Academic Regulations and Policy

The procedures, policies, and regulations stated in this section are designed to assist Bethune-Cookman University students during their matriculation.

Each graduate degree student will be assigned an advisor from the graduate faculty who will maintain the student’s advisement file, supervise course selection, and review in conference the student’s academic progress with appropriate regularity. The student, however, is responsible for meeting the requirements stated in the Graduate Catalog.

Student Course Load

The maximum load for graduate students is 15 credit hours during the semester or any combination of fall or spring sessions.

Graduate students on academic probation may not take more than 9 credit hours in any single semester or any combination of fall or spring sessions. Students on academic probation are ineligible to take courses in sessions shorter than 8 weeks.

Semester: A semester is defined as the regular 16-week academic terms, to include the fall term beginning in August and ending in December; and the spring term beginning in January and ending in April or May.

Sub-term: A sub-term is defined as any accelerated terms that may occur during a semester, in the summer, or during an intercession. A sub-term may range from two weeks to ten weeks in length.

Academic Overload

On approval of the dean, students may enroll in an academic overload for any session with the exception of the intersession. In order to be eligible for an overload, a student must be in good academic standing. The maximum student course overload is 19 credit hours in a single semester or any combination of fall or spring sessions.  Students can review the cost of tuition and fees associated with overload credit hours here: http://www.cookman.edu/currentstudents/stud_accts/Tuition/graduateTuition.html

Time Limit

All requirements for the master’s degree must be satisfied within five calendar years after the student reaches Degree Status. Students are responsible for meeting the academic and policy requirements in effect at the time they are admitted into Degree Status.

Grades

Issuance of “I” (Incomplete) Grades

Instructors may issue “I” or “Incomplete” grades to students who, for legitimate reasons, have not completed coursework at the time final grades must be submitted. At the time the request is made, the student must be passing the course with the required minimum grade for the course. At the discretion of the instructor, an “I” grade may be given to a student who is experiencing extraordinary personal challenges but who has not formally requested an Incomplete grade.

Removal of “I” Grades

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate action to remove “I” grade(s). Students receiving one or more “I” grades must report to the instructor(s) who issued the grade(s) within the first week of classes in their next semester of enrollment. The assignments needed to remove the “I” grade(s) must be completed within the first six weeks of the semester of re-enrollment. Failure to follow through with the steps to remove “I” grades will cause ‘I’s to automatically change to ‘F’ grades.

Grade Repeat Policy

A readmitted student may repeat a course in which the student receives a C or F grade, and only the hours earned from the higher grade are computed in the grade point average (GPA). If a student makes the same grade in the repeated course in this situation, only one grade is calculated in the GPA.

Grades on Permanent Record

All grades, courses, and hours attempted and earned remain a part of the student’s permanent record.

Right to Appeal a Final Grade

Every student has the right to appeal final grades given by an instructor. Steps in the grade appeal process are outlined under “Student Grade Appeal.”

Grading System

Students are graded according to the following grade point average (GPA) system

Standard Grading Scale Used in GPA Computation

The standard grading scale adopted by the Graduate Council, to be adhered to by all faculty members, is as follows:

All graduate students must consistently maintain a “B” or better in their coursework and maintain a cumulative 3.00 GPA. The University requires a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 (“B”) for receiving the master’s degree. Grades of “C” are considered less than satisfactory. Failing grades are considered unsatisfactory.

Not used in GPA Computation

for 

Student Complaint and Grade Appeal

Bethune-Cookman University is committed to supporting the student matriculation process. It is our intent to positively resolve issues, complaints, and concerns that may impact the success of students in meeting student learning outcomes. The grade appeal procedure provides students with an opportunity to have awarded grades reviewed by an impartial body and to provide relief.  Before initiating a petition for appeal, the student should attempt to resolve the problem directly with the professor and/or department chair.  Should efforts to resolve the problem with the professor and/or department chair be unsuccessful, the student has the right to file a formal appeal.  Students must consult their respective academic college or school guidelines which may differ.

Student Grade Appeal Procedure:

Students have the right to appeal the grades awarded in courses.

1. Students will have ten business days from the day that grades are posted or otherwise given before initiating the appeal.  The student should submit a written statement to the academic dean within ten days setting forth the complaint, efforts to resolve it, and supporting evidence or justification for the complaint. The academic dean, on receipt of this petition, should provide a copy of the complaint to the faculty.
2. The Dean will convene the committee charged with reviewing matters of concern. The Committee will review the written statement from the student, secure additional information that the student may have, and hear and examine evidence and information that the professor may have in support of her/his decision. Both the student and the faculty shall each receive reasonable notice of the hearing before the faculty committee and be permitted to be present at the hearing. In addition, the parties shall have the right to present evidence and to examine any witnesses who should testify. Students enrolled in online degree programs will be granted the option of attending the hearing via Skype or Zoom. The committee then makes a recommendation to the dean, along with all of the supporting data, and the dean renders a decision in the case, which is immediately communicated in writing to the student, the faculty concerned, and the committee. 
3. If the student or the faculty concerned is dissatisfied with the decision of the academic dean, either may appeal to the Office of the Provost. If this is done, the Provost will review all of the information and the Provost may convene a committee to investigate the situation further and recommend action.  The Provost will render a decision in the case which is to be communicated to the student, the faculty concerned, the academic dean, and the members of the committee participating in the case.  The decision of the Provost is final.

Satisfactory Academic Progress/Academic Probation and Dismissal

The following policies apply to graduate students:

Good Academic Standing - Students in good academic standing are academically eligible for all of the rights and privileges of a graduate student at Bethune-Cookman University. A student is in good academic standing if s/he has a cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher.

