ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

Graduate students may audit courses under the following arrangements:
1. Students must receive consent of the department chair and the instructor offering the course.
2. No change from audit to credit will be permitted after the first week of classes. No change from credit to audit will be permitted after the first half of a semester or summer session course.
3. No credit will be granted for any course that is audited. “Aud” will appear on the student’s permanent academic record. The “AS”- “AU” grading system is used for auditors. (The grade will not affect your GPA.)
4. An audited course may be repeated for credit in another semester or term.
5. Appropriate tuition and fees are to be paid for the course.
 
Note: Courses being audited may not be taken in excess of student load limits for credit generating courses without special “overload” permission from the academic dean. Courses being audited are not usable to establish full-time or part-time status for any type of eligibility - such as for athletic participation, student grants/loans, or loan deferment.

Graduate Studies at UW-L subscribes to the statement by the Council of Graduate Schools that describes the master’s program as “a coherent sequence of lectures, seminars, discussions and independent studies or investigations designed to help the student acquire an introduction to the mastery of knowledge, creative scholarship, and research in [the student’s] field. The college or university that offers the master’s degree undertakes a responsibility in the public interest to establish and maintain high quality in the experience given to its students.”

Thus, a graduate program of study is not merely a collection of courses taken in satisfaction of a set of degree requirements. A high quality graduate experience is characterized by graduate students, advised and taught by faculty scholars, coming together in an environment of intellectual and creative pursuit and interchange with other students and faculty in the discipline.

The following transfer policy has been established in keeping with a commitment to highest quality and integrity.
 
Graduate Level Credit Transfer Policy
In order to be considered for graduate transfer credit at UW-L, these requirements must be met:
1. Transfer credits will not be accepted with grades lower than “B” (not “BC” or “B-”) or equivalent nor with grades of “pass.” Staff from the Office of International Education may assist in evaluation of courses from international institutions.
2. The institution offering the course must be regionally accredited at the graduate level if it is a domestic institution, or internationally recognized if it is an international institution.
3. The course must be acceptable for graduate credit toward a graduate degree at the offering institution, and must be appropriate to a degree at UW-L.
4. It must appear as a graduate course on the student’s graduate transcript from the offering institution.
5. Students may be granted permission to transfer a maximum of nine semester credits. This maximum may vary in the case of special consortia or joint degree programs recognized by the Graduate Council. Students pursuing a master’s degree may transfer no more than nine credits from a previous master’s degree or other recognized post-baccalaureate degree program, regardless of whether the graduate degree was awarded by UW-L or another institution.
6. All credits must have been earned during the seven-year period prior to the proposed date of the completion of all required graduate work.
7. Students must submit a formal request for approval of transfer credits. Students currently enrolled at UW-L must secure approval from their graduate program director and college dean in advance of enrollment at another institution for such course work to transfer back to UW-L.
8. Officials at UW-L will not accept transcripts from other institutions that are marked “Issued to Student” for evaluation and/or the awarding of credit. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the issuing institution(s) to the UW-L Admissions Office.
 
Graduate program directors have discretion in evaluating proposed transfer credits and determining if graduate courses taken at other institutions may apply to a student’s program of study at UW-L. In addition to reviewing an official graduate transcript, graduate program directors may request to review a course syllabus, written assignments, and examinations in order to assist them in their evaluations. Other factors that may be considered include the method of course delivery and course format. Individual program directors may have program-specific information on credit transfer policies and procedures.
 
Note: UW-La Crosse grade point averages are determined only by grades in UW-L courses. Probationary status and grade point deficiencies of students already matriculated at UW-L may not be improved by enrolling in courses at other institutions.

Academic Advising

Advising is a critical part of graduate education. It is important for each student to meet with their program director early in your studies to chart a plan of study. Program directors serve as the advisers in some programs; in other programs, advisers are assigned. Consulting with your adviser prior to each registration will reduce the possibility of enrolling in courses which do not meet your goal.

