Academic Policies

Transfer Policy

Students may transfer work from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher learning. Credit may be given for graduate level courses that are completed with a grade of B (3.0) or higher at an accredited college or university. Students will need to provide a syllabus and/or a course description of the course(s) for evaluation and an official transcript. Transferability of hours will be determined by the Dean of the program in consultation with the University Registrar.

Statute of Limitations - Time Limits

Graduate degrees awarded from Anderson University require that our students have current useable knowledge in their field: therefore, each program establishes appropriate time limits for their degrees. Students should consult their specific program handbook to determine applicable time limits.

Good Academic Standing

It is the University’s desire that all students successfully complete their programs of study. The following regulations are established to guarantee that a student is making satisfactory progress toward completing a degree program.

To remain in good academic standing, the graduate student must maintain a specific cumulative gradate point average. To be eligible for graduation, students must be in good academic standing at the completion of their program of study. Depending upon the discipline, the GPA varies:

Minimum GPA for graduate students:

Academic Probation

If a graduate student does not meet the minimum GPA required as outlined in their specific college in any given academic session (as defined by their college), the student is placed on academic probation. The student will be notified about placement on academic probation by their respective college. Please see the minimum GPA for your specific college.

Academic Suspension (Initial)

If a student fails to meet the minimum GPA requirement for two consecutive or non-consecutive sessions (as defined by their college*), the student is placed on suspension from Anderson University for a period of one session. Within 30 days, the student will begin to work on the academic success plan outlined by the student and the College Dean/Director. Students may apply for readmission into the college after being out for one academic session, as defined by the respective college.

Academic Suspension (Second)

Upon readmission, should a student fail to maintain the minimum GPA requirement for one academic term, (as defined by their college), the student is placed on a second suspension. Regardless of suspension, the student may not be readmitted until at least one calendar year has elapsed. Should the student reapply for admission, he or she will need to write a letter to the College Dean outlining a plan for change.

Repeating a Graduate Course (Initial)

If a student receives a grade of D or F in a course, the student may repeat the course one time without obtaining permission from the College Dean/Director. Only one course attempt will be calculated into the grade point average although both course attempts and grades will appear on the student’s transcript. Only the higher grade will be calculated into the GPA. If a student does not meet the minimum GPA requirement for their respective college, the student may petition to take a course with a grade of C for a better grade.

Repeating a Graduate Course (Second)

After repeating a course and a student fails to earn a grade of a C or better, the student may petition the Dean of the College requesting to retake the course a third time. The Dean of the College reserves the right to refuse a third attempt. If after the third attempt and the student fails to obtain a C or better, no additional attempts will be allowed.

Treatment of Grades, Course Work and Transfer Credits

1. Attempted credits include all courses listed on the academic transcript and include grades of A, B, C, D, F, I, P, NC, W, and IP.
2. If a student is permitted by their program to repeat a course in order to improve a grade, credits for repeated courses will count as additional credits attempted for financial aid purposes.
3. Transfer credits will be counted as attempted and completed credits for the completion ratio calculation and count towards the maximum time frame allowed.

Incomplete Grades

It is the student’s responsibility to request the grade of “I”, an incomplete grade, when some extenuating circumstance beyond the student’s control (e.g. serious medical condition with documentation, required change in work schedule, etc.) prevents the completion of a course within the standard time requirement. An “I” is a temporary grade and can only be granted when a student has successfully completed at least 50% of the work required in the course. When the student does not meet this criterion, then it is likely a WP or WF should be assigned.

To initiate the process for assignment of an Incomplete, the student should have an initial conversation with the course instructor. Eligibility for an incomplete grade will be determined by the instructor’s review of the student’s progress in the course and the documentation provided by the student such as medical statements or a statement from the employer, as well as consideration of their own availability to extend the time period. The maximum allowable time for an extension is thirty days.

When the faculty member agrees that the student has met the criteria to be granted an Incomplete, and he or she is willing to accommodate the request, the faculty member will download and complete a copy of the Request for an Incomplete Grade. The instructor and the student must agree on the assignments that will be submitted late, and the form must include a list of these items. Signatures by both parties on the form will be viewed as agreement to the stated requirements for completion. Once the assignments are listed and the signatures provided, the completed form must be delivered to the Registrar’s Office for processing. The Request for an Incomplete Grade Form must be submitted to the Registrar before the end of the last regular class day in a semester or term.

Upon receipt of the completed form, the Registrar’s Office will enter the grade of “I.” The instructor is required to submit the final grade within 10 days of receiving all designated assignments or no later than 10 days beyond the 30-day extension. In the unusual case when a grade is not submitted by the date indicated on the form, the “I” grade will be converted to an “F”. A student can access his or her transcript through the student portal to monitor the resolution of the course grade.

Grade Appeals

If a student perceives a grade to be unfair, capricious, or arbitrary he/she may submit an appeal in writing. The appeal must be initiated within one month of the grade assignment and must include a clear rationale for the appeal. For an appeal to have merit, there must be some evidence that the student has been treated inappropriately with regard to the administration of the University’s policies. The line of appeal is the instructor in the course, then the Dean of the college or their designee, and the finally the Office of the Provost. Each person to whom an appeal is made has five working days in which to communicate the decision to the student. Students should understand that mere unhappiness with a grade is not grounds for an appeal.

