SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED

The minimum number of semester hours required for graduate programs varies. Additional course work may be required for a student with academic deficiencies and/or a limited background and experience. Additional degree requirements will be determined by the student's adviser or advisory committee with the concurrence of the dean of the appropriate academic discipline. This process may result in additional semester hours in excess of the minimum number of published degree requirements.

HOUR LOAD LIMITS

Definitions:

• A “semester” is defined for hour load limit purposes as 16 weeks of class meetings.
• A “term” is defined for hour load limit purposes as up to a 10 week period of class meetings.

Warning: Students who register for course work in excess of the approved load without prior approval and violates the University's policy regarding course load will be required to drop the overload or lose the excess credit.

• Temporary Admission Status
  Students with a temporary admission status are limited to a maximum of nine semester hours per semester or six semester hours per term. The definition of a “full-time” graduate student for admissions status purposes is a student taking nine semester hours per semester or six semester hours per term. A part-time student is defined as a graduate student taking less than a “fulltime” load.
• Conditional Admission Status
  Students admitted conditionally may take a maximum of nine semester hours per semester or six semester hours per term until the 'conditions for admission' are removed.
• Unconditional Admission Status
  The maximum load for unconditionally admitted graduate students is nine semester hours per semester, or six semester hours per term, or a combination thereof shall not exceed nine semester hours over a sixteen-week period. With the written approval of the student's academic adviser, the maximum load may be increased to 16 semester hours for unconditionally admitted students. Students who schedule an overload may not reschedule an overload in the subsequent term unless they maintain an overall grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale during the term in which the overload was scheduled.
• Graduate Assistants
  Graduate Assistants are limited to a minimum of six semester hours or a maximum of 9 semester hours per semester.

GRADUATE COURSE NUMBERS

• Courses numbered ‘‘9950’’ to ‘‘9999’’ are for workshops or continuing education credit.
• Courses numbered ‘‘7700’’ to ‘‘7999’’ are open only to students who have received the master’s degree.
• Courses numbered ‘‘6600’’ to ‘‘6999’’ are open only to qualified graduate students or to students who have already received the master’s degree.
• Courses numbered ‘‘5500’’ to ‘‘5999’’ are open only to graduate students and graduating seniors. Seniors must have the approval of the instructor of the course and meet unconditional graduate admission criteria. Courses numbered‘‘5500’’ to ‘‘5999’’ in business, English, history, and mathematics are open only to graduate or post-graduate students. A student may not enroll in a course numbered‘‘5500’’ to ‘‘5599’’ if it duplicates the same course listed on an undergraduate transcript.
• For the master’s degree and the Education Specialist program, 50% of the total graduate program, must be earned in‘‘6600’’ or higher level courses, except with the special permission of the student’s adviser and the dean or associate

GRADING SYSTEM

The following grades are given in the Graduate School: The grading system is based on a 4.0 grade scale (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0).

Note 1: If the student makes a "D" or "F" in a core course, the course must be retaken.
Note 2: If the student makes a "D" or "F" in an elective course, the course may be retaken or another elective taken in its place.

REPEATING COURSES

Students may repeat a course in which they received a grade of “D,” “F,” or “W.” Students who received a grade of"C" or below in the required research course must repeat the course and attain a “B” or higher grade to satisfy the research requirements in their program of study. Both grades will be counted as hours attempted in determining the overall grade point average.

INCOMPLETE GRADES

An 'Incomplete (I)' may be reported for students whose progress in a course has been satisfactory (e.g. the student is passing the course), but who are unable to receive a final grade because of circumstances beyond their control. An "Incomplete" must be removed by the end of the next semester of enrollment,or one calendar year, whichever comes first. Students should be aware of regulations related to "Incompletes." An "Incomplete" which is not removed during the specified time limit of one calendar year or by the end of the next term of enrollment, automatically becomes an 'F'. (The grade of incomplete cannot be applied to incomplete theses, field projects, practicums, or internships. The grade of IP must be used in these cases.) NOTE: Military and nursing students may have a shorter time frame to clear "Incomplete" grades and should check with their education officer or appropriate faculty member.

IP (IN-PROGRESS) GRADES

Students who show satisfactory progress in one of the following courses, but are unable to complete requirements in one semester, may be issued IP grades. No other courses are eligible to award the grade of IP. IP grades must be removed within one calendar year of the beginning date of the semester in which the grade was earned. An IP grade that is not removed during the stated time limit will automatically become a grade of “F.”