Registration is completed online via the WINGS system. Instructions on using the system are available on the Web with the semester timetable information. Some graduate programs require that students register through their advisers instead of using the WINGS system. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required prior to registering. If the enrollment management plan will permit registering additional students, late registrants will be accepted and enrolled under normal procedures. Registration is closed at the end of the second week of classes in a semester and after one week in the summer session. This deadline varies for courses that do not last an entire semester.

The period of time between a student’s initial registration for any term through the first five days of instruction in any semester (three days during summer session) are considered to be the “drop/add-change-of-schedule” period. During this time, a student may drop classes without affecting his/her permanent academic record; he/she may also add classes or change sections, if the desired section is not closed. Neither the adviser’s signature nor the instructor’s signature is required for schedule changes during this period. The signatures of the department chair and the instructor will be required only if a student seeks to enter a class that is closed. Between the fifth and tenth days of instruction, to add a course, the student must obtain the instructor’s signature. After the tenth day of instruction, classes cannot be added except in unusual cases and then only with the consent of the instructor, department chair and dean.

A student enrolled in any course is expected to be in attendance from the first day or to have notified the instructor or the Office of Student Life that attendance is not possible. A student registered in a section who fails to attend the first two class sessions or provide proper notification may be dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor.

An instructor who wishes to drop a student from a course should complete a drop/add form and submit it to the Records and Registration Office during the drop/add - change-of-schedule period. A decision by an instructor to drop a student from a class may not be appealed to any other individual or body in the university. A student should not assume that an instructor will use the discretionary drop if he/she does not attend class. It is a student’s responsibility to withdraw from a class.

Any student may withdraw from a class until one week beyond midterm of a semester or summer session. All withdrawals from classes after the “drop/add - change-of-schedule” period will be recorded with a “W” on the student’s permanent academic record along with the official date of withdrawal. Half-term courses (either semester or summer session) or short-term courses will have withdrawal time limits established on a basis prorated to withdrawal dates for full-term courses. The student must obtain either his/her adviser’s or the instructor’s signature during this time period. No student is permitted to withdraw from a class later than one week beyond the midterm of a semester or summer session. Only a grade of “F” or “I” may be recorded for any student who enters this time period and fails to complete a course. These deadlines vary for courses that do not last the entire semester.

Withdrawal from the university is a matter of major importance. Students considering withdrawal from school should discuss the matter with his/her academic adviser or program director prior to initiating action. The official date of withdrawal from all classes will be recorded on the permanent academic record if the student withdraws after classes begin. Forms for withdrawing from the university may be obtained from the Office of Student Life. The forms provide a checklist which withdrawing students are expected to follow carefully. Withdrawal procedures must be fully completed before a withdrawal becomes official.

An official withdrawal entitles a student to a refund of fees when the withdrawal date falls within a refund period. The official date of withdrawal is the date the withdrawal form is received in the Records and Registration Office. A “W” (Withdrawal) will appear on the student’s academic transcript if the withdrawal date is prior to one week after midterm of a given semester. A grade of “WP” or “WF” will appear if the withdrawal falls after the mid-term point. Withdrawal from the university is not allowed after the three-quarter point of the semester or summer term.

An unofficial withdrawal will result in the recording of failing grades in discontinued courses and in encumbering of student records if the following obligations to the university have not been met: release from graduate assistantship obligations, if appropriate; returning books to textbook service and Murphy library; returning other university supplies and/or equipment issued during preceding periods of regular enrollment; clearing a record through an exit interview in the Financial Aid Office, if necessary; and securing a final clearance in the Cashiers Office with respect to any refund(s) which may be due or obligations unfulfilled regarding university fees, housing or food service arrangements or accounts, and relinquishing the student identification card.

In addition, pursuant to federal regulations that apply to Title IV of the Federal Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended, students who receive student financial aid and receive all “NA” grades (recorded at F’s) will be subject to the federal Title IV Return of Funds Policy. These students may be required to return funds to the student financial programs and may also be liable for repayments directly to UW-La Crosse.
 
