Graduate Catalog
2017-2018
University of Nevada, Las
Vegas
,Table of Contents
UNLV: Mission and Core Themes 2 Lee Business School • 41
Nevada System of Higher Education 2 College of Education • 84
Message from the UNLV President 3 Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering • 204
Message from the UNL Executive Vice President & College of Fine Arts • 304
Provost 3
Division of Health Sciences • 364
Graduate College Dean’s Message 4 School of Allied Health 373
About the UNLV Graduate College 4
School of Community Health Sciences 402
Your Graduate School Experience 6
School of Dental Medicine • 424
The Graduate College at UNLV 6
School of Nursing • 430
University Resources 7
William F. Harrah College of
Disability Resource Center 8 Hotel Administration • 452
Campus Community 8 William S. Boyd School of Law • 468
Libraries, Research Centers, Institutes, and Service School of Medicine 478
Agencies Admission, Registration 9
College of Liberal Arts • 487
Tuition Fees 11
College of Sciences • 605
Graduate Student Financial Information 20
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs • 670
Degree Progression Policies Procedures 25
Academic Policies 30
Academic Calendar 37
Discolsures 38
Accreditations 39
Graduate Catalog 1
,UNLV: Mission and Core Themes Nevada System of Higher Education
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, located in the vibrant and The Nevada System of Higher Education, comprised of
dynamic city of Las Vegas and surrounded by the Mojave Desert, two doctoral-granting universities, a state college, four
embraces the traditional values of higher education adapted for comprehensive community colleges and one environmental
the global community of the twenty-first century. UNLV assists research institute, serves the educational and job training needs
students in meeting the intellectual and ethical challenges of of the nation’s fastest growing state. The NSHE provides
responsible citizenship and a full and productive life through educational opportunities to more than 108,000 students and is
opportunities to acquire the knowledge and common experiences governed by the Nevada Board of Regents.
that enhance critical thinking, leadership skills, aesthetic
sensitivity, and social integrity.
The university provides traditional and professional academic Thom Reilly, Chancellor
programs for a diverse student body and encourages innovative
and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching, learning, and
The Board of Regents wishes to advance student learning to
scholarship. UNLV simultaneously engenders collegial
relationships and a sense of community among its members. the highest level, foster the expansion of knowledge through
UNLV embraces the interdependence of quality instruction, teaching and research, encourage community service, and
scholarly pursuits, and substantive involvements in campus enrich the lives of our students, our communities, our state, and
and community life. The university offers artistic, cultural, and the nation. In fulfillment of this purpose, we hold the following
technical resources and opportunities to the broadest possible values at the center of our endeavor:
community. It promotes research programs and creative activities • Integrity
by students and faculty that respond to the needs of an urban • Excellence
community in a desert environment. UNLV is committed to • Accountability
developing a synergy between professional and liberal studies, • Inclusiveness
between undergraduate education and graduate programs, and • Creativity
between superior teaching and meaningful research. UNLV
• Innovation
increasingly is a dynamic resource for, and partner with, the
community that it serves.
Board of Regents
In its 50-year history, UNLV has undergone an amazing
Kevin J. Page, Chairman
transformation from a small branch college into a thriving urban
research institution of 28,000 students and 3,300 faculty and staff. Jason Geddes, Ph.D., Vice Chair
Along the way, the urban land-grant university has become a Dr. Andrea Anderson
dynamic resource for one of the country’s fastest-growing and
most enterprising cities. UNLV’s 332-acre main campus, located Dr. Patrick R. Carter
on the southern tip of Nevada in a desert valley surrounded by
Cedric Crear
mountains, is home to more than 220 undergraduate, master’s,
and doctoral degree programs, all accredited by the Northwest Carol Del Carlo
Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Mark W. Doubrava
UNLV Mission Statement Trevor Hayes
UNLV’s diverse faculty, students, staff, and alumni promote
community well-being and individual achievement through Sam Lieberman
education, research, scholarship, creative activities, and Cathy McAdoo
clinical services. We stimulate economic development and
diversification, foster a climate of innovation, promote health, John T. Moran
and enrich the cultural vitality of the communities that we serve. Rick Trachok
Core Themes
The core themes of UNLV, the objectives, and their indicators Allison Stephens
of achievement, express the mission of the university. The
core themes describe in broad statements what UNLV plans to
accomplish and reflect the values that are shared by faculty and
staff. Evaluation of the metrics associated with the indicators
of achievement will demonstrate how effectively UNLV is
carrying out its mission.
• Core Theme 1: Promote Student Learning and Success
• Core Theme 2: Advance Research, Scholarship, and
Creative Activity
• Core Theme 3: Foster a Diverse Campus Population and
Engagement With the Community
More information is available on the UNLV NWCCU accreditation
website.
