This Catalog is intended to accurately describe the academic programs, course offerings, admissions, policies, procedures, and requirements for graduate degree programs in the School of Education, Supervision & Instruction at Tougaloo College. The College and the School of Education’s faculty and staff are committed to making your graduate work the most productive educational experience possible. Although this catalog contains current and accurate policy statements at the time of the printing of this document, they are subject to change; and the College and the School of Education reserves the right to alter or change any statement contained herein without prior notice. The provisions of this catalog do not establish an irrevocable contractual agreement between the student and the College. In addition to this catalog, you should consult your graduate program handbook, the appropriate graduate program coordinator and your graduate advisor from the School of Education Graduate Programs Office or on the School of Education’s website.
Application Requirements
All applicants seeking admission to the School of Education graduate programs at Tougaloo College must be admitted to both the College and the Graduate Program. The School of Education implements priority deadlines and regular deadlines concerning its graduate programs. Applications received after the enrollment deadlines will be processed for the next term. Students may apply for admissions three times during a year: August, January, or June.
Applicants may secure application information concerning admission from the Office of Admissions
Applicants must supply complete and accurate information on the application for admission, residence questionnaire, and financial aid forms. They must also submit authentic and official transcripts of all previous academic work attempted. Failure to file complete, accurate, and authentic application documents may result in denial of admission, cancellation of academic credit, suspension, or expulsion. Click to apply online
Graduate Admissions Deadline
Graduate Admissions Deadline
Fall Deadline June 1
Spring Deadline October 1
Summer Deadline April 1
Admissions Procedures
The following are admissions requirements for all applicants applying to the Master of Arts in Child Development graduate degree program:
- Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in a related field, including at least 12 units of quarter courses (or eight units in semester courses) in a substantial upper division early childhood education and/or child development work from a regionally/nationally accredited institution of higher education.
- A grade point average of at least a 3.00 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 semester hours completed in undergraduate courses.
- Good standing at the last institution of higher education attended.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary colleges or universities attended. Students who fail to submit the transcript with their final degree posted are not permitted to register.
- A written personal statement detailing relevant experience that has prepared them for work in early childhood and/or child development graduate studies.
- A professional resume or CV.
- Three confidential letters of recommendation from professional references that emphasize the applicant’s level of preparation for graduate study in Child Development, including one of which must be from an academic reference.
Senior-level undergraduate Tougaloo College students who have completed all requirements for degree coursework in a Bachelor of Arts and are within six hours of graduation may enroll for a minimum of six hours of graduate work. To be eligible to take graduate courses, undergraduate students must have a grade point average of 3.25 overall in their field of study for admission to the graduate child development program.
The following are admission requirements for all applicants applying to the Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education and Secondary Education graduate degree programs:
- Submit official transcripts verifying a non-educational baccalaureate degree from a regionally/nationally accredited institution of higher learning.
- Have completed required undergraduate/graduate coursework with 12 credits each in English, mathematics, science, and social science, with six credits in fine arts for the chosen Elementary Education (1-5) certification, or
- Have completed the required undergraduate/graduate coursework in the subject/content area chosen for Secondary Education certification as illustrated below:
Biology (7-12)
- At least 30 credits in Biology.
- A blend of courses in biology, genetics, physiology, ecology, zoology, and marine biology.
Chemistry (7-12)
- At least 30 credits in Chemistry.
- A blend of courses in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry.
English/Language Arts (7-12)
- At least 30 credits in English.
- A blend of courses in writing, genre studies, and literature.
Mathematics (7-12)
- At least 30 credits in Mathematics.
- A blend of courses in algebra, calculus, discrete mathematics, geometry, probability and statistics, number system, and trigonometry.
Physical Science (7-12)
(Examples: chemistry, physics, geology, earth science, space science, and oceanography) At least 30 credits in science, which includes at least six credits each in
Physics (7-12)
- At least 30 credits in Physics.
- A blend of courses in electronics, electricity and magnetism, mechanics, modern physics, and quantum mechanics.
Social Studies (7-12)
- At least 30 credits hours in social studies.
- At least nine (9) credits must be in history, including two U.S. History courses.
- At least 24 credits in one of the following four content areas: history, economics, geography, or political science.
- To reach the 30 credits, nine (9) credits may come from anthropology, sociology, or psychology coursework.
