Josef Korbel School of International Studies

If you spread out Independent Study/SRP Credits over multiple quarters, what happens? Do you receive an "Incomplete" on your transcript?

No, they remain "in progress" with no grade until the professor awards the final grade. If you neglect to complete the projects, however, the grade becomes an "F" when you apply to graduate.

What is the difference between an SRP and a thesis? How do credits apply?

An SRP should involve work equivalent to a five-hour course, with a final paper having a length of approximately 35-50 pages. An MA Thesis should involve work equivalent to 10 hours of course credit. The final manuscript should be at least 70 pages. Once you register for SRP or Thesis credit, you have committed to fulfilling the requirement. You can not "take back" credits because you decide at a later date that you no longer wish to do the work.

What kind of courses qualify for course waivers?

Very few. You would need to submit a course description for the similar course you completed at another university (graduate level course preferred) with a grade of "B" or better and the Course Degree Director would have to sign off the Waiver Approval form.

How do I transfer previous graduate credits here into my degree from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies?

The Josef Korbel School allows you to transfer up to 15 graduate quarter hours or 9 semester hours of relevant course work from accredited universities. This must be approved by the Director of Student Affairs.

The transfer credits:

1.) Cannot be from an already completed degree, and

2.) Must carry a grade of "B" or higher.

If you pursue a PhD at the Josef Korbel School, the transfer credits:

1.) Must come from a relevant and completed MA degree, and

2.) Must carry a grade of "B" or higher.

Can I take a 5 credit course for 3 credits instead?

A course can only be taken for the number of credits for which it is offered on the academic schedule. Some courses do offer a 3 or 5 credit option from which students can decide which of the credit options works best for them.

Can I sit in on a class one quarter and pay for it the next?

If you want credit for the course, you must take the course for credit and pay the same quarter. If, for some reason, you are not able to take a course in which you are interested, you can explore an independent study option on a similar topic with the professor of that course. The possibility to develop an Independent Study in this manner depends upon the availability of the professor.

How do I declare a faculty advisor?

At orientation, you are randomly assigned an advisor for your first Registration. After orientation, you have the option to choose your own advisor based on that faculty member's availability and common interests.

What if I want to change my major/degree program? What do I have to do?

You must notify the Director of Admissions. This is a formal change Student Affairs make in the DU "Banner" computer system as well as on the office's internal spread sheet. You cannot move from the Homeland Security (45 hr degree) to a 90 hr degree program without submitting a standardized (GRE/GMAT) test score, and you cannot move from a 90 hour degree program to the MDP program.

Once I fill out my Program Statement, am I stuck with it or can I change which classes I take?

You must have a completed copy of your Program Statement, indicating your likely course of study, signed by your Program Director and submitted to Student Affairs by the end of your 2nd quarter here at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. You may change your Program Statement afterwards with approval of your Program Degree Director.

Where can I find a calendar of "deadline" dates: application for graduation, when grades are posted, etc.?

Important deadline/calendar events are posted on the Academic Calendar and at the DU Registrar's web site as well.

What if I need to leave school for a quarter? Or longer? What do I do?

If the need is due to medical reasons you would do a medical stop-out form. If you need to leave for one quarter for reasons other than medical, you can fill out a Graduate Student Withdrawal Form that acknowledges your intent to return within one quarter. This form allows you to retain status as an "Active Student" and thereby prevent loan repayment to go into effect. If you intend to or discover that you need to leave school for more than one quarter, than you must make a full withdrawal from the University. You will lose your student status and the loan repayment process will go into effect.

What do I do if I am finished with my coursework, but I am not yet ready to graduate?

All students who have completed their coursework, but not yet graduated, should apply for Continuous Enrollment in order to remain active students at the University of Denver. Students who fail to go on CE may have to apply for re-admission to the university. The policy and application form are available from the Office of Graduate Studies. Please read the policy carefully. All approvals for Continuous Enrollment must be approved by your advisor and the Associate Dean.

For more information on continuous enrollment, please ask in Student Affairs or visit the Office of Graduate Studies.

