Top Things Every Grad Student Needs to Know at the Beginning of the Year

  1. Academic grading Policies: https://catalog.unh.edu/graduate/academic-regulations-degree-requirements/grading/
    • Any grade below B- is considered a failing grade; your program may be more stringent
    • The Graduate School has a 9 failing credit dismissal policy; your program may be more stringent
    • All graduate students need at least 3.0 GPA to graduate
  2. Registration requirements and policy.
  3. Degree Time Limit: Understand how much time you have to complete your degree requirements: https://catalog.unh.edu/graduate/academic-regulations-degree-requirements/degree-requirements/
    • Certificate degrees should be completed within 3 years
    • Master's/EdS degrees, as well as DNP and OTD degrees should be completed within 4 years
    • PhD degrees should be completed within 7-8 years
    • Degree candidacy should be reached within 4 years w/master's in field or 5 years without master's in field
  4. Student Accessibility Services: how to request student accommodations: https://www.unh.edu/diversity-inclusion/student-accessibility/students/request-accommodations 
  5. Student health benefit plan: deadline to waive insurance coverage and requirements: (domestic full-time on campus students with proof of coverage only): https://www.unh.edu/health/student-health-insurance  
  6. Resources for policies, regulations and other important information
  7. Know your student academic handbook and program requirements.
    • Contact your department, or check your department's website
  8. Academic Calendar: https://gradschool.unh.edu/academics/graduate-school-academic-calendar
    • Review the calendar to understand add/drop dates, refund schedules, etc.