The academic policies and information in this section of the College Catalog are of general interest to new students. Additional policies and information are stated in the Simpson College Student Handbook. All students are responsible for the material contained in both the Catalog and the Handbook.
Academic Advising
Academic advising at Simpson is integral to the total academic program. Each new full-time student is assigned to a member of the faculty who acts as the academic advisor. For the purpose of proper guidance, this relationship typically exists until the student selects a major field of concentration. At that time, the student may choose or may be assigned to an advisor in that field.
The Academic Plan
In consultation with an academic advisor, student project an academic plan that reflects their personal and academic goals. Depending on how clearly objectives are defined at the time students enter the College, the academic plan is projected for as few as one or for as many as four years.
The academic plan requires the approval of the faculty advisor and is subject to review by the Dean for Academic Affairs.
Registration
The process of registration begins with a conference between the student and the academic advisor. The act of registration is complete when the student makes proper financial arrangements with the Business Office, completes all other instructions, and completes registration online. The individual student is responsible for fullfillment of graduation requirements, but close work with the academic advisor is recommended.
Alternate Credit Opportunities
Students at Simpson are encouraged to progress in the curriculum as rapidly as proficiency permits. In general, there are three ways to secure credit through testing:
- A student who achieves a score of three, four or five on any College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Test (AP) is given credit for the equivalent Simpson course.
- A student may earn up to 24 semester hours of credit by examination in those courses or subject areas available through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement Tests (AP) combined.
- Students may also request permission from the appropriate department chairperson to test out of those courses for which there is no CLEP or AP test.
- Students may earn credit in the non-traditional areas above only within the first 64 credits toward graduation.
Grading Procedures
At the end of each semester, grades are recorded in the Registrar’s Office in accordance with the following definitions: A, outstanding; B, very good; C, adequate; D, poor; F, failure. Letter symbols used for other purposes on grade reports and the academic transcript are: I, incomplete (a temporary designation indicating the student was unable to complete the work for reasons beyond his/her control); W, withdrawn; H, honors; P, passing; NP, not passing; CR, credit, RG registered (a temporary designation when, for some reason, grades are not available). To receive a “P” students must do at least C- work, to receive an “H” the student must do at least A- work.
In computing the cumulative grade point average (GPA), grades are assigned the following 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-,.7; F,0. The cumulative grade point average is determined by dividing total graded semester hours attempted into total quality points earned
Upon petition for a grade of “Incomplete” a student must complete the work within the first sixty days of the next semester. Unless a new petition granting an extension beyond the 60th day of the next semester is received, the grade of “I” is converted to an “F” and zero quality points are assigned. A grade of “I” also contributes zero quality points to the GPA during the period it is a part of the student’s record.
Grades of H and P are assigned credit but are not used in determining the cumulative grade point average. The grade of NP receives no credit. The grade of CR receives credit but no quality points. A sophomore, junior, or senior may take one course H/P/NP each class year providing that course is neither a general education nor a major requirement except in the case of COOP 119, 319, in which case the H/P/NP for the COOP does not count against the limit of one course per year. A grade of RG means that the student is registered in the course but no grade has been given.
If a student repeats a course taken at Simpson College, they must retake the course at Simpson College in order to replace the grade. The last grade received is the grade earned. All courses and grades will be recorded; however, only the last grade will be used to determine the student’s grade point average.
The Dean’s List and The President’s List
The Dean’s List is announced after each fall and spring semester of the regular academic year. The Dean’s List includes the names of all undergraduate students who, regularly enrolled in the College, complete at least 12 credits in the semester with a grade point average of 3.70 or better. In the event one of the courses is taken on the Honors/Pass/Non-Pass basis, an Honors grade must be achieved.
Matriculated part-time undergraduate students who complete at least 12 credits in a calendar year and achieve a grade point average of 3.70 or better in that calendar year are named to the annual Dean’s list for part-time students.
Special recognition is accorded those with similar qualifications who have achieved a grade point average of 4.00 by their being named to the President’s List.
