How Do I Overcome Credit Redundancy and Graduate on Time at PF University?

[member 428835]

Hi PF!

Please help me! I am completing a Master's of Science in Mechanical Engineering and finish this term. I successfully defended my thesis and am now waiting to graduate. I was informed some of my credits are redundant, and hence won't count towards graduation.

I need 45 credits to graduate. 9, and only 9, of them must be thesis (503). I took 9 thesis and 3 others titled "research" (501). The graduate bulletin states 17 credits can be (501) and (503) with a few other's too. Now I am informed the research credits are the same as thesis and count as 12 thesis (503) credits, which exceeds 9.

Earlier this term I met with the graduate adviser several times and she told me I was okay to graduate (I am not talking about my research adviser; our department has one individual who monitors graduate issues, including graduation). She took a job at a different university about a month ago, although I was informed we still have contact with her. But I didn't just take her word for it; I also checked the graduate school bulletin and it no where specifies that these credits I took (501) would be redundant. I also checked my online student account and degree requirements, and it also does not say these credits are redundant.

I went to our department and they are trying to get the graduate school to accept all my credits. The department told me there is a chance I won't be able to graduate. What should I do to be able to graduate this term (after all I've earned it).

Thanks for your time!

 

[jtbell]

Try to find out about any other possible avenues to appeal the decision to the graduate school, if it comes to that.

 

[member 428835]

Let's hope it does't, but if so I was considering talking with the dean. Do you think this is a good idea or not?

 

[jtbell]

It's hard for me to say, because I have no idea what the "bureaucratic climate" is like at your school.