Academic Policies/Regulations

Academic Probation
Advising
Attendance
Auditing a Course
Children in the Classroom Setting
Communication and Email
Enrollment Status by Number of Credits
Grades
Grade Appeals
Graduation
Honor Code
Honor Societies
Incompletes
Matriculant Status and Leave of Absence
Repeating a Course
Study Abroad
Withdrawing from a Course
Withdrawing from a Program

Academic Probation

Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 on a 4-point scale (B) Cumulative GPA to remain in Good Academic Standing. Students whose Cumulative Grade Point Average falls below 3.0 will be placed on Academic Probation status. Students on Academic Probation will be given three semesters (in which they register for a course) to raise their Cumulative Grade Point Average to 3.0. Failure to do so will result in Academic Dismissal from the graduate program. These provisions do not apply to students admitted on probation; provisions governing that status are identified in the Letter of Admission.

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Advising

Students are advised by one of the professional academic advisors or Graduate Program Coordinators and as needed by faculty. Students in the MAT program or the Accelerated Certification for Teaching program are advised by the director of Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Programs or the graduate program coordinator at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (SMHEC). Students are informed of future class schedules, changes of policy and other matters of interest through their Notre Dame email account, the University Web site or through special mailings. The final responsibility for completing program requirements rests with the student. Students should be aware that questions about academic progress are discussed only via official University email.

Attendance

The University is committed to providing a complete on-site or online learning experience that includes the opportunity to fully engage in the learning process. Class attendance and participation are critical to program success and demonstrate desired dispositions of the profession. The instructional environment, whether in the classroom or online, fosters student-centered learning, collaboration, and the opportunity to share perspectives; therefore, class attendance and engagement in learning are essential to the process.

Students are expected to be:

Present for all class meetings (onsite or online), to be punctual, and to remain for the duration of the class,
(for online students) actively engage in the course within the first 72 hours or they will be withdrawn,
familiar with and to adhere to the written attendance policies pertaining to their specific School of program of study, and
aware that the effect of absences is heightened in courses that are compressed in length (for Winterim courses, no absences are allowed).

Absence, frequent lateness, or early departures may result in a reduction in the course grade. Excessive absences early in the course may result in withdrawal. Excessive absences throughout the duration of the course may result in failure. Students are responsible for communicating with the instructor about an absence to discuss implications/consequences. Students should consult the course syllabus for attendance expectations.

If a student believes his/her attendance problems are related to a disability (short or long term) or medical condition, the student may be protected under disability services. Students must meet and register with Disability Services (not the course faculty or Advisor) to receive reasonable accommodations. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and equal access to its programs. Links for helpful information are found below:

Accessibility and Health Promotion

Accessibility - Faculty

Accessibility - Syllabi at NDMU

Auditing a Course

Students possessing a bachelor's degree may audit graduate courses for which there are no prerequisites, on a space-available basis. Students must register for the course and pay full tuition. Students cannot change from audit to credit status after the class begins and they will need to repeat required classes taken for audit if they subsequently matriculate in a graduate program. The instructor's approval is required for Audit. Students cannot receive financial aid for audited courses.

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Children in the Classroom Setting

Students are advised that children are prohibited from attending classes. Though Notre Dame is sensitive to the needs of parents and the potential for difficulties in providing child care, the campus is not to be used as a playground for children while the parent is attending class. The University denies any liability for injuries sustained by children while on campus when the parent or supervising adult is in class.

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Communication and Email

Notre Dame uses students’ Notre Dame generated email address and not personal email address for communication, which include news, reminders, updates, deadlines, cancellations, course enrollment information and changes in policy, to assist students in their academic planning. Students are responsible for checking their Notre Dame email account for information.

Email accounts for new students are created prior to the start of the semester or term. Letters containing personalized account information and a how-to brochure will be mailed after new students register for courses. Students may forward their Notre Dame email to any other account of their choosing. For questions concerning Notre Dame email accounts, students should contact the IT Help Desk at HelpDesk@ndm.edu or 410-532-5200.

Students should also refer to the information located in this Catalog, online schedules, postings on Joule, and the Notre Dame website for important information regarding registration, graduation application dates, policies/procedures, as well as news and updates from the University community. Additional course and University information is listed through WebAdvisor.

