{"id":1326,"date":"2013-07-24T07:03:15","date_gmt":"2013-07-24T11:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/catalog-2013-2014\/masters\/"},"modified":"2016-04-28T10:07:15","modified_gmt":"2016-04-28T14:07:15","slug":"masters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/catalog-2013-2014\/masters\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate Programs Policies and Procedures"},"content":{"rendered":"
Matriculation<\/strong> Non-Matriculation<\/strong> Non-Degree<\/em> Students <\/em>(students taking courses for personal enrichment and\/or to obtain certification from a state or outside agency):<\/p>\n If a syllabus indicates that a graduate course taken elsewhere is equivalent to one given in a program at Ramapo College, application for transfer credits may be submitted. The criteria for acceptance are different for each program; therefore, students must discuss transfer of credits with the Program Director. Only two (2) graduate courses, not to exceed eight (8) credits (including GLEX) may be considered for transfer into a Ramapo College graduate program provided the courses are from another accredited institution of higher education.<\/p>\n Students who transfer from a non-degree program to a degree program must fulfill the degree requirements in place at the time of matriculation into the degree program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Graduate students at Ramapo College of New Jersey may acquire credit for graduate level knowledge that they have gained outside the traditional academic setting through work, training, community service, or other accomplishments. The process of Graduate prior learning assessment involves the development of a portfolio and an interview that confirm that the learning the student has achieved through his\/her life experience is relevant to the programs learning goals.<\/p>\n Process:\u00a0 <\/em> Policy Students placed on Academic Probation may not appeal their standing. A student must be in\u00a0Good Standing in order to enroll in Thesis or final project courses.<\/p>\n The Program Directors review records of all graduate students enrolled in their respective\u00a0programs at the College. Those students whose academic performance has fallen below the\u00a0College’s established standards as defined above are advised of the deficiency in writing by the Program Director.<\/p>\n Procedures for Determining Academic Standing<\/strong> Admission to a Graduate Program does not mean acceptance to candidacy for the Master\u2019s Degree.\u00a0 In order to be eligible for graduation, the student must have:<\/p>\n Course work is evaluated using the following grading scale:<\/p>\n A<\/p>\n A-<\/p>\n B+<\/p>\n B<\/p>\n B-<\/p>\n C+<\/p>\n C<\/p>\n F<\/p>\n U<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n 4.0<\/p>\n 3.7<\/p>\n 3.3<\/p>\n 3.0<\/p>\n 2.7<\/p>\n 2.3<\/p>\n 2.0<\/p>\n 0.0<\/p>\n N\/A<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Yes<\/p>\n Yes<\/p>\n Yes<\/p>\n Yes<\/p>\n Yes<\/p>\n Yes<\/p>\n Yes<\/p>\n No<\/p>\n No<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n IP\u00a0 In-Progress*<\/strong><\/p>\n This grade is assigned in Thesis courses such as Thesis Research, when course requirements are not completed at the end of the term. In-Progress (IP) grades must be resolved within two (2) additional semesters (spring\/fall) after the initial term when the IP was issued. IP grades not resolved after three (3) consecutive semesters (including the initial term) will be converted to a \u201cU\u201d or an \u201cF\u201d grade, depending on the individual program\u2019s standards. Students must register for a Thesis Continuation course (0 credits, 2 billing hours). Thesis continuation is not graded.<\/p>\n In both cases of appeal, an unfavorable decision by a Program Director is final; a favorable decision must receive final approval from the Dean. The Program Director will monitor a student\u2019s progress and will ensure that the student does not exceed the time limits described above.<\/p>\n *As of Fall 2010, IP grades can only be assigned to: EDTC 710, LIBS 710, LIBS 711, SUST 710, SUST 720. The I\u00a0\u00a0 Incomplete\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No credit awarded<\/strong><\/p>\n Given extenuating circumstances (for instance, reasons of illness or other emergency) when approved by the instructor and when requested by a student who has satisfactorily completed at least two-thirds of course requirements prior to the end of a term. The default deadline for completion of course work is posted on the Academic Calendar for each semester (typically February 26 for Fall semester incompletes and October 15 for Spring and summer incompletes, or the next business day); however, the instructor may set an earlier deadline at the time the Incomplete grade is requested. When the work is completed prior to the completion deadline, the\u00a0instructor completes a \u2018Grade Adjustment Request’ form; the new assigned grade replaces the Incomplete (I) grade. If work is not satisfactorily completed by the completion deadline, the grade is changed to F. A student may not graduate with an outstanding Incomplete grade.