Academic Information - CGS

Degrees Offered - CGS

CGS offers the following degrees and programs:

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Master of Science (M.S.)

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership

Degree Requirements - CGS

Master's Degree

  1. Completion of 36-60 semester hours depending on specific program requirements.
  2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  3. Minimum grade requirements as defined by each program

Doctorate Degree

  1. Completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours.
  2. Successful completion of the dissertation.
  3. Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  4. Minimum grade of "B" or higher in each course.

See each program listing for individual program requirements.

In addition to the above, all degree candidates must settle all financial obligations.

Which Bulletin? - CGS

Students must meet the graduation requirements as stated in the university bulletin under which they enrolled. Students may meet the graduation requirements as stated in the bulletin under which they enrolled provided: continuous enrollment is maintained, normal progress is made toward the degree, and the maximum number of years to receive the degree allowed by the individual program has not been exceeded. Students who withdraw from Indiana Wesleyan University for more than six months will meet the graduation requirements as stated in the bulletin under which they resume enrollment. Students changing majors or programs must meet requirements as stated in the bulletin that is current at the time they make such changes. The same holds true for students moving from the College of Adult and Professional Studies to the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Graduate Studies, or vice versa.

Core Requirements- CGS

For programs that are in the cohort model, the integrity of the degree program demands that the core requirements be met at Indiana Wesleyan University. Students are required to complete the first course of the core program with a passing grade in order to maintain enrollment with their cohort. In general, no waivers are allowed for courses taken at other colleges/universities. Some programs allow a maximum of nine hours in transfer.

Final class dates as established by the calendar will be the final date for completion of the core curriculum. No compressing or doubling of core work is permitted to accommodate earlier completion or graduation schedules.

Grading and Evaluation - CGS

A letter grade is used in evaluating the work for a course. For the purpose of determining scholastic standing and awarding honors, grade points are granted according to the letter grades and semester hours of credit. The grade point average (GPA) is the number of quality points earned at IWU divided by the number of credit hours attempted at IWU.

Grade

Quality Points

Definition

 

(per credit)

 

A

4.0

Superior

A-

3.7

 

B+

3.3

 

B

3.0

Above Average

B-

2.7

 

C+

2.3

 

C

2.0

Average

C-

1.7

 

D+

1.3

 

D

1.0

Passing

F

.0

Failure (Also given for unofficial withdrawals.)

 

 

 

The following grades are not figured into the GPA:

W

 

Passing work at time of official withdrawal

I

 

Incomplete

CR

 

Credit

NC

 

No Credit

AU

 

Audit

Repeated Courses - CGS

A student may repeat once any course in which a grade below "C" ("C-," "D+," "D," or "F") was previously earned. Some specific graduate level courses are identified as repeatable and can be repeated if a student earns a grade higher than "C" but below the level required for that specific course. The course may be repeated once.

Whenever a course is repeated, the last grade and credits earned replace the previous grade in computing the student's grade point average (GPA). All entries, however, remain a part of the student's permanent academic record. Duplicate credit hours are not given for two or more passing efforts. A course taken in a classroom format may not be repeated for a grade through independent learning.

Since a course may be repeated once, failure to achieve a satisfactory grade in a course after two attempts will result in academic suspension and ineligibility to complete the major in which the course was repeated.

Incomplete Grades - CGS

Students are expected to complete the course requirements by the last class session. There may be instances when crisis circumstances or events prevent the student from completing the course requirements in a timely manner. However, the issuance of an incomplete cannot be given if the student fails to meet the attendance requirements. In these rare situations, a grade of "I" (incomplete) may be issued but only after completing the following process:

  1. The student must request an "I" from the instructor.
  2. The instructor must obtain approval from the appropriate Program Director or Chairperson.

Because "incompletes" are granted only for extenuating circumstances, the student's grade will not be penalized.

A student who receives an "incomplete" has 10 weeks from the final meeting date of the course (or until the end of the following semester for courses offered in the semester format) to complete course requirements and turn them in to the instructor. If, at the end of the appropriate extension, the student has failed to complete the course requirements, the "incomplete" will become an "F." A student with more than one incomplete on record is subject to academic suspension.

Placement on Probation - CGS

Students enrolled in a CGS program will be placed on probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 3.0.

Students are given two consecutive courses (or one semester for Graduate Counseling students) to satisfactorily raise their GPA. If the GPA is successfully raised, the probationary status is removed. Academic suspension will result if the student's GPA is not successfully raised.

Academic Suspension - CGS

Academic suspension will result if:

  1. A student fails to clear the academic probationary status within the probationary period of two consecutive courses or one semester for Graduate Counseling.
  2. A student has two grades of failure (F) at one time on an academic record in the same degree level.
  3. A student has taken a course twice and failed to achieve a satisfactory grade. When this occurs, the student is ineligible to reapply for admission into the program in which the course was repeated.