2 Graduate Catalog
, A Message from the UNLV President A Message from UNLV'S Executive Vice
This is an exciting time to pursue graduate and professional President and Provost
studies at UNLV. The university is building on its considerable Welcome to the Graduate College at UNLV. Whether you are a
teaching and research strengths and is poised to enter the continuing student or new to the campus like I am, I encourage
top tier of universities. UNLV offers its graduate students you to explore the incredible opportunities and unique energy
exceptional programs, outstanding faculty, and a supportive that our university has to offer.
atmosphere. Faculty members are generous with their time UNLV is committed to our Top Tier vision of becoming one
and mentoring. Whether you want to advance professionally, of the nation's best public research universities. Our pathway
pursue an academic passion, develop your talent, or engage in goals are:
high-impact research, UNLV is dedicated to delivering a quality
educational experience. • Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
• Student Achievement
While embarking on your journey as a graduate student, you’ll • Academic Health Center
come to find that UNLV is a dynamic institution that contributes • Community Partnerships
to, and is embraced by, the community. There is tremendous • Infrastructure and Shared Governance
energy here. Your creativity and scholarly pursuits are of value
and will help shape tomorrow’s world. Thank you for looking Student success is at the heart of this vision, and it is having
at what UNLV has to offer. Together we can work toward a a profound impact on our graduate programs and the scope,
better future regionally, nationally, and internationally. We look complexity, and prominence of our research activitie s. The
forward to seeing you on campus. momentum on campus is growing in proportion to our significant
investment in faculty positions, facilities, and student support.
Cordially,
Dr. Len Jessup, President At UNLV you will discover a climate of innovation in which
faculty and students produce high-quality, widely disseminated,
The President’s Cabinet and influential research, scholarship, and creative activities.
The President’s Cabinet is composed of the university’s vice I wish you all the best with your academic pursuits.
presidents, assistant president/chief of staff, general counsel, Regards,
President’s Advisory Council chair, and athletic director.
Diane Chase, Ph.D.
The cabinet’s mission is to provide advice and counsel to Executive Vice President and Provost
the president on matters regarding policies, procedures, and
strategic planning.
Diane Chase, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President & Provost
Juanita Fain, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Carolyn Yucha, Ph.D.
Acting Vice President for Research & Economic Development
Nancy B. Rapoport, J.D.
Special Counsel to the President
Desiree Reed-Francois
Director of Athletics
Scott Roberts
VP for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, UNLV
Foundation
Elda Luna Sidhu, Esq.
General Counsel
Fred Tredup, Ed.D.
Chief of Staff
Luis Valera, J.D.
Vice President for Government Affairs and Compliance
Vince Alberta
Senior Associate Vice President of
Integrated Marketing & Branding
Graduate Catalog 3
2017-2018
University of Nevada, Las
Vegas
,Table of Contents
UNLV: Mission and Core Themes 2 Lee Business School • 41
Nevada System of Higher Education 2 College of Education • 84
Message from the UNLV President 3 Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering • 204
Message from the UNL Executive Vice President & College of Fine Arts • 304
Provost 3
Division of Health Sciences • 364
Graduate College Dean’s Message 4 School of Allied Health 373
About the UNLV Graduate College 4
School of Community Health Sciences 402
Your Graduate School Experience 6
School of Dental Medicine • 424
The Graduate College at UNLV 6
School of Nursing • 430
University Resources 7
William F. Harrah College of
Disability Resource Center 8 Hotel Administration • 452
Campus Community 8 William S. Boyd School of Law • 468
Libraries, Research Centers, Institutes, and Service School of Medicine 478
Agencies Admission, Registration 9
College of Liberal Arts • 487
Tuition Fees 11
College of Sciences • 605
Graduate Student Financial Information 20
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs • 670
Degree Progression Policies Procedures 25
Academic Policies 30
Academic Calendar 37
Discolsures 38
Accreditations 39
Graduate Catalog 1
,UNLV: Mission and Core Themes Nevada System of Higher Education
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, located in the vibrant and The Nevada System of Higher Education, comprised of
dynamic city of Las Vegas and surrounded by the Mojave Desert, two doctoral-granting universities, a state college, four
embraces the traditional values of higher education adapted for comprehensive community colleges and one environmental
the global community of the twenty-first century. UNLV assists research institute, serves the educational and job training needs
students in meeting the intellectual and ethical challenges of of the nation’s fastest growing state. The NSHE provides
responsible citizenship and a full and productive life through educational opportunities to more than 108,000 students and is
opportunities to acquire the knowledge and common experiences governed by the Nevada Board of Regents.
that enhance critical thinking, leadership skills, aesthetic
sensitivity, and social integrity.
The university provides traditional and professional academic Thom Reilly, Chancellor
programs for a diverse student body and encourages innovative
and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching, learning, and
The Board of Regents wishes to advance student learning to
scholarship. UNLV simultaneously engenders collegial
relationships and a sense of community among its members. the highest level, foster the expansion of knowledge through
UNLV embraces the interdependence of quality instruction, teaching and research, encourage community service, and
scholarly pursuits, and substantive involvements in campus enrich the lives of our students, our communities, our state, and
and community life. The university offers artistic, cultural, and the nation. In fulfillment of this purpose, we hold the following
technical resources and opportunities to the broadest possible values at the center of our endeavor:
community. It promotes research programs and creative activities • Integrity
by students and faculty that respond to the needs of an urban • Excellence
community in a desert environment. UNLV is committed to • Accountability
developing a synergy between professional and liberal studies, • Inclusiveness
between undergraduate education and graduate programs, and • Creativity
between superior teaching and meaningful research. UNLV
• Innovation
increasingly is a dynamic resource for, and partner with, the
community that it serves.
