Skip to main content

2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Search Help

Academic Policies and Regulations

General Academic Policies

Application for Degree

Grand Valley State University awards baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees four times each year: at the conclusion of the fall semester (December), at the conclusion of the winter semester (April), at the conclusion of the spring session (June), and at the conclusion of the summer session (August).

Degree candidates must notify the registrar of their intention to graduate by completing an electronic application in myBanner prior to the semester in which their degree requirements will be complete.

Degree candidates will be allowed 30 business days after the last day of the semester or session to complete all requirements and provide evidence of satisfactory completion to the registrar. No degree will be awarded until all temporary grades are removed. After the 30-day deadline, all remaining candidates will be dropped from candidacy status, and those students must reapply for some subsequent degree date. Exceptions to this policy will be based solely on extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student. Any request for an exception must be made in writing to the registrar.

Commencement

Information concerning Commencement announcements, caps and gowns, invitations, tickets, time and place, assembling, and other relevant items will be mailed to all eligible degree candidates (see Application for Degree section, previously listed) by the Office of Student Life prior to the event.

Definitions

Credit Hour

Courses at Grand Valley are categorized into one of several course "activity" types. For each course activity type, the university has identified the number of hours students are expected to devote to the course per semester per credit. The definitions do not include homework, reading, studying, or other student preparatory activities. Furthermore, the definitions do not cover faculty workload expectations. In the definitions, a semester is assumed to be a typical 15-week instructional semester. Courses offered in other time frames can be scaled accordingly. As an example, the most common course is a three-credit lecture/discussion. According to the definition, the university expects 45 student contact hours per semester for this course. For additional information, please view the UCC definition at bianlifan.com/facultygov.

The University Curriculum Committee (UCC) makes exceptions to the policy based on accreditation standards and practice in the discipline. Please view the UCC definition and programmatic exceptions for additional information at bianlifan.com/facultygov.

Semester Hour

The unit of credit is the semester hour; the number of semester hours of credit given for a course generally indicates the number of periods a class meets each week.

Grading System

Grade Quality Points Grade Significance
A 4 CR Credit
A- 3.7 NC No Credit
B+ 3.3 I Incomplete
B 3 W Withdrawal
B- 2.7 AU Audit
C+ 2.3 X Deferred
C 2 NR No Report
C- 1.7 P Pass
D+ 1.3 PS Pass
D 1 PD Pass with Distinction
F 0 R Research

GPA is computed by dividing the number of quality points earned by the number of semester credits attempted (only those graded A-F). The GPA is used to determine academic standing, eligibility to participate in certain curricular and cocurricular programs, academic honors, and academic standing, which may include probation, jeopardy of dismissal, or dismissal. A minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students is required for graduation. Some programs require a GPA in excess of the minimum to satisfy major requirements.

Credit at the graduate student level will be awarded for grades of C (2.0) or better. This includes all graduate coursework and core, background, and foundation courses. It also includes graduate coursework for graduate level certificates and badges. Grades below C will be calculated in a student's GPA, but the credits will not count toward the degree.

Please refer to each academic section for specific requirements.

Auditing a Course

Any student may register to take a course on an audit or noncredit basis, provided admission and course prerequisites have been met. Students who wish to audit a course must indicate their intent to the Registrar's Office during the first five class days of the semester. Changes from credit to audit and vice versa will not be allowed after the first week of the semester. Tuition costs for auditing are the same as for credit.

Credit/No-Credit Grade

All coursework will be graded (A through F) unless the appropriate faculty body within a college, the dean of the college, and the Curriculum Committee have approved proposals on an individual course basis that the course be conducted on a credit/no-credit basis.

Undergraduate students may elect certain undergraduate coursework on a credit/no-credit basis. A maximum of 10 semester hours of major, minor, or cognate courses within the major may be taken on a credit/no-credit basis only with the consent of the student's major department. A maximum of 25 percent of a student's hours of Grand Valley courses earned to fulfill graduation requirements may be taken on a credit/no-credit basis (credit = C or above for undergraduate courses, credit = B or above for graduate courses). Courses that are graded CR/NC as the standard grading scheme (e.g., internships) do not count in the maximums stated previously. Consent is unnecessary if the course is an elective, a general education course, or a B.S. or B.A. degree requirement. Changes from a grade to credit/no-credit and vice versa will not be allowed after the 75% tuition refund deadline each semester.

Deferred Grade

The grade of X (deferred) is a temporary grade that may be given only in a course that cannot be completed in one semester. Such courses are usually research projects. This grade is given only for work that is satisfactory in every respect but for which students need more than one semester to complete. An X grade must be removed within two calendar years from the date of assignment. If not, it will be changed to NC. A student cannot graduate with an X grade on their record.

Graduate Project, Thesis, and Dissertation Grades

The grades PS (pass), PD (pass with distinction), W (withdrawal), and NC (no credit) are the only grades that may be assigned as the final grade for a graduate project, thesis, or dissertation. The withdrawal grade is available only for students who wish to voluntarily and permanently terminate their degree program. The pass with distinction grade may only be awarded for a project, thesis, or dissertation that is exceptional in its significance and presentation and unanimously recommended by the project, thesis, or dissertation committee.

Incomplete Grade

The grade of I, incomplete, indicates that a student was doing satisfactory work, but due to nonacademic reasons beyond the student's control, the student was unable to complete the remaining requirements of the course. A student cannot graduate with an incomplete on their record. The grade of incomplete is only appropriate when all of the following conditions are met: (a) the student is doing satisfactory work in the course and the unfinished requirements can be clearly delineated, (b) the unfinished requirements constitute a relatively small part of the course, and the incomplete is requested in the last 20 percent of the semester, and (c) the student has justifiable reason(s) why the work cannot be completed by the end of the semester.

An Incomplete Grade Form must be submitted to the department chair and to the Dean's Office. A student is expected to complete course requirements according to the following schedule: fall semester incomplete grades, end of winter semester; winter and spring/summer incomplete grades, end of fall semester. Instructors are required to file a change of grade form or request an extension of the I grade at the end of each semester. An extension may be granted by the instructor under exceptional circumstances, such as illness or call to military service.

The Registrar's Office will notify the student, the instructor, and the appropriate dean's office six weeks prior to the deadline for a grade change. If the instructor is not available during the process for removing the incomplete, the unit head shall decide on how to proceed. A student for whom the incomplete course was a prerequisite may take a subsequent course only if the instructor of the course and the instructor who granted the incomplete both grant permission.

Research Grade

The grade of R (research) is the only grade that may be assigned each semester to a continuous enrollment course for a graduate project, thesis, or dissertation (xxx-696, xxx-796). The R grade is permanent and not affected by the final grade assigned to the project, thesis, or dissertation.

Registration

New undergraduate students: Course selection is completed during the New Student Orientation program. Complete orientation/registration information is sent to all new students before their intended term of entry.

New graduate students: Complete registration information is sent to all new students before their intended term of entry.

Advance registration: Intended primarily for all currently enrolled and former students and is normally held mid-to-late March for the upcoming spring/summer, fall, and winter semesters.

Late registration: Occurs once the semester has begun. Any student who adds a new schedule (without existing registrations) at that time will be assessed a $50 nonrefundable late registration fee. Courses beginning after the fifth day of classes, workshops, or similar offerings without a prescribed registration process will be free of the late fee assessment on the first class day.

Schedule revision or drop/add: This is held concurrently with all registrations. A student may drop or add any course for which prerequisites have been met and capacity permits. Additional tuition charges may be due when a student adds credits. Under exceptional circumstances, a student may be allowed to add a course after the deadline. The completed transaction, accompanied by support from the instructor, department chair, and college dean, must include a $25 late add fee and any additional tuition. Specific dates and times for all registrations are set by the registrar and listed in the academic calendar. For more information on the financial regulations regarding late registration and dropping or withdrawing from classes, click on the Important Policies section on the Financial Aid website.

Registering for two sections of the same course: Students may not be simultaneously enrolled in two sections of the same course unless specifically designated as repeatable for credit by a department or unit.

Duplicate Registration

Students who register for the same class in multiple future semesters will be dropped from the class(es) for all subsequent terms.

Electronic Overrides

If a course requires a registration permit, is closed, or prevents registration based on major, class, prerequisite etc., students may request a registration override through the myBanner system. The department offering the course evaluates the request for an electronic override and determines if an override will be granted. Once the electronic override is entered into the Banner system, the student can register for that class. The issuance of an electronic override does not automatically register the student in the course.

Waitlists

Most course sections have a waitlist feature. If a course has reached capacity, you may choose to add your name to the waitlist for that course. If a spot in the course section opens and you are next in line, you will receive an email at your GVSU student email notifying you to register. You must register for the class within 36 hours of receiving the email notification (the allowed time is subject to change as the payment deadline for a semester approaches). If you miss the 36-hour window, you will be automatically dropped from the waitlist. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee you a seat in the class.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite courses provide the background necessary for successful performance in a course. The university uses an automated check of students' records, including transfer work and test scores at the time of registration to determine whether students have successfully completed the prerequisites for certain courses. The online catalog lists prerequisites in the course descriptions.

Prerequisite checking applies to all students regardless of their level or college. Prerequisites are enforced by the Banner student information system at the time of registration.

Students will be permitted to register if they have satisfactorily completed or are currently enrolled in the prerequisites for the course or have departmental approval to be in the course.

Satisfactory completion means

  • meeting the minimum acceptable passing grade requirement as indicated in the course description by completion of a Grand Valley State University course or an equivalent transfer class or
  • having a test score that meets the requirement.

If you have not satisfactorily completed or are not registered for the prerequisite, you will receive a prerequisite error message when you attempt to register for the class.

Residence Requirements - Michigan

The following brief summary of the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of Grand Valley State University applies to all students.

Because students normally come to Grand Valley State University for the primary or sole purpose of attending the institution rather than establishing a domicile in Michigan, those who enroll in Grand Valley as nonresidents will continue to be so classified throughout their attendance as students unless and until they demonstrate that their previous domicile has been abandoned and a Michigan domicile established. No students shall be eligible for classification or reclassification as a resident unless they shall be domiciled in Michigan and have resided in Michigan continuously for not less than six months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the semester for which classification or reclassification is sought.

