Academic Policies

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. 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.

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 14 weeks, represents about seven percent of the total class time; this first meeting is a regular class.

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 Advisors

Academic advising is recognized by 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 only simply course selection and scheduling but also what a well-educated person should be and know.

Student’s Graduate Thesis or Dissertation Committee

The graduate thesis committee must be chaired by a full graduate faculty member within the student’s discipline and must consist of at least two additional graduate faculty members. A majority of the committee must hold full graduate faculty standing. Associate graduate faculty members may not chair but may serve on a defense committee. For further information about the composition and functions of the student’s defense committee, see “Dissertation, Master’s Thesis or Graduate Recital” and “Comprehensive Examination.” Doctoral programs may have a different procedure and students should refer to their doctoral program handbook. See the Psy.D. website for detailed information on its comprehensive exam and dissertation.

Grading System

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

The Graduate College utilizes a +/- grading system. Professors may or may not choose to use the +/- grading system but must specify their choice in their syllabus.

Pass-Fail Courses

Only those courses taken at the 500-level or above 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. Any pass/fail course in which an “F” is assigned will be calculated in the student’s overall grade point average.

A minimum of 80 percent of the required courses in a student’s program must be taken for a grade and a maximum of 20 percent can be taken as pass/fail. Practica and internships are exceptions to this rule. If a combination of thesis, dissertation, practica and/or internship exceeds 20 percent of the student’s program, the student must take the rest of his/her coursework 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 dean of the Graduate College.

Repetition of Courses

If a student repeats a course for credit in which a “B-” or lower was obtained, both the original grade and hours attempted and the subsequent grade and hours attempted will be used in the calculation of a grade point average. No more than six credits of coursework may be repeated in this way. Courses taken in which a “B” or higher 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. A student cannot graduate with an Incomplete on his or her record, including an “I” or “IP” (see below for use of the “IP” grade) in a required course, a supporting or deficiency course, an undergraduate course or an elective.

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

Latest Date for Removal

Fall: End of the last day of classes for the spring semester
Spring: End of the last day of classes for the fall semester
Summer: End of the last day of classes for the fall semester

A grade of “IP” (In Progress) will be used for a thesis, graduate recital, practicum, internship or dissertation in which case the supervising professor determines whether an exception is warranted and has the option of specifying the length of time the student has to complete the work (not exceed two years past the date of course registration).

Once the grade of “I” and/or “IP” 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, graduate recital, practicum, internship or dissertation, a student cannot re-enroll for a course for which an “I” or “IP” is recorded on the transcript. A degree cannot be awarded to students with Incompletes on their records.

See here  for information regarding continuous enrollment.

Grade Records

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. Students may electronically access grades at the end of a semester or term. A transcript is the official record, compiled by the Office of 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 good standing, academic probation, suspension or withdrawal. Transfer credit also is recorded, but without grades.

The completed transcript records the degree and program as appropriate, final cumulative grade point average and the date the degree was conferred.

For more information on ordering official transcripts please visit our Transcript Request page at www.radford.edu/transcripts.

Full-Time Status

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

Summer Sessions

Any graduate student who enrolls in six or more semester hours of credit during Summer Session III or a combination totaling six semester hours of enrollment in the Maymester, Summer Session I, Summer Session II and Summer Session III, will be considered a full-time student and will be eligible to apply for a Graduate Assistantship. To be eligible to apply for financial aid a student must enroll in 9 or more semester hours of credit during the summer sessions.

Grade Changes/Corrections

Students who feel they have received a grade in error should contact the appropriate faculty member. If the faculty confirms that an error has indeed been made, then the faculty member must process a grade change form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar no later than one year after the submission of the original grade (excluding Incompletes).

Grade Appeals

Students wishing to appeal grades received in courses should refer to the Graduate Grade Appeal Procedures and associated forms posted on the Graduate College website at www.radford.edu/gradcollege under the “Forms and Policies” tab.

Grievance Procedure

For concerns other than grade appeals, students wishing to initiate the grievance process should refer to the Graduate Grievance Procedures and associated forms posted on the Graduate College website at www.radford.edu/gradcollege under the “Forms and Policies” tab.

Practicum/Internship Approval

Programs will monitor and regulate admission into all programmatic field experiences. Students must have prior written approval of the program coordinator/director before they are permitted to register for any field experience.

