academic policies
Grade information
A letter grade system with pluses and minuses is used. The numerical values assigned are as follows:
|
Excellent |
Very Good |
Good |
Passing |
Failing |
|||||||
Letter |
A |
A- |
B+ |
B |
B- |
C+ |
C |
C- |
D+ |
D |
D- |
F |
Value |
4.0 |
3.7 |
3.3 |
3.0 |
2.7 |
2.3 |
2.0 |
1.7 |
1.3 |
1.0 |
0.7 |
0.0 |
- NR = Ongoing: a grade of NR in practica must be converted to an earned grade one year from the date of registration. After one year, the NR becomes a W and the student must register again and pay full tuition.
- S = Satisfactory
- U = Unsatisfactory
- W = Withdrawal prior to seventh week of class
- WP = Withdraw passing—after the seventh week of class
- WF = Withdraw failing—after the seventh week of class
A cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.00) is required for admission to degree candidacy and for graduation in the following graduate programs: Business Administration, Counseling Psychology, Education, English, Forensic Science, Health Education, Humanities, International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Public Health. A cumulative grade point average of “B–” (2.70) is required for graduation in the following programs: Doctor of Physical Therapy, Genetic Counseling and Medical Science (Physician Assistant).
A grade below “C” may not be applied toward a degree. Only 6 credits of “C” will count toward a degree in the following programs: Business Administration, Counseling Psychology, Education, English, Health Education, Humanities, International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Public Health. A student must petition to repeat a course; however, the original grade remains on the transcript. No more than two concentration courses may be repeated.
If a failing grade is received (“C–” or below), the course may be repeated one time only with the adviser’s permission.
A grade below “B–” is not permitted for Education Department courses required for certification, and students must obtain permission from their adviser to retake a certification course.
A grade of “B” or above is required to meet certification standards for the following courses:
- ED 470 Graduate Student Teaching Practicum, Early Childhood and Elementary
- ED 471 Graduate Student Teaching Practicum, Secondary
- ED 474 Graduate Student Teaching Practicum, Art Education
- ED 478 Graduate Student Teaching Practicum, Environmental Education
- ED 520B Intern Practicum
- ED 579 Practicum: School Librarian
- ED 583B Fieldwork
- ED 590 Fieldwork in Inclusive Education
- ED 592 Graduate Student Teaching Practicum: Special Education/Elementary
- ED 593 Fieldwork in Environmental Education
- ED 595 Literacy Seminar/Language and Literacy Project
- ED 597 Graduate Student Teaching Practicum: Special Education
- ED 600 Practicum: Supervision
- ED 639 Practicum: Principalship
- ED 649 Practicum: The Superintendency
NOTE: These policies also apply to non-degree-seeking graduate students enrolled in certification programs.
Incomplete Grades
In circumstances such as illness or personal emergency, a grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be approved by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies if the student is unable to finish the course requirements by the end of the term but is passing the course. Students who have received an Incomplete grade must meet the conditions for its removal the semester following the original course enrollment or the date indicated on the official Incomplete card. If the Incomplete is not removed by the specified date, the default grade indicated on the Incomplete card will be recorded for the course. No more than two Incomplete grades may be received in a given semester, one of which must be removed before the student is allowed to enroll in more courses. Instructors must obtain an “Incomplete Grade Request” form from the College of Graduate Studies and return it to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies for approval.
Academic Standing
To continue in good academic standing, students in Business Administration, Counseling Psychology, Education, English, Forensic Science, Health Education, Humanities, International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Public Health are expected to maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. If the cumulative average falls below 3.0, the student is placed on probation and notified by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, in writing, of the conditions that must be met in order to be removed from probation and continue in the program. If the cumulative average falls below 2.7, or if a student in good standing receives a grade of “C–” to “F,” the student may be dismissed from the program.
A student must be in good academic standing with a 3.0 cumulative average in order to apply for admission to degree candidacy. If, after admission to degree candidacy, the average falls below 3.0, but no lower than 2.75, the student may be placed on probation. If the average falls below 2.75, the student may be dismissed from the program. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation. Students in the Doctor of Education in Special Education program must maintain a 3.0 GPA. Please refer to individual programs for additional policies on academic standing. To continue in good academic standing, students in Genetic Counseling, Medical Science (Physician Assistant), and Physical Therapy are expected to maintain a 2.7 cumulative grade point average. Please refer to the program listing for degree-specific academic requirements.
Credit by Examination
Students are permitted to earn credit by examination for any undergraduate deficiencies they may have, but not for credit to be counted toward a graduate degree.
Grades Review
Students who believe that an academic injustice has occurred relative to a grade received should meet with the instructor to resolve the problem. If the problem is not resolved at this level, the student should contact the appropriate department chair. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of that meeting, the student submits to the Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies (Taylor Hall, Room 102) a “Request for Grade Review” form, signed by the student and the student’s faculty adviser. Along with the form, the student must include a detailed written explanation of the situation.
The Associate Dean will initiate an investigation. If it is determined that the grade was appropriate and there was no differential treatment of the student, the grade will stand. If the student requests a hearing by the Graduate Academic Standing and Petitions Committee, the student must present substantial new evidence to support the claim that an injustice has occurred. The Committee makes a recommendation to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, and the Dean informs the student of the final decision.
Petitions for change of grades will not be accepted after one calendar year from the time of the start of the course(s) in question, or after the completion of the program in which the student is matriculated, whichever date comes first.