Management of Failing Grades

A student who is allowed to continue in the curriculum without repeating the entire year following the receipt of any failing grades during the freshman, sophomore, or junior years must convert those grades to passing marks prior to becoming eligible for registration for the Fall Semester of the next academic year. Participation in clinical activity prior to the removal of any failing grades will be subject to the recommendation of Student Performance Committee, when applicable.

A senior student having any failing or incomplete grades at the conclusion of the academic year will be considered by the Student Performance Committee. Continuation in the curriculum may involve, but not be limited to:

  1. repetition of the entire senior year,
  2. receiving up to an additional two week extension from the date of Commencement as provided by the Office of the Registrar to satisfactorily complete all academic responsibilities in time for a May diploma, or
  3. enrollment in the summer session to convert any failing or incomplete grades to marks that are passing.

Students who receive an extension but who fail to complete their academic responsibility in that time frame will receive a failing grade in all courses not satisfactorily completed. Consequences of this may include, but are not limited to:

  1. dismissal,
  2. repetition of the entire senior year, or
  3. enrollment in the summer session to convert any failing grades to marks that are passing.

Conversion of a failing grade to one that is acceptable will involve registration for a retake course and payment of any applicable fees and/or tuition. This retake course may either be one that is currently offered on a regular basis or be one that is arranged specifically to address the noted academic shortcomings. Registration is accomplished through the Office of the Assistant / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Tuition and applicable fees are determined by the Assistant / Associate Dean for Student Affairs and are due at the time of registration.

The content, format, and method of examination for didactic and laboratory retake courses are determined by the course director. The content, format, and method of examination for clinical retake courses are determined by the Student Performance Committee in consultation with the Department Chair of the applicable discipline.

Grades earned on the initial failed attempt as well as those of subsequent retake efforts are to be submitted to the Office of the Assistant / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and to the Registrar’s Office for inclusion in the student’s transcript as a grade of permanent record.