Withdrawal from a Course

Important: Please note any changes in enrollment during the add/drop period of course withdrawal at any point of the semester may result in revisions to your financial and/ or billing for the semester. You should contact the Office of Financial Services to determine the impact of such changes on your aid eligibility prior to adding/dropping or withdrawing from courses.

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must submit a signed and completed withdrawal form to the Office of the Registrar. This form is available at https://www.andersonuniversity.edu/registrar. Students should consult course syllabi and posted University policies to determine the date of financial responsibility and the guidelines for receiving grades of “W”, “WP”, “WF, and F in individual classes.

Withdrawing from the University

Under certain situations, it may be necessary for a student to withdraw from the University. A student should notify the Dean of the College if they are considering a full withdrawal, and then the student should contact the Journey Coach or the Center for Student Success where the withdrawal process will be initiated. Depending on the date of the official withdrawal, a grade of “W” or “F’ may be assigned. Students failing to follow the procedures of official withdrawal will be awarded a grade of “F” for all courses in which they remain registered.

Temporary Graduate Leave

In the event of unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances, which will prohibit a student from taking classes for one or more semesters, a student may request Temporary Student Leave. For example, a student may request a Temporary Student Leave for the following reasons: childbirth, military service, physical health, or mental health. Temporary Student Leave allows the student to return to the university within one year without having to reapply or to change catalogs. In order to qualify for Temporary Leave status, the student must (1) be in good academic standing with the university, and (2) provide support documentation and receive approval from the Dean of the College, (or his/her designee), in which the graduate student is enrolled.

Student seeking a Temporary Student Leave will complete a withdrawal form available in the office of the dean of their college. The Dean or his/her designee will be identified on the form as the clearance contact for the student’s return enrollment. Other approval signatures required on the form include the financial aid office and the library.

When the student believes that she/he is ready to return to the university, the student must request an interview with the designated staff member. Following an interview and review of supporting documents, the staff member will determine the student’s readiness to return. Upon determining that the student is ready to return, the staff member will notify the students’ academic advisor that clearance has been granted and that the student may begin the registration process.

If a student is initially denied Temporary Student Leave or if the designated staff member denies the student’s request to re-enroll, the student may appeal the decision to the Office of the Provost, who will assemble a review committee to consider the appeal.

Academic Honesty

Students at Anderson University are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. Just as academic honesty is vitally important to the value of a university education, academic dishonesty is a serious offense because it diminishes the quality of academic scholarship at Anderson University, and defrauds society, the institution, faculty, and other students. The policy on Academic Honesty and dishonesty is described in the current Student Handbook which can be found online under the Student Life section of the Student pull-down menu at the University Website (www.andersonuniversity.edu). The forms of academic dishonesty addressed by the policy include plagiarism, fabrication, cheating, and academic misconduct. Consequences for academic dishonesty range from a grade of “F” on the assignment or for the course for the first offense and may include suspension or expulsion for the second offense.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Anderson University provides accommodations to enable students with disabilities to access the University community in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations are determined based on current documentation and are made on a case-by-case basis. Adherence to academic standards that are essential to a course of study is generally considered non-discriminatory.

Students requesting accommodations from Anderson University must self-identify by contacting the Center for Student Success. Applications for accommodations do not ensure that the student qualifies to receive accommodations.

Students requesting accommodations must have a documented disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. All documentation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If provided documentation is deemed insufficient, the student must be required to provide additional documentation. Complete guidelines for documentation are available from the Center for Student Success. In general, documentation should include:

• Letterhead, name, and title indicating that the documentation was provided by a professional, trained in the differential diagnosis of disorders and that evaluation was performed within the last three-years.
• A clearly stated diagnosis which rules out alternative explanations and diagnoses.
• Defined levels of functioning
• An explanation of substantial limitations due to the disability
• Current treatment and medication
• Essential accommodations needed for postsecondary education, including duration and rationale.

The Center for Student Success determines the student’s eligibility for accommodations and for eligible students, determines appropriate accommodations.

Application for Graduation

Students nearing completion of their degree must complete an Application for Graduate Studies Graduation. Applications are accepted in the fall for spring graduation and in the spring for summer and fall graduation. Deadlines for application are set by the University Registrar and distributed to students. Failure to meet the stated deadline may result in a delay in time of graduation.

Students may apply for graduation by accessing the digital Application for  Graduation located on the web page of the Office of the Registrar.  Official degree audits are sent to the student’s Anderson University email account. All student applying for spring and fall graduation are expected to participate in the commencement ceremony at the end of the semester. Students applying for summer graduation are invited to participate in the December commencement. The Graduate Studies application fee is $100 for those applying by the stated deadline. The fee for applications submitted after the stated deadline is $125. Caps and gowns are ordered through the University Bookstore.

These policies apply to graduate programs at Anderson University in general. Program-specific handbooks take precedence at any point where the policies disagree.