Frequently Asked Questions

1.        What are the requirements for the attainment of a doctoral degree?

·         A cumulative average of not less than "Very Good" or its equivalent must be achieved.

·         Passing the qualifying examination in the field of specialization and related knowledge prior to the approval of the dissertation proposal.

·         Publishing (or acquiring acceptance to publish) at least two papers pertinent to the student's dissertation in a refereed scientific journal accredited by the university for the purposes of academic promotion before defending his/her dissertation.

·         Passing the TOEFL test with a score not less than (500) or its equivalent during the first year of enrollment.

·         Successfully defending the dissertation.

2.        What is the permissible duration of enrollment for attaining the doctoral degree?

·         The minimum duration of enrollment for the doctoral degree is (6) academic semesters and the maximum is (12) academic semesters.

·         The total duration of suspension and withdrawal of study should not exceed two academic semesters and such duration does not count toward the maximum duration permissible for attaining the doctoral degree.

·         The maximum study load per semester (first and second) should not exceed (12) credit hours.

·         At least one year must transpire between the proposal approval and the dissertation defense.

3.        What are the requirements for the attainment of a Master's degree?

·         A cumulative average rating of not less than "Very Good" or its equivalent should be achieved.

·         Passing the Comprehensive Examination after successfully completing all coursework (for the comprehensive examination track students) or successfully defending the thesis (for the thesis track students).

·         Publishing (or acquiring acceptance to publish) at least one paper pertinent to his/her thesis (for thesis track students)in a refereed scientific journal accredited by the university for the purposes of academic promotion before defending his/her thesis.

·         Passing the TOEFL test with a score not less than (500) or its equivalent during the first year of enrollment.

4.        What is the permissible duration of enrollment for attaining the Master's degree?

·         The minimum duration of enrollment for the Master's degree is (3) academic semesters and the maximum is (8) semesters.

·         The total duration of suspension and withdrawal of study should not exceed two academic semesters and such duration does not count toward the maximum duration permissible for attaining the Master's degree.

·         The maximum study load per semester (first and second) should not exceed (12) credit hours.

·         No less than six months should elapse between the approval of the thesis proposal and the thesis defense.

5.        How can a student suspend his/her study for a semester and what is the maximum duration for suspension of study?

A student may suspend his study in any program for no more than two academic semesters. An application designed for this purpose must be completed by the student within the first three weeks of the semester and suspension is subject to the approval of the Deans Council. However, suspension in the summer semester is not allowed because enrollment in the summer semester is voluntary.

6.        Can a student suspend study in the first semester of enrollment in the program?

A student is not allowed to suspend his/her study in a program unless a semester at least has elapsed.

7.        What happens if a student has not registered or suspended his/her study in a semester within the specified period of time?

The student's registration is considered void if he/she has not registered for a semester (first or second) or if he/she has not duly suspended his/her program of study.

8.        What can a student do if his/her registration is cancelled due to his/her failure to register or suspend his/her study in a semester?

If a student turns in his/her excuse for absence explaining his/her reasons for irregular attendance or interruption of study in a semester to the College Deanship, and if his/her excuse is accepted and the maximum duration permissible for suspension has not been exceeded, the student can then be reinstated and duly suspend study in the said semester on condition that a vacancy is available in his/her field of specialization.

9.        How can a student study courses in other institutions during his/her study at Amman Arab University for Graduate Studies?

A regular student may study (6) credit hours at other institutions in a program equivalent to his/her program of study at the university subject to the approval of the College Council and on condition that he/she had not previously studied at another university. It is also understood that a student cannot study at two universities at the same time. Outside credits should not also be earned in a summer semester or the graduation semester.

10.     How can a student transfer from the Comprehensive Examination Track to the Thesis Track?

A student can transfer from the Comprehensive Examination Track to the Thesis Track by completing the application form designed for this purpose on condition that he/she has successfully completed at least (18) credit hours from his/her study plan, that his/her cumulative average at the time of transfer is not less than (3.25), and subject to the approval of the College Dean to ensure the availability of a supervisor in the program.

11.     How can a student transfer from the Thesis Track to the Comprehensive Examination Track?

A student wishing to transfer from the Thesis Track to the Comprehensive Exam. Track should complete the form intended for this purpose. Such transfer is subject to the approval of the College's Council.