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 students 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. Individual programs may set their own standards for ethical or professional behavior based upon state, professional organization, college or accreditation criteria. These standards must be communicated to students upon entry into the program.

Policies specific to each program will be on file in the Graduate College and in each department or program office. Students planning to take such courses should obtain a copy of the relevant program’s policies and procedures before registration in the course.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Degree Requirements

In general, graduate degrees must be completed with at least 80 percent of the credit hours in the overall program at the 600, 700 or 800-level. However, some programs may allow up to 30 percent of the hours to be completed at the 500-level. If this is an option, it will be listed under the individual program’s section of the Graduate Catalog.

To complete a graduate degree program, the student must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average overall and in the program. All degree programs require that the student complete a minimum of 30 or more semester hours of graduate-level work. Some programs may have more stringent requirements than those listed below; refer to the relevant program or departmental handbook.

• Grades in non-Radford University transfer courses are not used in calculating grade point averages. Only courses graded “B” or higher can be transferred if approved by the program. Courses graded “B-” or lower will not be accepted for transfer credit.
• Every course in the program must be completed with at least a grade of “C.”
• Grades for non-transferable courses from a former Radford University graduate program will not be included when calculating the GPA for a different Radford University graduate program in which a student has subsequently enrolled.
• Courses taken while an undergraduate at Radford University will not be included in the graduate GPA. However, undergraduate course(s) taken after matriculation to the Graduate College will appear on the graduate transcript. 
• Prior Radford University graduate coursework will not be included as part of the current graduate GPA at the discretion of an individual program if the following amount of time has elapsed: 6 years for the master’s and Educational Specialist or 8 years for the doctorate.

All degree programs require that the student complete a minimum of 30 or more semester hours of graduate-level work. At least one-half of the credits must consist of Radford University courses. Some programs may have additional credit hour requirements. A six-hour thesis, graduate recital or creative project is required for all Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts programs. A dissertation is required for the Doctor of Counseling Psychology degree and a capstone project is required for the Doctor of Nursing Practice and the Doctor of Physical Therapy; credit hours associated with each vary by program.

Specific requirements for each program are listed in the program section of this catalog.

Undergraduate Deficiencies

Students enrolled in a Master of Science in Education or Special Education degree program and who are also pursuing licensure to teach must meet academic requirements (content area courses among others) for the licensure endorsement area. This might require that they complete courses at the undergraduate level which would not count toward the master’s degree. Applicants must meet with the program coordinator to obtain a transcript analysis which outlines program and licensure requirements and lists course deficiencies. Students must complete all deficiencies prior to being admitted to the Teacher Education Program and to clinical field experiences.

After matriculation to the Graduate College, all work taken at Radford University to satisfy deficiencies will appear on the official transcript. Only those courses that are 500-level or above taken while classified as a graduate student shall be calculated in the overall grade point average.

Program Requirements

All students enrolled in a degree program will, at the time of admission, familiarize themselves with the basic requirements of their program. Please check with the program coordinator/director for details.  The student must fulfill all the requirements of their appropriate degree program as published in the catalog.

Changes to the program must be approved by the advisor or program coordinator/director. The Request for Program Change is available online at www.radford.edu/gradcollege/.

Change of Program

Students who wish to change degree programs and students previously admitted as non-degree seeking who wish to enroll in a degree program must apply to the new program and pay the application fee.

Current degree-seeking students who wish to request a change in specialty area within a degree program or add a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate to a current degree shall not have to pay an additional fee.

Supporting Courses

Supporting courses may be those needed to make up undergraduate deficiencies or graduate-level courses which the student and advisor feel may be beneficial but are not a necessary part of the regular program. An average of at least a “B” is required in supporting courses, as it is in all other courses taken by a graduate student. A grade of “C” or lower would count toward the two “C” rule even though the supporting course(s) are not part of the regular program. Only those courses that are 500-level or above taken while classified as a graduate student shall be calculated in the overall grade point average.

Transfer of Credit; Off-Campus Credit

A maximum of one half of the total graduate hours in the degree or certificate program in which a student is enrolled may be transferred from another Radford University program or an outside institution. Some programs may have more stringent requirements. Only credit for grades of “B” and above from a regionally-accredited institution or university may transfer (credit for grades of “B-” will not transfer). Credits previously applied toward another degree or certificate at Radford University or an outside institution are eligible for transfer credit into a student’s current program, at the discretion of the program. All transfer credit must be approved by the student’s advisor 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 should secure approval from his or her advisor 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 for graduate credit by Radford University.

