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Graduate Academic Policies
  

  • Academic Honor Code
  • Change of Address
    • Any student who changes his/her mailing address while enrolled at the College must complete a Change of Address form located on this website or by using the Campus Web (log in, click on the Student Tab then select the Personal Information link).  Forms are also available in the Financial Aid/Advisement Office.
  • Class Attendance and Tardiness
    • All students are expected to attend punctually, and for the full time, every scheduled meeting of each class in which they are registered. Poor attendance and/or habitual tardiness to class may not only negatively impact a student’s academic success, but may also jeopardize the student’s continued enrollment at the College. Exceptions may be made in cases of serious illness or other documented emergency. Absences are recorded beginning with the first class meeting and students are held responsible for all work missed as a result of absences. Each faculty member shall assess each course he/she teaches to determine what class attendance requirements are necessary to complete a course successfully. Students will be informed in writing of these requirements for each course at the beginning of the semester.
  • Class Scheduling
    • All students who are accepted into a graduate program and begin enrollment at Goldey-Beacom College are to complete their required courses at the College. Graduate classes are normally offered during the evening, starting as early as 4:30 p.m. and ending as late as 10 p.m. Classes may also be held on Saturday. A graduate student can request to have his/her future course schedules prepared when they are accepted. Any deviation from the planned schedule may or may not delay a student’s graduation. Students changing their schedule should do so with the assistance of their advisor, and have the advisor check the remainder of the schedule as well. Course offerings are not guaranteed for any student who has to repeat one or more courses. Approval from the Dean is necessary for students making special scheduling requests such as independent studies, course substitutions, etc. These requests must include an explanation and be submitted in writing to their advisor.

      If a student fails a class, it is the student’s responsibility to contact his/her advisor to adjust future class schedules accordingly.

      Prerequisites are designed to ensure students are academically prepared for course work in a subsequent class based on knowledge gained from a previous course.  The College requires that all prerequisites for a course be successfully completed (credits are earned or transferred in) prior to the student’s actual enrollment in a specified course.

  • Cumulative Index (Cumulative Grade Point Average)/b>
    • For Graduate students, the scholastic average is computed after the first semester and for every semester increment thereafter. A graduate student must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to meet the minimum academic requirement for graduation.

  • Curricular Updates
    • The College reserves the right to change curricula and course requirements. Such changes must go through the appropriate academic channels of the College before being implemented. The Financial Aid/Advisement Office is apprised of changes in a timely fashion so that students are properly advised and directed.

  • Developmental (Non-degree Credit) Courses
    • While evaluating a student’s undergraduate and/or graduate official academic transcript, it may be necessary to require a student to successfully complete prerequisite modules or courses to learn the essential foundations for the graduate course work. Grades equal to a “B” or better must be earned for successful completion of the prescribed courses or modules. The final grade is not counted in the cumulative index on the graduate academic transcript and the credits earned will not be applicable to any degree program.

  • Drop/Add
    • Once a student is financially registered for classes in a specified semester/session with the Business Office, it is the student's responsibility to make changes to the course schedule within the drop/add timeframe for that semester/session. The student must contact an Advisor in the Financial Aid/Advisement Office to make the official course schedule changes.  By attending a course, the student accepts financial responsibility for the full cost of the tuition and fees for that course.  A student or parent cannot request a course schedule drop/add after the academic drop period has ended for a particular semester/session. By financially registering, the student has acknowledged receipt of the course schedule and is responsible for all tuition charges for the semester/session.
  • Exceptions
    • Requests for exceptions to any academic policies must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Enrollment Management for review.
  • Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
    • Annually, Goldey-Beacom College informs students of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. This Act grants certain rights, privileges, and protection to students concerning educational records maintained by Goldey-Beacom College. These rights transfer from the parents to the student who has reached the age of 18 or is attending any school beyond the high school level. The law requires that the institution shall protect the confidentiality of student educational records. The law also provides students with the right to inspect and review information contained in their educational records, to challenge the contents of their educational records, to have a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory, and to submit explanatory statements for inclusion in their files if the decisions of the hearing panels are unsatisfactory. A copy of the policy statement describing the College’s regulations for this act may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office.
  • Grade Appeal Process
    • Students, who wish to appeal  a grade received on an assignment or a final grade received in a course completed at Goldey-Beacom College, must follow the grade appeal procedures.
      1. The student must discuss his/her concern with the individual faculty member who assigned the grade as the first step in this process. There is no "grade appeal" without this initial step.
      2. If the student feels that the grade has been assigned unfairly, e.g. there is a discrepancy between the faculty member's written grading policy and the way the grade was assigned, the student should document that discrepancy and submit the appeal in writing to the appropriate Cluster Coordinator within 60 days of the official end of the semester in which the grade was assigned.
      3. The Cluster Coordinator will render his/her decision within ten (10) business days and communicate the decision to the student via the GBC e-mail account with “return receipt requested” and letter either hand delivered or mailed certified.
      4. If the student wishes to appeal the decision of the Cluster Coordinator, he/she must submit the appeal in writing, within ten (10) business days of receiving the decision, to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) with supporting documentation attached.
      5. The CAO will review the case and make a final determination within ten (10) business days from receipt of the appeal. The student will receive written notice via the GBC e-mail account with “return receipt requested” and letter either hand delivered or mailed certified within ten (10) business days. The decision of the CAO is final.
  • Grading System
    • In each course a student will receive one of the following grades at the end of the semester: A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, F, W/X, or I. The grade of C is the lowest passing grade which is considered minimally acceptable at the graduate level. A failing grade of F is given for work which is unsatisfactory. The grade of W/X indicates an official withdrawal from a course and is not computed into the grade point average.

