Which Bulletin Should You Use?

For all matters regarding the current academic year or new enrollment, refer to the updated online bulletins. For all matters regarding a prior academic year or a student who matriculated under a previous bulletin, refer to the appropriate archived bulletin. On August 15 of each year, both the undergraduate and graduate bulletins of record for an academic year are "frozen" to establish the guidelines and regulations under which each incoming class matriculates.

An undergraduate student may choose to obtain a degree in accordance with the curricular requirements in force for the particular degree at the time the student first enrolls as a baccalaureate degree-seeking student at any University campus, or under subsequent requirements published while the student is enrolled. However, the student's choice is restricted to a specific bulletin and the curricular requirements described therein. Undergraduate students have a period of eight years, inclusive and continuous, in which to claim the rights of a specific bulletin.

Within the eight-year limit, an undergraduate student who is absent from the University for no longer than three years, and who returns to complete the program of study, shall have the right to continue under the bulletin in effect at the time of the student's original enrollment as a baccalaureate degree-seeking student. Alternatively, the student may elect the degree requirements under the bulletin in effect at the time of return. If the period of absence is longer than three years, the student will be subject to the curricular requirements in force at the time of return. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to appeal to short-lived rules and regulations which were adopted and abandoned during the period of their absence.

If drastic revisions of curricula or program requirements have occurred during a student's absence (even if for less than three years), or during the period between the student's original enrollment as a baccalaureate degree-seeking student and the eventual movement to a different degree program or campus within the University, a reasonable effort will be made by the academic dean to permit the student to undertake a transitional program that is equivalent to the educational experience intended under the bulletin in force at the time of the student's original enrollment as a baccalaureate degree-seeking student.

A graduate student may expect to be allowed to obtain a degree in accordance with requirements in force at the time he or she enters the degree program at the University, or under subsequent regulations published while enrolled in that degree program. However, a student's choice is restricted to the requirements of one bulletin. Graduate students in master's programs have a period of six years inclusive and continuous in which to claim the rights of a specific bulletin. Doctoral students have a period of eight years.