Standards for Academic Progression and Dismissal View in Kuali Update Delete

Standards for Academic Progression. In addition to the following standards, master’s, graduate certificate, and doctoral students should consult the appropriate section of this catalog and their respective departmental or program handbook for program-specific requirements and standards. Schools and programs may have requirements for academic progression or graduation which exceed the minimum requirements set forth in this catalog for all graduate programs. It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the specific requirements of the school or program.

All graduate-level students at Southern Adventist University are subject to the following standards for progression plus any additional requirements set forth by their programs:

• Graduate students under regular admission criteria are considered degree-seeking candidates and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00, on all graduate courses including courses taken at Southern Adventist University for other degrees. Classes with a grade below a C are not counted toward the master's and doctoral degrees. Exceptions to this standard must be recommended by the School Dean or Graduate Program Director and approved by the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies.
• A student whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.00 in any given semester will receive a notification of academic probation from the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies. Students who have not shown an improvement in their GPA after one term on academic probation will be referred to the Graduate Curriculum Committee and may be recommended for dismissal.
• Students who are accepted provisionally to a degree program must meet the planned schedule for removing deficiencies or for earning a minimum GPA, as outlined by their admission letter. (See Admission Categories section.)
  • Students on provisional status may be permitted to enroll in specific classes until admission requirements are met, according to the guidelines set forth by their program.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.00 and all other requirements set forth by the department for provisional admission must be met by the time the student has completed six (6) semester hours of regular program coursework.
  • A student who does not meet this schedule is not allowed to continue except by the School Dean or Graduate Program Director’s recommendation and approval by the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies.
• Students under academic probation or with provisional status may not:
  • Register for more than 6 credit hours of coursework per term except by permission from the School Dean or Graduate Program Director.
  • Register for directed study, independent study, or internship/fieldwork courses.
  • Register for project, project continuation, or capstone courses except by permission from the School Dean or Graduate Program Director.

Standards for Academic Dismissal.

Graduate students who have an overall graduate GPA below 3.00 for two consecutive terms are referred for review by the Graduate Curriculum Committee, which may make a recommendation for dismissal from the program. The Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies notifies the student of a dismissal decision and of the process for potential appeal. A student dismissed from a graduate program for academic reasons may, following at least one full semester absence from Southern Adventist University, request permission from the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies to reapply. Convincing evidence will be required to demonstrate the student’s commitment to and potential for academic success.

Standards for Non-Academic Dismissal.

Graduate students who violate Southern Adventist University’s Student Code of Conduct, handbook requirements, or individual program ethics and professionalism codes may be subject to non-academic dismissal. Recommendations for dismissal for non-academic reasons will be reviewed and acted on by the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies in consultation with the Vice President for Student Development when appropriate. In doing so, the Dean must ensure that actions align with the ethical standards and professional codes of the student's intended profession as outlined by their program. The Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies notifies the student of the dismissal and process for potential appeal.