Enacted 2003. 9. 1

Amended 2019. 3. 1

 

Chapter 1 General Provisions

 

Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of these Enforcement Regulations is to specify the necessary matters and procedures related to the academic affairs of the degree programs of the General Graduate School (hereinafter “the Graduate School”) of the Songeui Campus of the Catholic University of Korea.

 

Chapter 2 Admissions

 

Article 2 (Documentation accompanying applications) Persons applying for admission into degree programs of the Graduate School shall submit the following documents and pay the application fee within a prescribed period.

<Master’s degree programs and combined master’s and doctoral degree programs>

1. Application (using form provided)

2. University graduation certificate (or certificate of expected graduation) or other documents proving the applicant’s qualifications

3. Full university transcript

4. School attendance approval form issued by the Minister of National Defense (for active military personnel)

5. Certificate of working experience (where applicable)

6. Abstract of resident register

7. Other documentation as required by each department

<Doctoral degree programs>

1. Application (using the form provided)

2. Certificate of (expected) conferral of master’s degree

3. Transcript for master’s program

4. University graduation certificate

5. Full university transcript

6. School attendance approval form issued by the Minister of National Defense (for active military personnel)

7. Certificate of working experience (where applicable)

8. Abstract of resident register

9. Other documentation as required by each department

Article 3 (Admissions screening process) ① The admissions screening process shall be carried out as determined by the steering committee of the graduate school as needed for each department and each admissions program, and may include document screening, written examination, and interviews.

② Written examinations shall consist of examination(s) in the candidate's area of specialty, and foreign language examination(s).

1. Examination in area of specialty: Used to assess basic knowledge and judgment in the candidate’s area of study.

2. Foreign language examination: English, or another foreign language as designated by the department.

③ Currently enrolled full-time master’s degree program students of the Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences acknowledged to have sufficient research competencies may be re-admitted into a combined master’s and doctoral degree program; provided, however, that the number of such students re-admitted does not exceed the admission quota for doctoral degree programs for the semester at hand. [Newly Inserted 2013.6.5, Amended 2014.3.25]

Article 4 (Area of study at time of admission) ① The area of study for candidates under each program shall, in principle, be the same as or similar to the candidate's area of study under a previous bachelor's or master’s degree program.

② Depending on the nature of a major under each degree program, candidates with a different major who are recognized as having the ability to complete studies in the major may be granted admission.

③ Candidates granted admission as per the previous paragraph shall be required to complete supplementary courses recognized as necessary for the major.

Article 5 (Method for setting examination questions) ① For major courses, the direction of examination questions and the professors to set such examination questions shall be determined under the supervision of the professor in charge of each major. The examination questions shall be submitted to the Graduate School Academic Affairs Team, using the prescribed form. For full-time students, however, their advisor shall set examination questions and submit the same to the Graduate School Academic Affairs Team, using the prescribed form. [Amended 2014.5.14]

② In foreign language courses, the foreign language reading and comprehension activities necessary for general academic research and research in the areas of specialization shall be examined.

③ Interviews shall be conducted by each department, and the professors in charge of each major shall assess the aptitude and competencies of candidates with regard to the area of study.

Article 6 (Admissions screening) ① The dean of the Graduate School shall convene a meeting of the Graduate School Steering Committee for admissions screening.

② The results of such screening shall be reviewed by the General Graduate School Steering Committee (combined).

Article 7 (Announcement of results) Candidates having passed the admissions screening shall be issued a Letter of Admission with approval from the dean.

Article 8 (Transfers) Details regarding transfers shall be determined by the Graduate School Steering Committee.

Article 9 (Re-admission) ① Persons who have dropped out or been expelled may be granted re-admission within the registration period at the beginning of each semester.

② Students granted re-admission shall make payment of the admission fee and tuition for the semester at hand.

③ Courses taken and credits acquired by a re-admitted student prior to his or her dropping out or expulsion may be recognized, pending deliberation by the Graduate School Steering Committee.

④ The minimum enrollment period and maximum enrollment period for a re-admitted student shall be limited to the period remaining prior to his or her dropping out or expulsion.

