18-19 Graduate Catalog Academic Policies

Academic Policies

Office of Records and Registration

Tel: 410.837.4825

Fax: 410.837.4820

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.ubalt.edu/records

PROGRAM ADVISING AND REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

Students are advised that any deviation from the approved program of study must be certified

in writing by the appropriate dean or dean’s designee. Readmitted students must have their

program of study reviewed by the dean or designee upon re-entering the University.

GRADES

All students whose name appears on a grade roster, regardless of the length of their attendance

in the class, will receive for each course attempted one of the grades listed below. If, however,

a student withdraws officially from a course during the first week of classes (or a different

schedule adjustment period for short terms), the student’s name will not appear on the grade

roster, nor will the transcript show the course.

All grades for students who have actively participated in classes are given solely on the basis

of an instructor’s judgment of a student’s scholarly attainment.

Only grades earned at UB or as part of an approved consortium program will be included as

part of a student’s official GPA.

Allowable Grades

The following grades are used in computing the grade point average:

Grade Quality Points

(per credit hour)

A 4.00

A- 3.67

B+ 3.33

B 3.00

B- 2.67

C+ 2.33

C 2.00

C- 1.67

F* 0.00

FA** 0.00

XF*** 0.00

*F: failure—given when the student completes the course, including the examination, but fails to

meet the requirements of the course; when the student does not complete the course

requirements and fails to officially withdraw from the course by the date designated in the

semester academic calendar; when the student fails a credit-by-examination challenge course;

or when the student fails a course taken at the University of Baltimore as either

satisfactory/unsatisfactory or pass/fail.

**FA: failure due to absences—given if the instructor determines the student was verified as

enrolled in the course but has insufficient attendance to pass the course. Insufficient attendance

means the student stops attending/participating and misses 20 percent or more of a course

(unexcused) or fails to meet a more restrictive policy set forth by the instructor in the course

syllabus. Students are expected to participate in every class meeting and regularly participate,

regardless of delivery method (online, face to face, hybrid).

***XF: failure due to academic integrity violation—only posted upon request of the University

judicial officer.

The following grades are not used in computing the GPA:

Grade Quality Points Explanation

I 0 Incomplete

AU 0 Audit

PS 0 Pass

CR 0 Credit

NC 0 No Credit

CS 0 Continuing Studies

TG 0 Temporary Grade

W 0 Withdrawn

WA 0 Withdrawn Administratively

XC 0 Excluded Grade

NG 0 No Grade Given (administrative only)

I: incomplete—given when a student is temporarily prevented from completing required

coursework by unanticipated extenuating circumstances, such as illness or major changes in the

demands of a job. For an I to be given, a petition form, signed by the student, the instructor and

the appropriate dean, must be filed with the registrar before term grades are due. When the

student completes the assignment, the faculty member assesses the work and submits a change

of grade form to the registrar. The I grade will be changed to an F if a grade change form is not

submitted by the instructor to the Office of Records and Registration according to the following

schedule:

 If the grade I was earned in the fall semester, the grade change must be submitted by

May 1.

 If the grade I was earned in the spring semester or summer session, the grade change

must be submitted by Dec. 1.

A graduating student must have an I grade removed within 60 calendar days after the last

day of the student’s last semester; otherwise, the student’s graduation application will be

withdrawn at that time, and another application must be submitted for the following semester.

An incomplete grade will not be considered prior to the official withdrawal deadline of each

semester. After this date, an incomplete may be granted at the discretion of the instructor and

the appropriate dean’s office based on an unanticipated extenuating circumstance.

AU: audit—a registration status allowing students to attend a course without receiving credit.

Both graduate and undergraduate students may audit courses. Audit units do not count toward

full-time status or the determination of continuous enrollment. Registration for audit is at the

course instructor’s discretion, and the instructor is not obligated to grade audit coursework or

provide additional support to a student taking a course for audit. Students may change

registration in a course from credit to audit or vice versa no later than the last day to drop a

course without a W grade. Audit does not count as a course repeat under the course repeat

policy.

PS: pass—credit for successful completion of a credit-by-examination challenge course and/or

courses taken at the University of Baltimore as satisfactory/unsatisfactory or pass/fail; the PS is not

computed in the student’s grade point average.