Correspondence Credit

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

500-Level Courses

All 500-level courses must have graduate-level learning outcomes and standards. In cases where a 400-level course counterpart exists, the 500-level course learning outcomes and standards will be more advanced than those at the 400-level. Separate syllabi will be available detailing the different expectations for each level and any additional work being required of students completing the course at the 500-level. For a student to receive graduate credit for a course, the instructor must hold graduate faculty status. Doctoral students may not enroll for graduate credit in any course lower than the 600 level.

Waiver by Examination

Challenge examinations provide a mechanism for students to demonstrate knowledge they have acquired through work, life or educational experiences. Students who are able to justify that their previous academic preparation and/or life experiences are relevant to a particular course may choose to seek exemption from that course and substitute a course (with approval of their program) for those credits in the program of study.  Challenge examinations are comprehensive and carry a processing charge. Each graduate program determines its own policies regarding which courses may be challenged, which students are eligible to take challenge examinations, and which experiences (if any) can form the basis for a challenge.  Students cannot challenge a course for which they are currently enrolled nor can they challenge a course they have already completed.  Students must earn a grade of “B” or better on a challenge exam in order to be exempted from that course, and challenge exams may not be repeated.

Continuous Enrollment

Students who are not currently registered for any coursework and who have completed all coursework 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 fall and spring semester (GRAD 799) until they have met the outstanding requirement(s). This course carries no credit hour production and does not count toward degree 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. The Continuous Enrollment form is available online. Approval of the Student’s academic advisor and the dean of the Graduate College is required prior to registration. A student must be enrolled in at least one continuous enrollment credit or other graduate credit during the term in which they graduate, including summer or wintermester graduates.

Registration allows use of services such as library checkout, access to faculty members for help with completion of requirements, laboratories, recreation facilities not open to the public and the graduate commencement ceremony.  A $50 fee will be accessed each term of continuous enrollment.

Graduate Credit for College/University Seniors

Seniors currently enrolled at any accredited college or university with an overall grade point average of 3.00 or better, on a 4.0 scale, may be permitted to take up to nine credit hours of graduate-level courses during their final year of undergraduate work. Only grades of a “B” or better earned in graduate coursework may be considered for graduate credit for students who are later accepted into a graduate degree program at Radford University. (Credit for grades of a “B minus” or below will not be accepted.) Credits later applied towards a graduate degree at Radford University must be completed within six academic years for a master’s degree or Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) and eight academic years for a doctoral degree.

Radford University undergraduate students who wish to take courses for graduate credit must receive specific approval from the instructor, program coordinator/chair and the dean of the Graduate College. Request forms are available in the Graduate College’s website.

Undergraduate seniors at other institutions must complete the Permission to Register for Graduate Courses as an Undergraduate College/University Senior form. 

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate Programs

The objective of accelerated bachelor’s/master’s/doctorate degree programs is to provide a means by which exceptional undergraduate students at Radford University, as well as other colleges and universities, may efficiently complete the requirements for both the baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Students are selected based upon academic interest and the academic criteria set forth by each approved accelerated degree program.

Undergraduate students who meet the eligibility requirements for an approved Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate Degree Program may take up to 12 graduate credits that may be applied towards both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some approved Accelerated Programs may have more stringent policies that dictate the number of graduate credits students may take towards both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Current Radford University students may refer to the individual program in the Graduate Catalog to determine if they have more stringent policies. Undergraduate students at other colleges and universities will need to refer to the articulation agreements for their home institutions to determine if they have more stringent policies regarding the number of graduate credits that would be double-counted. Copies of articulation agreements may be requested from the Graduate College at Radford University.

General Eligibility for Current Radford University Undergraduate/ Transfer Students:

Undergraduate students currently enrolled at Radford University must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, completed a minimum of 56 undergraduate credit hours, and at least 24 credits remaining in their undergraduate program.

Transfer students currently enrolled at Radford University must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, completed a minimum of two semesters (i.e. at least 24 credit hours) – as a full time student at Radford University, and at least 24 credits remaining in their undergraduate programs.