⑤ The number of leaves of absence allowed for a re-admitted student shall be limited to the number of times remaining prior to his or her dropping out or expulsion.

 

Chapter 3 Registration, leaves of absence and reinstatement

 

Article 10 (Enrollment) ① There shall be two types of enrollment: regular enrollment and research enrollment.

② Regular enrollment refers to enrollment which must be maintained for the minimum enrollment period and until the respective credit requirements have been fulfilled, while research enrollment refers to enrollment by a student who has completed the minimum enrollment period and acquired the required credits for completion, for the purpose of submitting his degree dissertation/thesis.

③ The number of semesters of regular enrollment required until submission of a degree dissertation shall be: at least 4 semesters for master’s degree programs, at least 6 semesters for doctoral degree programs, and at least 8 semesters for combined programs.

④ If a student takes a leave of absence for compulsory military service during a semester, tuition already paid may be carried over to the semester in which he is reinstated.

⑤ With regard to research enrollment, persons whose deadline for degree dissertation submission has not lapsed shall be required to register every semester until his/her degree is conferred. Persons whose deadline for degree dissertation submission has lapsed may register for 1 additional semester. [Newly Inserted 2009.3.1]

Article 11 (Leave of absence and reinstatement) ① A single leave of absence may not exceed 2 semesters (1 year), and a student may not take more than 2 leaves of absence during his/her period enrolled; provided, however, that in cases where the prescribed duration and number of leaves of absence are exceeded due to inevitable circumstances, the dean of the Graduate School may grant permission for the same following deliberation by the Graduate School Steering Committee.

② Leaves of absence due to military service, pregnancy, childbirth or childcare shall not count toward the limit on number and duration of leaves of absence. [Amended 2016.9.1.]

③ Students who have been discharged from military service shall submit their discharge certificate to the academic affairs team of the Graduate School for reinstatement. [Amended 2014.5.14.]

④ Leaves of absence for childcare shall be granted only to students with children less than 8 years old. [Newly Inserted 2016.9.1.]

Chapter 4 Curricula and courses

 

Article 12 (Establishing of courses) Courses submitted by a department shall be finalized by the Graduate School Steering Committee, and courses established may not be changed within 3 years.

Article 13 (Courses offered) ① The department chair of each department shall select, from the established curriculum, the courses to be offered in the next semester, and shall submit the selection to the Dean of the Graduate School within the prescribed period for approval.

② In principle, the maximum number of courses which may be offered by a single department in a single semester shall be 6 for master’s degree programs, and 9 for departments offering a doctoral degree program (combined master’s and doctoral degree program). Offering additional courses requires the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School.

③ Similar courses offered by similar departments may be offered jointly.

Article 14 (Curriculum professors) The faculty member in charge of lectures and training in graduate school courses (hereinafter the “curriculum professor”) shall fall under one of the following categories:

1. Faculty members of the School or another school, with the rank of associate professor or higher

2. Assistant professors of the School or another school, who hold a doctoral degree

3. Holders of doctoral degrees who are research fellows at an academic research institution, and have at least 2 years research experience

4. Other persons recognized as fit by the Graduate School Steering Committee

Article 15 (Restriction on teaching load) ① A professor may not be responsible for more than 1 master’s degree program course and 1 doctoral degree program course per semester; however, exceptions may be made when requested by the department chair.

② A professor may be made responsible for additional courses in other departments at the request of the department chair.

Article 16 (Syllabus) A professor responsible for a course shall release the syllabus for the course within the deadline prescribed by the Graduate School, and distribute the syllabus to students at the start of classes.

Article 17 (Credits and effective grades) ① Students may enroll in up to 9 credits per semester; however, students may enroll in 3 additional credits with the recommendation of their department chair.

② If a student in a master’s degree program wishes to take a course offered in a doctoral degree program, the student shall be permitted to do so from his third semester of enrollment.

③ The grade required for completion of a course shall be B0 (80), and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to complete a degree program.

Article 18 (Class days and minimum attendance requirement) ① The number of class days per semester shall be at least 15 weeks.

