Required QPA
A graduate student is required to maintain a cumulative grade average of at least B (3.0) on all courses taken for degree purposes. Credit toward a degree objective will be granted for any graduate course in which a grade of A, B, C, S, or SP (for thesis or dissertation) is assigned; however, not more than six (6) hours of C credit will be accepted. If a grade of D, U, F, WF, or NF is assigned in a degree-related course, the course must be repeated; and both the original grade and the grade for the repetition will be counted in the cumulative average.
M.B.A. Requirements
An MBA student is required to maintain a cumulative grade average of at least B (3.0) on all courses taken for degree purposes, and must achieve a grade of B or better in BMGT 6950. Students must repeat BMGT 6950 until a grade of B or better is obtained. Other courses may be repeated at the discretion of the student, and both the original grade and the grade for the repeat will be counted in the cumulative average. Any student receiving a D or an F in an MBA degree course shall be dismissed from the program.
Nursing Requirements
1. Students in graduate nursing programs must meet the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies to remain in good standing. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) or better must be maintained in order to graduate. Only grades of A, B and S are considered satisfactory in the graduate nursing level;
2. In addition, a graduate nursing student must achieve a grade of "B" or better in every graduate nursing course. Policies of the College of Graduate Studies for progression will apply.
3. MSN students who earn less than a "B" in a required course will have one opportunity to repeat the course. The course must be repeated at the next available opportunity. Students may only repeat two required courses. The repeated grade and the original grade will be averaged into the student's overall GP A.
4. If a student's cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, she/he will be placed on academic probation at the end of that semester. Any graduate student placed in probationary Academic Standing at the end of a semester must return to Good Academic Standing by the end of the next enrolled semester. No student will be allowed more than two probationary semesters, whether consecutive or cumulative. At the end of a second probationary semester, a student whose cumulative grade point average is still below 3.0 will be dismissed from graduate study.
5. Students whose performance results in a GPA so far below 3.0 as to make it mathematically impossible to attain an overall GP A of 3 .0 after one semester may be subject to dismissal without a probationary term.
6. An incomplete grade ("I") indicates that the student was passing the course at the end of the semester, but due to circumstances beyond the student's control, was unable to complete the course work for which the "I" is assigned. The "I" grade cannot be used to allow a student to do additional work to raise a deficient grade or to repeat a course. An "I" grade must be removed no later than one calendar year from the time the grade is awarded. Students with more than one "I" grade cannot progress in the program. Time extension requests for removal of an "I" grade must be submitted to and approved by the Dean of College of Graduate Studies before the allotted time expires. An "I" grade not removed under the guidelines in the Graduate Catalog will be converted to an "F."
Progression:
Students must report the following to the Dean of the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing (WHSON) within 72 hours of change of status or requirement:
Any adverse action taken against their RN licensure (i.e. probation, termination, suspension, limiting scope of practice, any change in activity);
Placement in the Tennessee Peer Assistance Program (TNPAP) or any other peer assistance program;
Admission to a substance abuse rehabilitation program;
Any legal issues that may result in a change in their ability to pass a criminal background check, including but not limited to arrests or convictions (see University's Arrest and Conviction Self-Disclosure form (link)) or change of status legal status with regards to probation or parole.
Failure to disclose to the WHSON could result in automatic dismissal from the MSN program. In addition, student must disclose the same information to preceptors and clinical agencies and provide appropriate documentation of this disclosure to WHSON.
Graduate Assistant GPA Requirements
A graduate assistant is required to maintain a minimum quality point average of 3.0 each semester. Upon the recommendation of the appropriate departmental chairperson and academic dean, the student may be permitted to retain the assistantship on probation for one (1) semester should the average fall below the minimum requirement.
Background Courses
Additionally, a graduate student must achieve a grade of at least C on each course taken for nondegree purposes, that is, courses taken for background preparation, certification, or personal enrichment. A student will be required to repeat each nondegree course in which a grade of D, U, F, WF, or NF is assigned except that, with approval of the student's advisory committee, repetition of a course will not be required if a student's cumulative grade average on all courses (degree and nondegree) is at least B (3.0).
Probation for Unsatisfactory Performance
A graduate student is required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least "B" on all graduate courses taken as a graduate student. When a student's cumulative average on courses falls below 3.0, but not less than 2.00, the student will be placed in probationary Academic Standing. If the cumulative average falls below 2.00, the student will be dismissed.
Any graduate student placed in probationary Academic Standing at the end of a semester must return to Good Academic Standing by the end of the next enrolled semester.
If the term average, on all courses presented as part of the hours required for graduation, during any semester is less than 2.00, the student's record will be reviewed and may be placed on probation.
Dismissal for Unsatisfactory Performance:
A graduate student will be dismissed from the graduate program if any one of the following conditions occurs:
1. | The graduate student's current GPA or cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. | |
2. | The student earns two Grades of "F", | |
3. | Two consecutive semesters of "No Progress" grades assigned in thesis or dissertation courses. | |
4. | Two "C" grades in the Ph.D. in Exceptional Learning Program. | |
5. | One "D" or "F" grade in a course in the Ph.D. in Exceptional Learning Program. | |
6. | Some graduate programs may have more stringent dismissal criteria. Students should confer with the department about such criteria. | |
7. | The graduate student fails to achieve Good Academic Standing by the end of the next enrolled semester following a semester that the graduate student was placed in probationary Academic Standing | |
8. | The graduate student fails to meet program-specific requirements. | |
9. | The graduate student does not successfully pass all examinations for admission to candidacy as required by their graduate program. |
A graduate student who has been dismissed for unsatisfactory performance may request reinstatement through the appeal procedures in Tennessee Tech Policy #281 (Graduate Student Dismissal, Reinstatement, and Appeal Procedures).