12.     Can a student register for courses in the summer semester?

The summer semester is designed for graduation, training and research purposes only, hence the Master's students (Comprehensive Track) can register for the purpose of graduation for a maximum of one course (3 credit hours), and the doctoral and Master's candidates (thesis track) can register for the thesis and dissertation credits only.

13.     What is the duration of permissible class absence?

Attendance at the university is compulsory. The student's absence should not exceed 20% of the total number of the prescribed hours for a course.

If a student's absence exceeds this percentage he will be disqualified from sitting the final examination, be considered to have failed the course, and his result will be counted toward his/her semester and cumulative averages for the purpose of warning and dismissal.

14.     For how long can a student be absent from classes with an excuse?

If a student's absence with an excuse accepted by the course instructor and college dean exceeds 20% of the total number of the course hours he/she will be considered to have "withdrawn" from the course and such withdrawal will be noted in the student's record. The student's excuse must be submitted within two weeks from the date of interruption of regular attendance.

15.     What happens if the student's cumulative average falls bellow (3.00)?

If a student's cumulative average in any semester other than the first semester of enrollment falls bellow (3.00) he/she will be placed on academic warning, but if his/her cumulative average is still below the required average in the following semester, he/she will be dismissed from his/her major.

16.     What is the Comprehensive Examination?

It is an examination set for the Master's students who have opted for the comprehensive track. It focuses on knowledge absorbed from all courses studied by the student according to his/her approved study plan. A student who fails the comprehensive examination is permitted to one retake only of the examination.

17.     What happens if a Master's student fails the comprehensive examination?

Students in a Master's program (comprehensive track) are permitted to take the comprehensive examination twice only. If a student passes the examination retake it will be noted in his/her record that he took the examination twice (first fail/second pass), but if he/she fails the second attempt he/she will be dismissed from the program and granted a Higher Diploma Certificate in the courses he/she has completed.

18.     What is the Eligibility (Qualifying) Examination?

It is an examination set for the doctoral students. It focuses on knowledge absorbed from all courses studied by the student according to his/her approved study plan. Upon passing this examination students can start registering for the dissertation credits. If a student fails the examination he/she is allowed to take it a second time only. The examination is held once at the end of every semester (first and second).

19.     What happens if a doctoral student fails the qualifying examination?

If a doctoral student fails the qualifying examination he/she is permitted to take the examination a second time only and in case he/she passes the exam. the result of the two examinations will be noted in his/her record, but if he/she fails the second attempt he/she will be dismissed from the program.

20.     How is the thesis or dissertation supervisor assigned?

A doctoral or a Master's student can obtain the form for assigning a supervisor from the Admissions and Registration Department. After duly completing the form it is handed in to the head of the respective department who will pursue procedures for approval of the study problem, and student's supervisor. The suggested supervisor must be from the inside of the university, however, the department may identify an associate supervisor (from inside or outside the university) if it is deemed necessary.

21.     How is the dissertation sent to the external referee?

A form designed for external evaluation should be completed by the student and approved by the supervisor. Then it is handed in with a copy of the thesis or dissertation and work to send it to the external referee is to be completed within (4-7) weeks.

22.     How is the date for the oral defense of the dissertation or thesis scheduled?

After the thesis/dissertation is returned by the external referee the student together with the supervisor makes the amendments suggested by the referee. Upon completing the amendments the thesis/dissertation is handed in to the head of department and the form intended for setting date for its defense is completed. The student must, however, be enrolled for the semester in which he/she will defend the thesis/dissertation.

23.     How long will it take to receive the graduation certificates and transcripts?

Upon the issuance of the graduation decision by the Deans Council and completing due clearance procedures the graduate is expected to receive his/her certificates and transcripts within (1-2) weeks. A doctoral or a Master's graduate (thesis track) should, after defending thesis or dissertations make the amendments requested by the examining committee. After the amendments are completed the thesis or dissertation is handed in to the examining committee for approval. The thesis /dissertation is then submitted to the language center at the university for proofreading. After all language corrections are made by the student he/she is given a certification to this effect by the center. The requested copies of the thesis or dissertation are finally handed in to the university library in conformance with the respective regulations. The student's name is then submitted to the Dean's Council to issue the graduation decision. The graduate can receive his/her certificates and transcripts within (1-2) weeks from the issuance of the graduation decision.

24.     What is the grading system used by the university?

               Grading System

25.     What grade ratings are given to the G.P.A?                                   

The minimum grade point average for graduation is (3) points.