② Students who have been absent for 1/4 or more of the class days without justifiable cause shall be given a grade of F.

Article 19 (Supplementary courses) ① In principle, students admitted into master’s or combined master’s and doctoral degree programs who fall under the following categories shall be required to take supplementary courses designated by the department.

1. Students who have entered the graduate school under a major that differs from the major of their bachelor’s degree program

2. Students who have entered the graduate school after 5 years have passed since obtaining their bachelor's degree, who are acknowledged by the department’s professors’ council as requiring the completion of supplementary courses.

② Students who have entered a doctoral degree program and fall under any of the following categories shall, in principle, complete supplementary master’s degree program credits in addition to the credit requirement.

1. Persons who hold master's degrees from a professional or special graduate school

2. Persons who were admitted as degree holders in similar areas

③ Grades shall be assigned for the completion of supplementary courses, but credits earned in such supplementary courses shall not count toward the credit requirement for the completion of each program.

④ A student may be exempted from certain supplementary courses if he has completed such courses in a previous program, such courses have been designated by his current department as supplementary courses, and his current program has deemed such courses completed.

⑤ Supplementary courses shall be completed within the first three semesters after entering a degree program.

Article 20 (Addition/dropping of courses) Courses registered may not be changed later than 1 week after classes begin.

Article 21 (Recognition of credits) ①Credits obtained in another department’s master’s or doctoral degree program by a person admitted into a master’s, combined master’s and doctoral or doctoral degree program may be acknowledged by the Dean of the graduate school, with approval from the department chair.

② Courses and credits completed at the graduate schools of a partner university shall be governed by separate credit exchange regulations.

③ Courses and credits completed at a special graduate school of the School shall be governed by separate credit exchange regulations.

④ For credits acquired as per Paragraph 1 or Paragraphs 2 through 3, the maximum number of credits recognized shall be 12 for master’s degree programs and doctoral degree programs, and 24 for combined master’s and doctoral degree programs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, exceptions may be made by request of the department chair, with approval from the dean.

Article 22 (Redundant credits) If a person has acquired credits redundantly by taking the same course again, the credits acquired upon first completion of said course shall be recognized.

Article 23 (Persons taking leave of absence for compulsory military service during a semester) If a person begins compulsory military service past 2/3 the number of class days, the professor in charge of the course may evaluate such student at his own discretion and acknowledge the credits for the course as acquired.

Article 24 (Submission of grades) A professor in charge of a course shall submit grades for such course for the current semester within the deadline designated by the Graduate School.

Article 25 (Correction of grades) Should there be reason for the correction of course grades submitted to the Graduate School, the professor of such course shall submit a request for correction of grades no later than the registration period for the following semester, attaching evidentiary documents such as test papers.

Article 26 (Change of major) ① A student may only change his/her major within the same department. Such a change in major may be allowed, with credits from courses common to both majors recognized.

② A person who wishes to change his/her major shall, by no later than the second semester of his/her current program, submit the following documents and receive approval from the Dean of the Graduate School.

1. Major change application form

2. Transcript

 

Chapter 5 Thesis qualification examination

 

Article 27 (Thesis qualification examination) ① A person wishing to submit a degree thesis shall take and pass a thesis qualification examination.

② The thesis qualification examination shall be a general examination.[Amended 2013.6.5]

Article 28 [Deleted 2013.6.5]

Article 29 [Deleted 2013.6.5]

Article 30 [Deleted 2013.6.5]

Article 31 [Deleted 2013.6.5]

Article 32 (Time of administration) The general examination shall be administered prior to the submission of degree theses, and each department may designate a separate time for administration of the general examination.

Article 33 (Applicability) Persons falling under any one of the following categories shall be required to sit for the general examination.

1. Persons having entered the Department of Medicine in or prior to March 1993

2. Persons falling under Article 42, Paragraph 2

3. Persons granted special admission into the Department of Medicine, and persons admitted into a doctoral degree program under the Joint Medical Sciences Program

4. Persons admitted into a Department of Nursing doctoral degree program in or after the 2000 academic year

5. Department of Medical Statistics

6. Joint Bioethics Program

Article 34 (Method of administration) ① For persons falling under Items 1 through 3 under Article 33, the examination shall be administered as an open oral examination with adjudicators.