For purposes of the regulations, resident students are defined as students domiciled in the State of Michigan. Nonresident students are defined as those whose domicile is elsewhere. Students shall not be considered domiciled in Michigan unless they are in continuous physical residence in this state and intend to make Michigan their permanent home, not only while in attendance at Grand Valley but indefinitely thereafter as well, and have no domicile or intent to be domiciled elsewhere.

The residence of a student who otherwise would be classified as a nonresident will follow that of his or her spouse if the spouse is classified as a resident, after the student has met the six-month domicile requirement.

Non-U.S. citizens who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States shall not, by reason of that status alone, be disqualified from classification or reclassification as resident. However, non-U.S. citizens who are present in the United States on a temporary or student visa shall not be eligible for classification or reclassification as residents.

  • Individuals who are on active-duty service in the U.S. military, reservists of the same, or U.S. veterans and their spouses or dependents are considered residents for tuition purposes.
  • Certain individuals may be eligible for consideration as resident students if they graduated from a Michigan high school after attending three years and are not legal residents of the United States; this eligibility extends for 28 months following high school or community college graduation.

It is the responsibility of the student to register under the proper residence classification, to advise the registrar of possible changes in residence, and to furnish all requested information pertinent thereto.

Application for reclassification must be filed no later than 10 calendar days following the first day of classes of the semester for which such reclassification is sought. Such application shall set forth in writing a complete statement of the facts upon which the application is based, together with affidavits or other supporting documentary evidence. Failure to file such an application on time shall constitute a waiver of all claims to reclassification or rebates for such semester.

Copies of the complete policy are available upon request from the registrar. Address all questions, concerns, and appeals of status to the registrar. The Residency Appeal Board will hear appeals of reclassification decisions.

Dual-level Enrollment Policy

1. Undergraduate students at Grand Valley State University may register for graduate credit (500- and 600-level courses) prior to completing a baccalaureate degree. To be eligible for dual-level enrollment, students must meet both of the following requirements:

  1. Earned a minimum of 85 semester hours with at least a 3.0 grade point average.
  2. Received approval from their undergraduate advisor, the course instructor, and the graduate program director of the graduate program offering the course.

2. Students wishing to apply for dual enrollment must choose one of the following:

  1. Designation of a graduate course to count toward the undergraduate degree and/or credential.
    OR
  2. Designation of a graduate course to count toward a future graduate degree and/or credential.

3. A student may count a maximum of 12 credits toward a future graduate degree and/or credential.

4. The completed application form must be submitted to the Registrar's Office by the close of business on the fifth day of the semester in which the student wishes to enroll in the course.

Repeat Course Policy

A student may repeat any course one time. When repeating a course, the grade earned shall be the grade of record, but the grades of all courses attempted will remain on a student's official transcript.

Students who repeat a course will have only the grade and credit of the most recent instance of the course counted toward their GPA and earned hours, regardless of whether the most recent grade is lower or higher. Grades of I, W, AU, CR, or NC do not replace an earlier grade.

Repeating a course more than once is allowed only with the approval of the student's academic advisor. In cases when the course is not in the student's academic advisor's unit, approval to repeat the course must be approved by the appropriate unit head of the department where the course is offered.

Please note: Many undergraduate secondary admission programs and postgraduate professional programs routinely recalculate students' undergraduate GPAs to include repeated coursework. The inclusion of repeated grades may lower your overall GPA when applying to such programs. Students should consult with prospective programs regarding their policies before applying.

Students working toward completion of a program of study at GVSU can count courses transferred in as a repeat for an equivalent course taken at GVSU. In this case, the grade earned at GVSU will be excluded from GPA calculations. GVSU will not post transfer coursework to a GVSU transcript after a degree has been completed, unless the coursework pertains to a GVSU program of study at the same level (undergraduate or graduate) to which the student has already been admitted.

For additional information regarding changes in federal regulations and impacts on financial aid for repeating courses, please check the Policies section on the Financial Aid website.

Course Repeat Appeal Process

If an advisor for undergraduate students/programs declines a student's request to repeat a course more than once, the student may appeal the decision by putting the request and the rationale for the request in writing and submitting both to the unit head of the program in which the course is located. If the unit head declines the appeal, or is the original decision maker, the student may then submit the appeal to the dean of the college in which the course is located.

Reporting

End-of-Term Grades

Final grades are reported at the conclusion of each academic term and become part of the official record of the student. Final grade reports are available online within one week of the last day of the examination period unless interrupted by university closure for holidays.

Midterm Grades

Grades are reported by the registrar at midterm and at the conclusion of the semester. Midterm grades are reported for all undergraduate students who are in their first two semesters at Grand Valley and for any undergraduate student in other than good standing. Midterm grades will be available online but not recorded on the student's official transcript.

Transcripts

Transcripts of students' academic records are available from the Registrar's Office. Requests for an official transcript bearing the signature of the registrar and the university seal will be prepared and processed electronically or mailed within one business day. Unofficial transcripts will be prepared immediately for currently enrolled students. Unofficial transcripts are available at any time online at no charge through myBanner. To comply with the federal mandate, transcripts will not be released without a signed, written request from the student.

Student Information

Academic Grievance Procedures

Academic grievances are generally defined as those involving (a) procedures, policies, and grades in courses, (b) major, minor, or program (graduate or undergraduate) degree requirements, (c) general undergraduate university graduation requirements, such as general education, total credit, or residency requirements, or (d) graduate degree requirements, such as total credit or residency requirements. Filing of a grievance is required by the end of the following regular semester after notification of grade or receipt of adverse decision. Appeals of decisions must take place 15 working days after receipt of notification.

A. Resolution of an academic grievance involving procedures, policies, and grades in individual courses. The resolution of academic grievances is based on two principles: first, that the resolution of a grievance should be sought at the lowest possible level, and second, that pathways for appeal exist for both faculty members and students. Resolution should be pursued as follows:

  1. An appeal to the instructor. Normally, the instructor must respond to an appeal within 15 working days of receipt of the appeal.
  2. If the grievance is not resolved to the student's satisfaction, a further appeal could be made to the unit head who may request that the appeal be put in writing. Both the student and the faculty member will be notified in writing of the unit head's decision, within 15 working days of receipt of the appeal.
  3. If the disposition by the unit head is not acceptable to either party, an appeal in writing may be made by either party to the dean of the college. If the dean feels that there is some merit in the written grievance, he or she may establish a committee to review the grievance and make a recommendation within 15 working days to the dean. Such a committee may include a representative of the dean's office, a faculty representative from the college of the course under appeal, and a student representative. If a student representative is to be included in the committee, the student that is a party to the appeal must sign a FERPA release/waiver prior to the committee convening. Within 15 working days of receiving the committee's recommendation in the latter procedure, the dean shall rule on the grievance. Both the student and the faculty member will be notified in writing of the dean's decision. The dean's review and judgment in the case will be final.

B. Resolution of an academic grievance involving fulfillment of program, major, or minor degree requirements should be pursued as follows:

  1. An appeal to the unit head or graduate program director.
  2. If the grievance is not resolved to the student's satisfaction at this level, an appeal to the dean of the college would be possible, in the same manner as outlined in (A).
  3. An appeal to the unit head or graduate program director will be resolved within 15 working days.

C. Resolution of an academic grievance involving fulfillment of general undergraduate university requirements, should be pursued as follows:

1. a) For general education, an appeal should be made to the general education director.
b) For residency requirements, students should contact their academic advisor to request the appropriate approvals for the student's program.
c) For supplemental writing skills (SWS) requirements, an appeal should be made to the director of SWS.

2. If at this point the grievance is still not resolved to the student's satisfaction, a further written appeal could be made to the provost or the provost's designate. In this case, the provost or designate may establish a committee to review the grievance and make a recommendation within 15 working days. Such a committee shall include a representative of the provost's office, a faculty representative related to the student's major, and a faculty representative from outside the student's college. Upon receiving the committee's recommendation, the provost will render a final judgment in the case.

D. Exceptions to institutional graduate degree requirements sought by individual students will be determined by the dean and the provost or the provost's designate.

The student filing the grievance may have an observer from the Dean of Students Office or a person of their choice attend any meeting at which the student appears. The faculty member involved in the grievance may have an observer of their choice attend any meeting at which the faculty member appears.

Academic Honesty

Integrity of Scholarship and Grades
Truth and Honesty
The principles of truth and honesty are recognized as fundamental to a community of teachers and scholars. The university expects that both faculty members and students will honor these principles and in so doing protect the validity of university grades. This means that all academic work will be done by the student to whom it is assigned without unauthorized aid of any kind. Instructors, for their part, will exercise care in the planning and supervision of academic work, so that honest effort will be positively encouraged. Compliance shall include compliance with the following specific rules:

  1. No student shall knowingly, without authorization, procure, provide, or accept any materials that contain questions or answers to any examination or assignment.
  2. No student shall, without authorization, complete, in part or in total, any examination or assignment for another person.
  3. No student shall, without authorization, allow any examination or assignment to be completed, in part or in total, by another person.
  4. No student shall knowingly plagiarize or copy the work of another person and submit it as his or her own.
  5. No student shall submit work that has been previously graded or is being submitted concurrently to more than one course without authorization from the instructor(s) of the class(es) to which the student wishes to submit it.

Plagiarism
Any ideas or material taken from another source for either written or oral presentation must be fully acknowledged. Offering the work of someone else as one's own is plagiarism. The language or ideas taken from another may range from isolated formulas, sentences, or paragraphs to entire articles copied from books, periodicals, speeches, or the writing of other students. The offering of materials assembled or collected by others in the form of projects or collections without acknowledgment also is considered plagiarism. Any student who fails to give credit in written or oral work for the ideas or materials that have been taken from another is guilty of plagiarism.

Such activity may result in failure of a specific assignment, an entire course, or, if flagrant, dismissal from Grand Valley. For further information, see the Student Code.

Policy on Research Integrity
The university has developed policies and procedures to comply with the federal government regulations regarding dealing with and reporting possible research misconduct. Allegations of misconduct should be referred to the appropriate dean or appointing officer or the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, or the research integrity officer (excerpted from Grand Valley State University Policy and Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct in Research, for the complete policy refer to the Faculty Handbook). Students involved in research, who suspect that an incident of misconduct has occurred, should report the incident to the dean of their academic college or the research integrity officer.

