Academic Honesty
The university recognizes honesty and integrity as being necessary to its academic function. The following regulations protect the equity and validity of the university’s grades and degrees, and help students develop standards and attitudes appropriate to academic life.
- No student will receive assistance not authorized by the instructor in preparing any assignment, essay, laboratory report or examination to be submitted as a requirement for an academic course.
- No student will knowingly give unauthorized assistance to another person in the preparation of any assignment, essay, laboratory report or examination to be submitted as a requirement for an academic course.
- No person will sell, give, lend or otherwise furnish to any unauthorized person material that can be shown to contain the questions or answers to any examination scheduled to be given at any subsequent date, in any course of study offered by the university excluding questions and answers from tests previously administered and authorized for release by the administering faculty member.
- Plagiarism is prohibited. Themes, essays, term papers, tests and other similar requirements must be the work of the student submitting it. When direct quotations are used, they must be indicated, and when the ideas of another are incorporated in the paper, they must be appropriately acknowledged.
- Fraudulent research activity is prohibited. Misrepresentation of data collection and analysis, including falsification, fabrication or omission of data is prohibited.
- Any person taking, or attempting to take, steal or otherwise procure in any unauthorized manner any material or information pertaining to the conduct of a class including tests, examinations, laboratory equipment, roll books, etc., violates this regulation.
Colleges handle disciplinary actions according to their individual honor codes. Copies of the honor codes may be obtained from:
College of Allied Health – No honor code different than the institutional policy.
College of Dental Medicine – Associate Dean for Student Admissions and Alumni, College of Dental Medicine, room 1106, (706) 721-2813. Student Conduct Code. (30 page PDF file)
College of Graduate Studies – No honor code different than the institutional policy.
Medical College of Georgia – Associate Dean for Student Affairs, CB1803. Medical College of Georgia Honor System.
College of Nursing – No honor code different than the institutional policy.
Academic Probation, Dismissal and Suspension
Academic Probation: Any student whose grade point average (GPA) for any semester is below the minimum GPA on the list that follows (on a 4.0 scale) or whose cumulative GPA at Georgia Regents University is below 2.0 at the end of any semester shall be considered on academic probation and are subject to the provisions of the dismissal and suspension policies.
Allied Health Science:
- MS in Clinical Laboratory Science 2.8
- Occupational Therapy 2.8
- Doctor of Physical Therapy 3.0
- Master of Physician Assistant 3.0
- All others 2.0
Graduate Studies:
Grades, Academic Performance and Progress
Satisfactory progress toward a degree in the College of Graduate Studies requires that a student maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.8 for all courses attempted. A minimum grade of C (or satisfactory in courses graded S and U) must be earned for each course applying toward a graduate degree, and a 2.8 cumulative GPA in all courses attempted toward the degree is required for graduation. With approval of the College of Graduate Studies Dean, individual programs may set higher GPA and other graduation requirements, and additional standards for satisfactory progress in courses related to the specific discipline, in which case the higher standards shall apply. Consult your program’s handbook.
Academic Probation and Dismissal
Any student whose cumulative GPA for a degree program falls below 2.8 is placed on academic probation. Such status is noted on the student’s academic record (transcript). While on probation, the student must earn a minimum of 3.0 each grading period until the cumulative GPA is raised to at least 2.8. Students who fail to earn at least 3.0 each period while on probation shall be recommended for academic dismissal from the College of Graduate Studies. With approval of the College of Graduate Studies Dean, individual programs may establish higher GPA standards and/or performance standards in specific courses for probation or dismissal, in which cases the higher standards shall apply. Consult your program’s handbook.
With approval of the College of Graduate Studies Dean, individual programs shall set policies concerning academic probation and recommendations for dismissal in regard to students who receive a grade of U (unsatisfactory) in courses graded S or U. Consult your program’s handbook.
A student may be considered for dismissal if s/he fails to make timely progress toward the degree sought, or may be subject to re-examination and required to undertake additional coursework.
