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Graduate Policies and ProceduresEach graduate program has a different mission, and some programs may have requirementsadditional to or different from those in the Graduate School. The Doctor of Physical Therapy(DPT), the Occupational Therapy (OT), the Juris Doctorate (JD), and the Doctor of Pharmacy(PharmD) programs have different criteria. Please refer to the respective section of the Universitycatalog for the details.A. A Degree-seeking StudentA degree-seeking student is a student, who has been admitted formally toa master’s or doctoral program.B. Non-degree Seeking StudentsStudents are classified as non-degree seeking students if they have not been formallyadmitted into a graduate degree. Non-degree seeking graduate students are limited toearning 12 credit hours.Any student, who attempts to exceed the 12 credit hour limit without being accepted intoa degree-seeking program at the University, will be placed on a registration hold. Thehold can only be cleared upon producing evidence of admission to a degree seekingprogram.Courses taken as a non-degree seeking student may be used to fulfill degree programrequirements, with the approval of the appropriate academic unit.C. Transfer CreditAt the discretion of the appropriate academic unit, a maximum of six (6) semester hours forthe master’s level and twelve (12) semester hours for the doctoral level of graduatecoursework taken prior to the term of admission into a graduate program may be accepted bythe University at the master’s and Ph.D. levels, respectively, from another accreditedgraduate school in the United States, provided that the grades are “B” or better and thesubjects are acceptable to the department or program concerned, as a part of the student’sgraduate program.Graduate credits that are not counted toward a previously earned degree within FloridaA&M University is limited to twelve semester hours, subject to departmental andprogram approval. Also, the University does not accept experiential learning for transfercredit. Likewise, the PharmD program does not accept transfer credits at the graduatelevel, only undergraduate prerequisites as stated and disseminated electronically in theDoctor of Pharmacy Academic Policy Handbook.
A transfer credit form must be completed by the student and approvals must be obtainedfrom the program, and the college/school, and then by the Graduate Dean, no later than theend of the second semester that the student is in the program.D. Graduate GPAI.Upon admission into each degree or certificate program, a graduate GPA will becalculated based on the graduate courses taken at Florida A&M University (FAMU). TheUniversity requires that students maintain a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, in order tomaintain regular graduate status, receive financial assistance, and to qualify forgraduation.II.A graduate GPA will be calculated for non-degree students, based on the graduatecourses they take at FAMU while in the non-degree status. Non-degree seeking studentswhose graduate GPA falls below a 3.0, will not be allowed to continue taking moregraduate courses.III.The graduate GPA does not carry forward from one academic program to another.IV.If a graduate student is considering applying to a different graduate degreeprogram, the student may apply to have the student’s graduate grade pointaverage (GPA) reset. If the request is approved by the Graduate Dean, then the GraduateDean will request the Registrar to reset the GPA. The Registrar will annotate thestudent’s permanent academic record to indicate that the GPA has been reset. However,all course work and grades will remain on the record, ensuring a true and accurateacademic history. The resetting of the GPA may be effected only once during a student’sgraduate academic career and it is not available for degrees already earned.E. The minimum grade requirements for all graduate programs and degrees, except for the Doctorof Physical Therapy (DPT), the Occupational Therapy (OT), the Juris Doctorate (JD), and theDoctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs. Students should refer to the program requirementsrelated to their respective degree program.1. Minimum grade requirementsa. Only a grade of “B” or higher is acceptable for required courses in a graduate program. Astudent must repeat a required course if the student earns a grade lower than a “B”.b. Exceeding six semester hours or obtaining two courses with unsatisfactory grades ("C","D", "F", or "U") in courses or in comprehensive or qualifying examinations is grounds fordismissal from a program for all degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students.
