as which classes to take.
As long as the undergraduate student is enrolled for 12-20 credits, then flat rate tuition will be applied plus an additional graduate course surcharge per the number of graduate credits being attempted.
Graduate tuition and fees will be charged for these graduate-level classes if the student is not enrolled full-time (12-20 credits) because flat rate tuition does not apply to graduate courses.
Approval for an undergraduate student to take a graduate course does not guarantee matriculation into a graduate degree program.
Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate (with a grade of B or better) may be applied to a Stockton Master’s Degree Program at a later date.
After submitting the application link below, your request will be reviewed by your Preceptor, the Graduate Course Instructor, and the School of General Studies & Graduate Education.
*Please note that the Higher Flyer program does not apply to all graduate programs.
Term of Matriculation
Students are admitted to the University for the fall and spring terms. Selected academic programs allow summer term matriculation. The term for which the student enrolls is the student’s official term of matriculation and thereby establishes the academic policies the student must meet. These include academic progress, honors at graduation, academic dismissal and graduation requirements. (Note that students may opt to elect new curricular requirements as adopted in lieu of those published at the time of matriculation).
Any student who has previously attended Stockton as a matriculated student and stopped attending for two or more terms, was dismissed for academic reasons, or was suspended or expelled from the University must formally reapply for admission via Direct Entry application in the Slate application system. Readmitted students, therefore, establish a new term of matriculation and are obligated to adhere to the academic policies in effect at the time of readmission. Maintenance of Matriculation is an online request form that is processed by the School of General Studies and Graduate Education. Leave of Absence is an online request form that is processed by the Office of the Registrar.
Maintenance of Matriculation Requirement for Graduate Students
Once admitted to a degree program, graduate students must either be registered continuously for credit each semester until they complete degree requirements, or they must apply for and receive Maintenance of Matriculation status and pay the requisite fee in lieu of tuition. Graduate students who neither register for credit during a fall or spring term semester nor apply for and receive Maintenance of Matriculation status and pay the requisite fee nor is granted a Leave of Absence will lose their student status and must apply for readmission to the University and be reaccepted to continue their graduate work. The Maintenance of Matriculation Fee will be proposed annually and is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees in its consideration of student fees.
Students completing a master’s thesis do not pay the Maintenance of Matriculation fee after the semester they begin their thesis (xxxx 5880). Instead, upon receiving the IP (in progress) grade for the thesis, students must register for 1 credit of xxxx 5880 each semester until successful graduation. This cost replaces Maintenance of Matriculation.
Leave of Absence
Although the University has a Maintenance of Matriculation requirement for graduate students, a Leave of Absence may be granted, normally for medical reasons. A Leave of Absence is the process of leaving school temporarily and is generally used for family medical leave or military service. A Leave of Absence is valid for a maximum of five years and must be renewed each semester. Students should consult the Program Handbooks as in some degree programs, five years may not be possible. Students should complete and submit an online Leave of Absence Form from the Office of the Registrar prior to the end of the Drop/Add period noted on the for each semester the Leave is effective. Academic Calendar for each semester the Leave is effective.
Tuition
Students pay undergraduate tuition and fees for undergraduate courses and appropriate graduate (master’s and doctoral) tuition and fees for graduate courses.
Full-time undergraduate students (defined as enrolled in 12 or more credits, undergraduate and graduate credits combined, excluding doctoral courses) who enroll in master’s level courses be charged flat-rate undergraduate tuition and fees plus a surcharge of $100.00 per credit for each enrolled graduate post-baccalaureate certificate course. Students must be enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate courses during the same term to be eligible for this opportunity.
Academic Progress for Graduate Students
Degree Completion
To be awarded a graduate degree, a student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in courses applied toward the graduate program. The number of credits required and the specific courses or distribution of courses that must be completed as well as any additional specific requirements are indicated within this Bulletin. The student must apply for graduation online through the goStockton portal prior to the deadlines noted in the Academic Calendar. The graduation fee will be charged to the student’s account upon application. (Students will note that they are required to pay the graduation fee for each degree they receive from the University, e.g., once for a baccalaureate degree, once for a master’s degree, and once for a doctoral degree if applicable).
Minimum Academic Progress, Academic Warning, Probation and Dismissal
Each student’s record will be reviewed for minimum academic progress each term, including summer terms. For most programs, a graduate student must have at least a 3.0 term GPA and a 3.0 cumulative GPA to maintain minimum academic progress. Several programs have a minimum cumulative GPA that is 3.2 or above. Students should refer to their program handbook for specific information. Failure to maintain minimum academic progress will result in placement on either academic warning, academic probation, or dismissal.
Dismissal
A graduate student on academic probation, who does not make minimum academic progress, as outlined by their graduate program, is subject to dismissal from the University. Students should refer to the program information in their respective program handbooks to learn more about academic grounds for dismissal.
Non-Academic Grounds for Dismissal
Each graduate program may have non-academic standards to which students must adhere, in addition to the minimum 3.0 GPA required for students to remain enrolled in the program. Students should refer to the program information in this Bulletin and/or in program handbooks to learn more about non-academic grounds for dismissal.
Program Distinction
Programs may convey recognition of superior performance in the graduate program based on criteria that are printed in the program’s Program Handbook. Program Distinction will be noted on the student’s transcript.
