Graduate Policies
Organization
The Graduate Council is the governing body for all graduate academic policies
and procedures. The Graduate Council approves all new graduate programs; authorizes
all graduate course work, policies, and degrees conferred by the university; and
sets standards for admission to and graduation from the graduate programs. The Office
of the Provost administers university graduate policies for the Graduate Council.
Classification of Students
Graduate students enrolled in nine or more credits per semester are considered
full time. Research and teaching assistants are considered full-time students when
enrolled in six or more credits per semester.
Final Examination Policy for Graduate Courses
Written examinations are held at the end of each semester. No changes may be made
in the announced examination schedule unless approved in writing by the chair of
the department offering the course.
After consulting the department chair, the individual faculty member may exercise
judgment regarding the use of a formal examination at the end of the course.
Absence from examination is not excused except for sickness on the day of the
examination, or for other cause approved by the appropriate dean/director. If an
absence is unexcused, the grade for the course is entered as F. A student whose absence
from an examination is excused may take a rescheduled examination within a 10-day
period on a date to be arranged between the student and the instructor in charge
of the examination. If the examination is not taken within 10 days, the grade for
the course is entered as F.
Grading System
The university-wide graduate grading system is as follows:
|
Letter Grade
|
Grade Points
|
|
A-
|
4.000
|
|
A-
|
3.667
|
|
B+
|
3.333
|
|
B-
|
3.000
|
|
C-
|
2.000
|
|
F-
|
0.000
|
Plus and minus grades are used inside the range of satisfactory performance. Grades
below B are unsatisfactory and consist of two categories: C (unsatisfactory, passing)
and F (unsatisfactory, failing). Grade point averages (GPAs) are calculated in the
standard fashion using the grade point values appropriate for the period in which
the course is taken.
Some courses may be assigned a letter grade of S (satisfactory), NC (no credit),
or IP (in progress). The mark of IN (incomplete) may be given when all course requirements
have been completed except for assigned papers or reports that the student has been
compelled to postpone for reasons beyond the student's control. Regulations concerning
incomplete marks may be found under the section Change of Grade.
A grade point score is computed by multiplying the value of the letter grade by
the number of credits for the course. As an example, a student receiving an A in
a three-credit course earns 12 grade points. Dividing the number of grade points
earned by the number of credits attempted gives the GPA. (Note: The marks of S, NC,
and IP have no grade points associated with them and credits with such marks are
not included in GPA computations. NC and IP have no negative impact on a student's
record.)
Each faculty member is responsible for preparing course examinations and determining
grades.
Policies concerning the weight given to examinations in computing final grades
and the kinds of examinations used may differ according to the preferences of individual
instructors.
Change of Grade
Final grades in courses for graduate credit may be changed only under the following
two circumstances and procedures.
Change from Incomplete and In Progress to Letter Grade. For causes beyond
reasonable control, a student may be unable to complete a course on schedule. In
such cases, the instructor may assign a temporary grade of Incomplete (IN). Graduate
students have only nine weeks to complete work in a course in which they received
a grade of IN. If the student fails to complete all requirements in time for the
instructor to assign a regular grade by the end of the ninth week of classes of the
next semester (excluding Summer Term), the mark of IN is changed by the Office of
the Registrar to F. The student is responsible for submitting work to the instructor
with sufficient time allowed for its evaluation.
As long as the mark of IN remains on the transcript, it is treated as an unsatisfactory
grade and may contribute to dismissal. A mark of In Progress (IP) is used for courses
numbered 999, 998, 799, 798, internship courses, and some other courses until such
time as all course work is completed. IP is not treated as an unsatisfactory grade,
nor is it subject to the time limit prescribed for IN.
Change of Final Grade. Once a final grade in a course has been recorded
by the Office of the Registrar, it can be changed only in cases of computational
error or other justifiable cause approved by the college/school/institute dean or
director. (Refer to Appeal of Grade.) All changes of final grades must be initiated,
approved, and recorded prior to the last day of classes of the next regular semester
(excluding Summer Term).
Appeal of Grade
Although faculty are generally the best judges of the performance of students
in their classes, there may be instances when a student believes a grade is unfair.
In such cases the student should ask the faculty member to reconsider the grade.
If the student is not satisfied, an appeal may be made to the head of the unit offering
the course (usually the department chair). The chair (or other recipient of the appeal)
should ask the student to return to the faculty member who assigned the grade for
further consultation.