Students recommended for academic dismissal by their graduate program have the right to a hearing before a faculty panel of the College of Graduate Studies Academic Standards Committee. See http://gru.edu/gradstudies/documents/SGSAcadDismissalPolicy.pdf for the academic dismissal policy and procedures. Any student dismissed from the College of Graduate Studies may appeal the action in accordance with the procedure described in the GRU Student Handbook available http://gru.edu/students/Handbook/
Dentistry: 2.0
Medicine: Refer to the Student Handbook (Red Book)
Please be aware that more stringent departmental probation standards may be applied. Please review your program specific probation policy.
Academic Dismissal: A student shall be dismissed from Georgia Regents University whenever he/she:
- Receives a failing grade in all academic courses in any semester in which the student attempts more than one academic course;
- Fails to achieve and maintain at least the minimum term and cumulative GPA after matriculation;
- Fails to achieve at least the minimum semester GPA in the semester immediately following his/her placement on probation.
Any student dismissed for academic reasons and seeking to be readmitted may reapply for the next regular admission date following standard application procedures.
Where circumstances warrant, a student dismissed under the provisions of this policy may be reinstated as a student on probation upon written authorization of the dean of the respective school and is subject to conditions of continuation established by the dean at the time of reinstatement.
Academic Suspension: A student placed on academic suspension is dismissed but a time period may be stated after which return to the program may be permitted. A student who has been suspended may be advised of any conditions necessary for reinstatement and may be permitted to re-enroll at the appropriate time after meeting these conditions.
Individual colleges or departments may establish a policy that dictates that an undergraduate student is suspended if he/she fails to make at least a C in any course that is essential to further study in the curriculum of the program in which he/she is enrolled. If the course is essential to some but not all further study, the department may choose to offer the student a reduced academic load over an increased number of semesters to assist the student in completing the program of study. Courses considered to be essential to further study should be identified for the student by the college/department at the time the student enters the program.
Academic Probation based on term GPA is determined by the Registrar’s Office at the end of each semester.
The Registrar’s Office will provide a list of probationary students to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies as well as a transcript for each student. The Registrar’s Office will provide a list of probationary students to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the Colleges of Allied Health Sciences, Dental Medicine, and Nursing. The Promotions Committee will review academic progress in the Medical College of Georgia according to guidelines established in the Red Book (handbook).
Adding and Dropping Courses
Courses cannot be added to a student’s course schedule after the Drop/Add dates posted in the Academic Calendar. Courses may be dropped without penalty up to the midterm date as set forth in the Academic Calendar. Courses dropped from a student’s schedule after the Drop/Add date will receive a grade of W. Courses dropped after the midterm date will receive a grade of WF (Withdrew Failing), except in cases of hardship as determined by the appropriate academic dean. WF grades will be treated as F grades for grade point calculations.
Attendance
Regular, punctual attendance is expected of students in all classes at Georgia Regents University and is counted from the first class meeting each term. Students who incur an excessive number of absences are subject to academic penalty. Specific attendance requirements may be established by the individual colleges or programs at Georgia Regents University.
Class attendance for distance learning students should be outlined on the course syllabus. While physical class attendance on the main campus may not be required, students are still required to log in to their on-line class and participate in the class via the Internet.
Auditors
Regularly enrolled GRU students may register for courses as auditors. The student should notify their academic department of their intent to register as an auditor. No academic credit shall be awarded to students enrolled on this basis. No changes from an audit basis to credit or from credit basis to audit will be permitted after the last day of the drop/add period. Students auditing courses will be required to pay the regular fees for enrollment. Courses taken as audits do not count toward financial aid eligibility. A grade of “V” is assigned to a student who registers as an auditor.
Continuing Enrollment During Breaks in the Academic Calendar
All students are considered to be enrolled and in good standing from the time they register for a semester: (1) until they register for the next semester; or (2) through the last day for late registration for the next semester as shown on the official academic calendar, whichever occurs first.
Course Numbering System
Georgia Regents University offers courses numbered from 1000 to 4999 to students at the undergraduate level. Courses in the Colleges of Medicine and Dental Medicine are numbered from 5000 to 5990. Graduate courses are numbered from 6000 to 9999. Certain courses are offered to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students jointly. Such courses are numbered appropriately for each class and degree program.