- Submit a 1200-1500 word personal statement explaining the applicant’s motivation for becoming a teacher. Applicants should also explain how their current academic qualifications and work experiences have prepared the applicant for a career in teaching, particularly their experiences in working with children and/or adolescents. Furthermore, applicants should discuss their belief in helping students to become successful in school, including discussion regarding the applicant’s personal strengths and ability to work collaboratively with others.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher (based on a 4.0 scale) in undergraduate coursework (3.0 for any graduate coursework) is required in the appropriate academic discipline/content area.
- Provide three confidential letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references dated within the last six months. References are required to submit a letter that indicate how they know the applicant, emphasize the applicant’s level of commitment to working with children and/or adolescents, how they feel the applicant will be as a teacher, and how they believe the applicant will interact with candidates in an educational setting.
- A CV or professional resume.
- Complete the DOE Pre-Candidate Questionnaire.
- Submit passing scores at the state required level on the Praxis 1 (Pre-Professional Skills Test- PPST) examinations which are required for admission.
- Passing scores at the state required level on the Praxis 2 Specialty Area Test are required prior to candidate teaching. All candidates must demonstrate satisfactory performance on the Praxis 2 content knowledge test in the appropriate content area(s) prior to beginning their internships. (Applicants may be admitted with a score within at least one standard error of measurement of the passing score.) *
- Satisfactory completion of an interview.
*If candidates have not yet passed the Praxis 2, applicants must read and sign the testing requirements statement in the application.
The following are admission requirements for all applicants applying for the Gifted Endorsement:
- Hold a teacher’s license
- Earned a bachelor’s degree
Admissions Acknowledgement
Applicants will receive an automatic confirmation if they submit their application electronically. To avoid delays, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Admission applications received are reviewed following the priority application deadline and after the regular admission deadline. Once evaluators and admissions committee have completed their evaluation, they will notify the applicants. The graduate program will make an admission decision and forward it to the School of Education. Finalists are invited to an on-campus interview with the admissions committee. Upon admission, students will be mailed an admission packet with information on conditions for admission, if any, registration and financial aid.
Notification that space has been reserved may also include a request to submit additional records necessary for the Education Graduate program to evaluate academic qualifications. If the application was filed during the priority filing period (see section above), students may be assured admission review to the College and the School of Education Graduate Program provided the evaluation of academic records indicates completion of all College and School of Education admission requirements for admission to graduate programs. Unless specific written approval states, an admission notice is not transferable to another term.
In addition, Tougaloo College, School of Education graduate program admissions is competitive and occurs three times per year. For these reasons and to ensure full consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply to the program as early as possible. If you have further questions regarding the items you need to submit, please contact the Office of Admissions or the School of Education Graduate Studies Office.
Reservations
The College and Division of Education Graduate programs reserves the right to select its applicants and deny admission to its graduate degree programs, at its sole discretion, determined by the applicant’s suitability and the best interests of the Division of Education and the College.
Transcripts and Test Scores
Applicants must request an official transcript from each college and university at which they registered. These should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Enrollment and a set of copies sent to the Office of the Dean of Education. Transcripts presented by applicants cannot be accepted unless in a sealed institutional envelope. Applicants who are in attendance at a school or college when transcripts are requested must file a transcript which includes verification of the subjects in which they are currently enrolled. After applicants have completed these subjects, they must notify the College or the Division to forward two supplementary transcripts showing the final grades for that term.
No determination of admission eligibility will be made until all transcripts are received. Official transcripts must include a complete record of all previous college work attempted whether or not the applicant desires credit. A separate official transcript is required from each college attended even though one transcript may show work completed at another college. All records submitted become the property of the College. Graduates of Tougaloo College are not required to submit Tougaloo College transcripts.
Transfer of Credit Hours
A maximum of six (6) credit hours of graduate level coursework earned from regionally accredited institutions prior to or after matriculation at Tougaloo College may be applied toward the M.A.T. or a master’s degree in Child Development. All transfer credits must meet the following criteria:
a) Courses must have been offered at the graduate level.
b) Courses may not have been used to meet degree requirements for previously earned graduate degrees.
c) Courses must have been completed within the last five years of matriculation.
d) Courses must receive approval from the student’s faculty advisor, the Department Chair, the Office of Registrar, and the Division of Education Graduate Studies Program.
e) A grade of “B” or above must have been earned in the requested transfer courses.
