PhD Student Progression

Purpose

Establishes criteria for student progression in the PhD program.

Scope

This policy applies to PhD students.

Policy

The College of Nursing graduate program follows Graduate Studies grading polices with the exception of courses specific to the College of Nursing.

Graduate students in the College of Nursing PhD program are expected to perform at the level of B (3.00) or above in any course that is offered for graduate credit. A grade of B- (2.67) or below is not acceptable in the PhD program core courses and any course offered through the College of Nursing master’s program (800-level courses).

A grade of C (2.00) may be acceptable for elective courses, but a grade of C- (1.67) or below is not acceptable.

A failing grade in any pass/fail research or non-research activity or non-didactic course may be grounds for dismissal.

A student failing to receive a minimum acceptable grade in a course for graduate credit may not continue his/her program of studies without permission of the Advisory/Supervisory Committee or the program Graduate Committee. The committee’s decision, along with an appropriate explanation and justification, must be filed in the Graduate Studies Office. This may include a requirement to retake the course. Students may be given the opportunity to repeat no more than two courses during their PhD program.

A student who fails to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in any given semester will automatically be on academic probation and may not continue his/her program of study without special permission of the Dean for Graduate Studies acting on the recommendation of the College of Nursing PhD Affairs Council or the student’s Advisory/Supervisory Committee. The recommendation must include a review of the student’s status and a program of remediation. To continue in the Graduate Studies program, the student must remove the probationary status (i.e., return to an overall 3.00 GPA) within the next 12 months.

A student who has received an unacceptable grade in a course or who is on academic probation is not considered to be in good academic standing in the College of Nursing. A student who is not in good standing may not receive scholarships and/or loan funds distributed through the College of Nursing.