Graduate Policies and Procedures

General

Enrollment in graduate programs is on a part-time or full-time basis depending on the specific program and the student’s timeline.

Applicants will be formally accepted in writing after all admission requirements have been fulfilled. In cases where entrance requirements have not been fulfilled, the applicant may take up to two courses prior to acceptance, depending on the program. Admission as a non-matriculant implies no commitment for admission to a degree program.

All documents, transcripts, and other papers submitted for admission become the property of the Office of Graduate Admission and will not be returned. Each student will be assigned an advisor upon acceptance as a matriculating student. The advisor will help the student to plan a program of study and choose courses for each semester.

Course Competency Equivalence Procedure

In some graduate programs and in cases when a graduate student believes that standards for a given course have been met, application may be made to demonstrate those standards or competencies through documentation and testing. Based on the requirements of the particular graduate program, a student may be required to select an elective in place of the course for which proof of the standards or competencies is demonstrated.

The student should contact the graduate program director for additional information and assistance.

Grades

Grades are issued at the close of each semester and after each summer session. The quality of a student’s course work is indicated by grades with the following significance:

The passing grade range is as follows: A, A-, B+, B, and B-. The high passing grade of A is awarded for distinguished course work. The ordinary passing grade of B is awarded for course work that is clearly satisfactory. Any grade below B- is considered a failing grade. Two such grades will result in the student’s dismissal from the program.

If a student withdraws during the add/drop period as indicated on the relevant academic calendar (undergraduate, graduate, online) the student will not receive a “WP” or “WF”. Students who withdraw after the add/drop period on the relevant academic calendar will receive a “WP” if passing the course and a “WF” if failing the course as determined by the course instructor. A “WF” grade is considered a failing grade for purposes of academic standing and progression.

If a student withdraws from a non-traditional course (i.e., turbo, hybrid, monthly/weekend or completely online format), the student will be evaluated on an individual basis and receive either a “WP” or “WF”.

Academic Dismissal for Graduate Students

Graduate students who receive two failing grades are dismissed from their academic program. Students are permitted to appeal their dismissal or re-apply for admission to a new graduate program. If a student is successfully admitted to a new program and wishes to resume studies at Regis, they should contact Graduate Admission. All petitions must be in writing.

Leave of Absence Policy for Graduate Students

A leave of absence is intended to recognize situations in which a student, for sufficient reason, is temporarily unable to progress in her/his graduate program for more than one semester. During such a leave, a student has no access to Regis facilities and should not expect to have regular contact with advisors or committee members. A leave, however, does not extend the overall time limitation on degree programs (see time limit requirements). Leaves of absence are granted for a maximum of four consecutive semesters (fall, spring, summer one, summer two) by submitting the Graduate Leave of Absence form to the Registrar’s Office. Leaves of absence are granted for a maximum of four consecutive semesters (fall, spring, summer one, summer two) by submitting the Graduate Leave of Absence form obtained through SPIKE. Students pursuing a leave of absence should follow the procedure below:

Before beginning your leave of absence:

• Notify your Graduate Program Director and/or Advisor you intend to take Leave of Absence.

• Complete and submit the Graduate Leave of Absence form located on SPIKE.

• Once approved by your Graduate Program Director or Advisor, you will be alerted via email.

• Students planning a leave from the institution should check with Student Accounts and Office of Student Financial Planning regarding all financial policies and procedures

Before returning from your leave of absence:

• Speak to your Graduate Program Director and/or Advisor to ensure that you will be able to satisfactorily complete your degree.

• Complete and submit the Graduate Return from Leave of Absence form located on SPIKE.

• You may not register for classes before receiving approval to return from the Office of the Registrar.

• Time limitations and/or extensions may be enforced or permitted for purposes of program accreditation and licensure requirements.

• Students planning to return from a leave should check with Student Accounts and Office of Student Financial Planning regarding all financial policies and procedures

While graduate students are not required to make a formal leave of absence request if they will only be away for one semester, it is expected that they will not make use of university resources during semesters when they are not enrolled. Students may be required to take additional steps before resuming studies based on the discretion of the Office of Graduate Student Affairs, the Graduate Program Director, and the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Time Limit and Registration Requirements

Registration in a minimum of two (2) semesters per year is recommended to assure steady progress toward completion of the degree, except when a leave of absence has been granted. Persons who are not registered or who are not on an approved Leave of Absence for three consecutive semesters may be removed from the list of active students in good standing (i.e., “administratively withdrawn” from the university.) Any student so removed must reapply for admission to return to active status.

Policy on the Integration of Graduate Courses and Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Upon the approval of their undergraduate advisor and the appropriate graduate program director, qualified undergraduate students may enroll in specified Regis graduate courses. Up to three (3) Regis graduate courses may count toward both the total number of courses required for the baccalaureate degree and the total number of courses required for the Regis master’s degree. Undergraduate students interested in pursuing integrated coursework should complete the Intention to Pursue Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree form.

Procedures and Student Qualifications

Undergraduate students with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and with at least two completed full-time semesters (or equivalent) at Regis and one additional completed full-time (or equivalent) semester at Regis or another accredited college or university may seek permission to enroll in a graduate level course no earlier than the spring term of their junior year. The qualified student must meet with the appropriate graduate program director and undergraduate advisor. With the written approval of both, the student may enroll in the specified graduate level course(s).

These graduate courses provide academic credit toward completion of the bachelor’s degree and, with the grade of B- or better, will fulfill some of the course requirements of the Regis graduate degree. A lesser (but passing) graduate course grade may only count toward the baccalaureate degree and will not count toward the graduate degree.

The Graduate Record Examination or similar qualifying examination will be waived for Regis students who achieve grades of B or better in at least two Regis graduate level courses. Formal admission into a Regis master’s program will be available for these students upon completion of the Regis baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and upon completion of the appropriate graduate application process (which may include letters of reference).

Transfer Credit

Transfer of credit from another approved, regionally accredited institution of higher learning will be allowed if it is for graduate work done within five years prior to enrolling in Regis and the grade received for the work is not less than B-. Since graduate programs are standard- based, only those courses will be accepted that correlate with standards for the particular component of the program in which the student is enrolled. Students applying for transfer credit are required to submit to the appropriate graduate program director a transcript and a syllabus or detailed course description of those courses for which they are requesting transfer credit. Transfer of credit for the Doctor of Education (EdD) program must be approved by the program director and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Graduate Program Specific Policies

Individual programs may have additional handbooks, guidelines and/or addenda, the policies of which take precedence. All general university policies are applicable to graduate students.