CR/NC: credit/no credit—awarded under credit/noncredit grade option for skill-building courses

elected at the time of registration; no credit or quality points are awarded.

CS: continuing studies—given when it is known at the outset of the course that requirements for

its completion will necessarily extend beyond the end of the semester; this grade is assigned at

the discretion of the instructor for specifically designated courses only.

TG: temporary grade—assigned pending resolution of an academic integrity issue; only posted

upon request of the University judicial officer.

W: withdrawn—an administrative symbol (not a grade) that is not computed in a student’s

grade point average; the W is placed on the student’s transcript if the student withdraws from a

class or classes after the end of the late registration period and prior to midnight on the last date

to withdraw with a W.

WA: withdrawn administratively—given when recommended by the instructor and the dean for

exceptional circumstances and/or other academic violations; this grade is not initiated by the

student.

XC: excluded grade—the grade assigned for previous academic work does not apply to the

specific program in which a student is enrolled.

GRADE CHANGES

All graduate semester and summer grades become final 60 calendar days after the last day of

that semester. Students should review the policy on incomplete (I) grades under the preceding

section on grades. Grade changes are not accepted after the degree is posted on a student’s

transcript.

ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS

Students desiring to appeal an academic or administrative decision should consult the UB

Student Handbook, found at www.ubalt.edu/studenthandbook.

SATISFACTORY AND UNSATISFACTORY PROGRESS

These policies are used for determining satisfactory academic progress. Review the Financial

Assistance section of this catalog to determine the standards of satisfactory progress for eligibility

for receiving or continuing to receive financial assistance.

To be approved for graduation, a graduate student must have a cumulative GPA of at least

3.0. A student is making satisfactory academic progress toward completion of his/her program

as long as a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is maintained. Requirements for specific grades in

certain courses within a program may also exist. Moreover, additional academic policies might

exist within specific programs. Students are responsible for understanding these additional

policies and discussing them with program advisers.

 A student who attempts 6 or more credits at the University of Baltimore and earns less

than a 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Notification of this action will be from

the appropriate dean’s office. It is the responsibility of each student to check the

transcript when grades are posted at the end of each semester and to keep personal

contact information current with UB. Probationary status is a warning that satisfactory

progress is in jeopardy.

 A student who is placed on probation must obtain advisement from the appropriate

academic adviser before attending classes the following semester or summer session,

even if the student has already preregistered. At the discretion of the appropriate

academic dean, a student on probation may take up to 6 credits. Students on probation

may not take more than 3 credits at any given time during the summer.

 A student who has been placed on academic probation because of a deficient grade

point average will be allowed up to six semester hours to obtain a cumulative GPA of at

least 3.0. If the student does not reach a GPA of 3.0 or higher by the time these

additional credit hours are accumulated, the student will be suspended.

 A suspended student may not register for classes at the University of Baltimore for at least

one semester (nor may the student attend summer sessions) until reinstated by the

appropriate academic dean (see bullet immediately below). In addition, for-credit

courses taken elsewhere during this time require permission and may not be applied to

the academic program at UB.

 Reinstatement at the University of Baltimore is not automatic. The suspended student

must request reinstatement in writing from the appropriate graduate program director

and appropriate academic dean by Oct. 15 for the spring semester, by April 15 for the

fall semester or by March 15 for the summer session. As a condition of reinstatement, a

suspended student may be required to successfully complete certain remedial or

prerequisite courses at the University of Baltimore or another institution of higher

education.

 If the suspended student has been away from the University for more than two regular

semesters (i.e., fall and spring semesters), the student must also apply for readmission. A

suspended student must meet the requirements of the new catalog in effect upon return

if he or she is readmitted.

 A student returning from suspension must receive advising and be cleared by the

appropriate program director and academic dean’s office before registering. The terms

for reinstatement or readmission must include a specific plan for academic recovery, be

approved by the adviser and the appropriate dean, and be filed in the student’s official

record in the Office of Records and Registration.

 A student suspended for a deficient GPA, when reinstated and/or readmitted, must

achieve a grade of B (3.0) or higher in each course taken in the semester after re-

entering and must fulfill the plan for academic recovery as determined by the academic

program. Failure to do so will result in immediate dismissal.

