Radford University
Graduate Catalog
for 1999-2000

Academic Policies

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GRADUATE STUDENT

The student must become familiar with the academic policies outlined in this section of the catalog. The academic adviser will advise the student on all matters related to the program of studies, and the dean of the Graduate College will aid the student in the interpretation of policies whenever necessary. The ultimate responsibility for meeting all stated requirements for graduate degrees awarded by the university rests with the student.

For the convenience of the student, a checklist of all matters which must be attended to during the graduate programs. See Graduate Study

CODES AND POLICIES

Student Conduct Code
Radford University is a community of scholars in which the ideals of freedom of inquiry, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom of the individual are sustained. The exercise and preservation of these ideals requires respect for the rights of all in the community. Students who enroll at Radford University assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the university's mission as an educational institution. To fulfill its functions of imparting and gaining knowledge, the university retains the authority and the responsibility to maintain order on Radford University property.

Prohibited conduct, whether it occurs on university owned, controlled or operated property, at university sponsored functions, or off campus, for which a student is subject to discipline by the appropriate judicial body, is defined in the Student Handbook. The handbook includes policy statements regarding the Honor Code, the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, students' rights to privacy, fund raising policies and residence hall regulations.The handbook is prepared prior to the beginning of the new academic year and, therefore, may contain some revisions to the policies which appear in this catalog.

All students are expected to become familiar with the contents of the Student Handbook and are responsible for acting in accordance with the policies contained therein. Students who do not receive a copy of the Student Handbook at orientation, registration or in the residence hall may obtain a copy at the Dean of Students Office.

The Vice President for Student Affairs or a designate may defer procedural due process and place a student on interim suspension upon making a determination that such action is necessary to maintain safety and order on the campus. A student placed on interim suspension will, as soon as practical, be given a hearing by the appropriate judicial body.

REGISTRATION OF CRIMINAL RECORD

Radford University students who are under the supervision of a federal or state probation or parole officer at the time of their admission to the university must report their status to the Dean of Students within 15 days following registration. Students who subsequently are placed on probation or parole must report this to the Dean of Students and complete a probation or parole status report within 15 days following the date they are placed on probation or parole. A student failing to comply with this provision is subject to immediate suspension from Radford University.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

All students are expected to attend classes on a regular basis. No absences of any nature will be construed as relieving the student from responsibility for the completion of all work assigned by the instructor.

A student registering late for a class will be responsible for all work assigned and material covered during the class sessions that were missed due to the late registration.

The first class meeting of an evening class, which meets one night per week for 15 weeks, represents about seven percent of the total class time; this first meeting is a regular class. If students wait until the second class meeting to enroll, the class could be cancelled due to inadequate enrollment at the first class meeting.

During the first week of each course, the instructor shall inform students of the attendance policies for the course. Class attendance policies are determined by the instructor and should allow for a reasonable number of absences which are required due to documented official university-sponsored activities, health problems and other emergencies. It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements, which are acceptable to the instructor, to complete work missed during the student's absence from class.

Official university-sponsored activities include, but are not limited to, those events which students attend as official delegates funded by the university or in which they represent a university-funded, all-campus organization, intercollegiate athletic team or performing group, and academic course-related field trips in which participation is mandatory as approved by the appropriate academic dean.

ADVISING

Faculty Advisers
Academic advising is recognized at the university as important to the educational development of its students and as both a natural extension of teaching and an important professional obligation on the part of its faculty. Sound academic advice helps the student address not simply course selection and scheduling but also what a well-educated person should be and know.

After consultation with the chairperson of the major department of each student admitted to graduate study, the dean of the Graduate College will assign each student an adviser. Any request for a change in adviser must be requested by the student on a "Petition for Program Changes" form and approved by the chairperson in the appropriate department and the dean of the Graduate College before action is taken.

Student's Graduate Committee
The major adviser will serve as chairperson of the student's graduate committee, which will consist of at least two additional faculty members. The adviser must be a full member of the graduate faculty. The other two committee members must be full, associate or special members of the graduate faculty. If the student's graduate program includes a minor, one member of the graduate committee must be from the minor field. This member must approve the four courses (total of 12 semester hours) that constitute the minor. For further information about the composition and functions of the student's graduate committee, see Thesis and Graduate Recital and Comprehensive Examination.

GRADES AND CREDIT

Grading System
A is given for excellent work.
B is given for work which is distinctly above average.
C indicates work below Graduate College expectations.
D is given for work of significantly below average quality and indicates the course must be retaken.
F indicates failure; the class must be retaken.
W indicates that a student withdrew, without penalty, from the course after schedule adjustment but before the end of the 12th week and that no credit was obtained.
P indicates passed with satisfactory work of "B" or better in graduate courses.
I indicates work is incomplete. See Incomplete Grades
IP indicates the course is in progress.
N indicates the student audited the course.