If a mutually satisfactory agreement is not reached, the student may request that
the chair form a committee of three faculty peers of the faculty member who assigned
the grade. If the chair believes the student's complaint is not legitimate, this
reservation is reported to the chair's supervisor (usually the dean), and no review
is conducted unless the dean believes the complaint has merit.
The faculty member or the student may challenge, and have replaced, one of the
three members of the committee without giving a reason for the challenge. The committee
meets separately with the faculty member and the student to explore the full particulars
of the case. A nonparticipating observer of the student's choice may attend the meeting.
Every effort is made to avoid an adversarial relationship.
After the committee has reviewed the case thoroughly, it issues to the chair (with
a copy to the faculty member) a written recommendation including the reasons for
its findings. At this time, the faculty member has an opportunity to take the recommended
action, if any. If the matter is not resolved at this point, the chair considers
the committee recommendation and makes a recommendation to the dean. The decision
of the dean is not subject to further appeal. If the dean decides that a change of
grade is appropriate, and the faculty member refuses to make the change, then the
dean may direct the registrar to do so.
Grade appeals are not accepted after the last day of classes of the following
semester (spring for fall grades, fall for spring and summer grades).
Academic Dismissal
A graduate student is dismissed upon accumulating either grades of F in two courses
or nine credits of unsatisfactory grades in graduate courses. These are minimum standards
of academic performance; some programs have higher standards. A student may also
be dismissed for failure to meet other program requirements such as doctoral competence
examinations. The notation of academic dismissal is affixed to the graduate student's
official record. A student who is dismissed may not take additional course work at
the university.
Academic Termination
A provisional graduate student who fails to achieve at least a 3.000 GPA after
completing 12 credits as a provisional student is terminated from provisional status.
The notation of academic termination is affixed to the graduate student's official
record. Provisional students are also terminated after accumulating 12 credits of
unsatisfactory undergraduate course work. Graduate and undergraduate grades are not
combined in the calculation of credits toward termination or dismissal for provisional
students. However, nondegree students are terminated after the accumulation of 12
credits of unsatisfactory grades in graduate or undergraduate courses combined.
Change from Provisional to Degree Status
For a change from provisional status to be considered, a graduate student must
have completed 12 credits of graduate course work in provisional status with at least
a 3.000 GPA, supplied all admission credentials, and removed all deficiencies as
established in the student's letter of admission. Written confirmation from the college/school/institute
dean or director indicating the change of status is sent to the student.
Credits earned in the provisional status may be used subsequently in meeting minimum
hour and program degree requirements. However, a maximum of 12 graduate credits earned
in nondegree status may be applied toward a graduate degree. Students admitted in
these categories are therefore strongly urged to obtain faculty guidance before beginning
course work. Credits cannot be applied toward a graduate degree unless they are specifically
approved for that purpose.
Change from Nondegree to Degree Status
A student admitted for graduate study in nondegree status may request a change
to degree status within the same program. To do so, the student must secure departmental
and college/school/institute approval on the college/school/institute's Student Request
Form. All admission requirements as normally defined by the student's program for
degree status must be met (e.g., official transcripts, letters of recommendation,
etc.). If the student intends to use credits earned in nondegree status toward a
degree, the credits must be approved on the college/school/institute's Transfer of
Credit form. However, a maximum of 12 graduate credits earned in nondegree status
may be applied toward a graduate degree.
Transfer of Credit for WorkTaken Before Admimssion
With the recommendation of the appropriate program faculty and approval of the
appropriate dean or director, a master's student may transfer up to six graduate
credits earned at other accredited institutions. Up to 12 credits may be transferred
within the Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program, the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary
Studies program, and the Master of Arts in Telecommunications program. Undergraduate
courses taken at other institutions are not transferable for credit to graduate programs
within the university. All graduate work offered as transfer credit must be applicable
to the degree program the student is pursuing at George Mason University.
Credit is normally considered for transfer, upon the request of the student, at
the time of initial registration as a degree student. Transfer of credit requests
from provisional students are not considered until such students are advanced to
degree status. The collegiate dean/director sends students written confirmation of
all credits approved for transfer.
A maximum of three transfer credits from other universities may be applied toward
a graduate certificate program with the approval of the certificate coordinator and
the appropriate dean or director. All other general policies applicable to transfer
credit to degree programs apply to transfer credit for certificate programs.
