2012–2013 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

statute of limitations
Master’s Degree
A seven-year statute of limitations is in effect on all work applied
toward a master’s degree at Florida Tech. All coursework and thesis
research, including thesis/design project acceptance or final program
examination, must be completed within a total elapsed time
span of not more than seven years.
An academic unit head may approve a waiver of the statute of
limitations for up to six semester credit hours of coursework
taken either at Florida Tech or elsewhere, subject to the following
conditions:
Any course so approved must have been completed within the
previous 10 years, and with a grade of at least B.
Only those courses where course content has not changed significantly
in the intervening years may be approved.
The student must provide evidence of current mastery of the
course content.
The academic unit head must notify the registrar in writing of the
action.
In the case of a waiver request that does not conform to these
requirements, or a request involving more than six semester credit
hours, the academic unit head may either deny the request outright
or submit it to the academic dean, accompanied by proof of current
mastery based on a written examination endorsed by Florida Tech
faculty, with a recommendation for a favorable decision. In no case
will a waiver request be considered if the original course grade was
less than a B.
A waiver is in effect for a period of seven years from the time it is
approved. Courses over the time limit for which the limit has not
been waived may be removed from GPA calculations upon written
request.
Extended Studies Full Course Load and Time Limits
The normal course load for a part-time extended studies student
is two courses per semester, each requiring one class attendance
each week. This allows completion of a degree program in less than
two years; less if transfer credits are accepted. Although a degree
program may be extended beyond two years, the cumulative work
including transfer credits may not span an elapsed time of more
than seven years.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree
The statute of limitations for students pursuing a Ph.D. degree is
five years from the end of the academic semester during which
the comprehensive examination is successfully completed. If this
period should expire before completion of the degree and if the
student wishes to continue enrollment in the program, a new doctoral
committee must be formed and the comprehensive examination
must be readministered. This new examination should reflect
developments of importance in the area of study occurring since
the first examination, as well as areas of general importance.
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Degree
A student who has not completed the requirements for the degree
within seven years of initial enrollment will no longer be considered
a candidate for the degree. Appeals for reinstatement of candidacy
status must be directed to the Graduate Council.
Probation and dismissal
Master’s Students
Master’s students must continue to demonstrate academic proficiency
in coursework and must show reasonable progress toward
the 3.0 GPA required for graduation.
Master’s students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 are no
longer considered to be in academic good standing. Students are
returned to good standing by earning a minimum cumulative GPA
of 3.0.
Students no longer in academic good standing who fail to meet the
required minimum term GPA of 3.0 will have their academic standing
progress sequentially through warning, probation, suspension
and dismissal as outlined below. Students’ transcripts will be annotated
at the end of each term. Students and their academic unit
will be informed about the student’s academic standing in writing
at the end of any term when the cumulative GPA is below 3.0.
Academic Warning: When the student began the term in academic
good standing but did not maintain the minimum 3.0 cumulative
GPA required.
Academic Probation: When the student began the term in academic
warning but did not achieve the minimum 3.0 term GPA
required.
Academic Suspension: When the student began the term on
academic probation but did not achieve the minimum 3.0 term
GPA required. Suspended students will not be permitted to attend
earlier than one calendar year from the date of suspension. Any
exceptions must be approved by the academic unit head, college
dean and the director of graduate programs.
Academic Dismissal: When the student began the term on probation
after having been suspended but did not achieve the minimum
3.0 term GPA required. Dismissal will also result any time a graduate
student earns a term or cumulative GPA less than 2.0, or two or
more grades of U in courses taken as a graduate student.
In addition, any of the following conditions will result in immediate
academic dismissal:
A term or overall GPA below 2.0 at any time.
Two or more grades of U in any courses taken as a graduate
student.
Judgment by the Graduate Council that the student is not making
satisfactory academic progress, or that the academic efforts of
other students are hampered by his or her presence.
Academic Overview 47