Grade Point System

To graduate in a graduate degree program, the student must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average overall and in the program of study. Grades in transfer courses are not used in calculating grade point averages. Only courses graded "B" or higher can be transferred. Courses graded "B-" or lower will not be accepted for transfer credit. In addition, every course on the program of study must be completed with at least a grade of "C"; further, a student may not receive more than two grades of "C" or lower in any graduate work attempted at Radford University.

The quality of work completed is recognized by the assignment of grade points to various letter grades. The student's academic standing depends upon the number of semester hours of work successfully completed and upon the number of grade points accumulated. Radford University uses a four point system in which grade points are assigned to grades as follows:

A = 4 points
B = 3 points
C = 2 points
D = 1 point
F = 0 points

A student's grade point average is computed by:

• Multiplying the number of semester hours (SH) for each course taken by the number of grade points (GP) corresponding to the grade earned for the course (see table above)
• Adding up the total number of grade points for the appropriate period (a single semester, for example, or an entire academic career at Radford University)
• Dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted (TSHA) during that same period. For example:

45 GP/14 TSHA=3.21/GPA

"B-" grades or below will not transfer from other institutions for graduate students.

While courses passed with a grade of "B" or better at other institutions may transfer, these grades are not used in computing the Radford grade point average.

PASS-FAIL COURSES

All courses taken at Radford while classified as a graduate student, except those in which a grade of "P" is obtained, will be used in calculation of the grade point average. The total number of hours attempted, excluding those in courses graded on a "Pass-Fail" basis, is divided into the number of grade points obtained in order to arrive at the grade point average. Only courses offered "Pass/Fail" may be counted either as supporting courses or as part of the program of study. No course taken Pass/Fail for which a letter grade can be assigned is acceptable for a graduate student.

A minimum of 80 percent of the required courses on a student's program of study must be taken for a grade and a maximum of 20 percent can be taken as Pass/Fail. Practica experience and internships are exceptions to this rule. If a combination of thesis, practica or internship exceeds 20 percent of the student's program of study, the student must take the rest of his or her course work for a grade. No course taken Pass/Fail for which a letter grade can be assigned is acceptable unless recommended by a faculty member and supported by the department chair, and approved by the Graduate Dean. Any Pass/Fail course in which an F is assigned will be calculated in the student's overall grade point average.

REPETITION OF COURSES

If a student repeats for credit a course in which a "C," "D" or an "F" was obtained, the number used for "hours attempted" in the calculation of a grade point average will include twice the number of credit hours associated with the course. No more than six credits of course work may be repeated in this way. Courses in which a "B" or an "A" was obtained may not be taken a second time for credit.

INCOMPLETE GRADES

At the faculty member's discretion, the letter "I" may be entered on the student's transcript for a course whenever some portion of the required work has not been completed by the end of the semester. A written statement of the requirements for removal of the grade of "I" must be signed by the faculty member and student and filed in the office of the chairperson of the department in which the course is taught, with a copy submitted to the Registrar along with the faculty member's grade sheet.

The grade of "I" will automatically revert to a grade of "F" if not satisfactorily removed according to the following schedule:

A grade of "IP" will be used for thesis and graduate recital in which case the supervising professor determines whether or not an exception is warranted and has the option of specifying the length of time the student has to complete the work.

Once the grade of "I" is placed on the transcript, it remains on the transcript until it is replaced by the appropriate grade when all course requirements are completed or when the deadline for completion has passed.

Except for a thesis, directed study or graduate recital, a student cannot re-enroll for a course for which an "I" is recorded on the transcript. A degree cannot be awarded to students with Incompletes on their records.

FULL-TIME STATUS

The normal full-time load for a graduate student is 9 hours per semester, with a maximum of 14.

Summer Sessions
Any graduate student who enrolls in six or more semester hours of credit during the Maymester or Summer Session I, or a combination totaling six hours from the Maymester and Session I term will be considered a full-time student for the Summer Session I term. Any graduate student who enrolls in six or more semester hours of credit during Summer Session II will be considered a full-time student for the Summer Session II term.

Any graduate student who enrolls in nine or more semester hours of credit during Summer Session III, or a combination totaling nine semester hours from enrollment in the Maymester, Summer Session I, Summer Session II, and Summer Session III, will be considered a full-time student for the Summer Session III term. The student must be enrolled for credit in the Summer Session III term to be considered for full-time enrollment during the Summer Session III term.

