This page lists changes in the 2025-2026 Graduate School Policies and Procedures since the 2024-2025 manual. Earlier editions are on the editions and change logs page. Formatting, numbering and minor wording changes are not listed. The manual is the policy; this page is only a guide.
The 2024-2025 manual used lettered sections such as 3.E.2. Later editions use numbered sections such as 3.5.2. Section numbers below are the numbered form, with the earlier number shown where it differs.
Policy changes approved by the Faculty Senate
Both changes took effect in Fall 2025.
4+1 Accelerated Master's Programs: new policy
Approved by Faculty Senate: January 30, 2025 (Item 479 minutes, proposal)
Effective: Fall 2025
Change ID: GSPP-2025-001
A new policy standardizes 4+1 programs through Memoranda of Understanding, with up to 6 credits shared between the bachelor's and master's degrees.
| Section | Was | Now | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1.5 4+1 Accelerated Master’s Programs | No section on 4+1 programs | 4+1 programs described; each needs an approved Memorandum of Understanding | Approved in Item 479 |
| 4.5.2 4+1 Accelerated Master’s Program | No section on 4+1 programs | Student criteria, including a 3.0 GPA and up to six shared credits | Approved in Item 479 |
| 6.7.2.4 Students in 4+1 Programs | No section on 4+1 programs | Shared credits must be completed within three years and cannot include conjoint or cross-listed courses taken under different prefixes | Approved in Item 479 |
Professional master's degrees: capstone options and admission
Approved by Faculty Senate: April 3, 2025 (Item 498 minutes, redline)
Effective: Fall 2025
Change ID: GSPP-2025-002
Professional master's programs may use a capstone course, a capstone project with a final exam, or both, as the culminating experience. Applicants with a 2.75 to 2.99 GPA may be admitted under stated conditions. "Professionally oriented" master's degrees are now called "professional" master's degrees.
| Section | Was | Now | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5.2 Graduate Capstone Course (GradCAPS) (was 3.E.2) | A capstone course could replace 701 or 702 credits in a non-thesis master's curriculum | Defines the graduate capstone course and the professional master's culminating options | Approved in Item 498 |
| 3.5.2 Graduate Capstone Course (GradCAPS) (was 3.E.2) | Capstone courses could be graded S/F | A graduate capstone course must be letter graded (A through F) | Approved in Item 498 |
| 3.5.5 Professional Master’s Capstone Project 701 Credits (was 3.E.6) | Non-thesis 701 credits; students generally enroll in at least two credits | Professional master's capstone project; at least two credits of 701 are required | Approved in Item 498 |
| 4.1.7.1 Academic Requirements (was 4.A.a) | Minimum 3.0 GPA required | 3.0 generally required; professional master's applicants need a minimum 2.75 under stated conditions | Approved in Item 498 |
| 4.10.2 Certificate Student Pursuing Formal Admission to Graduate School (was 4.J.2) | Certificate students applied for formal admission | A program may allow direct admission from a graduate certificate to a professional master's degree in the same academic unit | Approved in Item 498 |
| 7.4 Master’s Degree Academic Policies: Thesis and Non-thesis Option (was 7.D) | No statement on archiving capstone projects | Final capstone projects do not require submission to the Graduate School or ProQuest/WSU Libraries unless the program requires it | Approved in Item 498 |
| 7.6 Master’s Degree Academic Policies: Final Master’s Examination (was 7.F) | A final exam or balloting meeting was required for all master's candidates, including 500-level capstone students | Professional master's candidates may complete a capstone course with no additional exam or ballot | Approved in Item 498 |
| 7.6.8 Second Attempt Exam (was 7.F.8) | Dismissal after failing a second exam | Also covers the capstone course: retake in the next available term, and dismissal if the grade requirement is not met after two attempts | Approved in Item 498 |
| 10.1 Graduation Requirements (was 10.A) | No capstone course requirement stated | Students using a capstone course must complete it in their graduating semester and apply for the degree by the deadline | Approved in Item 498 |
Changes required by contract or university policy
Graduate assistantships: contract updates
Basis: WSU/UAW Contract
Posted: 2025-2026 edition
Change ID: GSPP-2025-R01
These updates reflect the WSU/UAW Contract.
| Section | Was | Now |
|---|---|---|
| 9.3.1 Basic Requirements (was 9.C.1) | Half-time service qualified for a full tuition waiver | Half-time service qualifies for a waiver of operating and building fees; appointments of 0.25 to 0.49 FTE receive half of the operating fee, and under 0.25 FTE receive no waiver |
| 9.3.3.2 Guidelines for Additional Work Hours: (was 9.C.b) | Request for additional work included confirmation that the department would continue funding the student | That confirmation removed; a memo is required for an exception to policy before more than five additional hours per week |
| 9.4 Tuition Waivers (was 9.D) | Nonresident tuition waiver for up to one year | Nonresident tuition waiver for the first year of admittance to WSU |
| 9.4 Tuition Waivers (was 9.D) | Summer: teaching assistantship waiver through Summer Session, or qualified tuition reduction | Summer: waiver through a non-state-funded summer research or staff assistantship appointment |
| 9.7.1 Appointment Periods for Assistantships: (was 9.G.1) | No summer appointment term stated | Summer session: minimum six-week appointment term |
| 9.9.3 Short-term Pregnancy/Parental Leave (was 9.I.c) | No timing limit stated | Leave must be completed during the appointment term and within the same academic year as the birth or adoption |
International pathway programs removed
Basis: University policy
Posted: 2025-2026 edition
Change ID: GSPP-2025-R02
References to international master's degree pathway programs were removed in line with university policy.