In all cases, the suspension will occur once the grades have been recorded in the Office of Student Services. Students will be notified of the academic suspension in writing. Application for readmission may be made after six months. The application must be made in writing to the Dean of CGS.

Academic Dismissal - CGS

Upon a second academic suspension in the same program, a student is not eligible to reapply to Indiana Wesleyan University.

Grade Reports and Transcripts - CGS

At the end of each course, the instructor submits grades for each student. Grade reports are mailed from the Indiana Wesleyan University Records Office and indicate courses taken, credits received, and grades assigned.

The student's official transcript is prepared by the Indiana Wesleyan University Records Office and will show the course, grade, credit, and dates of instruction for each course. Requests for transcripts of course work at Indiana Wesleyan University must conform with the Privacy Act of 1974, which requires that all transcript requests be submitted in writing and signed by the student. Financial obligations must be met before a transcript will be released.

A $3 fee is charged for each transcript. Students requesting a transcript should write to the Indiana Wesleyan University Records Office, 4201 South Washington Street, Marion, IN 46953. The $3 fee must be enclosed, along with a complete address to which the transcript is to be mailed.

Attendance Policy - CGS

Attendance is required and monitored in the Graduate Nursing and Ministry programs. Students are expected to be present for onsite class sessions and participate in online activity. Absences are allowed as follows:

If a student exceeds the allowed absences and does not contact the Office of Student Services to officially withdraw before the last class session, the instructor is directed to issue the grade of "F".

Students who must miss a course due to unavoidable circumstances must arrange for a temporary leave of absence with the Office of Student Services prior to the beginning of the course. Students needing to withdraw while in a course may do so by arrangement with the Office of Student Services prior to the end of the course, but the regular refund and academic withdrawal policies apply.

Faculty members reserve the right to factor lateness, early departures, and class attendance into a student's grade, as long as it is addressed in the syllabus.

Onsite Attendance Policy The nature of the CGS programs requires students to attend all class sessions. Classes are held once per week for four (4) hours. At these sessions, the entire class meets with the faculty member. Class attendance records are maintained by the faculty member and submitted to the administrative office.

Online Attendance Policy: Attendance is determined by activity during a workshop, either through discussions or submission of assignments. A student is reported absent for a workshop if there is not at least one submission (or posting) of an assignment or in a discussion forum assigned during that workshop.

Student Honesty/Cheating

Coursework

Students are expected to exhibit honesty in the classroom, in homework, in papers submitted to the instructor, and in quizzes or tests. Each instructor should define what constitutes honest work in a specific course. Any deviation from ordinary standards such as the permitted use of notes for an examination or an "open book" test should be stated clearly by the instructor.

Cheating is defined as submitting work for academic evaluation that is not the student's own, copying answers from another student during an examination, using prepared notes or materials during an examination, or other misrepresentations of academic achievement submitted for evaluation or a grade.

Plagiarism in research writing is considered cheating.

Students are expected to submit only their own original work. They are expected to give credit when borrowing, quoting, or paraphrasing, using appropriate citations.

An undergraduate student apprehended and charged with cheating, including plagiarism, during his or her college matriculation, shall receive the following discipline:

  1. First incident of cheating--failure in paper, assignment, or exam;
  2. Second incident of cheating--failure in the course involved;
  3. Third incident of cheating--dismissal from the university.

A graduate student is expected to understand clearly the nature of cheating and is subject to dismissal from the university for a single incident of academic dishonesty or cheating. Incidents of cheating and/or plagiarism will be investigated and judged by the appropriate graduate faculty.

Because the matter of cheating cumulatively leads to dismissal, faculty are required to report each case to the appropriate university administrator who in turn reports the case to the Dean and Vice President of the College. Unquestionable evidence must be in hand before any action will be taken to confront and accuse a student of cheating.

A student who is not satisfied with the disciplinary action may follow the grievance and appeal policies below.

Academic Records

Falsification of Academic Records or University Documents: Falsification of academic records or documents includes but is not limited to altering any documents affecting academic records; forging signatures; or falsifying information of an official document such as a grade report, ID card, financial receipt, or any other official University letter or communication. This includes information downloaded (printed) from student information available via web (online) services.

Unauthorized Access to Computerized Academic or Administrative Records or Systems: Unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems means viewing or altering the University's computer records without authorization; copying or modifying the University's computer programs or systems without authorization; releasing or dispensing information gained through unauthorized access; or interfering with the use or availability of computer systems information.

Students who are found to have falsified University documents or participated in unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems are subject to dismissal from the University for a single incident. The University may consider legal action for any individual found to have participated in these actions.

