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ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Catalog
Students must meet the degree requirements of the catalog under
which they matriculated or may select a later catalog for a year
in which they are enrolled. Statements in the catalog are for informational
purposes and should not be considered as the basis for a contract
between students and the university. Information regarding any
changes in degree programs, graduation requirements, or academic
policies is made available by the Office of Graduate Studies and
the appropriate academic departments. An interrupted enrollment
of two semesters (three terms for University College campuses) requires
students to reapply for admission and to re-enroll under subsequent
catalogs.
General Degree Requirements Academic Advising
The university honors its published academic policies and programs,
including required courses for graduation. The student is responsible
for his or her program, including meeting the published requirements
and deadlines. The university assists the student in making appropriate
decisions by providing academic advising. However, the decisions
made in the academic advising process are those of the student.
Admission to the Degree Program
Admission is based upon possession of a baccalaureate degree from
a regionally accredited institution and the fulfillment of requirements
as specified for each program.
Graduate Prerequisites
Broad program prerequisites and specific course prerequisites are
intended to improve the educational experience of the learner.
The Office of Graduate Studies recognizes that educational differences
exist among individuals and encourages graduate students to work
closely with their academic advisors to plan for personal needs
and academic excellence.
1. Students must complete all prerequisites within the first year
of graduate course work at Chapman University. Prerequisites should
be completed within the first semester of enrollment at the Orange
campus or the first two terms of enrollment at the University College
campuses;
2. Students may not enroll in any course which specifies a prerequisite
unless the prerequisite has been completed;
3. Students may not enroll concurrently in the prerequisite for
a course and the course which specifies the prerequisite (unless
the Graduate Catalog permits concurrent enrollment).
4. Agrade of C or higher is required in all course work used to
fulfill prerequisites.
Course Requirements
1. Credits completed for a baccalaureate degree cannot be accepted
for graduate degree credit.
2. Courses completed to fulfill prerequisite requirements cannot
be accepted for graduate degree credit.
3. Credit is not awarded for experience, including fulfillment
of prerequisite requirements.
4. All degree course work must fulfill graduate course work requirements;
for example, graduate students enrolled in any courses in which
undergraduates are enrolled must complete additional course requirements
to receive graduate credit.
5. At least fifteen credits must be in course work at the 500-
600 level.
6. The minimum number of credits required for a master's degree
is thirty. Some specializations require more (see the individual
degree programs).
7. Each student is issued a degree program by the program director
appointed to supervise the specialization. No changes may be made
in this program without advance approval of the program director
and the dean of Graduate Studies.
Grade and Quality Requirements
Degrees and credentials are granted on evidence of intellectual
growth and development rather than solely on the basis of formal
course credits. Fulfillment of the minimum course requirements
set forth cannot, therefore, be regarded as the sole requisite of
a degree or credential.
Academic Policies and Procedures The following are university
guidelines; some programs specify more stringent policies. Please
refer to appropriate program section.
1. Students are expected to maintain a 3. 00 "B" or higher in
all course work toward a degree or a credential at Chapman University.
a. Acumulative grade point average of 3.00 "B" based on all course
work applicable to the graduate degree is required, excluding prerequisite
courses.
b. Please see the credential section for more specific information
concerning grade and quality requirements for the credential program.
Probation and Dismissal
1. No grade below 2.00 "C" is acceptable toward a degree, but is
included in calculating the overall grade point average.
2. A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below
a 3.00 "B" will be placed on academic probation.
3. A student who is placed on academic probation must demonstrate
reasonable progress in improving his/ her cumulative grade point
average to continue enrollment after one semester/ two terms on
probation.
4. A student on academic probation who does not achieve a semester/
term grade point average above a 3.00 "B" or higher in the first
semester (or term at the Centers) after being placed on probation
will be dismissed.
5. The action of dismissal will be placed on the official transcript.
Residency Requirement
At least twenty-four credits in the degree program must be completed
at Chapman University for all master's degrees. These credits do
not include courses taken to fulfill prerequisite requirements.
