Graduate Requirements for Undergraduate Students

Students must complete a minimum of 130 credits including 36 credits or more from general education courses, 39 credits or more in their major, and also satisfy all specific requirements of their department/college. Students with a double major, minor or a combined major course must obtain an additional 22 credits from pertinent courses.

Premed students must complete a minimum of 74 credits that including general education courses and major courses.

Foreign language classes requirements

Stipulations vary between colleges

Graduation Requirements for Graduate Students

Master’s Program

Number of semesters: 4 - 8

Required Credits

*   Master’s Program for Graduate School of Public Health: 24 credits

** EMBA program: 45 credits

Grades: Overall GPA of 3.0 and above

Students must also pass major courses and foreign language tests to be able to submit their thesis.

Thesis evaluation: Students must have their thesis evaluated and approved by department professors.

Doctoral Program

Number of Semesters: 4 - 12

Required Credits

Grades: Overall GPA of 3.0 and above

Students must also pass major courses and foreign language tests to be able to submit their thesis.

Thesis evaluation: Students must have their thesis evaluated and approved by department professors.

Combined Master’s and Doctoral Program

Number of Semesters: 4 - 12

Number of Semesters: 6 - 16

Number of Credits: More than 60

Grades: Overall GPA of 3.0 and above

Students must also pass major courses and foreign language tests to be able to submit their thesis.

Thesis evaluation: Students must have their thesis evaluated and approved by department professors.

Completion of Undergraduate Course

To qualify for a bachelor’s degree, B.A or B.S, students must successfully complete specified courses and required credits, and pass the graduation thesis deliberation and general examinations, and/or any other merit tests.

Graduation Standards

Students must have registered at least 8 semesters, have continued their studies in their graduating semester without any changes in registrar, and have submitted the graduation application within the first quarter of the semester after which they desire to graduate.

Students must earn a minimum total of 130 credits including 36 credits or more of courses in general education, 39 credits or more from major courses, and satisfy all the specific requirements of their department/college.

Students must score at least 2.0 in their overall GPA and individual GPAs for their major, multiple major, minor major, or combined major course.

Students must have their graduation thesis (including the general examinations or practical presentation, and lab report) approved.

Procedure

Selection of candidates → Establishment of graduation proceedings → Evaluation by faculty committee → Finalization of graduation proceedings → Finalization of graduates → Submission of diploma → Graduation

※ Every year there are a few unfortunate students who miss the mark by only a few courses. We highly recommend that students double check the classes they are required to take, and whether they have successfully completed them.

Completion of Graduate Program (Master’s, Doctoral, Combined Master’s and Doctoral)

Tuition Term

Students must have completed at least two years of classes for Master’s or Doctoral program, and at least four years for a Combined Master’s and Doctoral program.

Enrollment Term

Students may be enrolled up to four years for a master’s program, six years for a doctoral program, and eight years for a combined master’s and doctoral program. No enrollment after those periods will be allowed.

Required Credits

Students must earn 24 credits or more for a Master’s program, 36 credits or more for a Doctoral program, and 60 credits or more for a Combined Master’s & Doctoral program (including credits earned during the Master’s program). Students must also have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above.

Thesis Submission Qualification Exam

Students must pass the major courses and foreign language tests to attain the qualification to submit their thesis.

※ Subject to change

Completion of Premed Program

Graduation Standards

Students must have registered between 4 and 8 semesters, have continued their studies in their graduating semester without any changes in registrar, and have submitted the graduation application within the first quarter of the semester after which they desire to graduate.

Students must have acquired over 68 credits, including those stipulated by the department.

Students must score at least 2.0 in their overall GPA and individual GPAs.

Procedure

Selection of candidates → Establishment of graduation proceedings → Evaluation by faculty committee → Finalization of proceedings → Finalization of graduates → Graduation

Graduate School Thesis Evaluation

Eligibility for thesis submission

Regulatory Basis

Based on Article 8 of the University’s Degree Conferment Regulations.

Eligibility Criteria

Master’s Program:

Students must have completed at least two semesters in a master’s or professional graduate program and meet the criteria set by their respective colleges or graduate schools.

Doctoral Program:

Students must have completed at least two semesters in a doctoral program and meet the criteria set by their respective colleges or graduate schools.

For students enrolled in the integrated master’s and doctoral program, eligibility is determined according to the “Regulations on the Integrated Master’s and Doctoral Program” of the university.

Comprehensive and Language Proficiency Examinations

Exam Subjects

Foreign Language Examination: English proficiency can be verified through official TEPS or TOEFL scores.

Comprehensive Examination: This consists of subject-specific tests administered by each college or graduate school.

For specific details regarding examination subjects and requirements, please consult your college’s academic administration office.

Scoring and Passing Criteria

Scoring: Second foreign language – 100 points, Major subjects – 100 points

Passing Criteria: Master’s students must score at least 60 points in each subject, while doctoral students must score at least 70 points.
(English proficiency exams such as TEPS are subject to exemption criteria set by each college or graduate school.)