* No credit is granted for correspondence courses or for “credit-by-examination” courses.
Unconditional Admissions
Students must have met the minimum undergraduate or previous graduate GPA requirement for unconditional admission and must have completed all specified course or degree prerequisites as indicated by the graduate programs as stated under the degree program in this catalog.
Special Admissions
A limited number of students may be admitted conditionally on an exception basis without meeting one or more of the admission requirements for a graduate degree program. The number of exceptional admissions shall not exceed 15 percent of those students regularly admitted to this program. Specific conditions, outlined in writing to the student at the time of admission, will be designated for remedying the deficiency and advancing to unconditional standing. The intent of this exception is to provide for individuals who demonstrate particular strength in qualities and characteristics sought for young children, ages 0-8, and who at the time of seeking admission to the program, do not meet all of the specified requirements.
International and Non Resident Students
Tougaloo College, Division of Education, Supervision and Instruction Graduate Degree programs seek to bring students from all parts of the nation and world to the campus. To ensure their success, non- resident and international applicants normally must be eligible for Graduate Standing: Unconditional status to be admitted to the Division of Education Graduate Program. All other admission classifications for non-residents or international students must be by special action of the graduate program coordinator and have approval of the Division Dean. Initial determination of residence status is made by College officials prior to or at the time of registration, and fees must be paid at registration.
Tougaloo College must assess the academic preparation of international students. For this purpose, international students include immigrants and those who hold U.S. visas as students, exchange visitors, or other non-immigrant classifications. Tougaloo College uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of international students. Verification of English proficiency (see the section on TOEFL requirement for graduate and post baccalaureate applicants), financial resources, and academic performance are considered. Academic records from foreign institutions must be on file at least eight weeks before registration for the first term and, if not in English, must be accompanied by certified English translations. Priority in admission is given to residents of Mississippi. F-1 International applicants are not eligible for online graduate programs.
Questions and concerns may be addressed to the Office of the Registrar at (601) 977-6135, or 1-888-424-2566.
Graduate TOEFL Requirements
English is the language of instruction at Tougaloo College; therefore, students should be prepared to write their thesis, examinations, and papers in English. All graduate and post baccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English, must demonstrate competence in English. Those who do not possess a bachelor’s degree from a postsecondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum 550 total score and 54 part score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants taking the Computer-Based TOEFL must present a 213 total score and 21 part score or above. Applicants taking the Internet-Based TOEFL must present an 80 total score and minimum part scores of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, and 16 in Writing. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) will substitute for TOEFL, with a minimum Band score of 6.5.
Registration and Enrollment
Registration is the process that results in a student making course selections and enrolling in classes prior to the beginning of each semester. Prior to the end of each semester, the College publishes a “Course Master,” a schedule of classes, for the ensuing year. All students are required to register for courses by the end of the Late Registration period as defined in the Academic Calendar. If student has not financially enrolled by the designated date, course registration will be cancelled by the College and the student will not be considered as currently enrolled.
Students will have the opportunity to add and drop courses at the beginning of each term during the specified dates. The last day for Add/Drop is specified in the Academic Calendar. Course adjustments after this date shall not be permitted. After this period, students are allowed to withdraw from courses through the end of the withdrawal period as listed on the College’s calendar. Students who are not properly registered and enrolled will not be permitted to attend classes or take examinations.
The Division of Education’s master level degree program courses are offered throughout the year. Upon receipt of the admission letter, students must file an “Intent to Enroll” form with the Division of Education degree program by the date specified in the letter. Unless previously exempted, all students are expected to enroll in all courses offered for the entire duration of their Master’s degree program. Students who were admitted to the Division of Education’s master’s degree program and did not register for the semester, in which they were accepted, must submit a new application to the Office of Admissions. If a student has attended another institution in the interim, all official transcripts must be sent to the Office of Admissions and their file will be re-evaluated for acceptance into the Division of Education’s graduate program.
Degree Planning and Advising
Upon recommendation for admission, an academic advisor or research advisor is assigned to each student by the appropriate division’s graduate program coordinator. The student should seek an appointment with the advisor as soon as possible after admission. Consultation with the advisor in degree planning is a requirement of master’s programs. Graduate students are required to file a degree plan by the start of the second semester. Degree plan forms may be obtained from the advisor or the graduate program coordinator of the Division of Education’s Graduate Office. The major advisor, the department chair, the dean of the division, and the graduate coordinator must review and approve the degree plan. The entire course of study for any of the degrees offered by the Division constitutes a unified, coherent program which is approved by the student, the student’s advisor, the graduate program coordinator, and Dean of Education. Additional courses may be required if the student is inadequately prepared for the required graduate courses.