A course in which a student has received an unsatisfactory grade may be repeated onlyonce. The course must carry the same course prefix, number, and description and may betaught at Florida A&M University (FAMU) or at Florida State University (FSU), under theFAMU-FSU cooperative program. Both grades will be used in computing the student’sgraduate GPA.If the same course is neither available at FAMU nor at FSU at the time the student needs torepeat the course, then a substitute course may be approved as a transfer course by thestudent’s advisor and taken from any institution within the State University (SUS). Pleasenote that this transfer credit will not be factored into the FAMU graduate GPA.2. Probation and Dismissal Policies and Proceduresa. Academic Probation and Dismissal - A studentwill automatically be placed onprobation, if the student’s graduate cumulative GPA falls below 3.0. Any student onacademic probation can only remain on probation for a maximum of nine semester hours(usually one semester) of letter-graded coursework. Documentation of the AcademicProbation status will be imprinted on the student's university transcript by the Registrar atthe beginning of the term in which the sanction is given, and this will serve as the officialnotification of probation to the student.If a student is placed on probation, then the student will continue on probation untilthe student has completed nine (9) credit hours (usually one semester), after whichthe student’s status will be reviewed. If the student’s graduate cumulative GPA isabove a 3.0, the student will be taken off probation. If the student’s graduatecumulative GPA is below a 3.0, the student will be dismissed from the academicprogram.A student, who is on Academic Probation, will be required to meet with the programdirector or the student’s advisor, prior to the start of the following term, to review thestudent’s educational plan in order to increase the student’s chance of success in theprogram. Modifications of the plan may be made, as necessary, so that the student andthe director will know exactly what conditions are required for the continuedenrollment of the student in the program. Both the student and the programadvisor/director should sign the plan.After dismissal from one degree program, a student always has the option to apply toanother degree program, and this option requires a completely new application.Previously dismissed students, who are accepted into new academic programs, willhave a new graduate GPA.
However, a graduate student whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 will beimmediately dismissed from the degree program and will not be permitted to enroll ingraduate courses, unless the student has been admitted into another graduate programor admitted as a non-degree student.b. Appeal of Dismissal from an Academic ProgramWithin the next semester following the dismissal, a student may appeal a dismissal decisionto the College’s or School’s Graduate Committee. During this time, the student will not beallowed to take any coursework related to the program.I.II.If the College or School believes that the student has a high probability ofsucceeding, then the graduate program in which the student is enrolled may petitionthe Graduate Dean for a one semester extension. If the review and approval by theGraduate Dean occurs prior to the end of the drop/add registration period of thesemester following the dismissal, then the student may be allowed to enroll thatsemester if the appeal is approved.If after reinstatement, the student fails to earn a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 orbetter at the end of the semester following the readmission or in any subsequentsemester, then the student will be issued a final dismissal from his or her programwithout any opportunity for further appeal for retention.III.Students, with a graduate GPA less than 3.0, who are seeking readmission into a newacademic program, may be admitted under restricted conditions that are prescribed bythe new department.IV.Dismissed students will not be allowed to enroll in graduate courses unless they havebeen admitted to another graduate program, or allowed to enroll as non-degreeseeking students taking classes with permission from the new program. Withapproval from the new graduate degree program, the student may transfer creditsfrom courses with satisfactory grades ("B" grade or higher) into the new program, inaccordance with the Transfer Credit policy stated previously.3. Grade Appeal Policy and ProceduresIt is imperative that the academic grievances of graduate students be processed in anexpeditious manner. A student must appeal the assigned grade in the following manner:
