academic policies
Degree Completion
Conferring of Degrees
Degrees are conferred at the completion of a program. A formal Commencement exercise takes place in May. All students completing their degrees at any time during the academic year are invited to participate and will receive information regarding the Commencement ceremony. Information also is available online at www.arcadia.edu in early March. Attendance at Commencement is not mandatory.
Notification of Expected Completion of Degree Requirements
Students are responsible for notifying the University of their expected date for completion of degree requirements. Forms are available online at www.arcadia.edu/gsforms. Forms are also available in the College of Graduate Studies (Taylor Hall) and the Registrar’s Office (Taylor Hall, Room 103).
Fulfillment of Degree Requirements
Faculty advisers, and the Dean and staff of the College of Graduate Studies are available to assist students. Procedures have been developed to check progress toward the degree. It is the student’s responsibility, however, to know the requirements for his or her degree and to fulfill them.
In addition to or independent of a master’s degree, students also may prepare for certification granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and/or the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Academic Schools.
Graduate Studies at Arcadia University are under the direction of the Graduate Academic Programs Committee, whose members are five elected faculty members, the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, and a minimum of one and not more than three students, selected to represent graduate students currently enrolled, and if possible, chosen from different components of graduate studies. A representative of the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Registrar and the Associate Director of the Library serve ex officio. The student members may vote on matters of policy. The Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies serves as non-voting secretary. Meetings of the committee are open to others by invitation.
Degree Completion for Cohort Graduate Programs
- Doctor of Education in Special Education—three years plus extension for dissertation
- Doctor of Physical Therapy—two and one half years
- Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution—two years; three years for part-time track
- Master of Business Administration—18 months
- Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)—two years; three years for dual degree and three-year track
- Master of Science in Forensic Science—two years
- Master of Science in Genetic Counseling—two years
Degree Completion for Graduate Programs with Rolling Admission
Six years from the first enrollment in coursework relating to the degree:
- Certificate of Advanced Study
- Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
- Master of Arts in Education
- Master of Arts in English
- Master of Arts in Health Education
- Master of Arts in Humanities
- Master of Education
- Master of Science in Health Education
- Master of Science in Public Health
- Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy
In all of the above programs, students may enroll on either a full-time or part-time basis; if they do not want to pursue a degree or certification, they may request permission to enroll as Special Status students.