Course Numbering System
Courses numbered “500” and above are classified as graduate level courses.
Course Load
A normal full-time load is nine semester hours during the regular session and the maximum load is 12 hours. A course load may exceed these levels only by approval from the graduate program coordinator and approval from the dean. The maximum load for persons employed full-time is six semester hours during a regular semester and three semester hours during the summer session.
Dropping/Adding or Withdrawing from Courses
Drop/Add
Students may drop or add courses during the designated drop/add period on the Academic Calendar. Students must consult with their advisor prior to making any changes in their class selections.
Withdrawing from Course(s)
Course withdrawal begins after the end of the drop/add period and the official date to complete course withdrawals for each term is found in the Academic Calendar. Students who wish to withdraw from an individual course must complete the Course Withdrawal form on the Loo. The form must be completed with all appropriate signatures as required and submitted to the Office of the Registrar prior to the official deadline for withdrawal. When a student is authorized to withdraw from a course, a final grade of “W” is assigned regardless of his/her performance in the course prior to the official date of withdrawal. Course withdrawal does not carry any refund of tuition and/or fees.
Repeating Courses
If you are a graduate student, you may, ONE TIME during your tenure at Tougaloo, petition the division’s graduate program to repeat a course within the graduate program upon recommendation from your graduate advisor or coordinator. The earlier grade and hours will show on your transcript but will not be computed as part of the cumulative grade point average. However, the highest grade will be computed as part of the cumulative grade point average. An “R” will be reflected on the student’s transcript.
Graduate Time Limit
Tougaloo College requires that no more than six (6) consecutive years may be used to complete the requirements for the graduate degree programs from the date of admissions to its graduate program at Tougaloo College.
Academic Standards And Requirements
Catalog Year
Graduate students are governed by the program requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of their admission.
Full-Time Study
Full-time study is defined as registration or completion of nine (9) credit hours per semester during the fall and spring semesters and six (6) during the summer term.
Students holding a teaching or research assistantship, or awarded a guaranteed student loan are required to be enrolled as full-time students 12 credit hours.
Part-Time Study
Part-time study is defined as registration or completion of six (6) credit hours or less per semester during fall and spring summer semesters, except those who are engaged in writing the thesis.
Continuous Enrollment
Graduate students will be required to maintain continuous enrollment from the time of first enrollment in a graduate program until completion of the degree. Continuous enrollment is defined as being enrolled during Fall and Spring semesters each year.
Readmission to the College
Graduate students who withdraw from the College in good standing or who have been suspended for academic deficiencies must reapply for readmission by submitting an application to the Office of Admissions. Readmission is not automatic, nor does it necessarily reinstate the student. Readmission documents required include an official transcript from each institution attended since leaving Tougaloo, and, if a degree has been received from another institution, an official transcript showing that degree.
Readmission is necessary for any students after any of the following situations:
• Withdrawal from college
• Failure to begin a course at the start of a semester
• Interruption of continuous enrollment
• Disciplinary suspension or expulsion
If readmitted, students must follow the catalog in effect at the time of their reenrollment.
Good Standing (Grade Point Average)
Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all the academic program to remain in good standing and to graduate. In addition, for the purpose of satisfying degree requirements, students must earn grades of B (3.0) or better in all graduate courses. No grade below C (2.0) will be accepted as part of a program of study for a graduate degree. For this reason, caution is exercised in retaining any student whose grades fall below acceptable academic standards. All grades received for graduate courses taken at Tougaloo College will be used in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average.
Grading System - Letter grades are used to designate the quality of work done.
| Grade |
Points |
Description |
| A |
4 |
Excellent |
| B |
3 |
Good |
| C |
2 |
Average |
| D |
1 |
Poor |
| F |
0 |
Failing |
| I |
0 |
Incomplete (computed in GPA as an “F” grade; incomplete grades must be completed
within the following spring or fall term.) |
| W |
0 |
Withdrawal |
| WF |
0 |
Withdrawal Fail |
| WIP |
0 |
Work In Progress |
Passing grades for graduate students are “A to “B.” The grade of “C” is not applied toward graduation and the course must be repeated. The grade of “I” may be given only when the completed portion of the course work is passing quality. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the course requirements and to see that the incomplete grade is removed from his or her record.
