Graduate Catalog - Shippensburg University

Academic Policies and Procedures(V) Request for Reconsideration – A student whose grade appealhas been denied may file a written request for reconsiderationwithin seven (7) calendar days with the appropriate academicdean of the college in which the academic program is housedupon the following grounds:• A demonstration of substantial procedural irregularities orinequities in the conduct of the hearing.• The student provides substantial new evidence that was notavailable at the time of the hearing that would have had a bearingon the outcome of the appeal.• The student is able to demonstrate that the Academic AppealsCommittee’s decision was erroneous or unfair.In the absence of a written request for reconsideration of the committee’sdecision filed with the appropriate academic dean in thecollege wherein the appeal arose within the specified seven (7) dayperiod, the committee’s initial findings and action on the appealfiled shall be final.(VI) Reconsideration of the Academic Appeals CommitteeDetermination – Within seven (7) calendar days of the requestfor reconsideration, the dean shall determine whether a compellingreason has been presented for setting aside the initial decisionof the Academic Appeals Committee. If the dean finds a compellingreason exists to take such action he or she may direct thecommittee to reconsider their findings and determination or takeother appropriate action consistent with the guidelines.Upon direction from the academic dean of the college in whichthe grade appeal arose, the Academic Appeals Committee shallhave ten (10) calendar days to reconvene and reconsider theirinitial decision on the grade appeal. The committee in undertakingsuch review and reconsideration shall examine and take intoaccount the concerns raised by the dean.Following review and reconsideration by the Grade AppealsCommittee, the decision of the grade appeals committee shallbe final.Minimum Academic StandardsAs a graduate student at Shippensburg University, you are expectedto maintain satisfactory academic standing, which requires acumulative QPA of 3.0 (B) or better in your total program of courses.If your cumulative QPA drops below 3.0 or you earn one C grade in agraduate course, you will be placed on academic probation.Students on probation must raise their QPA to 3.0 by the end ofthe next semester (or full summer term) in which they register. Anadditional probationary semester may be granted at the discretion ofthe college dean.If you fail to meet the conditions of academic probation you aresubject to dismissal.Some programs may require undergraduate courses be taken whilea student is enrolled in a graduate program. In this event, studentsmust follow the standards for undergraduate courses that have beendetermined by the department, and the university will follow thosestandards for dismissal when appropriate.In addition, some programs may require higher standards thanlisted above because of limitations imposed by accreditation agenciesand societies. Such requirements are provided by departmentsadministering these programs.Dismissal for C GradesYou may earn only one C grade in any graduate course taken atShippensburg University. This includes any courses that have beenrepeated and replaced with a higher grade. If you earn two C gradesyou will be dismissed from the university.A C grade earned at Shippensburg University may not be made upat another institution of higher learning for the same course.Dismissal for F GradesIf you earn an F grade in any graduate course taken at ShippensburgUniversity, you will be dismissed from the university.An F grade earned at Shippensburg University may not be madeup at another institution of higher learning for the same course.Notice and AppealIf you are academically dismissed you will be notified in writing bythe Registrar’s Office. You may appeal your dismissal by writing a letterto your college dean (with a copy to your department chair) by thedate indicated in the dismissal letter. All appeals will be considered bythe Academic Review Committee.Readmission of Dismissed StudentsIf you are dismissed for academic reasons, you may not apply forreadmission to the university for at least one calendar year followingyour dismissal. Students who are dismissed may not take classes as anon-degree graduate student and may not apply for admission to adifferent graduate degree program at Shippensburg.Students who have had their provisional or conditional admissionterminated may not apply for readmission to the university for at leastone calendar year. Applicants who have been denied admission to adegree program may take classes as a non-degree student with thepermission of the academic department offering the course(s) on acourse-by-course basis.To apply for readmission, you must submit the appropriate applicationform to the Registrar’s Office with the regular applicationfee. Readmission is never guaranteed following academic dismissal.It may only be granted if you present compelling evidence of somefundamental change that will allow you to perform academically atthe level needed to graduate.Earning Academic CreditsYou may earn graduate academic credits at Shippensburg Universityin several ways: by taking normal course work at the university,by working on internships, through independent study projects, andby taking courses at other accredited institutions for transfer back toShippensburg University.Registering for ClassesThe normal semester hour workload for graduate students variesbetween 9 and 15 credit hours. Students with less than 9 credit hoursare classified as part-time.Current and newly admitted graduate students may register forclasses at the university online during the registration period heldeach semester for the next semester.If you have an outstanding obligation to the university, a hold maybe placed on your account and you will not be permitted to schedule.Reasons for holds include but are not limited to: unpaid tuitionor fees, library fines, and final transcripts not submitted. It is yourresponsibility to satisfy the obligation with the office that placed thehold before you will be allowed to schedule.Satisfying Your BillIt is the policy of Shippensburg University that students who failto make appropriate, acceptable payment arrangements by the publisheddeadline will have their semester schedule canceled.When a schedule is canceled, the student may attempt to reschedulein the Registrar’s Office, subject to class availability. Payment isrequired at the time of rescheduling and a late fee will be charged.Students who have not registered for class(es) by the end of theW grade period will not receive any credit or grades for the course(s).Payment cannot be made and a grade retroactively assigned.19