Emergency medical withdrawal from the University may be initiated by the student or an authorized agent at any time. It must be supported by a letter from a physician, which is first processed by the Student Health Center to verify its authenticity. After such verification, the Student Health Center will immediately notify the Office of Student Life, which will notify the Records and Registration Office, the Business Office, the appropriate academic dean, the Director of University Graduate Studies, the appropriate graduate program director, and all of the student’s instructors. When the withdrawal is completed, the Records and Registration Office will send instructors a computer-generated drop slip indicating whether a grade is required. Use of the emergency medical withdrawal is intended for use only when totally withdrawing from the university. The permanent academic record may show that no credits were earned, but the status of the student’s grades at the time of the withdrawal will be posted. The record will show one of the following grades submitted by the instructor: “EP” (Emergency Withdrawal Passing), or “EF” (Emergency Withdrawal Failing.) Such grades will not be included in the computation of the term or cumulative grade point average. Any exceptions to the policies of the Emergency Medical Withdrawal must be appealed to the university’s Graduate Council.

The following academic standards will be applied once a student has completed at least nine graduate credits:

Good Standing
1. Students who maintain at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA will be in good standing.

Probation
1. Students admitted unconditionally who have a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 upon completion of nine graduate credits, or any time thereafter, will be placed on probation. Such students must raise their cumulative GPA to at least 3.00 within the next nine credits in order to continue in graduate study.
2. Students admitted on probation must have at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA after completing nine graduate credits in order to continue in graduate study.
3. Students who have been on probation and subsequently removed from probation will be returned to a probationary status if their cumulative GPA falls below 3.00.
 
Dismissal
1. Students admitted unconditionally, who subsequently were placed on probation, will be dismissed from graduate study if their cumulative GPA is below 3.00 after completing nine graduate credits while on probation.
2. Students admitted on probation will be dismissed from graduate study if their cumulative GPA is below 3.00 after completing nine graduate credits.
3. Students will be dismissed from graduate study if their semester GPA is less than 3.00 at any time while on probation (after completing nine credits.)
4. Students who earn a “D” or “F” in a graduate course will be dismissed from graduate study.          

Individual programs may have more restrictive policies. Academic action, e.g. dismissal, may be appealed to the student’s program and Graduate Council through the Office of University Graduate Studies, if compelling evidence is presented to warrant exception to the policy. Students should consult with their program director and the academic assistant to the Dean in their college to prepare an appeal. Graduate students in non-degree study are expected to meet and maintain the same academic standards as students in degree programs.

Undergraduate students with senior status (at least 90 credits) who have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average may enroll in a maximum of six graduate credits. These graduate level credits may not be used to satisfy requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the Graduate Council. Maximum student credit load for dual-enrollment (undergraduate/graduate) is 15 credit hours for a semester and eight credit hours for a summer session (standard university overload approval process applies).
 
Students must submit written permission from the course instructor and their adviser along with a graduate special non-degree application, to the admissions office prior to registering for a graduate course. The registration system cannot accommodate senior dual-enrollment; therefore registration for the graduate course(s) must be done via mail or in person at the Records and Registration Office. Undergraduate tuition and fees are charged. Students in dual-degree programs must complete the graduate program application process and pay graduate tuition and fees. Students are expected to purchase texts for graduate courses.
 
Note: Undergraduate students are not allowed to enroll in graduate level MBA courses

Accommodation of Religious Beliefs

It is the policy of the Board of Regents that students’ sincerely held religious beliefs shall be reasonably accommodated with respect to all examinations and other academic requirements. The University guidelines state that the claim of a religious conflict should be accepted at face value, and any student with a conflict between an academic requirement and any religious observance must be given an alternative means of meeting the academic requirement. The student must notify the instructor within the first two weeks of class of the specific days/dates for which the student will request relief. It is understood that instructors may set reasonable limits on the total number of days claimed by any one student. Instructors are not obliged to schedule make-up exams before the regularly scheduled requirements. Complaints may be filed with the Office of Affirmative Action and Diversity, 235 Graff Main Hall.