Some approved Accelerated Programs may have more stringent admission requirements that will be listed in the Graduate Catalog. Any additional materials required for an approved Accelerated Program must be submitted at the time of the accelerated application. All materials must be approved by the department of an approved Accelerated Program before students will be allowed to register for graduate courses.

Once a student has been granted permission to enroll in an approved Accelerated Program, s/he must then maintain the program’s specific eligibility requirements (e.g., minimum cumulative GPA; minimum grades required for graduate coursework; standards of professionalism). These conditions will be outlined in the Graduate Catalog. It will be up to the individual departments to ensure that students are meeting these standards. If at any time, students do not meet the standards set forth by the department, s/he may no longer be eligible to continue on the accelerated track or enroll for graduate courses as an undergraduate.

Permission to pursue an approved Accelerated Program does not guarantee full admission into the master’s program at Radford University. Full admission is contingent upon meeting and maintaining an approved accelerated program’s specific requirements.

General Eligibility and Application Requirements for Current Undergraduate Students at other Colleges and Universities:

Undergraduate students currently enrolled at another college or university must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, completed a minimum of 56 undergraduate credit hours and at least 24 credits remaining in their undergraduate programs. The institutions in which students are enrolled may have more stringent policies that must be met before they are eligible to apply to take courses with Radford University under the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program. Students will need to refer to the articulation agreements for their home institutions to determine if they have more stringent eligibility polices for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate Degree Program.

Some approved Accelerated Programs may have more stringent admission requirements that will be listed in the Graduate Catalog. Any additional material required for an approved Accelerated Program must be submitted for applications to be considered complete and ready for review. All materials must be approved by the department of an Accelerated Program and by the Dean of the Graduate College before students will be allowed to register for graduate courses.

Once students have been granted permission to enroll in an approved Accelerated Program, s/he must then maintain the program’s specific eligibility requirements (e.g., minimum cumulative GPA; minimum grades required for graduate coursework; standards of professionalism). These conditions will be outlined in the Graduate Catalog. It will be up to the individual departments to ensure that students are meeting these standards. If at any time students do not meet the standards set forth by the department, s/he may no longer be eligible to continue on the accelerated track or enroll for graduate courses as an undergraduate.

Permission to pursue an approved Accelerated Program does not guarantee full admission into the master’s program at Radford University. Full admission is contingent upon meeting and maintaining the approved accelerated program’s specific requirements.

Application Requirements:

Students who are interested in an approved accelerated program, but who do not yet meet eligibility requirements, are encouraged to fill out the Intent to Enroll as an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate Student Form, found here. Completion of this form places students in touch with the program coordinators from an approved accelerated program in which they have shown interest, to receive advising through the accelerated process.

Current Radford University undergraduate/transfer students who wish to enroll in an approved Accelerated Program must complete the Application for Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate Programs form, found here. Students must submit this application with any required supplemental documentation at the end of their sophomore year or before the completion of 56 credit hours. The Graduate College will obtain copies of their transcripts to verify eligibility to enroll in graduate courses.

Undergraduate students at other colleges and universities who wish to enroll in an approved Accelerated Program must complete the Undergraduate Non-Degree Application for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate Program form, found here. Students must submit this application with any required supplemental documentation at the end of their sophomore year or before the completion of 56 credit hours. Depending on the institutions in which the students are attending, they may have more stringent policies that regulate when students may apply. Students will need to determine if their institutions have articulation agreements that list these requirements. Copies of the articulation agreement may be requested from the Graduate College at Radford University. Students will need to submit at least unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities in which they have attended or been enrolled.

Participation and Graduation:

All students accepted into approved accelerated bachelor’s/master’s/doctorate degree programs must complete their bachelor’s degrees prior to being fully admitted into the master’s program at Radford University. No students, either currently enrolled with Radford University or at any other college or university, may elect to bypass the baccalaureate degree.

For current Radford University undergraduate/transfer students once students have completed all course work and the baccalaureate degree has been conferred, the Graduate College will obtain copies of their transcripts. At that time, additional information or documentation may be required of students to acknowledge that they are still interested in pursuing a master’s degree with Radford University. They will also acknowledge that their statuses will then change from undergraduate to graduate. Next, the Graduate College, in consultation with the department, will conduct a final review to verify that all of the program’s specific requirements have been met and maintained. At that time, students will receive a letter of full acceptance or denial to the master’s program.