      The following scale will be utilized to assign grades in the graduate courses at Goldey-Beacom College:

      Grade Quality
      Range
      Points
      Per Credit
        A+ 95-100   4.0
        A 90-94.9   4.0
        B+ 85-89.9   3.5
        B 80-84.9   3.0
        C+ 75-79.9   2.5
        C 70-74.9   2.0
        F Below 70   0.0

      W/X    Course drop or withdrawal without course evaluation: Official/unofficial drop from a course or a withdrawal from the College without evaluation between the fourth and the end of the tenth week of the regular semester; not figured in cumulative index. (Dates adjusted for shorter sessions.)

      “I”     Incomplete: Incomplete, withheld grade; not figured in cumulative index.

      L      Listener: Officially enrolled auditor (listener)

      *       Repeat grade: Repeated course; lower grade removed from cumulative index and higher grade counted in cumulative index.

      The “I” grade is assigned because of incomplete work when circumstances were beyond the control of the student. The student must make arrangements with the instructor of the course to complete the missed work/examination within three weeks after the next regular semester begins (fall, spring, summer). Otherwise, the “I” will be replaced by the Registrar in accordance with the previous directions of the instructor, and the student will be notified of the change of grade via the GBC e-mail account.

      Academic credit is given for the grades A+ through C.  A student may repeat a course to improve skills, enhance knowledge, and/or affect their cumulative index.  All grades will appear on the official transcript but only the higher grade will be included in the cumulative index.

      NOTE:  A student who officially/unofficially drops a course(s) or withdraws from the College after the tenth week of the semester will receive a final grade(s). A grade of W/X will be considered only for the substantiated reasons satisfactory to the faculty or the Academic Honor Code Committee.

  • Graduation
    • To be eligible to receive a graduate degree, the student must satisfy all requirements established by the College. These requirements include:
      1. Successful completion of all degree program courses within 7 years from the time the first graduate level course is taken.
      2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.00.

      A degree/certificate will not be conferred upon any student who has an outstanding debt to the College.

      Notice of the student's desire to be considered for graduation must be provided to the Financial Aid/Advisement Office by December 15 preceding the annual graduation ceremony in Spring.

      For more information please see Petitioning for Graduation.

  • Honors and Awards
    • Graduates of the Master of Business or Master of Management programs who have attained superior academic achievement are recognized.  Degree curricula graduates who have earned a final cumulative index of 4.000 are cited by being graduated "Highest Honors"; those with a final cumulative index of 3.900 and above, "High Honors"; students with a final cumulative index of 3.750 and above, "Honors."

      Candidates for graduation who have attained superior academic achievement are recognized according to their cumulative index at the end of the last semester/session completed prior to the ceremony (spring semester is not included due to the close proximity of commencement with the end of spring semester).  Any student who feels that grades earned in spring semester may entitle him/her to academic recognition at commencement for which he/she is not eligible at the end of the previous semester/session may request the Financial Aid/Advisement Office to monitor their grades in the spring semester to determine potential entitlement.

  • Privilege of Attendance
    • Goldey-Beacom College extends to students the privilege of attendance. The expectation is that they will put forth a genuine effort. Poor attendance and/or habitual tardiness to class may not only negatively impact a student’s academic success, but may also jeopardize the student’s continued enrollment at the College.

      Upon enrolling, every student automatically accepts the obligation to comply with the College rules and regulations. A student may be dismissed from the College for poor academic performance or be suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons. Students are expected to comply and be familiar with the College's Academic Honor Code and Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.

      International students attending the College on an F1 visa must comply with the College's academic, financial, and disciplinary policies.  Students not meeting their obligations to the College may have their I20s canceled.

  • Progress Toward Degree
    • Twelve graduate level courses are required to complete a graduate program. All degree requirements must be completed within seven years after the first graduate level course is taken.  All degree requirements, including prerequisite curriculum courses and those approved for transfer, must be completed within 10 years.

      The College reserves the right to update and revise the graduate curriculum on an annual basis. Students who re-enter the graduate program must follow the curriculum in existence at that time.

