Annual Graduate Student Academic Review

It is a policy of the Graduate Council that every master’s, specialist, and doctoral student will be reviewed annually by his/her degree program for progress toward the degree. At a minimum, the review will cover progress in the following: a) completing courses with an adequate grade-point average; b) completing the thesis/dissertation/project requirements; c) completing all of the required examinations; d) completing other requirements for the degree.

When the review of each student is completed, the review form will be signed by the graduate student and the department/program head/chair, as well as other appropriate individuals as designated in the program review policy.

This review will be forwarded to the Graduate School, to be included in the student’s file. If a student receives two consecutive reviews indicating that he/she is not making adequate academic progress, the program and the Graduate School have the option to dismiss the student.

Students in the Political Science Department  meet with the Graduate Advisor twice a year.

The spring advising coincides with the required annual review to determine  adequate progress towards completing degree requirements. A report of this review will be filed with the Graduate School (see attached)

a. Non-thesis students:
Students in the MA or MPA (MPA/JD) program will meet with the Graduate Advisor to determine progress towards completing degree requirements. If the student is making adequate/normal progress the chair of the departmental academic program committee will co-sign the form that will be sent to the graduate school.
In the case of the MPA/JD program the student’s law school advisor will co-sign the form.

In cases where the student is NOT making adequate/normal progress, the chair of the departmental academic programs committee will also attend the advising session. For students in the JD/MPA program the student’s law school advisor will attend the session.

b. Thesis students:

For students involved in a thesis project, the major advisor will be consulted to determine if the student is making adequate or normal progress ( and may be asked to attend the advising session)

Definitions: Normal/Adequate progress:

Normal progress: applies to students who carry a full load (9-12 hrs) and:
--are taking approved classes during the regular semesters and/or summer

-- see their advisors (graduate advisor and second advisor as co-signer) for regular advising sessions (students admitted on conditions must meet conditions agreed to with their advisor(s))

--are enrolled in thesis hours and make steady progress (as testified by the thesis chair)

-- are enrolled for an approved internship (official documentation required)
-- are enrolled for directed/independent research and have furnished a plan of study

-- have completed an “I” in the following semester
-- have completed their program requirements in 4 semesters (or 4 semesters and a summer for those students who write theses or complete internships).

Adequate progress: applies to students who carry less than a full load (fewer than 9 hrs) and:
-- are taking at least one approved class each semester and/or summer, unless circumstances (to be documented) prevent them from doing so ( e.g. work, military duty…) and plans are in place to keep the student on course to graduate within the required six years;

-- see their advisors (graduate advisor and second advisor as co-signer) for regular advising sessions (students admitted on conditions must meet conditions agreed to with their advisor(s))

-- are enrolled for independent research, an approved internship or thesis hours (official documentation required)

-- have completed an “I” in the following semester
-- are on pace to complete all program requirements within 6 years.

Recommended counseling and sanctions:

• students who repeatedly change or drop courses after being advised will be asked to see the Graduate Advisor and explain their reasons;
   

• students who enroll in a full load of classes in more than one semester to only drop one or more classes will be issued a warning; if behavior persists beyond two (2) semesters, and after being counseled, the student will be issued a letter signed by the graduate coordinator and the department chair that he/she is not making adequate progress that could lead to their subsequent dismissal from the program.
   

• Students who do not attend scheduled advising sessions (in a timely fashion) to determine their class schedule will be issued a warning that will be entered in their official advising document.

The following form will be submitted to the Graduate School

ANNUAL GRADUATE STUDENT ACADEMIC REVIEW

Please submit to the Graduate School no later than May 31^st of each year.

1.  Name of student: _________________________________________________________

2.  Student’s Personal Identification Number: _____________________________________

3.  Student’s degree program: __________________________________________________

4.  Semester and year student entered degree program: ______________________________

5.  This student is (check one):

o   making normal progress toward the degree

o   making adequate progress toward the degree

            Attach a memo describing the requirements expected for students making normal progress which have not been met by this student. Explain how the student’s progress is adequate and when it is likely that the student will complete the degree, if he/she continues current progress.  Indicate any qualifications on this evaluation.

o   making neither adequate nor normal progress toward the degree.
                 Attach a memo describing the requirements expected for students making at least adequate progress which have not been
                 met by this student. Explain whether the student will be allowed to continue in the degree program and the stipulations of
                 that continuation.  Provide a detailed description of how the situation will be remedied so that the student is once again
                 making at least adequate progress toward degree.  Memo must be signed by department/program head/chair.)
 

6. The results of the review were communicated to the student:

      a)  by face-to-face interview on ______________(date)

            _____________________________________(signature of student)

      b)   by the following procedure because the face-to-face interview was not possible or practical (include dates of notification):___________________________________________________

7.   This form accurately summarizes the annual graduate student academic review for this
                    student for _________________:   (Academic Year)
 

                _________________________________          _________________________________

                 Name of Review Coordinator                            Signature of Review Coordinator        

                _________________________________                             

                     (Date)