② For persons admitted into doctoral degree programs of the Department of Nursing in or after the 2000 academic year, who have enrolled for at least 4 semesters and have acquired at least 25 credits (Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher) including compulsory major and common compulsory courses, examinations shall be administered within the department, and the results shall be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School.

③ Students in the Medical Statistics Department and the Joint Bioethics Program may sit for examination after completing two semesters. A written examination shall be administered within the respective department, and the results shall be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Article 35 (Level of difficulty of examination) The difficulty of the general examination shall be sufficient to assess whether or not a student has the general knowledge in his field of study necessary to write a degree thesis.

Article 36 (Pass/fail criteria) A passing score shall be 80 points or higher out of a possible 100. For departments administering written examinations, the passing score shall be 70 points or higher. Passing scores may be acknowledged on a per-subject basis.

Chapter 6 Degree theses

 

Section 1 Thesis advisor

 

Article 37 (Thesis advisor) ① In principle, the advisor assigned at the time of admission shall be appointed as the thesis advisor (hereinafter referred to as “advisor”).

② When requested by an advisor, the Dean of the Graduate School may appoint a joint advisor from among the professors or adjunct professors of another department (major). The qualifications for a joint advisor shall be as set forth in Article 38, with necessary changes.

Article 38 (Qualifications for thesis advisors) A thesis advisor shall meet the qualifications set forth below.

1. A faculty member who is an associate professor or higher, and has the same major as the student, or an adjunct professor who holds a doctoral degree, appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School.

2. In principle, a professor who is able to advise a student for at least 4 semesters before reaching retirement age in the case of master’s degree programs and for at least 6 semesters in the case of doctoral degree programs and combined master’s and doctoral degree programs, shall be selected as thesis advisor.

3. Other persons recognized as fit by the Graduate School Steering Committee

Article 39 (Change to thesis advisor) If a student wishes to change his thesis advisor due to inevitable circumstances, the student shall obtain consent from his current advisor and his department chair, and receive approval from the Dean of the Graduate School.

 

Section 2 Writing and submission of theses

 

Article 40 (Qualifications for submitting theses) Persons enrolled in each degree program who meet the following requirements are qualified to submit degree theses.

1. Persons who have completed the credit requirements for completion of the program, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (80 points)

2. Persons who have passed the Thesis Qualification Examination

3. Persons who have submitted a thesis proposal and passed evaluation

4. Persons granted special admission into doctoral degree programs operated by the Department of Medicine and persons admitted into combined master's and doctoral degree programs or full-time doctoral degree programs who have published a journal article in a domestic or an overseas academic journal listed in the SCIE as a lead author[Amended 2006.3.1., 2019.3.1]

5. A person admitted into a combined program of the Department of Medicine or a full-time master’s degree program, who has published a journal article in a domestic or overseas academic journal as a lead author [Amended 2006.3.1]

6. A person admitted into a combined program of the Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences on a full-time basis, who has published at least two articles as lead author in a domestic or overseas journal listed on the SCIE [Amended 2006.3.1, 2014.3.25]

7. Details regarding the qualifications of full-time graduate school students to submit degree theses shall be separately provided.

Article 41 (Structure and specifications of degree theses) Details regarding the structure and specifications of degree theses for each program shall be in compliance with “Degree Thesis Structure for the Graduate Schools of the Catholic University of Korea,” issued by the Graduate School Steering Committee.

Article 42 (Deadline for submission) ① Master’s degree theses shall be submitted within 6 years from admission, doctoral degree theses shall be submitted within 10 years, and combined program theses shall be submitted within 12 years; however, leaves of absence for compulsory military service, overseas training or other reasons acknowledged by the Graduate School Steering Committee shall not count toward these deadlines.

② Persons who wish to submit their theses past the submission deadline shall receive a recommendation from their advisor and approval from the Dean via their department chair. Details shall be provided for separately through the Special Guidelines for Late Submission of Theses. [Amended 2009.3.1]

 

Section 3 Thesis examination

 

Article 43 (Thesis examination) Thesis examination shall comprise of a preliminary examination and main examination.

