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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering facing issues with credit redundancy that may affect their graduation eligibility. The student seeks advice on how to resolve the situation and ensure they can graduate on time.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The student has completed their thesis and is awaiting graduation but has been informed that some credits are considered redundant.
  • The student believes that their research credits (501) should not count as thesis credits (503) and has checked the graduate bulletin and their online account for clarification.
  • Some participants suggest exploring avenues to appeal the decision to the graduate school.
  • One participant raises the idea of discussing the issue with the dean, questioning whether this is a good approach.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about the bureaucratic processes at the student's institution, indicating that the effectiveness of such actions may vary.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best course of action, and multiple competing views regarding the bureaucratic processes and potential solutions remain present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the student's reliance on previous advisement and the ambiguity in the graduate bulletin regarding credit classification, which may impact the resolution of their situation.

Who May Find This Useful

Graduate students navigating credit requirements and bureaucratic processes at universities, particularly in STEM fields.

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!
 
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Try to find out about any other possible avenues to appeal the decision to the graduate school, if it comes to that.
 
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?
 
It's hard for me to say, because I have no idea what the "bureaucratic climate" is like at your school.
 

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