Academic standing for graduate students is reviewed at the end of each term, including summer, fall, spring, and May. Graduate programs may have additional, program specific policies, that are identified in the program handbook for each program.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students maintain satisfactory academic progress by meeting the following criteria:
- An average grade of a “B” or GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of the program within the specified time limits and progress towards graduation
- Not on probation or subject to dismissal
Students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress may be subject to probation or dismissal from the program, based on the recommendation of the program director.
Probation Policies and Procedures
Graduate programs may have program-specific probation policies. The list below is not meant to be all-inclusive but provide examples of possible reasons a student may be placed on probation. Examples include:
- Failure of comprehensive exam with the first attempt
- Failure to make progress towards candidacy within 150% of time required per the program length in the graduate bulletin
- Violation of College’s student code of conduct (first offense) or violation of program-specific professional competence and ethical behavior guidelines/standards
- Failure to adhere to contractual obligations for internship/practicum/clinical site
- Cumulative GPA below a 3.0
- Program specific clinical courses with a grade below a “B”
Programs may have additional, or more stringent, reasons for placing a student on probation. A student placed on probation will receive notification of their standing from the Program Director within two weeks of the date that final grades for a term are posted or from the date of discovery by the program director. The notification letter will identify any program-specific terms and conditions associated with probationary status (e.g. signed performance agreement, timeline to regain good standing). Students should refer to individual program handbooks for probation policies and procedures. Students will be notified when they are no longer on probation by the program director. All letters of notification from the program director must also be sent to the Registrar and the Associate Provost.
Dismissal Policies and Procedures
Dismissal guidelines are in effect for graduate students upon completion of their first term of enrollment in a Loras College graduate program. Students will be dismissed for any one of the reasons below:
- Cumulative GPA below a 3.0 for three consecutive semesters
- Failure of comprehensive exams upon second attempt
- Candidacy denied
- Failure to comply with or meet standards stated in a probation agreement
- Violation of College’s student code of conduct with a second offense
- Violation of a professional or ethical code of conduct
Programs may have additional, or more stringent, reasons for dismissal. Students should refer to program handbooks for program-specific information.
A student who is dismissed from a graduate program will receive notification in writing from the Program Director. This notification will outline the reason(s) for the dismissal and the requirements and deadlines should the student wish to appeal. All letters of notification from the Program Director will also be sent to the Registrar, the student’s Academic Advisor, and the School Dean/Associate Dean.
Appeal of Dismissal
All students dismissed from the college have the right of appeal. A student who has been dismissed from the graduate program may file an appeal by submitting a written letter of appeal to the appropriate School Dean/Associate Dean. The appeal letter must be received by the School Dean/Associate Dean within five (5) business days of the date of the dismissal letter. During the appeal process, the student may remain in courses pending the outcome of the appeal.
Upon receipt of the letter of appeal, the School Dean/Associate Dean will request supporting documentation regarding the student’s dismissal from the Program Director and convene a dismissal panel. The dismissal panel will consist of at least 3 members of the faculty and may not include the Program Director who initiated the dismissal. The dismissal panel will meet, review all relevant information provided by the student and the program director, and deliver a decision to sustain or overturn the dismissal.
If the dismissal panel overturns the dismissal, the student may return to the graduate program and, at the discretion of the dismissal panel, may be placed on probation.
If the dismissal panel sustains the dismissal, the student may petition for a review of the decision by submitting a letter to the Provost within five (5) business days of notification of the panel’s decision. The request for review must be based on one of the following:
- The student believes the dismissal panel decision was flawed procedurally.
- College policy was not applied correctly.
- Additional information not available for the dismissal panel hearing is available, which could alter the outcome of the case.
All material provided to the dismissal panel will be provided to the Provost as part of the final review. The Provost will make a determination to either:
- Affirm the decision of the dismissal panel, resulting in the removal of the student from the program
- Overturn the decision of the dismissal panel and allow the student to return to the program. The student may be placed on probation at the discretion of the Provost.
The decision of the Provost is final.
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