DROP FOR NONATTENDANCE BY DROP/ADD DATE

A student will be dropped from a class roster if the student does not participate in the class by

the drop/add deadline and the faculty member indicates in the electronic class roster that the

student never attended. Participation is defined by the faculty member for the class delivery

mode. If there is an emergency that prevents a student from participating in an online or face-

to-face class during the first week of class, the student should contact the professor and the

Office of Records and Registration before the schedule adjustment period ends to discuss

whether the student may be retained in the course or added after the class has started.

WITHDRAWAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

A student wishing to withdraw from a course must do so online using MyUB. Students should

always confirm the completion of their withdrawal by reviewing their schedule after submitting

the withdrawal or by contacting the Office of Records and Registration. No credit or tuition

refund will be made unless such an official notice is submitted. The computation of any credit or

refund is made from the date the formal notice of withdrawal is submitted to the Office of

Records and Registration, not from the date the student stopped attending any class(es).

The responsibility for official withdrawal rests with the student. If a withdrawal is done prior to

the end of the late registration and drop/add period, the course will not show on the student’s

transcript. After that period, all withdrawals are indicated on the transcript by a W, and the

student is considered to have been enrolled for that semester.

Any student may withdraw from a course prior to the completion of 60 percent of a term

(e.g., through the end of the ninth week of the fall or spring semester, or through the end of the

fifth week of an eight-week summer session). After the deadline for withdrawal, a student who

believes that unanticipated extenuating circumstances—such as health problems or change of

employment—make a withdrawal necessary should submit a written appeal with supporting

documentation to the appropriate academic dean. Both the course instructor(s) and the

appropriate dean must approve the request. Approval of such requests is not automatic, and

some requests may not be granted. No student will be permitted to withdraw for any reason

from a class during the last week of school prior to the beginning of the scheduled examination

period.

Students receiving any form of financial aid, including veterans’ benefits, should check with

the Office of Financial Aid prior to withdrawing from any class. Withdrawal may affect the level

of aid or eligibility for aid in future semesters.

The University does not cancel a student’s registration for nonpayment. If a student decides

not to attend, he or she must formally withdraw through the Office of Records and Registration

or online using the MyUB portal. Students should be sure to check their schedule after

withdrawing to determine if the withdrawal was processed as requested. If a student does not

make payment in full or make payment arrangements with the Office of the Bursar by the

established payment due dates, that student’s account will be charged a late payment fine.

MAKEUP POLICY FOR FINAL EXAMS

Makeup examinations for missed final examinations are, in general, left to the discretion of the

individual faculty member.

However, University policy dictates that makeup examinations will be given for instances of

final examinations missed because of documented illness or documented conflict with religious

observance, and in instances of examinations missed because of University-sanctioned trips.

If a student misses a final examination for any reason not covered by the above, the

question of whether a makeup examination is given is up to the discretion of the individual

faculty member.

ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to attend classes regularly and to participate regularly, regardless of

delivery method (online, face-to-face, hybrid). When, in the instructor’s judgment, a student has

been absent or late so often that the student has lost a significant part of the instruction that will

prevent the issuance of a valid grade, the instructor may submit a failing grade.

Instructors set their own class attendance policies and will communicate these in the course

syllabus at the beginning of the term. The above policy does not remove the responsibility from

the student to withdraw officially from any class that he or she ceases to attend. Failure to do so

will subject the student’s records to a grade of FA. A student who stops attending/participating

and misses 20 percent or more of a course (unexcused) or who fails to meet more a restrictive

policy set forth by the instructor in the course syllabus will receive an FA.

BEREAVEMENT POLICY

The University of Baltimore recognizes that students may experience the death of a loved one

during the course of an academic term. To promote the general mental health of University of

Baltimore students, this policy provides a formal process to allow grieving students the

opportunity to be available for their families during times of death and grief.

This policy is not seen as a substitute for good communication between students and their

faculty members around missed classes or assignments, but rather as a complement to that

communication to assist students when they are grieving.

Definitions

A. Bereavement leave here refers to those days a student may miss classes or assignments

because the student is using the Bereavement Policy.

B. Calendar days include all days of the week, including weekends.

C. Group work is a formal assignment in a course that involves the grieving student and at

least one other student in the completion of the assignment.

