Degree Program Info
Program Policies
Grading Requirements
S (Not computed in GPA) Satisfactory
U (Not computed in GPA) Unsatisfactory
S/U grading is authorized only for certain courses.
"IP" indicates that a student is registered for an approved research project that has not been completed at the end of a given semester but for which satisfactory progress is being made. This grade is temporary, and once the work has been completed it must be converted to one of the permanent grade symbols.
"W" indicates that a student has withdrawn from a course.
"I" indicates postponement of the completion of a course. It is given at the discretion of the instructor to a student who is doing satisfactory work but who has not completed all of the course requirements at the end of a given semester. Given such an extension, the student must complete all the required work, unless otherwise agreed, before the midpoint of the next regular semester. Failure to complete the necessary work within the stipulated time results in automatic conversion of the "Incomplete" to a permanent grade of F.
"AU" indicates that a student was granted permission to complete a course without a grade being awarded. Students must secure such authorization prior to the start of a course. Entry of the audit grade on a transcript assumes satisfactory attendance of class meetings. The student should consult with the College of Graduate and Continuing Education as to what constitutes satisfactory attendance.
"NG" is a temporary grade issued when a faculty member fails to meet the deadline for the submission of grade reports. Such temporary grades will be changed to permanent grade symbols when issued by the professor. Special permission is not needed to repeat failed courses; however, prior approval of the student's Dean is needed to repeat non-failed courses.
The recording of grades for repeated courses shall be governed by the following conditions:
- Credit for a course will be granted only once.
- Credit for a course will be lost if the course is repeated and failed.
- The most recent credit and grade will count toward the GPA with this exception: a "W" grade cannot replace another grade.
- Each attempt to complete a course will be reported on the student's transcript.
- Ordinarily, a student may repeat a course only in the same manner in which it was originally taken.
- A student repeating a course must indicate so on their registration form.
- Regular attendance at class is considered a requisite for successful completion of a course.
Good Standing
The University of Scranton tracks the academic progress of each graduate student. Those found to be in academic difficulty are so notified and asked to contact their advisors as soon as possible. Advisors are notified that their advisees are in academic difficulties. Students are provided at least two terms to bring their academic record into good standing.
Program GPA
All students must have a cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in order to graduate with a Master's degree. In addition, it is expected that all students must maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.0 in order to remain in good academic standing. If a student is placed on academic probation, then the student is required to earn a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.0 within the next three courses taken (normally nine hours of course work).
- Successful achievement of this expectation will result in the student's reinstatement to regular academic status.
- Failure to fulfill this expectation will cause the student to be subject to dismissal.
Grade Processing and Records
The University of Scranton maintains an academic record for each student who has enrolled in a course for credit and records grades and credits received by such students. The University will post on The University of Scranton's Information System (UIS) a grade report for each student who has completed a course for credit. An official academic transcript that sets forth all courses taken, grades received and credit hours earned will be available to each enrolled student upon request in accordance with The University of Scranton's transcript regulations. Students will be charged a standard fee for transcripts, currently $10. Student education records will be maintained in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and shall be subject to disposition in accordance with instructions from The University of Scranton.
Appeal of A Graduate Course Grade
A student who wishes to appeal the final grade in a graduate course should first contact the instructor of the course in order to remedy the situation informally. After discussing the matter with the instructor, if the student still thinks they have been inappropriately evaluated in the course, they may make a written request that the Chair of the faculty member's department review the process by which the grade was determined. The written request must describe, in detail, the situation and reason for appealing the course grade. The Chair will attempt to facilitate a reasonable solution at the departmental level. The Chair may make a written recommendation to the student and the faculty member following the review. If the matter is not resolved at the departmental level, then the student may request, in writing, that the Dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education review the matter. The Dean will then review the matter and provide a written decision to the student and faculty member. The Dean's decision is final.
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General Academic Policies
Graduate students are advised to review the Graduate Policy Manual.
All graduate students must demonstrate continual academic proficiency in course work. A graduate student with a grade point average (GPA) below 3.0 must show reasonable progress toward this standard required for graduation.
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Transfer of Credits
Transfer of credits to graduate programs at The University of Scranton is governed by the following policies (special exceptions may pertain to affiliation programs):
- Credits for transfer must be earned at an accredited institution while enrolled as a graduate student.
- A maximum of nine graduate credits may be transferred for graduate programs requiring at least 39 credit hours for completion and six graduate credits may be transferred for graduate programs that require less than 39 credit hours for completion.
- Courses to be transferred must be integral to the student's program of study.
- Transferred credits must have been taken within six years of the date of requested transfer to The University of Scranton.
- A grade of B or better is required in any course to be transferred, and an official transcript demonstrating this must be submitted for work at other institutions (including course descriptions of the credits in question). A grade of Pass or Satisfactory is not acceptable for transferred credits.
- The course to be transferred must be a regularly scheduled course (and not a workshop). Students matriculated at The University of Scranton may take courses at other accredited graduate schools for the purpose of transfer of credit only with the prior permission of their mentor and the Dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education.
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Time Limits
All graduate work for a degree must be completed within six years of the date when the first graduate level course is taken. Time spent in the armed forces is not included in the six-year period. Extension of this time restriction may be granted for valid reasons at the discretion of the Dean.
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Dismissal
The following conditions will result in academic dismissal:
- Two grades of D, F or U in any courses taken as a graduate student.
- Failure to meet the terms of probation.
- Judgment by the Graduate Council that the student is not making satisfactory academic progress or the student's presence hampers the academic efforts of other students.
In all cases of academic dismissal, the student will be so notified by a letter from the Director of Graduate Programs, and the transcripts will be annotated: "ACADEMICALLY DISMISSED."
Academic dismissals may be appealed for sound reasons, and students must present relevant information. Students must submit a letter of appeal to the Director of Graduate Programs by the deadline indicated in the Director's dismissal letter if they wish to be permitted to register for and attend classes pending Graduate Council action on the appeals.
If the appeal is denied or if no appeal is submitted within the time period specified in the Director's dismissal letter, the student's registration will be canceled, and further class attendance will not be permitted.
Appeals from Reinstatement Denials
A denial of the request for reinstatement will usually be considered final. Students who have additional, different or new circumstances may contact their advisor. A re-appeal will only be considered on the basis of new information not previously submitted by the student. The student will not be permitted to register for or attend class until a final decision on any re-appeal has been reached.
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Reinstatements
Students may be reinstated only by decision of the Graduate Council. Conditions for reinstatement may or may not be imposed. Dismissed students are placed on probation if they are reinstated and remain on probation until a 3.0 grade point average is achieved. The student's transcript will be annotated:"REINSTATED."
Dismissal After Reinstatement
If a student fails to meet any of the conditions for reinstatement mandated by the Graduate Council, immediate dismissal and de-registration from current classes will result. Further registration will not be permitted. The student will be so notified by the Director of Graduate Programs. The student's transcript will be annotated: "ACADEMICALLY DISMISSED."
Appeals from Second and Subsequent Dismissals
Appeals for reinstatement from a second or subsequent dismissal may only be submitted after one calendar year from the end of the last full semester attended.
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