Complaints

A student who has a concern that has not been addressed by a policy in this section may present their case in writing to the registrar. The registrar will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and respond regarding the disposition and assignment of resolution within 10 calendar days.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Law

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) law is a federal law related to health insurance and medical privacy. Students who have access to protected health information through clinical placements must be trained in HIPAA compliance. Students who have access to certain health-related information through their placements are required to receive training on HIPAA privacy practices. If you are not sure whether you should receive training in this area, please contact your major advisor.

Records: Statement of Policy

It is the charge of the registrar to maintain complete and accurate academic records for Grand Valley State University and its past and current student populations. Much of the record keeping is required by either state or federal mandate. Grand Valley adheres to the compliance guidelines of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended. A statement of the compliance policy is available in the Registrar's Office.

Responsibilities

Each student must fulfill all general and specific requirements and abide by all pertinent academic regulations to earn a degree at Grand Valley State University. It is the responsibility of the student to learn the requirements, policies, and procedures governing the program being followed and to act accordingly.

Posthumous Degree

If a student passes away, the department/unit can consider the awarding of a posthumous degree. There are general guidelines for departments to make this determination:

  • The student has 30 or fewer credit hours remaining for completion of a Bachelor's degree or 25% or less remaining for the completion of a post-baccalaureate degree.
  • The student is in good academic standing.
  • Faculty within the department of the student's major support the decision to award the degree.
  • The Department Chair makes the recommendation to the Dean.

Uniform Course Numbering System

1. Uniform Course Numbering Guidelines

Category Description
000-099

Credit in these courses does not apply to the minimum 120 credits required for the baccalaureate degree.
100-199

Introductory courses, generally without prerequisites, primarily for first-year undergraduate students.
200-299

Courses primarily for second-year undergraduate students.
300-399

Courses primarily for third- and fourth-year undergraduate students.
400-499

Advanced courses primarily for fourth-year undergraduate students.
500-599

Courses primarily for first-year graduate students or prerequisites for 600- and 700-level courses.
600-699

Courses primarily for graduate students admissible to graduate programs or prerequisites for 700-level courses.
700-799

Courses primarily for advanced graduate students in postgraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral programs.


2. Reserved Undergraduate Course Numbers

a.

The numbers 180, 280, 380, and 480 are reserved for use only as special topics courses.
b.

The numbers 399 and 499 are reserved for use only as independent study and research courses.
c.

The number 490 is reserved for use only as an internship or practicum course.
d.

The number 495 is reserved for use only as a Capstone course.


3. Reserved Graduate Course Numbers

a.

The numbers 680 and 780 are to be used for graduate special topics courses.
b.

The numbers 690 and 790 are to be used for graduate research preparation courses.
c.

The numbers 693 and 793 are to be used for graduate project courses.
d.

The numbers 695 and 795 are to be used for graduate thesis/dissertation courses.

e.

The numbers 696 and 796 are to be used for graduate thesis/dissertation continuous enrollment courses.

f.

The numbers 697 and 797 are to be used for professional learning credit.

g.

The numbers 699 and 799 are to be used for graduate independent study courses.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Certification for Benefits

Grand Valley complies in full with all reporting requirements outlined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Enrollment, academic status, progress toward degree, conduct, attendance, and graduation requirements are monitored and reported for all benefit recipient students. All eligibility and certifications are handled through the Registrar's Office. Questions should be directed to that office.

Withdrawal From Grand Valley State University

Students withdrawing from Grand Valley during an academic term must obtain a Complete Withdrawal Form from the Registrar's Office and, if applicable, have it signed by the director of the Student Academic Success Center. The completed form must be returned to the Registrar's Office. Any refunds will be based on the date the completed form is filed with the Registrar's Office.

Graduate students must follow the Graduate Academic Policy on Course Withdrawals.

Students in good standing who wish to return to Grand Valley after an absence of two or more semesters must submit a Petition to Return form to the Registrar's Office prior to registration. The form can be obtained from the Office of Admissions, the Registrar's Office, or the Registrar's Office website.

Withdrawal From a Graduate Course

For information on withdrawal from a graduate course, please refer to the section in the catalog on Graduate Academic Policies and Regulations.

Withdrawal From an Undergraduate Course

A student may withdraw from a course and receive a grade of "W" when dropping after the 100% refund deadline and prior to the Drop with a "W" Grade Deadline for the particular course (for full-term fall and winter courses, this deadline is the end of the eleventh week of the semester). Please use the searchable course schedule to determine withdrawal deadlines for parts-of-term courses. Students who do not withdraw before the deadline must accept a grade other than W depending on the instructor's judgment of their performance in the course(s) and any mitigating circumstances. Students who request an exception to the withdrawal deadline due to extenuating circumstances must present their explanation of appeal attached to a Registration and Drop-Add Form signed by their professor and department chair, along with at least one statement of support from the professor or department chair to the director of the Student Academic Success Center. Students should continue attending class until notification of a final decision about their appeal is received.

For additional information regarding late registration and dropping or withdrawing from classes throughout the academic year, please check the Polices section on the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website.

Undergraduate Academic Policies and Regulations

Classification of Students

Freshman: 0 to 24.99 semester credits
Sophomore: 25 to 54.99 semester credits
Junior: 55 to 84.99 semester credits
Senior: 85 or more semester credits

Academic Review Policy

Beginning with the fall semester 2002, the following system has been used to evaluate the academic progress of all undergraduate students. Using either the narrative or the table that follows, students can check their credits earned, cumulative grade point average (GPA), and current GPA to readily determine their academic standing. The table that follows lists semester hours earned (including hours in transfer) and the minimum GPA for good standing, probation, jeopardy of dismissal, and dismissal.

  1. Good Standing: Each student must have a cumulative GPA of a 2.000 or higher to be in good standing.
  2. Academic Probation: A freshman with a cumulative GPA between 1.501 and 1.999 will be placed on probation. A sophomore with a cumulative GPA between 1.801 and 1.999 will be placed on probation.
  3. Jeopardy of Dismissal: A freshman whose cumulative GPA is 1.500 or lower and a sophomore whose cumulative GPA is 1.800 or lower will be placed in jeopardy of dismissal. Juniors and seniors whose cumulative GPA is below 2.000 will be placed in jeopardy of dismissal.
  4. Dismissal: Students in jeopardy of dismissal must satisfy at least one of the following requirements to avoid dismissal:
    • Student's cumulative GPA rises above dismissal level
    • Current semester GPA is 2.50 or greater
      The dismissal process will only occur at the end of the fall and winter semesters. The spring/summer semester may only be used to improve a student's academic standing.
  5. Readmission Following Dismissal: A dismissed student may apply for readmission after a period of one calendar year. Evidence of maturity and improved attitude toward academics and the written support of the student's academic advisor must accompany the application for readmission. The Petition to Return form and supporting documentation must be submitted to the registrar not less than 10 days before the first day of classes for the semester of intended return. Petitions are reviewed by the Academic Review Committee on a continual basis. Approval of a petition allows the student to enroll on a conditional basis, as stipulated by the committee. The academic standing for a readmitted student will be jeopardy of dismissal.
  6. Due Process Through Appeal: If a student believes that their academic status is in error, they may submit a written appeal including written support of their academic advisor to the Academic Review Committee, Attention: Registrar. It is in the student's interest to appeal immediately if they intend to do so, but a student may do so no later than the first day of class of the subsequent semester. All appeals will be considered by the Academic Review Committee.

Class Standing

Semester Hours Earned*

Cumulative GPA for Dismissal

Cumulative GPA for Probation

Cumulative GPA for Good Standing
Freshman

0-24.99

 1.500 or less 1.501-1.999 2.000 or better
Sophomore

25-54.99

 1.800 or less 1.801-1.999 2.000 or better
Junior

55-84.99

 1.999 or less not applicable 2.000 or better
Senior 85 or more 1.999 or less not applicable 2.000 or better

*Including transfer credit hours.

Undergraduate Academic Forgiveness Policy

This program is intended to supplement and not replace other mechanisms that already exist (withdrawals, faculty mentoring program, etc.). Students must choose their best option in consultation with an advisor.

Eligibility for the Program

  1. Student has not performed well in a major they have selected (abandoned major) and wishes to change or has already changed to a different major (new major). Student must still have 30 credits left to complete prior to graduation and must have a cumulative GPA of 2.700 or less. Additional eligibility criteria apply as described in the following section.
  2. Student must demonstrate, through developing an academic plan in consultation with a professional advisor, how they intend to progress in a new major.
  3. The courses that may be subject to academic forgiveness must meet the criteria specified in the Terms of Academic Forgiveness. Students should consult an advisor to determine if academic forgiveness is an appropriate option.

Terms of Academic Forgiveness

  1. Academic forgiveness can be granted only once in the student's undergraduate experience.
  2. A student granted academic forgiveness will benefit from their improved GPA. The new GPA will include all courses taken by the student except for the forgiven courses, which will be entirely excluded from the GPA calculation.
  3. Application must list a minimum of two different courses qualifying for academic forgiveness.
  4. Academic forgiveness can be granted for a maximum of 16 unique credit hours.
  5. All instances of a forgiven repeated course will be excluded from GPA. The number of forgiven credits will be equal to a single instance of this course in the transcript.
  6. Forgiven courses must be required or prerequisite for the abandoned major and not required or prerequisite for the final major. Courses taken only to fulfill general education or Meijer Honors College requirements do not qualify.
  7. Forgiven courses (if passing grade was earned) will no longer count toward general education, SWS, or other university degree requirements (such as 120 credit hours for graduation).
  8. Academic forgiveness cannot be used for courses in which academic misconduct occurred.

Dean's List

Undergraduates who earn 12 or more grade point credits with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in any semester earn a place on the Grand Valley State University Dean's List. (A grade of CR does not count toward the total credits required.) The deans send each student a personal letter and the honor is noted on the student's permanent record.

