Student Judicial Process
All students are expected to abide by Federal and State laws and the regulations of Salem State University relevant to the School of Graduate Studies. Violation of these may be cause for judicial action conducted within the principles of due process. Copies of the procedure may be obtained at the School of Graduate Studies office.
Student Conduct Code
University students are recognized as being both citizens in the larger community and members of an academic community. In their roles as citizens, students are free to exercise their fundamental constitutional rights. Rights and responsibilities under local, state and national laws are neither abridged nor extended by status as a student at Salem State. However, as members of the academic community, students are expected to fulfill those behavioral responsibilities which accompany their membership and which are necessitated by the university’s pursuit of its stated goals. These behavioral responsibilities are stated in university publications such as The Compass, (viewed on line) Student Conduct Code, and The Guide to Residence Hall Living. It is expected that the conduct of all students will be consistent with the educational purposes of the institution and in no way will interfere with the functions of the university as it seeks to fulfill that purpose. Consequently, individual and group behavior which inhibits members of the community, i.e., students, faculty and administrators, from carrying out their respective educational tasks and duties is unacceptable. Policy violations committed by students will be handled through the university student conduct and mediation process which has been established to resolve complaints of student misconduct. The student conduct and mediation process is designed to protect due process rights and to reach decisions that are in the best interest of both the students and the university.
This code shall apply to all part-time and full-time undergraduate, graduate and continuing education university students at Salem State. To view this code in its entirety, please visit here.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy*
Responsibility for knowing and complying with all academic policies and regulations rests with the individual graduate student.
Please note: the policies delineated here represent the minimum criteria for a student to be making satisfactory academic progress: individual programs may have more rigorous requirements than those listed in this policy.
Minimum GPA for Satisfactory Academic Progress
A candidate for a master’s degree or certificate must earn at least a 3.000 (“B”) cumulative grade point average during all consecutive terms, including summer, in which that student is enrolled in classes.
Students performing below this standard will be placed on academic probation.
Academic Probation
A student receiving a cumulative GPA below 3.000 at the end of any given term will be placed on academic probation.
Students placed on academic probation will be issued a letter from the School of Graduate Studies notifying them of the fact. Students who have been placed on academic probation must meet with their program coordinator to develop an approved “Academic Improvement Plan”.
Students will be allowed two semesters to implement the academic improvement plan and bring the GPA up to 3.000. If at the end of the first semester after being placed on probation a student has not yet achieved a 3.000 cumulative GPA but has attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.500, the student may remain on probation for one additional semester.
Students on academic probation will lose financial aid eligibility. Students may appeal the loss of financial aid only one time.
Dismissal
If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.500 in the semester following the assignment of academic probation, the student will automatically be dismissed. A student who has continued on probation for two consecutive terms during which the student is enrolled in classes, but who does not attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 at the end of the second semester of enrollment after the institution of the probationary period, will be automatically dismissed from the School of Graduate Studies.
Readmission
A student who is dismissed may apply for readmission after the lapse of a minimum of one semester. To be readmitted, the student must present a petition to the program coordinator explaining in detail how the causes of low achievement have been corrected and what plans are in place to ensure future academic success. A student may be dismissed and readmitted only one time. A second dismissal cannot be appealed.
The program coordinator will forward the request to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies with a recommendation to either grant or deny the petition; if there is sufficient evidence that the causes of previous poor performance have been resolved, the Dean may choose to readmit the student.
Satisfactory academic progress requirements must be met for continued financial aid eligibility.
*The exceptions to this policy include the following:
- All students in the MSN/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program must achieve a B or greater in each of the following courses: NUR 812, NUR 813, NUR 817, NUR 833, NUR 834F, NUR 835, NUR 836F, NUR 837, NUR 838F. The School of Graduate Studies repeat policy does not apply to these courses. Any student who does not achieve a grade of B or greater in these nine courses will be dismissed from the Nursing Program without the opportunity to repeat.
- Students enrolled in the MSW program will not be allowed to register for required concentration level courses if they are on academic probation.
- Students enrolled in the MSW program who receive an “F” in any course (including field education practica) will be automatically dismissed from the MSW program.
- Students enrolled in the MSW program are permitted two course grades below a B-; a third course grade below a B- will result in dismissal from the MSW program. For Advanced Standing MSW students one course grade of B- is permitted; if the student earns a second course grade below a B-, it will result in dismissal from the MSW Program. If students are at risk of dismissal because of course grades below B- or because of a low GPA in the foundation year, a student is permitted to repeat one foundation year course (one time only with approval from the MSW Program Coordinator) and they must receive a grade of B or better upon retake. Repeating a course does not apply to Advanced Standing students as there is no foundation year.
- Students who are dismissed from the MSW program may formally re-apply to the MSW program after at least one semester following dismissal and must do so in accordance with all MSW admissions deadlines and requirements. If applicants’ transcripts are still on file, former students will not be required to re-submit transcripts but all other required materials must be re-submitted. The applicant’s materials are reviewed by the MSW Admissions Committee which includes the MSW Program Coordinator.
- Students enrolled in the MS Behavior Analysis program will require: (a) GPA of at least 3.0; and (b) Nothing less than a B- in any course. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a student being placed on academic probation. As per SGS policy, a student may petition to retake up to one course during the next semester in which it is offered. At this point, the student will remain in academic probation until the course is retaken. However, if the student earns a second course grade that is less than B-, then the student will be dismissed from the program.
- Students enrolled in the MS in Counseling program will require: (a) GPA of at least 3.0; and (b) Nothing less than a B- in any course. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a student being placed on academic probation. As per SGS policy, a student may petition to retake up to two courses during the next semester in which it is offered. The petition must be initiated within 6 weeks of the following semester, and is subject to approval by the program coordinator. If the petition to repeat the course is approved, then the student must retake the course during the next semester in which it is offered. At this point, the student will remain on academic probation until the course is retaken. However, if the student earns a second course grade that is less than a B, then the student will be dismissed from the program.
Attendance
Regular attendance in all courses is required. The course instructor will establish the specific attendance policy for each course.
Student Absence for Religious Beliefs
Any graduate student who is unable to attend a class or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day of religious observance will be provided with an opportunity to make up that examination, study or work requirement, provided, however, that such make up shall not create an unreasonable burden upon the school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the School of Graduate Studies for making this opportunity available to the student, and no adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student exercising this prerogative. (See Chapter 151C of the General Laws of Massachusetts.)
Time Limits
All requirements for the degree normally must be completed within six years from the date of the student’s acceptance. Students enrolled in the MA/MAT English dual degree program have seven years from the initial date of acceptance to complete degree requirements. No graduate course offered for the degree may be more than six years old at the time degree requirements are completed with the exception of any courses accepted in transfer which must have been taken within the past seven years.
No education courses that are part of or required for either the early childhood or elementary teacher licensure course sequence may be more than seven years old at the start of a student teaching practicum.
Students who wish to appeal this policy may file an appeal with the chair and/or coordinator of their program. Students who file an appeal should provide a course-by-course explanation of how they have kept current in the content area of each course. (e.g., by working in a classroom that employs specific curricular approaches, taking professional development workshops, attending lectures, etc.)
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