D. Missed academic work includes any assignments or tests in a course that a student

would ordinarily be submitting or participating in were the student not using the

Bereavement Policy.

E. Significant relationships can include but are not limited to the following:

 uncle(s) or aunt(s)

 cousin(s)

 niece(s) or nephew(s)

 legal in-law(s)

 grandparent(s)

 step-relation individual(s)

 child(ren) or individual(s) for whom the mourner had legal guardianship

 parent(s) or legal guardian(s)

 sibling(s)

 spouse or domestic partner.

F. Travel days will be calendar days.

With appropriate notification as described in this policy, students who opt to use the

Bereavement Policy will be permitted up to five calendar days of absence from classes and/or

examinations to mourn the loss of an individual with whom they had a significant relationship.

With appropriate notification and permission as described in this policy, a student who has

opted to use the Bereavement Policy may have up to two more calendar days excused from

class or examination for travel related to the bereavement process. Travel days may be allowed

for such trips as going to the home of the deceased, the family home of the student grieving

and/or the location of the funeral/services. Students opting to use the Bereavement Policy can

appeal to their professor(s) and/or the Office of Community Life if more travel days are needed.

These requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Unexcused absences already prescribed in a course syllabus should not be used in

congruence with the Bereavement Policy.

The student who is mourning should be given a reasonable amount of days to make up any

missed academic work.

The assignments a student missed while on bereavement leave should not be subject to

deduction in scoring, as long as they are completed in a reasonable extended period of

allotted time. Students are responsible for working with their professor(s) to make up these

assignments.

Students who opt to use this policy must be in communication with their professor(s) about

their missed assignments by the time they return to campus from bereavement leave.

Notification

A student opting to use the Bereavement Policy must immediately notify via email the dean of

students and his or her current course instructors. Notification must be made at the beginning of

the mourning period (that is, within the first 24 hours, which counts as the first calendar day of the

bereavement period).

If the student is engaged in group work or is on any class team, she/he must also notify at

least one member of her/his team as soon as the student knows she/he will be taking

bereavement leave.

Students using the Bereavement Policy must provide proof of death for the individual(s) who

is/are being mourned. Proof of the individual(s) death(s) should be submitted to the dean of

students within 14 calendar days from start of the bereavement leave. Failure to provide

documentation will result in the absences being considered unexcused.

Documentation of the death or funeral service attended should suffice as evidence of the

death. Documentation can include but is not limited to:

 an obituary

 a copy of a death certificate

 a program from funeral/services

 a signed letter of funeral service from the funeral home.

If there are any disputes between faculty members and students when using this policy, the

dean of students will be responsible for providing adjudication on the matter.

The University of Baltimore’s is working with an external partner, INOVA, to assist students and

provide counseling services if so desired by the student. For more information about INOVA

counseling and mental health services, please visit www.ubalt.edu/wellnessatUB.

CHANGE OF GRADUATE PROGRAM

Students in one UB graduate program may apply, through the Office of Admission, to enter

another UB graduate program. The admission fee will be waived. If the student is unconditionally

accepted, the program director and dean (or dean’s designee) may accept into the new

program a maximum of 12 credits in which the student has earned a B (3.0) or better grade. For

the M.F.A. in Integrated Design, the program director or adviser may accept a maximum of 24

credits only if transferred from the University of Baltimore’s M.A. in Integrated Design program.

In all cases of students moving from one graduate program to another, for those credits

earned at the University of Baltimore and approved for credit in the new program, the program

director or adviser must decide to either accept all such credits with grades or to accept all

such credits without grades on a case-by-case basis.

Students in good academic standing (see the Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory Progress

section of this catalog) may seek an administrative change from one Merrick School of Business

master’s program to another Merrick School of Business master’s program without having to

apply for readmission. Students seeking an administrative change from one Merrick School of

Business program to another Merrick School of Business program must complete a change of

program/specialization form, available in the Office of Records and Registration. The student

presents that form to the graduate program adviser in the Merrick School of Business, who will

review the student’s qualifications and, when appropriate, approve the change and sign that

form. To make a decision, the director or adviser of the new program may also require

submission of any materials that are currently required for admission to that program and that

are not already in the student’s official file.

Note: If the student changes from one program and/or major to another, his/her graduation

requirements are those that are in effect at the time he or she becomes a degree candidate in

the new program or major.