Graduation Honors

Graduation honors will be based on the cumulative grade point average, including the final semester. The following scale is in effect for bachelor's degrees awarded beginning Fall 2022:

Summa cum laude: 3.900-4.000
Magna cum laude: 3.750-3.899
Cum laude: 3.500-3.749

Class Attendance

At Grand Valley, regular attendance in class and other course activities is considered an essential part of the students' educational experience and a requirement for an adequate evaluation of student academic progress.

Coursework missed because of excused absences should be made up to the satisfaction of the instructor. Although makeup work will not remove the full adverse effect of the absence in all cases, faculty members will make reasonable accommodations for students when an absence is excused. The accommodations available will vary with course and program. The degree of the effect upon grades will vary with the nature and amount of work missed and must be measured according to the instructor's best judgment. In case of excessive absences, the instructor may refuse to grant credit for the course. Under some circumstances, an incomplete grade followed by a resolution according to university policy, or withdrawal from the course, is appropriate.

Absences due to the following reasons should be treated as excused: 1) absences of students who miss class due to active participation in an intercollegiate event; 2) absences due to the observance of religious holidays, see PC 9.6, Religious Inclusion Policy; 3) absences due to military duty; 4) absences due to jury duty, or appearance in court or other government hearings; 5) student medical conditions that preclude class attendance; 6) birth or adoption of child; 7) absences due to attendance at an academic and/or professional conference; and 8) bereavement for an individual of significant relationship. Instructors have discretion to determine whether absences for other reasons should be treated as excused.

Student Credit Load

Most courses carry three hours of credit. To complete a bachelor's degree in four years, a student should carry a minimum of 15 hours each semester. First-semester freshmen and students on academic probation may not carry loads greater than 20 credits per semester.

Students who elect to take an extended course load of 20 credits or more must acquire approval from the director of the Student Academic Success Center.

Advising/Degree Audit

All undergraduate programs recommend that their degree-seeking students meet with an assigned faculty advisor or advising center professional advisor at least once per year, to ensure that there is a clear understanding of program requirements. Students can view their progress toward graduation at any time by using the myPath degree audit system.

Credit by Examination

In some cases, degree-seeking students may be granted advanced placement or receive college credit by examination. Tests are available to determine levels of competence in certain subject areas. The following tests are available:

Advanced Placement Program (AP): AP is a program sponsored by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). Generally, credit is granted for scores of 3, 4, or 5 but is determined by the appropriate academic department.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Credit is granted for subject examinations offered by CLEP; however, no credit is granted for the CLEP general examinations. Required minimum scores are available on request from the Admissions and Recruitment office or the registrar's office. Native speakers of a language other than English will not be granted CLEP or AP exam credit for that language. Students may not earn credit for CLEP subject examinations if the student has credit in the course, was previously or currently enrolled in the course at GVSU or elsewhere or has credit in a higher-level course.

Defense Activity for Nontraditional Educational Support (DANTES): Grand Valley will accept for credit certain DANTES college-level courses and college subject matter examinations. Specifics are available upon request from the Admissions and Recruitment office or the registrar's office. There is no limit to the number of DANTES credits that can be applied.

International Baccalaureate (IB): Credit is granted for higher level IB exam results (in most subjects). The minimum score is 4. Details of the credit granted are available from the Admissions and Recruitment office or the registrar's office.

Credit by examination in any of the noted programs has the following limitations:

  1. Examination credit will be awarded if the student has not previously registered for the course in question at Grand Valley or elsewhere.
  2. The credits, while counting toward graduation, will not be used in computing the GPA.
  3. Students must earn the last 30 credits toward their degree at Grand Valley; therefore, a student nearing graduation must get a Residency Waiver approved before the CLEP exam is taken.
  4. The maximum amount of credit by examination that may be applied toward the baccalaureate is 32 hours. This is inclusive of any combination from Advanced Placement, CLEP, and International Baccalaureate credits awarded.

Concurrent Enrollment with Michigan Community Colleges

Concurrent enrollment allows students at both Grand Valley State University and those attending Michigan community colleges to make full use of the variety of courses offered by both institutions. Through concurrent enrollment, students have more scheduling options, more choice of course locations, and many more courses available. Students may take courses at both institutions simultaneously or alternate enrollment between them. Financial aid may also be available to students who qualify.

Students must be admitted to both institutions. Students will follow the policies in place at each school they attend. Grand Valley has waived the rule that requires a student to have satisfied the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) degree prior to taking their first course at Grand Valley. The benefits of the MTA agreement will be honored upon verification of completion of the degree. Refer to the General Education Requirements section for further clarification.

Internships

An internship is experiential learning for credit taking place outside the classroom and directed by a field supervisor and a Grand Valley State University faculty member. A student may enroll for a maximum of 15 credits of internship. An internship must be planned with a faculty advisor the semester before it takes place.

New Student Orientation

Attendance at an orientation program is required of all degree-seeking undergraduate students before their first semester of attendance. The purposes are to welcome new students, to introduce them to each other and to faculty members with whom they will be working, and to assist them in planning programs of study. The final step of new student orientation is the preparation of a schedule of classes approved by a faculty advisor and completion of the registration process. A schedule of the new student orientation dates is sent to all new students well in advance of their term of entrance.

Degree Requirements

The following requirements apply to all undergraduate degree-seeking students:

  1. A minimum of 120 semester hours
  2. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
  3. A graduation major with at least a 2.0 average
  4. A minor, if elected, with a 2.0 GPA
  5. General education requirements
  6. Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree requirements
  7. Capstone course
  8. The last 30 semester hours toward a baccalaureate degree must be earned in Grand Valley courses
  9. A minimum of 58 semester hours must be earned at a senior institution
  10. A minimum of 12 Grand Valley earned semester hours must be included in the major (six for the minor)

1. Semester Hours Requirements
Students are required to complete at least 120 semester hours of credit for graduation. Courses taken after summer 1983 numbered below 100 do not apply toward the 120 needed for graduation.

2. Cumulative
For graduation, a student must earn a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 based on all coursework attempted at Grand Valley. Some major programs stipulate a GPA requirement exceeding the minimum. Refer to the department entries for specifics.

3. Major
A student must elect a major in one or more of the academic units empowered to present candidates for the undergraduate degree. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the major is the required minimum for graduation. Some majors stipulate requirements exceeding the minimum. Refer to the department entries for program specifics.

4. Minor
A minor is required for select programs for graduation. Any student may choose to complete a minor. If a student chooses to complete a minor, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is the required minimum for graduation. Some minors stipulate requirements that exceed the minimum. Refer to the department entries for program specifics.

5. General Education Requirements
Ensuring that undergraduate students receive a broad general education has been a primary goal of colleges and universities since their inception. In this era of increasing specialization and growing demand for professional expertise, it is vital that we continue to emphasize the value of general learning.

6. B.A. and B.S. Degree Requirements
All Bachelor of Arts degree programs must include at least three courses that focus on culture, arts, philosophy, or language. At least two courses must be outside of the general education Foundations category. All Bachelor of Arts programs must require third-semester proficiency in a classical or modern language and culture or fourth-semester proficiency in American Sign Language and deaf culture.

All Bachelor of Science degree programs must include at least three courses that focus on mathematics, statistics, quantitative reasoning, or scientific analysis. At least two courses must be outside of the general education Foundations category. At least one course must build upon the expertise developed in the general education Mathematical Sciences category by requiring a general education Mathematical Sciences course as a prerequisite

7. Capstone Course
Each undergraduate major curriculum must include a Capstone experience (generally a senior-level course of three credits) with four general criteria: breadth (students must draw on several courses within their major), integration/synthesis (students combine different skills and areas of knowledge into a single experience), application (e.g., students use their knowledge and skills to examine an issue and produce a substantial outcome), and transition (e.g., students reflect on and gain knowledge and skills that prepare them to move from college to the world beyond).

8. Required Hours at Grand Valley
Graduation from Grand Valley State University requires that the completion of the last 30 semester hours toward a baccalaureate degree must be earned at Grand Valley or in Grand Valley programs and courses taught off campus by Grand Valley faculty members.

9. Senior Institution Requirement
Regardless of the number of transfer credits accepted by Grand Valley from junior or community colleges, a baccalaureate degree must include a minimum of 58 semester hours from a senior (four-year, degree-granting) institution.

10. Transfer Hours for Major and Minor
Regardless of the number of transfer hours accepted by Grand Valley from other institutions, transfer students must complete a minimum of 12 hours in the unit conferring the major (six for the minor).

Grand Valley maintains that a complete education involves more than preparation for a particular career. A career occurs in the context of a life, and a sound general education helps one "make a life" as well as "make a living." The university remains committed to assuring that all undergraduate students, regardless of academic major or intended profession, receive a broad education rooted in the arts and sciences.

The focus of our General Education Program is to provide students with an education that balances depth with breadth, the specialized with the general. The General Education Program helps students become literate in a sophisticated way in a number of disciplines, and it fosters their ability to make connections across various domains of knowledge. Such preparation will provide students with the general knowledge and skills necessary to participate intelligently in the discourses that shape local, national, professional, and global communities.

Teaching in the liberal tradition is at the heart of Grand Valley's identity, and this focus is critical in our General Education Program. Liberal education transcends the acquisition of information; it goes beyond the factual to ask important evaluative and philosophical questions. Liberal learning holds the fundamental principles and suppositions of a body of knowledge up to inquiry, question, and discussion. It helps a person recognize the assumptions under which he/she operates and encourages the examination and questioning of those assumptions. Liberal learning begins in the General Education Program and continues through more specialized studies comprising each student's major and minor areas of study.

Grand Valley is dedicated to making sure that our students, via their academic majors, become competent specialists in their fields of endeavor. An equally pressing priority is that our graduates also possess the marks of a generally educated person and that they will have acquired the broad knowledge and life skills that will allow them to be informed and thoughtful people. These ideals co-exist within our institution, and together they produce people who can contribute to their own well-being, their communities, their professions, and the world in which they live.

The General Education Program provides a broad-based liberal education experience that fosters lifelong learning and informed citizenship. The program prepares students for intelligent participation in public dialogs that consider the issues of humane living and responsible action in local, national, and global communities.

Refer to bianlifan.com/gened for more information.