Academic Good Standing and Normal Progress
Cumulative college, major, and minor GPA minimums of 2.00 are required for graduation. No grade below C- will count towards fulfilling the requirements for the major or minor. To remain in good academic standing, a student must achieve the following cumulative grade point average at the end of the respective year:
| Freshman |
(1-29 semester hours) |
1.80 |
| Sophomore |
(29.01-61.00 |
1.90 |
| Junior |
(61.01-95.00) |
2.00 |
| Senior |
(95.01-graduation) |
2.00 |
Normal Progress for Full-time Students. Each student is expected to make normal progress toward the completion of the degree. A course load of four courses (16 credits) per semester is the normal course load necessary to complete the degree in four academic years. The student must be making minimal progress toward a degree. This means that after one full academic year, fall semester and spring semester, a student must have successfully completed a minimum of 24 credits. At the conclusion of two full years a student must have accumulated 48 credits and after three full years, 76 credits, which includes at least 1 May Term through the third year.
The progress of each student is reviewed by the Office of Academic Affairs at the end of each semester. If a student does not maintain normal progress toward the degree, an academic warning will be issued by the Office of Academic Affairs. If a student successfully completes less than 12 semester hours for two consecutive semesters, the student will be acknoledged as a part-time student and, thus, ineligible for Simpson College financial assistance during the third consecutive semester.
All degree-seeking students should declare a major on a Declaration of Major form submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the time they have completed 50 semester hours.
Although there are no semester hour guidelines for normal progress of the part-time student, he/she is requested to apply to become a degree-seeking student and to declare a major by the time 50 semester hours are completed. The 50 semester hours include transfer credit. Transfer credit will be added to the student’s Simpson transcript at the time he/she becomes degree-seeking (matriculated), pending receipt of official transcripts from the transfer institutions.
Class Attendance. Students are expected to be present at regularly scheduled meetings of classes and laboratories. The privilege of being excused from class or making up work missed because of absence from the class is granted wholly at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor has the obligation of explaining to his/her class at the first meeting of the group his/her particular requirement as far as class attendance is concerned. Instructors report to the office of the registrar the names of students who have excessive absences for no apparent reason. That office likewise will report to the faculty appropriate information available concerning student absences.
Faculty members should make a point of being prompt in their arrival for lectures and discussion periods and hold the students to the same promptness in class attendance. If it is necessary for an instructor to cancel or be absent from a class, the department head and the dean for academic affairs must be advised of this fact.
The Simpson faculty believe that learning happens outside of the classroom as well as in class. The faculty has agreed that students shall not be penalized for participation in college-sanctioned events which necessitate absence from classes, so long as the student informs the faculty member prior to the event and completes work equivalent to what was missed in class. Scheduled college-sanctioned events that require class absences, shall be listed on the portal under Student Excused Absences one week in advance, if possible, and approved by the academic dean. Those scheduling college-sanctioned events are responsible for posting the event and shall seek to minimize the disruption of classes, and encourage students to avoid unnecessary absences.
Transfer Students
Once enrolled as a degree-seeking candidate at Simpson College, students are expected to complete all remaining required major courses at Simpson or in Simpson-sponsored programs. All students must take at least 4 four-credit classes in the major at Simpson to obtain a degree from Simpson College. All students must take at least 2 four-credit classes at Simpson in a minor if they wish to earn that minor at Simpson College. Exceptions to this rule may be made in the case of students who spend the first three years in residence, who have satisfactory academic records, and who arrange in advance with the Dean for Academic Affairs to spend the fourth year in a professional program in an accredited institution.
Academic Integrity Policy
In all endeavors, Simpson College expects its students to adhere to the strictist standards of honesty and integrity. In keeping with the College’s mission to develop the student’s critical intellectual skills, while fostering personal integrity and moral responsibility, each student is expected to abide by the Simpson College rules for academic integrity. Academic dishonesty includes (but is not limited to) any form of cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, fraud (falsifying documents, forging signatures, altering records, etc.), misreporting any absence as college-sponsored or college-sanctioned, submitting a paper written in whole or in part by someone else, or submitting a paper that was previously submitted in whole or in substantial part for another class without prior permission. If the student has any questions about whether any action would constitute academic dishonesty, it is imperative that he or she consult the instructor before taking the action
All cases of substantiated academic dishonesty must be reported to the student’s academic advisor and the Dean for Academic Affairs.
Penalties for Dishonesty
Academic Dishonesty within the Context of a Course
The penalty for acadmic dishonesty that occurs within the context of a specific course and is substantiated by firm evidence is:
- failure of the course;
- failure of the assignment; or
- the requirement that the work be redone with a substituted assignment.
The instructor may choose from the above options to reflect how knowing, intentional, or serious he or she judges the incident to be.