Students in credential programs are required to complete a minimum
of of the program at Chapman.
Change of Program Policies
Students wishing to add or change their progam of study must submit
a completed Application to Graduate Studies to the Office of Graduate
Admission. Additional transcripts and intent form are not required
for a change or addition of program.
To be eligible for a change of program, students must have a cumulative
3.0 grade point average, no grade below a C in Chapman University
graduate course work, and approval of the department requested for
change or addition.
Students requesting a change of program are required to meet all
readmission policies/ procedures as indicated in the Graduate Catalog,
prior to completing course work.
Advancement to Candidacy Advancement is required for all
degree programs. For master's degrees it normally occurs after twelve
credits have been successfully completed in the degree program and
should be achieved before completion of eighteen credits in the
program. It is the responsibility of the student to complete an
application for Advancement to Candidacy which is forwarded to the
registrar's office. The basic advancement requirements include:
1. Regular admission to the program.
2. Completion of all prerequisites.
3. Completion of twelve credits in the program at Chapman University.
4. Aminimum cumulative grade point average of 3. 00. Other requirements
may be added as determined by the individual degree program.
Transfer Credits and Concurrent Enrollment
1. Some degree programs permit 6-12 semester credits to be transferred
into their degree program. Some degree programs limit transfers
to elective credit only. Consult the appropriate program section
of the catalog. Students are responsible for all material covered
on the comprehensive examination as required by specific master's
degrees.
2. Students who wish to transfer prior course work are required
to petition for transfer within one semester/ two terms after achieving
regular admission.
3. The course work must be taken at a regionally accredited institution.
4. The course work must be graduate level and/ or accepted in
a master's degree program. Correspondence and extension courses
are not transferable.
5. Credit is not awarded for experience, including fulfillment
of prerequisite requirements.
6. A grade of no less than 3.00 "B" must have been earned in the
course presented for transfer for all master's degrees. Credit or
Pass course work is not transferable.
7. The course work must be relevant to the degree program.
8. Transfer of course work to fulfill required courses is not
advised. Please see specific programmatic sections for additional
information.
9. The course work must have been taken within seven years of
completion of the degree program for which the course is being requested
for transfer credit.
10. Official transcripts must be submitted.
11. If the credits accepted in transfer are not the equivalent
of semester units, additional course work must be taken to complete
degree credit requirements.
12. After admission to a graduate program, a concurrent enrollment
petition must be submitted and approved prior to enrollment in course
work at another institution.
13. Requests for transfer of military course work will be considered
as fulfilling prerequisites and elective requirements only (no core
courses) for those programs which accept military credit. Course
work must meet all other transfer requirements.
14. In the event that the content of one or more of the required
courses is waived but the course work is not accepted in transfer,
the student must select a substitute with the approval of the program
director or designee for additional credits.
Comprehensive Examination
1. Master's degree candidates must pass a comprehensive examination
as required by the specific degree program.
2. This examination requires the ability to integrate coherently
and analytically knowledge gained from course work and to relate
it cogently to different situations or applications. Successful
completion of course work does not alone assure the candidate of
passing the comprehensive examination.
3. Students must be advanced to candidacy, have a cumulative GPAof
3. 00 "B," and have completed all prerequisite courses to meet the
minimum eligibility requirements to take the comprehensive examination.
Each program has specific eligibility requirements which must be
fulfilled prior to the date of the examination. Please consult the
appropriate section of the catalog.
4. An application form must be submitted and a fee paid by the
student to the registrar's office to take or repeat a comprehensive
examination. In addition, if the examination is not taken on the
date for which the student applied, a new application must be submitted.
Applications must be received by the registrar's office on or
before the posted deadline date. Deadline dates are in the university
calendar. The comprehensive examination may be repeated after an
interval of not less than three months, subject to additional conditions
the degree program may impose.