  • Repeating Courses
    • The Repeat Policy is as follows:  A student may repeat a course to improve skills, enhance knowledge and/or affect their cumulative index.  All grades will appear on the official transcripts but only the higher grade will be included in the cumulative index.
  • Re-Entry
    • Students who miss more than two consecutive regular semesters must apply for re-admission to the College. Consideration for re-admission will include a review of prior academic record, previous financial record at the College, and compliance with the Student Code of Conduct. Previous course work completed at Goldey-Beacom College will be evaluated according to current programs; therefore, the longer a student has been out, the more courses he/she may need to complete in order to earn a degree. Depending on its content, course work which is more than 10 years old may no longer apply to a current program.

      Credits earned for previous course work at Goldey-Beacom College which are not required in the current program chosen are still included in the total number of credits the student has earned but do not apply directly to the new program.

      Semesters during which a student in the graduate program is not registered for coursework continue to count toward the maximum completion time for the degree. (See Progress Toward Degree)

      Students who are approved to en-enter the College will not automatically receive previously awarded Goldey-Beacom College sponsored merit and need-based scholarships.  Consideration for the reinstatement of the scholarship awards will include a review of the student’s prior record while in attendance at the College.
  • Release of Grades Policy
    • Grade reports can be accessed by students using the College’s Campus Web Module within 10 days after the close of the semester/session. Grades are posted at the instructor’s discretion using Blackboard. Grades will not be released to students who have outstanding debts to the College. Students should speak with their advisor if official documentation is needed for employer tuition reimbursement.
  • Release of Student Information
    • In conformity with the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (The Buckley Amendment), Goldey-Beacom College will release "directory information" upon written request unless a student files with the Registrar's Office a written notification of his/her desire not to have such information released. Directory information includes address, telephone number, dates of attendance, field of study, credit hours earned, degree earned, and honors received. A request to withhold release of directory information form is available in the Registrar's Office.

      No other information about a student will be released to any source unless the College receives written consent from the student.

      No information about a student, directory or otherwise, will be released over the telephone except in cases of extreme emergency.

  • Second Degree
    • Graduate students who wish to earn another degree with a different concentration must fulfill additional requirements and complete at least 3 additional courses for the other concentration, as appropriate. Students interested in earning a Master of Management degree after completing an MBA or vice versa are required to complete a minimum of 6 additional courses. Students interested in obtaining a second concentration or degree should consult with their advisor.
  • Standards of Academic Progress
    • The Graduate cumulative grade point average is reviewed for every graduate student after each semester, beginning at the completion of the first semester of attendance. At any time, a cumulative grade point average below the level of 3.0 will place the student in probationary status. Two consecutive semesters below a 3.0 cumulative grade point average may be grounds for dismissal. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or below will be grounds for immediate dismissal.

      Any student who is dismissed from the College may petition the Academic Dean for possible reinstatement to the College, but may not do so until taking a full semester break from the College. Petitioning is defined as submitting an appeal in writing for consideration to be reinstated. Reinstatement grants permission to register and enroll in classes. The written request should state why the student failed to make progress academically and what has changed that will now enable the student to succeed. The petition will be reviewed by the Academic Dean and a decision will be rendered within ten (10) business days. The Academic Dean may request an interview with the student. All decisions by the Academic Dean are final.
  • Student Responsibility
    • It is each student’s responsibility to understand the academic standards of Goldey-Beacom College and the degree requirements of the program in which he/she is enrolled. For assistance in interpretation of the requirements, the student may see an advisor.  All students who are accepted into a graduate degree program and begin enrollment at Goldey-Beacom College are to complete their required courses at the College.
  • Transcripts of Permanent Records
    • As a service to students, the College provides transcripts to students free of charge. Students should not, however, misuse this service. Transcript requests will be processed within seven (7) to fourteen (14) business days from the day on which the request was received. Transcripts will not be released to students who have outstanding debts to the College.
  • Transfer of Credits
    • Students may transfer a total of 9 applicable graduate credits from other regionally accredited institutions, provided those credits carry a grade of “B” or above. Such credits generally transfer as applicable curriculum substitutes.

      Students who wish to attend Goldey-Beacom College must supply the College with the information listed under Admissions Requirements as well as official transcripts from each graduate program previously attended.
  • Withdrawal
    • If a student finds it necessary to suspend registering for courses but intends to return to Goldey-Beacom College at a later date or continue graduate work at another institution, the Dean of Enrollment Management must be officially notified in writing. A student who does not register for course work in two consecutive semesters (excluding summers) is considered to have withdrawn from the Program unless he or she has the permission of the Dean of Enrollment Management. The time a student has to satisfy degree requirements is not suspended during the period when the student has not registered for course work.

      A student who withdraws owing an outstanding debt to the College is expected to contact the College's Business Office to immediately clear the debt. Student referrals to collection agencies and credit bureaus is at the discretion of the College. Students will be charged all collection and legal fees that the College incurs in attempting to clear the debt.


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