This catalog is for 2002-2003 only. For the printed version, contact Admissions at 703-522-5600.
Academic Policies


Academic Responsibility

Matriculation
Orientation

Placement Testing
Academic Year
Academic Load
Academic Advising
Code of Conduct
Student Grievance Process

Summer Programs
Grading Policies
Cumulative Grade Point Average
Repeat Policy
Academic Probation and Dismissal
Appealing an Academic Dismissal from the University
Evaluation of Students

Final Examinations

Midterm Grades
Audit Courses

Transfer Articulation Policies
Attendance
Dual Academic Programs or Degrees

Change of Major or Degree

(A.P. Page 2)

Printed Version

Academic Responsibility


The vice president for Academic Affairs is the official representative of the University in matters pertaining to the scholastic life of the student body. Regulations made by her/him in addition to, in abrogation of, or in interpretation of the following regulations have the same force as the regulations themselves.

In case of discrepancy between the University catalog and other publications or academic information provided by any faculty or staff member other than the vice president for Academic Affairs, the catalog takes precedence.

The University reserves the right to terminate or modify program requirements, content and sequence of courses, and program offerings.

Students withdrawing from the University completely for a period of one year or more are bound by the catalog in effect when they re-enter.

It is the responsibility of each student to be acquainted with all requirements for his or her degree program and to assume responsibility for meeting those requirements. In case of ambiguity, discrepancy, or disagreement, the regulations and requirements stated in this catalog and any subsequent modifications or interpretations by the vice president for Academic Affairs will prevail.

Matriculation

The academic requirements and regulations of Marymount University are published in this official University catalog and in other University announcements. Further information and advice regarding academic regulations may be secured by inquiring at the offices of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Registrar.

Orientation

Orientation is conducted by the University during the summer and prior to the beginning of the fall semester to aid the incoming student in adjusting to University life and regulations. During this period, the new student is given an opportunity to meet with an academic advisor prior to registration. In addition, the student meets members of the staff, counselors, administrative officers, and fellow students so that all aspects of the University become familiar. The new student participates in campus tours; group discussions; and individual conferences on resources, traditions, purposes, rules and regulations, study habits, academic standards, and advising.

Placement Testing

The University requires English and mathematics placement testing of all undergraduate students. Testing is scheduled during the orientation period preceding each semester’s registration.

English placement testing is required of all entering undergraduate students. Test results are used to determine placement in EN 100A, 100B, 101, or 102.

English placement testing is required of all undergraduate transfer students who do not have credit for an English Composition course.

Mathematics placement testing is required of all entering freshman and undergraduate transfer students. Test results are used to determine placement in appropriate mathematics courses.

Undergraduate international students who present a TOEFL score below 550 are required to take the Test of English for International students prior to taking the English Placement Test. International students who present a TOEFL score of 550 or better (paper-based test) or 213 or better (computer-based test) at entry are required to take the freshman placement tests.

Academic Year

Marymount University operates on a semester system. The two terms of the regular academic year are known as fall semester and spring semester. The summer term is known as the summer semester, with courses taught in segments identified as sessions. There are four sessions in the summer semester. Consult the Academic Calendar or the Web site at www.marymount.edu.

Academic Load

Full-time undergraduate students normally carry a minimum of 12 or a maximum of 18 credits per semester. Full-time graduate students normally carry a minimum of 9 credits per semester. All credits are semester credits. Exceptions to the maximum load require written permission from the vice president for Academic Affairs. An undergraduate student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 in any semester is limited to a maximum load of 15 credits in the semester that follows except by written permission of the dean of the School offering the student’s major. Courses numbered 500 and above are not open to undergraduates except by written permission of the appropriate dean and the vice president for Academic Affairs. Such permission forms are available in each School.

Academic Advising

Curricular guidance is offered by an advisor who is a member of the full-time faculty and is especially qualified to counsel in the curricular area that the student has chosen. Nondegree or undeclared students are assigned to specially trained faculty.

Faculty advisors guide and assist students during orientation and are available for consultation with students at regular intervals during the academic year. An important educational asset of the University is its Learning Resource Center (LRC), where faculty may refer students who need assistance in developing college study skills and in enhancing reading, writing, and mathematics skills. The LRC offers tutorial support in the basic skills and a variety of self-paced learning tools for individualized help.

Code of Conduct

Each registered student at Marymount University is expected to observe all rules and regulations of the University. Violations that may lead to suspension or dismissal from the University include cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes using books, notes, or assistance from other students, or giving such assistance to others while taking quizzes, tests, or examinations, or doing graded assignments, unless such assistance is specifically authorized by the instructor. Plagiarism includes representing the work (words or ideas) of others as one’s own on research papers, homework
assignments, essays, and other course assignments. Students should be thoroughly familiar with the Student Handbook, which describes in detail policies and procedures relating to the Academic and Community Conduct Code.

