Graduate Academics

Semester Plan

The graduate school operates on the semester plan:two fifteen-week semesters per year and a summer term. 

The unit regularly used for the measurement toward graduation is the semester hour, which is the equivalent of the credit earned in a course which meets one hour per week for a semester.  In this program of study, six semester hours is considered full-time with twelve hours considered a maximum load.  Three hours is considered a full-time load for summer.

Grading System

The following numerical and letter grading system is employed by the faculty in assessing each student’s performance.

Incomplete Grades

Students should meet all course requirements by the end of the semester.  Should that not be the case, the professor, under certain conditions (see below), may record an “I” or “Incomplete” grade, document the outstanding work with the Registrar and give the student a deadline for the removal of the “I” grade.  In all cases, “I” grades must be removed by the end of the 20th day of the next regular semester.  On the morning following the deadline day, all “I” grades will be converted to permanent “F’s.”

If the attendance policy has not been violated, a professor may grant an “Incomplete” grade for students who have experienced the following:

1. Absences due to serious health problems, supported by a doctor’s confirmation.
2. Temporary military service that resulted in an interrupted semester.

Procedure for application: 

1. Acquire a “Request for Incomplete Grade Form” from the Registrar or from the university website;
2. Complete the form thoroughly;
3. Sign the form and obtain signatures from the professor teaching the course, the School Chair, and the Registrar;
4. After the request is approved, acquire the “Requirements to Complete Coursework (to remove “I” grades)” form from the Registrar’s Office or the university website;
5. Work with the course professor in planning the work needed to complete the course;
6. Get signatures from student, professor teaching the course, and the Registrar;
7. Complete the work by the deadline described above. The deadline for submission of the “Request for Incomplete Grade Form” is the last class day of the semester, prior to final exam days.

Grade Point Average

The GPA of a student is obtained by dividing the total number of grade points by the number of semester hours attempted for credit.  To qualify for graduation, a student must have a 2.5 average.

Grade Reports

Grade reports and unofficial transcripts, showing the hours earned and grades received in all subjects, are available to students via the BUF online campus systems. Students access this information by using official User IDs and passwords issued by IT Department personnel.

Class Attendance

Absence From Classes

Due to the nature of graduate study, students are expected to be present for all scheduled class meetings.  In the event of an unforeseen emergency resulting in an absence the professor may excuse the student and make allowance for the student to make up missed work.

Probation and Suspension

• Students who do not maintain an overall grade point average of 2.5 for any given semester will be placed on academic probation.   
• Students who fail to meet the academic standard after the following semester will be suspended from the graduate program for one regular semester, not counting summer.
• Students on academic suspension must apply through the Office of Admissions to be readmitted to the program.
• If readmitted to the graduate program, the required minimum standard must be met by the end of the first semester following readmission.
• If the minimum standard is not met by the end of the first semester following readmission, the student will be placed on permanent suspension.

Technical Competencies and Equipment Required for MAMWL Students

Required technical competencies for the student in this program include proficiency in internet computer usage and in basic audio/video recording and transfer of AV files. Required technical equipment includes an internet-enabled computer (either PC or Mac) with adequate specifications for effective internet navigation, an internet connection, a web cam or other device for the purpose of recording, sending, receiving and viewing audio and video. MAMWL students will sign a statement verifying access to required technical equipment and a proficiency in required technical competencies.

Graduation Requirements

Each graduate program of study will require thirty hours of coursework. The thirty hours of coursework will include appropriate measurements that demonstrate mastery of the particular field of study (such as Graduate Theses, Comprehensive Exams, Internships, or Research/Performance Projects.

Additional graduation requirements are as follows:

1. Apply for graduation before the appropriate deadlines.
2. Clear all financial or other matters that may be pending.
3. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5.

Application for Graduation 

Prospective graduates apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester during which they are scheduled to defend their thesis, using official forms supplied in the Registrar’s Office.  Applicants are approved for graduation by the faculty.

The deadline for application for graduation for both the fall and spring semesters is Friday of the fifth week of the semester of anticipated graduation (see Academic Calendar).  The student is responsible for having the Registrar verify that all work required for the degree has been completed by the above deadline.