Curriculum Changes
New knowledge is continually emerging in the health sciences, changing concepts in the delivery of health care and consideration of certification and licensure requirements. This may necessitate changes in the curriculum of a given school. However, when such changes are anticipated or made after careful review and evaluation, full consideration must be given to the impact these changes might have on the student’s overall academic program during his/her period of matriculation. Consideration will also be given to the impact of any changes on the faculty and the institution as a whole.
Educational Records
Official academic records are maintained by the registrar. Access to these records is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. A listing of all students’ educational records maintained by the institution is contained in the Student Handbook, which is available from Campus Life Services.
Examinations
A student may be required to perform acceptably on any examination before graduation as deemed appropriate by the academic deans, president and/or Board of Regents.
Grades
Georgia Regents University follows the Board of Regents’ grading system, as required for all University of Georgia institutions. A 4.00 grade point average system, calculated to and truncated at two significant digits, is used. The following grades are approved for use at Georgia Regents University and are included in the determination of the grade point average:
| Grade |
Description |
Grade Points |
| |
A |
excellent |
|
4.0 |
| |
B |
good |
|
3.0 |
| |
C |
satisfactory |
|
2.0 |
| |
D |
passing |
|
1.0 |
| |
F |
failure |
|
0.0 |
| |
WF |
withdrew, failing |
|
0.0 |
The following symbols are approved for use in the cases indicated, but will not be included in the determination of the grade point average.
| I - |
This symbol indicates that a student was doing satisfactory work but, for non-academic reasons beyond his/her control, was unable to meet the full requirements of the course. The requirements for removal of an I are left to the respective colleges; however, if a college does not designate a shorter time period, an I not satisfactorily removed after two semesters in residence will be changed to the grade of F by the registrar.
If a student is assigned an I, the course director must notify the student in writing of the requirements for removal of the I and of the deadline for removal of the I. A copy of the notice must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar at the time the I is submitted. An e-mail notification to the student, with a copy of the e-mail sent electronically to the Office of the Registrar (registrar@gru.edu), meets the requirements of this policy. |
| W- |
This symbol indicates that a student was permitted to withdraw without penalty. Any student who withdraws on or before midterm will receive a W. Withdrawals without penalty will not be permitted after the mid-point of the total grading period (including final examinations) except in cases of hardship as determined by the appropriate academic dean. |
| S - |
This symbol indicates that credit has been given for completion of degree requirements other than academic course work. The use of this symbol is approved only for dissertation and thesis hours, student teaching, clinical practicum, internship and proficiency requirements in graduate programs. Exceptions to the use of this symbol for academic course work must be submitted to the Chancellor for approval. |
| U - |
This symbol indicates unsatisfactory performance in an attempt to complete degree requirements other than academic course work. The use of this symbol approved only for dissertation and thesis hours, student teaching, clinical practicum, internship and proficiency requirements in graduate programs. Exceptions to the use of this symbol for academic course work must be submitted to the Chancellor for approval. |
| V - |
This symbol indicates that a student was given permission to audit this course. After the last day of late registration, students may not transfer from audit to credit status or vice versa. |
| K - |
This symbol indicates that a student was given credit for the course via a credit by examination program approved by the respective school’s faculty. (CLEP, AP, Proficiency, etc).
|
| CP- |
At GRU, this symbol designates a course that extends beyond the semester. A grade is not given until the course is completed. This symbol cannot be substituted for an I (Incomplete). |
Grade Changes
Any grade recorded by the registrar will be changed in accordance with GRU and Regents’ grading policies upon receipt from the instructor of a completed Grade Change Report form. Forms are available from the Registrar’s Office.
Normal Course Load
The normal course load at Georgia Regents University varies with the degree program. Students may be required to register for a course load less than the normal load if this action is determined to be advisable in light of the student’s academic standing or for other reasons. An undergraduate student who in any semester registers for less than 12 semester credit hours and a graduate studies or professional student who registers for less than 9 semester credit hours is considered a part-time student; a student who registers for more hours than these is considered a full-time student. No student in the Colleges of Allied Health Sciences, Graduate Studies, or Nursing may register without special approval from his/her Dean for any hours above the norm (including audit courses) in any given academic semester.
The Medical College of Georgia does not admit students on a part-time basis. Students may, with appropriate approval, carry lesser academic loads than other students because of academic or scheduling problems. However, these students are considered to be committed to full-time pursuit of the Doctor of Medicine degree.