For current undergraduate students at other colleges and universities once students have completed all course work and the baccalaureate degree has been conferred, students will need to request that their home institution send an official transcript showing the conferral of their degree to Radford University’s Graduate College. At that time, additional information or documentation may be required of students to acknowledge that they are still interested in pursuing the master’s degree with Radford University. They will also acknowledge that their statuses will then change from undergraduate to graduate. Next, the Graduate College, in consultation with the department, will conduct a final review to verify that all of the program’s specific requirements have been met and maintained. At that time, students will receive a letter of full acceptance or denial to the master’s program.

All students who continue on to finish the master’s degree with Radford University must complete the degree within six (6) years of the start of their first graduate course.

Withdrawal:

Students may withdrawal at any time from an approved accelerated program by informing the graduate program coordinator at Radford University in writing. A copy of the withdrawal letter must be sent to the Graduate College.

Please note that students from other colleges and universities who wish to withdrawal from the program would be responsible for completing the degree requirements for the baccalaureate degree with their home institution.

Note: Withdrawal from the program does not automatically withdrawal students from course(s). Students would be responsible for withdrawing from the individual course(s) themselves following the procedures set forth in the catalog.

Ineligibility:

All students who complete the baccalaureate degree requirements with an accumulated GPA of less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, will no longer be eligible to continue on as accelerated students, but may remain eligible to apply for regular graduate admissions. Students who wish to apply for regular graduate admissions would need to complete the full application process, including submitting all supplemental information and the non-refundable application fee. The application is available online at www.radford.edu/gradcollege.

Some approved Accelerated Programs may have additional or more stringent requirements that students must meet in order to remain eligible for an approved Accelerated Program (minimum cumulative GPA; minimum grades required for graduate coursework; standards of professionalism). These conditions will be outlined in the Graduate Catalog or in the articulation agreement for other colleges and universities. If at any time, students do not meet the standards set forth by the department they may no longer be eligible to continue on as accelerated students but may remain eligible to apply for regular graduate admissions. Students who wish to apply for regular graduate admissions would need to complete the full application process, including submitting all supplemental information and the non-refundable application fee. The application is available online at www.radford.edu/gradcollege.

All students must maintain an overall cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher to remain eligible for an approved Accelerated Program. If any time, students do not meet this requirement, they may become ineligible to continue on the accelerated path (i.e., may not be eligible to enroll for graduate courses or complete the accelerated application process).

For students who are fully admitted into the master’s program at Radford University, only grades of “B” or better earned in graduate-level coursework while taken on the accelerated track, will be allowed to count toward the master’s degree. Grades of “B minus” or below will not be counted towards the master’s degree. However, other colleges and universities may allow lower grades to still count towards a student’s undergraduate degree. Students would need to refer to their home institution’s articulation agreement for policies related to what grades will count.

Any grades of “C” or below earned in a graduate level course, while taken under an approved Accelerated Program will result in a student’s ineligibility to continue on the accelerated track. Students would not be eligible to continue in graduate level courses and would have to apply for regular graduate admissions. Students may earn no more than one grade of a “B minus” and still remain eligible to stay on an approved accelerated track. Please note that these courses will NOT count towards a student’s graduate degree, but students would be able to continue with an accelerated admissions process.

At any time a student does not maintain the eligibility requirements set forth by an Approved Accelerated Program, the department must notify the Graduate College and official communication will be sent to the student notifying them of their status.

Withdrawal Procedures

Withdrawal from One or More but Not All Courses

A graduate student may complete a withdrawal form in the Office of the Registrar or notify the Office of the Registrar in writing or via email that he or she wishes to withdraw from one or more (but not all) classes. The withdrawal is not complete until the Office of the Registrar has been notified and confirms the withdrawal.

Students must contact the Student Accounts Office in Heth 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 graduate 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 tenth week of the semester (or 70 percent of the total class meetings of a summer session or any other non-traditional course, whichever comes first) will receive a grade of “W.” Students may not withdraw from individual classes following the end of the tenth week of the semester.

A graduate student may not withdraw from more than three graduate classes during their Radford University career. Anything beyond the third withdrawal results in an automatic “F.”

