University Senate

Policy 418.1

Graduate Scholastic Standards
(Proposal 4-12)
(Proposal 17-13)
(Proposal 60-20)

Senate Policy 418.1

 

Background/Rationale
This proposal seeks to establish a policy whereby scholastic standards for graduate coursework are defined. The policy will also serve to separate the scholastic coursework standards from related policy covering academic dismissal. The policy will formalize longstanding practice in the Graduate School. It has been reviewed by the Graduate School, Graduate Faculty Council, Graduate Student Government, and legal counsel.

Policy Statement
Graduate students must earn grades that meet the scholastic standards of the Graduate School in order to apply the credits earned to a graduate degree or graduate certificate. Courses taken as a graduate student with grades that have not met the scholastic standards of the Graduate School may be repeated.

Policy Requirements
To apply credits earned in non-research courses to a graduate degree or graduate certificate,
the courses:

  • Must be graded. Pass/fail, audit, or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades cannot be used on a degree schedule, except for research credits.
  • Must have a grade of “B” or better. This requirement can be adjusted at the discretion of a student's graduate program to allow for use of BC, C, or SCV grades in up to six (6) credits. At the discretion of the graduate program, an additional three (3) credits of SCV may be allowed to count toward degree requirements.

Reason for Policy
This policy is a formal statement of longstanding practice in the Graduate School. Graduate scholastic standards exist to set the standard for academic performance at the graduate level.

Related Policy Information
This policy has been reviewed by the Graduate School, Graduate Faculty Council, Graduate Student Government, and legal counsel.

Grades in courses that are not on a degree schedule affect overall GPA. Courses not used on the degree schedule may be audited or taken pass/fail so as not to affect GPA.

Grades are assigned in accordance with University procedures. The following resources address the University policies regarding grades.

Exclusions
This policy does not apply to undergraduate students.

Contact(s)
Office/Unit Telephone Number
Graduate School (906) 487-2327

Definitions
Scholastic Standards - A set of criteria that must be met for grades earned in courses in order to use the credits toward a graduate degree.

Responsibilities
Graduate Student - Must be aware of University policies and earn grades that meet the scholastic standards of the Graduate School. Must complete a degree schedule at least one semester prior to anticipated completion of the degree and submit it to the Graduate School.

Graduate School - Must review degree schedule to ensure compliance with graduate scholastic standards.

Procedures
In support of this policy, the following procedures are included:

  • No procedures necessary for this policy

Forms and Instructions
In support of this policy, the following forms/instructions are included:

  • No forms necessary for this policy

Appendices
NA

Additional Information
NA

History
Proposal 4-12:
Introduced to Senate: 21 September 2011
Approved by Senate: 05 October 2011
Approved by Administration with grammatical suggestion in blue: 21 October 2011

Proposal 17-13:
Introduced to Senate: 23 January 2013
Approved by Senate: 6 February 2013
Approved by Administration: 11 February 2013

Proposal 60-20:
Introduced to Senate: 4/22/20
Approved by Senate: 4/22/20
Approved by Administration: 4/27/20