ENROLLMENT IN COURSES OUTSIDE THE DEGREE

Students who wish to take courses not designated as part of the degree to which they have

been admitted must have the written permission of the adviser, program director or dean’s

designee to enroll in such courses for degree credit. (Email may be used.) Financial aid may not

be applied to courses outside the degree program in which a student is enrolled.

REPEATED COURSES

While a student may repeat any course in which he or she has received a grade of C+, C, C- or

F (not B- or higher), the student may replace only one grade. If a second attempt is made to

replace a grade, the replacement grade will be calculated into the student’s GPA regardless of

whether it is higher or lower than the original grade. The grade for the replacement attempt will

appear on the transcript within the semester in which the course is repeated.

Students who repeat courses to replace grades do so at their own risk. For example, a

student repeating a C-graded course who receives an F for the second attempt will lose the

points earned for the C, and the F grade will be the grade that will be computed into the GPA.

Further, if the student receives a W (withdrawn) for the second attempt, the W will not replace

the original grade.

If a second attempt is meant to replace a grade, a student must file a repeat course form at

the time he or she registers for the second attempt. Failure to obtain the dean’s approval and

file the repeat course form will result in both the original and repeated grades being computed

into the GPA.

If a student repeats a course for a purpose other than replacing a grade, a repeat course

form does not need to be filed. In such cases, the grade achieved in the original course as well

as the grade(s) earned in the retaking of the course will be calculated in the student’s GPA.

Students should be aware that earning C+, C, C- or F grades that are computed into the GPA

may result in their placement on probation, suspension or academic dismissal. (See Satisfactory

or Unsatisfactory Progress under the Academic Policies section.)

Grades of C+, C, C- and F earned at the University of Baltimore dictate that the class must

be repeated at the University of Baltimore. Grades will not be changed on the basis of work

taken elsewhere. The repeated course must be the original course; a substitute course will not

be acceptable for a grade change.

The credit value of any repeated course processed as a second attempt will be counted

one time only at the University of Baltimore to satisfy UB graduation requirements.

CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT/LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Doctoral Students

An advanced doctoral candidate may make an administrative leave of absence request when

one 3-credit course needed for continuation in the program is not available in the semester in

which the student may need to enroll in the course to continue progress toward the degree. The

advanced doctoral student will be covered under the continuous enrollment policy during the

period of the administrative leave, as is the case with personal leave. The advanced doctoral

student initiates the request, after consultation with the program director, as early as the

preregistration period and no later than 30 days prior to the start of classes in the fall or spring

semester. The dean may approve the administrative leave of absence request when no

alternative course or independent study project may be determined. The advanced doctoral

student may be granted the administrative leave only once within the seven years to earn the

doctoral degree, and the administrative leave of absence does not interrupt or stop the seven

years allowed between initial registration and graduation. A document granting permission will

be forwarded from the dean to the Office of Records and Registration with a copy on file in the

program office.

Master’s Students

A master’s student has seven years to complete any preparatory/foundation requirements and

all degree requirements (including internships, comprehensive examinations, and/or a final

project or thesis) at the University of Baltimore. Degree-seeking students are expected to register

for courses each semester (excluding summer and winter) on a continuous basis to maintain the

degree requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment. The University recognizes,

however, that a student may encounter extenuating circumstances that require a temporary

interruption of studies. Under such circumstances, a student may be absent for as long as two

consecutive semesters (excluding summers and winterim) without jeopardizing continuous

enrollment status.

If a student feels that it is necessary to be absent for more than two consecutive semesters

(excluding summer), the student must receive an approved leave of absence to maintain

continuous enrollment under the degree requirements in effect at the time of initial enrollment.

To be considered for a leave of absence, a student must make a request to the program

director and the appropriate dean in advance of the third semester’s absence. Upon reviewing

the reasons for the request, the dean may grant an approved leave of absence.

If a student who is absent for more than two consecutive semesters does not obtain an

approved leave of absence, the student will be required to apply for readmission and pay a

reapplication fee before being permitted to re-enroll. A student who applies for readmission

must fulfill the admission and degree requirements in effect at the time the student returns to the

University.