5. Students have multiple opportunities to take the examination
within the seven-year period in which all degree requirements must
be completed. After the second failure, specific preparation requirements
are to be specified, such as auditing or repeating course work,
etc.
6. Students must have successfully passed the comprehensive examination
to be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremonies.
7. Students with comprehensive examination or thesis options may
not switch to different option once begun.
The Dissertation/ Master's Thesis or Project
The thesis or project is a requirement of some of the master's
degree programs.
Thesis/ Project Policies and Procedures
Students writing a thesis or project as part of their master's
degree will work closely with their faculty advisor who will arrange
for a review committee. Programs that offer a thesis option require
an oral defense of the thesis with the review committee. Please
observe the printed deadlines for submitting an Intent to Graduate
form when your thesis/ project is near completion. Three copies
of the completed thesis and a receipt from the cashier's office
indicating binding fees are paid should be brought to the library
for binding and distribution (see fee schedule for payment). Afinal
grade for the thesis course will not be issued until after submission
of the thesis for binding.
1. Students must have a cumulative GPAof 3.00 "B" to meet the
minimum eligibility requirements to enroll in the thesis/ project
option.
2. Athesis committee (minimum of three) must be appointed.
3. Athesis/ project defense/ critique/ oral examination is required.
A document, signed by all members of the committee, attesting to
the satisfactory completion of the thesis/ project requirement,
including the defense/ critique/ oral examination, must be provided
in the registrar's office. The document must specify the grade that
the student is to receive, and an official grade report must be
attached for the registrar's office to record the grade.
4. Three bound copies of theses/ creative writing projects or
three copies of film/ video projects are required.
5. Students must pay a binding fee, listed in the fee section
of the catalog.
6. Students must have completed all the thesis/ project requirements,
including the defense/ critique, oral examination, to be able to
participate in commencement ceremonies.
7. Students with comprehensive examination or thesis options may
not switch to different option once begun.
Contact individual department for specific thesis/ project and
comprehensive examination requirements.
Change of Address
Students must notify the Registrar's Office and the Business Office
as well as the specific program or the appropriate University College
campus after admission.
Continuous Enrollment Fee
Students who have previously registered for the thesis/ project
but who have not completed the requirements, are required to submit
a continuous enrollment fee for each semester the thesis/ project
remains outstanding.
The fee for continuous enrollment is equal to one credit of tuition
charged per program and will allow students to remain in active
status as well as enable them to utilize university resources for
completion of the thesis/ project.
Time Limitation
All requirements for graduate degrees and credential programs,
including courses accepted for transfer credit from other institutions,
must be completed within a seven-year period. To request an extension,
a student must submit in writing a petition for an extension of
the seven-year limit to the dean of Graduate Studies. The student's
program advisor must submit to the dean a written statement of support
for the petition.
Intent to Graduate
Although a student may have completed all requirements, graduation
is not automatic. Every degree candidate is required to file an
Intent to Graduate form with the registrar's office and pay a fee.
If the degree is not completed on the date for which the student
applied, a new Intent must be submitted. Deadlines are published
in the university calendar.
Graduation and Commencement
Chapman confers degrees four times during the academic year; the
last day of August, the last day of November (University College
only), the last day of January, and the last day of May. All degree
requirements, including incompletes, internships, counseling hours,
etc., must be completed by the last day of the month in which the
degree is to be conferred.
Formal universitywide commencement ceremonies, however, are held
only during Memorial Day weekend. To participate in the ceremonies,
students must have satisfactorily completed all degree requirements
(including the comprehensive examination, thesis/ project) and
financial obligations. Students receiving degrees at mid-year
or at the end of summer are entitled to participate in the following
May commencement ceremonies.
Second Master's Degree
The following regulations govern the earning of a second master's
degree from Chapman University:
1. The second master's degree may be awarded only in a distinctly
different area, i. e., the student would not be awarded two master's
degrees in education in differing areas of emphasis.