Academic Integrity
The College’s goal is to foster an intellectual atmosphere that produces educated, literate individuals. Cheating and plagiarism are at odds with this goal, these actions shall not be tolerated in any form. Students are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth in the Student Code of Conduct. Therefore, all work submitted by a student must represent that student’s own ideas and effort; when the work does not, the student has engaged in academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism occurs when a person tries to represent another person’s work as his or her own or borrows directly from another person’s work without proper documentation. For example, academic dishonesty occurs whenever a student:
• buys a paper or other project, then seeks to receive credit for the paper or project
• copies from another student’s exam, either before, during, or after the exam
• uses “crib notes” while taking an exam or uses information stored in a computer or calculator (if prohibited from doing so)
• allows another person to take an exam in his or her place or takes an exam for another person
• collaborates on take-home exams when such collaboration is forbidden
• copies the work of another person and attempts to receive credit for that work
• fails to properly document source material in a paper or project
• receives editorial assistance that falls outside the scope of acceptable assistance
Note: The list above is intended only to provide general guidelines for recognizing and avoiding common types of academic dishonesty. It is in no way an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all the types of academic dishonesty. Except in cases of major offenses, responding to academic dishonesty is the responsibility of the instructor of the course in which the dishonesty occurs. If a student is if found guilty of academic dishonesty, the student may be dismissed from the class and may receive a failing grade. Other penalties may include suspension or expulsion from school.
Grade Appeals
To initiate a grade appeal, the graduate student must submit the request in writing to the Dean and adhere to:
- There is a presumption that grades assigned by faculty members are correct. Thus, the burden of proof rests with the student who is appealing.
- Appeal procedures are available only for review of alleged capricious grading and not for review of an instructor’s judgment in assessing the quality of a student’s work. In the absence of capricious grading, the grade determined by the instructor of record is final.
Capricious grading, as used here, constitutes any of the following:
- Instructor’s failure to notify students as to the basis of grade determination in a clear and timely manner.
- Grading that result from a substantial departure from the instructor’s previously announced standards.
- Grading based on anything other than the student’s performance in the course.
- Discrimination or prejudice.
- Error in calculating the grade.
- Arbitrary grade assignment (the lack of consistent and equitable standards for grade assignment).
Academic Dismissal (Suspension)
- Graduate degree students are subject to dismissal (suspension) if, the student fails to maintain his/her grade point average to at least 3.0 each semester.
- A graduate degree student may also be dismissed for repeated withdrawal, failure to progress toward an educational objective, and noncompliance with the School of Education’s program requirements.
- A student who withdraws from all or a substantial portion of a program in two successive semester terms or in any three semester terms.
- If a student’s overall grade point average on graduate courses drops below a 3.0.
- Failure to comply with an academic requirement may result in the program dismissal.
- Noncompliance with the Division of Education’s program requirements.
A student placed on diamissal will be notified in writing and will be provided with instructions to appeal.
Appeal of Suspension.
The student may submit an appeal packet which includes (1) a personal statement explaining any unusual circumstances that contributed to your poor academic performance and proposing individual goals for achieving optimum success and (2) a letter of recommendation from the respective department chairperson or academic advisor (freshman advisors may serve in this capacity for freshman only). The packet should be emailed to registrar@tougaloo.edu by the deadline outlined in the academic standing letter. The Academic Standing Committee will review appeals for decision. When a student is suspended for a second time (dismissed), an appeal of the Committee’s decision becomes a privilege afforded by the institution and not a right.
Readmission After Suspension Policy
After the suspension period, the graduate student is eligible to reapply for admission on academic probation with conditions. Failure to earn a semester GPA of at least 3.00 for the first term after readmission results in another suspension. The Office of the Registrar notifies students in writing if they have been placed on academic suspension. Readmission after suspension status may impose other conditions, such as an academic success plan and additional retention services.
Summer term does not count as a semester of academic suspension.
Academic Records
Once a graduate student has graduated from the College, no changes may be made in his/her academic record. The exception is if there has been an error in the transcription of grades.
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