There is no limit to the number of times a student may be absent from the University and still

maintain continuous enrollment status. However, the semesters in which a student fails to enroll

will be counted toward the seven-year limit for completing degree requirements.

If a student is absent from the University and has not maintained continuous enrollment

status, the seven-year time period for completion of new degree requirements will begin when

the student is readmitted to the University. A student should read closely the Catalog Under

Which Students Graduate for information concerning whether credit hours more than seven

years old will be applied toward graduation requirements.

If the seven-year time frame allotted for the degree has been exhausted but the student has

not completed the degree requirements, the student must either seek readmission or make an

appeal for an extension. Any request for extension of the seven-year time must be made in

writing to the program director and the dean at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the

seven-year time period. Such requests must include a plan for completion of the degree

requirements within a reasonable time frame that must be agreed to by both the program

director and the student. Each request will be evaluated and may either be granted or denied

by the dean.

GRADUATE INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH COURSE ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

The student must meet with an instructor to have a topic and course plan approved for

sponsorship.

The proposed topic of study, study procedures and time schedule should be clearly

delineated. Once endorsed by the instructor, the proposal is submitted to the appropriate

department or division chair for approval before the beginning of the academic term. The

deadline for proposal approval is the second day of classes in the term.

To successfully complete an individual research undertaking, the student must submit a

“finished product’’ (e.g., paper, report or portfolio) to the sponsoring instructor. A copy will be

forwarded to the department chair to be kept on file.

CATALOG UNDER WHICH STUDENTS GRADUATE

The requirements for graduation for a graduate student at the University of Baltimore are those

that are in effect at the time the student first becomes a candidate for a graduate degree at

the University, with the following conditions:

 The student must be in continuous enrollment in the same major during the academic

years (every fall and spring semester) from the time of first enrollment until graduation.

 The student must not take longer than seven calendar years to complete degree

requirements after enrolling as a degree candidate. Credits that are older than seven

years shall normally not be applied toward the graduation requirements, except upon

approval of the major department chair and academic dean.

 If, for whatever reason, including academic suspension or other deficiencies, a student is

not enrolled for two consecutive semesters or longer, the student must reapply for

admission and meet the requirements of the catalog in effect upon returning and being

admitted as a degree candidate.

 If the student changes from one program and/or major to another, the Graduation

Requirements are those that are in effect at the time the student becomes a degree

candidate in the new program or major.

 If the student wishes to attend another institution or must stop attending the University

temporarily because of an extraordinary life event, he or she may request in writing a

leave of absence and permission to re-enter under original course and degree

requirements; however, the student will be governed, upon his/her return, according to

the academic and administrative policies and procedures listed in effect at the time of

re-entry.

 If a leave of absence is granted, a letter of written permission must be signed by the

dean.

APPLYING FOR GRADUATION

The student is responsible for applying for graduation, and must file an application and pay the

required fee at the beginning of the semester in which the student expects to complete the

degree requirements. Deadlines are established in the academic calendar and usually fall on

the last date of late registration for a semester.

Students are advised to meet with their program director or adviser no later than the

beginning of their last semester to make sure their course selections are correct. Each student

should resolve any outstanding problems prior to midsemester, at which time copies of his or her

records are submitted to the academic dean for clearance. It is the student’s responsibility to

make sure that all transcripts are in and that any pending grade changes or incompletes are

resolved and in the Office of Records and Registration prior to midsemester. Failure to do so

could delay graduation for an additional semester.

Any student who does not complete degree requirements by the end of the semester for

which graduation is anticipated or who is not approved for graduation must file another

graduation application and pay another fee in the future semester in which graduation will

occur.

REUSE OF CREDITS

Up to 12 semester credit hours earned by a student at UB may be applied for up to three distinct

UB credentials. Permission of a program director and/or a dean may be required, and

continuous enrollment may also be required. For example, a student takes three graduate

courses as part of an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program and then also seeks to earn a

postbaccalaureate certificate that consists of courses contained within the master’s degree

being pursued. That student may be able to use those 9 credit hours for a B.S., M.S. or

postbaccalaureate certificate.

COURSE LOAD

Full-Time Status

A full-time student is a degree candidate who is carrying a minimum of 9 credit hours per

semester (day or evening). A student wishing to carry a credit load of more than 9 credit hours

may do so with the written permission of the dean.