2. The student must meet all specific requirements for the second
master's degree not already satisfied by the first.
3. The student may not use more than twelve credits of the first
master's degree to satisfy the requirements for a second master's
degree at Chapman.
4. In addition, a minimum of twenty-four non-duplicated credits
must be taken for the second master's degree.
Second Emphasis Area
Students completing a second emphasis area within one master's
degree program may not use previously completed course work for
one emphasis to fulfill the requirements of a second emphasis.
If a comprehensive examination is required for the second emphasis
area, the student will be required to complete the examination
for each emphasis.
General Academic Requirements Academic Integrity Policy
Chapman University is a community of scholars which emphasizes
the mutual responsibility of all members to seek knowledge honestly
and in good faith. Students are responsible for doing their own
work, and academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated
anywhere in the university. In order to safeguard the conditions
under which scholarship is performed, measured and evaluated, the
following will serve to define academic dishonesty, identify procedures
for hearing cases involving academic integrity violations, and give
suggested guidelines for sanctions according to the offense.
A. Academic Integrity Violations Academic dishonesty can take
a number of forms. It includes, but is not limited to, cheating
on a test or examination, claiming the work of another as your own,
plagiarizing any paper, research project or assignment, or falsely
submitting material to fulfill course requirements.
Cheating includes unauthorized copying from the work of another
student, with or without that student's consent, using notes or
other unauthorized material during a test period, and giving or
receiving assistance from another when it is expected the student
will perform his or her own work.
Falsifying data to show either the process or the product of scholarly
examination to be different from what actually occurred is also
considered dishonest. This includes falsely reporting attendance
or participation in any field work experience.
Students may not submit work done in one course to satisfy the
requirements of another course, unless both instructors agree beforehand
to accept such work.
Forged or altered documents may not be presented. This includes
transcripts, add/ drop forms or any academic form which has been
falsified or on which a professor's signature, or anyone else's
signature, has been forged or altered.
Failure to report any previous academic work at another college
or university is also considered a violation of Academic Integrity.
B. Procedures for Hearing Investigation In cases involving academic
integrity violations, the appropriate action is initiated by the
course instructor. If the instructor believes a student has violated
the university standards, the following action should be taken:
1. The instructor must contact the student to discuss the possible
violation. If the transgression occurs during class, as in a test
or examination, the instructor should deal with the situation at
that time. Otherwise, the student( s) will meet with the instructor
for the purpose of settling the issues of guilt or innocence. If
the student( s) admits guilt, or if the instruction and student(
s) involved agree a violation took place, then an appropriate sanction
may be set at that time. Areport of this action will be filed with
the Office of Academic Affairs.
2. If the student( s) does not admit guilt, if an agreement upon
sanction cannot be reached, or if any party does not agree with
the resolution of the specific issue of academic integrity, then
the matter will be taken up by the chairperson of the academic unit
in which the alleged offense took place. In this case, the chair
will meet with the involved faculty member and the student( s) in
an effort to resolve the matter, and initiate whatever action is
deemed appropriate.
If the alleged violation of academic integrity occurs at a University
College campus, the Director will be considered as Department Chair
for the purpose of determining what action is appropriate in each
case. The relevant department on the Orange campus will be consulted
and/ or involved as determined by the Department. Prior to any review
or mediation by the Department/ University College campus, the
instructor, who is responsible for providing evidence, will be asked
to present his/ her argument in writing within five (5) working
days of the date the instructor is notified that there will be a
further review of the allegations. The student, who is provided
a copy of the document prepared by the instructor, will be asked
to respond to this statement in writing, also within five (5) working
days of receipt of the instructor's document.
As part of the review or mediation by the Department/ University
College campus, the Department will include the Dean of the relevant
school as deemed appropriate by the Department.
Agraduate student( s) who feels there are extenuating
circumstances, or that all relevant evidence was not considered,
has the right to appeal the decision of the Graduate Studies Committee
to the Dean of Graduate Studies for possible resolution. The Dean
will meet with the student and the faculty member involved, separately
and/ or together, depending on the circumstances in an effort to
mediate the issues.
