Graduate Program
About the Graduate Program
Registration for Spring 2010 (PDF)
Washington College offers part-time programs leading to the Master of Arts in English, History, and Psychology and graduate course work in the field of Education. Fall, spring, and summer sessions are held, mainly in the evening. The Master of Arts degree is awarded to students who complete a 30 semester-hour program (10 courses) as specified by the appropriate department. For a graduate catalog and further information, write: The Graduate Office, Washington College, Chestertown, MD 21620, or contact Kathryn W. Sack, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, Director of the Graduate Program.
The graduate program is designed to meet the needs of persons in the community who wish to pursue their formal education in selected areas beyond the baccalaureate degree. The primary aim of our program is to enable students to meet the requirements of the Master of Arts degree. Some students, however, continue their graduate education at other institutions, and still others seek credit toward advanced professional certification. In some cases, students take individual courses for personal enrichment. The College occasionally sponsors re-training programs for teachers.
Academic Calendar
The academic year of the graduate program at Washington College is divided into fall, spring, and summer terms. Specific dates may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar or online at http://academics.washcoll.edu/calendar.php. Courses in English, History, and Psychology are offered semester-long during the evening hours, usually from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Accreditation
Washington College is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the Maryland State Department of Education.
Transfer Policy
Washington College will accept up to nine hours of transfer credit from other accredited graduate institutions. Generally, courses must have been taken within seven years of date of application for transfer credit and earned a grade of "B" or better. Department chairs review transfer credits and consider course content, date of course credit, and special conditions. The Graduate Council is authorized final responsibility for accepting transfer credit in cases where questions arise, either from the student or the department chair. As a matter of general policy, Washington College does not grant transfer credit for courses taught in the mini-course format, for a period of one week or less.
Matriculation Policy
Students not formally admitted to the Graduate Program may enroll in individual classes as non-degree students. Students may complete up to two courses as non-degree students with no official declaration of intent. Upon completion of two courses, the student must be admitted to a degree program or officially declare their permanent status as a non-degree seeking student. Students not declaring an official status will be unable to register for subsequent terms. Only two courses completed prior to formal admission will be counted toward completion of course requirements for the Master's Degree.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts degree will be awarded to those students who complete a planned 30 semester-hour program of graduate study as specified by the appropriate department. All graduate courses at Washington College are three credits each. Ordinarily, all degree requirements are to be completed within an eight-year period.
Employees as Students
Tuition Waiver - Employee (PDF)
Tuition Waiver - Dependents (PDF)
Washington College employees may take graduate courses in their first term of employment. However, they are expected to submit an application to a program of study following the application deadlines outlined previously.
1. New employees or employees who have not applied for admittance to a graduate program or have a pending application, may register for no more than two courses in their first term.
2. Employees who have not applied for admission to a program of graduate study after completion of two courses must seek admission to a degree program or officially declare their intent to pursue course work as a non-degree student. Students who have not declared a degree status upon completion of two courses will be unable to register for subsequent terms.
Tuition and Fees
Graduate Program fees for the 2009-2010 academic year are:
- Graduate application fee, $55
- Graduate registration fee, $85 per course.
- Graduate tuition, $935 per course.
- Audit fee, per course, $300
- Graduation fee: $155
Tuition and fees must be paid by the first day of scheduled classes. Any student with outstanding balances at this time will receive an invoice by mail. A late payment fee of $75 will be added to any outstanding balance of $750 or more after the second week of class.*
*A late fee is charged when a student has not paid their account in full or made payment arrangements by the officially posted due date for the current semester; or has defaulted on a payment plan; or has financial aid cancelled, in any manner.
Grades and Transcripts
Grades in courses are awarded as follows:
A - Excellent
B - Good
C - Fair
D - Passing Work
F - Failing Work
P - Pass (thesis credit only)
I - Incomplete
W - Withdrew prior to final class session
Please see the catalog, for a more complete explanation of the grading system. A student who receives more than one F may be dismissed from the M.A. program. Earned grades of a C or lower will not apply toward the degree. All incomplete grades must be made up within six months of the final day of the semester.
Students may access their grades at any time by logging onto the College's Web Advisor system. Students wishing to receive a printed grade report may contact the Registrar's office by phone at 410-778-7299. To request official transcripts, students should submit a written request by mail or fax (address: Registrar's Office, Bunting Hall, Washington College, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620-1197/fax: 410-810-7159). Students can also make such requests from a Washington College email account by directing a message to Pat Smith (psmith2@ washcoll.edu). Transcript requests should include the following information:
- Full name (including former or maiden name)
- Date of birth
- Social security number
- Dates of attendance or graduation
- Whether the request is for a graduate or undergraduate transcript
- The address to which the requested materials should be sent
- A phone number at which the student can be reached
- The student's signature (mail and fax requests only)
The Office of the Registrar mails transcripts within a week of the request. The College may withhold transcripts from students that have not met their financial obligations. Depending upon the student's years of attendance and/or graduation, the College may require a small fee, not to exceed $5.
Registration
The graduate schedule and pre-registration materials generally become available 1-2 months prior to the start of each term. They may be obtained from, and should be returned to, the Registrar's Office, Bunting Hall, Washington College, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620-1197. Payment should accompany registration and may be made via cash, money order, or certified or personal check. Credit cards are not accepted at the Registrar's office.
Beginning in the FALL 2009 term: WC employees who wish to take graduate courses must complete the Employee Tuition Waiver and Registration form in addition to the Graduate Course Registration form. The form may be found at http://grad.washcoll.edu or http://hr.washcoll.edu/pdf/tuitionwaiver_employee.pdf. (Submit both forms and your check for Course Registration at the HR office for verification and signature PRIOR to submitting it to the Registrar’s office.
The College also makes schedules and pre-registration materials available at the Graduate Program website.
Registration for graduate classes will be closed one week prior to the beginning of classes in order for enrollment to be adjusted and any under-enrolled courses cancelled. Graduate courses require a minimum of five students in order to be held.
Cancellation Policies
The College reserves the right to cancel any course for which there is insufficient enrollment. Any instructor who finds it necessary to cancel a day of class will make every effort to notify each student. News of class cancellations due to inclement weather will be broadcast on WBALAM 1090, or may be obtained by calling the College switchboard (410-778-2800) before 4:30 p.m.
Courses of Instruction
Course descriptions are presented as examples of courses offered in the graduate program. While these course listings serve as a reliable guide to the various programs and most courses listed are offered regularly, the College is not obliged to offer on a regular basis any particular course listed.Administration
- L. Baird Tipson, Ph.D., President of the College
- Christopher Ames, Ph.D., Provost and Dean of the College
- Jennifer L. Bershon, M.A., Registrar
- Kathryn W. Sack, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, Director of the Graduate Program