Part-Time Status

A part-time student is a degree candidate who is carrying fewer than 9 credit hours per

semester (day or evening).

TIME LIMITATION

The student must not take longer than seven calendar years to complete a graduate program

at the University of Baltimore after enrolling as a degree candidate. Credit hours accumulated in

600-/700-level courses (or their equivalent) that are older than seven years shall normally not be

applied toward the Graduation Requirements, except upon approval of the program director

and academic dean.

DISSERTATIONS

Doctoral Students

Doctoral programs require a dissertation—a significant work that contributes to the body of

knowledge in a theoretical or applied sense. Specific regulations concerning necessary

requirements for a dissertation should be obtained from the program’s director.

Dissertation courses and the related continuous enrollment courses are graded P/F. Students

are cautioned that a CS (continuing studies) grade will be given at the end of each semester for

courses that are dissertation (numbered 899) or continuous enrollment (numbered 898) and for

which the work is not yet complete. Students who have not completed the dissertation but who

have exhausted the number of credits required for the degree are required to register for the 1-

credit continuous enrollment course each semester until all work is complete. This registration

entitles students to faculty assistance while completing the dissertation; use of University facilities,

such as the libraries and computer labs; purchase of a parking permit; and, if applicable,

maintenance of their legal student visa status in the United States. Failure to maintain continuous

enrollment has serious consequences for completion of the degree because readmission is not

guaranteed if a student stops attending without having been granted a leave of absence.

Students should refer to the Continuous Enrollment/Leave of Absence and Catalog Under Which

Students Graduate sections of this catalog for policies regarding interrupted graduate study.

Each dissertation submitted as a partial requirement for a degree must be preserved in a

prescribed manner in the Robert L. Bogomolny Library. A final grade cannot be given for the

credits earned, nor is the work considered complete until the dissertation has been finally

approved by the faculty committee and the required materials have been submitted to the

Bogomolny Library. The library requires two bound copies of the text of any dissertation and pays

for binding those volumes; the student is required to pay for one copy of any text document for

the academic program and may purchase additional copies for his or her own use. For some

dissertations, electronic records in an appropriate format must also be submitted to the library

and the program. Details of these required submissions may be obtained from the appropriate

program director.

In addition to the submission to the Bogomolny Library outlined above, each doctoral

dissertation submitted as a partial requirement for a degree must be submitted to ProQuest/UMI

Dissertation Publishing for inclusion in its electronic database as well as to the library.

ProQuest/UMI publishes and archives dissertations and theses, sells copies on demand, and

maintains the definitive bibliographic record for more than 2 million doctoral dissertations and

master’s theses. The student pays ProQuest/UMI directly for this listing. Further instructions for

submission may be found at https://www.proquest.com/products-

services/dissertations/submitting-dissertation-proquest.html or www.ubalt.edu/thesis. Students

may also wish to copyright their work.

The submissions to the Bogomolny Library and ProQuest/UMI are not optional; the grades for

the 899 dissertation course and hence graduation are contingent upon these submissions.

THESES AND FINAL PROJECTS

Master’s Students

Some master’s programs may require theses or final projects; others may require comprehensive

examinations. Specific regulations concerning necessary qualifications for these degree options

should be obtained from the program’s director.

Thesis/final project courses and the related continuous enrollment courses are graded P/F.

Students are cautioned that a CS grade will be given at the end of each semester for courses

that are thesis (numbered 799) or continuous enrollment (numbered 798) and for which the work

is not yet complete. Students who have not completed the thesis or final project but who have

exhausted the number of credits required for the degree are required to register for a 1-credit

continuous enrollment course each semester until all work is complete. Failure to do so can have

serious consequences for completion of the degree. This registration entitles students to faculty

assistance in completing the thesis; use of University facilities, such as the library and computer

labs; and, if applicable, maintenance of their legal student visa status in the United States.

Students should refer to the Continuous Enrollment/Leave of Absence and Catalog Under Which

Students Graduate sections of this catalog for policies regarding interrupted graduate study.

