Academic Policies and Procedures

In addition to all academic policies and procedures stated elsewhere in the catalog, all graduate students must abide by the following regulations. Please note that specific programs may require additional policies and procedures as noted in their respective sections within the Catalog and/or in program student handbooks.

Advisors

Each graduate student at Lenoir-Rhyne University is assigned an academic faculty advisor from the degree program. Students are encouraged to seek the counsel of their advisors concerning matters related to their academic program each semester as a part of the registration process. Academic advisors may evaluate students’ situations and, if necessary, refer students to other campus counseling personnel or other resources for specific advice and information.

Application for Graduation

Each candidate for a graduate degree must file an Application for Graduation. The application is available in the Office of the Registrar and on-line at https://www.lr.edu/academics/registrar under “Forms.” The form should be filed two semesters prior to the student’s anticipated graduation date.

Change of Program Procedure

A student admitted to a graduate program may only change to another graduate program under the following conditions:

1. The student must be in good standing with the University,
2. The student must complete application to the new program through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
3. The student must receive a letter of endorsement from a faculty member from the original program of study and/or the Dean of The Graduate School.
4. The student must be available for an interview upon request.
5. The student must submit any supplemental admission documents as requested.

Comprehensive Evaluation

The Graduate School of Lenoir-Rhyne University requires each student receiving a graduate degree to demonstrate cumulative knowledge through a final comprehensive evaluative process. The particular kind of evaluation, relevant policies, and procedures vary by program.

Continuing Student Status/Leave of Absence

In order to maintain continuing student status in each program, a student must: 

1. Complete at least one course in the graduate program during each academic year after acceptance.  

2. Complete the Leave of Absence approval process. 

• Traditional Leave of Absence (LOA): Student completes and submits the LOA application for review. Upon approval, the student is allotted three semesters (summer, fall, spring) or the equivalent of one year away from the program. The student may return without reapplication. During the LOA, the student remains on the student list to receive relevant University and Program communications. 

• Leave of Absence with Incomplete Grade(s)(LOAIG): Student must register for Continuation credits (0 credit) to complete any remaining Incompletes prior to the LOA. Upon approval, the student is allotted two semesters of leave with reapplication. During the Continuation and LOA, the student remains on the student list to receive relevant University and Program communications. 

• Leave of Absence with mid-semester Withdrawal from the University (LOAW): Follows either the LOA or the LOAIG depending on individual circumstances. 

3. If a student is not enrolled in three consecutive semesters (including summer term) within an academic year or approved for a Leave of Absence (traditional or modified), they must either request an extension of their program or reapply through The Graduate School. Requests for program extensions must be made to The Graduate School and are reviewed by the Graduate Studies Council. 

4. Failure to complete the request for LOA may result in full reapplication to the University and Degree Program. This would include all required fees and admissions processes. Re-admission is not guaranteed. 

Course Loads

Course loads for graduate students are calculated as follows:

Course Repeats

Graduate students may repeat a course in which a grade of F has been earned. A student must request the permission of the advisor to repeat a course in which a grade of C has been earned (except in programs that do not permit grades of C for progression). The grade earned in the repeated course replaces the first grade. A student may repeat no more than six (6) hours of course work with grade replacement.

Directed Study

With approval of the Advisor, Program Coordinator, and Provost, a student shall be permitted to enroll in a maximum of six credits of directed study. A graduate student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and the approval of the course instructor to register for a directed study. A graduate student may enroll in only one directed study course per semester. A course may not be taken as a directed study when it is offered on a regular basis or during the semester in which the student wishes to enroll in directed study.

Grades

Grading in individual courses is at the prerogative of the course instructor as provided on the course syllabus. Course grades are averaged on a grade point average scale with the following values assigned to each letter grade:

An academic average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for the master’s and doctoral degrees. No credit toward the degree will be granted for a grade below “C-“. No more than two grades below “B-” will be allowed for graduate credit. A student who earns an “Incomplete” should refer to the section on Incomplete Grades.

Graduate Course Designation

Graduate courses will be numbered at the 500 level or above. 

Incomplete Grades

Graduate students may be given an incomplete grade “I” if, because of sickness or other extreme necessity, some specific portion of their work remains unfinished, provided they are passing the course.

Coursework reported as incomplete must be completed by midterm of the subsequent (fall, spring, or summer) semester of the official ending of the course, after which a grade of “F” will be assigned. Students should submit the completed course requirements no less than two weeks prior to the mid-term point of the subsequent semester. A student with two incomplete grades will not be allowed to register for additional courses until at least one of the incomplete grades is removed. Furthermore, students may not begin a final capstone course, final internship, or final fieldwork experience with an incomplete grade on the record. Students who receive an Incomplete grade in their final semester must register for Continuation Credit(s) as directed by their advisor.

Any grade adjustment requested by the instructor as a result of the student’s completion of additional coursework must be submitted within one year of the original posting of the incomplete grade. After this point the final grade will remain an “F.”

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The main responsibility for satisfactory academic progress rests with the student. Students are reviewed at the end of each semester for satisfactory academic progress.

Academic Warning

1. A student will be placed on academic warning for earning a grade lower than B- for the first time. 
2. A student will be placed on academic warning for earning a term GPA below a 3.0. 
3. The status of Academic Warning is listed in Self-Service but not on the official transcript.

Academic Probation

1. A student will be placed on academic probation for earning two course grades lower than a “B-” since enrollment; or
2. A student will be placed on academic probation for earning a cumulative grade point average that falls below a 3.0; or
3. A student will be placed on academic probation for earning a grade of F in a graduate course.