Student Learning Outcomes of The General Education Program

The General Education Program teaches the knowledge and skills needed to intelligently participate in public discourse.

Knowledge Outcomes

Graduates will know

  1. about the major areas of human investigation and accomplishment in the arts, humanities, mathematical sciences, natural sciences, and social sciences;
  2. about their own culture and the culture of others; and
  3. how academic study connects to issues in the world.

Skills Outcomes

Graduates are proficient in the following:

  1. Collaboration: Effectively work on a team.
  2. Critical Thinking: Comprehensively evaluate issues, ideas, artifacts, or events before forming a conclusion.
  3. Ethical Reasoning: Apply ethical principles and codes of conduct to decision-making.
  4. Information Literacy: Identify the need for information; access, evaluate, and use information effectively, ethically, and legally.
  5. Integration: Apply knowledge from experiences and multiple disciplines to new, complex situations.
  6. Oral Communication: Effectively prepare and deliver a formal oral presentation.
  7. Problem Solving: Design and evaluate an approach to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.
  8. Quantitative Literacy: Work effectively with numerical data.
  9. Written Communication: Write effectively for multiple purposes and audiences.

Requirements of The General Education Program

Foundations

Courses in the Foundations category introduce you to the major areas of human thought and endeavor. These courses present the academic disciplines as different ways of looking at the world, they introduce you to the varied methods used to create knowledge, and they acquaint you with major questions and principles of the field.

Requirements include the following:

  1. Arts (one course)
  2. Historical Analysis (one course)
  3. Mathematical Sciences (one course)
  4. Life Sciences (one course, either the Life Sciences or the Physical Sciences course must contain a lab)
  5. Physical Sciences (one course, either the Physical Sciences or the Life Sciences course must contain a lab)
  6. Philosophy and Literature (one course)
  7. Social and Behavioral Sciences (two courses from two different disciplines)
  8. Writing (one course)

Cultures

Courses in the Cultures category prompt you to recognize yourself as a cultural being, and to understand the diverse ways in which people organize life and perceive the world. It enhances your ability to live and work intelligently, responsibly, and cooperatively in a multicultural nation and an interdependent world.

Requirements include the following:

  1. U.S. Diversity (one course)
  2. Global Perspectives (one course)

Courses with a Cultures designation may count for Foundations or Issues credit in addition to Cultures credit. See the specific course for details.

Issues

Courses in the Issues category provide you with opportunities to integrate learning and cocurricular experiences and then to build connections between prior understanding and new learning. Issues courses are problem-solving courses that encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration within each class. They also develop your understanding of some of the most compelling issues of our time: globalization, health, human rights, identity, sustainability, and the connected topics of information, innovation, or technology.

Requirements include the following:

  • Two courses (two courses from two different disciplines/course prefixes)
  • Courses can be within the same Issue or be from different Issues
  • If a course is cross-listed in two disciplines/course prefixes, your second course must be taken from a third discipline/course prefix.
  • Issues courses must be taken at GVSU (except study abroad, see bianlifan.com/studyabroad).
  • Issues courses have a junior standing prerequisite (you must have completed at least 55 credits prior to taking an Issues course; you can register for the class while the final credits are in progress).

Supplemental Writing Skills (SWS)

The university requires that all students take two Supplemental Writing Skills courses. These courses, which have Writing 150 or Writing 130 with a grade of C (not C-) or better as a prerequisite, are designated SWS in each semester's course schedule. Please read the schedule carefully because not all sections of a multisection course are necessarily SWS sections. Those that are not designated SWS do not result in SWS credit. The SWS courses need not add to a student's program because they may also count as courses in general education or the major. Transfer students with a MACRAO must take one SWS course (normally in the student's major).

Courses that have received the SWS designation are not merely courses that require written assignments; they adhere to certain guidelines. Students turn in a total of at least 3,000 words of writing during the term. Part of that total may be essay exams, but a substantial amount of it is made up of finished essays or reports or research papers. The instructor works with the students on revising drafts of their papers, rather than simply grading the finished piece of writing. At least four hours of class time are devoted to writing instruction. For a three-credit course, at least one-third of the final grade is based on the writing assignments.

Students must pass the writing skills courses (Writing 150 or Writing 130 and the two SWS courses) with a grade of C or better in each course. Students with a grade of C- or lower in an SWS course may repeat the course or pass another SWS course with a grade of C or better before graduation. Transfer students with the MACRAO must pass one SWS course with a grade of C or better. Students may receive SWS credit for courses taken as credit/no-credit as long as the course has already been officially approved and designated as an SWS course.

Questions regarding the SWS program should be addressed to the University Writing Skills Committee.
bianlifan.com/sws

Frederik Meijer Honors College

Frederik Meijer Honors College students may satisfy their general education requirements through the Meijer Honors College curriculum.

Transfer Students

Students who transfer to Grand Valley with the MACRAO-approved associate of arts or science degree from a Michigan public community college have satisfied the Foundations of the General Education Program and one Supplemental Writing Skills (SWS) course. Transfer students with the MACRAO are required to complete the following requirements: one SWS course in their major or college, the Capstone course in that major, and the B.A. or B.S. degree requirement where applicable. In addition, transfer students with the MACRAO must also fulfill the following general education requirements: the two-course Cultures requirement and two Issues courses.

Dual Majors

In order to have dual majors recorded on the official record, a student must meet fully the requirements of each major. Students may complete a single course and that course may be applied to both majors. Dual majors may be awarded as long as there is a minimum of 60 credits across both majors. Students need to complete requirements for both majors. When course overlap occurs, students should see their advisor, who can help them obtain the proper approvals if substitution is appropriate.

Multiple Minors

For a multiple minor, each minor must contain 20 credits that are not duplicated in the other.

Minor

In order to have a minor recorded on the official record, a student must meet fully the requirements of the select minor. A minor must have a minimum of 20 required credits. The required 20 credits in the minor must also be unduplicated in relationship to the major.

Second Bachelor's Degree

Under certain circumstances a student may earn two baccalaureate degrees. Students with a Grand Valley baccalaureate degree or Grand Valley students pursuing two degrees simultaneously at Grand Valley should note the following information:

  1. They must meet all specified requirements for both degree programs.
  2. They must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours in residence at Grand Valley beyond that required for the first degree. Therefore, a student earning two baccalaureate degrees must complete a minimum of 150 credits.
  3. A student who meets the separate requirements for each of the two degree programs but not the additional residence requirement may have both majors recorded on his/her academic record.
  4. A student holding a baccalaureate degree from Grand Valley may not modify their undergraduate GPA for degree by pursuing additional coursework.

Students holding a baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution should note the following information:

  1. They must meet all specified requirements for a new major degree program.
  2. General education requirements are regarded as satisfied by the first degree.
  3. They must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours in residence at Grand Valley.
  4. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 12 hours in the unit conferring the major (six for the minor).

Catalog Limitations and Guarantees

A student may graduate under the catalog in effect at the time of his or her initial registration as a degree-seeking student at Grand Valley or under any succeeding catalog. However, if a student doesn't fulfill all requirements for the degree within a period of eight consecutive years, they will need to move to a newer catalog year. (For example, a student whose initial registration falls during the 2020-2021 catalog, must move to a newer catalog if they have not completed their program of study by the end of the 2027-2028 academic year.) A student cannot declare a course, program, or degree once it has been discontinued even if it existed at the time of the student's entry.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Credit for Prior Learning can be granted through internal GVSU examination, industry certification, or portfolio assessment. PLA is evaluated internally by GVSU units and faculty. All credit by PLA is subject to the following regulations:

  1. All PLAs shall be graded Credit (CR) or No Credit (NC). Credit will be posted on the transcript as prefix, course number, Prior Learning and then the course title (which may be abbreviated because of character limitations) without letter grade or quality points. PLA credits may satisfy program course requirements but will not be counted in the grade point average. Students who do not achieve credit will have no entry made on their transcripts. PLA credits count toward the maximum number of CR/NC hours a student is allowed to take at GVSU. Prior learning credit will apply toward the Credit/No Credit limit provided in the General Academic Policies of the catalog. bianlifan.com/catalog/navigation/academic-policies-and-regulations.htm#anchor-9
  2. PLA credits count as GVSU credits.
  3. PLA credits cannot satisfy the General Education Program Issues requirements.
  4. PLA credit may be given for specific course credit or general credit at the unit's discretion.
  5. PLA credit earned at another university, whether awarded by examination or some other form of PLA, may transfer to GVSU in accordance with the current policies governing transfer of credit.
  6. Experiences post high school in which college-level learning was acquired qualify for prior learning credit.
  7. GVSU courses for which there are alternate evaluative systems in place, such as waivers, placement tests, or external exams (e.g., AP, CLEP, etc.) are not eligible for PLA credit.
  8. Assessment of PLA materials will be completed within 30 business days of their receipt.
  9. Each department with program faculty engaged in reviewing and approving PLA credits shall provide uniform data on such activities to the appropriate GVSU entity for reporting and Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation purposes.
  10. Prior Learning Credit may not be applied toward a course that is a prerequisite for a course a student already has credit for.

Graduate Academic Policies and Regulations

Credit Load

Full-time graduate students register for nine or more credit hours per semester. For financial aid purposes, half-time graduate students must register for at least four and one-half credit hours per semester. Permission from the dean of the appropriate academic college is required for more than 15 credit hours per semester.

Independent Study

Independent study credits (XXX-699 or XXX-799) can be offered to graduate students adhering to the following rules:

  1. No independent study will be allowed in areas where courses exist and are taught at least once per academic year.
  2. All independent study topics and the amount of credit to be earned must be approved by the unit head and the faculty member who agrees to supervise the independent study and serve as the instructor of record.
  3. No more than six credits of xxx-699 or xxx-799 can be counted toward the graduate degree.
  4. The credits, subject matter and learning objectives, evaluation, meeting times, and student workload for the independent study are mutually agreed to by the initiating student and the assenting faculty member and are consistent with standards of quality education for the discipline.
  5. Some units or programs may have further restrictions regarding independent study.

Degree Requirements

In each of the graduate degree programs offered by Grand Valley, the university seeks to provide its students with intellectual challenge and opportunity for scholarly and professional growth. A graduate degree program is a carefully structured combination of courses and research designed on the whole to serve specific needs of the student.