**Enrollment Status by Number of Credits* (Fall/Spring)**

	Full-Time Enrollment	¾-Time Enrollment	½-Time Enrollment	Less than ½-Time Enrollment
Master's Degree/Graduate Certificate	9 credits	7-8 credits	4.5-6 credits	1-4 credits
Ph.D. Degree	6 credits	4-5 credits	3 credits	1-2 credits

*Note: To be considered eligible for federal financial aid, graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time. Refer to the Financial Aid section in the Graduate Catalog for additional information.

Grades

Grades represent the course faculty’s evaluation of a student's achievement in the course. Each letter grade in a graduate course is interpreted as a letter grade and Grade Point Average (GPA) as described below:

A	95 - 100%	4.0
B+	90 - 94%	3.5
B	85 - 89%	3.0
C+	77 - 84%	2.5
C	70 - 76%	2.0
F	Below 70%	0.0
AU	Audit
W	Withdrawal with permission
I	Work incomplete due to emergency/other extenuating circumstances

Grade Points are multiplied by the credit value of the course in calculating the Grade Point Average. Transfer credit is not calculated in the Grade Point Average.

Notre Dame of Maryland University requires a Grade Point Average of 3.0 on a 4-point scale for graduation from any of the Graduate Degree or Certificate Programs of Study.

Grade Appeals

Only final course grades may be appealed. Students and faculty are expected to communicate and confer during the course concerning student progress, particularly the evaluation of student work assignments, tests, quizzes, papers, exams, and other projects. Every effort should be made to resolve questions regarding grading while the course is still in progress.

A final grade may be appealed if there is evidence the grade was not given in accordance with the provisions set forth in the course syllabus or in the announced course modifications or descriptions for particular projects and assignments.

For appealing a grade, the principle of seeking a reasonable, fair, and speedy resolution prevails throughout the process below described. Grade Appeals must be submitted no more than fourteen days following the end of the semester term in which the grade in question was earned. All information related to the appeal and the appeals process is expected to remain confidential.

When a student wishes to appeal a final grade, the student must write to the faculty member setting forth the basis for the appeal, evidence relevant to the case, and the remedy sought. This appeal must be made within two weeks of the official end of the semester.
The faculty member will respond in writing to the student's appeal within two weeks of receiving the written appeal.
If not satisfied with the faculty member's response, the student may, within two weeks of the response, appeal to the Dean in the School of Education, Graduate Program Director or Department Chair in the School of Arts, Sciences, and Business, and Associate Dean in the School of Nursing.
The student makes the appeal in writing, again setting forth the appeal, the evidence, and the remedy sought in Step One. The Dean in the School of Education; Graduate Program Director or Department Chair in the School of Arts, Sciences, and Business; or Associate Dean in the School of Nursing informs the faculty member of the student's appeal and obtains a copy of the faculty member's written response to the student. The Dean in the School of Education; Graduate Program Director or Department Chair in the School of Arts, Sciences, and Business; or Associate Dean in the School of Nursing then reviews the written record and may select an alternate mediator agreeable to both parties.
The Dean in the School of Education; Graduate Program Director or Department Chair in the School of Arts, Sciences, and Business; or Associate Dean in the School of Nursing then writes a response including a report on the steps taken in the mediation process. The written response will be sent to the student, the faculty member, and the School's dean (Arts, Sciences and Business and Nursing) within two weeks of the conclusion of the mediation process.

Note: The decision by the School of Education Dean is a final decision; the appeal process ends with this step.
If the Appeal originated in the School of Arts, Science, and Business or School of Nursing, there is an additional step in the appeal process.
If students are not satisfied with the outcome of the mediation process, the student may appeal in writing within two weeks to the School's Dean. The Dean will then ask for a written statement and a copy of relevant materials from the faculty member. The Dean may seek further information as needed. The Dean forwards a decision in writing to the student and Associate Dean or Chair within six weeks of having received the appeal. The decision of the Dean is final.
Situations regarding academic dishonesty are reviewed consistent with the Honor Code procedures and are not handled as regular grade appeals.