All Doctor of Dental Medicine degree-seeking students are considered to be fulltime and are expected to devote full-time efforts toward completing requirements for the degree. Most students complete the program in four calendar years and take a uniform semester course schedule. Other students may, with special permission, complete the degree program in more than four years and take a variable semester course load designed to meet their academic or scheduling circumstances. The only exception to this rule is for part-time College of Dental Medicine faculty who may be allowed to register as part-time students in order to complete the DMD degree. A limited number of special students, who are not degree-seeking, may also be permitted to enroll part-time.
Planning the Academic Program
The academic program of each student should be planned in consultation with the academic adviser, major professor or other person as designated by the dean of the college concerned; however, the student is ultimately responsible for meeting all graduation requirements for the degree sought.
Professional Liability Insurance
Students in the health professions are required to participate in various clinical learning experiences as a prerequisite to successful completion of programs of study. Many of the clinical facilities where these learning experiences take place will only accept students who are covered by professional liability insurance. Students may contact the office of the dean of the GRU college in which they expect to enroll for information on the availability and cost of such coverage.
Registration/Late Registration
Registration procedures at Georgia Regents University are the responsibility of the Office of the Registrar. Notification of these procedures and any changes in the Academic Calendar will be sent to students at the appropriate time.
Students at Georgia Regents University are allowed ample time to register for classes. Registration for courses must be completed on the dates stated in the Georgia Regents University Academic Calendar. The failure to register during the time allotted for registration will result in a $50 late registration fee being charged to the student.
In keeping with Board of Regents’ policy 704.03, students are required to pay all tuition and fees prior to the first day of class. Students are not considered enrolled in the institution until all tuition and fees have been paid.
Except for unusual circumstances, students are not allowed to register after the last day of late registration (the drop/add period listed in the Academic Calendar). While reasonable efforts shall be made to inform students of registration dates and any changes in the dates published in the Academic Calendar, it is the student’s responsibility to keep apprised of such changes.
Registration for Make-Up of Incomplete Grades
No individual may engage in any clinical or laboratory activity for the purposes of completing the requirements of a course in which he or she has an Incomplete grade (I) unless the individual is registered as a student at Georgia Regents University. Registration as a student requires enrollment in a course and payment of appropriate tuition and fees. however, the student may not be re-registered in that same course for the purpose of meeting the requirement to be registered while making up the Incomplete grade; to do so would result in the student being awarded credit twice for the same course.
Students with an Incomplete grade (I) who must return to school after their expected graduation date in order to complete assignments that include any clinical or laboratory activities must also be registered as a student. Likewise, however, the student may not be re-registered in the same course a second time.
Therefore, each degree program shall establish an independent study course that will be used to meet the requirements of this policy. The course will be graded as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and will have a minimum of one credit hour.
Registration in a course for the purpose of completing course requirements to remove an Incomplete grade (I) is not required if no clinical or laboratory activity is involved, for example, if only a paper, written assignment, and/or examination is involved.
Repeated Course Work
By registering for a course for which credit has already been received, a student forfeits credit toward graduation in the previous course. The final grade for graduation purposes will be the grade in the repeated course; however, all hours attempted and grades earned will appear on the transcript and be used in computing the grade point average.
Requirements for Graduation/Commencement
All financial obligations to the institution must be met prior to graduation.
Requirements for graduate, medical and dental degrees are stated in the catalog under the sections for the Medical College of Georgia, College of Dental Medicine and College of Graduate Studies.
Application for Graduation
- Applications for Graduation are distributed by the Registrar’s Office to the various programs, which will distribute the application to the students.
- Graduation applications are initiated in early Fall semester for anyone with an expected graduation date for the upcoming calendar year.
- The Medical College of Georgia candidates receive their applications via GroupWise e-mail from the Registrar’s Office.
- The application for graduation must be completed by each student and returned in batch to the Registrar’s Office. Medical College of Georgia students submit their completed applications individually.
- Each program submits a letter to the Registrar’s Office confirming that students have met all requirements for the degree.