If the instructor determines that the student shall fail the course, and even if that decision is made within the withdrawal period, the student may not withdraw, and the faculty member will immediately enter a grade of “F” for the course. If the instructor determines that the student will not automatically fail the course, but must redo the assignment, and it is within the withdrawal period, the student may withdraw from the course.
Academic Dishonesty outside the Context of a Course
If a student is suspected of committing academic dishonesty outside the context of a course (e.g., fraud involving college documents and/or records that do not involve a course), and it has been substantiated with evidence, the Academic Dean shall then decide whether to place the student on academic probation, academic suspension or academic dismissal depending upon the severity of the case. Records of the case and the subsequent punishment will be kept in the student’s file as a permanent record.
Repeat Offenses
Upon the second report of substantiated academic dishonesty, the Academic Dean will convene the Academic Council to recommend appropriate punishment, which may include academic probation, suspension, or dismissal. The decision of the Academic Dean is final.
Suspected Academic Dishonesty
In cases of suspected academic dishonesty that cannot be substantiated by evidence, the instructor may give the student a warning and may require the student to redo the assignment. In a case where academic dishonesty is strongly suspected but cannot be substantiated, the instructor will issue a formal warning, along with a report to the academic advisor and the Academic Dean. Repeated instances of suspected academic dishonesty may lead to appropriate disciplinary action, including academic probation, suspension, or dismissal, at the discretion of the Academic Dean.
In addition to the above sanctions, the college reserves the right to take additional action as it deems appropriate.
Appeal
If a student wishes to appeal a charge of substantiated academic dishonesty, he or she may request a hearing before the Academic Appeals Committee. The student(s) shall present to the Registrar of the College a written appeal stating clearly what is being appealed and the rationale. The instructor shall present the evidence to the committee. The committee’s decision shall be final.
Transfer Credit Policy
Graduation Requirements:
Transfer students must fulfill all graduation requirements.
Students who transfer to Simpson from other accredited four-year institutions must complete at least 32.0 credits at Simpson for a Bachelor of Arts Degree and 36.0 credits at Simpson for a Bachelor of Music Degree.
Students who transfer to Simpson from accredited two-year institutions must complete at least 64.0 credits at Simpson for a Bachelor of Arts Degree and 68.0 credits at Simpson for a Bachelor of Music Degree.
Transfer Credit
- Transfer credit is granted only for courses taken at accredited institutions.
- Transfer courses must be appropriate for a college liberal arts curriculum.
- Transfer credit is granted only for courses in which a grade of C- or better was earned.
- Only courses accepted for transfer are recorded on Simpson transcript.
- Transfer courses of three credits or more that have equivalents at Simpson College fulfill the corresponding Simpson requirements.
Transfer courses receive the credit assigned by the originating institution; e.g., a three-credit course transfers in as three credits to Simpson College.
Incoming courses accepted for transfer are designated as Simpson courses when equivalent courses are listed in the Simpson catalog. When courses accepted for transfer credit are not equivalent to courses listed in the Simpson catalog, they are given unassigned credit in one of the departments of the college, or when that is not appropriate, in one of its divisions.
Major Requirements:
At least 4 four-credit classes must be completed in the major at Simpson in order for the student to earn a major.
Minor Requirements:
At least 2 four-credit classes must be completed in the minor at Simpson in order for the student to earn a minor.
TRANSFER POLICIES FOR THE GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM:
A course-by-course analysis will be completed by the Registrar’s Office to determine how transfer courses fulfill requirements for the Engaged Citizenship Curriculum or Simpson Core and for majors or minors. Transfer and AP courses that meet the requirements of Areas of Engagement, Embedded Skills, or Core designations may be transferred to Simpson College under this policy.
Credit Granting Policy for Non-Traditional Credit
The following guidelines apply to CLEP credit, military credit, vocational-technical credit, AP credit, International Baccalaureate and life experience credit.
- A maximum of 32 credits may be granted to a student in the combined areas of coursework taken through the armed services, CLEP credit, life experience credit, vocational-technical credit, AP credit, and credit through non-accredited associations.
- Students may earn credit in the non-traditional areas only within the first 64 hours of graduation credit, this is equivalent to the first two years of work toward a degree.
- The student must demonstrate that the credit applied for meets the curriculum and standards of Simpson College by supplying appropriate supporting documentation.
Sources for non-traditional credit include:
- Advanced Placement
Students who complete the college entrance examination board advanced placement test(s) (AP) with a score of three (3) or better may be given advanced placement with credit but without a grade for those course throughout the college in which test are passed. The award of such credit is subject to review by the department concerned.