3. Finally, if any party still feels extenuating circumstances
or new information was not adequately considered by the appropriate
Committee or the appropriate Dean or that the sanctions imposed
are unfair, the matter may be brought on appeal to the Provost for
final disposition.
4. In all cases of alleged violations of academic integrity it
is vital to maintain confidentiality. None of the parties involved
should discuss the issue outside the above procedures.
5. Areport of the action taken concerning an alleged violation
of academic integrity at any level, student- faculty, Academic Department/
University College-student, committee-student, or dean-student,
must be filed with the Office of Academic Affairs.
Add/ Drop Procedure To change registration (dropping and/
or adding, changing sections or grading basis), student must complete
a change of grading system or add/ drop form. Changes in grading
basis (e. g., to P/ NP) must be made by completing a change of
grading system form by the end of the tenth week of classes. There
is no charge for changing registration during the add period. A
$20 fee is charged for each change of program form submitted beginning
the third week of classes. All changes must be made through the
Registrar's Office.
Orange campus students who officially withdraw from a course between
the third and the tenth week of the term will receive a "W" on their
transcripts indicating the withdrawal. Students cannot drop a course
beyond the tenth week of the semester.
University College students who officially withdraw from a course
between the third and the seventh week of the term will receive
a "W" on their transcripts indicating the withdrawal. Students cannot
drop a course beyond the seventh week of the term.
It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw from
a course. Failure to attend a course does not contitute a withdrawal.
Students who stop attending courses without notifying the Registrar's
Office may receive the grades of "F," "NP" (no pass), or "FW" (failure
to withdraw.) (Also see Withdrawal/ Termination Procedure.)
Administrative Drop Students who do not attend a class
(in which they are registered) during the first week of classes,
may be administrative unless
Academic Load
Afull academic load for master's and credential students is defined
as nine credits per semester on the Orange campus and six credits
per term at the Academic Centers. Any load in excess of these numbers
of credits is subject to the review and approval of the program
advisor.
Attendance Policies
Class attendance policies are determined by each instructor and
shall be included on the course assignment sheets distributed at
the beginning of each term. The university recommends as a minimal
policy that students who are absent 20% of the course should be
failed.
Standards of Academic Integrity
As a community of scholars, the university emphasizes the mutual
responsibility of all its members, whether acting jointly or severally,
to seek knowledge in good faith. In order to achieve this goal,
students at Chapman University are expected to adhere to the following
standards of academic integrity:
1. To fulfill all course requirements honestly and to respect
the educational codes under which knowledge is gained, measured,
verified, and evaluated in academic work.
2. To use library or other multimedia materials with care and
according to university regulations regarding their use.
3. To submit accurate and complete academic documents as required
by university regulations.
The policies and procedures that specify the responsibilities
of individuals and groups, define and explain breaches of policy,
and indicate the various way by which the university encourages
the maintenance of that high standard of academic integrity, are
available from the registrar's office.
Academic Appeal
Each student has the right of academic appeal. The guidelines for
such appeal as well as petition forms, are available in the registrar's
office and University College campuses. All petitions should be
submitted directly to the Office of Graduate Studies.
For academic matters, the process normally begins with the faculty
member involved, if appropriate. Appeals go to the department or
program and then the Graduate Studies Committee. For non-academic
matters, students should first discuss the matter with the head
of the approriate department (facilities management, business office,
etc.) with appeals to the appropriate supervisor. For matters concerning
disabled student services, students should contact the director
of the Center for Academic Success at (714) 997-6828.
Appeal Policy
Students wishing to submit an appeal must present a petition and
all relevant documentation within 120 days of notification of the
action the student is appealing.
Requests for additional information must be provided by the student
to the university within 30 days of receipt of request; failure
to provide such documentation will result in a denial of the appeal.