A graduate student may enroll for a maximum of 14 semester hours of credit using any combination of enrollments in the Summer Sessions.

DEFICIENCIES

A student who has not met the minimum 3.0 grade point average in their program of study or overall, may, during their last semester, take up to six semester hours to make up deficiencies. These courses must be approved by the adviser, department chair and graduate dean.

GRADE APPEALS

This procedure is not intended to replace informal conferences between student and professor about a grade. If formal appeal is desired, the following, more formal, approach is necessary.

1. No later than the 10th day of classes of the semester following the semester in which the grade in question was given (unless the next session is the summer session, in which case the "next semester" is interpreted as fall semester) the student must submit a written statement to the professor that he or she wishes to appeal the grade, and must consult with the professor. The professor must respond to the student within five class days in writing.
2. If the student is dissatisfied with the results from step number one, the student will prepare a written appeal giving a clear and precise statement including the following:
   a. A statement that the student has complied with item #1 above.
   b. Specifics of the appeal.
   c. Suggestion as to what the student would consider a fair resolution of the appeal, with supporting reason or reasons.
   The student will present this written appeal to the professor(s) and to the professor's department chairperson (or to the Dean if the chairperson's grade is being appealed) by the end of the 20th class day of the semester, except at the end of spring semester, in which case the appeal must be made by the 20th class day of the following fall semester.
3. The professor will submit written response to the department chairperson (or to the College Dean if the chairperson's grade is being appealed) and to the student within 10 class days of receipt of appeal. The department chairperson (or the College Dean if the chairperson's grade is being appealed) will attempt to resolve the appeal within five class days. If not resolved, the student may, within three class days, request in writing to the chairperson of the department personnel committee that the appeal be considered.
4. The department personnel committee (excluding the professor(s) whose grade is being appealed) will decide if there are grounds for a hearing by a majority vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The student appellant and the professor(s) involved may submit a brief summary of the evidence and the department personnel committee will ascertain whether or not there is probable cause for a full hearing.
5. If a hearing is to be held, the department personnel committee, excluding the professor(s) whose grade is being appealed, will conduct the hearing at which both the student and involved professor(s) must be present. In the event that either the student or the faculty member is absent at the time of the appeal as a result of illness, resignation or any other reason found valid by the personnel committee, the personnel committee may proceed with the hearing or delay the hearing until a more appropriate time. Evidence and testimony may be presented and the professor whose grade is being appealed and the student appellant may present witnesses, evidence and testimony in their behalf. The faculty member and the student shall place all available pertinent grade records and student class work in the hands of the personnel committee. The professor whose grade is being appealed and the student appellant shall have the opportunity to confront and question opposing witnesses. Neither party may be represented by legal counsel at these proceedings. When the department personnel committee hears a grade appeal, a quorum shall be three-fourths of the membership of the committee. The number of members necessary for a quorum is calculated by taking three-fourths of the total membership of the committee (even if this total membership includes the faculty member involved in the grievance) and rounding to the nearest integer. If the faculty member involved in the grievance is a member of the personnel committee, he or she may not vote and may not be present when the vote is taken. Members of the personnel committee must be present at the hearing in order to be eligible to vote.
   If three-fourths or more of the members of the personnel committee present and voting (excluding abstentions) vote in favor of a change of grade, the chair of the personnel committee shall so inform the professor by written memorandum, with copies to the student appellant and the department chairperson. If the professor does not make the grade change within 10 days, the chair of the personnel committee shall then direct the Registrar by written memorandum which shall then be placed in the student's file to make the appropriate change in grade on the student's transcript. The number of votes required to change a grade shall be calculated by taking the total number of members present and voting (excluding abstentions), multiplying by three-fourths and rounding to the nearest integer.
   If a majority but less than three-fourths of the members of the personnel committee present and voting (excluding abstentions) vote in favor of a change of grade the chair of the personnel committee shall so inform the professor by written memorandum, recommending that the grade be changed, with copies to the student appellant and the department chair. If the professor chooses to make a grade change, such a change must be made within 10 class days.
   The personnel committee, excluding any professor(s) whose grade is being appealed, shall make a decision within 10 class days of the receipt of the appeal and inform the professor(s) involved, with copies going to the department chairperson and the student. Minutes will be kept of all meetings related to the appeal. The decision of the department personnel committee may not be appealed.
6. In the event the faculty member concerned refuses to participate in the appeals procedure or refuses to provide available materials essential for the appeals procedure, the departmental personnel committee may, by majority vote, elect to have the personnel committee chairperson direct the Registrar by written memorandum which shall then be placed in the student's file to make the appropriate change in grade on the student's transcript.
7. In these proceedings, the burden of proof is on the student appellant to prove that a change of grade is the appropriate action in his or her case. Each department personnel committee of five or fewer members will elect additional members to supplement the available number of voting faculty so that grade appeals are heard by at least four voting members. The department personnel committee will first elect from the group of remaining faculty members in that small department who are not on the personnel committee. Then, if the minimum number of four voting members is not achieved, the personnel committee will elect from a related department of the committee's choice. These individuals would serve on the department personnel committee only when a grade appeal is submitted. The individuals should be elected at the first meeting of the department personnel committee fall semester of each year.

