& Student Handbook - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs 17
sculptural works, including the individual images of a motion picture
or other audiovisual work; and
• In the case of sound recordings, to perform the work publicly by
means of a digital audio transmission.
Information from Copyright Basics, Circular 1,
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html.
All undergraduate and graduate student work is protected under
intellectual property law. Students own all rights to their papers,
responses to assignments and tests, and final program papers and
materials, whether in written or electronic form. The university retains no
ownership in a student’s work created as part of a university course.
Students with exemplary work may be asked to provide consent to the
university for use of their work in a program library. The university may
use student work only when written consent is provided by the student
and all identifiable student information is removed from the work.
Writing Style
Students should consult their program policies for the program-specific
writing style to be adhered to for all classes within the program. A programspecific
writing style must be a recognized published editorial style. If not
otherwise noted, the use of the American Psychological Association (APA)
style is required.
Program Time Limits
Undergraduate and Graduate
All degree requirements must be completed within five years (15
consecutive semesters) with the exception of the Nurse Anesthesia
program. The five year period begins with the first semester of coursework.
Students who cannot meet this requirement may request extensions in
writing from their program director. This request is due by the last day of
the semester when the five year period ends. Extension requests must
show a willingness to complete the remainder of the degree requirements
on a contractual basis with specific tasks and deadlines.
Students who transfer from one program to another within the Schools of
Graduate and Professional Programs will have five years to complete their
degree, beginning with the first semester of the new program. All
requirements in this policy apply in the event of a program transfer.
Students entering the undergraduate programs with fewer than 60
transferable credits may exceed the five year limit by submitting a
timeline for completion of their degree. The plan must be submitted to
their adviser and approved by their program director and dean.
Doctoral Program
All core and track coursework requirements must be completed within
five years of the start of coursework.
Comprehensive examinations must be taken for the first time within six
months of the completion of coursework and must be passed within two
years of the first attempt.
Students will be allowed up to seven years following successful completion of
the comprehensive examination to write their dissertation.
The total time taken to complete the degree may not exceed 10 years.
Academic Probation
Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade
point average (GPA) of 2.0 within their current program. Undergraduate
students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 are placed on academic
probation.
Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point
average (GPA) of 3.0 within their current program. Graduate students
whose cumulative GPA is below a 3.0 are placed on academic probation.
To be removed from academic probation, students must raise their cumulative
GPA to 2.0 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate) or above after the completion of
six additional credits in the next semester within their current program.
Students taking fewer than six credits will be removed from academic
probation when they raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 (undergraduate) or 3.0
(graduate) or above with the first six credits completed in next semester(s).
Failure to do so will result in academic dismissal.
Undergraduate or graduate students who have demonstrated academic
deficiencies in academic performance or demonstrated deficiencies
related to campus-wide outcomes that jeopardize the successful
completion of their program will be placed on academic probation. To be
removed from probation they must successfully follow the provisions of
an academic plan formulated by the student’s program director in
conjunction with the dean and with input from faculty to address the
deficiencies. Failure to complete any provision of the plan may result in
academic dismissal.
Withdrawal from the
University
Voluntary Withdrawal
Students who wish to voluntarily withdraw from Saint Mary’s University of
Minnesota must do so in writing to the program director.
Administrative Withdrawal
Since all degree requirements must be completed within the degree
completion time limit, students who exceed this limit will be
administratively withdrawn unless an extension is granted. Students who
have not registered for three consecutive semesters will be
administratively withdrawn.
Students who have been administratively withdrawn from a course as a
result of an unauthorized withdrawal and not enrolled in at least one
credit during the same term will be administratively withdrawn from the
university.
Students who have been administratively withdrawn must reapply and be
accepted before resuming their studies.