2016-17 Graduate and Adult Academic Catalog

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2016–17 Graduate Academic Catalog Page 9
Introduction Academic Information
Withdrawal Policy
The following procedure must be followed to properly withdraw
completely from the University:
1. Notify the Office of the Registrar in person or by telephone
of intent to withdraw and complete a withdraw interview
with a representative of the Office of the Registrar.
2. Request a refund for any credit balance on your account
from the Cashiers Office after the official withdraw process
has been completed and all appropriate adjustments to the
students registration has been completed. See
Student transcripts will be marked with the appropriate grade
once withdrawal is complete in accordance with established
University policy. (See Drop/Add Policy.)
Grading System
The following grading system applies to graduate programs.
Professional practice programs also use grades of C- through D-.
A Indicates excellent achievement by those at the very top of
their class.
A- Indicates recognition of excellent achievement.
B+ Indicates recognition of achievement distinctively above that
expected at the graduate level.
B Indicates achievement expected of graduate students.
B- Indicates achievement somewhat less than that expected of
most graduate students.
C+ Indicates below average achievement but somewhat more
than minimal meeting of the course requirements.
C Indicates below average achievement and a minimally
satisfactory meeting of requirements. This is the lowest grade
for which credit can be earned toward a graduate degree.
D Reveals inferior accomplishment and is generally
unsatisfactory from the standpoint of course requirements.
This is the lowest grade for which credit can be earned.
F Indicates accomplishment that is inferior in quality and is
unsatisfactory from the standpoint of course requirements.
Grades at this level will not be accepted for credit toward a
graduate degree. At the graduate level of study at Cedarville
University there is no provision for grades of “D.”
AU Given when a course is audited. To receive this notation, the
student must attend and participate in the course. No credit is
earned.
I An “I” signifying “incomplete” is a temporary grade given when
a student is unable to complete the work for a course on time
because of extraordinary circumstances, such as illness,
emergency, or other reasonable cause. This temporary grade
does not influence the student’s grade point average. To be
considered for an incomplete, the student must be passing
the course and have completed the majority of the course
work. An incomplete should not be given merely because
a student fails to complete all the course requirements on
time. The instructor giving the incomplete will establish an
appropriate completion date with the student by using the
Incomplete Contract form that is available from the Office
of the Registrar. This date may extend to the end of the
semester following the one in which the course was taken,
excluding summer. If the work is not completed by the end
of the following semester, excluding summer, the incomplete
will be changed to an “F” and will be calculated as such in the
student’s grade point average.
INC This notation indicates a “permanent incomplete,” a grade
assigned in special situations by the faculty member with the
approval of the Dean of Graduate and Extended Learning
Programs or director of a particular graduate program. This
permanent grade does not influence the student’s grade
point average. To receive a permanent incomplete, the
faculty member should submit the appropriate form to the
Vice President for Academics identifying the circumstances
warranting this special grade. If a permanent incomplete is
awarded, the grade may not be changed at a future date. To
receive credit for the course, the student must again register
for the course and complete the course requirements.
K The notation “K” signifies credit and accompanies courses
transferred from other colleges or universities. It has no affect
upon cumulative grade point average.
CR The mark of “CR” means that credit hours have been
earned for a course for which a letter grade was not deemed
appropriate during development of the course. Courses for
which a “CR” is possible must be so designated prior to the
offering of the course. That is, a teacher cannot award a “CR”
in a course in lieu of a grade unless that course has been
administratively declared as having a “CR” option before the
course began. Courses for which a “CR” is awarded do not
count in the computation of the grade point average.
NC The mark “NC” means that no credit has been earned. Credit
hours for which an “NC” has been earned are not used in the
computation of grade point averages.
W The mark “W” is used to indicate that the student withdrew
from the course during the second, third, or fourth week.
Z The mark “Z” indicates that the student did not complete the
course but did not officially withdraw. A “Z” is treated in the
same manner as the “F” grade when figuring the grade point
average.
Grade Points and Point Averages
Cedarville University uses the four-point system to determine
academic averages. Grade points are awarded as follows:
Grade Grade Points
A 4.0
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.0
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.0
*C- 1.7
*D+ 1.3
*D 1.0
*D- 0.7
F 0.0
*Grades of C- to D- are used only for professional practice.
The grade point average is computed by dividing the total grade
points earned by the total hours attempted. Grades are issued at
the end of each semester. It is the responsibility of each student to
discuss his/her academic achievement with his/her instructor.
Grade Appeal Process
A student who believes that a grade received is incorrectly
recorded, inaccurate, unfairly awarded or based on criteria
different than that applied to other students in the same class may
initiate a grade appeal. The process for grade appeals is available
on the website of the Vice President for Academics
using the “Policies” link from that page.
Students may also obtain the same information directly from the
office of the Vice President for Academics.
Petitions and Student Complaints
Student complaints about any aspect of a graduate program or
requests for exceptions to an academic regulation should first be