Specific details of the graduate degree programs and regulations governing graduate work may be found in the department and unit entries in this catalog or on the graduate degree program webpage. The following information briefly summarizes the institutional minimums for the master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. In those graduate degree programs where the department or unit requires more than the university minimum, the department or unit requirements take precedence.

Credit at the graduate level will only be awarded for grades of C or better. This includes all graduate coursework and core, background, and foundation courses. Grades below C will be calculated in a student's GPA, but the credits will not count toward the graduate degree, certificate, or badge. Graduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) at all times. Additional information on GPA and grading requirements can be found in the Academic Review for Graduate Students section that follows.

Graduate Academic Policies

Combined Degree Programs

A student shall be considered a graduate student for purposes of rights (e.g., library privileges) and responsibilities (e.g., RCR training) at the time of admittance in a combined degree program.

A student shall be considered a graduate student for all purposes upon fulfillment of one of the following events: the award of a baccalaureate degree, the completion of 12 graduate credit hours or at the request of the graduate program director with the approval of the academic dean.

No more than six graduate credits of coursework taken prior to admission to a combined degree program may be counted toward the combined degree.

Eight-year Time Limit Policy

1. Graduate credits can be counted toward a badge, certificate, and/or degree, if the credits are successfully completed within a period of eight consecutive years.

2. The date of entry into the first graduate course counted toward the badge, certificate, and/or degree is viewed as the starting point of the eight-year period.

Graduate Remediation Policy

  1. Remediation is the process of permitting a student to demonstrate competency in an outcome measure which the student did not successfully exhibit in a prior course assessment.
  2. All graduate programs are required to have a Program Remediation Policy, which is communicated to and approved by the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.
  3. Remediation is not allowed for a course grade of F or no credit, a culminating experience requirement, a project, a thesis or a dissertation.
  4. All Program Remediation Policies shall
    • be formally approved by the program faculty;
    • include specific information on how remediation is offered, which courses may be remediated, how many times a course may be remediated, and how many times a student may be offered remediation;
    • require that individual student remediation plans be developed by the instructor of record for the course in which the student failed to demonstrate the required competency or outcome and the graduate program director; and
    • be formally documented and communicated to students via the course syllabus.
  5. With the approval of the associate vice provost for The Graduate School, graduate programs may elect to not allow remediation.

Dual-Listed Courses

  1. Graduate students may receive credit from a dual-listed course only when the course is considered sufficiently rigorous and of an advanced nature as determined by both the program faculty and Graduate Council.
  2. A student may receive credit for a dual-listed course at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
  3. A single course syllabus and syllabus of record shall be created for dual-listed courses that clearly differentiate the expectations for earning graduate versus undergraduate credit.
  4. The expectations of graduate students enrolled in a dual-listed course shall be consistent with those found in the Higher Learning Commission Criteria for Accreditation Handbook. Graduate-level learning activities are more focused on content and purpose and more intellectually demanding than undergraduate education. Faculty and students engage in scholarship involving research and practice as appropriate to the discipline or field, and learning activities involve frequent interactions among faculty and graduate students.
  5. Faculty teaching dual-listed courses are expected to be in compliance with the University Policy for Qualifications of Tenured and Tenure-track Faculty Engaged in Graduate Education or the University Policy for Non-tenure track Faculty Engaged in Graduate Education.
  6. A special topics course offered as a dual-listed course (480, 580) must be consistent with the provisions of this policy. A copy of the course syllabus for a special topics course offered as a dual-listed course must be filed with the associate vice provost for The Graduate School by the end of the first week of the semester in which the course is initially offered or of a subsequent semester for which the syllabus was revised.
  7. Regularly scheduled dual-listed courses shall be assigned course numbers in which the last two digits are congruent (e.g. 412/512).
  8. Dual-listed courses may only be offered at the 400/500 level.
  9. No more than twelve (12) credits earned from dual-listed graduate courses may be applied toward the degree.

Graduate Academic Policy for the Award of a Badge, Certificate, and/or Graduate Degree

1. The university may award a badge, certificate, and/or graduate degree only when a student meets all program requirements and their graduate program grade point average (GPA) is equal to or greater than a 3.0 (B) average.

2. Credit at the graduate level will only be awarded for grades of C or better. Grades below C will be calculated in a student's GPA, but the credits will not count toward the badge, certificate, and/or degree. Individual programs may have more stringent requirements, please refer to your specific program policies for more information.

3. The student must fulfill all requirements for the badge, certificate, and/or degree within a period of eight consecutive years. The date of entry into the first graduate course counted toward the badge, certificate, and/or degree is viewed as the starting point of the eight-year period.

4. Master's programs may include some courses that are dual-numbered at the senior undergraduate and graduate level (maximum of nine credits may be counted toward the graduate degree). Such courses must be approved for dual listing and must follow the dual-listed course policy. Graduate students may not repeat for graduate credit dual-listed courses that were taken in their undergraduate program. If such a course is a master's program requirement, the department will make an appropriate substitution.

5. Candidates for advanced degrees must demonstrate not only their mastery of the subject matter but their ability to integrate and synthesize it. They must also demonstrate their ability to generate new knowledge and/or apply existing knowledge to specific practical situations in a culminating experience. This demonstration must take the form of a project, thesis, dissertation, internship, comprehensive examination, or a culminating experience course.

Graduate Academic Policy on the Minimum Number of Credits Required for the Award of a Master's Degree

1. A minimum of 33 graduate-level credits must be earned for a master's degree to be awarded. Graduate-level credits for the master's degree are earned in those courses that are numbered 500 and above that do not meet the definition of a leveling* course.
2. A cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 is required of all candidates for the master's degree.
3. At least 24 credits must be earned at Grand Valley.
4. The following types of credit are NOT considered to be graduate-level credit for the purpose of this policy:

a. Credit earned for completion of a leveling course (defined as follows)
b. Credit that was earned more than eight years prior to the award of the degree

Exceptions to this provision may be granted for courses more than eight-years old based on evidence provided by the student that demonstrates currency in the content of the course, and on the recommendation of the graduate program director for the degree sought, and with the approval of the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.

*Definition: A leveling course is a course that is intended to provide knowledge skills and competencies expected of students entering a specific graduate degree program and that is routinely waived or not required for students with sufficient undergraduate coursework in the discipline or program area.

Graduate Academic Policy on the Minimum Number of Hours Required for the Specialist Degree

1. A specialist degree program shall require a minimum of sixty (60) graduate credits beyond the baccalaureate degree.
2. Additionally, if a student has earned a master's degree prior to matriculating in the specialist program, the student must earn a minimum of thirty (30) graduate credits beyond the master's degree.
3. Credit earned in a leveling course as defined in the Graduate Academic Policy on the Minimum Number of Credits Required for the Master's Degree may not be counted toward the minimum credit required.
4. A minimum of twenty-four (24) of the required graduate credits must be earned at Grand Valley State University.

Graduate Academic Policy on the Minimum Number of Hours Required for an Earned Doctoral Degree

1. Except as provided as follows, a graduate degree program shall require the following minimum number of graduate credits to award a doctoral degree:

a. Ninety (90) graduate credits beyond a baccalaureate degree
b. Additionally, if a student has earned a master's degree prior to matriculation in the doctoral program, at least forty-five (45) graduate credits beyond the master's degree
c. A minimum of forty-five (45) graduate credits earned at Grand Valley State University

2. A doctoral degree program may require fewer credits than specified previously only if consistent with academic and discipline-based norms.

a. Consistency with academic and discipline-based norms may be demonstrated by offering

i. authoritative evidence, such as accreditation, professional/academic association standards; and/or
ii. documentation of prevailing practices among similar degree titles and programs; or
iii. a thorough and convincing rationale for a new and innovative doctoral degree program where similar programs do not exist.

b. A doctoral degree may NOT be awarded to a student who has earned fewer than

i. seventy-five (75) graduate credits beyond a baccalaureate degree; or
ii. thirty (30) graduate credits beyond the master's degree, if a student has earned a master's degree prior to matriculating in the doctoral program; or
iii. thirty (30) graduate credits at Grand Valley State University.

3. Credit earned in a leveling course as defined in the Graduate Academic Policy on the Minimum Number of Credits Required for the Master's Degree may not be counted toward the minimums specified in this policy.

Graduate Academic Policy on the Transfer of Credit to a Graduate Program Degree, Certificate, or Badge

1. Graduate credit from accredited institutions will be considered for transfer to a degree, certificate, or badge program where the credit

a. is relevant to the student's degree program as determined by the graduate program director of the program, certificate, or badge to which the credit would be applied;
b. for which a grade of B (3.0) or above was earned;
c. is applicable to any graduate degree, certificate, or badge at the institution from which the credit was awarded;
d. is not a culminating experience;
e. is not an independent learning project or similar experience; and
f. practicums, internships, clinical experiences, or fieldwork that are required of the program may be transferred upon approval of the graduate program director.

2. The acceptance of credit in transfer is at the discretion of the graduate program director of the degree program, certificate, or badge to which the credit will be applied. The following is the maximum amount of transfer credit that may be applied to a graduate degree, certificate, or badge:

a. Thirty-three percent of the total number of credits required for the degree, certificate, or badge.

3. Exceptions to this policy must be recommended by the graduate program director and approved by the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.
4. Definitions

a. A culminating experience is a project, thesis, dissertation, internship, comprehensive examination, or a culminating experience course.
b. The equivalent of graduate academic credit from an accredited institution is credit

i. earned from an institution which the university has a formal agreement to accept the credit in transfer; or
ii. earned from an institution outside the United States that has been evaluated on a course-by-course basis as equivalent to graduate credit earned from an accredited institution. The evaluation must have been performed by a foreign transcript evaluation service approved by the associate vice provost for The Graduate School; or
iii. earned from an institution outside the United States, where the institution is recognized by the associate vice provost for The Graduate School as equivalent to a United States accredited institution. Transcripts of foreign institutions issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation of the transcript in English.