PRACTICA/INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS

Students preparing to complete a field component of their program will apply to the department and/or program in which they are enrolled. Departments and/or programs will monitor and regulate admission into all programmatic field experiences. Students must have prior written approval of the department chair or graduate coordinator before they are permitted to register for any field experience.

Undergraduate and graduate programs, in which students are required to participate in a practical experience, including internships, practica, clinical courses, student teaching, and fieldwork shall:

1. Provide written information to potential majors about the qualities of character and interpersonal skills that are normally expected in order to complete the program successfully.
2. Identify (when feasible) potential problems the student may have in a practical experience prior to engaging in the experience; make those concerns known to the student; and, make appropriate recommendations to the student.
3. Provide the following: a) written criteria for entry into a practical experience and procedures for implementation of those criteria; b) performance standards during the experience; c) circumstances under which the student may be withdrawn from, or denied entry to, the experience; and d) processes, including appeals, which regulate such withdrawals.

Departments and programs governed by the above policy include, but are not limited to: Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychology, Counselor Education, Criminal Justice, Educational Studies, Music, Nursing, Physical Education (Teaching Concentration), Social Work and Special Education. Policies specific to each program will be on file in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Graduate College, and in each department office. Students planning to take such courses should obtain a copy of the relevant departmental policies and procedures before registration in the course.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

For all graduate degrees, at least 80 percent of the credit hours in the major and 80 percent of the hours in the overall program must be in 600- or 700-level courses.

All degree programs require that the student complete a minimum of 30 or more semester hours of graduate-level work with at least a "B" average in the major, in the overall program and in all courses taken since admission.

A six-hour thesis, graduate recital or creative project is required for all Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts programs.

Specific requirements for each program are listed in the departmental sections.

The professional education training programs are those with either a major or a minor in education. If education courses are to be used in the minor, the entire minor must be in education.

MINIMUM CREDITS

In order to obtain a Master's degree from Radford University, a student must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some programs may have additional credit hour requirements.

MINORS

A minor at the graduate level will consist of a minimum of twelve semester hours and four courses. A faculty member from the field in which the student is to minor must, in consultation with other faculty in the minor department, approve the four courses that will constitute the minor. If the specified requirements for a minor are met, the minor will be identified on the student's transcript.

UNDERGRADUATE DEFICIENCIES

Students enrolled in Master of Science degree programs with a major or a minor in education who plan to work in the public elementary or secondary schools must hold the Collegiate Professional Certificate or take nine semester hours of undergraduate education courses (which will not count towards the master's degree) before they will be allowed to take for graduate credit any 500-level or 600-level courses offered by the College of Education and Human Development.

For departments outside the College of Education and Human Development the number of hours of undergraduate courses required in the major area before 600-level courses can be taken in the major is specified in the departmental sections.

Students will be advised in their letters of admission of any undergraduate deficiencies; they should contact their academic advisers immediately to discuss how these deficiencies may be made up.

Students who have not completed deficiencies by the completion of 12 semester hours or the end of their second semester will be blocked from registering for additional courses.

All work taken to relieve deficiencies will appear on the official transcript and will be calculated in the overall grade point average.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

All students enrolled in a degree program must submit a program of study to their advisor no later than the end of the second semester in which the student is enrolled. Students who do not have an approved program of study by the completion of twelve graduate hours or at the end of the second semester in which they are enrolled will be blocked from registering for additional courses.

The program of study will be the responsibility of the departments in which the student is enrolled and must fulfill all the requirements of the appropriate degree program as published in the catalog. The year of the catalog being followed must be indicated on the program of study form.

The program of study is not considered to be official until the signature of an authorized person in the Graduate College is affixed.

Once a course in the program of study has been attempted, it cannot be deleted from the program. Every course on the program of study must be completed with at least a grade of "C," and the average must be at least a "B."

A student who receives more than two grades of C or lower in any graduate work attempted at Radford University will be removed from the program.