| Section | Was | Now |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chapter Two – Classification of Graduate Students (was 2.F) | International Master's Degree Pathway Program (Pre-graduate) described | Section removed |
| 4.3 Admission for Non-Degree-Seeking Students (was 4.C.6) | Pathway Programs for International Students described | Section removed |
| 6.7.2.1 Courses Taken at WSU (was 6.G.a) | Pathway program academic English courses could not count toward a Program of Study | Statement removed |
Graduate School organizational changes
Graduate Faculty Representatives replace the Graduate Mentor Academy
Basis: Internal Graduate School decision
Posted: 2025-2026 edition
Change ID: GSPP-2025-I01
The Graduate School replaced the Graduate Mentor Academy with Graduate Faculty Representatives, who represent the Graduate School at preliminary and final examinations.
| Section | Was | Now |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.4 Graduate Faculty Representatives (was 1.B.4) | Graduate Mentor Academy | Graduate Faculty Representatives (GFRs); a GFR is mandatory for all second examinations |
| 1.5.2 Exceptions to Policy, Petition Process, Accommodations (was 1.E.2) | Requests filled from the Graduate Mentor Academy | Requests filled by a Graduate Faculty Representative |
| 7.5 Graduate Faculty Representatives (was 7.E) | Graduate Mentor Academy | Graduate Faculty Representatives |
| 8.4 Graduate Faculty Representatives (was 8.D) | Graduate Mentor Academy | Graduate Faculty Representatives |
| 12.5 Preliminary and Final Examination Committee Decisions (was 12.C.3) | An official representative presides over a second examination | A Graduate Faculty Representative attends to ensure proper procedures are followed |
Graduate Education Council replaces campus and college liaisons
Basis: Internal Graduate School decision
Posted: 2025-2026 edition
Change ID: GSPP-2025-I02
The Graduate Education Council is now the formal advisory body between the Graduate School and each campus and college. It is made up of the designated faculty liaisons.
| Section | Was | Now |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.3 Graduate Education Council (was 1.B.3) | Graduate School Liaisons to Campuses and Colleges | Graduate Education Council |
Clarifications of existing policy
Clarifications do not change policy, so they did not need Faculty Senate action.
Professional master's committees: Associate Graduate Faculty
Basis: Clarification, no policy change
Reviewed by: Greg Crouch, Graduate School
Posted: 2025-2026 edition
Change ID: GSPP-2025-C01
This clarification states the committee rule for professional master's degrees.
| Section | Earlier wording | Current wording |
|---|---|---|
| 7.2 The Master’s Advisory Committee (was 7.B) | Both members must be either Graduate Faculty or Associate Graduate Faculty in the program | The requirement for a Graduate Faculty member may be met by an Associate Graduate Faculty member |
Thesis and dissertation copies: written policy aligned with practice
Basis: Clarification, no policy change
Reviewed by: Greg Crouch, Graduate School
Posted: 2025-2026 edition
Change ID: GSPP-2025-C02
This clarification aligns the written policy with practice. A copy is shared with the program's faculty and students, by email or in a central location.
| Section | Earlier wording | Current wording |
|---|---|---|
| 7.6.2 Scheduling the Final Exam (was 7.F.2) | Thesis available for public inspection in the program's office | Thesis disseminated to the program's faculty and students |
| 8.6.2 Scheduling the Final Exam (was 8.F.2) | Dissertation available for public inspection in the program's office | Dissertation disseminated to the program's faculty and students |
Second master's degree: capstone credits
Basis: Clarification, no policy change
Reviewed by: Greg Crouch, Graduate School
Posted: 2025-2026 edition
Change ID: GSPP-2025-C03
This clarification states how capstone course credits apply toward a second master's degree.
| Section | Earlier wording | Current wording |
|---|---|---|
| 7.8 Second Master’s Degree (was 7.G) | No statement on capstone course credits | Capstone course credits may be applied toward a second master's degree if approved by the program |
Official communications
Basis: Clarification, no policy change
Reviewed by: Greg Crouch, Graduate School
Posted: 2025-2026 edition
Change ID: GSPP-2025-C04
This clarification states the expectation to use official WSU email for university-related communications.
| Section | Earlier wording | Current wording |
|---|---|---|
| 12.7.5 Official Communications | No separate section | Official WSU email is expected; third-party messaging applications are discouraged |