Policies Specific to Graduate Students
Academic Load
The general maximum full-time load for graduate study is three classes during any fall or spring semester; two courses during each summer session; and one course in the January term. This does not include the special summer residency period for MFA candidates. Candidates wishing to attempt more than the maximum load must receive permission from their Program Director prior to registration.
However, please note that different graduate degree programs may have different academic load maximums. Those limits supersede this regulation. It is advised that all students familiarize themselves with the maximums in their program.
Academic Probation
Graduate students must maintain a 3.00 grade point average. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 the student will be placed on academic probation.
If a grade of ‘C+’ / 2.3 or lower is received in any course, the student will be placed on academic probation. Students in the Nursing and Fine Arts graduate programs will be placed on academic probation for grades of B- / 2.7 or lower.
Academic probation will last either one semester (for full-time students) or the completion of two more courses (for part-time students). At the end of this period the student must have a GPA above 3.0 and not received any grades of ‘C+’ / 2.3 or lower (or B- / 2.7 for the Nursing and Fine Arts programs) in order for the probation to be lifted.
A student on academic probation cannot begin work on a graduate thesis sequence or project.
All students in the graduate programs are subject to the Wilson College Honor Principle, the academic and administrative regulations, and the Wilson College Judicial Process.
Academic Dismissal
A student may be dismissed from their graduate program if the period of academic probation extends beyond the completion of one semester (for full-time students) or the completion of two more courses (for part-time students).
A student may also be dismissed if the student receives two course grades of ‘C+’ / 2.3 or lower or one course grade of ‘F’ at any time during their graduate studies at Wilson.
Students may also be dismissed for violations of the Wilson College Honor Principal and academic policies.
Procedure for Academic Probation and Dismissal
A student who is placed on academic probation must have a signed academic contract in place before the student can complete any further coursework in the program. The academic contract will outline the terms of the academic probation and the conditions under which the probation can be lifted. The academic contract will also outline the penalties should academic probation not be lifted under the terms of the academic contract, including academic dismissal.
Academic dismissal is usually enacted when the program does not believe that the student would be capable of lifting the academic probation. A student can appeal an academic dismissal to the Graduate Studies Council.
Academic Credit
Any graduate class where the student receives a grade of ‘C-’ / 1.7 or lower cannot be counted toward completion of the degree. For Nursing and Fine Arts students, any class of ‘B-’ / 2.7 or lower cannot be completed for the degree. Students may re-take the course the next time it is offered to replace the low grade.
Graduation Application and Forms
A student must complete and submit a graduation application to the Registrar two semesters before the anticipated graduation date. A fee will be assessed for late applications. If a student fails to officially submit a graduation application, s/he will not be eligible for graduation.
Graduation Requirements
The successful graduate degree candidate will complete a minimum of 30 semester hours, including a master’s project, while maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Graduate course credit will be awarded only for earned grades of C or better.
Enrollment of Non-Degree Students in Graduate Courses
Non-degree students may enroll in any graduate course for which they have the necessary prerequisites with the approval of the program director.
Partnership Coursework
In certain programs, Wilson College offers coursework through partnership programs. Students register for these courses through the Wilson College Registrar’s Office, and they are noted on the transcripts as a Wilson College course, though they are offered through a partner institution. For most courses, students pay the same tuition; however, certain courses may have additional tuition costs and fees. It is important to check with your Graduate Program Director to see if a class has additional tuition costs and fees.
Students on tuition remission (including graduate assistants and college employees) are eligible to take partnership courses and apply them toward their degree; however, in those instances, the student is responsible for paying the partnership costs. For more information, please consult your Graduate Program Director.
Provisional Admission Status
In certain circumstances, a student may be lacking one of the mandatory requirements for admission into a graduate program. Provisional admission status may allow a student to enroll in classes in order to qualify for admission to the degree program. A student may be granted provisional status after a written plan of action to assist the student in meeting the prerequisites or entrance requirements of the program has been approved by the Graduate Program Director. Provisional status is given at the discretion of the Graduate Program Director and/or Graduate Program Admissions Committee.
If granted provisional status, the student must complete the approved plan of action with a GPA of 3.0 or higher before being officially admitted to the program. Generally speaking, full admission status is awarded after the successful completion of two courses with a qualifying grade of 3.0 or higher in each; however, provisional admission status cases are unique and may differ from this model.
Transfer Course Limit for the Graduate Degree Programs
At the discretion of the Program Director, no more than two courses may be transferred into any Wilson graduate program. For a course to transfer, the grade in the course must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and the subject area, goals, and outcomes must be similar to that of courses designed for the graduate program. Students may be required to present supporting materials (such as a syllabus, assignments, etc.) beyond an official transcript when transferring in a class. Under special circumstances, students may request to transfer more coursework to the College; for more on this, please see the appropriate Graduate Program Director.
Time Limit to Complete Degree
All coursework and degree requirements must be completed within six years of taking the first class at Wilson College. Appeals for extension of the six-year limit must be submitted in writing to the director of the graduate education program.