Article 44 (Preliminary examination) ① Submitted manuscripts shall be referred to the examiners for preliminary examination.

② Examiners may require the submitter to submit other necessary materials alongside the manuscript, and the submitter shall answer inquiries from the examiners relating to the manuscript.

③ If a manuscript requires general editing and supplementation, an examiner may defer the main examination.

④ Upon completion of the examination, the chief examiner shall report the results of the preliminary examination to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Article 45 (Main examination) ① In the main examination, the manuscript shall be examined to verify that any issues identified in the preliminary examination have been edited and supplemented, and that the manuscript qualifies as a degree thesis.

② Main examination of degree theses shall be completed within a prescribed period.

Article 46 (Examiners) ⓛ The thesis examination committee shall consist of 3 members including the advisor for master’s degree programs, and 5 members including the advisor for doctoral degree programs. The chief examiner shall be a member other than the advisor.

② Each thesis examiner shall be qualified as an advisor, or shall have been deemed necessary for the examination of the thesis in question and duly appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when inevitably necessary, an outside professor may be appointed as an examiner. In such case, the outside professor shall be at least an associate professor at a 4-year university (holding a doctoral degree), and shall be appointed with the permission of the Dean of the Graduate School. [Amended 2019.3.1]

③ Examiners may not be replaced once preliminary examination of the degree thesis has started. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when replacement of an examiner is inevitably necessary due to his or her personal circumstances, such replacement shall be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Article 47 (Thesis pass/fail conditions) ① A passing master’s degree thesis must obtain an average score of 3.0 (80 points) from all examiners.

② A passing doctoral degree thesis must obtain an average score of 3.0 (points) and a consenting vote from at least 4 of 5 examiners with regard to examination and thesis defense.

Article 48 (Reporting of main examination results) Upon completion of the main examination, the chief examiner shall submit a report on the results to the Dean of the Graduate School without delay.

Article 49 (Publishing of degree theses) A doctoral degree thesis having passed examination shall be published in an academic journal, etc. within 1 year of conferral of the degree, and an independent volume thereof shall be submitted to the Academic Affairs Team of the Graduate School. [Amended 2014.5.14]

 

Chapter 7 Conferral of Degrees

 

Article 50 (Qualifications for conferral of degrees) ① Candidates satisfying all of the following qualifications shall qualify for conferral of degrees.

1. Candidate has acquired the necessary number of credits for completion

2. Cumulative grade point average for all credits acquired is 3.0 (80 points) or higher

3. Candidate has passed the Thesis Qualification Examination

4. Candidate has passed the thesis examination

② Candidates who drop out of a combined program may be conferred a master’s degree, provided that they satisfy all of the following conditions. [Newly Inserted 2006.3.1, Amended 2010.10.15]

1. Candidate has completed at least 4 semesters and acquired at least 24 credits

2. Candidate has submitted a degree thesis and passed examination

Article 51 (Resolution and approval) Decisions to confer doctoral degrees shall be made by resolution of the General Graduate School Steering Committee (Combined).

Article 52 (Degree certificates) The master’s degree, doctoral degree and honorary doctoral degree certificates conferred by the Graduate School are as shown in Attachment Ⅰ.

 

Chapter 8 Research students and international students

 

Section 1 Research students

 

Article 53 (Admission method) Research students shall be admitted through document screening and interviews. Final candidate selection shall be decided by the Graduate School Steering Committee.

Article 54 (Application documents) The prescribed application form shall be submitted together with a research plan and final diploma.

Article 55 (Research duration for research students and attendance of courses) ① A research student's research duration may not exceed 1 year.

② A research student shall audit courses each semester, but shall not exceed 9 credits per semester.

 

Section 2 International students

 

Article 56 (Selection procedure) ① As per Article 8 of the School Regulations, persons may be admitted outside established quotas through special admissions programs.

② For applicants to departments where the nature of the area of study requires a level of proficiency in the Korean language, a separate Korean language examination may be administered.