Policies Governing Graduate Programs

  1. The number of credits required in a specific graduate program will range from a minimum of 36 credits for the M.A. in Ministry to a maximum of 60 credits for the M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy.
  2. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to continue in a graduate degree program.
  3. Student must earn the minimum grade required by specific program requirements.
  4. All graduate programs require one or more of the following: 1) a component of scholarly research, 2) an applied project, and/or 3) a supervised internship. The specific nature of this requirement will be specified by the department offering the program.
  5. The university may allow a maximum of 9 credits in transfer to some graduate programs. Transfer of credit will be determined by the Program Chair or designee.
  6. Only those credits earned in the seven years prior to admission will be eligible to be applied in transfer to a graduate program.
  7. Credits earned in a graduate degree course may not, at the same time, apply to undergraduate and graduate program requirements.
  8. The maximum number of years in which to complete a master's degree program is six years. Graduate Nursing students are allowed a maximum of four years to complete degree requirements.

Grade Appeal and Academic Policy Grievance - CGS

Indiana Wesleyan University follows generally accepted college and university practice in the development of academic policies, the operation of classrooms, and use of grading techniques. The university allows its instructors independence in following generally accepted practices. A student who wishes to appeal a course grade or an academic policy decision (including one believed to be discriminatory based on race, national origin, color, sex, disability, or age, including Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504), must abide by the procedures that follow.

Each stated time frame will be the ordinary process. More time may be necessary in the event of a lengthy investigation, hearing, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances. All grievances, with all documents, recommendations, and decisions, will be reported to the Vice President for Adult and Graduate Studies. Because the appeal process is a private university administrative process, legal counsel or representation is inappropriate.

GRADE APPEAL

A grade appeal involves only those situations in which a student believes that an instructor (a) has not followed fair grading practice, or (b) had not followed his/her published grading policy. A student who wishes to appeal a grade based on one or both of these reasons must follow these procedures:

  1. The student must first contact the instructor for a full explanation of the grade given and the basis for making the grade.
  2. If there is no resolution, then the student may file a written, detailed grade appeal to the Program Director or Chairperson. If a properly completed grade appeal is not received by the Program Director or Chairperson within 30 days of the date the student's grade was sent, then the student will forfeit any further right to appeal.
  3. After the appeal is received, the Program Director or Chairperson will notify the instructor and will do an appropriate investigation.
  4. If after investigation, the Program Director or Chairperson agrees that the grade should be changed, the Program Director or Chairperson will notify Student Services to change the grade, and the student will also be notified.
  5. If after investigation, the Program Director or Chairperson does not agree that the grade should be changed, the student will be notified of and given the rationale behind the decision.
  6. If the student is not satisfied with this decision and continues to believe that the grading policies mentioned above have been violated, he/she can file his/her appeal with the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, who will conduct an appropriate investigation and offer a ruling on the appeal. The Dean of the CGS will notify the student of his/her decision, and the decision will be final.

Note: if the Program Director, Chairperson, or Dean of the CGS is involved in the matter being appealed, then that person shall recuse himself/herself, and the matter will be referred to the next higher administrator for review.

ACADEMIC POLICY GRIEVANCE

An academic policy grievance involves those situations in which a student believes that the university has not followed published policies regarding an academic decision or discrimination based on race, national origin, color, sex, disability, or age, including Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504. A student who wishes to file an academic policy grievance must follow these procedures:

  1. The student must first contact the person who has made the decision for a full explanation of the policy and how the policy was followed. If the policy has been followed, then the student has no further recourse.
  2. If the policy was not followed or the student disputes the way in which the policy was applied, then the student may request that the matter be reviewed by the Program Director or Chairperson by filing a written and detailed account of the matter. If the complaint involves the Program Director or Chairperson, the student may request that the Dean of CGS review the matter. If a properly completed form is not received by the university within 30 days of the date on which the event that gave rise to the complaint occurs, then the student will forfeit any further right to appeal. The Program Director or Chairperson (or, if applicable, the Dean) will notify the student of the decision.
  3. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, then the student may request that the Vice President of the Adult and Graduate programs review the matter by filing a request. If the university does not receive a properly completed policy grievance within 15 days of the date on which the decision notice in step 2 was sent, then the student will forfeit any further right to appeal. The office of the Vice President of AGS will notify the student of its decision, which will be final.

Graduation Ceremonies - CGS

CGS graduation ceremonies are held three times a year: April, August, and December. Eligible students are notified by the Office of Student Services of procedures and requirements concerning graduation.

Each student must complete an "Application for Graduation" provided by the Office of Student Services. This application indicates the student's intent to graduate and initiates the final evaluation of the student's academic record.

Graduation Requirements - CGS

All requirements must be met and transcripted by the date established by the Office of Student Services (eight days prior to the commencement ceremony). Students taking courses from other colleges/universities and elective courses need to make sure that transcripts and grades can be received and transcripted by the deadline date.

Students may receive one degree only per commencement. Students meeting requirements for more than one degree must apply for and participate in two different ceremonies.

Diplomas - CGS

Diplomas are mailed after the conferment of degrees. Diplomas indicate degree earned, date of degree, and honors, but not major area. A student's financial account must be settled to receive a diploma.