IP grades may be issued only for the following courses:

• Research
• Practicums
• Internships
• Thesis
• Personal Supervisor and/or Curriculum Development Field Problem

ATTENDANCE POLICY

In registering for classes at the university, graduate students accept responsibility for attending scheduled class meetings, completing assignments on time, and contributing to class discussion and exploration of ideas.

A student will be excused for class absence for circumstances beyond the student’s control or if the student has been required to attend an activity sponsored by the university. Faculty members who sponsor activities that require class absences must send a list of student names approved by the Dean or designee or Office of the Provost to each member concerned at least three days before the scheduled absence.

Faculty members may levy academic penalties upon unexcused absences; however, such penalties for unexcused absences will be a part of each course syllabus and will be distributed to each class at the beginning of each class and a copy filed in the departmental office.

Inclement Weather and Emergency Situations: Both faculty and students are responsible for meeting all assigned classes. In the event of inclement weather, faculty and students will be expected to attend classes as usual as long as they may do so without risking peril to themselves or to others. During periods of inclement weather, faculty and students will not be penalized for absences dictated by perilous conditions. In severe cases of inclement weather or other emergency conditions, the Office of the Provost or designee will announce cancellation of classes through the local and regional media as well as through the University’s web sites.

CHANGES IN CLASS SCHEDULES

The courses for which a student registers must bear the approval of his/her adviser and the appropriate Academic Dean. Changes in the class schedule are not permitted after the close of the registration period. Registration for a course makes the student responsible for completing the course unless he/she officially withdraws from the course(s).

• DROP (Definition: Student is still enrolled in at least one course after the drop is processed.)
  Drop Before Semester/Term Begins Students who, for any reason, drop class(es) before classes begin MUST complete a “Drop” form and submit it to the appropriate office before the semester or term begins. Any student who fails to do so will be responsible for payment of tuition and will be charged with failing grades.
• Drop After Semester/Term Begins
  Students who drop after classes begin must complete a Drop form and submit to the appropriate office in order to protect their records and to qualify for partial refunds (refer to local policy). Drop forms are available in the Student Services office or your site office.
• Drop after the Last Day to Drop
  Students who drop after the last day to drop without academic penalty (see Schedule of Classes for the date) will be awarded the grade of “DP” (Drop Passing) or
  “DF” (Drop Failing).

Explanation of grade status at the time of drop:

1. Before the Last Day to Drop Cutoff Deadline: The symbol"DR" (drop) will be entered on the student’s record for each course, and the hours will not be charged as attempted. See the Schedule of Classes for the exact date.
2. After Last Day to Drop: With the exception of those who drop for documented reasons beyond their control, students who drop after the last day to drop will be assigned the symbol "DP" or "DF" for each course. Students who receive the "DF" will be charged with hours attempted in the overall grade point average. See class the Schedule of Classes for the exact date.

WITHDRAWALS

Definition: Student is no longer enrolled in any graduate course(s).

A student who, for any reason, withdraws from all classes before the semester begins MUST complete the withdrawal form and file it with the appropriate office prior to classes beginning. The student must surrender his/her ID card with the withdrawal form. Any student who fails to do so will be responsible for payment of tuition and will be charged with failing grades.

Registration for a course makes the student responsible for completing the course unless withdrawal from the course or from the University is authorized. Students who withdraw after classes begin must complete and process the Withdrawal form to protect their records. Withdrawal forms are available in the Student Services office, Registrar’s office or the student’s site office. Exit Interviews are required for all withdrawals.

Students who withdraw during any term after the last day to withdraw without academic penalty will be awarded the grade of WP (Withdraw Passing) or WF (Withdraw Failing). The WP grade will not affect a student’s grade point average; however, the grade of WF will be calculated as an F grade.

Explanation of Grade Status at the Time of Withdrawal

1. Before the Last Day to Drop Cutoff Deadline: The symbol"W" (withdrawal) will be entered on the student’s record for each course, and the hours will not be charged as attempted. See the Schedule of Classes for the exact date.
2. After Last Day to Drop: With the exception of those who withdraw for documented reasons beyond their control, students who leave the university after the last day to drop will be assigned the symbol "WP" or "WF" for each course. Students who receive the "WF" will be charged with hours attempted in the overall grade point average. See the Schedule of Classes for the exact date.

GRADE APPEALS

Faculty members have the authority to grade student work and to assign grades; these are academic judgments. A faculty member’s syllabus enumerates student academic performance expectations and consequences. Faculty members render academic judgments when a student’s academic performance violates established standards or fails to meet stated expectations. Academic judgments, made by faculty, are based on academic content, course requirements, and student performance. Students may not appeal grades based on allegations concerning the competence of a faculty member, the fairness of examinations, the difficulty of a course, or other matters of a purely academic nature. While it is recognized that faculty hold the right and responsibility to grant a grade, a student who receives a course grade that he or she believes to be unwarranted for reasons other than those listed above may appeal that grade using these stated procedures. Grades for individual assignments and exams may not be appealed.