<\/p>\n U \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No credit awarded<\/strong><\/p>\n A \u201cU\u201d grade may be assigned to a Thesis course when an In-Progress (IP) grade is not resolved within two (2) semesters (spring\/fall) after the initial term when the IP was issued (see \u201cIP – In Progress<\/em>\u201d section above).\u00a0 A \u201cU\u201d grade is NOT factored into the\u00a0 student\u2019s cumulative GPA.<\/p>\n W\u00a0\u00a0 Withdrawn\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No credit awarded<\/strong><\/p>\n Given in exceptional circumstances, with permission of the instructor, for withdrawal from a course. The withdrawal form should be submitted to the Registrar\u2019s Office by the withdrawal deadline posted on the semester’s Academic Calendar.<\/p>\n Cessation of class attendance or notification to the instructor is NOT considered an official withdrawal. Unless students officially withdraw from a course through the Registrar’s Office, they are still registered for the course and will receive a grade of “F” even though classes were not attended.<\/p>\n Students should also refer to the \u2018Leave of Absence\u2019, \u2018Medical Leave of Absence\u2019, and \u2018Withdrawal from Ramapo College\u2019 policies in the College Catalog.<\/p>\n RF grading Full-time status is nine credits; for student loan purposes, student must typically be enrolled for 5 or more credits. Full-time students in good academic standing may enroll for up to nine (9) credit hours. Permission to exceed this limit must be secured from the Program Director. Students on academic probation should consider reducing their credit hour load until such status is removed; however, students should consider whether a reduced course load will enable them to achieve Good Standing by the end of the semester in they are on probation. Students on academic probation should ensure that they discuss their course loads with their Program Directors.<\/p>\n Non-degree students may only take up to two courses before being admitted to a program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n Up to four (4) credits of independent study work may be applied towards graduation requirements, with the permission of the Program Director. Only students in good academic standing may enroll for independent studies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n The faculty of the College establishes course requirements and performance standards. Faculty evaluation of students’ academic performance is a qualitative judgment and is expressed through the submission of final course grades to the Registrar at the close of each semester. Under certain limited circumstances, a student may appeal a grade. Circumstances for which students might appeal grades<\/strong> Procedure<\/strong> If a student and faculty member cannot reach an agreement and a student wishes to further pursue a grade appeal, the student must present a written appeal (by email or certified letter), including pertinent course materials or course work, to the Director of the graduate program which sponsored the course in question, within twenty calendar days of the final determination conference between the student and faculty member.<\/p>\n The Director will confer with the student and faculty member, jointly or independently, as he\/she sees fit, review pertinent documents and course materials, and confer with other faculty or administrative staff members as appropriate.<\/p>\n If it is mutually agreed that a grade change is warranted, the Director will forward a faculty-endorsed Change of Grade Request with explanatory reasons, to the Dean who supervises the program. The Director\u2019s decision is a recommendation to the Dean for final approval.\u00a0 In cases where there are multiple Deans associated with a graduate program, the Director\u2019s recommendation will be submitted to the Dean of the unit that sponsors the courses first, and then the Dean who supervises the program.<\/p>\n If the Director renders an opinion that does not support the student’s grade appeal, the student may petition for a review by the Dean who supervises the program. The petition would be initiated by the submission of a written statement by the student that explains his\/her position and includes any evidence the student has that contradicts the Director\u2019s decision or contains information that had heretofore been unavailable. The Dean\u2019s Office will reject any request for review that does not offer clear evidence that the Program Director made a factual mistake, violated school policy, or otherwise acted outside the purview of the Director of the program.<\/p>\n The Dean will consider only those grade appeals which have previously received full deliberative discussion at the faculty and Program Director level.<\/p>\n After conferring with the student, Program Director, and faculty member and reviewing the pertinent documentation, the Dean may take one of the two following actions:<\/p>\n (a) approve or decline the student’s grade appeal; or<\/p>\n (b) request that the Graduate Council review the appeal and render a recommendation to the Dean who, in turn, will advise the student, the professor, and the Program Director of his\/her final decision.