Foreign Language Examination Exemptions

Students who have met the required scores (Master’s: 60, Doctoral: 70) in the university’s entrance examination for English or a second foreign language are considered to have passed that subject.

Students who complete designated second foreign language substitute courses (German or French) during the seasonal semester and receive a grade of C- or higher are also considered to have passed that subject.

Examination Schedule

Held twice a year in March and September.

Thesis Examination Process

Master’s Thesis Examination

Eligibility for Submission: Students must meet all of the following criteria and receive a recommendation from their thesis advisor:

Passed the Master’s Thesis Qualification Examination.

Completed or are expected to complete all required credits, including those specified by their college or graduate school for program completion.

Thesis submission deadline has not expired (Article 11 of the Degree Conferment Regulations).

Students granted approval for an extension based on Article 11, Clause 4 of the Degree Conferment Regulations.

Fulfilled any additional requirements set by their college or graduate school.

Thesis Submission Period:

Within four years after program completion.
(Military service, pregnancy, childbirth (one year per instance), and childcare (two years per child) are excluded from this period. An extension of up to two additional years may be granted by the college or graduate school through the Graduate Academic Committee’s review.)

Thesis Examination Procedures:

Announcement of Thesis Examination Schedule: Issued by each college or graduate school.

Registration for Thesis Submission:
• Obtain and submit the thesis examination application to the respective college.

Submission of Examination Copies and Fees:
• Number of copies required: 3
• Examination fee: 100,000 KRW (subject to change)

Selection of Thesis Examination Committee:
• Each department chair recommends at least three committee members to the dean.
• The Graduate Academic Committee appoints three members (Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Member). The thesis advisor and external members cannot serve as the committee chair.

Oral Presentation of Thesis Summary: Conducted under the supervision of the department chair.

Thesis Examination and Oral Defense:
• Thesis is approved if at least two-thirds of the committee members vote in favor with a minimum grade of B.
• The oral defense requires a minimum score of 60 to pass.

Final Thesis Submission:
• Approved thesis must be uploaded to the university library website.

Doctoral Thesis Examination

Eligibility for Submission: Students must meet all of the following criteria and receive a recommendation from their thesis advisor:

Passed the Doctoral Thesis Qualification Examination.

Earned a total of 60 or more credits and completed or are expected to complete all required credits for graduation.

Thesis submission deadline has not expired (Article 11 of the Degree Conferment Regulations).

Students granted approval for an extension based on Article 11, Clause 4 of the Degree Conferment Regulations.

Fulfilled any additional requirements set by their college or graduate school.

Thesis Submission Period:

Within six years after program completion. (Military service, pregnancy, childbirth (one year per instance), and childcare (two years per child) are excluded from this period. An extension of up to two additional years may be granted by the college or graduate school through the Graduate Academic Committee’s review.)

Thesis Examination Procedures:

Announcement of Thesis Examination Schedule: Issued by each college or graduate school.

Submission of Required Documents:
• Required forms include the Thesis Examination Application, Advisor’s Recommendation, Curriculum Vitae, and any other necessary documents.

Submission of Examination Copies and Fees:
• Number of copies required: 5 (including one copy of the thesis abstract in Korean)

Selection of Thesis Examination Committee:
• The department chair recommends at least five committee members, including at least one external expert, to the dean. • The Graduate Academic Committee appoints five members (Chair, Vice Chair, and three Committee Members). The thesis advisor and external members cannot serve as the committee chair.

Oral Presentation of Thesis Summary: Conducted once under the supervision of the department chair.

Preliminary Thesis Examination and Oral Defense: Conducted at least twice under the supervision of each examination committee chair.

Final Thesis Examination and Oral Defense:
• Thesis is approved if at least four-fifths of the committee members vote in favor. • The oral defense requires a minimum score of 70 to pass, with at least four-fifths of the committee members awarding this score.

Final Thesis Submission:
• Approved thesis must be uploaded to the university library website.

Additional Requirement: Doctoral degree recipients must publish their thesis within one year of degree conferral, unless an exemption is granted by the university president.

Graduate Research Student Registration

Purpose

Through research student registration, master’s and doctoral students who have completed all coursework requirements but have not yet obtained their degree are granted the status of graduate research students. This system aims to facilitate access to university facilities, enhance research motivation, and provide institutional support for the successful completion of high-quality dissertations.

Implementation

Effective since the 1996 academic year.

Fees

A. Humanities․Social Science․Arts․PE:KRW 150,000 per semester

B. Natural Science․Engineering:KRW 200,000 per semester

Registration

Students who meet any of the following criteria must register as graduate research students during the designated period each semester:

Those applying for thesis/dissertation review.

Those who need access to university facilities such as laboratories or graduate research buildings, where the dean of the respective college or graduate school mandates research student registration.

Those who wish to use institutional facilities such as the Central Library, Gwanak Student Dormitory, or IT Services.