Full and
part-time students must complete the program within seven years of their
initial enrollment. Students not
completing the program by that time may be required to retake certain
courses. Two-thirds of the required
number of credit hours must be completed in residence. Up to one-third of the required number of
credit hours may be accepted as transfer credits from a student's previous
graduate training provided the courses are equivalent to those in the present
program. File a Petition Form for
Advance Credit request with your Advisor to get credit for work taken in
another graduate program.
To remain
in good standing, and to graduate from the program, a student must maintain a
grade point average of "B" (3.0) or better. The faculty will review the records of
students with less than a 3.0 grade point average. Students having difficulty in a course or
practicum are to meet with the instructor to ascertain the factors responsible
for the deficiencies, and to specify ways and means to improve
performance. A course for which a “C”
range (i.e., C-, C, C+) or lower grade is obtained must be repeated.
Incomplete, i.e., "I" grades, must be arranged between the student and the instructor for the course in which the incomplete is to be taken. Incompletes should be changed to letter grades as soon as possible.
It is
important to note that grade point averages (GPAs) are calculated based on all courses
completed which have a letter grade. If a student fails a course (i.e., gets a
C range grade or lower), the failing grade continues to be used in the
calculation of the GPA even if a student retakes and successfully passes the
course a second time. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for policies
regarding GPA.
An
incomplete “I” will be given to students who do not complete Practicum or
Thesis requirements during the semester in which they register for the
credit. The grade will be changed when the
requirements are met.
Decisions
to dismiss students from the program are made by the Program Director in
consultation with the Psychology Department Chairperson and the Dean of the
If you are
unsatisfied with your final grade there are several steps you may take. First,
you should consult with your instructor to determine the possibility completing
work for review of grade (e.g. extra credit). If still unsatisfied with your
grade, a formal grievance may be filed by contacting the Program Director.
Note: It
is strongly recommended that students
try to come to an understanding with the professor. Even though a grievance may
be successful, the professor cannot be forced to change the grade.
It is the
expectation of faculty that students will adhere to the American Psychological
Association’s (APA) “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct”
and to all relevant and applicable state or university policies (e.g., sexual
harassment policy) during the course of their training. This expectation is held for all students in
the program regardless of whether or not the student elects to become an
affiliate member of the American Psychological Association. Please see Appendix C of this handbook for a
copy of the APA’s Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct. (Appendix C also
contains a copy of the
1) Clear the student of any ethical violation or
wrongdoing.
2) Require that the student engage in additional
educational activities so that they will better understand psychology’s ethical
principles.
3) In the event of serious wrongdoing, it may be
recommended to the Dean that the student be terminated from the M.A. program.
A student
has the right to appeal a recommendation concerning dismissal. The first step is to request reconsideration
by the Program Director. If the matter
is not resolved satisfactorily at this level, the student may next appeal to
the Psychology Department Chairperson.
In the
case of students with a history of chemical dependence, continued abstinence
from mood-altering drugs during the student's enrollment is a condition for
remaining in the program. The Program
Director will investigate all pertinent facts concerning cases of
non-abstinence in students with chemical-dependence histories, and will decide
whether to terminate the student from the program. Students terminated under these circumstances
may be re-admitted after three years of abstinence.
Conduct
with professors/students:
Differences
are expected between a student and his/her professors/classmates. However,
students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. If these differences
become significant and cannot be resolved by the two parties several steps can
be taken. It is suggested to
talk to
the Program Director informally for suggestions on how to proceed. If the
dispute remains unresolved, a formal grievance can be filed and the two parties
will meet with the Program Director. Again, it is strongly suggested to act in
a professional manner in these circumstances.
Conduct
during practicum:
The
activities of the profession require unusually high levels of emotional
adjustment. Thus, the clinical placements are intended to be a place not only
of developing students' clinical skills and personal adjustment, but also a
place to test them. A failure to demonstrate adequate skills and personal
adjustment will be basis for termination from the program. This decision will
be made by the Program Director in consultation with the Practicum Site
Supervisor, the UDM Psychology Department Chairperson, and the Dean of the
Students
are strongly advised to keep a record of courses and program requirements completed
and track grades. Appendix D contains Documentation of Work Completed forms for
the Child Clinical and Addictions tracks, respectfully, to be used for this
purpose.
Students
may transfer a maximum of twelve hours of graduate credit earned at another
institution. The Graduate Division of
the
1. Courses
must be strictly graduate level.
Courses which are open to both advanced undergraduate students and
graduate students will be considered only if we have a written statement from
an official of the institution verifying the course was completed for graduate
credit.
2. Accreditation
status of the Institution where credit was taken. The institution must hold general
accreditation by one of the Regional Accrediting Associations, e.g. the
3. Age
of the Credit(s). Credit earned more
than five years prior to the student's application for graduation is unacceptable.
4. A
minimum grade of "B" is required in all courses to be considered
for transfer.
5. Transfer
credit may not exceed twelve semester hours. Quarter hours will be converted to semester
hours on a 2/3 basis. (Two 4 quarter
hour courses will be considered the equivalent of six semester hours.)
6. Graduate
courses used to fulfill the requirements of a previous degree will not
be allowed as transferred credit.