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Leave of Absence and Grading

• Leave of Absence
• Grading
  • Grade Point Average
  • Grade-to-Grade Change Policy
  • "U" Grade
  • "IN" Grades

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence can be granted for degree-seeking graduate students in active status who must be away from their studies for one or more semesters for personal, family, financial, or other compelling reasons that are beyond the control of the student. Prior to applying for a leave of absence, students should consider the potential implication on funding and financial aid, including assistantships and veterans’ benefits, loan repayment, immigration status, health insurance, university housing, and time to degree completion.

International students should contact the Office of Global Education before the initiation of a leave of absence and before returning to campus to ensure compliance with immigration regulations and visa restrictions. for more information. Students can initiate a Leave of Absence request via FlashLine / Student tab / Requests and Authorizations / Leave of Absence for Graduate Students or Graduate Student Services form page.

Grading

Grade Point Average

Only work of high quality is approved for graduate credit. Graduate students are expected to maintain a 3.00 average in all work attempted at 51����. A student who fails to maintain a 3.00 average is subject to dismissal. In addition, in order to qualify for graduation, students must maintain a 3.00 average for all graduate coursework. Grades of C- and below are not counted toward completion of requirements for any graduate degree, certificate, endorsement, licensure and other non-degree programs, but are counted in the graduate GPA. Refer to the for more information.

Once grades are submitted, they are final and will not be changed except in cases of administrative error. Grades will not be changed by allowing students to do additional work (e.g., retaking exams; redoing papers; submitting extra credit papers, reports, etc.) or by using criteria other than those applied to all students in the class. In the event of a possible administrative error, the student must contact the instructor as soon as possible following the posting of the grade. If there is a dispute over a student’s grade, the student may follow the University Academic Appeals process outlined in the University Policy Register, section 4 – 02.3.
Grade-to-Grade Change Policy

With the exception of the IN (incomplete), IP (in progress) and NR (not reported) marks, once grades are submitted, they are final and will not be changed except in cases of administrative error. Grades will not be changed by allowing the students to do additional work (e.g., retaking exams; redoing papers; submitting extra credit papers, reports) or by using criteria other than those applied to all students in the class.

In the event of a possible administrative error, the student must contact the instructor as soon  as possible following the awarding of the grade. If the instructor is not available, the department/school chair/director should be contacted.

Grade appeals for reasons other than administrative error must follow established policy and procedures for student academic complaints; see University Policy Register, section 4 – 02.3.

Approved grade change requests for reasons other than removal of the IN, IP and NR marks must be submitted no later than the end of three consecutive terms after the grade was submitted or before the student’s degree is posted officially to the permanent academic record, whichever comes first. No challenge will be considered, or adjustment made after that period.

"U" Grade

The “U” grade denotes unsatisfactory performance in a course for which a regular grade is inappropriate. Credit hours are recorded as credit hours attempted, and the “U” grade is valued as an “F” in computing grade point averages. For graduate students, the “U” grade (along with the “S” grade) are the only grades to be used for thesis (6xx99), dissertation (8xx99), workshops and courses involving internship/practicum.

"IN" Grades

The administrative mark of “IN” (incomplete) may be given to students who are currently earning a “C” or better and are unable to complete the required work between the course withdrawal deadline and the end of classes due to extenuating circumstances. Appropriate documentation is generally required to support the extenuating circumstances. The student must initiate the request for the incomplete mark with the instructor, and it is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements to complete the incomplete work. Incompletes must be made up within one calendar year. The IN agreement between instructor and student must include the work to be completed for the course and the grade to be assigned if the work is not completed (default grade). In the event the instructor assigns an “IN” grade without a default grade, the default grade will be “F” if the work is not completed by the student. Incompletes will not be counted in the computation of grade point averages until the work is completed, at which time an appropriate grade will be assigned based on the instructor’s evaluation of the work submitted and a new grade point average computed. Unless the course is completed or an extension is granted, Incompletes will automatically lapse to the grade designated on the Incomplete Mark form at the end of one year.