Grades

Incomplete

If a student experiences an extenuating circumstance at the end of classes for a course(s) that prevents the student from completing the final assignment, exam, or project, the student may request a grade of incomplete (I) in the course with the approval of the course instructor and the dean of the appropriate college. The student must provide supporting evidence of the extenuating circumstance and must have earned a passing grade in completed course work to be eligible for a grade of incomplete. Incomplete grades are not appropriate in cases of excessive absences or missed deadlines throughout the semester; instead, withdrawal or medical withdrawal may be appropriate. Incomplete grades are not appropriate if the faculty member is uncertain if the student attended the course; wherein a grade of F should be assigned.

Failure to remove the incomplete grade within twenty business days (excepting university holidays) following the last day of classes for the course(s) will result in a grade of “F.” The Vice President for Academic Affairs must approve extensions beyond the 20-business day completion period. The faculty member, with the dean’s approval, may submit a request for an extension. Assignment of Incomplete Grade forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.

In Progress

Assigning an In-Progress grade “IP” is at the discretion of an instructor with the approval by the Dean of the college. Failure to remove the “IP” by the end of the next term will result in an “F.”

A grade of “IP” (in progress) may be used in a limited number of courses approved by the Dean of each college for a candidate who initiates coursework which cannot be completed during the semester because of specific circumstances, such as failure to pass the predictor exam, unavoidable delay in completing required practicum hours, or other situation specific to course progression.

The procedures for using the IP grade are as follows:

• The candidate and instructor meet and decide to initiate a request for an “IP” grade.
• The candidate fully completes the candidate section of the IP grade form and submits the form to the course instructor.
• The instructor signs the IP grade form and forwards it to the Dean the college no later than the last day of classes for that term.
• The Dean makes the final determination if the request is granted and will forward approved requests to the Registrar and instructor. Requests not approved by the Dean will be returned to the instructor who will notify the candidate and then assign an appropriate grade.

Grade Changes

Grades reported to the Registrar and recorded shall not be changed except under the following specified circumstances:

1. A written statement by the instructor that the grade recorded was a factual error;
2. Change of grade of “I” or “IP,” as previously outlined;
3. Recommendation by the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled and/or the Vice-President for Academic Affairs.

Grade Appeals

Students who wish to dispute a final grade and are prepared to present evidence to support a grade appeal must initiate the procedure by speaking first with the instructor who assigned the grade in question. If there are no errors in the computation of the grade or other substantial evidence to support an appeal, the student is encouraged to accept the grade assigned. A disagreement about the subjective evaluation of the student’s performance by the instructor is not grounds for an appeal. It is assumed that the instructor, as the subject matter expert, is the one most qualified to evaluate all work submitted. Therefore, for an appeal to be considered, the student must demonstrate an objective discrepancy between the way in which the student was evaluated, and the grading policies and procedures outlined in the course syllabus. In cases where there are substantial grounds for a review of the grade and a resolution cannot be reached between the student and the instructor, the student has the following recourse:

1. Within two weeks of the beginning of the term following the one for which the grade was posted, the student must submit to the appropriate department chair a letter of appeal with evidence supporting the need for an external review of the grade in question. A form, which describes the supporting material required, is available. The department chair will review the student’s material and consult with the instructor before deciding if the assigned grade should stand. The department chair must provide a written response to the student with a copy to the college dean.
2. If the student can show evidence that relevant information was not taken into consideration or that the department chair’s decision lacks due process, the student may submit documentation to the appropriate academic dean (in the college where the course was taught) who will determine if new information or insufficient consideration of the student’s case merits further review of the assigned grade. The dean’s decision to proceed or not to proceed will be final in all cases.
3. If the dean determines that further review is warranted, the dean will review the material and consult with the student and the instructor. The dean may exercise discretion to consult other faculty or students who can provide relevant information. The dean’s decision will be final.
4. The entire appeal process must be completed within four weeks of the date the grade was appealed.
5. When the dean or department chair is the teacher of record, the dean will substitute for the department chair and the vice president for academic affairs will substitute for the dean.

Academic Standing

A student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing in the program. No more than one grade of C is permitted, and a second grade of C or a grade of D or F leads to automatic exclusion. Academic Honors are not awarded in the Graduate Program.

Course Repetition

A student may repeat a graduate course, but there is no grade forgiveness (removal of a grade from the grade-point average (GPA) calculation). All grades remain on the student’s transcript, but only the original grade is included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average (GPA).

Academic Probation

All graduate programs require a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 to graduate. A minimum 3.0 GPA must be maintained while at Piedmont University to be considered in good standing. Students falling below a cumulative 3.0 or receiving a grade of C in a class will be placed on academic probation. A student who is on academic probation whose subsequent semester cumulative GPA improves and reaches a minimum of 3.0 will be removed from academic probation. A student who is on academic probation whose subsequent cumulative GPA has not improved will be placed on academic exclusion.

Academic Exclusion

A graduate student will be excluded from the University upon earning a second grade of C or a grade of D or F. Any violation of the University’s academic integrity policy also leads to academic exclusion. Academic exclusion is normally for a period of one (1) semester.

Academic Dismissal

Students who have been readmitted to Piedmont University after exclusion and receive a grade of C or below will be dismissed from the University. Academic Dismissal is final, and the student may not return.

Athletic Academic Eligibility

NCAA requires students to be full-time. A student is required to be registered for nine credit hours to be considered full-time by Financial Aid standards. To have eligibility, the student must have a GPA of 3.0 or above. If they receive a C grade, they are not eligible until they are one semester removed from the C grade.

Non-academic Dismissal or Exclusion

Students who are found to be in violation of University regulations, in violation of local and/ or state laws, or for circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the University, may be dismissed from the University. Students may appeal the decision to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and, in turn, the president, if warranted. Grades of “W” or “WF” may be assigned. Grades of “W” after midterm require the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and will be approved only in cases of acceptable extenuating circumstances. The Title IV Federal Aid Policy may apply. Please see the Tuition & Expenses/Financial Aid section of the catalog.

Graduate Readmission After Exclusion or Dismissal

Students who have been excluded by Piedmont University may reapply after one (1) semester has passed by submitting an Application for Readmission form to Graduate Admissions. This form must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester the student plans to attend. The applicant must include a letter of explanation, as well as relevant supporting documents, with the application. Graduate Admissions will direct the appeal to the dean of the appropriate college, the Student Accounts Office, and the Financial Aid Office. The Dean will make the determination to deny or approve readmission on a conditional basis and will notify the student of the decision in writing and will send a copy of the letter to Graduate Admissions.

A readmitted graduate student will be required to work with their advisor to outline a plan of action to improve their academic standing and meet regularly with their academic advisor each semester. Any courses with a grade of “C” or below must be repeated; however, both the new and original grades will appear on the transcript.  After being granted readmission, the student may petition the Dean to resume their program with a new cumulative grade point average (GPA). Graduate students who receive a grade of “C” or below after readmission are subject to dismissal from the university.  Academic Dismissal is final.