5. The associate vice provost for The Graduate School shall develop, publish, and maintain

a. a list of foreign transcript evaluation services that are approved by the associate vice provost for The Graduate School; and
b. a list of foreign institutions recognized by the associate vice provost for The Graduate School as equivalent to United States accredited institutions.

The recognition of an institution as equivalent to a United States accredited institution is

i. at the discretion of the associate vice provost for The Graduate School; and
ii. based on evidence that the

1. institution is recognized by its country's agency or ministry that regulates higher education; and,
2. graduate-level course offerings of the institution are equivalent to those of United States accredited institutions.

Graduate Academic Policy on the Award of Academic Credit for Study Abroad Experiences

1. Graduate academic credit may be awarded to a student enrolled in a graduate degree program for a study abroad experience for which the student received the prior approval of the graduate program director.

a. The graduate program director, in consultation with the Padnos International Center, shall consider whether the study abroad experience

i. is consistent with the amount of credit to be awarded and
ii. is consistent in level and rigor with typical academic experiences for which graduate credit is awarded by a United States accredited institution.

b. The acceptance of study abroad credit to meet a requirement or as an elective in a graduate degree program is at the discretion of the graduate program director.

Exception: This provision (paragraph 1) does not apply to a GVSU-sponsored study abroad experience for which credit is specifically awarded for a university course that is listed as a requirement or elective in the graduate degree program.

2. The graduate program director, in consultation with the Padnos International Center, shall consider whether the student's academic performance in a completed study abroad experience is equivalent to a grade of B or higher at a United States regionally accredited institution.
3. Graduate academic credit awarded by the university for a study abroad experience for which the student has obtained the prior approval of the graduate program director is deemed to be graduate credit earned in residence at the university regardless of whether another (e.g., host) institution has awarded credit for the same experience.
4. This policy does not apply to a completed study abroad experience for which the student has not obtained the prior approval of the graduate program director. The applicable policy in such cases is the Graduate Academic Policy for the Transfer of Credit to a Graduate Program.
5. Except for courses meeting the exception in 1.b. as listed previously, the graduate program director shall report each award of graduate credit for a study abroad experience to the associate vice provost for The Graduate School for final approval.

Converting a Certificate or Badge Into Graduate Degree Credit

  1. A graduate student may convert graduate credit earned at GVSU as part of a badge or certificate into credits required for a graduate degree with the approval of the graduate program director.
  2. Students must be graduate degree candidates in good academic standing to have the credits from the badge or certificate counted toward a graduate degree.
  3. Any credits from the badge or certificate counted toward a graduate degree must abide by the eight-year time limit for degree completion.
  4. Students must complete all degree requirements (e.g., culminating experience, internship, clinical practicum) to receive a graduate degree.

Converting Professional Learning Into Graduate Credit

  1. A student may earn a maximum of 20 percent of the total graduate credits required for the graduate degree for professional learning acquired through noncredit courses; structured, noncredit professional development program; and professional work experiences to fulfill required or elective courses.
  2. A student must be a graduate degree candidate to have the approved credits recorded on the GVSU transcript. Credits for professional learning will count toward graduation but will not be used in computing the grade point average.
  3. To be accepted as credits for professional learning (*XXX 697 - Professional Learning), the dates for the noncredit coursework, professional development programs, and professional work experiences must abide by the eight-year time limit for degree completion.
  4. Professional learning credits may not be used for a culminating experience.
  5. Students are required to demonstrate competency in professional learning via one or both of the following mechanisms:
    1. Challenge Exam:
      A graduate program may offer oral, practical, and/or written challenge exams approved by their department curriculum committees to assess students' mastery and application of graduate level knowledge and skills.
    2. Individualized Assessment:
      A graduate program may appoint a committee to conduct an individualized assessment. Such an assessment is to be based upon department and college criteria for demonstration of mastery and application of graduate level knowledge and skills. This type of assessment may include portfolio review, performance-based assessment, and demonstration.
  6. The decision by the unit head and the graduate program director on the outcome of the graduate program's Challenge Exam or Individualized Assessment is final.
  7. With approval of the associate vice provost for The Graduate School, graduate programs may elect not to accept professional learning credits or have additional restrictions.

*XXX refers to the standard discipline-based course prefix (e.g., CMB for cell and molecular biology)

Policy for the Award of Two or More Graduate Degrees at the Same Level

The university may award more than one graduate degree at the same level where

  1. all stated requirements are met for each degree;
  2. a minimum of two-thirds of the total graduate credits must be unique to each degree sought;
  3. culminating experiences including courses, internships, clinicals, practica, projects, theses, or dissertations may not apply to both degrees; and
  4. the award of two or more graduate degrees must be supported by the graduate program directors of the respective programs and approved by the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.

This policy does not apply to dual-degree programs within the university or offered in conjunction with another graduate institution under formal agreement with Grand Valley which have been specifically approved through the university curriculum approval process.

Responsible Conduct of Research for Graduate Students Policy

Each graduate student must complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training prior to completion of 50 percent of the graduate degree program or prior to engaging in any research activity (e.g., voluntary, independent, or supervised research, projects, theses, or dissertations).

Individual graduate programs must identify what type of minimal RCR training is required and when it will be required, with approval by the dean of The Graduate School. The following options are available:

  • Online training from a Grand Valley State University approved provider
  • An approved research methodology course
  • An approved workshop or series of workshops
  • An approved RCR course

Note: Additional RCR training may be required by individual graduate programs.

Masters' Theses and Doctoral Dissertations Policy

1. Masters' theses must be overseen and approved by a committee consisting of at least three members. Doctoral dissertations must be overseen and approved by a committee consisting of at least four members.
2. For the master's thesis, at least one committee member must be from outside the candidate's specific research topic of study. For the doctoral dissertation, at least one committee member must be from outside the candidate's program of study.
3. All committee members must hold graduate faculty member status (full, associate, or adjunct). The chair of the committee must hold full graduate faculty member status.
4. The associate vice provost for The Graduate School must approve individuals external to Grand Valley as members for thesis or dissertation committees. Qualified individuals will be given nontenure track graduate faculty status for three years from the time of approval to serve on thesis or dissertation committees.
5. Committee membership must be reviewed and approved by the graduate program director and unit head of the graduate program in which the student is enrolled.
6. The Graduate School will review the committee membership for adherence to policy.
7. Upon registering for the initial credit of 695 or 795, the student must complete a graduate school-sponsored thesis or dissertation workshop during the concurrent semester.
8. There must be an announced, public proposal of the thesis or dissertation.
9. There must be an announced, public defense of the completed thesis or dissertation.
10. All graduate students who are working on their thesis or dissertation and have completed all other credit requirements for their degree program must remain in continuous enrollment by enrolling in at least one thesis or dissertation credit for each subsequent semester until the completion of the thesis or dissertation.
11. The completed thesis or dissertation must adhere to the Grand Valley State University guidelines for the preparation of theses and dissertations as regularly reviewed and approved by the Graduate Council.
12. After obtaining final approval from the committee and the appropriate academic dean, the completed thesis or dissertation is reviewed by The Graduate School for adherence to the Grand Valley State University guidelines for the preparation of theses and dissertations. Approval of The Graduate School is required before the thesis or dissertation is accepted by Grand Valley State University.
13. An electronic version of the completed approved thesis or dissertation must be submitted for inclusion in the Grand Valley institutional repository managed by the university library.
14. Exceptions to this policy require the approval of the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement for the Project, Thesis, or Dissertation Phase of Degree Programs

Master's Programs
To complete requirements for the degree, students in master's programs may select either a project or a thesis.1
1. Master's project: Students begin the master's project phase of their program by enrolling in xxx-693 (project). Thereafter, they must continue to enroll in either xxx2-693 or xxx-696 (continuous enrollment) for at least one credit every semester until they have completed all requirements for the project.
2. Master's thesis: Students begin the master's thesis phase of their program by enrolling in xxx-695 (thesis). Thereafter, they must continue to enroll in either xxx-695 or xxx-696 (continuous enrollment) for at least one credit every semester until they have completed all requirements for the thesis.

Doctoral Programs
To complete requirements for the degree, students in a doctoral program may select either a project or a dissertation.1
1. Doctoral project: Students begin the doctoral project phase of their program by enrolling in xxx-793 (project). Thereafter, they must continue to enroll in either xxx2-793 or xxx-796 (continuous enrollment) for at least one credit every semester until they have completed all requirements for the project.
2. Doctoral dissertation: Students begin the doctoral dissertation phase of their program by enrolling in xxx-795 (dissertation). Thereafter, they must continue to enroll in either xxx-795 or xxx-796 (continuous enrollment) for at least one credit every semester until they have completed all requirements for the dissertation.

1Where it is an available option, students may formally select a nonproject, nonthesis, or nondissertation option for completing their degree program.
2xxx refers to the standard discipline-based course prefix (e.g., CMB for cell and molecular biology).

Artificial Intelligence Use in a Research Project, Thesis, or Dissertation Policy
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating a research project, thesis, or dissertation must adhere to the following to ensure academic integrity and uphold quality standards for students engaging with AI technologies in academic research and scholarship:

  1. AI-generated content includes any content produced or significantly assisted by AI-powered systems.
  2. AI-generated content may be used as a tool to assist research and scholarship but not as a replacement for original thought, analysis, and critical thinking.
  3. Students using AI for research project, thesis, or dissertation work must have prior approval from their faculty research project advisor or thesis or dissertation committee chairperson.
  4. If AI tools are used, it must be disclosed in the acknowledgement section of the research project, thesis, or dissertation and students must clearly identify which part of their work is generated or significantly influenced by AI, making sure to provide proper citation and attribution where appropriate.
  5. The final responsibility for the quality, accuracy, and academic integrity of the research project, thesis, or dissertation produced with the assistance of AI lies with the student.
  6. Failure to adhere to this policy may be considered a violation of the student code and/or research integrity policies.

Graduate Academic Policy on Course Withdrawals

A graduate student may seek a timely withdrawal or late withdrawal from a course and receive a grade of W if the request is approved. For a full semester course, this policy differentiates between requests for a withdrawal made before the end of the 11th week of classes or after the 11th week. The university registrar shall determine the equivalent of the end of the 11th week of classes for a partial-semester (e.g., five-week, six-week) course. A withdrawal from one or more courses does not remove the student from the graduate program. To completely withdraw from a graduate degree program, a student must execute a program withdrawal request.