Withdrawal from the University
(All Courses)

A graduate student withdrawing from all courses during a given semester must contact the Office of the Registrar in Heth Hall in writing or via email from his/her RU email account only. The registrar must confirm receipt of the notice. 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 before the end of the tenth day of classes (census date) will receive no grade. A student who withdraws from the university (all classes) after the census date, but prior to the end of the eighth week of the semester (60 percent of summer session) will receive a grade of “W’” in all classes. Withdrawals from the university after the eighth week will result in an automatic grade of “F” in all classes. Canceling enrollment to the university prior to the census date or receiving a medical withdrawal does not count as a withdrawal from the university.

Withdrawal from a Degree Program

Graduate students who wish to withdraw from a degree program at Radford University must submit a letter in writing to the Graduate Admissions Manager, Box 6928, Radford University, Radford, VA 24142. The manager will confirm receipt of the notice. If a student withdraws from a degree program, s/he must reapply and be accepted in the original or in another degree program in order to resume studies.

Withdrawal from Off-Campus Course

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

Exceptions to Withdrawal Procedures

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

Leave Of Absence

Students have six years to complete a master’s degree and eight years to complete a doctoral degree. Taking a leave of absence for any length of time does not extend these time frames. Graduate students are granted a leave of absence by their program and are subject to the policies and procedures of the Graduate Catalog of the year of their original admission or a subsequent catalog as long as it is within six or eight years of enrolling in a master’s or doctoral program, respectively. Programs have the discretion to reject courses that are less than the stated time frame.

Directed Study

The directed study is a course designed by the student after thorough consultation with the professor who will supervise the study. The professor of record must hold full or associate graduate faculty status. Before registering for a directed study, the student must submit a written proposal for approval by the supervising professor, advisor, department chairperson and the Graduate College.

It is required that students have earned at least nine graduate semester hours and be on regular status prior to enrolling in directed study courses.

A directed study cannot be used to replace a required course in a graduate program of study. Non-degree seeking students may not take a directed study course.

The directed study will be graded on an A/F basis.  Instructors must specify if whole letter grades (A, B, C, F) or plus/minus grading will be used (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C, F) in addition to the other required information on the Directed Study Proposal.

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; program 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.

The proposal should be submitted to the Graduate College at least two weeks prior to registration.

Student Record Policy
(Confidentiality of Student Records)

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Radford University student record policies and practices are in full compliance with state and federal laws (FERPA). The university will not release information about a student from records, except directory information, to people (including parents) other than a specified list of exceptions without obtaining the written consent of the student.

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.

University and federal law does permit the university to release information it has identified as directory information 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. Forms to request a restricted release of directory information are available online and should be filed at the Office of the Registrar. While the university understands that there are sometimes very legitimate reasons why a student may want to restrict their directory information, please note that placing a restriction on the release of a student’s information means that Radford University personnel cannot even acknowledge the existence of the student to a third party. This may cause the student and their parents some inconvenience related to the verification of enrollment and/or graduation for insurance and loan deferment purposes.

Radford University has identified the following as directory information:

• Student’s name, date-of-birth, local and home address, phone listing and e-mail address
• Whether a student is currently enrolled
• 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

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

A full statement of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and information explaining how students may exercise the rights accorded them by this policy are posted to the Radford University website and are available from the Office of the University Registrar and the Dean of Students Office. The restriction on the release of non-directory information does not apply to university officials or to designated persons or agencies operating on behalf of the university. For example, faculty, advisors and academic support staff may access non-directory information needed to perform their official responsibilities. Selected individuals or agencies operating for the university, such as the National Student Clearinghouse, may have access to academic records to verify enrollments and degrees. The university may disclose records to state agencies for the purpose of program review and evaluation.

If a student has a complaint about the university’s compliance with state or federal laws concerning student records, the student is encouraged to register that complaint with a university official. While most concerns can and will be addressed promptly by the university, students may file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Exception to Academic Policies

The Radford University Graduate 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 rare occasions, extraordinary circumstances may justify minor departures from catalog requirements. A graduate student who needs to petition for an exception to academic policy must complete the Graduate Student Academic Petition form in consultation with his/her advisor, available online, and submit it to the Graduate College for consideration. Note that academic dismissal (i.e., a GPA less than 2.0 or earning more than two grades of “C” or lower), the minimum hours required for program completion, or a minimum GPA less than 3.0 may not be petitioned.