Student Grievance Process

Students who have academic complaints should attempt to resolve them informally in discussions with the appropriate faculty member or their advisor. Complaints which are not resolved informally between students and faculty members are to be referred to the appropriate School dean. The dean will attempt to adjudicate the complaint and resolve the matter. If the student is still not satisfied, he or she may bring the concern in writing to the Office of Academic Affairs. The decision of the vice president for Academic Affairs regarding the issue or issues of concern is final.

onacademic complaints should be addressed first to the office in which the problem originates. Complaints not resolved at this level may be referred to the supervisor for that office. If the student is not satisfied with the resolution of the problem by the supervisor, he or she may refer the concern to the office of the vice president who supervises the area in which the complaint originated. The decision of the vice president for that area regarding the issue or issues of concern is final. This policy applies to oral and written complaints.

Summer Programs

Four sessions of varying length offer students the opportunity to earn credit during the summer semester. Undergraduate students at every level use the summer sessions to accelerate their studies or to satisfy their Liberal Arts Core requirements. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students use the summer semester to continue steady progress toward the completion of their degree programs. The University welcomes visiting undergraduate students to use the summer sessions to acquire credits in general education or in a major field for transfer to their home institutions. See the Summer Course Schedule for information on applying to Marymount and arranging transfer credit.

Grading Policies

The following is a brief explanation of the letter grades that may be further delineated by a plus sign (+), which is not used for A grades, or a minus sign (-). The numerical equivalent of letter grades is determined by the instructor and is approved by the dean of the School that offers the course.

A - Superior, outstanding scholarship and intellectual initiative.

B - High attainment and a notable degree of scholastic performance.

C - Satisfactory performance at an average level of college achievement. Indicates an understanding of the essential elements of a course. C is the minimum passing grade for courses in the major field in several Schools of the University. Students should refer to School requirements in the relevant sections of this catalog.

D - Deficient, but passing. D is not given at the graduate level. A grade of D indicates a bare minimum performance. Courses graded D may count as prerequisites for advanced courses requiring a certain minimum of knowledge for further pursuit. A grade of D ordinarily is not transferable.

P - Indicates passing grade. This grade carries no honor points and is not calculated in the grade point average.

F - Failure to meet minimal standards. Course must be repeated to obtain credit.

I - Incomplete work. An Incomplete is given at the discretion of the instructor and approval by the School dean when circumstances beyond the control of the student prevent the completion of some course requirements.

A student who receives a grade of I must complete the work in the time designated by the instructor. This time may be no longer than one semester. Students carrying a grade of I in the semester in which they petition to graduate must complete the outstanding work within the time designated by the instructor or at least 30 days prior to the Commencement Exercises in which they plan to participate. A student who does not complete all outstanding work from a prior semester within 30 days of Commencement may not participate in Commencement Exercises of that year. The Incomplete must be removed by the end of the semester immediately following, including the summer semester. Failure to remove an Incomplete by the time specified will result in a failing grade. A student must then re-enroll and matriculate successfully in the course to obtain credit. A grade of I prior to fall 1995 is permanent.

W - Authorized Withdrawal. A student who withdraws from a course or the University after the last published date to withdraw without academic record. The grade of W carries no credit or academic penalty. It is recorded on the permanent record and transcript.

AU - Indicates that course was audited and no credit was received.

NR - No grade reported.

PASS/FAIL A student may register for a course to be taken on a pass/fail basis. The pass/fail option does not apply to Liberal Arts Core requirements or requirements in the major field other than the internship. The pass/fail option also does not apply to any of the graduate programs in the School of Business Administration. A student must indicate that a course is to be taken pass/fail at the time of registration and may not change this status after the last day to add a class.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

The cumulative grade point average is found by dividing the number of quality points a student has earned by the number of measurable credits of work. Quality points per credit are shown in the following chart:

 
Quality points
A 4.0
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.0
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.0
C- 1.7
D+ 1.3
D 1.0
D- 0.7
F 0.0

Note: No D grades are given at the graduate level.

