Master’s students are expected to receive grades of B- or higher. Twice a year the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) conducts a review of student academic progress. Any student who receives grades of C or below or IN (incomplete) will be notified in writing as described in the academic standing section, below. The professionals in the OSA will provide guidance to students found in academic difficulty. Students are encouraged to seek the assistance of their academic advisors or the professionals in the OSA prior to the academic review if difficulties arise. Students who are placed on Dean’s Hold or who are otherwise identified as experiencing academic difficulty may not participate in a leadership capacity in co-curricular student initiatives, such as student organizations.

In addition, a student who is not in good academic standing or whose department requests a review due to poor academic performance, will undergo a more detailed review with the academic affairs review committee. The recommendations of this committee will be given to both the student and his/her department. The committee may suggest a variety of options to assist the student in his/her performance or the committee may choose to terminate the student.

If terminated, the student will receive an official letter and have the opportunity to meet with the Dean of Students to discuss further career options. If the student disagrees with the decision of termination, the student may appeal this decision in writing within 10-15 business days of meeting with the Dean of Students to the Dean for Academic Affairs. The Dean for Academic Affairs will review the appeal and may consult with other colleagues in this review. The decision of the appeal is final and will be notified to the student and his/her department in writing within ten to fifteen business days of the appeal request.

Academic Progress

Normally, full-time study for the M.P.H. or M.S. degree is completed in one and one-half to two years. Full and part-time students are expected to complete all degree program requirements within five years.

As a general rule, good academic progress for a student taking coursework can be defined as completing no less than nine points of coursework within a year. Progress of master’s students engaged in completing a practicum or master’s essay is determined by their academic department.

The University allows seven years for completing a doctoral degree program. Students not registered for three or more terms lose their active student status. Before being allowed to register again, these students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for reinstatement. Students who have not registered for two or more years must complete an application for readmission before being allowed to continue their studies.

Academic Standing

Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic standing at all times. A student’s work in individual courses and in the program as a whole is reviewed regularly by the Dean of Students and the student’s faculty advisor. As described earlier in this chapter under Grades, earning grades of B- or better is considered acceptable. Doctoral students’ academic standing is reviewed in conjunction with their department.

In cases where a student’s academic standing is in question, he or she is sent written notification as follows:

Department approval to register: Students carrying two grades of IN, or a recent grade of UW, or a C in a core course, or two grades of C will be notified that they must discuss their academic progress with their advisor, and further registration will require the advisor’s approval.

Dean’s Hold: Students with three or more grades of IN, or one or more grades of F, or three or more grades of C will have their registration placed on Dean’s Hold. In serious cases of unsatisfactory performance, a Dean’s Hold may lead to dismissal from the School upon recommendation by the department and review by the Academic Standards Committee. Students placed on Dean’s Hold may be permitted to continue study by meeting conditions specified by the department and receiving

1. formal written approval of the department and
2. approval by the School’s Academic Standards Committee.

Students who have registered and have reason to withdraw must drop all courses and complete a Registration Withdrawal form available in OSA. Students cannot zero out (drop all courses) for a semester via the web. The registration form must be completed listing the courses to be dropped and approved by securing their advisor’s signature. With completed form in hand come to OSA to complete the withdrawal form and walk it over to Student Administrative Services (Registrar) to be processed.

Reinstatement

Students who have not registered in more than three semesters (one calendar year) but in less than two years, must notify OSA during the semester before they intend to return for reinstatement.

Students who have taken a formal Leave of Absence must notify their department and OSA in the semester prior to returning.

Readmit

Students who have been on leave from or have outstanding degree requirements in a department of Mailman School who wish to return to complete their studies after two or more years, must apply for readmission to Mailman School. This can be accomplished by submitting

1. an Application for Readmission,
2. a Student Readmission Data Sheet,
3. a current résumé or CV, and
4. a personal statement describing why the leave was necessary and what current circumstances assure completion of their degree program. The student’s academic record and readmissions material will be reviewed by OSA, and the student’s department, and the Mailman School Admissions Committee. An interview may be required. Reinstatement may require that the student take new courses and meet updated academic requirements. An agreement to readmit a student must be unanimous between OSA, Admissions and the student’s academic department.

All forms mentioned in this section are available in the OSA.