Academic Policies & Procedures

Academic Policy And Philosophy

Monroe College’s academic policies are designed to encourage excellence in education and allow the student to develop his or her academic potential to the fullest. Students are encouraged to make the necessary commitment to their studies so that they will be successful.

Academic Calendar

Monroe operates a conventional fifteen-week semester calendar. There are three semesters available per year: Fall, Winter and Spring.

Assessments and Grades

The evaluation of a student’s performance and final assessment in a course may take a variety of forms; such as a test or examination, presentation, project, team project, or other assignment or a combination of assignments.

Academic Standards

In order to be in good academic standing graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in both the core and elective courses at the end of each semester. Students needing to take the foundation courses must achieve a grade of B in each foundation course. The KGS grading system is as follows:

Policy Regarding Grades Of “W” and “AW” Official Withdrawals

“W”

A student who is withdrawn but has given oral or written notification to his or her counselor in the King Graduate School office, will receive grades of “W.”

“AW”

A student who is unofficially withdrawn, who has not given oral or written notification to his or her counselor in the King Graduate School Office will receive grades of “AW.”

Official Withdrawals

A student who officially withdraws by filling out a Mid- Semester Leave in the King Graduate School Office will receive grades of “W.”

Grade Point Average

The grade point average (GPA) is obtained by multiplying the Grade Point Value by the number of credits assigned to a course, totaling the Grade Points (GP), and then dividing by the total number of credits attempted.

The Effect of Grades on a Student’s GPA

• The grade of W will not affect the GPA.
• Grades for Foundation Courses will not affect the GPA but may affect dismissal and probation decisions.
• A grade of W or AW indicates that a student withdrew from a course prior to its completion.
• A grade of F will affect the GPA (if this course is repeated, the new grade will replace the F in the student’s GPA calculation).
• A grade of AW is equivalent to an F and affects the GPA. However, if this course is repeated, the new grade will replace the AW in the student’s GPA.

Degree Completion

Students are expected to complete the degree in six (6) years. Any student seeking an extension of this limit must obtain prior approval.

Credit Hour

A “lecture” credit hour represents the equivalent of 15, 50-minute class meetings during a 15-week semester. A “lab” credit hour represents the equivalent of 45, 50- minute class meetings during a 15-week semester.

Incomplete Grades

Any student finding it necessary to request a temporary grade of incomplete in a graduate class is required to consult with the faculty member for that course and obtain approval for the incomplete grade along with the signature of the instructor and the appropriate academic officer of the college, before the last day of class. A course with a grade of “I” will be considered as a course attempted and will be calculated with 0 Quality Points. Completion must be accomplished within two weeks after the beginning of the next semester or the “I” will automatically be changed to an “F.”

Semester Leave

A student in good academic standing may apply in writing for a semester leave in advance of the semester(s) for which they will not attend. Forms for requesting a semester leave can be obtained from the KGS Office. The completed form must include: the reason for the leave, the semester the student intends to return, and a plan for degree completion upon returning from the leave.

Readmission

Readmission is initiated in the appropriate KGS Office. Eligibility is determined through an evaluation of the student’s prior academic performance and potential for success. Students seeking readmission should initiate the process early enough before the start of the semester in which they intend to resume studies to enable the KGS Office to review and act upon the application in a timely manner.

Academic Waiver

Monroe College recognizes that there are students who may be granted a waiver of academic requirements. Students’ records including transcripts, relevant professional experience and personal statements will be used to determine if a waiver will be granted. The appropriate academic official in the KGS Office must approve all academic waivers.

Course Withdrawal

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must do so by the date indicated in the academic calendar.

Administrative withdrawal (AW) occurs when a student is unofficially withdrawn without having given oral or written notification to his/her academic advisor.

Withdrawal from KGS

If a student is considering withdrawal from the graduate program for any reason, he or she should discuss their concerns and reasons with their advisor. King is committed to doing all it can to assist students to successfully complete their degree. However, if a student decides to withdraw from the School the individual should send written notification of the decision to withdraw to the KGS Office. The student will be asked to meet with the Dean of King Graduate School or designee, before the appropriate paper work is filed and adjustments are made to the student’s record.