Class Attendance

Students are responsible to their respective instructors for all absences. If a student is absent an extended period of time (over one week), due to illness, family emergency, etc., the student must contact the Student Life Office, 149 Graff Main Hall. That office will inform the instructors involved of the absence. This serves as notification only, not necessarily a formal excuse. It is the student’s responsibility to contact each instructor for make-up work, etc. There is no “cut” system. University regulations prohibit excusing students and the dismissal of classes immediately preceding or immediately following scheduled vacation or recess periods except in cases of commonly recognized and extreme emergencies.

Cross-listed Course

A course offered by more than one department that has the same course description, credits, and title but a different prefix is a cross-listed course. Students may earn credit only once for taking a cross-listed course.

Final Examinations

A final examination will be given in each course within a special examination period except for one-credit courses, which will have exams scheduled at the last regular meeting of the class. The examination periods, dates, and times are included in each semester’s Timetable. Final exams for online courses will be administered by the published end date of the course. The relative importance assigned to the final examination is determined by the instructor in charge of each course.

Study Day

No final examination shall be given to any student on Study Day. Study Day is a day to prepare for the final examination period. No student activities of any sort with the exception of optional review sessions for final examinations. shall be scheduled on Study Day. This includes make-up classes or tests, committee meetings involving students and athletic practices or events.

Name and Address Changes

It is the student’s responsibility to keep appropriate offices advised of changes.  Campus (local) or permanent (legal) home addresses may be changed on the WINGS system. Official name changes may be done in the Records and Registration Office, 117 Graff Main Hall.

The Graduate Council

Duties and responsibilities of the committee shall include:

1. Establishing, in consultation with departments and/or colleges, academic standards pertaining to graduate study, including policies for graduate student admission, honors recognition, retention, probation, dismissal and readmission.

2. Determining the procedures and criteria for selecting members of the graduate faculty and annually approving an updated roster of members of the graduate faculty.

3. Formulating procedures for hearing graduate student appeals and petitions on academic policy matters not resolved by administrative offices of the university.

4. Studying long-range issues related to any aspect of graduate studies and recommending how and by whom these issues should be addressed.

Membership of the committee shall consist of nine graduate faculty.  The faculty membership shall include at least one representative from each of the College of Science and Health, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Liberal Studies.  At least one representative from each college shall be either a graduate program director (having no additional administrative responsibilities) or a member of a department participating in a graduate program. In addition, the director of university graduate studies, the chair of the graduate curriculum committee, and two graduate students shall serve as members. The academic deans or their designated appointees, and the registrar shall serve as administrative consultants to the committee. The committee shall elect its chairperson. The director of university graduate studies shall serve as convener.

The Graduate Curriculum Committee
Duties and responsibilities of the committee shall include:

1. Receiving, reviewing and acting on proposals for curricular changes from the various academic departments and graduate programs.

2. Initiating, developing and recommending changes in the design of curricula for experimental and research purposes.

3. Informing department chairpersons/program directors, in writing, of proposals being considered that relate to experimental curricula or their programs, thus providing adequate opportunity for departments/programs to be heard prior to committee and senate action on such proposals.

4. Evaluating various curricular proposals by an established set of criteria, taking into consideration the needs of students and of society, the mission of the university, the necessity for quality programs, and the ability of the department and college to meet the resource needs of the proposal.

5. Coordinating the various curricula through formal consultation with the academic departments, graduate programs, and the Academic Program Review Committee.

6. Publishing the agenda of regularly scheduled meetings in the university newsletter.

Membership of the committee shall consist of nine members of the graduate faculty and three graduate students. The faculty membership shall include at least the following numbers of representatives from each of the following academic units: two from the College of Liberal Studies, four from the College of Science and Health, and one from the College of Business Administration.  Each student member shall represent one of these academic units.  The provost/vice chancellor, registrar, director of university graduate studies, director of the library and academic deans shall serve as administrative consultants to the committee.  The committee shall elect its chair.