Board of Regents
In its 50-year history, UNLV has undergone an amazing
Kevin J. Page, Chairman
transformation from a small branch college into a thriving urban
research institution of 28,000 students and 3,300 faculty and staff. Jason Geddes, Ph.D., Vice Chair
Along the way, the urban land-grant university has become a Dr. Andrea Anderson
dynamic resource for one of the country’s fastest-growing and
most enterprising cities. UNLV’s 332-acre main campus, located Dr. Patrick R. Carter
on the southern tip of Nevada in a desert valley surrounded by
Cedric Crear
mountains, is home to more than 220 undergraduate, master’s,
and doctoral degree programs, all accredited by the Northwest Carol Del Carlo
Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Mark W. Doubrava
UNLV Mission Statement Trevor Hayes
UNLV’s diverse faculty, students, staff, and alumni promote
community well-being and individual achievement through Sam Lieberman
education, research, scholarship, creative activities, and Cathy McAdoo
clinical services. We stimulate economic development and
diversification, foster a climate of innovation, promote health, John T. Moran
and enrich the cultural vitality of the communities that we serve. Rick Trachok
Core Themes
The core themes of UNLV, the objectives, and their indicators Allison Stephens
of achievement, express the mission of the university. The
core themes describe in broad statements what UNLV plans to
accomplish and reflect the values that are shared by faculty and
staff. Evaluation of the metrics associated with the indicators
of achievement will demonstrate how effectively UNLV is
carrying out its mission.
• Core Theme 1: Promote Student Learning and Success
• Core Theme 2: Advance Research, Scholarship, and
Creative Activity
• Core Theme 3: Foster a Diverse Campus Population and
Engagement With the Community
More information is available on the UNLV NWCCU accreditation
website.
2 Graduate Catalog
, A Message from the UNLV President A Message from UNLV'S Executive Vice
This is an exciting time to pursue graduate and professional President and Provost
studies at UNLV. The university is building on its considerable Welcome to the Graduate College at UNLV. Whether you are a
teaching and research strengths and is poised to enter the continuing student or new to the campus like I am, I encourage
top tier of universities. UNLV offers its graduate students you to explore the incredible opportunities and unique energy
exceptional programs, outstanding faculty, and a supportive that our university has to offer.
atmosphere. Faculty members are generous with their time UNLV is committed to our Top Tier vision of becoming one
and mentoring. Whether you want to advance professionally, of the nation's best public research universities. Our pathway
pursue an academic passion, develop your talent, or engage in goals are:
high-impact research, UNLV is dedicated to delivering a quality
educational experience. • Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
• Student Achievement
While embarking on your journey as a graduate student, you’ll • Academic Health Center
come to find that UNLV is a dynamic institution that contributes • Community Partnerships
to, and is embraced by, the community. There is tremendous • Infrastructure and Shared Governance
energy here. Your creativity and scholarly pursuits are of value
and will help shape tomorrow’s world. Thank you for looking Student success is at the heart of this vision, and it is having
at what UNLV has to offer. Together we can work toward a a profound impact on our graduate programs and the scope,
better future regionally, nationally, and internationally. We look complexity, and prominence of our research activitie s. The
forward to seeing you on campus. momentum on campus is growing in proportion to our significant
investment in faculty positions, facilities, and student support.
Cordially,
Dr. Len Jessup, President At UNLV you will discover a climate of innovation in which
faculty and students produce high-quality, widely disseminated,
The President’s Cabinet and influential research, scholarship, and creative activities.
The President’s Cabinet is composed of the university’s vice I wish you all the best with your academic pursuits.
presidents, assistant president/chief of staff, general counsel, Regards,
President’s Advisory Council chair, and athletic director.
Diane Chase, Ph.D.
The cabinet’s mission is to provide advice and counsel to Executive Vice President and Provost
the president on matters regarding policies, procedures, and
strategic planning.
Diane Chase, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President & Provost
Juanita Fain, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Carolyn Yucha, Ph.D.
Acting Vice President for Research & Economic Development
Nancy B. Rapoport, J.D.
Special Counsel to the President
Desiree Reed-Francois
Director of Athletics
Scott Roberts
VP for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, UNLV
Foundation
Elda Luna Sidhu, Esq.
General Counsel
Fred Tredup, Ed.D.
Chief of Staff
Luis Valera, J.D.
Vice President for Government Affairs and Compliance
Vince Alberta
Senior Associate Vice President of
Integrated Marketing & Branding
Graduate Catalog 3
