Complete Policy Index
The Graduate School maintains the following policies covering the academic, policy, and administrative matters related to the admission, continuation, dismissal, and completion of graduate students (UW Executive Order 4.3.E) as well as content and level of programs leading to graduate degrees (Executive Order VII).
- 1.0 Graduate Programs
- 2.0 Graduate Courses
- 3.0 Student Lifecycle & Student Classifications
- 4.0 Faculty Roles & Program Administration
- 5.0 Graduate Student Appointments
- Oversight and Policy Changes
1.0 Graduate Programs
These policies outline the various elements of developing, managing, and changing graduate programs, including program structure and requirements. They also serve as a resource for students to understand graduate school degree requirements.
1.1 Graduate Degree Requirements
This policy establishes the Graduate School requirements for all graduate degree programs.
1.2 Graduate Certificates
This policy establishes the Graduate School requirements for all graduate certificates and includes information on review and approval of graduate certificate programs.
1.3 Graduate Programs and Credentials
This policy defines the relationship between a graduate degree or certificate program and the transcripted credentials associated with it.
1.4 The Stacked Graduate Degree
This policy establishes the Graduate School requirements for a stacked graduate degree and includes information on review and approval of stacked degree programs.
1.5 Concurrent Degree Programs
This policy establishes the general policies for formal and informal concurrent degree programs and includes information on admissions and program requirements.
1.6 Sequential Combined Undergraduate/Graduate (CUG) Degrees
This policy establishes the guidelines for a Combined Undergraduate/Graduate (CUG) Degree.
1.7 Authorization of New Graduate Degree Programs
This policy defines the graduate degree at the University of Washington and provides information on proposing a new graduate degree program.
1.8 Periodic Review of Existing Degree Programs
This policy describes oversight and responsibility for the academic program review process.
1.9 Suspension of Admissions
This policy establishes the guidelines for suspension of admissions for a graduate program.
2.0 Graduate Courses
These policies provide guidance on graduate courses.
2.1 Graduate Course Numbers, Titles, and Audience
This policy defines the graduate course and the numbering and titles used.
2.2 Graduate Courses in Non-Degree-Offering Units
This policy establishes the procedures for an academic unit not authorized to offer a graduate degree or certificate to offer graduate courses.
3.0 Student Lifecycle & Student Classifications
These policies provide information on various processes that pertain to the lifecycle of a graduate student (application through graduation) and are useful for navigating graduate education at the University of Washington.
3.1 Graduate Admissions
This policy establishes the Graduate School requirements for admissions to graduate study at the University of Washington.
3.2 Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements
This policy establishes the Graduate School requirements for English Language Proficiency for all students admitted to graduate study at the University of Washington.
3.3 Enrollment of Graduate Non-Matriculated Students
This policy establishes the Graduate School requirements for offering graduate school courses to graduate non-matriculated (GNM) students, including admissions, enrollment, and credits towards a later graduate program.
3.4 Visiting Graduate Student Status
This policy establishes the Graduate School requirements for visiting graduate student status, including Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTA).
3.5 On-Leave Policy to Maintain Graduate Student Status
This policy establishes the on-leave requirements for graduate students taking a leave to maintain graduate student status.
3.6 Graduate Registration Waiver
This policy establishes the Graduate School requirement for continuous enrollment through graduation and eligibility to pay the graduate registration waiver fee in the final quarter of study.
3.7 Academic Performance and Progress
This policy establishes the Graduate School requirments for the academic performance and progress of graduate students and includes guidance on appropriate process for cases where student academic performance does not meet program expectations.
3.8 Academic Grievance Procedure
This policy establishes the academic grievance procedure for graduate students.
3.9 Posthumous Degrees
This policy establishes the procedure for awarding a graduate credential posthumously.
3.10 Graduate Student Classifications
This policy establishes the classifications assigned to graduate students and postdoctoral appointees on the basis of their advancement toward or completion of graduate degrees.
4.0 Faculty Roles & Program Administration
These policies define the roles of Graduate Faculty, Graduate Program Advisor (GPA) and Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) as well as provide guidance on supervisory committees for graduate students.
4.1 Membership in the Graduate Faculty and Doctoral Endorsement
This policy establishes eligibility requirements and expectations for members of the Graduate Faculty.
4.2 Supervisory Committee for Graduate Students
This policy establishes the requirements for supervisory committees for graduate students.
4.3 The Graduate Program Coordinator and the Graduate Program Advisor
This policy establishes the roles and requirements for the Graduate Program Coordinator and Graduate Program Advisor.
4.4 Interdisciplinary Committees and Degree-Offering Groups
This policy establishes the requirements for establishing and maintaining interdisciplinary committees and degree-offering groups housed within the Graduate School.
5.0 Graduate Student Appointments
These policies contain information on Graduate School guidelines for graduate student appointments.
5.1 Departmental Responsibilities Regarding Instruction by TAs
This policy establishes departmental responsibilities regarding instruction by teaching assistants.
5.2 Conditions of Appointment for TAs who are not Native Speakers of English
This policy describes the conditions of appointments for teaching assistants who are not native speakers of English.
Oversight and Policy Changes
The policies are managed in close coordination with the Graduate School Council and other members of the UW graduate community. The Graduate School’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs leads operational oversight of graduate policies and their interpretation. To request a new Graduate School policy or revision to an existing policy, please write the Office of Academic Affairs (gsacad@uw.edu). The Process Overview for Graduate School Policy Changes outlines this process and the role of the Graduate School Council Policy Committee.