Commencement
Only those students who have completed requirements for the degree by the date of Spring graduation will be allowed to participate in commencement exercises and to have their names listed in the program. Exceptions to this policy may be made for:
- Students who are expected to complete requirements within a few weeks following commencement. Participation in the Commencement ceremony is permitted only upon the recommendation of the academic Dean. The student will receive a mock diploma in the commencement ceremony.
- Students enrolled in an academic program with a restrictive curriculum that provides completion of requirements only after the Spring graduation but before Dec. 31 of that year. All academic major areas under these guidelines must be approved for special graduation participation by the academic Dean. Only an academic major area can be approved, not an individual. The student will receive a mock diploma in the commencement ceremony. The students who are on track to graduate in Summer (August) or Fall (December) semester will have their expected graduation date listed by their name and a footnote explaining the special circumstances of his/her participation.
- Students who completed requirements in the previous year but were not listed in the commencement program and were not allowed to participate in the ceremony, may participate and be listed in the program with the approval of the academic Dean.
Graduation Date
- For on-track students completing requirements in May, August or December, the posted graduation date for that term will be on the diploma.
- For off-track students completing requirements in May, August or December, but after the posted May, August or December date, the graduation date will be the last business day of May, August or December.
- For off-track students completing requirements in June there are two possible graduation dates – June 15 and June 30 (or the last business date prior to each of those dates).
- For off-track students completing requirements in January, February, March, April, July, September, October or November, the graduation date will be the last business day of the month.
Transfer Credit
CAHS Graduate Transfer Credit
MHSOT and MLIRS graduate programs may allow transfer work if: (1) the course content is equivalent to a course offered by the graduate program at GRU; (2) the course was taken by the student within four years prior to the date of his/her projected enrollment; (3) the student earned a grade of either “B” or higher or “pass”; and (4) the course is recommended for transfer by the departments’ academic affairs committees and approved by the dean.
DPT and MPA programs do not allow any transfer work.
COGS Graduate Transfer Credit
Course work transferred to a degree program in the College of Graduate Studies at GRU must be relevant and applicable for the degree being sought. A course may be accepted for transfer if: (1) the course content is equivalent to a course offered by the graduate program at GRU; (2) the course was taken by the student within five years prior to the date of his/her projected enrollment; (3) the student earned a grade of either “B” or higher or “pass”; and (4) the course is recommended for transfer by the program and approved by the dean. In certain cases, the transfer of credit may be awarded based, in part, on the student’s performance on an examination prepared by the graduate program. Up to six semester hours of credit may be transferred toward a master’s degree. In the case of a prospective student with a master’s degree from another institution entering a PhD program in the College of Graduate Studies, the candidate shall pass an examination on his/her major subject and thesis during the first semester of residence if credit for any pertinent portion of the master’s course work is to be applied. A maximum of six semester hours is usually allowed in transfer from a master’s degree. The transfer of any course work beyond the master’s level is a matter for negotiation between the student, his/her advisory committee, his/her major department and the dean. In general, no more than a total of 20 semester hours may be transferred toward the PhD.
MCG Transfer Credit
Students currently enrolled and in good standing only at other LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) -accredited medical schools will be considered for transfer admission with advanced standing to the second and third year classes of the Medical College of Georgia only when there are compelling reasons for the transfer and only on a space-available basis. Courses taken at the student’s first institution will be evaluated and transfer credit awarded on a course-by-course basis. Students accepted as advanced standing transfers under these circumstances may be required to study on an altered or modified curriculum and may be required to repeat certain courses taken at the student’s first institution.
CODM Transfer Credit
The College of Dental Medicine usually does not accept advanced standing transfer students. However, in the event that a Georgia resident who has enrolled in a dental education program at another accredited US institution cannot complete his or her dental education due to discontinuation of the program in which the student initially enrolled, the Dean of the College of Dental Medicine may grant advanced standing admission to any such student provided the student (1) has met the admissions requirements for the College of Dental Medicine at Georgia Regents University and (2) is in good standing at the time the student’s program was discontinued.
Units of Credit
The unit of credit is the semester hour. A semester hour equals 50 minutes of class work per week for one semester, or its equivalent in other forms of instruction. Credit given for particular courses is as stated in the course listings of this catalog, or as defined at the time of registration by the various schools.
