Graduate College Handbook

The Graduate College Handbook is a comprehensive resource for policies and procedures that pertain to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Members of the graduate faculty craft policies through their elective representatives on the Graduate Council. Faculty and staff in the Graduate College implement the policies as efficiently and fairly as possible. Students and faculty are invited to collaborate with their representatives on the Graduate Council to enact policy changes that may improve graduate education at Iowa State University.

---

Chapters and Subsections

• Chapter 1 - Admissions
  • 1.1 - Admission with a Declared Major
• Chapter 2 - Registration, Fee Assessment, and Withdrawal Procedures
  • 2.1 - Registration
  • 2.2 - Payment of Tuition and Fees
  • 2.3 - Withdrawal from the University
• Chapter 3 - Graduate Student Financial Support
  • 3.1 - Fellowships
  • 3.2 - Graduate Assistantships
  • 3.3 - Tuition Scholarship Awards
  • 3.4 - Other Financial Support
• Chapter 4 - Degree Programs and Requirements
  • 4.1 - Graduate Administrative Components
  • 4.2 - Changes in Graduate Program or Status
  • 4.3 - Special Graduate Majors and Degree Programs
  • 4.4 - Graduate Degree Requirements
• Chapter 5 - Courses, Credits, and Grading
  • 5.1 - Courses and Credits
  • 5.2 - Grading
• Chapter 6 - The Graduate Program of Study
  • 6.1 - POS Committee
  • 6.2 - POS Committee Makeup
  • 6.3 - Developing the Program of Study
  • 6.4 - POS Committee Responsibilities: A Summary
• Chapter 7 - Finishing Up
  • 7.1 - Academic Requirements
  • 7.2 - Financial Obligations for Graduation
  • 7.3 - Graduation Ceremony Arrangements
  • 7.4 - Diplomas
  • 7.5 - Certification of Degree
  • 7.6 - Registration Hold for Graduates
• Chapter 8 - Opportunities and Services Provided by the Graduate College
  • 8.1 - Advising and Mentoring Opportunities for Graduate Students
  • 8.2 - English Skills Improvement
  • 8.3 - Graduate and Professional Student Senate
  • 8.4 - Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies
  • 8.5 - Mediation of Student Grievances
  • 8.6 - Non-departmental Home for Postdoctoral Fellows
  • 8.7 - Oversight of Interdepartmental Graduate Programs
  • 8.8 - Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
• Chapter 9 - Graduate Student Rights & Responsibilities
  • 9.1 - Introduction
  • 9.2 - Environment for Student Success
  • 9.3 - Resources and Best Practices to Promote Graduate Student Success
  • 9.4 - Specific Policies and Laws of Interest to Graduate Students
  • 9.5 - Student Grievance Procedures
  • 9.6 - Maintaining Academic Standing
  • 9.7 - Dismissal for Failure to Maintain Academic Standing
  • 9.8 - Expectations for Assistantship Appointments
  • 9.9 - Termination of Assistantship Appointments
  • 9.10 - Inability to Perform Duties
  • 9.11 - Discipline of Graduate Assistants Other than by Termination
  • 9.12 - Behavioral Expectations
• Chapter 10 - Postdoctoral Appointments
  • 10.1 - Definition
  • 10.2 - Appointment
  • 10.3 - Performance Management
  • 10.4 - Dismissal
  • 10.5 - Appeals Process for Postdoctoral Scholar Dismissal
  • 10.6 - Postdoctoral Scholars Dispute/Complaint Resolution

Appendices

• Appendix A - The Graduate College
• Appendix B - Majors, Minors, Degrees, and Areas of Specialization
• Appendix C - Graduate Certificate Programs
• Appendix D - Master’s Programs at Iowa State University
• Appendix E - Professional Master’s Coursework Only Guidelines
• Appendix F - Dual-Listed Courses
• Appendix G - Graduate Faculty Membership & Associate Membership