Students who are dissatisfied with the action taken on their appeal,
have a maximum of 60 days after receipt of notification to request
a reconsideration. Additional documentation or new information
will be required.
Appeal petitions will receive a response as quickly as possible
and no later than 30 days of receipt by the Office of Graduate Studies.
Readmission and Enrollment Policies
1. Students who have broken enrollment for a period of more than
one semester at the Orange campus, or for more than three terms
in the Academic Centers are required to apply for readmission (Interterm
and Summer sessions at the Orange campus do not constitute a semester).
Students returning from an absence of four years or more are required
to submit a new set of official transcripts and current admission
examination scores. All students are held to the admission requirements
in effect at the time of their return. Students may apply for a
leave of absence of up to one year, if it is necessary to interrupt
their continuous enrollment.
2. Students who break continuous enrollment and have not been
granted a leave of absence must apply for readmission. Retroactive
leaves will not be approved.
3. Readmission requires completion of the full application process,
including submission of a new set of official transcripts.
4. To be eligible for readmission, you must have a cumulative
3. 00 grade point average and no grade below a C in Chapman University
graduate course work.
5. Readmission must be approved by the department of study.
6. All students are held to the admission regulations and requirements
in effect at the time of their return. Students may apply for a
leave of absence of up to one year, if it is necessary to interrupt
their continuous enrollment. For example, students cannot fulfill
programmatic degree requirements in effect for one Graduate Catalog
and admission or prerequisite requirements in effect for a different
Graduate Catalog.
Interrupted Enrollment
An interrupted enrollment of two semesters (four terms for University
College campuses) requires students to apply for readmission and
to reenroll under subsequent catalogs. An interrupted enrollment
of one semester does not require readmission. See procedures to
petition for a leave of absence.
Leave of Absence
If, for acceptable reasons, students find it necessary to interrupt
progress toward their degrees, a leave of absence may be granted.
A leave permits students to retain the right to elect requirements
in effect at time of the leave or to adopt those in effect at time
of re-entrance. Petition forms are available in the registrar's
office and Academic Centers. All petitions should be submitted directly
to the Graduate Studies office.
1. A student must be in good academic standing and must file a
leave request with the Graduate Studies office.
2. The petition must be approved by the program director and dean
of Graduate Studies.
3. The petition must state clearly and completely the reasons
for the leave.
4. Leaves may be granted for a maximum of one year and may
be renewed only once. Failure to return after the specified
time is considered withdrawal from the school. Retroactive leaves
are not approved.
5. A leave of absence does not supercede the policy that all requirements
for a degree must be completed within a seven-year period.
Course Numbering System
Until the fall semester, 1971, lower-division courses were numbered
1 through 99; upper-division courses, 100 through 199; and graduate
courses, 200 and above. Unless otherwise indicated on the transcript,
courses numbered 100-199 gave graduate credits to students who were
admitted to graduate standing.
Beginning in the fall semester, 1971, courses are numbered as
follows:
001-099 Non-credit courses, e. g. certain remedial courses
or continuing education courses not carrying credit.
100-299 Lower-division courses of freshman and sophomore
level; freshman level 100-199 and sophomore level 200-299.
300-399 Upper-division courses of junior and senior level
which do not give graduate credit.
400-499 Upper-division courses of junior and senior level
which give graduate credit for graduate students.
500-599 Graduate courses for graduate students and seniors
by consent of department chair.
600-699 Graduate courses for graduate students only.
700-799 Post-master's/ doctoral courses.
8000-8999 Professional extended education courses in departments
other than education.
9000-9999 Professional extended education courses in education.
Grading Symbols
A Exceptional performance
indicates consistently excellent performance and distinctly superior
quality of work.
B Good performance
indicates overall satisfactory performance in completing course
requirements at the level expected for an advanced degree.
C Substandard performance
indicates performance below the standard necessary for an advanced
degree; while credit toward graduation is awarded for most courses,
some courses must be repeated. No grade below C is acceptable toward
a degree program.