③ Details regarding the selection of international students shall be separately prescribed.

Article 57 (Korean language examination) ① The Korean language examination shall consist of an oral examination and a written examination.

② The level of difficulty of the test shall be adequate for determining a level of proficiency necessary for completing studies at the graduate school.

③ For each of the tests of Paragraph 1, 100 points shall be the maximum score, and a passing score shall be 60 points or higher.

④ Persons holding certificates of completion from certified Korean language training institutions in or outside Korea may be exempted from the Korean language examination.

 

Chapter 9 Graduate School Steering Committee

 

Article 58 (Graduate School Steering Committee) In accordance with Article 44, Paragraph 1 of the School Regulations, a Graduate School Steering Committee (Songeui) (hereinafter “steering committee”) shall be established to deliberate on and resolve matters relating to the operation of academic affairs at the Songeui Campus.

Article 59 (Composition of the steering committee) ① The steering committee shall be chaired by the Dean of the Graduate School, and members shall be appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School with recommendations by the associate deans.

② The steering committee shall have at least 3 members, each serving 2-year terms.

③ Depending on the matter at hand, the chair may convene an expanded steering committee meeting, which includes the respective department chairs of the graduate school.

Article 60 (Functions) ① The steering committee shall perform the functions under Article 43 of the School Regulations, deliberating on and resolving matters limited to the Songeui campus. Matters resolved shall be ratified by the General Graduate School Steering Committee (Combined).

② The expanded steering committee shall collect opinions from the respective departments regarding the operation of academic affairs in general, and shall fulfill an advisory role.

Article 61 (Convening and resolution) ① The chair shall convene meetings of the steering committee as necessary, and chair such meetings.

② Absent special provisions, the steering committee shall resolve with a majority of members present and consenting votes from at least 2/3 of members in attendance.

③ The chair shall have a voting right.

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) These Enforcement Regulations shall enter into force on 2003.9.1.

        ② These Enforcement Regulations as amended (Article 40, Article 56) shall enter into force on 2004.9.1.

Article 2 (Transitional Measures) ① With the establishment of these Enforcement Regulations, other existing related enforcement regulations shall be repealed.

        ② For certain matters, the enforcement regulations which were in force at the time of admission may be applied with regard to persons admitted prior to the establishment of these Enforcement Regulations.

        ③ The Graduate School Steering Committee shall decide whether or not to apply the enforcement regulations which were in force at the time of admission.

        ④ Extensions to deadlines for submission of theses shall also apply to persons admitted in or prior to September 2003.

 

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement date) These amended Enforcement Regulations

            (Article 37, Paragraph 2) shall enter into force from 2005.9.1.

 

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) These amended Enforcement Regulations (Article 40; Article 50) shall enter into force from 2006.3.1.

Article 2 (Transitional Measures) For the submission of degree theses by persons having completed the Joint Medical Sciences Program, the Enforcement Regulations prior to amendment shall apply.

 

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) These amended Enforcement Regulations shall enter into force from 2009.3.1.

 

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) These amended Enforcement Regulations shall enter into force from 2010.10.15.

 

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) These amended Enforcement Regulations (Article 3; Article 27) shall enter into force from 2013.6.5; however, Article 3 shall enter into force from 2013.3.1, and Article 27 shall enter into force from 2012.9.1.

 

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) These amended Enforcement Regulations (Article 3; Article 40) shall enter into force from 2014.3.25, and shall apply from 2014.3.1.

 

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) These amended Enforcement Regulations (Article 5; Article 11; Article 49) shall enter into force from 2014.5.14, and shall apply from 2014.2.1.

 

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) These amended Enforcement Regulations (Attachment 11) shall enter into force on 2016.9.1.

 

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) These amended Enforcement Regulations (Article 40) shall enter into force from 2019.3.1, and shall apply to students admitted from the Fall semester of 2019 onwards.

 

Addenda

 

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) These amended Enforcement Regulations (Article 46) shall enter into force from the Spring semester of the 2019 academic year.

 

 

 

      [Attachment Ⅰ]