Mission

Graduate Studies at Bucknell

Bucknell University offers both undergraduate and graduate courses of study across all four of its divisions: the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Bucknell offers graduate studies in a wide range of disciplines to students interested in pursuing a master’s degree, in achieving professional competence or certification, or in continuing their studies beyond the bachelor’s level in non-degree programs. Graduate study provides a focus on the discipline within a structured curriculum to students who bring to their studies various educational backgrounds and work experiences. In all Bucknell’s graduate programs, students work closely with faculty toward common academic and research goals substantially beyond those available to undergraduates. The graduate studies program at Bucknell serves as an umbrella for departmental graduate programs that fulfill various educational goals, but all graduate courses of study focus on the discipline while also taking into account the individual needs of the students. The individual departmental missions share an overarching goal: a deepening of the student’s knowledge and experience base in the discipline by building on the increased commitment that graduate students bring to their work. Each departmental program provides students with the education necessary for them to advance to the next level of their academic or professional career path.

A student is admitted to graduate standing by the dean of graduate studies after consultation with the department in which the student plans to specialize. Programs are available in animal behavior, biology, chemistry, education, engineering(chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical), English, mathematics, and psychology. So that a close working relationship may be maintained between members of the faculty and graduate students, enrollment in graduate studies is limited. Therefore, it is to the advantage of the student to file an application for admission as early as possible. The deadline for the first semester is June 1; for the second semester, November 15; and for summer school, April 15. Applications for financial aid must be received before March 1 for the following academic year. In some programs, graduate students may begin their work only in the first semester.

Admission to graduate standing permits a student to enroll in specified courses and to earn graduate credit for that coursework. In some instances, students who do not wish to become candidates for an advanced degree may be admitted to graduate standing. Non-degree graduate students take courses for such purposes as acquiring teacher certification or applying coursework to a degree program at another institution. They must meet the requirements of the graduate program both for admission and for maintenance of good academic standing. Students who hold the baccalaureate degree or its equivalent may be granted admission to graduate study only by the dean of graduate studies. James Rice, Associate Provost and

Dean of Graduate Studies
gradstds@bucknell.edu