Each thesis or final project submitted as a partial requirement for a degree must be

preserved in a prescribed manner in the Bogomolny Library. A final grade cannot be given for

the credits earned and the work is not considered complete until the thesis or project has been

finally approved by the faculty committee and the required materials have been submitted to

the Bogomolny Library. The library requires two bound copies of the text of any thesis or final

project and pays for binding those volumes; the student is required to pay for one copy of any

text document for the academic program and may purchase additional copies for his or her

own use. For some theses or final projects, CDs containing electronic records or actual creative

products must also be submitted to the library and the program. Details of these required

submissions may be obtained from the appropriate program director.

In addition to submitting hard copies to the Bogomolny Library, master’s students may opt to

submit an electronic copy of their thesis to ProQuest/UMI Dissertation Publishing. For more

information, visit www.ubalt.edu/thesis. This submission carries a fee.

ACCELERATED BACHELOR’S-MASTER’S PROGRAMS

Some graduate programs at the University provide accelerated pathways for exceptional

undergraduate students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity. To qualify for

an accelerated pathway at UB, students must have an undergraduate grade point average of

at least 3.5, with at least 15 credits earned at UB, and be admissible to the graduate program to

which they are applying for the accelerated option. The undergraduate GPA is calculated using

all graded collegiate credits attempted at UB and other institutions over the past five years. At

least 15 credits must be upper-division credits (300-level or above). Individual programs may

require a certain number of credits to be upper-division credits in the major and for those credits

to achieve a certain grade point average. Students should apply for the accelerated option

prior to beginning the last 30 credits of their bachelor’s degree so that if accepted, they may

attempt the graduate credits during the last 30 credits of that degree. Students may not apply

before they have successfully completed at least 75 credits, and the grade point average for

acceptance will not be calculated until at least 87 credits have been completed. Students

interested in an accelerated option should consult with an adviser as soon as possible.

Students admitted to the accelerated option may earn up to 9 graduate credits within the

last 30 credits of the bachelor’s degree that may be applied to both the student’s bachelor’s

and master’s degrees if the student remains continuously enrolled. The program generally

requires or advises that specific courses be taken for the 9 credits. The student must maintain a

3.5 grade point average in undergraduate courses and earn at least a 3.0 in the graduate

courses to remain in the pathway. Programs may opt not to accept course credits toward the

graduate degree if the student did not earn at least a 3.0 in the course. University of Baltimore

students in an accelerated pathway pay undergraduate tuition rates for the graduate courses

that are completed prior to completion of the bachelor’s degree. (Students from other

institutions who participate in an articulated bachelor’s/master’s accelerated program will pay

the tuition rate identified in the articulation agreement.) Permission of the undergraduate and

graduate program directors and of the assistant dean of the college where the program is

located will be required as part of admission to the accelerated pathway.

Students should be aware that graduate courses applied to both undergraduate and

graduate degrees at the University may not transfer as graduate credits to another institution.

Unless otherwise indicated, students in accelerated tracks still apply to the graduate program

prior to graduation; programs might waive some requirements (e.g., GMAT).

EARLY ENTRY LAW

UB undergraduates who are accepted as early entry law students into the UB J.D. program will

be charged undergraduate rates for the first fall semester and first spring semester in the J.D.

program. The students may be full or part time. For more information, see the descriptions of

early entry law options later in the catalog.

ELECTIVE GRADUATE CREDITS

In certain programs, and only on a case-by-case basis, the undergraduate and graduate

program directors may allow students with at least a 3.2 grade point average to take up to 6

graduate credits as elective undergraduate credits. These special permissions are not part of

accelerated programs, and the credits may count only for undergraduate credit.

Undergraduate tuition is charged.

HOLIDAY CLASSES

Graduate and undergraduate classes generally meet on federal and state holidays, with the

exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day,

Independence Day and Labor Day. Students should consult the academic calendar for an

exact holiday schedule.

INTERINSTITUTIONAL REGISTRATION

The University System of Maryland Program

It is the policy of the University System of Maryland to allow graduate students at the University of

Baltimore to register for graduate courses at any other system school. Likewise, students at other

system institutions may register for classes at the University of Baltimore. Prior approval by the

student’s academic adviser and by the registrar at the student’s home and host institution is

required. Courses taken at another system institution through this program are counted as part

of the student’s regular program at the University of Baltimore, and the student pays University of

Baltimore tuition.

For full details of this policy, contact the Office of Records and Registration.