Continued Academic Probation

1. A student will be on continued academic probation through program completion unless courses with grades below a “B-” are repeated and a grade of “B-” or higher is earned. Continued academic probation will be removed upon successful completion of all program requirements.
2. A student will be on continued academic probation if satisfactory academic progress is made in all additional course work with grades of “B-” or higher, thereby progressing toward a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. 

Removal of Academic Probation

1. A student will be removed from academic probation by repeating any graduate course work with a grade below a “B-” and earning a grade of “B-” or higher.
2. A student will be removed from academic probation by earning a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.

Students on Academic Probation are permitted to continue participating in NCAA athletic activities, University Club Sports, Intramural activities and other University clubs and organizations unless a specific organization has a written policy stating otherwise (i.e. Honor’s Academy, Lineberger Fellows, etc.) Students placed on Academic Probation may not appeal the decision.

Academic Dismissal

1. A student will be dismissed following academic probation if a grade below a B- is received in any additional coursework. No more than two grades below “B-” will be allowed for graduate credit.
2. A student is subject to dismissal without probation for receiving a grade below “B-” in three or more courses in the same semester.
3. A student is subject to dismissal for receiving a grade of “F” in two or more courses in the same semester.

Academic Appeals

A student who wishes to appeal a decision regarding admission, transfer of credit, dismissal, readmission, or graduation must file a written letter of appeal with the Dean of The Graduate School. The Graduate Studies Council will act as the Appeals Board.

The Graduate Studies Council will meet to review student appeals no later than the Friday preceding the start of classes for the new semester. The Graduate Studies Council will submit their recommendation to the University Provost who makes the final decision.

Grade Appeals

A student who wishes to appeal a course grade should, wherever possible and reasonable, attempt to discuss the problem with the instructor and reach an informal resolution.

If the student is dissatisfied with the informal resolution, is unable to reach an informal resolution, or chooses not to engage in the informal resolution process, the student should put her/his course grade appeal in writing (electronic or hard copy) no later than 30 days after the posting of final grades at the end of the relevant semester as defined in The Cub (Student Handbook). 

Non-Academic Probation, Dismissal, And Appeal

Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to exclude from further enrollment any graduate student whose conduct is deemed improper or prejudicial to the best interests of the University. A student may be placed on non-academic probation or dismissed for non-academic reasons based on violation of University and/or Program Policies.

Non-Academic Appeals

Once notified of the non-academic dismissal the student has three days to initiate the appeal process with the Dean of The Graduate School. The Dean of The Graduate School, together with the Graduate Studies Council, will handle such cases.

The Graduate Studies Council will have two weeks to meet and review the case. During this time, the student can attend didactic courses but may not participate in any community based coursework such as fieldwork, internship, etc.

If the decision of the Graduate Studies Council is that the dismissal is upheld, a letter is drafted and financial aid and the registrar will be notified. If the decision of the Graduate Studies Council is that the dismissal is overturned, a letter is drafted, and the Provost is consulted for approval. If the reason for the dismissal jeopardizes the safety of the public or existing relationships with community partners, the student will not return to community based coursework without remediation.

Remediation Plans

Students may be placed on a remediation plan for academic and/or non-academic concerns. In addition, students who are re-admitted after dismissal (see dismissal policies) may be required to complete a remediation action plan. These plans are developed by the Academic Programs and must be signed/dated by the Student and the appropriate Academic Advisor, Program Coordinator, Department/School Chair, College Dean, and the Dean of The Graduate School. The Student and the Program Coordinator, along with appropriate Faculty, must meet in prearranged time increments for documentation of progress. Failure or unwillingness to complete the remediation action plan may result in dismissal. 

Readmission Following Dismissal Policy

A student dismissed from The Graduate School is not eligible for readmission for one full academic year. A student who has been dismissed must reapply for admission with The Graduate School. The request should address remediation of issues and circumstances related to dismissal. 

Progress Toward Degree

1. An academic grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for the master’s and doctoral degree.
2. An application for graduation should be filed with the Registrar’s Office two semesters prior to the student’s anticipated graduation date. Forms may be found on the University’s website at https://www.lr.edu/academics/registrar.

Second Master’s Degree

A student wishing to obtain an additional master’s degree must meet all admission requirements for the desired program of study. A minimum of 30 unique credit hours must be earned in the student’s second master’s degree program. The majority of the student’s course work must be completed at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Note: Students may be required to repeat course work older than six years.

Time Limitation

Once a student is admitted to a graduate program at Lenoir-Rhyne University, the student has seven years to complete degree requirements. 

Transfer Credit

In order to receive transfer of credit, the student must complete the appropriate Transfer of Credits Request form. With approval, a student may include in the program of study up to six (6) semester credits of graduate work completed at another accredited institution or at Lenoir-Rhyne as a non-degree student prior to formal admission.

Exceptions to this limit may only be made with prior approval. The majority of a student’s program of study must be completed at Lenoir-Rhyne.

The student must complete the Transfer of Credits Request Form-Previous Coursework for work completed prior to admission to Lenoir-Rhyne University. Transfer courses must meet the following criteria:

1. A minimum grade of B, or equivalent, must have been earned for each course transferred.
2. Transfer credit must have been completed within the ten-year period preceding the completion of the program of study (student’s graduation date).

The student must complete the Transfer of Credits Request Form-Future Coursework for any planned transfer credits while enrolled at Lenoir-Rhyne. Transfer courses must meet the following criteria:

1. Prior written approval must be obtained;
2. A minimum grade of B, or equivalent, must be earned for each course;
3. No course may be taken for transfer credit during the semester in which the degree is to be awarded.