a. All appeals regarding grade assignments must be made on an individual basis.b. A student must follow the formal grade appeal process, as outlined in the student’scollege or school. If the student’s appeal is unsuccessful in the school or college, then thestudent may follow the grade appeal process, as outlined by the Graduate Studies, to appealthe decision of the school or college to the Graduate Council.c. Decisions of all appeals at each stage of the appeal process should be made within thirtyworking days of the grade variance from established policy.d. A simple majority vote of the Graduate Council members present shall be required tomake a grade exception.e. A grade appeal may be made in writing by the student by outlining the facts andjustifications for the appeal.f. Normally, the student will be notified of the Graduate Council’s decision, within thirtydays of the receipt of the appeal.g. If the student disagrees with the decision of the Graduate Council, the student may appealthe decision to the Provost, who shall make the final decision.4. Specific grading policies of schools, colleges or programsa. Individual schools or colleges may establish program specific grading policies.These grading policies must first be approved by a simple majority vote of theGraduate Committee in the individual school, college, or program, prior to theapproval of the Graduate Council and before they are established.b. A simple majority by the Graduate Council members, who are present, isrequired for the approval of more restrictive grading policies.5. Grades and Financial Assistance/Funding (Eligibility Requirements)a. Each graduate student, who receives any form of financial aid, must maintain the GPAstipulated above while carrying a full graduate load of credit hours. Only full-time,regularly admitted graduate students in good academic standing (cumulative graduate GPAof 3.0 or better) qualify for Financial Assistance (assistantships, fellowships, and/or tuitionwaivers).Graduate student funding is time-limited and subject to the availability of funds.These work assignments for these students will be determined by their respectivedepartmental supervisors or designees. Departments may make priority funding decisions
based on GPAs, standardized test scores, and/or related experience.Any full-time degree seeking graduate student, whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, willbe placed on probation. While on probation, such a full-time student may be eligible forfinancial assistance (other than financial aid) for a maximum of one semester after beingplaced on probation.b. It is the responsibility of each graduate program director or student advisor of therespective school or college, to monitor each graduate student’s credit hour load, grades,grade point average (GPA), and overall progress toward the degree. This director/advisormust report promptly to the graduate dean all actions, or recommended actions that shouldbe taken for any student, who violates or is in default of the above policies and standards.c. A full-time graduate credit load consists of a minimum of nine (9) hours in the fall andspring semesters and six (6) hours during the summer. A reduced load may be approved asa full-time load by the Graduate School for the summer semester or for students, who arecompleting their theses or dissertations, and who are being supported by the school orcollege.d. Any graduate student, who fails to maintain the minimum credit hour load required, mustbe immediately removed from financial assistance with prompt documentary notice by theprogram director to the graduate dean.e. Students, who have incomplete or “I” grades, may be eligible for financial assistance otherthan financial aid) for a maximum of one semester.6. Incomplete GradesA grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be assigned by the instructor when astudent is unable to complete a course due to extenuating circumstances, and when allrequirements can be completed in a short time following the end of the term. The student isresponsible for arranging with the instructor for the completion of the requirements of thecourse.7. Continuous RegistrationGraduate students must maintain continuous enrollment in at least one credit hour in theirrespective academic programs and until all degree requirements have been completed. Studentsare required to enroll in at least one credit hour during the last semester in which they expect tograduate. Students, who are not in attendance during two consecutive semesters (exclusive ofthe summer semester), must re-apply for readmission to the university.
8. Re-admissionTo request re-admission, a student must complete a re-admission application, which must besupported by the chair of the major department, the Graduate Program Coordinator and theDean of the school or college offering the academic program, and then approved by the Dean ofthe Graduate School. There is no guarantee that the student will be re-admitted.Also, the re-admission applications of students with permanent university holds will not beprocessed. This policy does not apply to students, who have been called for military duty. Inthis case, the student would be required to submit a copy of the military orders and complete theprocess, as outlined by the Registrar’s office.9. Time Limitation for Completion of DegreesA student is allowed a maximum time period of five (5) years to complete a master’s degree,and a maximum time period of seven (7) years to complete a Ph.D. degree from the date ofadmission. Students exceeding these time limits may be required to initiate new courses ofstudy. It should be noted that the normal time for completing a master’s degree is approximatelytwo years from the bachelor’s degree, and approximately four years for the Ph.D. degree fromthe master’s degree, depending on discipline. Funding for students will be based on theseprojections.(Revised 8/22/17)
5. Grades and Financial Assistance/Funding (Eligibility Requirements) a. Each graduate student, who receives any form of financial aid, must maintain the GPA stipulated above while carrying a full graduate load of credit hours. Only full-time, regularly admitted graduate students in good academic standing (cumulative graduate GPA