A student who has not met the minimum 3.0 grade point average in their program of study or overall, may, during their last semester, take up to six semester hours to make up deficiencies. These hours must be approved by the adviser, department chair, and graduate dean.

Changes in the program must receive the same approvals as the original program. Forms for the program of study and for making changes are available in the Graduate College Office in Preston 213 and in most departmental offices.

CHANGE OF MAJOR

A graduate student may change from one degree program to another if he or she meets the criteria for admission to the new program and is accepted by the program. The student must file a Change of Major form with the Graduate College Office, which forwards all credentials to the new department for an admission decision. The student is notified of the decision by the Graduate College.

A student who changes graduate degree programs may choose a catalog no earlier than the one in effect at the time of official admission into the new program, or the catalog under which the student next enrolls.

SUPPORTING COURSES

The student should list on the program of study all courses taken in support of the master's program but not used as part of the degree program.

These supporting courses can be courses needed to make up undergraduate deficiencies or graduate-level courses which the student and adviser feel may be beneficial but are not absolutely necessary as part of the approved program. A "B" average is required in supporting courses, as it is in all other courses taken by a graduate student.

All work taken as supporting courses will appear on the official transcript and will be calculated in the overall grade point average.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT; OFF-CAMPUS CREDIT

A maximum of six semester hours of transfer credit may be accepted as a part of a master's degree program at Radford University.

Only credit for "A" and "B" grades transfer. (Credit for grades of "B-" will not transfer). All transfer credit must be approved by the student's adviser after consultation with graduate faculty in the discipline involved and by the dean of the Graduate College.

Any student enrolled in a degree program at Radford University who wishes to take transferable graduate work as a transient student at another institution must secure approval from his or her adviser and from the dean of the Graduate College before such work is taken. Courses which will not be accepted for graduate credit by the institutions offering the courses will not be accepted by Radford University.

CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT

All graduate students are required to be registered during the semester they receive their degree from Radford University. Registration is required of all graduate students when using University facilities and/or faculty time. The minimum number of hours for registration is one. Registration allows use of services such as library checkout, laboratories, and recreation facilities not open to the public.

Students who are not currently registered for any course work, and who have completed all course work but have other outstanding degree requirements (e.g., comprehensive examination, thesis, removal of an I or IP grade), are required to register for a continuous enrollment course each semester, excluding summer, until they have met the outstanding requirement(s). This course carries no credit hour production and does not count toward graduation requirements.This course option is also available to those admitted students who are not enrolled in a given semester but who wish to use University facilities and services during that time.

CORRESPONDENCE CREDIT

No correspondence credit, wherever earned, can be applied towards any graduate degree awarded at Radford University.

500-LEVEL COURSES OFFERED FOR GRADUATE CREDIT

The Graduate Academic Course and Program Review Committee specifies which 500-level courses can be taken for graduate credit. Only those 500-level courses so specified in the back section of this catalog can be taken for graduate credit.

Faculty teaching graduate students in 500-level courses are expected to require additional work of these students if the course is being taken for graduate credit. This work can be in the form of readings, papers or a limited research project. The student is responsible for informing the instructor if the course is being taken for graduate credit. For a student to receive graduate credit for a class, the instructor of that class must hold graduate faculty status.

SPECIAL TOPICS COURSES

After a special topics course has been offered twice within five years, it must be submitted to the appropriate curriculum committee and assigned a permanent course number prior to being offered a third time.

PREREQUISITES

The prerequisites listed in the catalog for certain graduate courses are the result of thorough consideration of course content by the graduate faculty in the department offering the course. A prerequisite will be waived only if extraordinary circumstances exist, and if the graduate faculty in the appropriate department and the faculty member teaching the course submit a request for waiver to the dean of the Graduate College.

GRADUATE CREDIT FOR RADFORD UNIVERSITY SENIORS

Seniors at Radford University with an overall grade point average at Radford of 3.0 or better may be permitted to enroll in graduate-level courses during their final semester of undergraduate work. Students have the option of counting the course(s) toward their undergraduate degree or toward a graduate degree, if all admission requirements are met. Graduate courses taken to meet baccalaureate requirements may not be used toward a graduate degree.

Undergraduate students who wish to take courses for graduate credit must receive specific approval from the instructor and the dean of the Graduate College. Request forms are available in the Graduate College office in Preston 213.

CLASS LOAD

The normal full-time load for a graduate student is 9 hours per semester, with a maximum of 14. A student may be considered full-time with as few as 6 hours when:

(1) Employed as a graduate teaching fellow through the Graduate College.

(2) The recipient of a federal traineeship for nursing.

A full academic load during a three-week session is three semester hours; a full load during a six-week session is six semester hours. An overload fee will be charged for each hour above seven hours. No student may carry more than seven semester hours without the written permission of the dean of the Graduate College.