1. Course withdrawal in the first 11 weeks of the semester
A graduate student may withdraw from a course and receive a grade of W up to the end of the 11th week of class.
2. Course withdrawal after the first 11 weeks of the semester (late withdrawal)
After the 11th week of the semester, a degree-, certificate- or badge-seeking graduate student may only withdraw from one or more courses and receive a grade of W with the approval of the course instructor, the director of the graduate program in which they are enrolled, and the associate vice provost for The Graduate School. After the 11th week of the semester, a nondegree-seeking graduate student may only withdraw from one or more courses and receive a grade of W with the approval of the course instructor and the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.
3. Program withdrawal
A graduate student may elect to withdraw from a graduate program. Each program shall have a process for reviewing a program withdrawal request that has been approved by and filed with the associate vice provost for The Graduate School. A graduate student who has been granted a program withdrawal shall normally receive a W for the current semester courses, be classified by the university as a nondegree-seeking student, and must reapply for admission to the graduate degree program, if they desire to return. If the student wishes to apply to a different graduate program, they must meet all admission requirements for the new program.

Graduate Academic Policy on Leave of Absence

1. A graduate student may request a leave of absence for a maximum of two years from a graduate degree program for good cause. Examples of cause include, but are not limited to, medical issues, caring for family members, nonoptional military commitments, maternity, and work requirements.
2. The graduate student shall explain in writing to the graduate program director the reason for seeking a leave of absence and must specify the period for which the leave of absence is sought. The graduate student may provide materials supporting their request (e.g., military orders) if it is deemed necessary.
3. The graduate program director shall review the graduate student's written explanation and supporting materials, relevant circumstances and documentation, academic performance, and history in the program. After considering the results of this review, the graduate program director shall recommend to the associate vice provost for The Graduate School whether a leave of absence should be granted and the terms and conditions for return to the program.
4. The associate vice provost for The Graduate School shall render a decision after reviewing the graduate student's written request and the recommendation of the graduate program director. The decision by the associate vice provost for The Graduate School shall be final.
5. If the student is granted an immediate leave of absence, it shall have the effect of a course withdrawal for all courses in which the student is enrolled. Requesting a tuition reimbursement must be completed following university policy.
6. The student shall follow the graduate program and catalog requirements in effect at the time of re-enrollment.
7. At the discretion of the associate vice provost for The Graduate School, a leave of absence may be extended beyond the original time granted at the written request of the student. A student who does not enroll in classes or requests an extension at the end of the leave of absence may be required to reapply for admission at the discretion of their desired graduate program.
8. A leave of absence does not extend the eight-year time limit for the applicability of a graduate course toward a degree, certificate, or badge. Requesting an extension of the time limit must be completed following university policy.
9. A student in the dissertation or thesis phase of their graduate program is not required to maintain continuous enrollment in any semester for which a leave of absence has been granted.
10. Students who wish to take a semester away from their program and are not part of a cohort or structured program may not need to complete a Leave of Absence request and should contact the graduate program director prior to completing the request.

Graduate Academic Policy on the Incomplete Grade

This is a temporary grade given for work that is lacking in quantity to meet course objectives. It may be assigned when illness, necessary absence, or other reasons generally beyond the control of the graduate student prevent completion of the course requirements by the end of the semester. This incomplete (I) grade may not be given as a substitute for a failing grade or withdrawal. A graduate student is expected to complete course requirements according to the following schedule: fall semester incomplete grades, no later than the end of the subsequent winter semester; winter and spring/summer incomplete grades, no later than the end of the subsequent fall semester. Earlier deadlines can be set by the instructor or the graduate program director and must be communicated to the student in writing.

Instructors are required to file a change of grade form or request an extension of the I grade at the end of each semester. A student cannot graduate with an I grade on their record.

Academic Review for Graduate Students Enrolled in a Degree, Certificate, or Badge Program

1. All graduate students are expected to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 graduate program grade point average at all times.
2. The academic review process will be conducted by the appropriate graduate program director for degree-, certificate-, or badge-seeking graduate students or by The Graduate School for nondegree graduate students. Academic review is applicable to a graduate student under any of the following conditions:

a. Earns any of the following grades in the previous semester:

i. A grade of D or F.
ii. The second or subsequent grade of C or lower in graduate courses in the student's program.
iii. The second or subsequent grade of NC in graduate courses in the student's program.

b. Performance is evaluated as unsatisfactory in a required clinical experience, internship, or practicum.
c. Earns semester or cumulative program grade point average below 3.0.
d. Has not met the conditions of a previously imposed academic probation with the time limits imposed.
e. By the end of the semester has more than two unresolved grades of I (incomplete) that were assigned in a previous semester.

3. Academic review may result in an academic warning, academic probation, or dismissal.

Graduate Dismissal
A graduate student shall be dismissed from a graduate program under either of the following conditions:

a. Earns a second or subsequent grade of F in any graduate course, including repeated courses.
b. Has less than a 3.0 graduate program grade point average AND has accumulated nine or more hours for which a grade less than a B- was earned.

A graduate student who has been dismissed from a Grand Valley graduate program may not be admitted to a different graduate program and may not enroll in graduate courses without the permission of the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.

Appeals of Action Taken Under this Policy
1. A degree-seeking or certificate-seeking graduate student may appeal an action taken under this policy using the graduate program's published process for appeals of academic decisions. If the program does not have a published appeals process, the appeal shall be to the dean of the college in which the graduate program is housed. The student may appeal the decision of the dean of the college and to the provost or the provost's designee. The result of each appeal shall be reported to the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.

2. A nondegree graduate student may petition the associate vice provost for The Graduate School for reconsideration of a decision. If such reconsideration is unsuccessful, the student may appeal the decision to the provost or provost's designee.

Effect of Grade Change
If a review of the student's record or dismissal from graduate study is based on a grade that is subsequently changed, the student may appeal any adverse action taken.

Timing of Decisions
All parties to the decision to act under this policy shall act expeditiously to arrive at and communicate a decision to the student as soon as practicable. However, to afford due process and full consideration of the graduate student's record and circumstances, a decision to dismiss a student under this policy may occur in the semester after the student's performance or actions warranted dismissal. If the graduate student is enrolled in graduate courses at the time of the dismissal, the decision shall have the effect of a withdrawal from Grand Valley State University.

Graduate Academic Policy on Academic Renewal

A graduate student may request a "fresh start" when changing to a new graduate program leading to a graduate degree at Grand Valley State University. A fresh start is defined as beginning a new graduate program and having the prior graduate record exempt from the new graduate program grade point average (GPA) and academic review process. All graduate courses previously taken at Grand Valley State University, however, will remain on the student's academic record.

To be considered for a fresh start, the student must submit a petition to the associate vice provost for The Graduate School seeking readmission and must meet the following criteria:

  1. The student has been recommended for admission into the new graduate program by the appropriate graduate program director.
  2. A period of no less than one semester has passed since the student withdrew or was dismissed from a Grand Valley State University graduate program.
  3. The student's previous graduate GPA is below the minimum required to earn a graduate degree (3.0 on a 4.0 scale).

The student will be subject to the following rules:

  1. No courses completed in a previous Grand Valley State University graduate program will transfer or be applied to the requirements of the new program.
  2. Only one fresh start will be granted to any one graduate student at Grand Valley State University.
  3. Final approval for a fresh start resides with the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.

Requests for Exception to Graduate Policies

Requests for Exception to Graduate Policy: The associate vice provost for The Graduate School is responsible for the review and final approval or denial of Petitions for Exception to graduate education policies. The student's academic advisor, graduate program director, or dean of the college where the program resides, must support all exceptions for the associate vice provost for The Graduate School to approve them. Information on Requests for Exceptions can be found on The Graduate School website.

Please refer to the Graduate Education Policies and Procedures Manual (bianlifan.com/gs/manual) or Graduate Academic Policies and Regulations section of the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog for further information on academic review, probation, and dismissal.

Petition for Exception to 12-credit-hour Limit: Grand Valley policy allows graduate students to take a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours without being admitted to a specific graduate program. Once the student gains admission to a graduate program, any credit hours beyond the limit must be granted an exception to the policy to be counted toward the degree. The student seeking this exception should contact his or her academic advisor to initiate the Petition for Exception.

Petition for Exception to Eight-year Time Limit to Degree Completion: All courses to be counted for a graduate degree at Grand Valley must be completed within eight years. This time limit is a way of ensuring the student's validity and currency of knowledge at the time of graduation. The student will be required to either repeat the course or take an approved substitute, if unable to demonstrate currency of knowledge. The start date for the eight-year time limit begins with the first course taken toward the degree planned program.

Petition for Exception to Graduate Student Policies: Students seeking to appeal other graduate academic policies must complete the appropriate Petition for Exception form as provided on The Graduate School webpage. The student's academic advisor, graduate program director, or dean of the college where the program resides must support all exceptions before approval by the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.

Credit Overload: Full-time graduate students register for nine to 15 credit hours per semester. Permission from the dean of the appropriate academic college is required for more than 15 hours per semester.

Petition to Return: Following a voluntary absence of two or more consecutive semesters, a graduate student must complete a Petition to Return form. Graduate students are reminded that following a voluntary absence of 24 consecutive months they must follow the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog requirements in effect at the time of their return to Grand Valley. Such students should meet with their program advisor to revise their study plan.

Graduate students who wish to return to Grand Valley following an academic dismissal must submit a written appeal to the dean of the appropriate academic college. Graduate students who wish to change to a different program within Grand Valley must complete the application process for that program. No additional application fee is required, and the applicant need not supply duplicate copies of official transcripts already on file.

Catalog Limitations and Guarantees

Graduate students follow the requirements in the Grand Valley catalog at the time they were originally admitted into a program as degree-, certificate-, or badge-seeking students. Students who have not enrolled in Grand Valley for 24 consecutive months must follow the requirements in the Grand Valley catalog in effect at the time of their re-entry. All students have the option of using the program requirements in effect at the time of graduation. Any exceptions must be approved in writing by the faculty advisor and program director and filed in the appropriate program office.


If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.