Academic Warning - Students on academic warning are able to continue enrollment, however, they are not generally eligible for extra-curricular activities and are required to develop an academic plan with their Graduate Faculty Advisor. Students who do not meet the criteria for good academic standing in a given semester (including summer) will have the status of “academic warning” for the following fall or spring semester; this status will be indicated on the student’s transcript.

Academic Probation - Students on academic probation are able to continue enrollment, however, they are not eligible for extra-curricular activities. These students must continue to follow the academic plan developed while on academic warning and must take and pass a minimum of 9 credit hours in the following semester. A student who is on academic warning and fails to meet the criteria for good academic standing in a given semester will have the status of “academic probation” for the following fall and spring semester; this status will be indicated on the student’s transcript.

Academic Dismissal - A graduate student who is on academic probation and fails to meet the criteria for good academic standing in that semester will be academically dismissed for a minimum of one year. In order to re-enter the University, a student must reapply and meet the admission criteria posted at that time.

Readmission After Dismissal

In order to reenter the University following at least a year of academic dismissal, a student must complete a readmission application available from the School of Graduate Studies.

Privacy of Student Records and Information

The Buckley Amendment to the General Education Provisions Act stipulates that students may have access to their official files and that no transcripts may be issued to any party without a written request from the student. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 gives the University the right to make public, at its discretion and without prior authorization from the student, the following information: name, class, home or college address, telephone number, major field, date and place of birth, dates of attendance at Bethune-Cookman University, degrees, honors and awards received, and previous school most recently attended. FERPA also gives students the right to place limitations on the release of this particular information. A student who wishes to place limits on the release of this information must file a restriction form with the Office of the Registrar by September 15 of each year. The University does not indiscriminately release information about individual students. All persons with access to student records are required by the University to sign a statement of confidentiality.

Official transcripts of student academic records, for transfer to another institution or for any other purpose, may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar upon written authorization by the student. Transcripts are official only if the embossed seal of the University appears on them. Unofficial copies of transcripts are available only to the student. As a safeguard against improper disclosure of academic information, no transcript request will be accepted over the telephone. The University issues two complimentary official transcripts, along with the diploma, to each of its graduates. All subsequent official transcripts will cost $5.00; unofficial copies will cost $3.00.

Requests for official transcripts cannot be granted if the student has a balance. However, if the student is enrolled during the time of the request, an unofficial copy can be released upon request and payment made of the required fee. A transcript of a student’s record, received from another university or college, becomes a permanent part of the student’s file at Bethune-Cookman. The transcript cannot be forwarded to another institution. Should a student need a copy of the transcript, he or she must make an original request from the institution.

Academic Honesty

Bethune-Cookman University students are expected to abide by the B-CU Student Honor Code in all academic activities. As members of an academic community, which places a high value on truth and the pursuit of knowledge, students are expected to be honest in every phase of their academic life and to present, as their own work, only that which is genuinely theirs. Students have the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and to refrain from any form of academic dishonesty.

Academic dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism or other actions to create an unfair academic advantage for oneself or a disadvantage for another other member or members of the academic community, is antithetical to learning and inconsistent with the Institutional Core Values. Students who are academically dishonest undermine the integrity of the University. If students receive recognition, the value of the recognition is diminished if the student is accused of academic dishonesty. In such cases, the reputation of the University and its graduates are jeopardized. Academic dishonesty hurts the University and is unfair to other students. A complete definition of academic dishonesty and disciplinary procedures are found in the B-CU Student Honor Code.

Suspected violation of either a University policy on academic honesty or the instructor’s specific codes, as found in the course syllabus, will be handled in accordance with the B-CU Honor Code.

Other Academic Regulations

Attendance

Students are expected to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them by attending classes and laboratory periods.  Class attendance and participation are part of the requirements for passing the course (see individual course syllabi for information regarding class attendance and participation).  Excessive absences may result in lower grades.

Students who are absent are responsible for completing and submitting all assignments.  If students miss a scheduled assignment, quiz, midterm or final exam, students must obtain the instructor’s approval to make up work.

Excused Absences

Students are expected to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them by attending classes and laboratory periods.  Class attendance and participation are part of the requirements for passing the course (see individual course syllabi for information regarding class attendance and participation).  Excessive absences may result in lower grades.

Students who are absent are responsible for completing and submitting all assignments.  If students miss a scheduled assignment, quiz, midterm or final exam, students must obtain the instructor’s approval to make up work.

Expected Absences

Students are responsible for informing their instructors of any anticipated absence(s) from class.

Verification of Attendance

At the beginning of each Semester, faculty members are required to verify class attendance per Federal Financial Aid Regulations. The second purpose is to ensure that students sitting in their classes are listed on the official class rosters. Once generated, the Verification of Attendance Report is sent to the Office of Financial Aid according to the published deadline. Students will receive credit only for those courses for which they are officially registered and for which they pay the necessary tuition at the time of registration.

Syllabus

The course syllabus/outline is an agreement between the teacher and the student. Students should receive a syllabus/outline at the beginning of the term for each course in which they are enrolled.

Academic Advising

Students within the School of Graduate Studies will be assigned a major advisor by the Department Chair. The advisor will advise the student on his/her academic program and will monitor his/her progress through it.

Academic advisors will also serve as the major thesis advisor for the student. The student, however, is responsible for meeting the requirements stated in the Graduate Catalog.

Conferences with Advisor

Students are expected to arrange regular conferences with their academic advisor according to the advisor’s posted schedule. Conferences may also be scheduled with advisors through individual appointments. Mandatory conference(s) are required before registering for classes each semester and before completing the University’s Degree Application for Graduation.

Final Exam Schedules

The Office of the Registrar will schedule final examination dates, times, and locations.

Enrollment for Graduate Teaching/Research Assistants 

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistants should be full‐time students.