- CLEP Exam
A student may earn credit but without grade by examination in those courses or subject areas presently available or to be available through the college level examination program (CLEP). A maximum of 24 credits may be earned by a combination of AP and CLEP credit. Credit in AP Calculus, Statistics, of Physics may be applied to be Quantitative Reasoning requirement in the Engaged Citizenship Curriculum. Credit in AP English Language and Composition may be applied to the Written Communication requirement in the Engaged Citizenship Curriculum.
- International Baccalaureate.
Simpson recognizes the IB program and grants credit on a course by course basis for examination scores of 4 or better on the Higher Level courses only. A maximum of 24 credit hours may be earned through IB.
- Armed Services Credit.
A maximum of 16 credits may be awarded for coursework equivalent to Simpson College courses taken while in and through the armed services that meet ACE guidelines for course transfer. The Dantes test (Military CLEP) will be accepted under the guidelines pertaining to Simpson CLEP standards. To be eligible for credit, each course transferred must be approved by the Dean for Academic Affairs.
- Professional Organization.
A maximum of 16 credits may be awarded for coursework equivalent to Simpson courses taken through unaccredited organizations such as LOMA (Life Office Management Association), ABA (American Banking Association), CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters), and Bible Schools. Each course must be approved by both the chairperson of the department in which the credit is being granted and the Dean for Academic Affairs.
- Life Experience.
A maximum of 24 credits may be awarded for life experience credit, and credits are limited to that number that would bring the student’s total credits to 64 hours. The total number of life experience credits available to a student will be determined at the date of submission of the final portfolio. (Note the exception mentioned above for Accounting students seeking to complete 150 credits.)
Other Academic Policies and Procedures That Can Be Viewed on the Simpson College Webpage Under Academic Policy Are:
Policy for Retaking a Course
Policy for Transferring in Courses from another Country
Policies Regarding Full Time Load, Overload, Graduate Credit
Policy for Adding or Dropping a Course
Policy for Late Withdrawal from a Course
Policy for Appealing a Grade
Policy for 190, 290, 390 courses
Policy Regarding a Posthumous Degree
Policy Regarding Incomplete Grades
Policy Regarding Waiving Graduation Requirement
Policy Regarding Completing Coursework After Commencement
Policy Regarding Earning a Second Degree
Policy Regarding Receiving Honors at Graduation
Policies Regarding Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal
Policy Regarding Withdrawal from a Course or from the College
Policy Regarding Readmission
Policy Regarding Ordering Transcripts and Grade Reports
Policy Regarding Residence Requirements
Policy Regarding Continuous Attendance
Policy Regarding Requirements for Graduation
Policy Regarding Internships
Academic Appeals Committee
Academic Petitions Committee
Credit for Domestic Non-Resident Study- International
Approval of credit for non-resident study must be obtained prior to undertaking such study. Applications for approval may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. Students who participate in Simpson-affiliated or sponsored programs are required to be registered full-time for the semester they are in the program.
International Study
A student may apply for permission to include study abroad in the curriculum leading to a degree. Permission for such study must be granted by the Office of Off Campus Programs. In order to receive credit at Simpson, the student must be registered through Simpson College and must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.25 before permission to study abroad will be granted. (Please note that some host universities may have higher GPA standards for applicants.)
May Term International Travel Courses
In addition to semester-long study abroad opportunities, the college also offers faculty-led, international travel courses each year during May Term. Some recent courses have included: “The Natural History of Madagascar,” “China: The Emerging Economic Leader,” “The Ancients Knew Us: What the Inca of Peru Can Teach Modern Civilizations,” “Theatre, Arts, and Culture in Great Britain,” “Global Health: Confronting AIDS in Namibia,” “Globalization and Development in Costa Rica,” and “Media in Ireland.”
Additionally, Simpson offers semester-abroad opportunities in England, Northern Ireland, Poland, and Spain through institutional affiliations in those locations. More information about all study abroad options is available from the Office of Off Campus Programs (www.simpson.edu/studyabroad).
Credit for Domestic Non-Resident Study
Approval of credit for non-resident study must be obtained prior to undertaking such study. Applications for approval may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. Students who participate in Simpson affiliated or sponsored programs are required to be registered full-time for the semester they are in the program.
- Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP)
Simpson College is a founding member of the United Methodist College Washington Consortium, the CHIP program. CHIP provides an ideal environment for those students interested in melding theory and practice. Students spend either the Fall or Spring semester in Washington working in an internship. In addition, students will participate in two seminars for credit. Students are housed in buildings leased and operated by the Consortium and there is full time staff in Washington who administers the program. The Consortium also operates several programs, some for college credit, during the summer.
- Drew University Semester on the United Nations - New York, NY
A semester of study that focuses on the United Nations and the role of international organizations in world politics. Students who participate in this program must be registered full-time for the semester they are in this program.
- Correspondence and Extension Work.
No more than six hours of credit toward a Simpson degree may be taken through correspondence or in extension courses. This does not include WEB courses. Such courses must have the prior approval of the Dean for Academic Affairs and must be taken through institutions having accredited correspondence and extension divisions.
- Pre-professional Study.
In a few instances, and with special permission, students who contemplate further study in graduate or professional schools are permitted to use part or all of the first year(s) of professional study toward the satisfaction of the Simpson degree requirements. In addition, the programs of the College offer strong preparation for such professions as medicine and related fields; dentistry; law; and the ministry. Specialized counseling is made available for those intending further graduate or professional study.
- Career Observation and Internships.
Simpson’s experiential learning programs integrate classroom work with learning on the job. Two different experiences (courses numbered 119 and 319) are available. It is highly recommended that Co-Op Ed 119, a 4-credit course, be taken at least one semester before Co-Op Ed 319. No more than 16 credits of 319 may be counted toward graduation. Grading is H/P/NP for Co-Op 319. See department chairpersons and the Director of Career Services for additional information.
Co-op Ed 119: Career Observation
As part of this course, students will learn about themselves through individual assessments, research career options, shadow professionals, prepare a resume, and practice interview skills. Student requirements include attendance at pre-class meetings during spring semester, participation in eight on-campus class sessions as well as observing a minimum of 40 hours at one or more employer sites during May Term, and completion of assigned academic work. Four credits. Pre-requisite: First-year or sophomore standing and completion of the online application form on SC Connect under the Career Development icon. EL. Offered May term only.
Co-op Ed 219: Career & Internship
As part of this course, students will research internship options, prepare a cover letter, resume, and references sheet, and practice interview skills. Students will also learn the process to register for an internship and professional expectations for the experience. Students should plan to register at least one semester prior to completing their internship. One credit. Offered Term 2 and Term 3. Preference will be given to SPSC and HCA majors if course capacity is reached.
Co-op Ed 319: Internship
An Internship is an opportunity for a sophomore, junior or senior student to participate in professional training, assume initial decision making responsibilities, or engage in project based research and development with an off campus organization in the private or public sector. The internship may consist of from 1 to 16 credits. Students must work at least 300 hours for each credit.
To qualify as an internship the position must provide the student with professional training or responsibilites appropriate to an entry level opportunity available normally only to a candidate with a college degree. The position will ordinarily require some specific academic training or skills related to a major, minor, or program at the college, and may or may not provide compensation, as determined for the specific organization by and in compliance with federal and state laws. The student must be in good academic standing and be a sophomore, junior or senior.
- Life Experience Portfolio Assessment.
The Life Experience Portfolio Assessment Program is designed for adults who have limited college education and seek to complete an undergraduate degree. Adults of at least 25 years of age who have at least five years of full-time work responsibility or its equivalent are eligible to apply. Candidates may receive up to 24 semester hours of credit through this program. The total number of transfer credit hours, credit hours earned at Simpson, and life experience credit is not to exceed 64 semester hours at the time the portfolio is submitted. The candidate must be degree-seeking. The portfolio is assessed by a faculty committee which makes a recommendation of award based on the relevance of the expierence to the student’s course of study. Inquiry should be directed to the Simpson Online and Graduate Studies programs.
Accounting majors who are seeking certification as a CPA, and otherwise meet the requirements as enumerated above, may apply for life experience credits past the 64 credit limit mentioned above. Such credits may not be used toward the 128 credits needed for graduation, but may be applied to accumulating additional credits, taking students from 128 credits toward the 150 needed for certification as a CPA.
- Senior Citizens
Persons 65 years of age or over may audit Evening or Day classes tuition-free. Persons 65 years of age or over may take classes for credit at the normal Audit Tuition rate. Lab courses do not qualify for tuition reduction/waiver. Courses are open only on a space available basis and there is a limit of one course per semester.
