Photo/Video Release Agreement
Piedmont University uses photographic, video, and digital images taken of students on University property and at University events, as well as quotes provided by students, in publications, advertisements, promotional materials and audiovisual productions associated with marketing and student recruiting.
Currently enrolled students may request not to be photographed or videotaped by sending written notification to the Registrar by October 1 of the fall semester and February 15 of the spring semester.
Failure to request in writing not to be photographed or videotaped demonstrates approval for the University to use images in its marketing and student recruitment materials.
Transcripts
A transcript is a record of all courses taken and grades received at the University, as well as those transferred into the University. As such it includes all initial and repeat courses and all courses that fall under the Forgiveness Policy.
Official Transcript Requests
For current information regarding official transcript requests, including the request process and cost structure, please see https://www.piedmont.edu/registrar/transcript-request/
Current students may access a version of the unofficial transcript in Self Service. Unofficial transcripts are not available for students who are not currently enrolled.
Experiential Credit
Learning acquired outside of classroom participation can be a valuable contribution to a liberal arts education, and Piedmont provides an opportunity for enrolled students to receive academic credit for such learning.
The portfolio is the method used whereby students can demonstrate learning prior to and during their time at the University. Because portfolio assessment is competence based, students need to demonstrate mastery of transferable skills acquired through the professional work experience and/or community service. There is a per credit hour charge for experiential credit awarded. See Additional Charges for current fee. No experiential credit will be granted during a student’s final semester.
Grades
Grades are based on the following grading system. Piedmont University does not record or issue “+” or “-“ grades.
| A — Excellent |
4 quality points per semester hour |
| B — Good |
3 quality points per semester hour |
| C — Fair |
2 quality points per semester hour |
| D — Poor, but passing |
1 quality point per semester hour |
| F — Failure |
0 quality points |
| P — Pass |
0 quality points |
| W — Withdrawal |
0 quality points |
| WF — Withdrawal Failing |
0 quality points |
| I — Incomplete |
0 quality points |
| IP — In Progress |
0 quality points |
NP — No Progress*
|
0 quality points
|
In determining the A-F grades for each course, Piedmont University instructors use the following percentage scale:
A – 90% and above
B – 80-89%
C – 70-79%
D – 60-69%
F – 59% and below
*Candidates who show insufficient or no progress during a given semester of the dissertation process will be assigned an NP (No Progress) grade for EDD 9908. After receiving 2 consecutive NPs, candidates are subject to dismissal from the program. An NP grade may also be assigned for EDD 9902, EDD 9903, EDD 9905, and EDD 9906 at the discretion of the professor. The NP grade is only applicable to Area III of the doctoral program.
Each instructor establishes the quantitative and/or qualitative basis and procedures by which he or she computes grades. Such information is published in each syllabus.
At the end of each semester, a complete report of academic achievement is available on Self Service.
Incomplete
For reasons such as illness or other extenuating circumstances, a student may request a grade of Incomplete “I” upon the approval of the course instructor and the dean of the appropriate school. Assignment of an Incomplete grade is appropriate only when a substantial amount of work (at least one-half) in the course has been completed. 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. A request for an incomplete grade is not appropriate until after the official date for withdrawal without academic penalty has passed.
When requesting and gaining approval for a grade of Incomplete (I), an accountability plan must be developed between the student and the faculty member; this accountability plan will outline how the course will be completed by the end of the following semester (excluding summer). Failure to remove the incomplete grade by the end of the following semester (excluding summer) will result in a grade of “F.” The faculty member, with the dean’s approval, may submit a request for an extension. The Vice President for Academic Affairs must approve extensions beyond the end of the following semester.
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:
- A written statement by the instructor that the grade recorded was a factual error;
- Change of grade of “I” or “IP,” as previously outlined;
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The entire appeal process must be completed within four weeks of the date the grade was appealed.
- 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.
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.
For graduate programs, whose course rotation expects students to attend during the summer to stay on track for completion, the summer semester will count toward the one-semester exclusion.
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.
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.
Course Repetition/Grade Forgiveness
Grade forgiveness is the circumstance in which a new grade replaces the former grade with respect to the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation. The original grade remains on the transcript with a note that the grade is “excluded”. However, the student's GPA will be refreshed using points earned by the new grade, regardless, if the new grade is higher or lower than the original.
Grade forgiveness is limited to just one class within a given graduate program and only one additional attempt is allowed.
- Grade forgiveness is available only for courses with a grade of C or lower.
- Grades and credit earned from courses repeated at other institutions cannot be calculated in the student’s GPA at Piedmont University.
- Grade forgiveness is not available to replace a grade that is the result of an academic integrity violation.
- Credit hours earned for the course count only once toward total hours earned for graduation.
Students must submit a Request for Grade Forgiveness form to the registrar's office to request grade forgiveness.
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.
Withdrawal Policies