Criteria for Transferable Credit
To be accepted for transfer, previous credits must have been earned within six
years prior to admission. Credits previously applied toward a degree at another institution
or at George Mason are not allowed as transfer credit for degree programs. Up to
three credits previously earned in a master's program may be transferred into a certificate
program.
In all cases of courses accepted for transfer of credit, a minimum grade of B
must have been earned and the courses must be applicable toward a degree at the institution
offering the course. Extension and in-service courses that are not intended by the
institution offering the courses to be part of a degree program are not acceptable
for transfer to the university. The student is responsible for furnishing such evidence.
The college/school/institute dean or director decides whether work taken elsewhere
and presented for transfer credit to a graduate program at the university is acceptable.
Departmental recommendation alone is insufficient.
Course at Other Institutions
A student enrolled in a degree program may take graduate courses at another accredited
institution and apply these credits to a master's or doctoral degree with the prior
approval of the department and the college/school/institute. Students may earn up
to 6 transfer credits toward a master's degree or 12 credits toward a doctoral degree.
Permission to take a course elsewhere must be secured in writing from the college/school/institute
dean or director before registering at the other institution. Permission forms to
take course work elsewhere are available in the graduate office of the college, school,
or institute. The student is responsible for having an official transcript submitted
to the college/school/institute's office for evaluation.
Permission does not exempt a graduate student from satisfying the 18-credit minimum
for a master's degree or the 36-credit minimum for a doctoral degree of course work
taken at the university.
Student Requests and Appeals
A graduate student who wishes to request an exception to published academic regulations
or to appeal decisions involving the application of academic regulations to a program
of study may do so by submitting a petition to his or her college/school/institute
dean or director. Local academic units provide a mechanism for grade appeal. Thus
all grade appeals should be submitted to the department responsible for the course.
Late Adds
All students are expected to enroll by the end of the add period and will be added
to a class after this period only for extraordinary reasons. Students are advised
that they will not receive credit for courses unless their names are on the official
class rosters and final grade sheets. This must be done through the official registration
procedures such as 4GMU. Students are responsible for checking their schedules on
4GMU or MasonLink before the end of the add or drop period to verify that their schedules
are correct and they are properly enrolled. Students will not be allowed to remain
in classes unless they are properly enrolled. "Retroactive credit" will
not be awarded to students who report that they attended classes but were not on
the official rosters. All classes for which a student is enrolled past the drop deadline
will remain part of the official academic record.
Catalog in Effect for Graduation
Graduate students may choose to graduate under the catalog in effect when they
were admitted or the catalog in effect when they graduate or any catalog that was
in effect during the time of their enrollment. However, students who have been inactive
more than one year must graduate under a catalog in effect after they have been granted
permission to re-enroll.
Degree Application
All students should initially declare and then maintain an "expected graduation
date" from George Mason through 4GMU. In their final semester, graduate students
who expect to complete degree requirements must confirm their intent to graduate
through the registrar's website by the end of the fifth week of classes for that
semester. August graduates are processed according to the deadlines for the previous
spring semester. Applications may be obtained through the registrar's website and
are due in the Office of the Registrar eight to ten weeks after the first day of
classes. Graduation applications will not carry over to the next semester if postponed¬students
must reapply each semester. For a degree to be conferred, all course work must be
completed, even if the course work is not being applied to the degree. Graduate students
must complete non-course degree requirements (i.e. orals, thesis, comprehensive exam,
defense, etc.) before the degree conferral date. Separate applications for each degree
or certificate are necessary.
Students must have active registration status the semester of graduation. If all
course work has been completed, a special registration must be obtained.
Foreign Language Requirement
Several degree programs require that a student demonstrate a proficiency in one
or more foreign languages as part of the degree requirements established by the program
faculty. Such a requirement is listed under the degree requirements for a specific
degree in the academic program section of this catalog. Certification of the successful
completion of the foreign language requirement should be sent by the academic advisor
to the collegiate dean.
Commencement
Master's candidates who declare their intent to graduate in August but who have
not yet completed all degree requirements may participate in the commencement ceremony
in anticipation of the completion of the degree. Their names are marked with an asterisk
identifying them as master's candidates pending completion of all requirements. Doctoral
students may participate only if they have successfully completed all degree requirements
including defending and submitting a signed final copy of their dissertation before
the commencement date.
Students who have completed all degree requirements except for a required internship
may participate if they are attending the internship at the time of commencement
and will have completed the internship by September 10.
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