F Failure
indicates failure to satisfy minimum course requirements. No credit
toward graduation is awarded.
I is a grade given when the student has been unable to
complete the requirements of the course owing to illness or other
extenuating circumstances. It is never a final grade. Failure to
remove an I within the prescribed time results automatically in
an F for the course involved. Upon satisfaction of course requirements,
an I may be annotated with any one of the other grade symbols.
W signifies that a student has withdrawn from a course
in the prescribed manner.
FW is assigned at the instructor's discretion to students
who cease attending part way through the term without submitting
a Change of Program form to withdraw. It is computed in the grade
point average as an F.
HP is for High Pass, a grade given to recognize the completion
of a thesis or master's project with distinction.
P is for Pass, a grade given for satisfactory completion
of a course. Grade points are not assigned and it is not computed
in the grade average.
NP is for No Pass, a grade given when the requirements
for credit in the course have not been satisfied. Courses taken
with this grade are not calculated in the student's grade point
average but are considered by the Graduate Studies Committee regarding
student continuance.
SP is for Satisfactory Progress. This grading symbol is
used to indicate a student is progressing toward the completion
of a course which does not end by the normal term ending date or
of a thesis or project. It is never a final grade. Upon completion
of the course or thesis project, the SP grade is replaced with a
letter grade, HP, P, or NP grading symbol. No grade points are assigned
for HP, P, or NP grades.
NC is given in those circumstances where a student's progress
towards completion of a thesis or project is considered inadequate
by the thesis committee. The student is required to repeat the thesis
course. This grading symbol is not punitive and grade points are
not assigned.
AU is for audited course work. No grade or credit is awarded
to students for auditing, and courses are not used in computing
the grade point average.
A Pass or No Pass grade may be used for any course below the 400
level.
Credits attempted or earned on the Pass "P" or No Pass "NP" basis
are not used in computing the grade point average.
Credit by examination cannot be used for degree credit. Note:
By action of the Graduate Studies Committee, all post-baccalaureate
work must be taken for a letter grade with the exception of the
following: CNSL 575, 576, 652, 653; Csp 620, 621, 622, 623, 624,
625; ED 440, 581, 582, 597, 598; ENG 490, 491, 590, 591; FSN 591;
OL 681/ 691; PSY 500, 501, 688, 689, 690, 697, 698.
Grade Points
From September, 1958 to September, 1981, grade points were awarded
as follows: A= 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0. Pluses and minuses
were disregarded. Beginning September, 1981, grade points are awarded
as follows: A =4 B-= 2. 7 A-= 3. 7 C+ = 2. 3 B+ = 3. 3 C =2. 0 B
=3. 0 C-= 1. 7*
*Grades of this level and below are considered unacceptable
work for graduate students.
Courses Repeated for Higher Grades
Except as specified by department or school, any graduate- level
course number 400-600 at Chapman may be repeated to improve the
grade. The lower grade remains on the record with a notation that
the course has been repeated. Only the higher grade and credit are
computed in the grade point average. Credit is given only once for
a repeated course, except as noted in the course description. It
is recommended that a course be repeated as soon as practical if
it is to be taken for a higher grade. In exercising this option,
a graduate student must repeat the course at Chapman University
and should submit a Request for Course Repeat form after completing
the course. In the absence of student requests, courses successfully
repeated are routinely credited by the registrar's office during
the degree check and degree posting process.
Incompletes
The grade of Incomplete may be assigned by an instructor if a student,
through circumstances beyond his/ her control, has not completed
a small portion of the course requirements by the conclusion of
the term. Students shall be given one year from the first day
of the term in which a grade of Incomplete was given to complete
the course work necessary to remove the Incomplete unless a shorter
period of time is specified by the instructor. Furthermore, failure
in a course is, in itself, not sufficient grounds for giving a grade
of Incomplete. No additional time is granted for more than a
full calendar year beyond the original enrollment except for compelling
circumstances and by action of the Graduate Studies Committee. Such
requests must be made before the deadline dates.