The College Catalog: Limitation of Applicability
A student in continuous attendance must complete the graduation requirements listed in the Simpson College catalog which is current at the time of initial registration. If a student does not remain in continuous attendance, the graduation requirements at the time of initial registration pertain, provided that the non-attendance period does not exceed one full calendar year for full-time students or two full calendar years for part-time students. If the non-attendance period exceeds one or two full calendar years respectively, the student will be required to complete the catalog requirements in force at the time of readmission.
The requirements for the major are those in effect at the time of the declaration of the major program. The time of the declaration of the major is determined by the date of its receipt in the Office of the Registrar. The student should declare a major on a Declaration of Major form submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the time he/she has completed 50 semester hours.
Dunn Library
At the center of campus, Dunn Library offers more than 350,000 print/ebooks and over 500,000 print/ejournals plus scores, DVDs, databases, and streaming music/video. Library services are located on the second floor - Research Assistance Center, interlibrary loan, and physical collections. Visit us at www.simpson.edu/library. The building houses the college archives, Special Collections, Center for Academic Resources, Student Support Services, and the Teacher Education Department methods classrooms, curriculum lab & offices. We also have individual and group study spaces throughout the building.
Simpson Writing Across the Curriculum
WAC is a well-established movement in higher education that promotes instruction in writing across a wide range of disciplines and majors, not just in English composition courses. Simpson’s Writing Across the Curriculum (SWAC) program, located on the first floor of Dunn Library, encourages the use of writing as a means of learning material in academic subjects. Every department offers courses with a Written Communication (WC)-designation, and students are required to take a minimum of four WC courses, at least one of which must be in the major. Simpson’s rigorous emphasis on writing provides students with continuous writing and revision practice based upon instructor feedback, enhancing their competence in writing within their disciplines and beyond. The SWAC program provides ongoing faculty training, assessment, and workshops on a variety of writing-related issues.
As part of the SWAC program, writers receive assistance at all stages of the writing process from their professors, and Writing Consultants. Peer Writing Consultants are also trained to discuss writing, but they work in the Simpson Writing Center and are not associated with a specific course.
Academic Policies Specific to Graduate Programs
Course credits
A course usually generates 2 to 4 credits. Each course in the Graduate Program meets for a combination of contact hours plus hours logged in to the web-based course management system named “moodle” and this includes group study.
Incompletes
An incomplete grade may be awarded when the instructor grants permission after determining that a student emergency may delay completion of coursework. Students who receive an incomplete grade should be capable of passing the course if they satisfactorily complete outstanding course requirements. The instructor may define the terms and conditions that apply to course completion. The student must complete the outstanding work in time to allow evaluation of the work for entry of grade by the due date arranged with the instructor.
Independent Study
Independent Study is not permitted for core courses. In case of unusual circumstances, the student should discuss the course with the Program Director.
Academic Probation
Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. If a student falls below a 3.0 average, the student will be placed on academic probation for the following term. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be restored in order for a student to be removed from probation.
Dismissal for Academic Performance
A student whose GPA falls below the required GPA for his/her graduate program in two or more terms will be subject to probation or dismissal. A plan for the student to continue in the program may be worked out with the program director.
Dismissal for Non-Professional Behavior
Students may be dismissed for violation of standards of behavior defined by the profession, their program discipline or the College: www.simpson/studentguide.
Attendance
Class attendance is an essential part of the graduate program and constitutes both knowledge building and community engagement as an active learner. Students must notify the professor in advance of absence. In the case of emergency, when prior notification is not possible, students must notify the professor of an absence as soon as possible.
Continuation Policy for Thesis/Final Project/Comprehensive Exam
Students enrolled in a thesis or final project are subject to a continuation fee schedule. These continuation fees maintain a student’s library access, opportunity for faculty advising and online access while work on completing the degree is ongoing. During this time of research, writing and study, students pay the cost of one credit per year. Students are expected to complete the degree requirements within 5 years of the first term of enrollment.
Graduation
Time Limits
Degree programs must be completed within five years of the beginning of the first course.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete all requirements as specified by the program, including:
- Submitting an application for graduation by the posted deadline.
- Completion of all required courses in the program.
- Successful completion of final project, thesis, examinations or any combination of these items outlined by the program requirements.
- Earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Commencement
Students will be invited to participate in a commencement ceremony in April/May or December providing all course work and program requirements are completed by the date of the ceremony.
Transcript & Diploma
Transcripts and diplomas will reflect the degree awarded and the term date during which all academic work was completed.
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