Student Withdrawal Policy
- For purposes of this policy, any termination of a student’s enrollment other than graduation will be considered a withdrawal from the institution.
- Students are encouraged to discuss their withdrawal with faculty and others; however the only step a student must take to initiate a withdrawal is to provide official notice to the designated office within their college.
- Allied Health Sciences – Dean or Associate Dean
- Dentistry – Associate Dean for Admissions, Student Affairs & Alumni
- Graduate Studies – Dean
- Medicine – Associate Dean Student Affairs
- Nursing – Assistant Dean for Student Affairs (Graduate nursing students should provide official notice to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the College of Nursing
Faculty and staff in all other areas must refer any student who expresses an unequivocal intent to withdraw to the designated office in their school.
- The authority to withdraw a student for disciplinary, academic, or other appropriate reasons resides with the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled. The dean may delegate this authority to one or more individuals within the college. Any withdrawal initiated by the dean or his/her designee shall be considered an administrative withdrawal. Students who are withdrawn as the result of disciplinary, academic, or other reasons may appeal the withdrawal. During the appeal process, students may or may not be allowed to attend courses at the discretion of the dean or his/her designee. In the case of an appeal, the student’s withdrawal date will be the last date of participation in academic activities.
- The authority to withdraw a student for failure to comply with selected administrative policies and procedures rests with the Registrar. The Registrar may administratively withdraw a student for failure to pay tuition and fees, failure to meet the conditions of a provisional acceptance, failure to meet institutional requirements for immunizations, or failure to comply with other policies or regulations for continued enrollment. Any withdrawal initiated by the Registrar shall be considered an administrative withdrawal. Students who are withdrawn by the Registrar may only be re-admitted when they provide documentation that they have complied with the administrative policy in question.
- When any faculty or staff member determines that a student has stopped attending without giving official notice, they should notify the designated office (see item #2 above) in the student’s college within two business days. The college’s designated office must then provide a completed Withdrawal Form to the Office of the Registrar within two business days of the date they received notice that a student has stopped attending without giving official notice.
- All withdrawing students must be cleared by the offices listed on the bottom of the Withdrawal Form.
- Students who wish to rescind their official notice of withdrawal may do so only with the permission of the appropriate college official (see item #2, above). The designated college official will provide written notice to the Office of the Registrar to reinstate the student as soon as possible, but within two business days, and the Registrar will notify all other appropriate campus offices.
- A completed Withdrawal Form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar for any student withdrawal including administrative withdrawals for academic, disciplinary, or other appropriate reasons. For administrative withdrawals, the Withdrawal Form must be submitted to the Registrar within two business days of the time the student ceases participation in the academic activities of the institution.
- Georgia Regents University will comply with all stipulations and requirements for the awarding of Title IV student financial aid funds to students at GRU. Upon the withdrawal of a student, GRU practices and procedures for the return of Title IV funds will be initiated in order to ensure complete and total compliance with federal regulations. In the event that a student is a recipient of Title IV funds and an unearned portion of those Title IV funds must be returned to a lender or other entity upon the student’s withdrawal, all offices involved in the withdrawal, the evaluation of the student’s Title IV status, and the return of Title IV funds will take timely and immediate actions to ensure institutional compliance with federal regulations. The authority to determine a student’s withdrawal date, and the date of the institution’s determination that the student withdrew, rests with the Office of the Registrar.
- With the approval of the appropriate college or departmental officials, students may drop individual courses. Students may not, however, drop all of their courses. Any student who wishes to drop all of his or her courses will cease to be enrolled and must withdraw from the institution.
- Students who maintain a withdrawn status for more than three terms must re-apply for admission by submitting the appropriate application for admission as a first time student and follow standard admissions procedures. Exceptions to this requirement may be made by the dean of the college in which the student was enrolled. No withdrawn student will be allowed to re-enroll in the program from which he or she withdrew unless the dean or his or her designee provides written permission for the student to re-enroll and a completed reactivation form.
- Student status is reported to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse and subsequently to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
For more detailed information regarding the policies for Enrollment Management, please visit the GRU Policy Library. http://www.gru.edu/aaffairs/policies/ |