Grade Reports

Students will receive a grade report after each semester. These reports will show both semester and cumulative averages. A student’s standing in each course is measured by the grades received on exams, papers, other class assignments and requirements. Each student’s academic status as it relates to satisfactory academic progress and program pursuit will appear on the grade report.

Grade Appeal Process

The grade appeal process provides a student with an opportunity to dispute a final course grade. The student should first discuss the matter with the instructor. If the problem is not resolved, the student must file a Grade Appeal form with the Dean of the King Graduate School or designee within 10 days of the semester grade report being issued by the Registrar’s Office.

Grade Replacement

Graduate students may repeat a course with a passing grade and have the last grade replace the previous grade in the cumulative grade point average, however, each course can only be repeated once. No more than two courses may be repeated. This will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Academic Probation And Dismissal

A student’s academic standing and decisions regarding academic probation and dismissal are determined by his/her cumulative grade point average and other appropriate criteria. When a student’s cumulative grade point average drops below 3.0 at the end of a semester, he/she will be placed on academic probation. The student will be notified by letter of his/her academic probation and will be required to meet with the dean of the academic program or designee. A student who is placed on academic probation must reach a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and must achieve good academic standing by the end of the next semester or the student may be dismissed. Any student who completes at least one 600 level or higher course and whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 at the end of a semester may be dismissed from the college. Students who are dismissed may apply for reentry into non-matriculated status after a semester. Requests for reentry into non-matriculated status will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Administrative Dismissal

Students are expected to comply with the rules of conduct, academic regulations, and established policies and practices of the College and the KGS. Should a situation occur whereby a student violates the Guidelines, codes, and regulations, or fails to comply with requests of administrative authorities, or plagiarizes, he or she may be dismissed from the KGS. Students have the right to appeal a dismissal to the Dean of the King Graduate School.

The Monroe College Code of Academic and Scholarly Integrity

Monroe College is an academic community. Its fundamental purpose is the pursuit of knowledge in preparation for a career and for life. Essential to the success of this educational mission is a commitment to the principles of academic integrity. Every member of the College community is responsible for upholding the highest standards of honesty at all times. Students, as members of the community, are also responsible for adhering to the principles and spirit of the following Code of Academic and Scholarly Integrity.

Students are expected to be fully aware of the College’s requirements and expectations regarding academic honesty and scholarly integrity. If a student is unsure whether his/her action(s) constitute a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity, then it is the student’s responsibility to consult with the instructor and/or Dean to clarify any ambiguities.

Academic Dishonesty Definitions

Activities that have the effect or intention of interfering with education, pursuit of knowledge, or fair evaluation of a student’s performance are prohibited. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Cheating – using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, or study aids in examination.
• Plagiarism – using the ideas, data, or language of another without specific or proper acknowledgement.
• Fabrication – Submitting contrived or altered information in any academic exercise.
• Multiple submissions – submitting, without prior permission, any work submitted to fulfill another academic requirement at Monroe or any other institution.
• Misrepresentation of academic records – misrepresenting, tampering with, or attempting to tamper with any portion of a student’s transcript or academic record, either before or after coming to Monroe College.
• Facilitation of academic dishonesty – knowing, helping, or attempting to help another student violate any provision of this code.
• Unfair advantage – Attempting to gain unauthorized advantage over fellow students in an academic exercise.

Honors and Awards

Graduate Honors –Graduating students who have a cumulative 4.0 GPA will be recognized for outstanding achievement. Graduating students who achieve a GPA of at least 3.8 will also be recognized at commencement.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for graduation, students must have satisfactorily completed all requirements of the degree. In order to graduate, students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Foundation courses are not included in this calculation.

Transcripts

Students may have one transcript sent to any authorized individual, college or agency requiring official confirmation of their academic status at Monroe without charge. Additional requests will cost $5.00 per transcript. All requests for transcripts must be made in writing at least 10 days before they are needed. Transcripts are not released for any student who has outstanding financial obligations to Monroe.