Repeat Policy

Each department determines whether a course may be repeated, and if so, the number of times. When a course with a grade of D or F is repeated (C minus grade for undergraduate Nursing courses), the following rules shall apply:

  • the course must be identical in listing and cannot be taken at another institution;
  • the second time the course cannot be taken for Pass/Fail;
  • both courses and grades will be recorded in the student’s file and transcript;
  • for calculation of the cumulative grade point average and for fulfillment of curriculum requirements, only the credit and the grade of the course with the highest grade will apply and the credit and grade of the course with the lower grade will no longer count;
  • undergraduate courses with grades of C or better may not be repeated.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

It is expected that matriculants–part-time and full-time, graduate and undergraduate–will make continuous progress toward a degree in a timely manner. In support of those efforts, the University, through the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee, reserves the right to take the following academic actions:

  • All full-time students who earn a grade point average (GPA) of less than 1.0 in any semester may be dismissed from the University.
  • Undergraduate students are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. An undergraduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 is automatically placed on academic probation for the following semester. In a probationary semester, a student must attain a semester GPA of at least 2.0; further, the student must raise the cumulative GPA to the 2.0 or higher level in order to be removed from academic probation. A student who fails to earn at least a 2.0 semester GPA while on academic probation may be dismissed from the University. A student who earns a 2.0 or higher semester GPA while on probation, but fails to raise the cumulative GPA to the required 2.0 or higher level, will be continued on probation for a second semester; however, a student who fails to raise the cumulative GPA to the required 2.0 or higher level after three consecutive semesters of academic probation may be dismissed from the University.
  • An undergraduate student who earns a semester grade point average below 2.0, but maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, will not be placed on academic probation but will receive an academic warning.

  • Graduate students are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. A graduate student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 is automatically placed on academic probation for the following semester. In a probationary semester, a student must attain a semester GPA of at least 3.0; further, the student must raise the cumulative GPA to the 3.0 or higher level in order to be removed from academic probation. A student who fails to earn at least a 3.0 semester GPA while on academic probation may be dismissed from the University. A student who earns a 3.0 or higher semester GPA while on probation, but fails to raise the cumulative GPA to the 3.0 or higher level, will be continued on probation for a second semester; however, a student who fails to raise the cumulative GPA to the required 3.0 or higher level after three consecutive semesters of academic probation may be dismissed from the University.

  • Students who are on probation for three nonconsecutive semesters may be dismissed from the University.

  • Part-time undergraduate students will not be subject to academic action until they have attempted 12 credits at Marymount; part-time graduate students, until 6 credits. Thereafter, regardless of the number of credits they attempt in a given semester, they will be liable to academic action under the same directives as full-time students.

  • Students dismissed from the University may not apply for readmission until a semester has elapsed. Readmission will be considered by the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee only if the student presents evidence of satisfactory academic efforts in the time he or she has been separated from the University. The Committee will not review applications that do not have demonstrations of academic success. A nonrefundable fee of $35 must accompany the application for readmission.

    The Committee reserves the right to establish any and all specific terms and conditions under which students who have been dismissed from the University may be allowed to return. Failure to comply with these terms and conditions will result in automatic dismissal from the University.
  • Students who have been academically dismissed twice from the University will not be eligible to be readmitted to the University.

Appealing an Academic Dismissal from the University

If a student wishes to appeal an academic dismissal from the University, the procedures outlined below must be observed:

  1. All appeals must be in writing. The appeals are to be addressed to the vice president for Academic Affairs. Appeals will be reviewed by the Committee on Admissions and Academic Standards.

  2. Appeals are due to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs within five working days of the date of receipt of letter of dismissal. No appeals will be accepted after this time. It is the student’s responsibility, whether in the United States or abroad, to be aware of mail sent to them by the University. The University will make every attempt to contact the student in writing using the addresses on file with the Registrar’s Office.

  3. Appeals must explain in full the student’s reasons for seeking a reversal of the academic dismissal. The Committee will consider only those cases in which a grade change has favorably affected the recalculation of a grade point average, or extraordinary circumstances outside the control of the student which affected academic performance and which can be substantiated with written documentation.

  4. Appeals will be responded to in writing by the vice president for Academic Affairs on behalf of the chair and Committee on Admissions and Academic Standards. The response of the vice president to the written appeal will bring the process to an official end.
  • Students who have been readmitted to the University after three or more semesters of academic dismissal will return to the University under the catalog in force at the time of their readmission and must meet the requirements of their degree program stated in that catalog.

  • These directives are to be reviewed annually by the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee and they may be suspended when, in the opinion of the committee, the interests of the student and of the University will best be served by such suspension. Such action, however, may not be construed as a precedent by any petitioner.

Evaluation of Students

The method of evaluation in each course is determined by the individual instructor. The final grade given for any course is based on the sum of evidence that the student gives the instructor, which demonstrates understanding and retention of the material presented in the course. In addition to formal examinations, the instructor makes use of recitation, term papers, written and oral quizzes, and participation in class and seminar discussions to determine the student’s grade. The grade is a symbol of a student’s degree of mastery of a course. The University requires that all written work submitted by students conform to standard English.

Final Examinations

Final examinations are scheduled during a final examination week. A student who has more than two final examinations scheduled in one day may request rescheduling of one examination at the discretion of the vice president for Academic Affairs.