<\/p>\n In both step (a) and (b), the decision of the Dean is final.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n The faculty of the College establishes course requirements and performance standards. Faculty evaluation of students’ academic performance is a qualitative judgment and is expressed through the submission of final course grades to the Registrar at the close of each semester.<\/p>\n In those instances where a student wishes to appeal an Academic Dismissal, the student should appeal in writing to the Graduate Council through the Chair within five business days of the posting grades at the end of the fall or the spring semester. The student should explain any unusual circumstances that contributed to the academic difficulty, and describe how he\/she will be able to make better progress if reinstated. An academic plan for the following two semesters must be included. Supporting documentation may include, but is not limited to, letters of\u00a0recommendation from Ramapo faculty\/staff and\/or letters from medical practitioners documenting that the student was receiving care during the current semester.<\/p>\n The Graduate Council, after having considered the appeal, recommends either (1) that the student may remain at the College on academic probation one addition semester or (2) that the student will be permanently dismissed from the College\u2019s graduate programs. A student who does NOT appeal to the Graduate Council in writing by the designated deadline is viewed as accepting the permanent dismissal.<\/p>\n The decision of the Graduate Council is final. The Chair of the Graduate Council will notify the student of the decision, with copies of the letter to the dean and program director.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n Refer to College Catalog<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n Refer to College Catalog<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n Refer to Ramapo College\u2019s Immunization Requirements website:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/health\/immunization-info\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n Refer to Ramapo College\u2019s Office of Specialized Services (OSS) website:
\nTo be considered for admission as a fully matriculated student, an applicant must provide:<\/p>\n\n
\nAcceptance as a graduate non-degree student does not imply future admission to a degree program. To be considered for admission as a non-degree student, an applicant must provide all of the following:<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\nIn order to obtain GLEX credit, graduate students must follow the following steps:<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n<\/strong>Graduate students (matriculated and non-matriculated) must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00\u00a0to remain in good academic standing. Only degree required graduate courses taken at Ramapo\u00a0College will be used in the GPA calculation. Courses transferred from other colleges count only\u00a0as credits earned; accompanying grades are NOT calculated toward the grade point average at\u00a0Ramapo.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nAt the close of each fall and spring semester, once final grades have been posted, the Registrar\u2019s\u00a0Office generates Academic Standing and provides the report to the Program Directors. The\u00a0Program Directors review records of all graduate students enrolled in their respective programs at the College. Any student whose academic performance has fallen below the College’s\u00a0established standards (above) is advised of the deficiency in writing by the Program Director.\u00a0Only degree required graduate courses taken at Ramapo College will be used in the GPA\u00a0calculation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
Grade<\/h5>\n
Grade Points per Credit<\/h5>\n
Credit toward Program Requirements<\/h5>\n
\n
\nContinuation courses are EDTC 711, LIBS 712, SUST 721.<\/p>\n
\nRF grading is not applicable to graduate level courses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nProcedures for Student Appeals Regarding Grades<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nGrade appeals will only be considered if a student can provide documentation supporting his\/her case. Circumstances that might justify a grade appeal include (but are not limited to): computational error; factual information not in evidence at the time the grade was posted (for example, an assignment that the student can document was submitted, but was not graded by the faculty member and therefore not factored into the final grade); or an alleged violation of College Policy. Appeals that will not be considered include those based on a student\u2019s perceived need for a higher grade (for instance, in order to raise his\/her GPA, or to enable the course to transfer to another institution).<\/p>\n
\nIf circumstances such as those described above can be documented, the graduate student may appeal a grade by taking the following steps:<\/p>\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/oss\/ <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n