Withdrawal Procedure
A student who drops all courses and discontinues studies during
the semester or term must officially withdraw from the university
by completing the form provides for that purpose and submitting
it to the Registrar's Office or the University College campus director.
The student who withdraws from a course without properly notifying
the university will receive a grade of F or FW (at the discretion
of the instructor).
Students must withdraw officially through the Registrar's Office
before the end of the tenth week. (See calendar for deadline dates);
for the University College campuses, refer to the term schedule.
Only well-documented requests for tuition refund based upon extenuating
circumstances beyond the control of the student (e. g., medical/
psychological, death in the family, or other family crisis, etc.)
and with the support of the relevant faculty member( s) will be
approved. Requests which do not meet these criteria or which are
denied will automatically be referred to the Graduate Studies Committee.
Transcripts and Diplomas
No transcripts and/ or diplomas are released to any student with
an unpaid balance to Chapman or any Chapman- sponsored agency.
Diplomas are mailed out approximately six weeks after the date
of conferral of the degree. This allows time for confirmation from
the registrar's office that all degree requirements have been met.
Under no circumstances will a diploma be released prior to the conferral
date.
Official transcripts are issued only with the written permission
of the student. A fee of $5. 00 is charged for each transcript request.
The registrar's office normally issues transcripts within fifteen
working days after receipt of the request. Transcripts from other
institutions which have been presented for admission or evaluation
become part of the student's academic file and are not returned
or copied for distribution.
Confidentiality of Student Records
Chapman's policy relating to the confidentiality of student records
is in keeping with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
of 1974. Information about a student (or former student) will not
be released without the request or consent of the student other
than in the exceptions stated in the Federal Act. A student is also
accorded the right to inspect and review his or her educational
records. Additional information about the act and its application
to students may be obtained from the registrar's office.
Grade Review Policy
Except for cases involving clear evidence of capricious or unfair
grading, or failure to follow the professional standards of the
discipline, professors, as experts in their fields, have the final
authority in assigning student grades. A student who believes he
or she has received a grade based on unfair or arbitrary grading
policy may appeal personally to the instructor for an explanation
of the grade and for possible reconsideration. As a professional
scholar and educator, the instructor should be able to explain grading
criteria, how the criteria meets the standards of the discipline,
and how the individual student's grade derives from these criteria.
A student who remains dissatisfied with the assigned grade may
submit a written request for review to the Student Standards committee
in the case of an undergraduate student or to the Graduate Studies
Committee in the case of a graduate student.
The written request must state the reasons for the request and
provide evidence that the student has attempted to find remedy by
discussing the matter with the instructor. On reasonable evidence
that grades in the courses may have been assigned contrary to professional
standards of the discipline, the Standards or Graduate Studies Committee
will recommend that the grade in the course be reviewed. Upon this
recommendation, the head of the smallest academic unit in which
the course was offered will convene an ad hoc grade review
committee. In the case of the head of that unit is the instructor
whose grades are to be reviewed, the head of the next larger unit
will convene the committee. This committee will consist of at least
three faculty members whose disciplines are related to the course
in question, excluding the instructor whose grades are to be reviewed.
If the ad hoc grade review committee finds clear evidence
that grades in a course were assigned contrary to the professional
standards in the discipline, then all grades in the course are called
into question. In such cases, the ad hoc review committee
will request of the provost that the instructor be removed as instructor
of record and will undertake review of all grades in the course.
The grades
assigned by the committee will be recorded in the official transcripts
for all students in the course. The chair of the ad hoc grade
review committee will be recorded as the instructor of record for
the course. The ad hoc grade review committee is under no
obligation to assign a grade different than that originally assigned
for any individual student, including the student who originally
brought the request for review. Nevertheless, the committee is charged
with undertaking a serious review of all grades in the course.
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