2009-2010 Graduate Academic Catalog

6 Cedarville University Graduate Education 2009–10 Graduate Education Academic Information Grading System A This grade is given in recognition of excellent achievement by those at the very top of their class. A- This grade is given in recognition of excellent achievement. B+ This grade is given in recognition of achievement distinctively above that expected at the graduate level. B This grade indicates achievement expected of graduate students. B- This grade is given for achievement somewhat less than that expected of most graduate students. C+ This grade indicates below average achievement but somewhat more than minimal meeting of the course requirements. C This grade 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. F This grade reveals 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.” 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 coursework. 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 which is available at www.cedarville.edu/registrar . This date may extend to the end of the semester following the one in which the course was taken. If the work is not completed by the designated date, 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 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 academic vice president 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. Failure to properly drop a class will result in a grade of “Z.” (See Grading System.) When a course is dropped properly during the fall or spring terms, the action is recorded as follows: Fall and Spring Saturday-Only Format Week Course Is Dropped Action Before the start of the second class No record on transcript After the start of the second class W – Withdrawn Summer Modules Week Course Is Dropped Action Before the start of the second class No record on transcript After the start of the second class W – Withdrawn but before the start of the third class (one-week module) or second week (two- or three-week module) Changes in a schedule caused by cancellation of courses by the University will not result in financial penalty. For information concerning refunds due for dropped courses, see Financial Information. Continuation As an Active Student Graduate students who fail to take courses or otherwise choose not to pursue their graduate education (for example, as a transient student at another college/university) for a period exceeding two calendar years will automatically be retired from the active files of the office of the registrar. Reapplication for admission will be required to reactivate the student’s records. Withdrawal Policy The following procedure must be followed to properly withdraw from the University: 1. Obtain an official withdrawal form from the office of the registrar. 2. Request a refund for any funds due from the cashiers office at least three days prior to withdrawal . See Refund and Withdrawal in the Financial Information section of this catalog. Student transcripts will be marked with the appropriate grade once withdrawal is complete in accordance with established University policy. (See Drop/Add Policy.)