Midterm Grades

At the end of the seventh academic week of each semester in the regular academic year, instructors submit interim grade reports to the vice president for Academic Affairs. This grade is not a part of the permanent record of the student but is used as an indicator of scholastic progress. These reports are not made available to students unless a grade of D or failing marks are reported.

Midterm grades are an indication of the quality of the student’s performance at that point in the semester; they are not an indication or a guarantee of the student’s final grade in the course.

Audit Courses

An audit course carries no credit or grade but is considered as a regular course for tuition payment and is entered on the transcript. A student must indicate that a course is to be audited at registration and it may not be changed to a course for credit once it has been registered as an audited class. A student may not change from credit to audit after the last day to add or late register as published in the Academic Calendar.

Transfer Articulation Policies

The Washington area is home to many residents from other parts of the country and the world. For this reason Marymount has been especially responsive to students transferring directly from other institutions or bringing academic credits earned elsewhere. Advising of transfer students is conducted by specially trained individuals who pay attention to the quality of prior academic learning.

Acceptance of course credits earned elsewhere for credit toward degree requirements is at the sole discretion of Marymount University. Marymount accepts CLEP subject examination and Advanced Placement credits and provides special challenge credits for diploma graduates in Nursing. As a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), Marymount also accepts DANTES credits. No more than 30 undergraduate credits can be earned by a Marymount student through any combination of CLEP, ACT/PEP, or DANTES examinations, validation examinations administered by the academic departments of the University, or assessment of portfolios of prior learning administered through the Liberal Studies program. None of these 30 credits may be used to complete the residency requirement for graduation from Marymount.

Applicants desiring entry at the junior-senior level must submit to the Office of Admissions evidence of having met the following minimum collegiate requirements for junior-senior status at Marymount University:

  • A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and 60 semester credits or the equivalent in college credits.

  • For transfer students only: Marymount University will not transfer a student’s quality point average from any other institution if the student entered Marymount for the first time after September 1996. The GPA of transfer students entering Marymount before September 1996 will be counted.

  • A maximum of 64 credits may be transferred from any community college. Marymount University does not normally accept for transfer equivalent community college specialized courses whose content appears comparable to junior or senior level courses at Marymount unless the applicant successfully completes validation exams.

  • A minimum of 28 semester credits in general education courses with a grade of C or better in each and distributed in the following subject areas. Suggested courses that meet these requirements are shown below each subject area.

Communication (6 credits)
College Composition

Humanities (6 credits)
History and Appreciation of Art, Music Appreciation, Survey of American Literature, Survey of English Literature, Survey of World Literature, Survey of Western Culture, Introduction to Philosophy, History of Western Philosophy (Note: Studio courses in the fine arts are excluded.)

Social Science (6 credits)
Principles of Economics, Geographic Regions of the World, U.S. Government, International Relations, Introduction to Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Introduction to Sociology, Principles of Anthropology

Science (4 credits)
General Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, General Chemistry, College Chemistry, Natural Sciences, Introduction to Physics, Physical and Historical Geology, Principles of Astronomy

History (3 credits)
History of Western Civilization, History of World Civilization, U.S. History

Mathematics (3 credits in a college-level course)

Attendance

It is University policy that students are expected to attend class. This expectation stems from the belief that a student is missing an educational opportunity when he or she is absent from a class without a valid reason. In order to assure initial contact with the instructor, classmates, and course content, each student is required by the University to attend all classes for the first three academic weeks of a semester. After this period, it is the prerogative of the individual instructor to establish requirements for class attendance. Students are responsible for complying with the instructor’s requirements. Without permission of an individual instructor, no test or class material will be repeated or rescheduled.

Prolonged illness or extraordinary circumstances such as a death in the family must be reported to the vice president for Student Services.

Persons not officially enrolled in a course offered by the University may not attend classes.

Dual Academic Programs or Degrees

An undergraduate student who elects to pursue dual academic programs must complete all required coursework for each program.

Each graduate degree program is considered to be separate from any other degree program. Therefore, the policy governing the pursuit of a second Marymount graduate degree is essentially the same for the pursuit of a first degree, including the minimum number of credits required for residency, consortium course restrictions, and probation/dismissal policies. The second degree must include at least two-thirds of the total number of credit hours normally required for a single degree. In addition, all of these credit hours must be from courses that were not completed for any other degree.

The University cannot guarantee availability of all course requirements without scheduling conflicts when pursuing a dual academic program or degree.

Change of Major or Degree

Request for change of academic program must be made in writing. Forms for this purpose may be obtained in School offices. The change of academic program must be approved by the dean in the School offering the new program and submitted to the School. When a change of major includes a change of School, the dean in the School offering the new major must approve and sign the Change of Major Form.

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