A graduate student who is employed full time or part time must realize that an excessive course load might well result in substandard performance in academics and on the job. The Graduate Affairs Council suggests the following upper limits on course loads for employed graduate students:

RETENTION POLICIES

Good Standing
Any student who maintains a minimum grade point average of 3.00 will be in good standing.

Probation
Any student whose grade point average falls below 3.00 after attempting nine or more semester hours of course work will not be in good standing and will be placed on academic probation. A student who is on probation cannot apply for regular status. A student who is on probation must take a reduced course load as follows: a full-time student on probation may take no more than nine semester hours of course work in a given term; a part-time student on probation may take no more than four semester hours of course work in a given term.

If a student's grade point average rises to a minimum of 3.00 after the student is placed on probation, the student will be removed from probation and reinstated to good standing. A student who has been placed on probation and then reinstated may again be placed on probation if the student's grade point average again falls below 3.00.

Suspension
If the student's grade point average remains below 3.00 after attempting an additional nine semester hours of course work after being placed on probation, the student may be placed on academic suspension for one calendar year. At the end of this period of suspension the student may be readmitted on probation with the recommendation of the department or program chair and the approval of the dean of the College of Graduate and Extended Education.

A student whose grade point average remains below 3.00 after attempting another nine hours of course work following readmission may be dropped from the College of Graduate and Extended Education with no possibility of readmission.

ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY

Not all programs require admission to candidacy, but if they do, a student's application to candidacy is the responsibility of the department in which the student is enrolled.

DIRECTED STUDY

The directed study is a course designed by the student after thorough consultation with the professor who will supervise the study. Before registering for a directed study, the student must submit a written proposal for approval by the supervising professor, the adviser and the department chairperson.

It is recommended that students have earned at least 12 semester hours, be on regular status, and have an approved program of study prior to enrolling in directed study courses.

A directed study cannot be used to replace a required course in a graduate program of studies.

The directed study will be graded on an A/F basis.

A single directed study can carry from one to four semester hours of credit. A maximum of six semester hours of credit in directed studies can be used toward graduation in a degree program; departmental requirements may limit the student to fewer than six hours of directed study.

Students electing to do a thesis as part of their degree requirements may take up to four hours of directed study as part of the degree program, as long as the content of the directed study is not directly related to the thesis topic.

One copy of the approved directed study proposal must be given to the Registrar before the student can register for the directed study. A copy must also be filed in the Graduate College office. This proposal should be submitted at least two weeks prior to registration.

THESIS OR GRADUATE RECITAL

A thesis or graduate recital is required in all Master of Arts programs. It can be an elective or a requirement in a Master of Science program, at the option of the department.

A student planning to do a thesis should submit a proposal to the dean of the Graduate College at least two weeks prior to registration. This proposal is submitted on a form available in the Graduate College Office in Preston Hall, which must be signed by the student's adviser, by the graduate faculty member who will direct the work, by the other members of the student's committee, and by the dean of the the Graduate College. Students must be on regular status and have an approved program of study on file.

The particular style used in writing a thesis is determined by the thesis director, but general rules about style can be specified by the graduate faculty in the department involved. Basic guidelines for all theses can be obtained from the Graduate College Office.

Students who plan to do a thesis or graduate recital are advised to begin serious planning of this work during the first semester of enrollment as a graduate student. Past experiences have shown that it is very difficult for a student to do a respectable job on the thesis or recital if all work is concentrated in the last semester before graduation.

The thesis grade will be recorded as "Pass" or "Fail." Conventional letter grades are given for the graduate recital.

A graduate student may take only two years to complete or withdraw from a thesis grade of "I" starting from the first semester in which the student registered for thesis credit. All requirements for the degree must be completed within six academic years.

AWARDS

Three graduate awards, for the outstanding research thesis, the outstanding creative project, and for exemplary performance, are given each year at the spring commencement ceremonies to students who completed their graduate degrees during the past academic year. A faculty committee designates the recipients of these awards from nominees selected by each College. A cash award and a plaque are given to each student and a commemorative plaque to the faculty adviser of each award-winning project.

PRELIMINARY COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

In addition to the final comprehensive examination given during the last semester of enrollment, the graduate faculty in each department have the option of requiring a preliminary comprehensive examination to be administered sometime before completion of three-fourths of the master's degree program. This preliminary examination would be designed to measure the student's competence in the major area. If a particular program requires such a preliminary examination, this information is given in the description of the program in the departmental sections of this catalog.

FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

A final, comprehensive examination is required of all Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Social Work, Master of Fine Arts, and Educational Specialist degree candidates. This examination can be written or oral as deemed appropriate by the department. It should be taken during the last semester of the student's graduate program and should be scheduled by the student and the adviser at least two weeks before graduation. The student must have at least a B average in the major area and in the overall program at the time of application for the examination. The necessary examination form is available in the Graduate College Office, 213 Preston Hall. It is recommended that forms be requested five days in advance of the examination date.

For a Master of Science degree candidate, the committee conducting the examination must consist of three faculty members, including the student's adviser, at least one additional faculty member from the student's major department and at least one faculty member familiar with the student's work in a minor area if the graduate program has a distinct minor.

For a Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts candidate, the committee must consist of the student's adviser and at least two additional faculty from the major department, including the thesis or graduate recital director if this person is not also the adviser.

The student, in consultation with the adviser, can suggest the names of faculty to serve on the committee. All members of the committee must be full or associate members of the graduate faculty and must sign the Report of Final Comprehensive Examination. A majority of the committee must recommend "satisfactory" in order for the student to pass.

It is important that the student doing a thesis or recital choose the committee before beginning work on the thesis or recital and that the committee members be kept informed of the student's progress in the preparation of the thesis or recital.

A candidate who fails the examination may request re-examination no earlier than the following semester. A student who fails to pass the examination on the second attempt will be dropped from the degree program.

Students should note specific departmental requirements for the final comprehensive examination in the course descriptions section of this catalog.

TIME LIMIT

All requirements for the master's degree must be completed within six academic years. Neither Radford University courses nor transfer courses more than six academic years old at the time of graduation will be allowed as part of the hours for graduation.

SECOND MASTER'S DEGREE

Students will not be allowed to enroll in a graduate program leading to a master's degree in a field in which they already hold a graduate degree. A student pursuing a second master's degree in a new field may not count toward the new degree any credits already applied toward an earlier degree, but must meet all requirements for the appropriate degree.

AUDITING COURSES

Students may audit classes on a space available basis with written permission of class instructor and the department chairperson. Students who audit a course may not transfer to regular status in the course after the census date. Auditing students are expected to attend class on the same basis as a regular student. The instructor may delete from the roll any auditing student who does not meet course requirements.

WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES

Withdrawal from One or More But Not All Courses
The student must secure a withdrawal slip from the Registrar's Office, have it signed by the instructor of the course from which he/she is withdrawing and by the student's academic adviser, and then return all copies to the Registrar's Office. The withdrawal is not complete until the signed slip has been returned to the Registrar's Office.

Students must contact the Student Accounts Office in Walker Hall to initiate a request for a refund of tuition if they drop a class or classes prior to the census date and if the reduced class load qualifies them for a tuition refund.

A student who drops a class prior to the conclusion of schedule adjustment will receive no grade. A student who withdraws from class after schedule adjustment but before the end of the 12th week of the semester (or 80 percent of a summer session) will receive a grade of "W." A student who withdraws from class after the 12th week of the semester (or 80 percent of summer session) will receive a grade of "F."

A student may not withdraw from more than three graduate classes. Anything beyond the third withdrawal results in an automatic "F."

Withdrawal from the University (All Courses)
Students withdrawing from all courses during a given semester must contact the Registrar's Office in Martin Hall to obtain and complete a "Withdrawal Check-Out Sheet." This process must be followed to ensure the student will receive any eligible refunds and the appropriate grades for the semester.

Students who withdraw from the university during the schedule adjustment period will receive no grade. A student who withdraws from the university (all classes) after schedule adjustment but prior to the end of the 12th week of the semester (80 percent of Summer session) will receive "W's" in all classes. Withdrawals from the university after the 12th week will result in automatic "F's."

EXCEPTIONS TO WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES

Exceptions to the withdrawal procedures may be granted upon recommendation of the Office of Assistant Vice President for Student Development in cases of documented medical or other non-academic reasons.

Withdrawal from Off-campus Course
Students who register for off-campus courses must adhere to withdrawal policies and procedures published as outlined above.

RECORDS AND REPORTS OF STUDENTS

Grades as filed with the office of the Registrar are final, except where an error of judgment has occurred or an error has been made in computation or transcription. Shortly after the close of each semester or summer term, currently enrolled students receive a grade report showing the final grade received in each course for which they were enrolled that particular semester or summer term.

A transcript is the official record, compiled by the Registrar, of a student's academic career. For each semester or summer term, the transcript shows the courses, credits and grades; semester or summer term grade point average; and notice of academic probation, suspension or withdrawal. Transfer credit also is recorded, but without grades.