Step 1. Within the first four weeks of the start of the following term or semester in which the grade is received, the student shall have informally appealed the grade to the instructor. If that instructor is not teaching at Troy University during the term following issuance of the grade, the student will make contact with the instructor through the Dean’s, Associate Dean’s, UC Associate Regional Director of Academic Affairs, or local Student Services office.

Step 2. If the issue is not resolved at this informal level and the student wishes to pursue the appeal, the student shall request in writing a meeting with the respective department chairperson. This request shall be addressed to the chairperson via the Associate Dean’s or UC Associate Regional Director of Academic Affairs and shall be received no later than the end of the fifth week of instruction for the semester following issuance of the grade. The request must summarize the student’s complaint and the student’s informal appeal to the instructor.

Step 3. Within two weeks of receipt of the request, the department chairperson shall meet with the student and with the instructor, separately or at the same time. If the chairperson upholds the decision, the matter is closed. The decision is final.

Step 4: If the chairperson does not support the decision of the instructor, the matter shall be appealed to the dean of the college. Within two weeks of the meeting between the instructor and the chairperson, the dean, or their designee, shall meet with the student, the instructor, and the chairperson, separately or together. If the dean supports the original grade, the matter is closed. The decision is final.

If the dean does not support the original grade, the dean will inform the instructor of the decision and attempt to find a reasonable solution. If this is not possible, the dean will determine the appropriate academic remedy, which may include change of grade, and inform the instructor, in writing, of this decision. The instructor then will have two weeks to appeal the decision to the Faculty Council that will convene the Faculty Personnel Advisory Subcommittee to hear the issue and determine a ruling. (While this is an appellate right of faculty, the due process rights of the student will be observed during this process.) Barring unusual circumstances, the matter shall be resolved before the end of the first full semester (16 weeks) or second term following issuance of the grade. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the appeals process within the timelines set forth in this procedure. The decision of the Faculty Personnel Advisory Subcommittee is final.

Note: Students may not use this procedure to appeal grades resulting from violations of Academic Honesty. Students should refer to the Oracle, the University’s official Student Handbook for these appeals.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

See program for details.

RESIDENT CREDIT CALCULATION

Residency, the number of Troy University credit hours earned, must be established to be eligible for a Troy University graduate degree. Resident credit for a program is determined by deducting the non-Troy University transfer/transient credit hours allowed in the program from the total hours required for the program. Residency requirements vary by degree program. See specific programs for minimum residency requirements.

See the appropriate degree program for specific transfer credit requirements.

RETENTION

Graduate students may earn no more than six semester hours of grades below 'B'. Students who earn more than six semester hours of 'C' grades or below are automatically dropped from the Graduate School for a period of one year. Courses that are over eight years old are not computed in grade point averages for retention purposes. Quality points are no longer considered in determining retention.

Conditionally admitted students who do not attain a 3.0 grade point average (4.0 scale) at the completion of nine semester hours will be dropped from the program for a period of one calendar year at which time the student may petition for readmission.

PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

Grade Point Average
Students must have a 3.0/4.0 grade point average for all work attempted at the time of degree completion. Credits over eight years old shall not be used in computing the final grade point average at the time of degree completion. In the case of courses that have been retaken due to grades of "C" or below, all grades will be counted as hours attempted in determining the overall grade point average.

ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY

The Admission to Candidacy document serves as a formalized degree plan developed by a graduate student and his/her adviser. Together, the student and adviser plan and sign this
document, which is filed with the Graduate Records Office. Due to the nature of the Program of Study as an outline for graduate students leading to a specified graduate degree, it should be referenced during each registration. If students select courses outside of this plan of study, without prior approval, the credits may not apply toward degree requirements, but will affect the student’s grade point average.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY FOR THE MASTER'S DEGREE

1. To be admitted to candidacy, students must have a 3.0 grade point average on all work attempted and attach a copy of their current transcript to the back of the completed Admission to Candidacy form.
2. To be admitted to candidacy, students must be unconditionally admitted. Unconditionally admitted graduate students may apply for admission to candidacy after completing six semester hours of graduate coursework and any additional requirements outlined for the specific degree program. The formal application may be obtained from and returned to the office of the dean of the discipline or any Student Services offices. For further specific candidacy requirements, see the individual programs.

Policy Statement: Troy University is an equal opportunity institution and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, or handicap in admission or access to its programs.