Can I receive academic credit for language courses taken outside of DU?

No. However, you may take courses outside of DU to help prepare yourself for the DU proficiency exam (to meet your degree requirement).

How to I set up a language exam for which DU doesn't have a proficiency test?

You would have to find a qualified PhD or certified teacher who could structure the exam (similar to the sample exams the DU Language Center has in Sturm Hall 346). You would have to agree to pay the professor a fee of $50 for the exam; Office of Student Affairs would have to approve both the professor and the exam in advance.

Where do I find information on language classes?

You need to go to the Office of the Registrar's website, click on courses and schedules, choose schedule archives, then arts and humanities (under the given quarter for which you are searching). Then scroll down to the language which interests you to see the classes available that quarter.

Do University College language classes count for credit?

No, not towards your degree with the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. However, they are less expensive than DU language courses and may help prep you for the DU proficiency exam.

Why are DU Language courses 4 credit hrs and not 3, or even 5? Can I take a 4 credit hr language class for 3?

The Josef Korbel School does not assign the credit hours to language classes. They are set by the university's language department who are responding to the course and credit needs of their primary constituents: undergraduates. As the undergrads attend school for four years, the credit hours are set to their program. If you're a Josef Korbel School student, therefore, you can't take the classes for any amount less than 4 credit hours.

Why do I need to attend orientation?

Orientation is your opportunity to be oriented to the graduate experience. Those who miss orientation also miss out on a lot of important information about registration, declaring your degree, waiving classes, transferring credit, etc. It also can affect your ability to complete the degree in a timely manner.

How and when should I apply to graduate?

For spring (June graduation), the deadline is: 15 January
For summer (August graduation), the deadline is: 15 March
For fall (November graduation), the deadline is: 15 June
For winter (March graduation), the deadline is: 15 September

The application for graduation is outside of 101 Ben M. Cherrington Hall and also available electronically here. PhDs applying to graduate should also ensure they have scheduled their final oral defense of the dissertation at the time they apply to graduate.

How do I get on a waitlist for a class that is closed?

Waitlists are managed internally in 101 Ben M. Cherrington Hall. You physically come in during registration to declare your interest and you will be notified ONLY if a slot becomes available.

How do I add/drop classes?

During the traditional registration week, classes can be added/dropped on line. After that, they can only be added/dropped with a signed add/drop slip from 101 Ben M. Cherrington Hall. Add drops slips are on the bookcase outside 101.

How much does it cost to add or drop a class?

So long as you remain within the 12 - 18 credit range, there are no fees for adding or withdrawing. You can drop a class up until the 6th week of a quarter, but after the fourth week, you must have instructor approval. You can add a class until the end of the second week of the quarter, but only with instructor approval. No fees are attached.

How do I register for Independent Study credits, MA Theses or SRP Credits?

Only by a special signed form that can be found outside 101 Ben M. Cherrington Hall. Bring it to 101 and we'll help you complete the form for you to take over to the Registrar's office. This registration can be done up through the 3rd week of the quarter.

By which week of the quarter do I have to sign up for an Independent Study?

No later than the end of the third week of the quarter.

What does a "W" mean on my transcript? Does it look bad?

It means you withdrew from the class after the first week of class. It does not mean anything serious, but too many of these on a transcript do not look good to a prospective employer. We recommend no more than two throughout your MA/PhD career.

How do I form an official student group at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies?

You must submit a proposal to the Associate Director of Student Affairs. This proposal must include a group description, statement of purpose, proposed activities and budget. If approved, the group will receive some funding through the Office of Student Affairs.

How do I get approval to spend money on a student organization event?

All approval goes through the Associate Director of Student Affairs; you must be part of an approved/budgeted student group. Prior to the event, you must pick up a tax exempt form and you must bring in original receipts and reimbursement for the Associate Director to sign/approve after your event. Forms and information are available in Suite 101 or on the IGO Portfolio site.

How do I apply to become a Research Assistant (RA)?

Complete the Research Assistant Application form. Attach a current resume and cover letter. The professors here review all the applications and then make their choices of students to interview.

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