The completed transcript records the degree and major, minor and/or concentration as appropriate, final graduation grade point average, and the date the degree was conferred.

Transcripts are issued upon the receipt of a signed, written request. There is no charge for this service. There is a limit of 10 transcripts issued per request, unless otherwise approved by the Registrar.

Student Record Policy
Radford University student record policies and practices are in full compliance with state and federal laws.

Upon request, the university will grant students who are or have been in attendance access to their educational records except those excluded by law and will provide an opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records.

The university will not release information about a student from records, except directory information, to other than a specified list of exceptions without obtaining the written consent of the student.

A full statement of the Student Record Policy and information as to how students may exercise the rights accorded them by this policy are available from the Dean of Students Office.

University and federal laws permit the university to routinely release information in the following categories with respect to each student unless the student informs the university that any and all information designated should not be released without the student's prior consent. Requests for the restricted release of directory information should be filed at the Registrar's Office.

• Student's name, local and home address, phone listing
• Date and place of birth
• Major field of study
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Weight and height of members of athletic teams
• Dates of attendance
• Degrees and awards received
• Most recent previous educational agency or institution attended
• Parent's name, address, phone listing
• Student I.D. number (after the student graduates from the university).

Students should report any change of name, address or marital status to the Registrar's Office so their university records can be corrected.

HONOR SYSTEM

Radford University's Honor System provides the foundation for a university community in which freedom, trust and respect can prevail. In accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to support and uphold the Honor System without compromise or exception. The students of Radford University believe that individuals have the right to compete fairly, to keep what they have earned and to have others accept their word without question. Individuals have the responsibility to be honorable in their own conduct and to insist that other students act honorably.

Lying, cheating and stealing are considered to be acts of dishonor, and will, therefore, cause a student to be subject to temporary or permanent suspension from the university community. Students who commit an honor violation or any members of the Radford University community who have knowledge that a student has committed an honor violation are expected to comply with the reporting procedures.

GRADUATION POLICY

A currently enrolled full-time student may meet the graduation requirements listed in the Radford University Graduate Catalog in effect at the time of the student's initial enrollment at Radford. Or, the individual may elect to meet the requirements in any subsequent catalog published between enrollment and graduation as long as the catalog is no more than six years old. A student may not follow requirements for graduation listed in a catalog in effect prior to the student's enrollment at Radford.

A regularly enrolled, part-time student may complete the graduation requirements in effect when the student enrolled at Radford. Or, this student may complete requirements listed in any subsequent catalog, as long as the catalog is no more than six years old when the student graduates.

Commencement Exercises
Commencement exercises are conducted at the end of the fall semester and again at the end of the spring semester. Students completing degree requirements are urged to attend commencement unless extenuating circumstances justify their absence. Diplomas will be mailed to students completing degree requirements after confirmation that their degree requirements have been completed.

Participation in Commencement
Radford University restricts participation in graduation exercises to those students who will complete their degree requirements by the time of commencement or who can complete the requirements in no more than two courses or six semester hours, which will be available during the immediately following summer session(s).

A student who wishes to participate in the commencement exercises and will not have met all requirements by the end of the current semester, but can do so in no more than two courses or six semester hours that will be available in the immediately following semester, must submit a petition to participate along with the application for graduation. Graduation applications and petitions to participate in commencement must be approved by the department following the guidelines established by departments and submitted to the Graduate College by the end of the third week of the commencement semester. All applications must be approved by the Graduate Dean. Participation in commencement does not guarantee that the diploma will be awarded.

Application for Degree
Each candidate for the advanced degrees must apply for the degree through the Graduate College Office at the beginning of his or her last semester (please see class schedule booklet for deadlines). Unless the necessary forms are filled out by the student before the stated deadline, graduation will be delayed.

Exception to Academic Policy
The Radford University Catalog is the basic authority for academic requirements at Radford University. All students are expected to follow the catalog in the pursuit of their degrees. On occasion, extraordinary circumstances may, however, justify minor departures from the catalog requirements. Students who believe their situation warrants a deviation from academic policy may petition for an exception and should consult with their academic advisers to explore this option.

Radford University is organized into six colleges ­ the College of Graduate and Extended Education and five academic colleges. Students enrolled in other graduate programs apply to Graduate Studies and are advised by graduate faculty members. However, they still maintain close ties with the other academic college in which their majors are located. For example, a student majoring in music therapy is considered a member of the College of Visual and Performing Arts as well as Graduate Studies.

The Radford University Honor Code

I do hereby resolve to uphold the Honor Code of Radford University by refraining from lying, from the stealing or unauthorized possession of property and from violating the Standards of Student Academic Integrity.

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