Graduation

All students must file a Graduation Application with the Registrar's Office to initiate the graduation process. This application is required irrespective of the student's intent to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Filing a Graduation Application will initiate a formal review of credits and requirements by the both the School and Registrar's Office staff.

The completed Graduation Application must be signed by the student's academic advisor before submission to the Registrar's Office. The graduation fee must accompany the Graduation Application before it can be processed.

The deadlines for submitting this Application are as follows:

May Commencement ……………………………… October 15

August Commencement …………………………… April 15

December Commencement ……………………… June 15

Failure to submit the Application by the above published deadline will result in postponement of the conferring of the degree until the next graduation period.

The NDMU Commencement Ceremony is held each May. All August and December graduates are invited to participate in May Commencement Ceremony.

A Grade Point Average of 3.0 on a 4-point scale is required for graduation from all degree programs and for completion of certificate programs. Diplomas are withheld until the graduate's account is paid in full. Graduates may purchase tams, gowns and hoods at the campus bookstore.

Honor Code

By enrolling at Notre Dame of Maryland University, every student accepts and is bound by the Honor Code. The Honor Code is based on respect for the individual, personal responsibility, and honesty. It requires students, faculty, staff and administrators to uphold Honor Code procedure including the reporting of violations. Under the Honor Code, examinations have been unproctored since 1936. The Honor Code expects academic honesty.

The membership of the Honor Board shall include student representatives from Notre Dame's graduate programs. These representatives will be appointed by the governing council or School for each program. These students will sit with the Honor Board in all cases involving graduate students and in all meetings where Honor Board procedures and policies are reviewed. A faculty member who teaches in the graduate program will also have a seat on the Honor Board.

The Honor Code assumes that all work submitted is one's own, and, therefore it is agreed that:

Examinations and tests are generally unproctored,
a signed pledge on the admissions application, on all tests, and all term papers confirms the student's intention of academic honesty. Students write: "I hereby affirm that I have neither given nor received help on this exam, paper, or assignment." (Signature),
class materials are not permitted in the testing area,
cell phones may not be used in testing locations, and
the student hands all exams to the faculty member in charge of administering the exam.

Violations of the Honor Code include, but are not limited to:

Cheating on tests, examinations or other class or laboratory work,
plagiarism: unacknowledged appropriation of another's work, thoughts, or ideas, and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one's own written work offered for credit. This includes submitting work that was created, researched or produced by someone else,
falsification of records or data: knowingly and improperly changing grades on transcripts, grade sheets, electronic data sheets, class reports, projects and other academically-related work,
unauthorized reuse of work: turning in substantially the same work to more than one class without consent of the instructor involved,
misrepresentation in bibliography and footnotes, and
dishonest use of computer facilities: unauthorized or unacknowledged use of a computer file, program, account or log-in name or password.

Students taking courses at other colleges or universities are required to acquaint themselves with the academic and non-academic regulations of that college or university.

Faculty members who have reasonable proof of a violation of the Honor Code are to approach the student, learn the facts and report the incident within 48 hours to the Dean in the School of Education, Program Director/ Chair in the School of Arts, Science, and Business, and Associate Dean in the School of Nursing, who will advise the faculty member on the next course of action.

Graduate students are expected to adhere to Notre Dame's Code of Behavioral Standards (section in Honor Code). Refer to B08.01 Disruption of the Educational Process which prohibits “Disruption or obstruction of teaching, studying, research, administration, sponsored social programs, fire policy, emergency services, and other University activities.”

The following is a direct link to the Honor Code found in the Student Handbook.

Honor Societies

Graduate students with outstanding records are eligible to become members of certain honor societies. Five honor societies currently invite graduate students to become members.

Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, invites graduate students who have achieved impressive academic and service records. This honor is restricted to 15% of each graduating class; new members are nominated during the months immediately preceding graduation.

Sigma invites outstanding students in the Nursing program to join the International Honor Society for Nursing.

Delta Mu Delta, the Honor Society in Business Administration, invites outstanding students in the Master of Arts in Leadership and Management program, as well as students in the Nonprofit Management program, to membership.

Kappa Delta Pi, the Honor Society in Education, invites outstanding students in the Leadership in Teaching and Master of Arts in Teaching programs to join.

The Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society (Epsilon Iota Chapter) recognizes individuals for their interest in the areas of international education and exchange and for their efforts in promoting international understanding.

Questions about any of the societies should be directed to the respective academic department or School.

Incompletes

A semester officially ends on the date specified in the academic calendar. An Incomplete grade (I) can be granted only for reasons clearly beyond the student's control and under the following circumstances:

The request must be made by the student to the course faculty. It is the course faculty’s decision to accept/deny the request,
the student’s request must be based on a serious illness or emergency preventing the student from completing the work for the course, and
the student must have satisfactorily completed at least half the course work at the time the Incomplete is requested.

The final determination of the Incomplete grade is the responsibility of the course faculty. The Incomplete grade is calculated as an 'F' and therefore accrues no quality points. It is the student's responsibility to submit all the required work to the course faculty so that a grade may be substituted by the mid-point of the following semester. Work not submitted to the course faculty on time will result in the grade being converted to an "F" at the mid-point of the following semester. The course faculty will submit a Grade Change form to the Dean for signature, which will be subsequently submitted to the Registrar Office. The School Dean, at the request of course faculty, can grant an extension.

Matriculant Status and Leave of Absence

A matriculant is a student who has been officially admitted as a candidate for a particular degree; graduate students are admitted to a specific program. Each matriculant's program is governed by the catalog in force at the time that the student was admitted as a matriculant to the program. Any modifications to that program must be approved in writing by the applicable School Dean. Students have seven (7) years from the time of admission to degree status to complete any of the master's degree programs, except the Master of Arts in Teaching program (MAT) which is normally completed in 15 months by full-time students and within three (3) years by part-time students.

Matriculating students lose matriculation if they do not complete at least one course each year, in any semester or term, including Winterim and Summer, unless a leave of absence has been granted to cover the period of non-attendance. A leave of absence may be requested from the Associate Dean or Program Director/Department Chair. Such a request must be made in writing before the fourth semester or term of absence.

A student may request a leave of absence for up to 180 days. The period of time allowed for a leave of absence will be added to the normal seven-year limit for completion of degree requirements. Students on leave maintain their matriculant status; therefore, they are not eligible to earn credit at another college during their leave from Notre Dame without advance approval.

Repeating a Course

With permission of the School Dean, a student may repeat only one course that has been failed. The higher grade and course credits will be counted in the student's Cumulative Grade Point Average and toward the credits needed for the degree. Both grades, however, will appear on the student's official transcript. The repeated course must be taken at Notre Dame. A second grade of "F" in any course will result in Academic Dismissal from the graduate program. A course with a grade of "C" or higher may not be repeated.

Study Abroad

Notre Dame of Maryland University is committed to providing students an educational experience that is global in nature. Students are encouraged to include a study abroad experience in their Program of Study, if possible. Study in another culture during the Winterim or the summer term will enrich students' academic programs and can help them develop an international perspective, intercultural and linguistic skills, as well as a sense of global responsibility.

Notre Dame faculty members teach courses abroad during the Winterim and summer terms. Short-term study abroad experiences are typically 1-2 weeks in length and are offered for academic credit. With permission from applicable Associate Dean, Program Director/Department Chair, or Dean, a study abroad experience may be used to fulfill graduate program requirements. Students should check with the Financial Aid Office to determine if aid may be available for study abroad experiences.

Withdrawing from Courses

Students withdraw from a course through the Registrar's Office. Course withdrawals are effective on the date the written withdrawal is received in the Registrar's Office. This date determines both the grade and tuition reimbursement (if any), regardless of whether the course has met or whether the student has attended class sessions.

Students who officially withdraw receive the grade of "W" which will appear on the student's transcript. Deadlines are published in the University's academic calendar. Students who fail to officially withdraw from a course and stop attending will receive a grade of "F" and be liable for full payment of tuition and fees and be responsible for understanding impacts to their financial aid eligibility.

Withdrawing from a Program

A matriculant who wishes to withdraw from a program before completing the degree should submit a written statement of withdrawal to the applicable program advisor and the Registrar's Office. Matriculant students who have outstanding financial aid obligations or who have received financial aid in the past should consult with the Director of Financial Aid before withdrawing.