New Student Orientation
The Graduate College invites you to review the information below to ensure you have a smooth transition to graduate study at IIT. Please note the following information is an overview of initial processes and procedures of which you should be aware. The Graduate Bulletin is the source of all graduate policies that will be followed and enforced during your course of study.
Link to a topic
Graduate Policies/Graduate Bulletin
Advising
Prerequisites and Registration Information
Program of Study and Changes to Program of Study
Graduate Forms
Cumulative Grade Point Average/Probation
Credit Hour Requirements
Major or Degree Changes
Online and Distance Learning Students
Graduate Policies/Graduate Bulletin
Each academic department has policies and procedures that are specific to your graduate program. Be certain to review these in the Graduate Bulletin.
During your course of study visit the Graduate College Web Site regularly for the most current information, changes to procedures and updates to the Graduate Bulletin.
All graduate students are expected to adhere to the standards, policies and procedures of the Graduate College. Students must submit a Graduate Student Petition form to request individualized consideration of a special need.
AdvisingA temporary adviser is listed in your admissions letter. You may be assigned or choose to select a different adviser through your academic department.
Your adviser's approval is required on most forms and requests. You should consult with your adviser on a regular basis.
Most departments have an electronic advising hold, which must be cleared by your adviser prior to registration. The hold is automatically restored within 24-48 hours of advisement. Each time you need to make registration changes, contact your academic adviser for approval first. Advisor telephone numbers and email addresses can be located in the phone book.
The adviser's signature or electronic approval for registration is required to enroll in courses numbered 591, 594, 597, or 691.
If a new adviser is assigned after the 401 Form is submitted. An online change of adviser form must be filed.
Prerequisites and Registration InformationPrerequisite courses listed in your admissions letter must be included in your registration each semester until all requirements have been completed. (Example, CS 401/402 or ENGL 051/052/053).
The office of Academic Affairs monitors and restores holds for missing documents or prerequisites. You may also need to contact this office for clearance to make certain registration changes.
The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs signature is required for any registration or changes between the first and second week of classes. Registration changes will not be approved after this period. Note: Accelerated course regular registration is open until the day prior to the course start.
Program of Study and Changes to Program of StudyThe 401 Program of Study Form must be filed by the time a degree seeking graduate student has completed or enrolled for 9 hours of study.
The 406 Change of Program of Study Form must be completed whenever the student and adviser agree to change courses in the student's program of study.
Submissions of the 401 and 406 Forms are received and reviewed by the adviser, department chair, and graduate dean. An email notification is sent to the student once the form is approved, rejected or requires revision.
If a new adviser is assigned after the 401 Form is submitted. An online change of adviser form must be filed.
Graduate FormsMost graduate forms are currently available on the web, under the Office of Academic Affairs, in PDF format or for online submission. Adobe Acrobat Reader must be loaded on your computer to access the PDF forms.
Cumulative Grade Point Average/ProbationA cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained during your course of study. A probation letter will be sent at the end of the semester if your GPA falls below 3.0. A contract must be signed with the office of Academic Affairs that will allow a grace period of 2 semesters to achieve the required 3.0 GPA. Up to 2 courses during the course of study may be repeated to improve the GPA. The Course Repeat Form must be completed and signed by the academic adviser and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs prior to the start of the course. Adobe Acrobat Reader must be loaded on your computer to access this form.
Credit Hour RequirementsProfessional Masters programs require a minimum of 30 semester credit hours. Master of Science programs require a minimum of 32 semester credit hours. Certain Master of Science programs will require a thesis while others may offer other options. Please check with your academic adviser.
Ph.D. programs require 84-116 semester credit hours. Contact your academic adviser or review the major section of the Graduate Bulletin.
Major or Degree ChangesChanges to the major within the same academic department require a 401 Form for the new major/degree. Changes to the major/degree in a different academic department require a new admissions application.
Online and Distance Learning StudentsOnline and distance learning students are expected to follow the same policies and procedures as on-campus graduate students. There are resources available to insure the course of study at a distance is comparable to the on-campus experience. Visit http://iit.edu/iit_online/ for information about distance learning services and support.
Answers to questions regarding online or distance learning can be found at http://iit.edu/iit_online/faq.shtml or addressed to the following offices:
- Enrollment and academic support services online.studsvc@iit.edu.
- Couriers/televised course materials, course channels, exam administration, proctors and videotapes online.studsvc@iit.edu.
- Technical support for all courses and Blackboard supportdesk@iit.edu.
Contact the office of Academic Affairs with questions regarding policies or procedures of the Graduate College at gradcoll@iit.edu or 312.567.3024.